Strictly Come Dancing week 10 live: what are the scores on Strictly tonight? Full leaderboard - updating
Follow all the scores live as Strictly prepares for a series first challenge tonight 👀💃🕺
- It is week ten in Strictly Come Dancing!
- The remaining celebs face a series first challenge.
- But what did the scores look like this week?
Strictly Come Dancing is back for another week of action on the ballroom floor. The remaining stars will take on a series first challenge this evening.
Just six couples are left in the competition following the latest injury withdrawal. Remind yourself of the full elimination order for series 23 - as the journey to the Glitterball Trophy continues.
Due to La Voix pulling out ahead of the trip to Blackpool, the judges scores and public vote will be rolled over into tonight’s (November 29) live show. One of the stars has emerged as a contender in latest odds - but a clear favourite remains.
We will be covering all the action from the ballroom this evening. Follow along for all the updates!
What does the leaderboard look like before week 10?
Due to the scores being rolled over from the trip to Blackpool, we already have an established leaderboard heading into this week’s round of action. It includes one star who scored a perfect 40 seven days ago.
- Lewis and Katya 40
- Karen and Carlos 39
- George and Alexis 39
- Amber and Nikita 36
- Alex and Johannes 35
- Balvinder and Julian 33
Following their latest dances this week, the judges will also hand out a maximum of 46 points to one of the stars. So the leaderboard will look very different by the end of the evening.
What is the song and dance list this week?
- Alex and Johannes - Cha Cha Cha to Ring My Bell by Anita Ward
- Amber and Nikita - Jive to Proud Mary by Tina Turner
- Balvinder and Julian - Jive to Right Back Where We Started From by Maxine Nightingale
- George and Alexis - Quickstep to I Get A Kick Out of You by Frank Sinatra
- Karen and Carlos - Couple's Choice to Born This Way by Lady Gaga
- Lewis and Katya - Rumba to Falling by Harry Styles
However, while the stars know exactly what they are doing with these routines and have had time to practice, there is set to be a big twist tonight.
How does the Instant Dance challenge work?
Overseen by Tess and Claudia, Instant Dance challenges each couple to pick a dance style at random from ones they have learnt in the competition so far.
They will then be played their accompanying music and - after a frantic dash through wardrobe to select and change into their costumes - each couple will have just 10 seconds on the countdown clock to decide exactly how they’re going to dance it.
After all six Strictly couples have danced, the Strictly judges will rank them and award their extra marks accordingly. A maximum of six marks will be awarded to the couple whose Instant Dance performance impressed them the most, right down to one point for the couple whose dance impressed them the least.
Head Judge Shirley Ballas said: "Instant Dance has the power to change everything for our couples, and will challenge them in ways they have never been challenged before. With standards so incredibly high this year and the competition so close, there's a lot resting on it. The dance styles, costumes and music might not be revealed until the night, but what we can be sure of right now is that it's going to be a whole lot of fun. I cannot wait!"
What were the scores on Strictly tonight?
We will be updating this article with the scores from the judges as they are handed out in week ten. Check back later for the full breakdown.
Up first was Alex Kingston, doing a Cha Cha Cha, and unfortunately there were a few mistakes in her performance. Head judge Shirley described it as “one of those days” for the celeb.
The judges gave her a score of 23 (4+6+6+7). Which when combined with the score from Blackpool gave a total of 58.
Taking to the dance floor second was George Clarke, following his strong performance seven days ago. He received his first 10 of the series at Blackpool - would he keep it up?
Anton “thoroughly loved it” but Craig described it as being “full of class” although he didn’t miss the little bit of a mistake. Shirley was “hugely impressed” and described it as “outstanding”.
The judges scored him a cracking 34 (8+8+9+9). When combined with his score from last week, it made a total of 73.
Lewis Cope was the third star to hit the dancefloor, following on from his perfect score last week. He took on a Rumba and it had the audience on their feet with applause.
Shirley “loved the narrative” of the dance and described it as one of the “very, very good ones”. Anton described Lewis as “such a talent” and only had “nitpicks”, but Craig had a few gripes about Lewis’ hips - although he did “love it”.
Motsi urged Lewis to keep himself just “the way you are” due to his “unique” vibe.
The judges gave Lewis and Katya a score of 36 (9+9+9+9). Combined with his score from last week gave an overall total of 76.
Fourth up was Balvinder Sopal, taking on the Jive - which is partner Julian’s favourite dance, or one of them. Anton described it as a “good dance going well, until it didn’t”.
Craig described it as a “bit stompy”. Motsi reminder her she still had a “second chance” to get points with the Instant Dance - and Shirley described parts as being “outstanding” at least before the mistakes.
The judges scored Balvinder 28 (7+7+7+7). It worked out as a total of 61 when combined with last week’s total.
The next celeb up was Karen Carney and Carlos Gu, doing a couple’s choice to Lady Gaga’s Born This Way. Even some of the judges were up off their seats at the end of the performance and Karen was left emotional and speechless after it finished.
Craig told her the dance had got her “into the Champions League”. Motsi described it as a “step up, the next level” and said she “knocked it out of the park”.
Anton called it “a-ma-zing” and rightly so! The scores were unsurprisingly very strong and she achieved a perfect 40 (10+10+10+10) - taking her to 79 overall when combined with last week.
Last up, at least before the instant dance, was Amber Davies. She was taking on the Jive with pro partner Nikita.
Shirley was left “quite speechless” by the performance and described it as “sensational”. Anton called it “brilliant” and said he “really enjoyed it”.
Craig brought out the “fab-u-lous”. Motsi praised them for keeping it “in control”.
The judges scored Amber and Nikita a stunning 40 (10+10+10+10 ) - the second of the night. When combined with last week’s 36 gave a total of 76.
For the Instant Dance, the judges scored:
- 6 - Lewis and Katya
- 5 - Balvinder and Julian
- 4 - Amber and Nikita
- 3 - Alex and Johannes
- 2 - George and Alexis
- 1 - Karen and Carlos
After the dances tonight, the leaderboard looked like this:
- Lewis and Katya - 82
- Karen and Carlos - 80
- Amber and Nikita - 80
- George and Alexis - 75
- Balvinder and Julian - 66
- Alex and Johannes - 61
When is the Strictly Come Dancing results show?
The beloved BBC dancing competition will be returning to usual service this weekend. Tonight’s live show will be followed by the results special with the dreaded dance-off.
Due to La Voix’s injury withdrawal last week, the decision was made to axe the bottom two seven days ago. It meant that while a results show took place, it instead focused on performances from past favourites and the Strictly pros.
The results show is due to start at 7.15pm once again on Sunday (November 30) night and it is the last one to take place this month! It will be time for the 2025 final before you know it.
Remind yourself of the full Strictly Come Dancing elimination order for 2025 here. Plus learn more about the Instant Dance Challenge.