MX23RW : Tuesday, December 17 19:00:46| >> :600:127164322:127164322:

Strictly Come Dancing, week seven: What the judges said

Find out what the judges had to say about the remaining six couples' performances in Strictly Come Dancing's Musicals Week.

Strictly Come Dancing has reached the quarter-finals stage - and this week marks the show's annual celebration of the music from the musicals.

Following Clara Amfo's elimination last week, six couples remain in the hunt for the glitterball trophy - but in one of the most open competitions in years, no-one is safe from being eliminated.

Scroll on to find out what the judges had to say about this week's performances!



JJ Chalmers and Amy Dowden on Strictly Come Dancing week seven© BBC

JJ Chalmers and Amy Dowden

Dance: Charleston
Song: 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Shirley Ballas: "What a way to open the show, my heart was going with the whole thing. I never knew how long your legs were. To keep them co-ordinated with the upper half of your body is no mean feat." 7/10

Motsi Mabuse: "I enjoyed seeing a fun side. Shirley discovered your legs, I discovered your smile - what a beautiful smile. I can see that it was a fast dance but you never missed a beat." 7/10

Craig Revel Horwood: "I've got to say it was too stop and start for my liking. You've got to dance all the way through. On the basic Charleston step you need to kick the back of your heel up a bit more. I think you could be a bit goofier with it, ham it up even more - this is a mad, mad dance." 6/10

Overall score: 20/30



Ranvir Singh and Giovanni Pernice on Strictly Come Dancing week seven© BBC

Ranvir Singh and Giovanni Pernice

Dance: Viennese Waltz
Song: 'She Used To Be Mine' from Waitress

Motsi Mabuse: "I have to say I was moved from your words, your beauty and every mum has a connection to what you were saying there. I feel like now you've finally come into you. For me that was such a magic moment, well done." 9/10

Craig Revel Horwood: "You told the story so naturally. It was totally real and totally believable - the only thing I didn't believe was the pastry rolling at the beginning. You should be so proud." 9/10

Shirley Ballas: "I was captivated by the whole performance, it was like poetry in motion. What can I say about your frame except phenomenal." 9/10

Overall score: 27/30



Maisie Smith and Gorka Marquez on Strictly Come Dancing week seven© BBC

Maisie Smith and Gorka Marquez

Dance: Jive
Song: 'Little Shop of Horrors' from Little Shop of Horrors

Craig Revel Horwood: "Your energy is absolutely insane my darling. I loved this character, Audrey. So well done." 9/10

Shirley Ballas: "I think you did exactly what you wanted to do and that was smash it, for sure. What I was more than impressed with was that you've started to get your feet into a beautiful, lady-like position." 10/10

Motsi Mabuse: "For me there's such a great importance in the music and how you guys interpret the music. The rhythmical changes in all that were so difficult - you're living the life of the music and it's in your body." 9/10

Overall score: 28/30



Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse on Strictly Come Dancing week seven© BBC

Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse

Dance: Argentine Tango
Song: 'Phantom of the Opera' from Phantom of the Opera

Shirley Ballas: "I want to say this first - it's quite difficult for a celebrity man to lead a top-class professional lady and I think you did very, very well. You had the presence and you had the command." 8/10

Motsi Mabuse: "When I heard that you were dancing the Argentine tango I was a bit nervous but I think you pulled it off. I loved how you used your feet and the atmosphere you created together. I think you did a good job and I didn't need to be that nervous." 8/10

Craig Revel Horwood: "There was one sticky moment, your weight accidentally went onto your leg. You had complete control, complete command and complete leadership of that dance. If I was going to sum it up with one word it would be phantasmagorical." 8/10

Overall score: 24/30



HRVY and Janette Manrara on Strictly Come Dancing week seven© BBC

HRVY and Janette Manrara

Dance: American Smooth
Song: 'One (Singular Sensation)' from A Chorus Line

Motsi Mabuse: "I just have to calm myself down. Oh my goodness. I've never seen anybody use this dancefloor [like that]. You took the risk and you didn't miss one step. This was the dance of the season, the dance of the decade." 10/10

Craig Revel Horwood: "You were a little bit early at the end, which is a pet hate of mine. It's like looking in the mirror darling - you can sing, you can dance. I might call myself CRH now. I loved it, unbelievable." 9/10

Shirley Ballas: "You definitely brought theatre to this ballroom. I have to say, I think this is Janette's first time in the quarter-final and let me tell you young lady - you choreographed that beautifully. Well done to both of you." 10/10

Overall score: 29/30



Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer on Strictly Come Dancing week seven© BBC

Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer

Dance: Jive
Song: 'Everybody's Talking About Jamie' from Everybody's Talking About Jamie

Craig Revel Horwood: "I would like to have seen a little bit more technique in the jive parts of it. But I've got to say, you are an enthusiastic powerhouse of energy. Outstanding." 8/10

Shirley Ballas: "I thought you were quite light on your feet actually. There was a tiny little misstep in the middle, but I thoroughly enjoyed the number. You execute things 100% every time." 8/10

Motsi Mabuse: "I loved the fact that you had props on the dancefloor and you used them. I love the fact that I can feel your musicality is improving week on week. Congratulations, that was fun." 8/10

Overall score: 24/30



Strictly Come Dancing: The Results airs Sunday at 7.30pm on BBC One.


ID:425302: cacheID:425302:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:11082:
Written by
Neil Wilkes

Follow us on Bluesky or on X/Twitter and like us on Facebook for the latest entertainment news alerts.

Media Mole's Lowest Ever Sky Offer: Get Sky Essential, Sky Stream & Netflix for just £15 a month + £0 upfront fee for 24 months!
Prices may change during this period. Ends March 19, 2025

Restore Data
Share this article now:
HRVY and Janette Manrara on Strictly Come Dancing 2020
Read Next:
Strictly Come Dancing: Musicals week songs and dances revealed
>
rhs 2.0
New TV Picks header

Monday, December 9


MasterChef: The Professionals: BBC One, 9pm
Finals week gets underway with judges Monica Galetti, Marcus Wareing and someone else whose name we forget

Made In Chelsea: E4, 10pm
Rez gets annoyed by the new-found bromance between Tristan and Miles, while Maeva decides to confront Jazz

Coronation Street: ITVX, from 7am and ITV1, 8pm
Shona goes for a clandestine meeting in a hotel room...

The 1% Club: ITV1, 9pm
It's back and it's weekday primetime, baby