Strictly Come Dancing week three: Lewis Cope lands first 10 of the series in action-packed Movie Week
All the updates from week three of the BBC competition as Cynthia Erivo joins as guest mentor
Strictly Come Dancing brought plenty of drama in its annual Movie Week – and one star even managed the impressive feat of landing the first 10 of the series.
Lewis Cope and his partner Katya Jones were awarded the top score by judge Motsi Mabuse after closing the show with their Paso Doble to "The Plaza of Execution" from The Mask of Zorro.
The high score came after Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were awarded the first nines of the season, having opened the episode with their American smooth to "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" from The Sound of Music.
Unfortunately, one celebrity wasn’t able to take part in Saturday’s live show. Neighbours star Stefan Dennis was unwell and advised to rest by doctors, meaning viewers missed out on his Waltz to “It Is You (I Have Loved)” from Shrek. He and partner Dianne Buswell have automatically made it through to the next stage of the competition.
There was one new arrival, however, withWicked star Cynthia Erivo serving as a guest mentor. The Oscar-nominated actor offered the celebrities advice during rehearsals before sitting on the panel (but not scoring) in the live show.
Last week, businessman and former Apprentice candidate Thomas Skinner became the first star to be eliminated from the 2025 series alongside his professional partner Amy Dowden.
Skinner said he was gutted to be the first out, but admitted that his dancing skills left much to be desired.
Here’s all the action as it happened...
Why is Stefan Dennis not performing tonight?
During an announcement on Friday night’s episode of Strictly: It Takes Two, a statement 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 able to dance again.”
Stefan Dennis pulls out of Strictly Come Dancing due to illness
ICYMI
See below the marks and total scores from week one and week two, from judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke:
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin - (7+7+7+6) + (8+7+7+7) = 56
Lewis Cope and Katya Jones - (7+7+7+7) + (7+7+6+7) = 55
George Clarke and Alexis Warr - (6+6+6+6) + (7+7+8+8) = 54
Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe - (4+6+5+6) + (7+8+8+8) = 52
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley - (6+7+7+7) + (6+6+6+7) = 52
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu - (7+8+8+8) + (4+5+5+6) = 51
Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington - (5+6+6+6) + (6+6+6+6) = 47
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon - (4+4+4+5) + (7+8+8+7) = 47
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer - (4+5+5+5) + (6+7+6+7) = 45
La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec - (6+6+6+6) + (4+5+5+5) = 43
Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola - (4+4+4+5) + (5+6+6+6) = 40
Stefan Dennis and Dianne Buswell - (4+6+6+6) + (4+4+4+5) = 39
Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova - (3+4+3+4) + (3+4+4+5) = 30
Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden - (2+4+5+5) + (2+3+4+4) = 29
Ross King and Jowita Przystał - (2+3+2+3) + (2+4+4+5) = 25
Who is dancing what during tonight's Movie Week episode?
Movie Week is a beloved fixture in the Strictly run, with couples performing to famous tunes from iconic films across the decades.
See below for a sneak peek at what you can expect tonight:
- La Voix and Aljaž Skojanec– Waltz to “Feed The Birds” from Mary Poppins
- Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin – American Smooth to “Sixteen Going On Seventeen” from The Sound Of Music
- Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola – Samba to “Dance The Night” from Barbie
- Lewis Cope and Katya Jones – Paso Doble to “The Plaza Of Execution” by The Mask Of Zorro
- Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington – Charleston to “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody” from The Great Gatsby
- Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer – Salsa to “I Always Wanted A Brother” from Mufasa: The Lion King
- Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe – Quickstep to “Suddenly I See” from The Devil Wears Prada
- Ross King and Jowita Przystal – Paso Doble to “Thunderbirds Theme” from Thunderbirds
- George Clarke and Alexis Warr – Couple's Choice to “Soda Pop” by KPop Demon Hunters
- Karen Carney and Carlos Gu – Cha Cha to “She's A Lady” from Miss Congeniality
- Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova – Paso Doble to “Sweet Child O'Mine” from Thor
- Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon – Foxtrot to “The Way You Look Tonight” from Swing Time
- Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley – Samba to “No Time To Die” from James Bond
Alex Kingston opens up about her shock womb cancer diagnosis
In an exclusive interview with The Independent, the Strictly star talks about her uterine cancer journey.
Alex Kingston reveals shock womb cancer diagnosis: ‘I haemorrhaged on stage’
What is Cynthia Erivo's history-making role on Strictly?
The 38-year-old, who received an Oscar nomination for her role in the musical fantasy Wicked, will be Strictly’s first ever guest mentor for movie week.
Erivo previously appeared as a stand-in judge on the show in 2021, and will return on 11 October in the new role.
More information here:
Oscar nominee confirmed for special Strictly Come Dancing return
Dianne Buswell responds to claims of a 'cover-up'
This just in: Dianne Buswell has poured water on rumours that she is the real reason Stefan Dennis won’t be performing this weekend.
“Just to clarify I’ve had lots of people messaging me thinking this is a cover up for me not being able to dance?!” she wrote on Instagram.
Read the full story here:
Dianne Buswell denies claims of a ‘cover-up’ over Stefan Dennis Strictly absence
Former Strictly finalist says show would be 'boring' without trained dancers
BBC bosses have come under scrutiny for casting celebrities with extensive dance experience. Most recently some fans have taken issue with the inclusion of West End star Amber Davies.
In an interview with The Sun, Debbie McGee – who took part in the series in 2017 – said: “I think what I'd say is the programme would be very boring if everybody had no experience. So I think the BBC have been very clever in how they've brought different people in.”
Watch: Amber Davies recalls crying in rehearsals
Emotions are high with Amber Davies crying in Strictly rehearsals over her latest dance routine.
Amber Davies cries in Strictly rehearsal as she accuses partner Nikita of lying
What has Thomas Skinner said about his Strictly elimination?
The former Apprentice star was the first to go in this year’s series, but he took the exit in his stride.
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