Strictly 2025: Icons Week leaderboard revealed as La Voix closes in style and Alex Kingston delivers sublime foxtrot

Hello! And welcome to our live coverage of Week 5 of Strictly Come Dancing. It's been a major week for Strictly news with the surprise announcement that Tess and Claud will be leaving at the end of the series!

Tess and Claudia's department wasn't the only exit-related news of the week. Despite getting through to Icons Week, Neighbours star Stefan Dennis has sadly had to pull out of the show after tearing his calf muscle.

Dianne Buswell has been subjected to trolling since it was confirmed she would be dancing on the show while carrying her first child. Some speculated that she was "unable" to keep dancing and this is why Stefan pulled out, see the professional dancer's classy response here.

Despite only scoring a 14 for her cha-cha-cha, La Voix was saved by the voting public, and it ended up being Chris Robshow and Balvinder Sopal facing each other in the dance-off. It was close in the final decision, with Shirley and Anton opting to save Chris, while Motsi and Craig, who had the casting vote, both saved Balvinder.

Reflecting on his time on the show, Chris said: "I've loved it, I've had an amazing partner, for me, coming onto this journey, I had no confidence. To be told I had world class qualities on the dancefloor today, even though we have to go home, that's amazing to hear so thank you very much. It's given me such confidence." 

© BBC/Guy Levy

There are plenty of runners and riders when it comes to who could replace the iconic duo from Janette Manrara and Fleur East, Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton and possibly even Anton Du Beke. See the people who could take over here...

Our stars have selected some of the best icons to dance to, we can't wait to see them on the floor!

• Alex & Johannes - Foxtrot - Here You Come Again - Dolly Parton
• Amber & Nikita - Cha-Cha-Cha - Break Free - Ariana Grande
• Balvinder & Julian - Quickstep - Texas Hold 'Em - Beyonce
• Ellie & Vito - Salsa - Spice Girls Medley
• George & Alexis - Jive - As It Was - Harry Styles
• Harry & Karen - Argentine Tango - Caught Up - Usher
• Jimmy & Karen - American Smooth - Purple Rain - Prince
• Karen & Carlos - Rumba - Think Twice - Celine Dion
• La Voix & Aljaz - Salsa - Strong Enough - Cher
• Lewis & Katya - Quickstep - Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash
• Vicky & Kai - Couple's Choice - Fight for This Love - Cheryl

The announcement surprised even Craig who gave his live reaction on Loose Women. See what the star had to say here...

© Guy Levy

You have six hours to get your affairs in order, as Strictly kicks off at 18.25pm, and it lasts just shy of two hours, ending at 20.20pm.

© BBC/Guy Levy

Could Tess' next move be heading abroad? Her husband, Vernon Kay, once remarked: "I'd like another crack at America because I think I messed up. I did three network shows for America. I wouldn't say I messed that up. I think looking back, I was inexperienced. I think, knowing, being more confident in myself and the way I work, I'd like another go at a game show in America. That's a big change."

It Takes Two host Janette wrote a heartfelt message as Tess and Claudia left the series. See what the presenter, who is one of the favourites to replace the pair, had to say here...

© Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

One of the biggest questions that has been asked since the news about Tess and Claudia stepping away has been whether the show can possibly survive. I've been a fan of Strictly for over a decade, and here's what I think about the show's future...

It's not just fans of RuPaul's Drag Race UK who will recognise La Voix, as viewers of Britain's Got Talent will no doubt remember her incredible audition on the eighth series. If you fancy reliving the drag queen's star turn, then click here...

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Craig Revel Horwood is one of our favourite judges on Strictly, especially with his acid-tongued critiques. However, before his appearance on the show, he was married to Jane Horwood. Here's all you need to know about their relationship.

All the news this week has been around Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman's departure. However, did you know that Tess Daly's name isn't her actual one, but a stage name. Here's all you need to know...

© Samir Hussein/WireImage

Doctor Who star Alex Kingston has been one of our favourite this year, and she blew everyone away with her incredible rumba last week. One of the star's supporters will be her husband, Jonathan Stamp, here's all you need to know about her love life...

We've been delighted to see Lauren Oakley back on our screens, with the pro dancer impressing alongside Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Here's all you need to know about her life away from the show...

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Having presented Strictly for years, you can imagine that the pair have amassed quite the fortune. And you'd be correct, find out all you need to know about their earnings here...

Time to get on the sofa, as Strictly Icons Week kicks off, we can't wait to see how this turns out!

Tess was looking a little emotional as she confirmed that she and Claudia were set to leave the series. But they have eight more weeks filled with Strictly magic.

While the judges didn't dress up for Movies Week, they have for Icons Week. Craig is John Lennon, Motsi is Grace Jones, Shirley is Elvis Presley, while Anton is Ziggy Stardust, or Claudia's "Auntie Jean".

Stefan might have had to withdraw from the series, but he was able to come along to support his former co-stars.

Lewis Cope blew us away as Johnny Cash as he performed a quickstep. It didn't match his paso doble from Movie Week, but it was a strong performance from the actor.

© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston

Motsi said it was "perfect" and a great way to "open the show", however, Shirley thought Lewis could get his weight more central and noted that he needed more co-ordination when moving at speed. Anton said: "What you do is great dancing," and noted that the actor's energy had "calmed down" and that the pair were now dancing together. We see a good score in the star's future...

The actor got a score of 34 for his opening number, earning 9s from Craig and Motsi and 8s from Shirley and Anton. Not often that Craig gives a higher score.

Karen slowed down proceedings with her sensual rumba. It still hasn't matched her jive, but Karen is such a good dancer, I loved every moment.

Karen was told she "executed" some of the hardest rumba walks greatly, although noted there was a part of "wobbliness" in the middle, though I thought this was more towards the beginning. Anton thought the footballer got "tense" during the routine and encouraged her to breathe, and Craig thought the star's balance was "off" and didn't like how she used her free arm.

© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston

Karen said she was "gutted" after the routine, but she achieved a clean sweep of 7s with a final score of 28, one of her higher marks this series.

'Team Cheeky' were the Spice Girls for Icons Week and Ellie was Baby Spice. She showed off plenty of jaw-dropping tricks and my jaw was on the floor. But like Chris, was there enough salsa content? Let's find out...

Craig loved the energy, but thought that Ellie needed more hip rotation during the routine and he wanted smoother transitions. Motsi, meanwhile, noted how Ellie wouldn't "hold back" and noted the difficult choreography and said her dance abilities were improving. Shirley praised the execution of the lifts and saw how the model took on the judges' critiques.

© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston

After getting a message from Baby Spice herself, Emma Bunton, the judges shared their final scores, and Ellie scored a respectable 28, with a mix of numbers from the judges.