Summary

  • Terrifying transformations as Strictly Come Dancing's couples get into the Halloween spirit with some spooky new routines

  • There have been plenty of tricks and treats in store impressing the judges

  1. More Strictly Come Dancing dates for your calendarpublished at 20:55 British Summer Time 26 October

    Strictly Come Dancing's judges and host screamingImage source, BBC Studios
    Image caption,

    The judges have seen some spookily good routines tonight

    Strictly's Halloween special brought us an Argh-gentine tango, a couple of salsa-ing devils and some costumes to die for.

    We'll be closing our page shortly but there are some dates that you should Strictly keep in mind.

    Saturday 2 November - Icons Week is next week and will give dancers the chance to celebrate big music names.

    Saturday 16 November - the show will then head to Blackpool for week nine of the show. It's an annual tradition, where the remaining contestants perform at the famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

    Saturday 14 December - the Glitterball trophy winner will be announced on after the three final couples do their final dances.

    Thanks for joining us on the page and keep dancing!

    This page was written by Noor Nanji and Cachella Smith. It was edited by Jack Burgess.

  2. Beetlejuice is coming to the ballroompublished at 20:29 British Summer Time 26 October

    Noor Nanji
    BBC News Culture reporter

    The spooktacular Halloween weekend continues tomorrow night.

    During Sunday’s results show, the professional dancers will cast a spell with a Beetlejuice-inspired routine.

    Choreographed by Matt Flint, the dance will see Carlos Gu dressed as the lead character of Tim Burton's 1988 horror comedy film - and its sequel, released last month.

    Beetlejuice had a stellar opening weekend as it earned an impressive $110m (£83m) in the US box office, despite receiving mixed reviews from critics.

  3. And that's a wrap!published at 20:20 British Summer Time 26 October

    So the show's over for another week and we've heard the judges' comments but as a reminder we won't know the results until tomorrow.

    Scarecrows, devils and Frankenstein's girlfriend - we think we've truly seen it all now.

    And we'll be sticking around on the live page for a little while yet, so stay with us.

  4. 'Sister we've been outdone in the costume department' Anton tells Craigpublished at 20:10 British Summer Time 26 October

    Sam and Nikita had the last dance of the night in a performance judge Motsi Mabuse calls the "cherry on the cake".

    Judge Shirley Ballas says it "started off really well" but points out that at times there were "uncoordinated legs and feet".

    And Anton Du Beke is more worried about being upstaged himself.

    "Sister we've been outdone in the costume department," he tells fellow judge Craig Horwood.

    And that's the final pair to dance this evening - stay with us for details of what to expect from Strictly in the coming weeks.

  5. And the last couple is up!published at 20:03 British Summer Time 26 October

    Sam Quek and her partner Nikita Kuzmin attempt a jump-scare Jiveto Time Warp by Richard O’Brien, from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

    Sam Quek and her partner Nikita Kuzmin are attempting a jump-scare Jiveto Time Warp by Richard O’Brien, from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

    Sam glides in in a long pink gown as Janet, and Nikita is Brad in a preppy outfit and glasses.

    Then the outfits come off, leaving both in black skimpy onesies and tights. That was an energetic performance!

  6. Motsi crowns that one the 'dance of the night'published at 19:59 British Summer Time 26 October

    Judge Craig Revel Horwood acknowledges Sarah and Vito's difficulty "getting into the first lift", adding that the pair are also missing passes.

    But "apart from that"... it was the "most wonderful Argentine tango I think we've seen".

    Judge MotsiMabuse keeps it short and sweet:

    Quote Message

    Dance of the night."

  7. Time for an 'Argh-gentine' tangopublished at 19:54 British Summer Time 26 October

    Noor Nanji
    BBC News Culture reporter

    Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola dance the Argentine tangoImage source, BBC STUDIOs

    Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola have taken to the floor with an "Argh-gentine Tango" to Ready Or Not by The Fugees, set in a gothic haunted house

    Vito was last year’s champion, together with his celeb partner Ellie Leach.

    So far this year, Sarah and Vito are roughly in the middle of the leaderboard – let’s see what this routine scores.

  8. Motsi tells Jamie to be 'confident'published at 19:51 British Summer Time 26 October

    Judge Anton Du Beke describes that latest performance as "joyous" - telling Jamie he's "going to have to learn to love it".

    For judge Motsi Mabuse it's not about loving it "but being confident doing it".

    "You've just got to lighten up a bit," she tells Jamie - joking that it's Halloween so it's OK today.

  9. They're creepy and they're kooky...published at 19:43 British Summer Time 26 October

    Noor Nanji
    BBC News Culture reporter

    Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas as the Addams familyImage source, BBC studios

    …mysterious and spooky.

    Yes, you guessed it. It’s time for EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas, who are dancing the American smooth to The Addams Family theme song.

    Speaking ahead of the show, Borthwick revealed when he has been most scared.

    “Probably the first Strictly live show,” he admitted.

    Tsiakkas agreed, although she said she had been excited for the first show too.

    “It’s that mix of fear and anticipation,” she said.

  10. A slow start for Shane and Nancypublished at 19:42 British Summer Time 26 October

    Asked if there was enough drama in Shane and Nancy's performance, judge Motsi Mabuse replies "yes, yes, yes".

