A Spooktacular Performance Sets the Tone for Strictly Come Dancing 2025
The 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing kicked off with a thrilling and spooky performance that left the judges in awe. Soap star Lewis Cope and dancer Katya Jones delivered the first perfect score of the season, earning a flawless 40 points for their “spooktacular” couple’s choice to Creep by Radiohead. The pair wore matching suits and showcased an impressive tap routine that captivated the audience.
Judge Craig Revel Horwood was quick to applaud, calling the performance “spooktacular!” Head judge Shirley Ballas admitted she was moved emotionally, while Anton Du Beke praised the dance as near-perfect. Cope expressed his admiration for Jones, describing her as both an exceptional choreographer and a remarkable person.
Competing for the Top Spot
Karen Carney, a former Lioness, and her partner Carlos Gu also made a strong impression with their Peaky Blinders-inspired Argentine tango to Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. They earned 38 points, with Du Beke calling their performance “extraordinarily good” and Ballas praising their execution of the choreography.
Carney, who dressed in a waistcoat and baker boy cap, shared that Peaky Blinders is her favorite show and said she felt “buzzing” after the performance.
Joint Third Place with Impressive Performances
Three couples tied for third place with 35 points each. Love Island star Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin performed a Viennese waltz to I See Red, while drag performer La Voix and Aljaz Skorjanec impressed with a dramatic paso doble to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. Actress Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe received praise for their salsa to Horny by Hot ‘n’ Juicy and Mousse T.
Ballas commended La Voix and Skorjanec, highlighting their focus and synchronization during the performance. She noted the quality of movement and the emotional depth they brought to the dance.
Strong Showings from Other Contestants
Kai Widdrington and Vicky Pattison scored 31 points for their American smooth to Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler. Pattison was called a “contender” for the final, showing significant progress in her performance.
Model Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola performed a tango to Abracadabra by Lady Gaga, earning 27 points. Internet personality George Clarke and Alexis Warr danced a cha cha to Apple by Charli XCX, scoring 29 points. Clarke expressed his desire to prove he was still improving and not plateauing.
EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon scored 28 points for a samba to Stay by Shakespears Sister, while Olympian Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer landed at the bottom of the scoreboard with 26 points for an American smooth to Mystical Magical by Benson Boone.
A Halloween-Themed Opening
The show opened with a fun skit featuring presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly running away from zombie-like celebrity dancers. Former Strictly stars Layton Williams and Krishnan Guru-Murthy were among the audience members watching the Halloween-themed episode.
Upcoming Performances and Events
During Sunday’s results show, Celebrity Traitors star Cat Burns will perform, followed by a dance-off between two couples. Her music will be accompanied by a performance from professional dancers Amy Dowden and Gu, who will receive an invitation to “The Monsters’ Ball.”
Photos from Sunday’s group dance show revealed a gothic twist on the usual glitter and sparkle, with professionals appearing as half-skeletons and half-humans in foggy, dark settings.
New Challenges and Eliminations
Last weekend, former Chelsea star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink became the fourth celebrity to leave Strictly, along with his partner Lauren Oakley, after losing the dance-off to Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin. This sets the stage for more intense competition as the season continues.
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