Strictly’s Lewis And Katya land perfect 40Your support helps us to tell the story
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Strictly Come Dancing returned for another glittering instalment – and there was no shortage of drama and fantastic performances in this year’s Halloween special.
The 10 remaining couples underwent terrifying transformations to perform routines to songs by stars including Charli XCX, Lady Gaga and Benson Boone, all with a haunting twist.
Judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke also embraced spooky season with elaborate costumes.
The undeniable highlight of the night was Lewis Cope and Katya Jones’s Couple’s Choice routine, which led to the first perfect score of the series.
Elseswhere, former England player Karen Carney received her first 10s after a Peaky Blinders-themed Argentine Tango with her professional partner Carlos Gu.
And there were plenty of brilliant moments in between the dances too. In one hilarious skit, La Voix briefly replaced Tess Daly and expertly delivered her lines to camera before asking the veteran star what she thought of her efforts.
It came as speculation continues over who will replace presenters Daly and Claudia Winkleman following their announcement last week that they will be leaving at the end of the current series.
Recap tonight’s show as it happened below…
Just half an hour to go before the results show
There’s just 30 minutes to go until this week’s Strictly results show kicks off
(BBC)
Lydia Spencer-Elliott2 November 2025 18:45
Could Zoe Ball be Strictly’s next presenter?
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball, who is one of the bookies’ favourite to take over hosting the show has revealed how she’d feel about taking over from Tess Daly or Claudia Winkleman on the programme.
“I think everyone would like to do that job,” she said. “Everyone’s going to want that job. There will be queues going around the block.”
Huge BBC star throws hat in ring for Strictly host job
Lydia Spencer-Elliott2 November 2025 18:30
Traitors star Cat Burns to perform on tonight’s results show
Celebrity Traitors star Cat Burns will perform on Strictly’s results show tonight in an exciting crossover for the two popular BBC shows.
The 25-year-old singer will appear ahead of the dance-off between the bottom two couples.
Her music will be accompanied with a performance by professional dancers Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu, who will receive an invitation to The Monsters’ Ball.
Read the full story below:
Lydia Spencer-Elliott2 November 2025 18:00
Who has the casting vote on tonight’s results show?
For the 2025 series there was a radical change to the Strictly voting system, where the final dance off decision is placed in the hands of alternating judges rather than just those of head judge Shirley Ballas.
The judge with the casting vote is announced at the end of every Saturday show, with this week’s dreaded dance off decision back in the hands of Ballas.
If Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse’s verdict is tied, it will be up to the 65-year-old Latin star to pick which contestant goes home.
Strictly’s Shirley Ballas has cast deciding votes on the series for seven years… until now (BBC)
Lydia Spencer-Elliott2 November 2025 17:30
When is the Strictly Come Dancing final?
Halloween Week marks the midway point in the competition with just six shows remaining until the final.
The show’s glittering Blackpool Week will take place in two show’s time on Saturday, 22 November.
Meanwhile the final showdown of the competition will air on Saturday, 20 December.
Only time will tell who’ll lift that glitterball…
Lydia Spencer-Elliott2 November 2025 17:00
Lewis Cope addresses claims he’s a ‘professional’ dancer
Some viewers have claimed that Cope has an unfair advantage due to his previous dance experience, complaining about the competition’s “double standards”.
Cope made his stage debut at just 11 years old, playing Michael in the West End hit Billy Elliot: The Musical.
The actor was also part of the hip-hop troupe Ruff Diamond as a teenager, who finished as runners-up on the Sky One dance competition Got to Dance in 2013.
He has dismissed claims that he’s a “professional” dancer, labelling the accusations “bizarre”.
“I don’t really know where all that came from, to be honest,” he said. “I trained as an actor. I danced a bit when I was a teen, but haven’t since.”
(BBC )
Lydia Spencer-Elliott2 November 2025 16:30
Who is Lewis Cope? The star who landed the first perfect score of the season
Learn all you need to know about the Emmerdale star who swapped the Dales for the dance floor:
Lydia Spencer-Elliott2 November 2025 16:00
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey breaks silence after coming bottom of the leaderboard
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey issued a plea to his fans after placing bottom of the leaderboard in Halloween Week.
“Team we need your support. We need your help,” he begged in a video shared to Instagram alongside his partner Karen Hauer.
“Absolutely loving this process but today was not my day. If you want to see us carrying on dancing, which we utterly want to do, we’ve appreciated your support so far, so please just vote now.”
We’ll see tonight whether the Gladiators star’s prayers have been answered…
(BBC/Guy Levy)
Lydia Spencer-Elliott2 November 2025 15:30
Who ranked where on the week six leaderboard?
Let’s take a look back at that all important leaderboard following Saturday night’s show…
Lydia Spencer-Elliott2 November 2025 15:00
James Jordan shares verdict on Lewis Cope’s ‘perfect’ performance
Former Strictly pro James Jordan, who famously enjoyed a heated discussion with the judges, has shared his verdict on Lewis Cope’s perfect score routine.
“Epic!!! One of the best dances I have ever seen on Strictly!!” the pro dancer wrote on Instagram.
He added: “And I HATE couples choice – unless like thisWell done!!!” High praise indeed…
Lydia Spencer-Elliott2 November 2025 14:30