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
"That love potion worked darling - love love love it" was judge Craig Revel Horwood's high praise for Montell and Johannes this evening.
And for judge Shirley Ballas they got "all the ingredients right".
Noor Nanji
BBC News Culture reporter
Image source, BBC StudiosGladiator Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe are jointly topping the leaderboard, but they’re leaving nothing to chance.
The pair have just taken to the floor, performing a chilling Cha Cha to Love Potion No. 9, by The Clovers.
“There are lots of straight legs, and also there’s lots of attitude,” Montell said ahead the dance.
Quote MessageAnd a sprinkle of magic. I think we're ready."
Montell Douglas
For judge Anton Du Beke, Pete's breadth of movement was "joyous".
"It's not perfect yet, but it's terribly terribly good," he adds.
However, it was a "little behind musically", Craig Revel Horwood criticises, and he would've liked to have seen smoother transitions.
Nonetheless, Craig continues, the characterisation was "absolutely formidable".
Louise Graham
BBC News, Essex
Essex reality TV star Pete Wicks says he had never even danced at a wedding before doing the show.
In an interview with BBC Essex, Wicks admitted he felt like he had been on borrowed time for the first four weeks and could not believe he was still in the competition.
"It's unbelievably hard. It's one of the hardest things I've ever done," he said.
Image source, BBC/ PA MediaPete also revealed he had never seen Strictly before becoming a contestant on the show.
He said it was "the steepest of learning curves possible - I'd never even danced at a wedding.
"It just wasn't something that I thought I would be interested in."
The 36-year-old said he was not ready to go home and he was loving his experience on the show.
He added:
Quote MessageIt's mentally more tiring than it is physically, and I thought that would be the opposite. I'm aching in places that I didn't even know could ache."
Pete Wicks
Noor Nanji
BBC News Culture reporter
Image source, BBC StudiosIt’s time for Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał, who are gliding through a wicked Viennese Waltz to That’s Lifeby Frank Sinatra.
The pair are languishing towards the bottom of the leaderboard, so they need to make this dance count.
Pete’s got a smile on his face – painted on, that is.
He’s dressed as Joker, while Jowita is in a glamorous matching red dress.
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell have just finished their routine. So what do the judges think?
"You did more than 'Stayin Alive' you survived the opening," says Mabuse.
Ballas thinks they "overcooked" the bounce but she'd "rather have bounce than no bounce at all".
And the characterisation?
"Amazing", Ballas adds.
Image source, BBC StudiosThe show started with Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke swanning in wearing blue dresses with pink bows.
Not to be outdone, Motsi Mabuse is in a white fur coat and head judge Shirley Ballas is in a black cape with a mountain of red hair.
Quote MessageJudges, you have nailed the dress code."
Claudia Winkleman
Noor Nanji
BBC News Culture reporter
Image source, BBC StudiosComedian Chris McCausland and his partner Dianne Buswell are flying high – currently third in the leaderboard.
They’re up first, and they’re performing a samba to Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees.
McCausland is the BBC programme's first blind contestant. Before Strictly, he confessed he “can’t dance”, something viewers may now disagree with.
His routines so far have been met with amazement from viewers, while his participation has been praised by disability advocates for proving barriers “don’t stop” blind people.
While we await tonight's tricks and treats, here are the couples songs and dances for this week:
Our Halloween Saturday treat has just got going. You can watch the programme on BBC One and BBC iPlayer - but that's not the only way.
You can also watch live right here by clicking the Watch Live button at the top of the page.
Don't forget to vote for your favourite couple - just make sure you're signed into your BBC account.
You can access voting at bbc.co.uk/strictly, or scan the QR code during the show when you see it on your screen.
As a reminder, this year Strictly hit its 20th anniversary which means we've enjoyed two decades of celebrities learning to tango, samba or salsa their way to 10s from the judging panel.
The initial series had just eight contestants and was presented by Tess Daly and Bruce Forsyth.
We’ve all got our favourite Strictly moments - here are a few of ours:
2004: The first-ever 40 score
Jill and Darren's jive received the first-ever Strictly perfect score
Actress Jill Halfpenny and her partner Darren Bennett did a high tempo jive to I’m Still Standing by Elton John in the series two finale.
The dance led to a standing ovation from the audience and encouraged all four judges to get out their ‘10’ paddles for the very first time.
2007: The Debut of the Dance-Off
Couples got a second chance to stay in the competition
In series five, the introduction of the "Dance-Off" segment, where the bottom two couples perform again to determine who stays and who leaves, added drama and a new dynamic to the elimination process (plus, it means viewers get to enjoy a second episode of Strictly each week!).
