The first 10s of Strictly Come Dancing's 2026 series were handed out in week five, with Delta Goodrem and Tabitha Stoecker impressing the judges, but one former professional on the BBC show has said they were not deserved.
On Saturday night (October 24), Delta and her partner performed a Rumba routine and were given a 10 by Anton Du Beke, who thoroughly enjoyed their performance. His high mark contributed to their overall score of 34, which placed them second on the leaderboard in week 5.
Olympian Tabitha shot to the top of the leaderboard with her couple's choice routine, as she was given 10s by Anton and Motsi Mabuse, helping her achieve a score of 37 overall.
Former pro questions the marks
James Jordan, a former professional on the programme who departed the BBC show in 2013, discussed the maximum marks being distributed so prematurely in the competition and whether he believed they were warranted.
Speaking to Express' publishers Reach Plc via WhichBingo he stated: "No, I don't think they were deserved. In fact, I don't think anyone should have got a ten. I didn't see a performance that totally moved me in the way a ten should."
"If they'd given Delta's salsa a ten, I'd have said yes, I get it. But this was a rumba with no real resistance in her body and no real earthiness. Technically, it was nice, but it was definitely too early to give that a ten."
Tabitha's routine and the week ahead
"I really liked Tabby and Mark's Couple's Choice, but for me it wasn't a ten. It wasn't an epic performance that's going to stick in my mind. If I had to pick who's most likely to force me to give my first ten this series, it would be one of Kai and Delta, Tabby and Mark, or Lacey and Vito."
The remaining couples are preparing to tackle Halloween Week as they descend upon the ballroom for a spine-chilling evening. However, one celebrity notably absent will be Shaun Wright-Phillips, who became the latest contestant to be voted out of the competition.
Three-way dance-off twist
A significant twist is set to shake things up this weekend, as it has been confirmed that for the first time in Strictly history, a three-way dance-off will take place on Sunday evening (November 1).
Addressing the forthcoming twist, Craig Revel Horwood explained to Johannes Radebe and Emma Willis that under normal circumstances, the judges cast their votes for the couple they wish to spare. On this occasion, however, they will instead be voting for the couple they wish to send home. Nevertheless, only one couple will ultimately be departing the competition.
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday on BBC One from 6:30pm.
