Strictly Come Dancing 2015 went to the movies this week for the annual Movie Week event.
The 14 remaining couples danced to movie themed songs and sported some seriously impressive costumes. Fighting to keep their place in the competition, the couples tried to up their game but were they successful?
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman presided over the events as judges Craig Revel-Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli gave their advice and criticism. Last week saw athlete Iwan Thomas and his partner Ola Jordan leave the competition after losing the dance-off to Jamelia and her partner Tristan MacManus.
The evening kicked off with a stunning group routine featuring the pros and the celebs to various movie themes. It really kicked the show off in style and set the tone for the evening.
Keep reading to find out how Movie Week went and to see who topped the leaderboard by the end of the night…
Carol Kirkwood and Pasha Kovalev
Carol Kirkwood opened the show tonight and she admitted that she was happy that the judges had noticed the improvement in her dancing. For her routine tonight Carol was dancing a South Pacific themed Quickstep with her partner Pasha Kovalev. Did Carol continue to improve tonight?
The dance: Carol looked like she was concentrating so hard on the footwork that she didn’t really let loose during the routine. For us it was a little too safe and placed, and she struggled at times to keep up with Pasha. There’s no denying she’s got an infectious smile though!
The comments: Len said the routine had more content than he’d seen in previous weeks and told Carol that he enjoyed it because she enjoyed it. Bruno said it wasn’t quite ‘a tropical heatwave’ instead calling the routine a ‘lukewarm breeze’ and told Carol that she looked like she was ‘shuffling on damp sand’. Craig called it ‘limp, lame and very lacklustre’. Darcey said that Carol achieved a lot but told her she wanted her to be glued to Pasha for her next routine.
The score: 17 out of 40
Anthony Ogogo and Oti Mabuse
Anthony Ogogo admitted that he found the judges’ criticism ‘soul destroying’ after receiving poor feedback last week. Determined to do better this week, Anthony was dancing the Paso Doble with his partner Oti Mabuse. To put him in his comfort zone the routine was themed around boxing classic Rocky.
The dance: For a Paso the performance was a bit limp. The anger and the aggression along with the passion that the dance requires was missing for us. Anthony performed better than last week but he seems to be very reserved in his movements.
The comments: Bruno said the routine was a mish-mash of martial arts and told Anthony that he needs artistry when he dances. Craig said he appreciated that Anthony was making an effort but told him that his shaping was poor. Darcey told Anthony that he had to work on his shaping but told him he’d made a great improvement. Len said that Anthony goes for it ‘full on’ and told him he’d attacked the dance.
The score: 19 out of 40
Katie Derham and Anton Du Beke
Presenter Katie Derham was pleased with her performance from week 2 and revealed that she knew she’d made some mistakes. For Movie Week Katie and her partner Anton du Beke did a Pretty Woman themed Cha Cha. Katie is one of the ones to watch in the competition but did she soar again this week?
The dance: Oh Katie! What happened? Not even that big beaming smile could distract us tonight. The Cha Cha lacked energy, was a bit too clean and there were timing issues in the first half of the routine. We really, really wanted to like it but it wasn’t great.
The comments: Craig said that there was a lack of content and told Katie he didn’t love her performance. Darcey said that Katie looked the part but told her that she was expecting a lot more this week. Len said that everyone has a bad dance and told Katie that he hoped this was her bad week. Bruno said that Katie won’t go far if she comes out and just stands around on the dancefloor.
The score: 20 out of 40
Kellie Bright and Kevin Clifton
EastEnders star Kellie Bright revealed that she’d begged her partner Kevin Clifton to put some Dirty Dancing moves in their routine last week. In the competition so far Kellie is doing well and this week she was dancing a Star Wars themed Charleston. Was the force with Kellie or did she get lost in a galaxy far, far away?
The dance: Well the theme and the song were a bit odd but somehow Kellie and Kevin made the performance work tonight. They took some risks and for the most part Kellie kept her energy levels up. She certainly looked like she had a good time!
The comments: Darcey said that Kellie shouldn’t be that good in week 3 and told her ‘brilliant’. Len said that Kellie ‘put the moves in movies’. Bruno said he could ‘feel the force’ and commended the dance for being full of content. Craig said it was ‘clean, tight, precise’ and told Kellie it was ‘fan-tas-tic’.
The score: 32 out of 40
Ainsley Harriott and Natalie Lowe
During his intro VT chef Ainsley Harriott explained that he wants people to just have fun and enjoy his performances. He didn’t get a great report from the judges so he had to up his game for Movie Week. Tonight Ainsley performed a penguin-themed Happy Feet Cha Cha with his partner Natalie Lowe.
