Strictly 2026: 'Stunning' performance lands top spot for actor in Halloween special

Strictly 2026: 'Stunning' performance lands top spot for actor in Halloween special

Seven couples scored in the 30s for their horror-inspired routines
Judges Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood got into the Halloween mood during Saturday’s show
Judges Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood got into the Halloween mood during Saturday’s show

EastEnders star Lacey Turner delivered a "stunning" performance for the Halloween week special of Strictly Come Dancing, securing praise for the "best of the night".

Channelling gothic glamour in an all-black ensemble, the 38-year-old impressed, alongside professional dance partner Vito Coppola, with a Charleston set to Crazy Stupid Love by Cheryl and Tinie Tempah.

The pair climbed to the top of the leaderboard with a score of 36, as judge Motsi Mabuse hailed the routine as the "best dance of the night".

Former Love Island winner Dani Dyer also wowed the judges with her “best dance yet” after performing a Viennese waltz with Nikita Kuzmin.

Anton Du Beke called it her “best dance yet”, and Craig Revel Horwood said: “I can’t add much to that, apart from brilliant.”

They are tied on 32 points with Will Best and Dianne Buswell, who performed their Couple’s Choice dance to Nu Flow by Big Brovaz.

Australian singer Delta Goodrem and Kai Widdrington scored 33 for their Viennese waltz to Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers while dressed as Morticia and Gomez Addams from The Addams Family.

Revel Horwood called the routine “absolutely gorgeous”, and Du Beke said: “It was incredible, I loved that dance. It was sensational.”

Also scoring 33 points were Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby, who performed an Argentine tango to Pas De Deux by Michael Abels.

Saturday’s Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard

* Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola – 36

* John Nellis and Katya Jones – 35

* Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby – 33

* Delta Goodrem and Kai Widdrington – 33

* Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin - 32

* Will Best and Diane Buswell – 32

* Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu – 30

* Jamie Winstone and Carlos Gu - 27

* Lawrence Robb and Jowita Przystal – 26

* Tabby Stoecker and Mark Karmalita – 25

* Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley – 25

Social media star John Nellis and Katya Jones secured second place after earning 35 points for their tango to Dance… by Slayyyter, which Mabuse described as “great”

Saturday’s episode opened with TV dog trainer Graeme Hall and professional partner Lauren Oakley dancing the samba to Coconut by Harry Nilsson.

The pair scored 25 for their routine, which Revel Horwood said “needs finessing”, leaving them joint bottom of the leaderboard with Olympic medallist Tabby Stoecker and Mark Karmalita.

The latter couple also scored 25 for their quickstep to Black Magic by Little Mix, which head judge Shirley Ballas said “wasn’t your best”.

Lawrence Robb and Jowita Przystal scored 26 for a tango to Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr.

The episode was filled with elaborate costumes, with Du Beke dressed as an angel and Revel Horwood looking like a devil.

Mabuse opted for a green butterfly ensemble, and Ballas wore an elaborate ice queen outfit which Willis described as “slightly terrifying”.

The next couple to be eliminated will be revealed during Sunday’s show, which will feature Strictly’s first triple dance-off.

Three couples will perform, with the judges voting to eliminate one pair from the competition rather than choosing which couple to save.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One on Sunday at 7.10pm.

Original source Strictly 2026: 'Stunning' performance lands top spot for actor in Halloween special

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