    She praises the "sharp movements" as well as the "energy" but adds she would have liked them to start dancing a little sooner.

    Judge Shirley Ballas agrees, pointing out there were "eight sets of eight before you even took a step".

  11. It’s a petrifying Paso Doble nextpublished at 19:37 British Summer Time 26 October

    Noor Nanji
    BBC News Culture reporter

    Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu dancing the Paso DobleImage source, BBC studios

    Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu are up next, showcasing a Paso Doble to In The Hall of The Mountain King, by Edvard Grieg.

    Shayne, we’re told, is a Halloween superfan – he’s playing mad conductor.

    Nancy is circling around him in a fabulous ballgown, while musical notes fly through the sky.

  12. Frankenstein and his girlfriend win the judges overpublished at 19:36 British Summer Time 26 October

    "Ah-ma-zing" Craig Revel Horwood says over cheers from the crowd.

    And Anton Du Beke calls Aljaz an "exceptional dancer" with this week being "about as good a week as you could possibly have".

  13. It’s a beach party… with Frankensteinpublished at 19:29 British Summer Time 26 October

    Noor Nanji
    BBC News Culture reporter

    Aljaz Skorjanec and his celebrity partner Tasha GhouriImage source, BBC studios

    Yes, you heard that right.

    There’s a lot going on here. Aljaz Skorjanec and his celebrity partner Tasha Ghouri are dressed as Frankenstein and his girlfriend, at a beach party with inflatables and cocktails.

    The pair are performing a spooky Samba to I Like To Move It, by Reel 2 Real.

  14. Can we talk about Anton and Craig again…published at 19:27 British Summer Time 26 October

    Noor Nanji
    BBC News Culture reporter

    Yes, they’re stern judges with the power to make or break celebrities’ dreams.

    But tonight, it’s their outfits that has everyone talking. Did anyone expect them to turn up in bright blue dresses with pink bows?

    I definitely didn’t!

    “Craig and Anton have just won with that entrance and costumes. Everything,” wrote one fan.

    Others were less impressed.

    “Can’t take Anton or Craig seriously,” complained one social media user.

    “This is sending me to a destination I do not wish to visit,” said another.

  15. A couple that are 'such a strong team'published at 19:25 British Summer Time 26 October

    JB has gone from "strength to strength" for Motsi Mabuse who "absolutely loved" the transitions in tonight's performance. She adds that the pair are "such a strong team".

    Shirley Ballas points to the standing spin at the beginning of the dance, which JB came out of and continued along the line - something Shirley says is "very difficult" to do.

  16. JB and Amy take on a Foxtrotpublished at 19:19 British Summer Time 26 October

    Noor Nanji
    BBC News Culture reporter

    JB Gill and Amy Dowden in dungarees and checked shirtsImage source, BBC Studios

    It's denim dungarees and red checked shirts all round now, as JB Gill and Amy Dowden take to the floor dressed as two friendly scarecrows.

    The pair are dancing a Foxtrot to Dancing in The Moonlight, by Toploader.

    They were in the dance off last week.

    But they survived, and they’ll be hoping not to find themselves in the same place this week.

  17. What were the judges' thoughts on Wynne and Katya's Salsa?published at 19:19 British Summer Time 26 October

    Judge Craig Revel Horwood loved the lifts - calling Wynne a "born entertainer" although the dancing was a little too "wide".

    And what does judge Motsi Mabuse want for Christmas?

    "Wynne dancing every morning" - saying to him "you keep on going no matter the dance".

  18. Wynne and Katya are up nextpublished at 19:10 British Summer Time 26 October

    Noor Nanji
    BBC News Culture reporter

    Wynne Evans and his partner Katya Jones in devil outfitsImage source, BBC Studios

    Opera singer Wynne Evans and his partner Katya Jones are performing a Salsa to Canned Heat by Jamiroquai.

    The pair are doing reasonably well on the leaderboard, but have had a rocky time after a “stupid joke that went wrong”.

    Viewers noticed some apparently awkward moments between them on the show a few weeks ago, when Jones seemed to decline a high-five and later appeared to move his hand from her waist.

    Evanslater said he was “heartbroken” after the fallout and that the incidents had been “totally misinterpreted,” while Jones said he had been “portrayed as someone he is not”.

  19. Did Punam and Gorka get ghosted at the judge's panel?published at 19:10 British Summer Time 26 October

    Anton Du Beke calls the drama Punam and Gorka created "great", the intensity "good" and the execution "good" but, he adds, it was all a "bit floppy".

    He says he wants the couple to make it to the next level, underlining that the "dancing is so good underneath".

    Craig Revel Horwood, however, felt Gorka was "dragging" Punam around but he did admire the "intensity and drama" of the performance.

  20. Pirate Punam hits the floorpublished at 19:01 British Summer Time 26 October

    Noor Nanji
    BBC News Culture reporter

    Punam Krishnan and her partner Gorka Marquez tango facing the cameraImage source, BBC Studios

    These outfits caught my eye as soon as they hit the dancefloor.

    Punam Krishnan and her partner Gorka Marquez, fully decked out as ghost pirates.

    The pair are performing a terrifying Tango to Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics.

    A total classic song, but will the dance be enough?

    The pair are currently right at the bottom of the leaderboard.