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Here come our paddle-raising panel of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas. They\u2019re in best black tie for the occasion. Motsi looking fabulous. Their ranks are swelled by, you guessed it, Cynthia Erivo, who gets the middle chair.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a>Cynthia Erivo introduced<\/p>\n They sure are holding a lot of space for her tonight. Donny Osmond and Carlton from The Fresh Prince didn\u2019t get this treatment.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Frockwatch<\/p>\n Here come our Hollywood hosts, so time for the weekly couture clash. Tess Daly is pink tassels. Claudia Winkleman is in a chic black V-neck number. Claudia wins.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n More suited to Halloween Week, arguably. A tale of broomstick-riding, pointy-hatted, green-faced forbidden love with all the pros getting to play both roles. Lovely storytelling and a big spinning lift sequence to finish.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>The pros cast a spell<\/p>\n Something wicked this way comes. We open with the professional dancers performing the first of two filmic group numbers this weekend. This one, choreographed by Jason Gilkison, is based on upcoming fantasy film Wicked For Good \u2013 sequel to one of the highest grossing movie musicals of all time and starring, of course, a certain Cynthia Erivo.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n That VT introducing Cynthia Erivo felt \u201ca bit ITV\u201d, didn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Cue clapalong titles<\/p>\n Wave goodbye to Thomas Skinner, who has already wheeled his suitcase towards the Strictly taxi of doom, the same journey he made on BBC<\/a> stablemate The Apprentice. Ta-ta, Tommy Bosh.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>And we\u2019re off!<\/p>\n Roll the traditional movie-themed VT. Black and white this year. Classy.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Buckle up, Barry Norman. We\u2019re about to go over live to Elstree Studios\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Amanda Holden-hosted quiz The Celebrity Inner Circle wrapping up on BBC1 now. Noboy understands the rules, probably including Amanda Holden. Mere minutes to wait now\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a>On your filmic dance cards<\/p>\n Tonight\u2019s 13 routines include the first rumba and Couple\u2019s Choice of the series. Bullfighting fans will also see not one but three paso dobles.<\/p>\n A mere 10 minutes until the glitterball starts spinning\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Ross King tipped for exit (again)<\/p>\n Dear old Ross King is bookies\u2019 strong favourite for the second elimination, priced at evens to depart the contest this weekend. However, he dodged the dance-off entirely last week so it\u2019s all to play for.<\/p>\n Chris Robshaw is favourite to face him in the dance-off, followed by La Voix. Just 14 minutes until that ba-ba-da theme tune\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Let\u2019s play Movie Week bingo<\/p>\n Tick them off when you spot them! Take a drink for each! Default on your mortgage and end up sleeping in the Jag! Here\u2019s your 10-point spotter\u2019s checklist for Movie Week:<\/p>\n Cynthia Erivo scores on the generous side but not \u201cDonny Osmond levels\u201d<\/p>\n Misuse of the word \u201ciconic\u201d<\/p>\n Rumba is described as \u201cnotoriously tricky for male celebrities\u201d<\/p>\n A celebrity unconvincingly claims that they\u2019re paying tribute to their all-time favourite film. (Miss Congeniality? Really?)<\/p>\n Tess says \u201cThey\u2019re on their feet!\u201d or \u201cYour little face!\u201d<\/p>\n Anton Du Beke harks back to his own Movie Week routines of yore<\/p>\n Film-themed VT with Craig playing the villain<\/p>\n You get confused and think Claudia is about to host a Round Table in the Scottish Highlands<\/p>\n Judges have no clue how to mark Couple\u2019s Choice so dish out random high scores<\/p>\n Widespread \u201cAwws!\u201d and \u201cGet well soons\u201d sent to Stefan Dennis<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Show has been shortened<\/p>\n Stefan\u2019s absence means the BBC<\/a> has taken the unusual step of reducing the show\u2019s running time tonight. It will be 10 minutes shorter than advertised, finishing at 8.30pm, rather than 8.40pm. What will we all do with those extra 10 minutes? Use them wisely, ballroom fans.<\/p>\n It\u2019s 25 minutes until the glittery curtain comes up\u2026.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Stefan Dennis throws a sickie<\/p>\n Don\u2019t worry, there hasn\u2019t been an emergency at Lassiters. Fear not, Bouncer is OK. It was announced yesterday that Neighbours star Stefan Dennis will not be taking part in tonight\u2019s show due to illness. In line with Strictly rules, Dennis and pro partner Dianne Buswell will receive a bye through to next week, when it\u2019s hoped the actor will be well enough to perform.<\/p>\n Less than half an hour until choreographic kick-off\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Saturday night at the movies<\/p>\n Lights, camera, dancing action! Good evening and welcome to Movie Week madness. I\u2019m Michael, your torch-wielding, ice cream-selling for tonight\u2019s Strictly Come Dancing live show. You are cordially invited to watch along with me as the red carpet is rolled out for the first themed weekend of 2025.<\/p>\n After last week\u2019s first elimination \u2013 you\u2019re fired, Thomas Skinner \u2013 tonight our 14 surviving pro-celebrity pairs take to the Elstree Studios ballroom floor once again. Or at least, 13 of them do. More on that in a moment. They\u2019ll be performing routines inspired by Hollywood films, so expect a feast of fancy dress and props. Oscar-nominated Hollywood star Cynthia Erivo is on hand as guest judge and mentor to help them deliver blockbuster performances.<\/p>\n On Sunday night, the credits will roll on one couple\u2019s competition. No more of this \u201cscores carried forward from last week\u201d business. Tonight\u2019s judges\u2019 totals will be combined with the public vote, then the bottom two couples will dance for survival. But whose routine will be a box office smash? And which flop will go straight to DVD??<\/p>\n The clapperboard comes down at 6.05pm on BBC<\/a> One. I\u2019ll be liveblogging from 5.35pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, analysis, reaction and snark from the cheap seats. So stock up on popcorn, bucket-sized drinks and exorbitant pick \u2019n\u2019 mix and I\u2019ll see you on the front row of the cinema.<\/p>\n As always, I\u2019d love to hear from you too. You can tweet me @michaelhogan, contact me on Bluesky or Threads @michaelhogan100, email me michael.hogan.freelance@guardian.co.uk<\/a> and the comments section below is open for your Movie Week messages. As usual, I\u2019ll flick, kick and fleckerl down there every now and again to gauge your reaction to the show. Please don\u2019t be shy about sharing your thoughts.<\/p>\n Are you ready for your Movie Week close-up? Nearly time to staaaaaart cinematic dancing!<\/p>\n