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As it happenedended

Strictly 2025 – live: Amber Davies lands perfect score in Musicals Week

All the live updates from quarter-finals of BBC dancing competition

(BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing is nearing its final stages, and the celebs performed in the BBC show’s quarter final on Saturday.

The five remaining couples were back for Musicals Week after last week’s emotional elimination of ER and Doctor Who star Alex Kingston and her professional partner Johannes Radebe, who many believed to quit the show in his exit speech.

Kingston’s departure meant that EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal survived the dance off for the fifth time this series.

The other remaining stars in the competition are Amber Davies - who topped the leaderboard with 40 after her Charleston - and Karen Carney, who delivered a samba to a track from Sweet Charity.

George Clarke wowed the judges as he opened the show with a Phantom of the Opera-themed Argentine Tango and Lewis Cope closed proceedings with a West Side Story salsa.

Musicals Week also included an extra special performance from one of the West End’s latest additions, Paddington Bear.

Strictly 2025 will conclude on 21 December.

Follow along below for all the live updates

Musicals Week!

It’s the last themed week of the 2025 series – and it’s a celebration of the stage.

Tonight’s episode will be a musicals extravaganza, with the final five performing to songs from the world of the West End and Broadway.

Jacob Stolworthy6 December 2025 10:46

Who are the final five?

Balvinder Sopal, Lewis Cope, Karen Carney, Amber Davies and George Clarke are the remaining celebs duking it out to make it through to next week’s semi-finals.

Jacob Stolworthy6 December 2025 10:47

Relay dance to kick off tonight's episode

This weekend's Strictly will give the dancers an extra chance to dazzle viewers.

The episode will open with a five-minute performance that’ll see each pair dance to the below songs, backed with additional dancers:

Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin – “Trip a Little Light Fantastic” from Mary Poppins Returns

Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon – “With a Little Bit of Luck” from My Fair Lady

George Clarke and Alexis Warr - “Consider Yourself” from Oliver!

Karen Carney and Carlos Gu – “Flash Bang Wallop” from Half a Sixpence

Lewis Cope and Katya Jones – “Me Ol' Bamboo” from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Jacob Stolworthy6 December 2025 10:51

Paddington to cameo

Tonight’s episode will feature a cameo appearance from none other than Paddington, who’ll feature during a performance from Tom Fletcher.

The McFly star has written lyrics for a new West End musical based on the fictional bear.

Paddington makes his West End debut
Paddington makes his West End debut (PA)
Jacob Stolworthy6 December 2025 11:03

What time is Strictly on tonight?

As with the ever-changing Strictly schedule, tonight’s show is on at a slightly different time tonight.

The starts on BBC One at 6:50 pm and finishes at 8:05.

Greg Evans6 December 2025 12:08

Strictly viewers convinced pro dancer Johannes quit series in results show

Strictly Come Dancing viewers are convinced Johannes Radebe is leaving the series after an emotional moment in last week’s episode.

On Sunday night’s results show, the professional dancer’s celebrity partner Alex Kingston was voted off the show.

When Radebe, 38, thanked the ER and Doctor Who actor, he also appeared to say farewell to the show, stating: “Goodbye to my Strictly family.”

“Thank you because I’ve never grinned as much in my life as I have in the last couple of weeks. Thank you, Alex, for being a trooper. I appreciate the laughs. I will hold on to the memories. As far as the dancing goes, I think we’ve achieved what we wanted to achieve.

When Kingston said, “And these memories are just the beginning for us,” Radebe replied: “You can say that again.”

Strictly viewers convinced popular pro quit series in results show

Popular professional appeared to say farewell to BBC series in moving speech
Greg Evans6 December 2025 13:00

George Clarke admits Strictly is perfect excuse to ditch social plans with friends

George Clarke admits Strictly gives him easy excuse to cancel plans with friends
Luke Reevey6 December 2025 14:01

Amy Dowden hints at Strictly return after second mastectomy

Amy Dowden on possible Strictly return following mastectomy
Greg Evans6 December 2025 15:02

Strictly Come Dancing confirms next two celebrities for live tour

Model Ellie Goldstein and Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison are confirmed to join the Strictly Come Dancing live tour, reuniting with professional partners Vito Coppola and Kai Widdrington.

Goldstein, 23, made history this year as the first celebrity with Down’s syndrome to compete on the BBC One dancing show, becoming the fifth contestant eliminated.

Pattison, meanwhile, saw her journey end on her birthday, a week before the Blackpool specials.

Strictly Come Dancing confirms next two celebrities for live tour

The tour kicks off in January at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena
Greg Evans6 December 2025 16:01

Strictly Come Dancing’s chaotic Instant Dance challenge deserves to be a permanent fixture

Strictly Come Dancing bosses made the rare move of trying something new on Saturday night - and it worked, writes Rachel McGrath

Strictly’s Instant Dance challenge was pure chaos – and deserves to stay

Strictly Come Dancing bosses made the rare move of trying something new on Saturday night - and it worked, writes Rachel McGrath
Greg Evans6 December 2025 17:00

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