Strictly 2025: Lewis Cope earns first perfect score of the series as Alex Kingston delivers devilish salsa

We might be one day past Halloween, but that won't stop Strictly throwing its annual spooktacular. Expect the scariest dances, the most gruesome scores and maybe a vampire or two. I can't wait!

As ever, we're being treated to a host of ghoulish tunes, including the theme from Peaky Blinders, an iconic piece of classical music and a viral hit from 2024.

• Alex & Johannes - Salsa - Horny - Mousse T. & Hot 'n' Juicy
• Amber & Nikita - Viennese Waltz - I See Red - Everybody Loves an Outlaw
• Balvinder & Julian - Rumba - Stay - Shakespears Sister
• Ellie & Vito - Tango - Abracadabra - Lady Gaga
• George & Alexis - Cha-Cha-Cha - Apple - Charli XCX
• Harry & Karen - American Smooth - Mystical Magical - Benson Boone
• Karen & Carlos - Argentine Tango - Red Right Hand - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
• La Voix & Aljaz - Paso Doble - Symphony No. 5 - Ludwig van Beethoven
• Lewis & Katya - Couple's Choice - Creep - Radiohead
• Vicky & Kai - American Smooth - Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler

The leaderboard was so incredibly tight last week and viewers had a shock when the dance-off consisted of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Amber Davies, the latter of whom was sitting in joint second on the leaderboard.

The judges opted to unainmously save Amber, leaving the former footballer to exit the competition, despite consistently delivering stunning routines.

© BBC/Guy Levy

While Dianne is sadly no longer dancing on the show after Stefan Dennis had to withdraw, she did share some exciting news with fans. In a YouTube video, she and partner Joe Sugg hinted at their baby's name, teasing that it was "unique". Find out more here...

During an appearance on Friday night's The One Show, Craig Revel Horwood hinted that he was getting 'married' on tonight's show. We will be keeping our eyes peeled for this moment.

One of the names in the mix for who could be presenting Strictly following Tess and Claudia's departure is former champion Stacey Dooley. Her boyfriend, Kevin Clifton, appears quite keen on the idea, see what he had to say during an appearance on Good Morning Britain.

© Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Dianne isn't the only Strictly star with some happy baby news, former star Annabel Croft, who competed alongside Johannes Radebe, shared that she was now a grandmother. See what the former tennis ace had to say!

For those who wish to brave the annual spooktacular, you'll need to tune in at 18.35pm on BBC 1. As we're still fairly early on, the show is still quite long, with it coming to an end at 20.20pm!

So far on the results shows, we've been treated to the likes of Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Rachel Zegler, and for Halloween Week, we're getting a Traitors crossover. Cat Burns, who has been a Traitor since the start of the show, will be performing tomorrow night. I can't wait!

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Following an intense Argentine tango, fans speculated that the Strictly 'curse' could end up impacting Amber and her boyfriend, Ben Joyce. However, Ben has his own theory, see what he had to say here...

© Dave Benett/Getty Images

As a massive fan of Doctor Who, it will surprise no one that I am backing Alex Kingston for Glitterball glory. Another person in the star's corner is her daughter, Salome. Here's all you need to know about her...

Having been on air for 20 years, Strictly has had numerous scandals during its time on our screens. Our TV and Film writer, Abby Allen, has collected some of the biggest ones here...

© BBC/Rob Parfitt

The Halloween special is upon us, and it looks like we're being treated to a little comedy skit like on most special weeks, and it involves plenty of zombies!

The wardrobe department has worked overtime this week, Alex Kingston is a devil, Nikita Kuzmin is a werewolf and Carlos and Karen are from the Peaky Blinders. We're in for a treat tonight!

I typically prefer an American Smooth/Foxtrot over an American Smooth/Viennese Waltz, but Vicky still delivered a mystifying performance. I just don't think it's very memorable, and going first, the Geordie Shore star might struggle when it comes to the votes.

© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston

Shirley noted that Vicky had improved from her Week 2 foxtrot and how she handled some of the "difficult" moves. Anton said Vicky delivered a "terrific performance" and called her "bold", but Craig wanted more "reach" and "extension" from the star. Overall, it's mostly sounding good!

Motsi gave the best feedback for Vicky, hinting she was a "possible finalist" and the scores reflected this, with the star earning 31 from the judges!

It's been the song of my 2025, so it was a delight to see Ellie and Vito tackle a tango to Lady Gaga's Abracadabra. However, I would've loved them to have danced more in hold and their final move may have gone a tad wrong. Hopefully Ellie will have enchanted the judges!

Motsi noted how Ellie calmed herself down after being nervous before the performance, and hailed her as one of the "best performers", but wanted more "musicality" in the dance. Shirley agreed with her fellow judge and loved Ellie's promenade position, while Anton thought Ellie's out of hold dancing was incredible, but wasn't as much a fan of her in hold.

© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston

It was another good score for Ellie with the model receiving a score of 27 from the panel.

With their cha-cha-cha set to the tune of Apple, it wasn't surprising that George and Alexis took inspiration from Snow White for their routine. After his disappointing jive last week, George will be impressed with his sultry performance, who knew he had hips like that! Though a stronger finisher wouldn't have gone amiss.

© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston

Craig thought the routine looked "clunky" as George was turned in for the routine, but loved the hip action. Motsi hailed the star for not making any mistakes during the dance, but wanted him to pick up his "centre". Shirley thought George didn't realise how good he was as a dancer and pressed him to be more competitive.

After a low score last week, George marginally improved, scoring 29 instead of 27. But he'll certainly have wanted more!

George wasn't the only Disney routine, as La Voix embodied the villainous Queen of Hearts for her petrifying paso doble. La Voix hasn't been doing amazingly since Movie Week, but this was her strongest in a while, the passion, the intensity. It won't be tens across the board, but surely a high score for the drag queen!

© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston

Anton called the routine "everything" and said he loved it, calling the star's feet "neat and tidy" and he thought it would have impressed the late Len Goodman. Craig wanted more "arch" in the dance for better shaping, but praised its power, passion and authority. "Your personal best," he quipped. Motsi agreed with Craig, saying that La Voix looked so "regal".

What a score for La Voix! The drag queen ended up with final score of 35, far and away, her best score in the competition!

After a tour de force of meeting his family, Lewis did a tour de force for his Couple's Choice. Katya's creative choreography shone through and the star delivered an amazing routine that I already know I'll be watching again and again.

Motsi hailed the routine as a "moment" for Strictly history, Craig could only say that he "liked" the performance and Shirley enthused: "Well done you!" There will be 10s for Lewis tonight, no doubt about it!

It's the first of the series and very well deserved as Lewis got the first perfect score. One of the earliest in Strictly history!

© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston

Balvinder hasn't deserved any of her dance-offs, but now she's dancing a rumba and following Lewis's perfect score, she's in for a tough night. However, I was moved by the EastEnders star and I thought she delivered a good dose of sensuality for the difficult routine.

© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston