An evening of high drama, stunning choreography, and raw emotion unfolded as Strictly Come Dancing 2025 celebrated its annual Musicals Week. The five remaining couples took to the floor on Saturday, 6th December 2025, performing to iconic tunes from the stage, resulting in a spectacular show that featured a perfect score and moving moments.
From Phantom to Perfection: The Performances Unpacked
The night began with a dramatic Argentine Tango from YouTuber George Clarke and professional partner Alexis Warr. Dancing to "The Point of No Return" from *The Phantom of the Opera*, their intense and serious performance earned them a strong score of 35. The composer himself, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, sent a video message playfully warning Clarke from "the opera ghost" to complete his conversion to musicals.
Former England footballer Karen Carney and Carlos Gu tackled a lively Samba to "The Rhythm of Life" from *Sweet Charity*. Despite Carney admitting it was her biggest challenge, the judges enjoyed the routine, awarding them 34 points.
One of the most poignant moments came from *EastEnders* actor Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon. Their Viennese Waltz to 'Never Enough' from *The Greatest Showman* was so emotionally charged that Sopal broke down in tears after receiving high praise from the panel, particularly from judge Motsi Mabuse. The performance secured her best score of the series: 35.
A Charleston That Rocked the Leaderboard
The standout performance of the night, and indeed the series so far, came from couple Amber and Nikita. Their electrifying Charleston to "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat" from *Guys and Dolls* received a rapturous reception. Judge Anton Du Beke declared he had never seen anything like it, leading all four judges to award a perfect 10. This gave them the first perfect score of 40 in this year's competition, propelling them straight to the top of the leaderboard.
Closing the show were early favourites Lewis Cope and Katya Jones with a punchy Salsa to "The Dance at the Gym" from *West Side Story*. While the judges felt it wasn't his absolute best, they praised its fantastic energy and the physical limits it pushed, granting them a solid score of 35.
The Musicals Week Leaderboard and What Comes Next
The full Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Musicals Week leaderboard is as follows:
- Amber and Nikita: 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 = 40
- George and Alexis: 8 + 9 + 9 + 9 = 35
- Balvinder and Julian: 8 + 9 + 9 + 9 = 35
- Lewis and Katya: 8 + 9 + 9 + 9 = 35
- Karen and Carlos: 8 + 8 + 9 + 9 = 34
The tension now mounts for the results show on Sunday, where the combined votes from the judges and the public will determine which couple faces elimination. With scores so tightly packed beneath the leaders, every vote will be crucial in deciding who makes it to the semi-finals.
