Spooky Strictly Come Dancing Hallowe’en

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Saturday:Strictly Come Dancing; (BBC1, 7.10pm)

Many viewers were just grateful that Strictly Come Dancing took place at all last year, given the ever-changing rules, but the Covid restrictions did mean that we missed a couple of the show’s best-loved traditions. There was no trip to Blackpool – and no Halloween special.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sadly, this year Blackpool is still out of bounds, but the good news is that the BBC has been able to bring back its spooky spectacular, so prepare for plenty of tricks and treats tonight.

Of course, some might argue that this series had plenty of thrills and spills, especially when it comes to the leaderboard.

Judges Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Shirley BallasJudges Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas
Judges Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas

The very first live show saw Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies and her professional partner Aljaž Škorjanec languishing at the bottom of the table following a hesitant cha cha. By week four though, they were at the top with a tango that new judge Anton Du Beke described as almost perfect.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Also in week four, presenter AJ Odudu, who had seemed like she could do anything after an exuberant jive and a romantic American smooth, came unstuck with the notoriously tricky samba, although she did get voted through to dance again. So, it seems it really is anyone’s game this year.

There’s also been some dramas off the dancefloor. McFly’s Tom Fletcher and his partner Amy Dowden missed the second show as they were isolating after testing positive for Covid-19. Then comedian and actor Robert Webb withdrew from the competition on health grounds, while former Ugo Monye also had to miss a week due to back problems.

At this rate, fans may be wondering if the producers are less worried about the so-called ‘Strictly Curse’ than the ghost of Dancing on Ice, which was hit by so many injuries and positive coronavirus tests earlier this year that the final took place a week ahead of schedule, and one show had to be skipped completely.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Claudia Winkleman and Tess DalyClaudia Winkleman and Tess Daly
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly

Hopefully, there won’t be any unplanned scares this week though as the remaining celebs take to the floor – although there’s a chance that some of them won’t be recognisable.

Halloween is the night that the make-up, hair and wardrobe departments really get to let their imaginations run riot, so expect some monster make-overs. (Although they will have their work cut out coming up with anything more unsettling than the Miss Piggy mask dancer Dianne Buswell wore for her Muppets-themed movie week quickstep with Webb.)

The show is also starting in style as the professional dancers treat us to a dance showing a sweeter side of some famous villains.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As always, judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke will be scoring the routines, before the viewers get their own chance to decide who should waltz into next week and who has to face the horrors of Sunday’s dance-off. At least the results show has a performance by singer Gregory Porter and another haunting routine from the professionals to cheer up the departing dancers.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you

Related topics: