The professional dancers of Strictly Come Dancing are set to deliver their most daring and provocative routine yet this weekend, as they strip down to lingerie for a sizzling performance of Chicago's iconic Cell Block Tango.
A Sizzling Tribute to Musicals Week
As part of the show's annual Musicals Week celebrations, the troupe will take to the floor for a group number inspired by the hit Broadway and West End show. The performance is a direct homage to the famous scene from Chicago, which was turned into a Hollywood blockbuster in 2002 starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellweger.
The narrative sees six women on death row each recounting the story of how they murdered their husbands or lovers, famously arguing that their victim 'had it coming'. In a bold move mirroring the stage and screen versions, several of the show's female professionals will adopt the roles of these incarcerated women and perform in lingerie.
Pushing Boundaries Further Than Ever
In a teaser released ahead of Saturday's show, professional dancer Katya Jones hinted at the spectacle, stating: 'Prepare to be razzle-dazzled by this week's Chicago inspired group dance. We have pushed the boundaries further than ever before.'
Choreographer Elizabeth Honan elaborated on the powerful number, explaining: 'Cell Block Tango is about six merry widows who have all murdered their husbands, and they all individually tell their story. All the female dancers are just going in and you feel it in every part of your body.'
Former Strictly pro Aljaž Škorjanec, who is involved in the routine, added: 'This is a complete musical theatre number. We have a lot of storytelling and a lot of acting. The set looks incredible, the lighting is absolutely mesmerising. This is going to be one of the memorable routines on Strictly.'
The Cast of Characters
The first-look images confirm that the six central female roles will be performed by Katya Jones, Jowita Przystal, Amy Dowden, Luba Mushtuk, Lauren Oakley, and Karen Hauer.
Their ill-fated husbands will be portrayed by Aljaž Škorjanec, Gorka Marquez, Johannes Radebe, Nikita Kuzmin, Vito Coppola, and Kai Widdrington. Additionally, Dianne Buswell, Nancy Xu, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Nadiya Bychkova will feature as backup dancers, clad in sequinned cat-suits.
Musicals Week Brings Another Show First
This steamy professional routine is not the only innovation for this weekend's episode. In a first for the competition, the celebrity contestants will also participate in a unique relay-style group dance.
Choreographed by creative director Matt Flint, the five-minute spectacular will celebrate West End musicals. It will begin and end with all couples dancing together, with eight extra dancers supporting. Each pairing will have a standalone moment to perform to a different musical number:
- Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin – 'Trip A Little Light Fantastic' from Mary Poppins Returns.
- Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon – 'With A Little Bit Of Luck' from My Fair Lady.
- George Clark and Alexis Warr – 'Consider Yourself' from Oliver!.
- Karen Carney and Carlos Go – 'Flash Bang Wallop' from Half A Sixpence.
- Lewis Cope and Katya Jones – 'Me Ol' Bamboo' from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Following this group performance, the live show will continue as each couple dances their individually rehearsed routine for the judges' scores.
Voting for the Semi-Final
As always, the public vote will open, giving viewers the chance to decide which couples will progress to the coveted Strictly Come Dancing semi-final next weekend. The results will combine judges' scores and public votes.
Musicals Week will also feature a special performance from former contestant Tom Fletcher, who will be joined by Paddington Bear, and a number from the cast of Titanique.
This follows last week's 'Instant Dance Challenge', which saw Lewis Cope top the leaderboard with six points. Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6:50pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
