Lights, camera, action: it’s Strictly Come Dancing‘s movie week!
Nick Knowles will be missing this week after he got injured for the second time, with reports saying he hurt his knee. A Strictly spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, Nick Knowles sustained an injury during rehearsals and as a result, will not dance this weekend. As per the rules of the competition, Nick and Luba will receive a bye through to next week when he is hopefully able to dance again. Everyone at Strictly Come Dancing wishes Nick a speedy recovery.”
We also know the show’s glamorous hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly will continue to ignore the scandal that threatened to overshadow the 20th anniversary series. This week BBC published their findings from the investigation into last year’s partnership Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice.
Abbington received an apology and Pernice was cleared of the most serious allegations of physical aggression, although some complaints about the pro dancer were upheld over verbal bullying. Both parties were pleased with the outcome. For now the show must go on.
One controversy Strictly can’t ignore was last week’s controversial decision to send home Tom Dean. After judges made the shock choice to save Toyah Willcox with her pro partner Neil Jones from last week’s dance off, how will they fare this weekend? Willcox and Jones will try to charm the audience at home with their Samba to Poor Unfortunate Souls from The Little Mermaid.
Meanwhile, Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec were top of the leaderboard last week. Can they do it again and impress the judges with their Rumba to What Was I Made For from Barbie? All eyes will definitely be on Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał after fans went wild when they appeared to nearly kiss during last week’s passionate performance.
We can’t wait to see how all the couples get on as they step into the shoes of some of our favourite movie characters of all time across the decades. Who will be getting the best review of the night? And who is in danger of the dreaded dance off?
Follow all the updates in our live blog below…
Movie week songs and dances
Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe – Tango to One Night Only from Dreamgirls
Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez – Couples Choice to bole Chudiyan from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin – Paso Doble to Elevation – Tomb Raider Mix from Tomb Raider
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola – Viennese Waltz to Hedwig’s Theme from Harry Potter
Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec – Rumba to What Was I Made For from Barbie
Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones – Samba to Poor Unfortunate Souls from The Little Mermaid
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell – Jive to Wayne’s World Theme/Bohemian Rhapsody from Wayne’s World
Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas – Quickstep to I’m Still Standing from Rocketman
JB Gill and Amy Dowden – American Smooth to Pure Imagination from Wonka
Paul Merson and Karen Hauer – Cha Cha to The Magnificent Seven from The Magnificent Seven
Pete Wicks and Jowitza Przystal – Samba to George of The Jungle from George of The Jungle
Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu – Viennese Waltz to If I Can Dream from Elvis
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones – Cha Cha to Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag from Mrs Doubtfire
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One at 6.25pm on Saturday.
