Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One this Saturday at 6:15 p.m. for its annual Movie Week, an event shifted earlier in the series than in previous years to ensure every contestant participates in a themed performance before the first elimination. While the show typically reserves movie-themed routines for the third week, professional dancer and new host Johannes Radebe told The Independent that the change was implemented so that all 15 celebrities have the opportunity to experience a themed week before they face the public vote. Radebe noted that this structural change has not happened in years and that professional dancers are expected to “eat it up.”
The Shift in Competition Structure
The decision to move Movie Week follows the debut of the show’s new presenting trio: Johannes Radebe, Emma Willis, and Josh Widdicombe. Following the departure of long-time hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, the new team’s dynamic has drawn mixed reactions from viewers, according to The Independent. Isobel Lewis of The Independent reported that segments featuring Widdicombe and Willis often seemed “awkward and stilted.” Earlier this week, Willis posted a portrait to Instagram stating, “You’ll get judged either way, so may as well pick the fun option,” which appeared to address the criticism. Despite the transition, the focus for this weekend remains on the performances, which will include routines inspired by films such as Beauty and the Beast, A Star Is Born, Pretty Woman, and Baywatch, as The Guardian reported.
Performers Prepare Movie Themed Dance Routines
The show will open with a pre-recorded group routine featuring professionals dressed as animals from Disney’s Zootropolis, while judges Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood are set to perform a routine inspired by The Devil Wears Prada. The opening group routine will use songs by Shakira from the original movie and its 2025 sequel. For the Devil Wears Prada segment, Mabuse will portray the ruthless magazine boss Miranda Priestly, a character originally played by Meryl Streep.
Individual contestant performances include:
- Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin: A foxtrot to the title track from Beauty and the Beast.
- Delta Goodrem and Kai Widdrington: An American smooth to Lady Gaga’s “I’ll Never Love Again” from A Star Is Born.
- Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu: A cha-cha to the title track from Pretty Woman.
- John Nellis and Katya Jones: A Couple’s Choice to “An Irish Party In Third Class” from Titanic.
- Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu: A paso doble to “No Good Deed” from Wicked: For Good.
- Sarah Storey and Julian Caillon: A Charleston to “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” from Mary Poppins.
- Tabby Stoecker and Mark Karmalita: An American smooth to “Rewrite the Stars” from The Greatest Showman.
- Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr: A salsa to “You Should Be Dancing” from Saturday Night Fever.
- Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden: A cha-cha to “I’m Always Here” from Baywatch.
- Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley: A waltz to The Godfather Waltz.
- Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby: A samba to “We Go Together” from Grease.
- Lawrence Robb and Jowita Przystal: A Viennese waltz to “Le Festin” from Ratatouille.
- Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola: A quickstep to Taylor Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You” from the latest Toy Story film.
- Will Best and Dianne Buswell: A foxtrot to “Old Time Rock And Roll” from Risky Business.
- Melanie Walters and Aljaz Skorjanec: A waltz to “Edelweiss” from The Sound of Music.
Contestants Face First Elimination Round
The first elimination of the series is scheduled for Sunday at 7:10 p.m. Following last weekend’s opening live show, which did not feature a dance-off, the contestants are now competing to avoid being the first couple sent home. John Nellis and Katya Jones enter this week at the top of the scoreboard, as noted by The Guardian.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the movie-themed week moved to an earlier date?
Johannes Radebe stated that the change was made to ensure all 15 contestants have the opportunity to participate in a themed week before they are at risk of elimination.
Who are the new hosts for the 2026 series?
The show is now presented by a trio consisting of Johannes Radebe, Emma Willis, and Josh Widdicombe, following the exit of long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
When is the first elimination of the series?
The results of the public vote and the first elimination will be announced on Sunday at 7:10 p.m. on BBC One.
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