Strictly 2025: Harry's electric salsa, Ellie's Barbie moment and Lewis' 'performance of the night'

Happy Saturday! It's that time again, Strictly is on this evening. And on tonight is a special episode, as Wicked star Cynthis Erivo will appear as the first-ever guest mentor. 

The 38-year-old will appear during Movie Week on October 11, having previously appeared on the BBC dancing programme as a guest judge for two weeks in 2021, covering for Craig Revel Horwood and later Motsi Mabuse.

Movie Week will also see the series’ professional dancers perform a Wicked-themed dance to As Long As You’re Mine, which will be sung by Erivo’s character Elphaba opposite Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero in the upcoming Wicked For Good sequel. On her return to the show, Erivo will help the remaining 14 couples to dance like movie stars – coaching them in rehearsals and in the studio on the night, where she will sit with the judges.

It was announced on Friday that the all-Aussie pair, Dianne Buswell and Stefan Dennis, won't be performing tonight as Stefan is unwell. Announcing the news, the official Instagram account for Strictly Come Dancing shared a post which read: "Due to illness over the past few days, Stefan Dennis has been advised by doctors to rest, and as a result, he will not dance this weekend. 

"In line with the rules of Strictly, Stefan and Dianne will receive a bye through to next week when they will hopefully be allowed to dance again."

© BBC/Guy Levy

It hasn't been confirmed why Stefan has fallen unwell, but one woman ready to wish him better was his wife of 25 years, Gail. She shared a gushing message to her husband, sharing more details about his situation.

"A year ago, almost to the day, I got a frantic call from @neighbours , saying that Stefan was being rushed to emergency. Then this week … a frantic call came again," wrote Gail on Instagram. "Thankfully he will be ok, but I know he will be so sad and extremely disappointed that he can’t perform this week on @bbcstrictly .. but believe me, these two moments have been the only things that have kept him from going to work! He is such a super trouper. So please rest up darling, your body is shouting at you again. Make sure you listen!."

© Instagram

Following the news that she and Stefan won't be performing, some were speculating that Stefan's illness was a cover-up for Dianne, who is currently pregnant. Taking to her Instagram Stories, Dianne wrote: "Just to clarify, I've had lots of people messaging me thinking this is a cover-up for me not being able to dance?! Firstly, we wouldn’t lie, especially about someone being sick. And secondly, I am fine. Yes, I am pregnant, but I’m also very capable and feeling good! Thirdly, there are things in place if any pros were to get sick or injured."

 Take a look at the professionals in their Wicked-inspired costumes!

© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Guy Levy

© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Guy Levy

© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Guy Levy

The professionals performed a killer opening number to As Long As You're Mine and impressed the audience with impressive pas de deux including technical lifts and turns.

© BBC iPlayer

Guest mentor Cynthia has lots of advice to share with the contestants, who were all more than delighted to take on the Elphaba actress' feedback.  "Getting advice from Cynthia is just amazing." Ross King said. Meanwhile, Vicky Pattison added: "I wanna do her really proud, I also wanna kiss her a bit!"

Honouring her musical theatre roots, Amber and Nikita performed an American Smooth to 'Sixteen Going on Seventeen' from The Sound of Music. The first time they have done a lift this series, Amber said she was "defying gravity"in the air during rehearsals. But it wasn't the lift that was concerned her as much of the routine required her to climb on top of benches. "I'm concerned about the benches," she confessed. 

© BBC iPlayer

But her concern was misplaced as the judges were so impressed with the performance. "The benches I would never like to try that darling," Craig Revel Horword said before praising her "Oscar-winning" penché on a bike.  "I feel like a proud parent, I'm so pleased. It was really really beautiful." Cynthia said. Meanwhile, Shirley Ballas coined the routine, "Exquisite." 

As for the scores, their performance won them the first 9's of the series, with Motsi, Shirley and Anton all awarding them a 9. Meanwhile, Craig gave them an 8.

FINAL SCORE: 35

Coming back from the dance off last week, Chris channelled his inner Thor alongside Nadiya Bychkova, performing a Paso Doble to Sweet Child of Mine. Tess couldn't help but praise the former rugby captain's luscious long locks and Chris agreed he was a fan of them himself!

