The pressure on the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom has reached a new peak as the remaining celebrities return to the dancefloor following the spectacular Blackpool special. With the coveted Glitterball Trophy drawing nearer, the competition is fiercer than ever, compounded by a major rule change that puts every couple at risk.
The Blackpool Fallout and a Shock Withdrawal
The excitement of last weekend's Blackpool special was overshadowed by the devastating news that contestant La Voix was forced to withdraw from the BBC competition due to a significant injury. The announcement was made live on air by host Tess Daly, who confirmed that following medical advice, the performer could not continue.
This unexpected exit meant there was no elimination last weekend, creating a unique and tense situation for the current week. In an emotional Instagram post, La Voix expressed her heartbreak, stating, "I'm absolutely devastated... This isn't the glittering exit I ever imagined, and it breaks my heart to feel like I'm letting people down. My spirit wanted to keep dancing, but my foot has other ideas!"
A High-Stakes Combined Score Week
With no elimination in Blackpool, the competition faces a dramatic twist. All votes and scores from last week will carry over and be combined with the results from this week's performances. This cumulative scoring system means that a couple's fate will be decided by their performance across two weeks, not just one.
This places immense pressure on the celebrities and their professional partners, as a single misstep could now have compounded consequences. The combined totals will determine which two couples find themselves in the dreaded dance-off, with one being sent home on Sunday's results show.
Lewis Cope Leads the Pack
Amidst the turmoil, former Emmerdale star Lewis Cope emerged as the one to beat, having secured a perfect score of 40 during the Blackpool special. Topping the leaderboard puts him in a strong position heading into this critical weekend, but with the combined scores, no one is truly safe.
As the show enters its tenth week, every point and every public vote becomes crucial. The celebrities are back on the floor, fighting not just for this week's scores, but to overcome the shadow of last week's performances in a battle that could see their Strictly journey end in a dramatic double-elimination scenario.
