This week marked the exciting fifth round of Strictly Come Dancing, where the competition reached new heights and tensions ran high among the remaining celebrities. Following last week’s dramatic exit of Nick Knowles, every remaining contestant pulled out all the stops to stay off the dreaded dance-off list. With twelve couples still vying for the coveted glitterball trophy, results from the latest episode left viewers buzzing.
Additions to the leaderboard saw some standout performances, particularly from Montell Douglas and Jamie Borthwick, who both clinched nearly perfect scores of 39 points. They dazzled the audience with their unique routines – Douglas performed the Couple’s Choice to “Skeleton Move” alongside his partner Johannes Radebe, and Borthwick wowed with his Paso Doble set to “Malagueña,” partnered with Michelle Tsiakkas.
The excitement didn't end there; Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell delivered a heartfelt waltz to the beloved anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” receiving high praise and solid marks. Meanwhile, Strictly fans rallied for their favorites through this nail-biting week's performances.
The current leaderboard reflects the intense competition:
- Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe - 39
- Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas - 39
- Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell - 35
- Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec - 34
- Wynne Evans and Katya Jones - 33
- Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola - 32
- Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu - 31
- JB Gill and Amy Dowden - 30
- Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin - 26
- Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal - 22
- Dr. Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez - 21
- Paul Merson and Karen Hauer - 19
Unfortunately, not all performances landed gracefully. Paul Merson struggled, earning just 19 points, with comments from the judges noting his struggles during the Samba routine. Merson’s performance has drawn criticism, as many viewers feel he has become the joke act of this season.
After witnessing last week's highs and lows, the cities were electrified as predictions of elimination emerged. Many are betting on Wynne Evans, Paul Merson, and Dr. Krishan as potential candidates for this week’s dance-off. Betting odds saw Merson as the top contender for leaving the show with odds of 10/11, whereas Evans' odds have shifted significantly after the previous week, dropping from 20/1 to as low as 9/2, according to BetMGM UK Director Sam Behar.
With the stakes so high and all competitors knowing they must impress not just the judges but also the voting public, every dance move counted. The atmosphere backstage as contestants prepared was thick with nerves, as they anticipated how their performances would be received.
This week’s performances included funky routines, emotional displays, and even some unexpected surprises. Tasha Ghouri followed up her earlier success with yet another strong routine, dancing the Tango to “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + The Machine, scoring well with the judges.
Viewers were particularly amused by minor controversies, including one involving Katya Jones and Wynne Evans. Some viewers noticed subtle gestures between the pair—specifically Jones moving Evans' hand from her waist, creating ripples of speculation about potential tension or conflict. Both stars responded to these rumors, claiming it was all part of their unique rapport.
Chalked up as “inside jokes,” both Evans and Jones downplayed concerns. Evans mentioned on his show how he felt “heartbroken” about the public's reactions to their dance dynamics but maintained confidence heading to the weekend's show.
Other notable performances included Shayne Ward’s American Smooth to Sam Smith’s “Get Here,” which garnered decent scores from judges, and JB Gill's upbeat Jive. Both contestants put up admirable routines, striving to avoid the looming threat of elimination.
This latest week of Strictly Come Dancing was undoubtedly thrilling, with the scores paving the path to who might face off again. Contestants now eagerly await the votes from audiences to see who rises to the occasion and who might have to say their goodbyes as elimination looms. The Strictly stage has truly never felt more alive, with dance battles and suspense leading to what will surely be another unmissable finale on Sunday night.