Strictly Come Dancing star Lacey Turner could be heading for a "downfall" as the competition heats up, with a body language expert warning the "chemistry" between her and professional partner Vito Coppola appeared "dire".
On Saturday evening (October 17), the remaining 13 celebrities and their professional partners will aim to impress on the dance floor following Melanie Walters' departure as the second contestant eliminated, alongside Aljaž Škorjanec. The upcoming live programme will see the couples transform for Icons Week, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe returning to hosting responsibilities.
Samba performance and leaderboard
During last week's Strictly live broadcast, Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola opened the show with a Samba to "Bamboléo" by the Gipsy Kings, securing 26 points and placing seventh on the leaderboard. While they appeared anxious about launching the programme, the judges were impressed by the pair's performance.
Judge Motsi Mabuse encouraged Lacey to demonstrate greater self-assurance, while Shirley Ballas remarked that the performance was "spectacular". Backing Lacey, Vito told her: "I challenge you, but I will always make sure you achieve the goal. I wish you could see yourself from the outside and see how amazing you are doing."
Expert analysis of body language
The EastEnders legend, who portrays Stacey Slater on the BBC soap, is among the favourites to claim the Glitterball trophy this year. However, body language specialist Judi James suggested that Lacey possesses dancing ability and resonates well with viewers, though she needs to function as a cohesive unit with Vito, according to Paddy Power.
Judi remarked: "The body language 'chemistry' between her and Vito on Saturday night looked worrying to the point of dire. Lacey clearly lacks inner confidence, and her self-esteem as a dancer requires massive amounts of shoring up and underpinning."
"She dances beautifully, but there are clear signals of moments of anxiety and hesitation or even panic as she allows an arm or her smile to drop mid-routine, suggesting that, instead of being lost in the moment, her brain suddenly 'future panics', worrying what comes next."
"Her facial expressions after her dance show many denial gestures and she starts to look down and stand in self-protective poses like the 'fig leaf' or even trying to fold her arms at one point."
Potential winner but needs teamwork
The specialist continued: "Lacey is a potential winner of this show as her blend of personality and techniques should power her through to the end."
"But they can only do it together and they need to work up some form of 'team' empathy rather than 'big character' Vito and 'nervous looking' Lacey."
Strictly Come Dancing is next on TV on Saturday, 17 October 2026 at 6:15 pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
