Strictly Come Dancing live: Blackpool week sees Sarah Hadland wow with powerful Couple’s Choice
Only eight couples remain in the BBC dance competition
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Your support makes all the difference.Strictly Come Dancing‘s eight remaining couples headed to the legendary Blackpool Tower ballroom for week nine of the series.
The show is usually held in the Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire. But for one week each year, the show moves up north to the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool – an iconic and historical dancing venue.
The episode featured a number of impressive routines with Sarah Hadland performing a powerful Couple’s Choice and Tasha Ghouri taking on the Paso Doble. Both dances received totals of 39 from the judges and the two stars are sharing the top spot on the leaderboard.
While he didn’t score too well, Pete Wicks certainly delivered a dose of entertainment with his “I’m Too Sexy” Cha Cha. Another star who struggled was Wynne Evans, who performed a Charleston with his partner Katya Jones.
Blackpool Week followed last Sunday’s elimination of X Factor star Shayne Ward and his partner Nancy Xu, who faced singer Wynne Evans and pro partner Katya Jones in the dance-off.
Songs and dances revealed for Blackpool week
For Blackpool Week, Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell will dance an American Smooth to “Jump” by Paul Anka while Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola will dance a Couple’s Choice to “Padam Padam” by Kylie Minogue.
Meanwhile, Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe will dance a Salsa to “Don’t Leave Me This Way” by Kylie Minogue, and Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec will dance a Paso Doble to “Torn” by Nathan Lanier.
For a the full list of songs and dances, read more below:
Strictly Come Dancing reveals songs and dances for Blackpool week
Here are all the songs and dance routines to expect when ‘Strictly’ returns to Blackpool on Saturday
Nancy Xu calls out Strictly judges for treatment of Shayne Ward after shock exit
Strictly Come Dancing pro Nancy Xu has called out the show’s judges what she deemed to be “unfair” treatment of her celebrity partner Shayne Ward after his surprise exit.
Ward’s time on the series started in a rocky manner after he received criticism for appearing “overconfident” in the first episode.
His departure from the series arrived in equally controversial fashion; the result was the first split decision between the judges so far this series.
Xu wrote in a lengthy Instagram post:“I’m so sorry that the whole journey you received criticised seems more than you should, and people forget that you are coming from zero! To put up every Saturday night show like you did, you should deserve something better! [sic].”
Read more below:
Strictly pro isn’t happy with how judges treated Shayne Ward
‘You deserve something better!’ Ward’s partner Nancy Xu said of result
What is the most successful Blackpool week dance?
In the history of Strictly’s Blackpool Week, the Quickstep has been the highest scoring dance with 22 10s awarded suring the series’ 20 year long run.
Meanwhile, the American Smooth comes in second for points with 15 10s and in third place is the Charleston with 13 10s.
There have only been five couples to ever score a perfect 40 at Blackpool: Fleur East and Vito Coppola in 2022, Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse in 2016, Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani and Jason Donovan and Kristina Rihanoff in 2011.
After scoring the first 10s of the season and topping the Strictly leaderboard for multiple consecutive weeks, Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri is this year’s favourite to be awarded a perfect score.
Strictly pro predicts couples who will be in the bottom two after Blackpool performances
Hours ahead of Blackpool week former Strictly star Ola Jordan has predicted which celebrity is most likely to leave the competition this weekend.
“I think Wynne and Montell will be in the bottom two this weekend, or Wynne and possibly Jamie,” Jordan said in a new interview with Mecca Bingo.
Evans and his pro partner Katya Jones survived the dance-off when they faced Shayne Ward and his partner Nancy Xu last week. For week nine, they will perform a Charleston to “Carmen Suite No. 1: 5. Les toréadors” by George Bizet.
Jordan continued: “I don’t think Pete Wicks will be in the bottom two yet, but he’s got a tricky dance so he might not do that well. I’m still thinking he’s going to get votes though so for me, Wynne and Montell or Wynne and Jamie will be in the bottom two this weekend.”
Amy Dowden ‘gutted’ to be missing Blackpool Week of competition
Amy Dowden has admitted she’s deeply disappointed not to be performing in Blackpool.
The professional dancer was forced to quit this year’s Strictly series due to injury, which is the second time she has been prevented from dancing in the competition as a result of health complications.
Speaking to Christine Lampard on Lorraine, Dowden said: “It’s the goal, everyone wants to make it to Blackpool there’s something so special in there. I’m just so gutted I won’t be dancing there this weekend.”
She continued: “It’s definitely not the way I wanted it but I’m so proud of JB, Lauren’s doing a great job. Obviously I planned the series for him to have his best numbers towards the end to get him to that final as he’s so talented.
Dowden added: “I’ve seen the quickstep, everyone’s in for a treat, I think there’s more tens coming!”
Read more here:
Strictly star Amy Dowden’s health journey as she’s forced to exit competition
Dancer has been replaced by Lauren Oakley in this year’s competition
15 minutes to go
This is your 15-minute warning! Get your sparkles on and pop open the prosecco (or put the kettle on). It’s almost time for the Strictly Blackpool special.
Here we go...
I hope you’ve got some sequins on — it’s time for Blackpool week!
There are eight couples left in the competition and tonight, they’re dancing in the iconic ballroom. Every couple will be upping their game (and hoping they can keep a handle on their nerves). We’re still yet to see a 40 this series — could Craig finally reach for the 10 paddle? Stay tuned to find out.
Pet Shop Boys open the show with a medley
The Pet Shop Boys are brilliant aren’t they? They never let you down and I can’t think of an act more suited to kicking off the Strictly Blackpool special. The ballroom looks stunning and I think every shred of silver fabric in the country is currently on this stage and dancefloor.
Chris is opening the show
Chris and Dianne’s beautiful Couple’s Choice kept them in the competiton last week and tonight, they’re dancing the American Smooth and opening the show.
As you’ll see with all the dances this week, extra dancers are involved which, as Dianne explained in the VT, is especially challenging for Chris.
What a way to open the show, though. That was properly brilliant, a super stylish performance with a big band number, plenty of impressive lifts and fireworks to finish. We’re off to a brilliant start.
Judges’ verdict on Chris’s performance
They’re impressed! Shirley said: “Only the bets feet belong on this floor, and your feet were the best feet I’ve seen in a long time. Your grace, your beauty.... you did not miss a beat. That was phenomenal.”
“This is the number I wish I’d danced,” Anton said. “The style, the tailsuit, your movement was exemplary. If anything can beat this tonight, I’ll be amazed.”
You can always count on Craig to bring the vibe down though. He said: “I thought you were slightly ahead getting in the line-up, your arm extensions could do with some finesse. It lacked any swing or sway but your frame, I have to say, has improved beyond compare and you did that dance justice.”
“I just want to say what a way to open the show,” Motsi added. “This was a statement. This was beautiful dancing.”
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