2020: The First Same-Sex Couple - Nicola Adams and Katya Jones
The couple made Strictly history
The partnership of Olympic boxer Nicola Adams and Katya Jones as the first same-sex couple in the competition was a huge moment for the show, with Adams saying she asked for a female partner because it was “definitely time for change”.
The pair only made it to week four before dropping out of the competition when Jones contracted Covid-19.
Four celebrities have hung up their dancing shoes so far, as we enter week six of the competition.
Former footballer Paul Merson quickstepped out of the race last Saturday, despite judges praising his improved performance in the dance-off.
DIY dancer Nick Knowles left in week four, after eighties frontwoman Toyah Wilcox was eliminated in week three.
And the first to go in week two was triple Olympic gold medallist Tom Dean.
Image source, BBC/ PA MediaJoint top of the leader board last week were Eastenders actor Jamie Borthwick and Olympian and gladiator Montell Douglas,whoboth scored 39.
Jamie and his partner Michelle Tsiakkas wooed the judges with their paso doble, the highest ever scoring paso doble in week five.
Montell and partner Johannes Radebe brought Jamaica and South Africa to the dancefloor, dancing a Carnival-inspired couple's choice dance hall.
And it was an emotional week for Liverpudlian comedian Chris McClausland, who danced a waltz to You'll Never Walk Alone – which bagged him second place.
At the bottom of the leader board were the three Ps: Pete Wicks with 22, Punam Krishnan with 21 and Paul Merson with 19.
And it was Paul's time to go following a narrow defeat in the dance-off, while JLS's JB Gill shook it into week six.
Don’t forget, this year you can watch the Saturday show and Sunday's results programme with live signing.
Just press the red button or search for Signed: Strictly Come Dancing to find it on BBC iPlayer.
Noor Nanji
BBC News Culture reporter
Image source, BBC/PAJamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas on 12 October's live show
Gladiator Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe are jointly topping the leaderboard with a score of 39, along with EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas.
On the other end of the board, we have Dr Punam Krishnan and Gorka Marquez, who are trailing the pack with just 21 points.
The pair are performing a Tango to "Sweet Dreams" by the Eurythmics tonight.
“Everybody’s looking for something,” as the song goes – and Krishnan and Marquez will no doubt be looking for some bumper points which could help them turn their fortunes around.
So who are watching with tonight? Where are you? Who do you think will win? Who do you want to win? What spooky Strictly snacks have you got to watch with tonight?
Let us know, you can get in touch in the following ways:
Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy
In some cases a selection of your comments and questions will be published, displaying your name and location as you provide it unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published.
Noor Nanji
BBC News Culture reporter
How are you going to be getting into the spooky spirit? Will you be dressing up, or maybe eating some spooky snacks whilst you watch?
In case you’re looking for inspiration, the Strictly celebs and professionals have been speaking about their best Halloween costumes.
Montell Douglas says she dressed up as Whitney Houston a few years ago, while Nikita Kuzmin said he’s been a gherkin before.
Tasha Ghouri says she keeps it simple with “just the basic cat or devil,” while Sam Quek admitted she’s “never gone sexy”.
Quote MessageI went as dead Lara Croft at university and also as a dead policewoman. I also did a dead NFL player."
Sam Quek
Image source, BBC/ PA MediaIt's one of the highlights of the Strictly calendar.
It’s one of three themed weeks that happen every year – Movies, Blackpool and Musicals.
Although this year, to celebrate 20 years of the show, there's a fourth special week too – Icons which will be happening on 2 November.
Costumes are always a delight to watch on Strictly, but Halloween week is where it truly levels up. If you've got a Halloween party coming up, tune in for some inspiration.
Halloween week is also a milestone - week six is almost the halfway through the competition.
Jack Burgess
Live page editor
It’s fright night in the ballroom!
Good evening from the BBC newsroom.
My colleague Cachella and myself are set to report on a spooky edition of Strictly Come Dancing tonight.
The brilliant judge Craig might get booed every time he speaks, but it won't be him getting banished tonight - it'll be the couple whose performance doesn't quite cast a spell.
And as always, your devilish judgment will play a part in that.
From 18:25 BST, tap the Watch Live button at the top of this page and prepare to welcome our spooky dancers.
You can also catch it live on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
So, get ready to enjoy tricks and treats from the vampires, zombies, skeletons…
