Strictly Come Dancing 2015: Jay McGuiness's emotional rumba made judge Darcey Bussell cry

'That story you created, that intimacy, it was so real, it was really well done'

Jay McGuiness' rumba to 'Falling Slowly' from Once (BBC)

After a middling few weeks, Jay McGuiness proved once again why he’s the bookies favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing, soaring to the top of the leader boards with his near-perfect scoring rumba.

The performance from the former Wanted singer and partner Aliona Vilani was so brilliant judge Darcey Bussell was left feeling all emotional.

“You both brought tears to my eyes,” Darcey said once the crowd had settled down. “That story you created, that intimacy, it was so real, it was really well done. You sometimes come across as a bit embarrassed but that was not embarrassing at all.

“The way you were able to emote and still feel strong, and show that compassion to her through those moves… it was fabulous.”

Watch the rumba to “Falling Slowly” from the Irish musical Once - which scored 39 out of a possible 40 - below.

It was pointed out by both Tweeters and Len Goodman that the 25-year-old may have been slightly underdressed wearing jeans and a ruffled shirt, the judge quipping: “Lovely of you to dress up for the occasion.”

He did, however, praise the duo’s dance: “It’s such a hard dance [the rumba], particularly for men. You got it right… Tonight you convinced me you’re a terrific dancer.”

Craig Revel Horwood, unlike the other three judges, awarded the dance a 9 rather than a ten, bringing the score down to 39.

Catch the results show tonight on BBC One at 7.15pm.