The judges were quick to praise Chris' improvements from last week. Guest judge Cynthia said:  "So much more please, because there's so much more in you." Adding: "It was wonderful, well done." Meanwhile, Shirley said: "Such a step up from last week. Beautiful coup de pique this evening." praising his "strong heel."

But for Anton, it was Chris' stage presence that was a stand-out. "I love your presence, I want more." But leave it to Craig for the constructive criticism, the judge adding: "Little bit ploddy, it really was." "But it has been a slight bit of improvement in the personality department, and that is the biggest hurdle for you."

While waiting to be scored, Chris said he got strength from his son who was seen dressed like the marvel character, he told host Claudia: "he gave me his strength today"

As for the scores, the routine won the couple their highest score yet. Craig gave the performance a 4, with 6's from Motsi, Shirley and Anton.

FINAL SCORE: 22 t

"I'm so proud of you" were Cynthia Erivo's words for Georg, who performed their couple's choice, Hip Hop,  to Soda Pop from K-Pop Demon Hunters, who really committed to the bit. The vibrant and colourful performance really split the panel with aforementioned Wicked star and Shirely, heaping praise on the couple, judge Shirley commenting: "You've really come out of your shell." 

Anton had mixed reviews on the performance, commenting that George "lit up" when you did the lift, but admitted the start "lacked a bit of edge" which was protested by Shirley and Cynthia. Craig added: "Anton Du Beke was actually right, it was out of sync a lot." As for the scoring, Craig scored the pair the lowest, giving them 6, meanwhile, Motsi and Anton gave them  8 and, Shirley scored them a 9.

FINAL SCORE: 31

Despite kicking off the episode with a pigeon on her shoulder, La Voix's Mary Poppins Waltz to Feed the Birds was an elegant one. While both Anton and Craig had technical advice for the drag star, the performer was highly praised across the board for her vulnerability and character.

"It was beautiful. When you give us this serious side of you, it adds so many layers to your performances. Harmony developed with Aljaz" Anton said before adding his technical  technical advice, to bend her hips more to free up her legs. Craig added that La Voix's posture wasn't quite right but added: "It was wonderful to see the realness, and see this character you've invested in brought to life and your musicality was superb."

Motsi said: Timing was sensational. There was a connection, you were dancing together and it doesn't matter whether you have comedy or no comedy, you are so real." Meanwhile, Cynthia gushed about La Voix's vulnerability: "I watched you take the risk and be really vulnerable." Adding: "It was wonderful, well done" Shirley coined the performance. "Another step up." As for the scores, it was 7 across the board! 

FINAL SCORE: 28

Thunderbirds are go! Ross and Jowitza performed a striking Paso Doble to the Thunderbirds theme song. Last week the pair were in the bottom two and the judges were worried it would impact their performance but Anton said that "Cynthia worked her magic" on Ross, and that he "should move in with her" to maintain his progress on the show. 

Meanwhile, Shirley said: "From last week to this week, you have had a rise, I want you get over your nerves because you  could be: 'Ross the magic dancer.' This week, you can go home and be very proud of what you achieved," the judge gushed. Motsi added: "You can do this."

Ross' golden girl Cynthis said: "I just wanted to say how proud I am of how committed you were to the character. I just wanted to see the character come alive in front of me, and I did. As for the scores, it was five across the board other than Craig who scored 4, but that didn't matter because the couple still gained their highest score yet. 

FINAL SCORE: 19

The pair were the picture of elegance according to Anton Du Beke, who heaped praise on the dance partners' "lovely dancing" as they emulated Frank Sinatra and Ginger Rodgers during their Foxtrot to inspired by the movie Swing. He did have one criticism for the Balvinder, which was her hold position but, did say the actress was"beautiful, elegant and sophisticated." Meanwhile, Craig agreed, she had "grace, class, and much more confidence."

It was certainly a great performance for Motsi, who said: "You gave that dance personality, you gave that dance life, you gave it charm, the attention to details, the music, it shows what talent you have." The couple also recieved a lot of technical feedback from Shirely who gave sound advice on Balvinder's footwork which she said needs improving as the competition continues. As for the scores, Craig and Motsi gave the performance a 7, while Shirley and Anton awards 6's.

