Graziano di Parma breaks Guinness World Record on Strictly Come Dancing spin-off It Takes Two

Strictly Come Dancing's Graziano di Prima has won this year's annual pro challenge - setting a new world record in the process.

Friday night's episode of the spin-off show It Takes Two saw the dancer, 25, take on the Botafogo dance challenge.

Graziano had to do as many off the steps as possible in just 30 seconds - and made light work of beating the scores set by his fellow pros.

In just half a minute, the dancer successfully completed 90 steps, making him this year's winner and new Guinness World Record holder.

His fellow pro Giovanni Pernice also broke the previous World Record, set in November 2011 by former Strictly pro dancer Artem Chigvintsev, who achieved 79 Botafogo dance steps in 30 seconds.

Pernice managed to complete 80 steps in the time.

The Botafogo is a classic Samba step which involves a clear step across to the side and then a replacement of weight.

The judging panel consisted of Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood, former Strictly Champion Flavia Cacace-Mistry and official Guinness World Record adjudicator Mark McKinley.

Each Strictly pro has taken part in the challenge - with Anton Du Beke finishing in last place with just six steps.

This weekend is the semi-final of Strictly Come Dancing.

There are four couples left in the competition; Emma Barton and Anton Du Beke, Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse, Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden, and Chris Ramsey and Karen Hauer.

At this stage in the series, five couples would usually be competing for four places in the final, however due to Will Bayley's early departure, just three couples will make it through.

It Takes Two airs on BBC Two weekdays at 6.30pm. The semi final episode of the series will start at 7pm on Saturday, December 7.

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