Strictly's Movie Week: First 10 & Star Mentor
It’s always such a treat when Strictly Come Dancing leans into a theme, and this week’s Movie Week truly delivered. It feels like the whole show just upped its game, and you could really see the celebrities and their professional partners diving headfirst into embodying their chosen cinematic characters. Honestly, it makes you wonder what kind of magic happens behind the scenes to get everyone to that level of performance.
One of the standout moments, for me, was the arrival of Cynthia Erivo as guest mentor. She’s already such a captivating presence, and to have her guiding the dancers, especially during movie week, felt incredibly special. As reports noted, she seemed to have a remarkable ability to boost the confidence of everyone she interacted with. It's no surprise that contestants like Ellie Goldstein and Amber Davies felt starstruck and incredibly encouraged by her praise. Hearing Amber say it was the "best day of her life" after receiving compliments from Cynthia really highlights the impact a little bit of genuine encouragement can have.
And speaking of standout performances, Lewis Cope and Katya Jones absolutely blew us all away with their Paso Doble inspired by The Mask of Zorro. To achieve the first 10 of the series is just phenomenal, and it’s a testament to their hard work and dedication. It really hammers home that Strictly is all about striving for strictly results. You see these incredible transformations week after week, and it makes you so curious about the journey each couple is on. Even those who might not have scored as highly, like Ross King with his Thunderbirds-themed dance, seemed to pour their hearts into it, and there's a certain charm in that earnest effort, isn't there?
It’s not just the celebrity performances that shine, though. The professional dancers opened the show with a routine inspired by the upcoming Wicked sequel, which was wonderfully theatrical and a touch spooky. It’s these kinds of nods to the wider world of entertainment that make Strictly so much more than just a dance competition; it’s a celebration of performance in all its forms. As the competition progresses, and we get closer to seeing who will ultimately lift the Glitterball trophy, it will be fascinating to see if any of these early high-scorers can maintain their momentum and deliver strictly results consistently.
Which couple do you think has the best chance of staying at the top and avoiding the dreaded dance-off in the coming weeks?
One of the standout moments, for me, was the arrival of Cynthia Erivo as guest mentor. She’s already such a captivating presence, and to have her guiding the dancers, especially during movie week, felt incredibly special. As reports noted, she seemed to have a remarkable ability to boost the confidence of everyone she interacted with. It's no surprise that contestants like Ellie Goldstein and Amber Davies felt starstruck and incredibly encouraged by her praise. Hearing Amber say it was the "best day of her life" after receiving compliments from Cynthia really highlights the impact a little bit of genuine encouragement can have.
And speaking of standout performances, Lewis Cope and Katya Jones absolutely blew us all away with their Paso Doble inspired by The Mask of Zorro. To achieve the first 10 of the series is just phenomenal, and it’s a testament to their hard work and dedication. It really hammers home that Strictly is all about striving for strictly results. You see these incredible transformations week after week, and it makes you so curious about the journey each couple is on. Even those who might not have scored as highly, like Ross King with his Thunderbirds-themed dance, seemed to pour their hearts into it, and there's a certain charm in that earnest effort, isn't there?
It’s not just the celebrity performances that shine, though. The professional dancers opened the show with a routine inspired by the upcoming Wicked sequel, which was wonderfully theatrical and a touch spooky. It’s these kinds of nods to the wider world of entertainment that make Strictly so much more than just a dance competition; it’s a celebration of performance in all its forms. As the competition progresses, and we get closer to seeing who will ultimately lift the Glitterball trophy, it will be fascinating to see if any of these early high-scorers can maintain their momentum and deliver strictly results consistently.
Which couple do you think has the best chance of staying at the top and avoiding the dreaded dance-off in the coming weeks?
