Strictly Come Dancing is set to make television history this weekend with a brand-new challenge never before seen on the hit BBC show. As part of the annual Musicals Week extravaganza, the remaining celebrity contestants and their professional partners will take on a relay-style five-minute spectacular, marking a thrilling first for the series.
A Dazzling Musical Theatre Relay
The innovative group routine, masterminded by the show's creative director Matt Flint, offers each couple a unique moment in the spotlight. Set to a medley of iconic West End show tunes, the performance will begin and end with all couples dancing in unison, supported by eight additional dancers. In between, each pairing will deliver their own solo segment dedicated to a classic musical number.
The confirmed musical moments include:
- Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin performing to 'Trip A Little Light Fantastic' from Mary Poppins Returns.
- Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon dancing to 'With A Little Bit Of Luck' from My Fair Lady.
- George Clark and Alexis Warr taking on 'Consider Yourself' from Oliver!
- Karen Carney and Carlos Gu showcasing 'Flash Bang Wallop' from Half A Sixpence.
- Lewis Cope and Katya Jones performing to 'Me Ol' Bamboo' from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Following the Instant Dance Carnage
This groundbreaking relay follows last week's debut of the chaotic 'Instant Dance Challenge', which sent the studio into delightful disarray. Couples had to randomly select a previously learned dance style and perform it mere seconds later. The segment, which saw judges swapping seats and host Claudia Winkleman in a fruit hat, was met with glee from viewers on social media, who branded it 'pure chaos' and 'carnage' they'd love to see every week.
Following that challenge, the judges awarded points with Lewis Cope topping the leaderboard with six points. He was followed by Balvinder Sopal (five), Amber Davies (four), Alex Kingston (three), George Clarke (two), and Karen Carney (one).
Emotional Exit for Alex Kingston
The excitement of the new challenges comes on the heels of an emotional elimination. Actress Alex Kingston, 62, and her partner Johannes Radebe were voted out after finding themselves in the dance-off. Her exit followed a difficult week where a painful injury hampered her Cha Cha Cha performance, scoring only 24 points and drawing sharp critique from judge Oti Mabuse.
An emotional Kingston later revealed on It Takes Two that her husband had been secretly taking salsa lessons for five weeks to become her practice partner, moving the studio to tears. She expressed disappointment that her injury prevented her from showing her full potential, though she felt she redeemed herself in the final dance-off.
After the relay spectacle this Saturday, the competition will revert to its usual format, with each couple performing their individual Musicals Week routines for the judges. The public vote will then open to decide which couples secure a coveted place in the semi-final the following weekend.
Musicals Week will also feature professional dancers performing 'Cell Block Tango' from Chicago, a special appearance by former contestant Tom Fletcher with Paddington Bear, and a performance by the cast of Tintanique.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6:50pm and Sunday at 7:45pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
