Strictly Come Dancing: Shayne Ward hits back on criticism he was ‘over-confident’
All the updates from week two of the BBC dancing competition
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Your support makes all the difference.Strictly Come Dancing week two was eventful. Shayne Ward hit back at social media abuse, Chris McCausland made the best joke of the season, we had a Shania Twain number and Nick Knowles managed to dance after an injury meant he could only train for 16 hours.
In his VT ahead of performing, singer Ward said: “After the show on Saturday [of week one] I received some negative comments on social media saying I was over-confident. Some of them did get to me, when in truth I’m only human, I was scared, I was terrified. And I hid it behind as much smiling as possible.”
He was then shown hugging his partner Nancy Xu, before they performed their Tango to “The Door” by Teddy Swims. Head judge Shirley Ballas said: “I’ve seen the way the week’s gone for you and it hasn’t been pleasant in any way, shape or form.”
The first two weeks of the BBC competition had eased this year’s crop of stars into proceedings, with a launch show that saw the contestants partnered with their respective professional, and a first week of dances in which nobody was eliminated.
However, tonight, the judges’ scores from last week rolled over and will then be combined with the viewer vote, meaning two couples will have to take part in the dreaded dance-off during Sunday’s results show (29 September).
Catch up on the events of week two here...
Who is topping the ‘Strictly’ leaderboard?
While nobody was eliminated from last week’s Strictly, that doesn’t mean the episode has no bearing on what occurs tonight.
The judges’ scores will roll over and be combined with whatever the celebrities manage to get tonight.
With this in mind, here’s how the leaderboard currently stands:
Strictly 2024 leaderboard: The scores from week one of the BBC dance competition
Recapping how the judges marked the ‘Strictly’ couples in week one
Chris McCausland involved in rehearsal mishap
Chris McCausland has detailed a mishap he and Strictly Come Dancing’s Dianne Buswell suffered ahead of the series’ first live show.
The comedian, 47, who is the show’s first blind contestant, performed a cha cha with his professional partner to “Twist and Shout” by The Beatles on Saturday night (21 September).
Strictly’s judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke, were in awe of what McCausland had achieved and scored the performance 23 out of 40 points.
But McCausland, who lost his sight aged 22 due to a hereditary condition called retinitis pigmentosa, later revealed to the Strictly presenter Claudia Winkleman that training had not been without its difficulties.
Read more here:
Chris McCausland reveals Dianne Buswell kicked him during Strictly rehearsal
‘I did not avoid or anticipate it,’ the comedian said
Hidden ‘Strictly’ mics reveal what stars say to each other during live dance
Hidden microphones worn by the stars of Strictly Come Dancing have revealed what the dancers were really saying to each other during their first live performance.
For everyone apart from the couples on the dancefloor, it’s impossible to hear what the dancers say while they’re performing – even though we can see their mouths moving as the music plays.
However, a new clip released by Strictly includes the audio from last Saturday’s show, and it reveals some intriguing insights into what the pros and their celebrity partners say to communicate mid-routine.
Find out what they were saying here:
Hidden mics reveal what Strictly stars were really saying to each other on stage
‘EastEnders’ star Jamie Borthwick seemingly told his partner, ‘I smell like garlic!’ mid-lift
Strictly’s Pete Wicks ‘in love’ with dance partner Jowita Przystal, admits his podcast co-host Sam Thompson
Everything you need to know about Strictly’s Chris
Strictly’s first blind celebrity hoping to lift 2024 trophy
Comedian is making history with appearance on this year’s series
Nick Knowles’ DIY SOS colleagues send well-wishes after injury
Billy Byrne, the charismatic electrician on DIY SOS, has sent his well-wishes to Nick Knowles before he dances live on Strictly following his injury.
“There’s a lot of people sending a lot of love,” said Byrne. “Good luck, son.”
All the songs and dances to expect in week two
Good evening, I’m Ellie, and I’ll be giving you all the glitziest updates on Strictly tonight. Is there going to be a moment that matches the deranged chaos of Paul Merson’s American Smooth to “Vindaloo”? It remains to be seen. In the meantime, here are the planned dances for week two...
Chris McCausland appreciation post
Absolutely loved seeing Chris McCausland dance last week. Here’s a reminder of his performance. Can’t wait to see his Foxtrot to “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy” by The Tams tonight
Claudia Winkleman is all set for the show
The woman with the best fringe in showbiz has revealed her outfit for tonight, and it’s a shimmering green number paired with black and emerald shoes and popping scarlet nail varnish. Four 10s from me
Here we go - week two begins...
Alan Carr, as much as we love ya, it’s time to take your chatty antics off BBC One because Strictly week two is officially here. This is the first show where fans can vote and one pair will be eliminated tomorrow. The stakes are high!
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