Delta Goodrem has been hailed a "force to be reckoned with" after storming to the top of the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard. The Australian star wowed the judging panel with an emotional routine during last night's (October 3) Movie Week show.
The 41-year-old and her professional partner Kai Widdrington earned one of the highest scores of the series so far for their performance, putting them firmly in first place after the second live show.
Emotional Movie Week performance
The pair took to the dancefloor to perform an American Smooth to I'll Never Love Again from A Star Is Born, earning a total of 30 points from the judging panel.
It marks an impressive rise for Delta and Kai, who scored 29 points during last week's show after finishing second on the leaderboard. Their latest performance takes their combined score to 59 points, putting them at the top of the leaderboard following the second live show.
Judges' praise
The judges were quick to praise Delta for the way she has taken to the dancefloor. Motsi Mabuse told the singer she had a "special talent to give feeling" as she reflected on her emotional performance. She added: "You've got everything it takes. I believe in you."
Meanwhile, head judge Shirley Ballas was equally as impressed, describing Delta as a "force to be reckoned with" after watching her dance. Additionally Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood also praised the performance, with both judges telling the pair they had "loved" what they had done.
Viewer reaction
But it wasn't just the Strictly judging panel who were impressed, with viewers at home quickly taking to social media to praise the Australian star. Taking to X, one viewer appeared to predict a strong future for the singer on the show, writing: "Delta Goodrem looks good to win Strictly."
Another was full of praise for her latest routine, posting: "Oh Delta GODrem!!! That was sensational. Up there with Kai's first dance with AJ as best first live show dances EVER. He knows how to do it." A third simply wrote: "I hope Delta Goodrem wins." Meanwhile one fan was left impressed by Craig's scoring, stating: "Is that the highest Craig's ever score this early? The power of Delta Goodrem."
Leaderboard and next steps
Elsewhere on the leaderboard, Eastenders star Lacey Turner and Vita Coppola are sitting in equal second place with 55 points after scoring 28 for their quickstep. Meanwhile Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley are just behind them on 31 points, while Gavin and Stacey actress Melanie Walters is currently at the bottom after scoring 15.
The first elimination of the series will take place tonight on BBC One, with the pressure mounting on those at the lower end of the leaderboard. Strictly Come Dancing continues on Sunday at 7.10pm on BBC One.