FINAL SCORE: 26

Footballer Karen performed a powerful cha cha cha to She's A Lady in a routine inspired by Miss Congeniality. The athlete looked stunning in her hot pink ensemble, whose power was praised by judges Shirley and Anton. "That was a power-packed open piece of choreography," said Shirley, also noting how difficult the routine was. Meanwhile, Craig said the performance was "spikey" but said that she still has "fantastic potential." As for Motsi, she added: "You are attack attack attack and that's the way to be on this dance floor."

Talking about meeting Cynthia, Karen said: "She's a beautiful person, isn't she. I wish everyone in the world could meet her." As for the scores, Craig scored the performance a wildly low 4, meanwhile, the rest were unanimous on awarding 7's.

FINAL SCORE: 25

Jimmy and Lauren performed a dramatic Rumba to 'No Time To Die' from James Bond. While noting that Jimmy was a "gorgeous Mr Bond," she gave a mixed review of the routine. But for Anton, it was a fabulous routine, adding: "The musicality was excellent. I loved the scene you set," concluding with: "That's one of the best rumbas I've seen for a considerable amount of time." Craig shocked fans with his compliments: "I was not expecting much from you," he said. " I was pleasantly surprised. I thought that was great." 

Cynthia couldn't get enough of Jimmy and Lauren's connection as partners, commenting: ""You never lost her eyes ever and it was electric." As for the scores, Shirley scored the lowest with 6, Craig and Motsi opted for 7s, while Anton delighted the audience, scoring 8.

FINAL SCORE: 28

Despite her party girl origins, Vicky's Charleston wasn't up to scratch for Craig and Shirley. While Vicky was visibily downhearted, the rest of the judging panel encouraged the star she had already come leaps and bounds with Anton praising the reality TV star's potential. Meanwhile, Cynthia said: "I don't want you to beat yourself up at all," insisting the performance was leaps and bounds ahead of what she saw just hours before in the rehearsal.

Despite the comments, the pair still got two 7s from Anton and Motsi. Meanwhile, Shirley scored 6, and Craig scored 5. 

FINAL SCORE: 25

Channelling Margot Robbie's Barbie in the iconic party scene, Ellie and Vito performed a Samba to Dua Lipa's Dance the Night Away. Ellie sparkled in a glittering silver jumpsuit as she took to the dance floor. After confirming Ellie had improved in every single way technically, Motsi said: "I feel that you put your heart on the dancefloor. You make us so happy. The performance was adored by Cynthia who said: "Girl, Ellie that was wonderful. The confidence, the musicality. You shook the ground." As for their scores, Craig scored 6, while the rest of the judges scored 7s, landing them their highest score yet!

FINAL SCORE: 27

Alex and Johannes lived their Devil Wears Prada dream tonight, performing a quick step to Suddenly I See inspired by the Devil Wears Prada. Method all the way, Alex did not break out of her Miranda Priestly persona to even receive feedback from the judges. The number went down very well with Craig who said: "You had command, you had control, my darling," giving his final verdict: It was brilliant." For Motsi, it was: "The definition of movie night" Craig and Shirley scored the routine 7 while Anton and Motsi awarded 8's.

FINAL SCORE: 30

It was his "best dance so far" according to Anton and Shirley was certainly charmed by Harry who performed an energetic salsa to I Always Wanted a Brother from Mufasa: The Lion King. While all the judges praised the routine, it was Shirley who was most impressive coining Harry "the man with the the million-dollar smile" and"quite extraordinary in every department." It was 8's across the board for the pair!

FINAL SCORE:  32

Lewis and Katya's  Paso Doble to The Plaza of Execution from The Mask of Zorro was coined the "dance of the night" by Motsi, who scored the couple a 10.  Meanwhile, Cynthia's "mind was blown" and Shirley commented: "I thought  you were extraordinarily brilliant," and "quite phenomenal this evening." Finally, Craig's verdict on the performance was: "A-ma-zing!" As for the scores, Craig, Anton and Shirley gave the performance 9's, while Motsi scored the performance a 10.