Strictly Come Dancing latest: Tasha Ghouri lands first 40 as JB Gill wins Samba-thon
8 mins read

Strictly Come Dancing latest: Tasha Ghouri lands first 40 as JB Gill wins Samba-thon

Strictly’s Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell in tears after judge’s Blackpool score

There was much to celebrate this week Strictly Come Dancing as the first 40 in the series were eventually rewarded.

Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec – who had previously scored 39s on three occasions – earned the points thanks to their emotional American Smooth, dedicated to the pro’s young daughter, Lyra.

The judges gave their critique, calling the routine “perfection” and the “Rolls Royce of the American Foxtrot”.

“Unfortunately, now for the truth honey, your right little finger…” Craig Revel Horwood startled before adding: “Fab-u-lous.”

The live show also saw Chris McCausland tackle the Paso Doble, which was extra special as his partner Dianne Buswell’s parents had flown over from Australia and were watching in the audience.

Sarah Hadland impressed with a Rumba (which Vito Coppola had packed with difficult choreography) while Pete Wick’s fans suggested that his song choice may have influenced his score.

It all took place after a tense Blackpool week where Wynne Evans and his partner Katya Jones were eliminated.

Another celebrity will leave the competition on Sunday (November 24) night’s results show, which airs on BBC One at 19.20.

Here’s Saturday night’s show as it happened.

This week’s songs and dances revealed

Here are all the songs and dances for week 10 of the competition:

Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe will dance a Quickstep to “Get Happy” by Ella Fitzgerald.

Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola will dance the rumba to “Chains” by Tina Arena.

Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec will dance an American Smooth to “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi.

Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell will dance a Paso Doble to “El Gato Montes” by Manuel Panella.

Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas will dance the Foxtrot to “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King.

JB Gill and Lauren Oakley will dance a Charleston to “Yes Sir! That’s My Baby” by Firehouse Five Plus Two.

Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał will dance a tango to “Easy Lover” by Philip Bailey and Phil Collins.

Ellie MuirNovember 23, 2024 3:27 p.m

Summary: Everything that happened last week

Last week was Blackpool week, with opera singer Wynne Evans and his partner Katya Jones resigning.

Meanwhile, Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec maintained their position at the top of the leaderboard for the third week in a row with their Paso Doble. They were joined at the top of the scoreboard by Hadland and Vito Coppola who also scored 39 points for their performance.

Just behind them was comedian Chris McCausland who scored his highest score of the series for his American Smooth to “Jump” by Paul Anka, which left his professional partner Dianne Buswell in tears of joy.

At the other end of the scale was Pete Wicks who scored 27 points for his Cha Cha to “I’m Too Sexy” by Right Said Fred.

The reality star was praised for her upper body insulation. But his “entertaining” hip action left judges in fits of laughter.

Will Ghouri, Hadland and McCausland be able to maintain their positions in the top three this week?

Ellie MuirNovember 23, 2024 at 4:30 p.m

Viewers were conflicted about last week’s score

Viewers were left conflicted over the judges’ scores during last week’s show.

Judge Craig Revel-Horwood awarded TOWIE star Pete Wicks a brutal score of four, infuriating some viewers. Others, however, thought it was fair.

Ellie MuirNovember 23, 2024 at 17.30

How does the Samba-thon work?

Tonight’s episode will feature an extra special, unseen feature Strictly since 2018.

It seems quite simple and yet it can so easily descend into chaos. Dance-a-thons are a common feature of real dance competitions and championships and involve all couples dancing (in this case doing a samba) at the same time. The judges will then eliminate the couples one by one until only the winners remain. Basically, it’s exactly the same as the dance competition Fat.

And it’s not just for fun. The pair’s standings will be converted into points and added to their score, so the Samba-thon has the potential to change the leaderboard.

Rachel McGrathNovember 23, 2024 6:46 p.m

And we’re off!

There are only seven pairs left in the competition and the final is in sight.

Tonight, the remaining couples will dance twice while performing their own routines and then participate in a Sambathon. The last time Strictly aired a dance-a-thon in 2018 and let’s just say it ended in total chaos when the judges’ electronic scoreboards failed. Hopefully they use good old pen and paper this year.

Rachel McGrathNovember 23, 2024 7:06 p.m

Pete opens the show

Let’s be honest: Pete is the least skilled dancer of the celebs left (and has arguably been the weakest for at least a couple of weeks). However, the votes of the viewers have kept him in the competition, and it must be noted that he is never afraid to throw himself in wholeheartedly. By that I mean, I’m still not over the neon pink pants he wore in Blackpool.

Tonight he opens the show with a tango, which is no small task and, as he put it in his VT, “everything goes for it” and that’s not too bad! There’s certainly an intensity between Pete and Jowita as well, which definitely adds to that.

(BBC/Guy Levy)

Rachel McGrathNovember 23, 2024 7:13 p.m

Pete was praised for “improving dramatically”

Here’s what the judges had to say TOWIE star.

“I’m so happy to see you back in the ballroom, this really suits you. I loved your top line, it was very controlled and gave a good stance to the dance,” said Motsi, although she saw “a touch of hesitation” from Pete as he moved into the solid Tango sections.

Shirley told him: “What I love is that you come out and you’re absolutely focused on the job. I thought you did really well this week.”

“You have improved so dramatically, this is really amazing,” said Anton.

Obviously, Craig brought the mood down. “Well honey… It’s not hard to improve on last week, let’s face it. The footwork was a little shaky and unsteady. The timing was a little off and after, I think you lack the drive this dance needs.”

Maybe he’ll survive another week after all!

Rachel McGrathNovember 23, 2024 7:16 p.m

Pete’s point is in…

Walking along the panel he got a 6 – hard! – then a 7th, an 8th and another 8th, a total of 29.

Rachel McGrathNovember 23, 2024 7:17 p.m

Amy Dowden in the Clauditorium!

Amy is back! It’s lovely to see her rooting for the celebs (including JB, who she was paired with). And she looks amazing in pink.

(BBC)

Rachel McGrathNovember 23, 2024 7:20 p.m

Sarah dances the rumba

Sarah’s dance was a real fan favorite in Blackpool and I don’t know about you but I’ve seen it at least once a day since last Saturday.

Now she does a Rumba, the only dance style that has never scored a 40 on the show. This is beautiful (and I wouldn’t expect anything less from the amazing Sarah at this point). It’s really intense with great lifts and spins, and it’s nice to see another Rumba that doesn’t involve flailing around in bare feet.

(BBC/Guy Levy)

Rachel McGrathNovember 23, 2024 7:22 p.m