Strictly Come Dancing has returned for its 24th series, bringing a revamped presenting team and a fresh wave of celebrity contestants. With Week 1 completed without eliminations, the couples are now preparing for Movie Week, which will see the season's first dance-off and elimination.
The 2026 competition launched at the end of last month with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe sharing hosting duties, following the departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The new line-up, which has received some complaints, combines an experienced presenter, a comedian and a former Strictly professional.
Celebrities taking to the dance floor this year include EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, Love Island favourite Dani Dyer, singer and actress Delta Goodrem, Big Brother presenter Will Best and football YouTube creator John Nellis. The opening live show produced some impressive early leaderboard performances, particularly John Nellis' Foxtrot and Delta Goodrem's Samba.
Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse's Samba (2016)
Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse's Samba from Series 14 was an exhilarating, fast-paced routine performed to "Magalenha" by Sérgio Mendes. It secured a perfect 40/40, becoming the first Samba in Strictly history to receive a full score from the judges.
The Samba is widely regarded as one of the most demanding dances for male celebrities, due to the rhythmic hip movement and intricate bounce technique required. Oti created professional-standard choreography, and Danny executed smooth hip isolations and tireless energy that matched her every step.
Craig lavished praise on Danny's hip movement, noting it was practically unprecedented from a male celebrity, and joked during the grand final: "I hate this...!" before holding up his 10 paddle. Bruno famously described the dance as a "pagan mating ritual" and quipped that he was in need of a cold shower. Danny and Oti chose to perform the dance again as their showpiece in the Grand Final, where it secured another flawless score of 40.
Faye Tozer and Giovanni Pernice's Charleston (2018)
Faye Tozer and Giovanni Pernice's Charleston during Series 16 remains remembered as among the most iconic, creative, and technically outstanding performances the show has ever seen. Performed during Musicals Week (Week 11/the quarter-final), the routine was choreographed to "The Lonely Goatherd" from The Sound of Music.
Taking its cue from the marionette scene in the beloved musical, Faye and Giovanni portrayed living puppets controlled by strings. Faye wore a striking marionette-inspired outfit complete with dramatic makeup, plaited hair, and sharp, stiff wooden-puppet movements that transitioned seamlessly into swift Charleston swivel sequences.
All four judges — Craig Revel Horwood, Dame Darcey Bussell, Shirley Ballas, and Bruno Tonioli — awarded the dance a perfect score of 10, representing Faye and Giovanni's first flawless 40 of the series. Bruno declared it a "theatrical masterpiece" and urged them to "take it to Broadway". Darcey Bussell highlighted how extraordinary it was that a distinct movement had been created for every single beat of the music.
Aston Merrygold and Janette Manrara's Salsa (2017)
The pair's Salsa to "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee from Series 15 remains one of the most unforgettable - and controversial - performances in the show's history. Performed during Week 3 (Movie Week/Latin Week), the routine was packed with Janette's signature gravity-defying lifts, lightning-fast footwork, and explosive Latin energy.
As a former boyband member (JLS), Aston had innate rhythm and commercial appeal, making the globally viral track "Despacito" a perfect match for his talents. The choreography featured multiple spectacular overhead lifts and spins, exploiting fully Janette's expertise in Latin theatrical work.
The Salsa garnered 35 out of 40 in Week 3, placing them among the leaderboard frontrunners. Just three weeks after this outstanding performance, Aston and Janette were controversially eliminated in Week 6 following a disappointing score for their Viennese Waltz — after judge Craig Revel Horwood awarded them a 4 — and a subsequent dance-off against Mollie King and AJ Pritchard. Aston had been widely tipped as one of the frontrunners to lift the trophy, and his early exit triggered significant shock, outrage, and widespread calls for an overhaul of the judging and voting system that year.
Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse's Couple's Choice (2020)
Few performances in Strictly history have proved as unforgettable, joyous, and unexpected as this showstopper. Performed in Week 4, the Street/Commercial routine was choreographed to the legendary 1990 hip-hop classic "Rapper's Delight" by The Sugarhill Gang.
Bill, 55, was initially regarded as the "novelty" or wildcard contestant of the series, left audiences astounded with his extraordinary sense of rhythm, musicality, and commitment. Dressed in matching gold-trimmed tracksuits and chains, Bill and Oti threw themselves wholeheartedly into the old-school hip-hop aesthetic, delivering popping, locking, and synchronisation that remained impressively sharp from start to finish.
The routine instantly went viral across social media and firmly established Bill as a genuine contender for the series crown. Shirley Ballas called it "epic," while Motsi Mabuse was visibly delighted by the energy and execution. It garnered 27 out of 30 (Series 18 had a maximum score of 30 during the opening weeks due to Bruno Tonioli's absence as a judge). They chose to perform the routine once more in the Grand Final, achieving a perfect score of 30 / 30. This performance was pivotal in helping Bill Bailey become the oldest winner in Strictly history at age 55, while Oti Mabuse claimed back-to-back victories as a professional dancer.
Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice's Couple's Choice (2021)
Their Couple's Choice routine is widely considered one of the most powerful, emotional, and culturally significant moments in British television history. Performed in Week 8 to "Symphony" by Clean Bandit ft. Zara Larsson, the contemporary piece was a tribute to the Deaf community.
Halfway through the routine, as the music reached its crescendo, the sound was completely silenced, creating an interval of approximately 20 seconds during which Rose and Giovanni carried on dancing in flawless synchronisation. It provided millions of viewers with an insight into Rose's experience as Strictly's first-ever deaf contestant, demonstrating how she danced by relying on count, rhythm, and muscle memory instead of the music.
The routine earned 39 out of 40 in Week 8, but when the pair reprised it in the Grand Final, it achieved a perfect 40/40 - helping them clinch victory as the Series 19 champions. The silent sequence claimed Must-See Moment of the Year at the 2022 BAFTA TV Awards, triumphing over significant national television events. Anton Du Beke called it "the greatest thing I've ever seen on this show," while Shirley Ballas observed that it transcended dance itself, sending a powerful message of inclusion across the entire nation.
Lewis Cope and Katya Jones' Couple's Choice (2025)
Lewis and Katya's Couple's Choice during Series 23 proved to be one of the most memorable and defining moments of that series. Staged during Halloween / Spooktacular Week (Week 6), the routine was performed to Radiohead's iconic track "Creep".
The performance began with Katya appearing to play a piano while Lewis stood on top of it. It effortlessly combined atmospheric contemporary movement with complex tap dancing, showcasing Lewis's rhythm, precision, and commanding stage presence. The duo wore matching tailored suits, creating a sleek, haunting visual that ideally suited the pared-back power of the choreography.
The routine was met with universal acclaim from both judges and viewers alike. It secured a maximum score of 40 / 40, becoming the very first perfect score awarded in the 2025 series. The performance left numerous viewers and judges in tears, with commentators and former professionals describing it as one of the most memorable Couple's Choice routines in Strictly history.
