'Strictly' goes to Blackpool - who got the first 40 of the series?
Strictly Come Dancing’s celebrities made their visit to Blackpool worth the journey this weekend with the first full marks of the series – and three runners-up tying on 38 points.
There was extra sparkle in the air tonight as the remaining celebrities travelled to Blackpool to perform at the legendary Tower Ballroom.
However, Ashley Roberts added to the evening’s excitement overload with the first perfect 40 of the series that included the first 10 judge Craig Revel Horwood has awarded this year.
However, her success wasn’t exactly popular with viewers.
Charles and Joe both deserved 40s in my opinion but of course they saved it for Ashley, who has literally been dancing for longer than her professional partner has 🤔🙄 #Strictly
— Shay Gray (@SOliviaGray98) November 17, 2018
Phew, so glad Ashley got the first 40 of the series, real underdog.
Said no one ever. #StrictlyComeDancing #SCD #Strictly
— TWJ (@IrnBruRevolutio) November 17, 2018
Ashley Roberts was literally a JUDGE on Dancing on Ice and I don’t get how she should be allowed to compete with people who have no dance experience? It’s not fair on them? #strictly
— emily (@emrosad) November 17, 2018
Three of her competitors were not far behind her full marks with 38 points each, including Charles Venn and his partner Karen Clifton who were overcome with emotion.
I could watch Charles and Karen's reactions to their scores over and over again and never feel anything other than utter joy. #strictly
— Megan Morrigan (@meganpsitn) November 17, 2018
Karen STOP IT OR I WILL ALSO CRY #strictly
— Strictly On The Sofa (@StrictlyOnSofa) November 17, 2018
Strictly kicked off in suitably celebratory style with a Gloria Estefan mash-up, featuring the actual Gloria Estefan singing in the midst of the pros’ group dance opening number.
Blackpool, Get On Your Feet for @GloriaEstefan! 💃🕺🎉 #Strictly pic.twitter.com/8Yyb5mOK8e
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) November 17, 2018
Who was inspired by the hallowed turf of the famous ballroom and who was overwhelmed by the pressure?
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton
*Goes to Blackpool once* 😄 @StaceyDooley #Strictly pic.twitter.com/j9K6ej2Y7Y
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) November 17, 2018
Dance: Salsa to Ooh Aah (Just a Little Bit) by Gina G
What we thought: Stacey has totally embraced the Blackpool theme, even riding in on a stick of rock.
She looked like she was having the time of her life – it was impossible not to smile at her Salsa. At one point we even thought she was going to attempt a Dancing-on-Ice-style headbanger.
#strictly #blackpool Craig giving Stacey a 7 🤬 what a joke she should of got 9s all round ! 🙄 what a great dance 💃 well done 👏🏼
— Leanne Grimwood 💞 (@leanne_grimwood) November 17, 2018
What the judges thought: Shirley Ballas said: “You brought more than a donkey, a bucket and a spade, coming in on a stick of rock.”
Bruno Tonioli said: “The ensemble pieces were like watching Kylie in concert.”
Score: 33
Lauren Steadman and AJ Pritchard
An Argentine Tango as smooth as silk 😍🙌 @LaurenSteadman @Aj11Ace #Strictly pic.twitter.com/cNfcALVlCb
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) November 17, 2018
Dance: Argentine Tango to River by Bishop Briggs
What we thought: Hats off to Lauren, it was brave to go for a routine that focuses solely on the couple rather than using the usual Blackpool tactic of a huge supporting cast.
Not anywhere near as amazing as her efforts last week, but Lauren is still clearly improving all the time.
Lauren and AJ were so undermarked for that Argentine tango!!! 😡#strictly
— Loz ❤🐝 (@lbozza17) November 17, 2018
What the judges thought: Craig Revel Horwood said: “I felt you were getting stuck between each step. I think in another three weeks darling you’ll get it.”
Darcey Bussell said: “It did look challenging for you. You put your effort solely into the technique and we were missing the passion.”
Score: 25
Graeme Swann and Oti Mabuse
The first ever Couples' Choice routine in Blackpool! @swannyg66 and @otimabuse just made #Strictly history 🚋👏 pic.twitter.com/bMDizPwSH5
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) November 17, 2018
Dance: Couple’s Choice – Theatre and Jazz to The Trolley Song from Meet Me in St Louis
What we thought: It really showed this week that this was Graeme’s favourite dance style so far, and it went perfectly with the setting of Blackpool’s ballroom.
After such a high score, surely Graeme will be safe from the dance off this week? It’s getting tough at the bottom end of the leaderboard…
Graeme and Oti: over marked. Just not enough content for those marks #Strictly
— Mandy Lampard (@mandy_lampard) November 17, 2018
What the judges thought: Craig said: “I can’t really see you having a career in musical theatre, however it was character-driven, which you do very well.”
Shirley said: “You tugged at my heartstrings and I enjoyed every minute of what you did.”
