Timber Strictly Come Dancing fans have spotted the ‘winner’ of the 2024 series – and it’s not the current favourites Chris McCausland or Tasha Ghouri.
It was another epic night in the ballroom on Saturday (November 2) with a first for the BBC One dance contest. To mark its 20th anniversary, Strictly introduced a new themed week.
‘Icons Week’ saw the remaining 10 celebrities and their professional dance partners take to the dance floor to perform a routine accompanied by a track from a well-known singer or band with George Michael, Madonna, The Beatles and Bruno Mars among them.
READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans ‘heartbroken’ as Amy Dowden move spotted before tears over JB Gill and Lauren Oakley
JLS singer JB Gill and stand-in professional partner Lauren Oakley scored the joint-highest score of the night as JB’s usual partner, Amy Dowden, watched from the studio.
The Welsh professional dancer missed last Sunday’s results programme after being taken to Barnet Hospital from the BBC One show’s production centre, Elstree Studios, as a “precaution” after she began “feeling unwell” following their Halloween special performance.
Lauren, who does not have a partner for this year’s series of the BBC dancing show, stood in for her, performing a Bruno Mars medley with JB during the latest live show, for a score of 39 out of a possible 40, his highest score of the series and first 10s.
Reality star Tasha Ghouri and professional partner Aljaz Skorjanec performed to P!nk’s What About Us for a joint series high score of 3, with Aljaz taking it as a compliment when Anton Du Beke said: “I didn’t notice Aljaz once, you were exquisite, you made it personal and just lovely.”
JB and Lauren came joint top of the leaderboard
(Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
Elsewhere, Former Olympic hockey player Sam Quek scored 29 performing the American Smooth with partner Nikita Kuzmin to Taylor Swift’s Love Story while comedian Chris McCausland and partner Dianne Buswell scored 29 dancing the tango to Kiss’s Rock And Roll All Nite.
But it was Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola who seemingly impressed viewers most. They scored 37 out of a possible 40 for their cha cha to Madonna’s Just Like A Prayer, which saw actress Sarah embody the legendary singer.
Judge Motsi Mabuse, dressed as Tina Turner for the latest special episode, told Sarah and Vito: “This was iconic, whole package made sense, tight steps, on-point and rhythmical, rolling like Tina.”
And it didn’t take long for Strictly fans to claim them as the winner for the 2024 series with the competition now over half way. @Daniel_Bevis said: “Fab again from Sarah and Vito! I think they’re our 2024 winners guys #Strictly.” @BRATTYBARBl commented: “Sarah Hadland truly deserves to win this series… she’s a bloody insane dancer #Strictly.” @SeaThundr added: “Sarah Hadland is winning this. Icon. Legend. #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.”
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