Strictly Come Dancing LIVE: Movie week sees Craig Revel-Horwood booed and big first after a week of scandal
The BBC show’s annual Movie Week delivered tears, boos and a Strictly first
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That’s a wrap! Movie Week on Strictly Come Dancing is done and dusted for another year.
Week three of the BBC’s dancing competition saw the remaining contestants perform to some very recognisable tunes - and there was a Strictly first as Punam Krishan made history with her Bollywood routine.
Elsewhere, Toyah Wilcox’s husband brought a touch of Pantomime to show as he booed Craig Revel Horwood’s critique of his wife’s Samba.
The stars performed numbers to the soundtrack of films including Paddington, Wonka, and Mrs Doubtfire, with Wynne Evans transforming into the titular character for his Cha Cha.
Movie Week arrived after the first elimination of the season, which saw Olympic champion Tom Dean booted from the series and sadly, another of this year’s celebrities was also missing.
DIY SOS star Nick Knowles has had to pull out of this week’s competition after sustaining another injury. As per the competition’s rules, he and Luba Musthuk will receive a bye through to next week.
Having topped the leaderboard last week, Love Island star Tasha Ghouri and professional Aljaž Škorjanec did so again with their Rumba to Billie Eillish’s “What Was I Made For?” from Barbie.
Tonight’s episode also came days after the BBC published its findings of an investigation into accusations against Gionvanni Pernice of abusive behaviour.
The broadcaster cleared Pernice of some of the most serious allegations levelled against him, while also issuing an apology to actor Amanda Abbington who filed a complaint against Pernice.
A Maggie Smith tribute
Sarah and Vito have danced a Harry Potter-themed Viennese Waltz in tribute to the late Dame Maggie Smith.
Sarah transformed into the iconic Professor McGonagall for the number and won high praise - with Motsi especially impressed as she labelled the routine the “highlight of the night so far”.
“That was nostalgic, you captured the atmosphere,” she told her. “You’re so hard on yourself and you don’t need to be. You’re a brilliant dancer.”
“I’ve been a huge admirer of Dame Maggie Smith and it was a huge honour to do that,” Sarah said after in the Clauditorium (years have passed since the studio’s mezzanine level was given this name and I’m still impressed).
Sarah’s scores are in...
She’s landed a total of 33 with (going in order of the judging panel) an 8, 9, 8 and an 8.
Pete Wicks as George of the Jungle
That’s it. That’s the post. Pete Wicks is George of the Jungle and... well. Wow. There’s a lot going on.
“I’ll lose a lot of things this week, dignity included,” he said in the VT. And then...
Pete’s scores are in...
And it’s his higest for the series so far!
Pete was given two 6s and a 7, giving him a total of 26 - four points higher than last week.
The judges were suitably stunned as they gave their comments.
“We asked you to loosen up, so I blame us,” Motsi laughed, as they tried to make sense of what they’d seen (which, for the record, I enjoyed a lot).
“I love that you don’t take yourself too seriously but you take the dance seriously,” said Shirley. “You attempted to do a slow, quick, quick but got slightly off... I’m going to overlook that because you really attempted to do something out of the ordinary.
“I really have to commend you. It’s great to see you improving. Be proud of yourself, Sir.”
Even Craig, still recovering from the gyrations in his face, conceded: “I think this is your personal best.”
JB transforms into Wonka
That was a lovely American Smooth, and I wouldn’t expect anything less from JB and Amy. They looked suitably chuffed after the dance too.
JB’s scores are in...
And he’s also landed his highest score so far with a 32!
Anton gave JB a 9, while Shirley and Motsi reached for their 8 paddles and Craig plumped for 7.
Lara Croft’s arrived
A Paso Doble early in the series is always a big ask and it’s fair to say Sam seems a little out of her comfort zone with this Tomb Raider routine.
She certainly looks the part in her Tomb Raider get-up though, and she was lowered onto the dance floor via a rope, which has to be worth a bonus point, right?
A closer look at Chris’s jive
Let’s have a look at one of the dances of the evening so far - Chris’s Jive. This was a total joy!
Sam’s scores are in...
And they’re actually pretty good!
While the judges picked out a few issues with Sam’s Paso, she’s scored a total of 30, thanks to two 8s and two 7s.
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