The dance: Ainsley put on a great performance tonight. Was it technically the strongest performance of the night? No it wasn’t but it was a hell of a lot of fun. He has definitely improved since last week and it looked like he had an absolute ball.
The comments: Len said that the performance got his seal of approval ‘by and large’. Bruno said if he had to ‘pick up a penguin’ he would pick up Ainsley. Craig said it was a disaster before telling Ainsley the only good thing about the routine was the disco part at the beginning. Darcey said it was ‘first class entertainment’ and told Ainsley to cover his mistakes better.
The score: 20 out of 40
Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice
Actress Georgia May Foote admitted that she was disappointed with her performance last week. She revealed that she had danced the routine a lot better in rehearsals and knew she could have done a better performance. Tonight Georgia danced a James Bond themed Rumba with her partner Giovanni Pernice.
The dance: Wow! That was a stunning routine and it oozed sex. Georgia and Giovanni are one of the best partnerships this series and we loved that performance. Extra marks for using the new Bond theme too!
The comments: Bruno said it was a very nice Rumba but told Georgia that she lost some of the movement. Craig agreed with Bruno but said that Georgia’s spins were ‘so clean’. Darcey said there was intensity in the performance but told her to make it larger and more exaggerated. Len said there was ‘too much posturing, posing and larking about’ and told them it wasn’t a proper Rumba.
The score: 27 out of 40
Helen George and Aljaž Skorjanec
Call the Midwife star Helen George has been really impressive so far on the show. Last week she had issues ignoring her ballet training but she’s still scoring well with the judges. During training Aljaz visited Helen on the set of Call the Midwide as they got into the spirit of Movie Week. Tonight Helen and Aljaz performed a Foxtrot to the theme of Some Like it Hot.
The dance: Ladies and gentlemen, that’s how you do a classy Foxtrot. Helen glided across the floor and she matched Aljaz throughout the performance. One of the best dances of the night in our opinion and the audience loved it too.
The comments: Craig said that Helen ‘clawed’ Aljaz during one part but told her the performance was ‘gorgeous’. Darcey said that Helen should play the star character for every dance as it made her come alive. Len said that Helen had worked very hard on the footwork and told her the performance was ‘elegant’. Bruno said that Helen brought ‘classic Hollywood glamour’ with her performance this week.
The score: 32 out of 40
Daniel O’Donnell and Kristina Rihanoff
Daniel O’Donnell has performed reasonably well so far in the competition. His comments have been fairly decent from the judges but he needs to work on his footwork if he wants to truly impress. Tonight Daniel and his partner Kristina Rihanoff performed a Grease themed Cha Cha.
The dance: We don’t really know what to say about that performance. Kristina was amazing as always but the less said about Daniel the better we think…
The comments: Darcey said that she watched Daniel having a good time but told him the performance was soft on the edge. Len said that the performance was a mix of ‘Summer Nights and Last of the Summer Wine’. Bruno said that it was all very nice but told Daniel that everything he does looks the same. Craig said he thought the routine was stompy and lacked the necessary hip action.
The score: 21 out of 40
Kirsty Gallacher and Brendan Cole
Sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher improved a lot last week and showed for the first time in the series that she’s a real contender. For Movie Week Kirsty and her partner Brendan Cole danced a Lady and the Tramp themed American Smooth. Could Kirsty keep up the improvement for another week?
The dance: The theme of the dance was great and we loved how both Kirsty and Brendan got into character. There was something missing for us but we can’t quite put our finger on it. It was a nice enough performance but it didn’t wow us.
The comments: Len said it was a more confident performance but told Kirsty that the second lift went a bit wrong. Bruno said that Brendan got results this week by being firmer with Kirsty. Craig said it needed more flow and grace telling Kirsty she has balance issues. Darcey said that the nerves had gone from Kirsty and told her she was glamorous.
The score: 23 out of 40
Peter Andre and Janette Manrara
Popstar Peter Andre has been leading the pack since Strictly began this year. Some people are complaining about his prior dance experience but there’s no denying that he has a talent for dancing. It’s been a bit of an adjustment getting the hang of ballroom but he performs 100% every week. Tonight Peter and his partner Janette Manrara danced the Paso Doble with a Pirates of the Caribbean theme.