Score: 32
Faye Tozer and Giovanni Pernice
🔥BRINGING 🔥THE 🔥FIRE 🔥 Paso on point @Faye_Tozer and @pernicegiovann1 #Strictly pic.twitter.com/Di8NGaNU0n
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) November 17, 2018
Dance: Paso Doble to Unstoppable by E.S. Posthumus
What we thought: Brave of Giovanni to wield a fire prop given the liberal use of hairspray and nylon.
Of course Faye was amazing, she always is.
What does Faye need to do to get straight 10s from the judges? That dance was epic! #Strictly
— Liz Murray (@LizMurr80010377) November 17, 2018
What the judges thought: Darcey said: “Beautiful, strong delivery, dramatic attack, but you kept femininity which is really hard.”
Bruno said: “I’m still steaming like a pressure cooker. You gave the dance ‘I am the dominatrix, I can handle it’ and you did.”
Score: 38
Kate Silverton and Aljaz Skorjanec
We've got an Everlasting Love for @katesilverton and @AljazSkorjanec 💕✨ #Strictly pic.twitter.com/T0gjVvZz9r
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) November 17, 2018
Dance: American Smooth to Everlasting Love by Love Affair
What we thought: Kate seems lovely and everything, but given her standard compared to the other celebs and her position on the leaderboard most weeks, it’s something of a miracle that she keeps avoiding the dance off.
It’s quite amazing that the judges, who’ll lay into pretty much everyone else over the placement of a little finger, barely touched on those awkward lifts and wooden moves.
Kate’s time is up I fear……#Strictly
— 🚴🏻♀️💃💋💋Lainsuze💋💋💃🚴🏼♀️ (@TheLainsuze) November 17, 2018
What the judges thought: Craig said: “I thought it lacked a little bit of energy. In and out of lifts lacked a little bit of grace.”
Darcey said: “In the lifts, don’t grab him. But overall, beautiful performance.”
Score: 30
Charles Venn and Karen Clifton
☀️ La Bamba Samba ☀️ We want an invite to @ChuckyVenn and @karen_hauer's next pool party 🍹🏖 #Strictly pic.twitter.com/v33bg5ralN
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) November 17, 2018
Dance: Samba to La Bamba by Connie Francis
What we thought: Party atmosphere, not a foot wrong, two 10s from the judges and a hug from Shirley – this has to be the dance of the night.
It will be completely unjust if Charles and Karen don’t avoid the dance off this week.
Woah where did that Samba come from ! Best routine I’ve seen so far how it should be danced, Charles brought his A game to Blackpool! #strictly
— Natalie Close (@Closie01) November 17, 2018
What the judges thought: Bruno said: “King Charles the First of Samba! When you were dancing with the guys, indistinguishable from the professionals.”
Craig said: “It reminded me of my pool parties in Hampshire. I really liked it.”
Score: 38 – so impressive it reduced Karen to tears.
"FOR CHARLES VENN IT'S A 10!" This celebration is everything! @ChuckyVenn and @karen_hauer #Strictly pic.twitter.com/iMY3i1NJA4
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) November 17, 2018
Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell
They're no Dancin' Fools! Such a slick Quickstep from @Joe_Sugg and @dbuzz6589 🎩👌 #Strictly pic.twitter.com/dpmtSY52mJ
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) November 17, 2018
Dance: Quickstep to Dancin’ Fool from Copacabana
What we thought: Joe tends to look either incredible or incredibly awkward depending on the dance, and luckily this time it was the former.
He was so convincing in character tonight, and his Gran couldn’t have looked prouder.
Joe Sugg – newly crowned Ballroom King 🤴🏻❤️ #Strictly #TeamJoanne
— Tess Adriene – Vote for Joe & Dianne (@14Tessbear) November 17, 2018
What the judges thought: Darcey said: “That was a grand performance, a classic Quickstep, images of Fred Astaire all the way through.”
Shirley said: “Even though the music was a tad slow, you stayed exactly with it. You were outstanding.”
Score: 38
Ashley Roberts and Pasha Kovalev
Flick, kicks and tablecloth-pulling tricks! 😱 What a Jive @ImAshleyRoberts and @PashaKovalev 🎉#Strictly pic.twitter.com/HNHyniQFsO
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) November 17, 2018
Dance: Jive to Shake Ya Tail Feather from The Blues Brothers
What we thought: Watching Ashley and Pasha each week has started to feel more like an extra pro dance in amongst the celebs.
All the criticism about her dance experience aside, that was absolutely faultless and totally deserved full marks. They pulled a table cloth from under her feet while she was dancing!
Inviting Ashley on Strictly is like inviting Mo Farah for a fun run … then watching him pretend to be shocked that he won! #Strictly
— Amanda Hughes (@hughes_7) November 17, 2018
What the judges thought: Bruno said: “It always happens, from the first time we came here – remember Jill Halfpenny – there are some performances that just become part of Strictly history.”
Craig said: “Fab-u-lous.”
Score: 40
"There are some performances that become part of #Strictly history. That performance was that!" First 40 of #Strictly 2018 for @ImAshleyRoberts @PashaKovalev! 😱 pic.twitter.com/FHkFiMMTkx
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) November 17, 2018
Strictly Come Dancing’s results show airs on Sunday at 7.20pm on BBC One.
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