Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke was moved to tears on Saturday night (23 November) as Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec delivered the first perfect score of the series. The pair performed an American Smooth to Lewis Capaldi's 'Someone You Loved', earning a score of 40 from the judges.
Judge Motsi Mabuse described the routine as 'perfection', while Shirley Ballas said she was 'speechless'. Craig Revel Horwood, known for his harsh marking, awarded a rare 10. The dance, dedicated to Škorjanec's young daughter, featured intricate lifts and left fans emotional on social media.
However, some viewers have claimed Ghouri has an 'unfair advantage' due to her previous dance training. The 26-year-old Love Island finalist trained at Creative Academy in Slough and has competed in commercial dance, a style seen in music videos and stage performances.
Ghouri addressed the criticism ahead of the series, explaining that commercial dance is very different from ballroom and Latin styles. 'I'm still having to strip down and relearn, even walking in cha cha step is weird to me,' she said. Fans have defended her, noting the distinction between commercial and ballroom dance.