The dance: Peter definitely put his all into the Paso. Some of the shaping was a little bit soft
The comments: Bruno said that Peter almost sank his boat and told him that he lost his posture during the routine. Craig told Peter he needs to raise his head a little more but told him the routine had conviction. Darcey said there was some bits that were stompy but told him it was a very good performance. Len told Peter that he was an eagle that was stalking his prey during the routine.
The score: 28 out of 40
Jamelia and Tristan MacManus
Jamelia wasn’t happy to be in the dance-off last week and blamed nerves for her performance. She opened the show and during her intro VT said that the pressure had got to her. This week she needed to pull something spectacular out of the bag in order to get the public on side. Tonight Jamelia and her partner Tristan MacManus danced the Salsa with a Charlie’s Angels theme.
The dance: We’re not sure that was enough to keep Jamelia out of the bottom two. The dance was a bit clunky and Jamelia is a bit all over the place when she’s being moved around by Tristan. There was an improvement but it wasn’t as good as it should have been.
The comments: Craig said the performance was a little rough around the edges and told Jamelia the routine should have had a flow to it. Darcey said that Jamelia had difficult moments and told her to recover much quicker. Len said there was much more energy and enthusiasm this week. Bruno said he knew there was a devil inside Jamelia and told her to let herself go more.
The score: 25 out of 40
Jeremy Vine and Karen Clifton
Despite getting mixed comments from the judges, Jeremy Vine sailed through to Movie Week thanks to the public vote. Partnered with Karen Clifton, Jeremy was visited by his brother Tim during this week’s training. Tonight Jeremy danced the Charleston to a Top Hat theme.
The dance: For a Charleston Jeremy was incredibly tentative. The energy and the movement needs to be a lot more evident. The whole routine was pleasant enough and it looks like he’s worked on his footwork but it wasn’t brilliant.
The comments: Darcey said that Jeremy tightened everything up this week but told him he was still unusual. Len said that Jeremy’s performance was ‘genius’. Bruno said that the dance was ‘an unexpected delight’. Craig said it was ‘bizarre’ and that he felt that Jeremy was being operated by strings.
The score: 24 out of 40
Anita Rani and Gleb Savchenko
Anita Rani has been emerging as one of the strongest dancers in the competition so far. Last week Darcey told her that there was no dance she couldn’t make her own. For Movie Week Anita and her partner Gleb Savchenko performed a Ghost themed American Smooth. Did she impress once again?
The dance: Another strong week for Anita. We’re not sure what that drop and crawl move was that Gleb did but apart from that the routine was really great. Anita is definitely the most consistent dancer in the competition.
The comments: Len said Gleb ‘flew across the floor like a rampant crab’ but warned that it was a close to being ‘over theatrical’. Bruno said he almost called Ghostbusters and told Anita that he loved how committed she was to the character and performance. Craig said that it lacked finesse and told Anita to extend her lines more but said he liked the contemporary nature of the dance. Darcey said that Anita managed to do a very difficult dance and told her it was impressive.
The score: 29 out of 40
Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani
The last celeb to dance tonight was The Wanted star Jay McGuiness. Last week he got incredible comments from the judges and he established himself as a contender in the competition. For Movie Night Jay and his partner Aliona Vilani did a Pulp Fiction themed Jive. Did he manage to wow the judges again this week?
The dance: Jay saved the best for last tonight. That Jive was remarkable and the timing was on point. Jay could have won the night with that effort! The audience absolutely loved it.
The comments: Bruno said that Jay’s performance was the blockbuster that everyone was waiting for. Craig said that Jay showed a level of technique he’d never seen on the show before. Darcey said that Jay was the coolest guy in the competition and told him he brought sex appeal to the Jive. Len said that Jay had given the best dance so far this series.
The score: 37 out of 40
The leaderboard for the evening is:
Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani – 37
Helen George and Aljaž Skorjanec – 32
Kellie Bright and Kevin Clifton – 32
Anita Rani and Gleb Savchenko – 29
Peter Andre and Janette Manrara – 28
Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice – 27
Jamelia and Tristian MacManus – 25
Jeremy Vine and Karen Clifton – 24
Kirsty Gallacher and Brendan Cole – 23
Daniel O’Donnell and Kristina Rihanoff – 21
Ainsley Harriott and Natalie Lowe – 20
Katie Derham and Anton Du Beke – 20
Anthony Ogogo and Oti Mabuse – 19
Carol Kirkwood and Pasha Kovalev – 17
Strictly Come Dancing continues tomorrow night at 7.15pm on BBC One and one couple will leave the competition. Take a look at our gallery to see images of tonight’s couples in dress rehearsal earlier today:
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