Strictly Come Dancing latest: Tasha Ghouri and JB Gill land perfect scores as Pete Wicks divides the judges
It was a high-scoring semi-final — though one dance divided the judging panel
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Strictly Come Dancing final is now just one week away and tonight (December 7), the remaining five contestants battled it out in the show’s semi-final.
Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec opened the show and scored an impressive 35 for their first routine, but it was their second that really impressed the judges, as the former Love Island star landed a score of 40.
JB Gill and Lauren Oakley were also among the couples performing tonight and for their second routine of the evening, they landed a perfect score from the judging panel — putting them top of the leaderboard.
Also performing tonight were Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell, and their emotionally-charged Waltz left both stars in tears.
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola, and Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal completed the semi-finalists. Ahead of the live show, Wicks reached out to fans on social media for their support after mounting backlash about him still being in the competition.
In a post on his Instagram, Wicks and Przystal were seen looking forlorn alongside the caption: “Today is semi-finals day. It’s been 12 weeks of hard work, ups and downs...can we do the unthinkable? We would love your support tonight.”
On the night, Wicks delivered two solid performances. His second was a passionate Argentine Tango that left the judges disagreeing with each other.
Another celebrity will leave the competition on Sunday (8 December) night’s results show, which airs on BBC One at 7.20pm.
Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard scores from Week 11
“Musicals Week” saw the six couples perform a variety of routines to famous tunes from stage musicals, while the professional dancers opened the show with a number from Little Shop of Horrors.
The performances saw Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell dance a Quickstep to You’re The Top” from Anything Goes, JB Gill and Lauren Oakley dance a Viennese Waltz to “Let’s Go Fly A Kite” from Mary Poppins.
Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard scores from week 11 of the competition
Recapping how the judges marked the remaining six couples
Pete Wicks is far from being Strictly’s best dancer – but there’s plenty he deserves praise for
Rachel McGrath writes:
While skills wise, he is significantly behind series leaders Tasha Ghouri and JB Gill, there’s plenty he deserves praise for.
Let’s start with this week. Was Wicks’s Waltz quarter final-worthy? Not exactly. Anton du Beke labelled one section of the routine “a disaster” and Craig Revel Horwood added: “You don’t have the swing and sway, the footwork is shoddy and you went completely wrong.”
Pete Wicks is far from Strictly’s finest – but there’s plenty he deserves praise for
The former TOWIE star’s stint on the show has proved divisive, but critics would do well to remember why he’s lasted in the competition, writes Rachel McGrath
Wicks and Przystal implore fans to support them after mounting backlash
In a post on his Instagram, Wicks and Przystal are seen looking forlorn along with the caption: “Today is semi-finals day. It’s been 12 weeks of hard work, ups and downs...can we do the unthinkable? We would love your support tonight.”
The appeal comes following mounting backlash for the pair making it so far in the competition despite being at the bottom of the leaderboard multiple times.
Strictly Come Dancing full lineup 2024: Meet the celebrity contestants, from Tasha Ghouri to Chris McCausland
Read below for a list of all the people who’ve been on the show this series (semi-finalists and those who’ve been eliminated).
Strictly Come Dancing 2024 couples – full list of pairings
Meet the cast of 2024 – and their professional partners
Maura Higgins opens up about Pete Wicks relationship after leaving the I’m a Celeb jungle
Lydia Spencer-Elliott reports:
“ I can’t wait to see him when I get back,” the Love Island star gushed from Australia.
Maura Higgins opens up about relationship with Pete Wicks after I’m a Celeb exit
‘I can’t wait to see him when I get back,’ the reality star gushed from Australia
Strictly Come Dancing reveals lineup for 2024 Christmas special
Ellie Muir reports:
If there’s one highlight of the BBC’s Christmas Day scheduling, it’s the Strictly Come Dancing festive special.
Each year, the ballroom is transformed into a magical winter wonderland where six famous faces perform a festive routine in the hope of impressing the judges and being crowned the Christmas Champion for 2024.
On last year’s special, EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick took home the winning trophy alongside professional dancer, Nancy Xu. He clearly impressed producers so much that he was invited back to compete in the full series that launched in September.
Strictly Come Dancing reveals lineup for 2024 Christmas special
Six stars from across TV, radio and comedy will compete for the festive trophy
Strictly’s Chris McCausland opens up about ‘shame’ and admits other couples are ‘better’
Comedian said being blind was “never a sad thing”.
Comparing the experience of gradually losing his eyesight to being a “frog in boiling water”, the star opened up about his initial disbelief at his diagnosis, refusing to use aids such as a cane.
The Strictly stars with previous dance experience, from Tasha Ghouri to JB Gill
Half of the semi-finalists have some previous dancing experience.
As many of the celebrities competing on Strictly are actors, singers and performers, a large number of them will have trained in dance or theatrical performance.
All of the Strictly stars with dance experience, from Tasha Ghouri to JB Gill
Featuring a professionally-trained commercial dancer and theatre school graduate
Here we go...
It’s semi-final time! This year’s Strictly has flown by, hasn’t it?
Tonight, the remaining five couples are dancing two routines each with the hopes of impressing the judges (and viewers), and landing a spot in next week’s grand final. Almost every dance style the show features will be performed, with just the Rumba and Samba (both notoriously difficult and possibly cursed) missing. But who’ll come out on top?
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments