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Virgin Radio
30 Sep 2022, 09:43
Strictly Come Dancing 2022 is finally here, and as the stars get ready to shimmy, jive and mambo down on the dance floor for the very first public vote of the year, we’re taking a look back at some of the most unforgettable Strictly moments!
From politicians to comedians and soap stars, celebs from all walks of life have graced the ballroom (with varying levels of talent), and we’ve seen some brilliant dances, hilarious missteps and the odd wardrobe malfunction, and only time will tell what epic moments 2022 will bring.
To celebrate another series of the beloved competition, we’ve taken a waltz back down memory lane to bring you the eight most memorable moments from Strictly Come Dancing:
Rose Ayling-Ellis made history throughout 2021’s series of Strictly Come Dancing, becoming the first deaf contestant to compete in the series.
Not only did she and dance partner Giovanni Pernice become the earliest couple to land the coveted 40 marks in the show’s history, they also performed one of the most talked-about routines in recent years.
The EastEnders actress and her partner, who eventually won the show, wowed audiences with their couples choice dance to Clean Bandit’s Symphony, during which part of the music was cut, and the couple danced in complete silence, in a beautiful tribute to the deaf community.
Not only did it bring tears to those watching, but the impact was felt further afield, with the couple picking up Virgin Media’s Must See Moment prize at the 2022 TV BAFTA Awards.
Speaking about the impact her silent dance has had, Rose said: “The fact it went much bigger and that it has actually created social change. Wow. Wow. Wow. I’m speechless about it.”
Now for an eye-watering dance for an entirely different reason.
Former Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls swapped Downing Street for the dance floor in 2016, with then-new dance partner Katya Jones. What Ed lacked in dancing ability, he made up for in dedication, lasting all the way until Week 10.
Only two weeks prior to his final Strictly dance, Ed and Katya had everyone talking for their rather unique routine to one of the biggest songs of the decade – Psy’s Gangnam Style.
Not only did Ed manage to replicate the moves, but he had everyone in awe when he danced with Katya through his legs, inspiring many a social media meme.
Unfortunately, the iconic moment didn’t keep the politician and his pro from staying out of the bottom of the leaderboard.
Movie Week is always a crowd-pleaser, and perhaps the most memorable week to come out of the theme came from 2015’s Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani.
The Wanted Singer and his dance partner performed a Pulp Fiction Jive, in which both Jay and Aliona dressed up just like the characters from the Quentin Tarantino movie.
The routine was even voted the ‘most memorable dance’ in the show’s history by viewers during the 2020 Christmas Special, but fans were left livid after the duo failed to get top marks for the pitch-perfect routine, three points away from 40.
Despite this, the pair went on to win the overall competition that year.
Veteran broadcaster John Sergeant partnered up with Kristina Rihanoff back in 2008 for series six, and while this series was memorable for many other reasons, it was John’s attempt at the Paso Doble in Week 6 that left people in stitches.
Despite his lack of obvious dancing skills, John had won over the public week after week, seeing him make it all the way through to Week 9, before famously withdrawing from the competition over his fears that he actually might win.
Before then though, he had audiences aghast with his attempt at the spicy Paso routine, during which he dragged Kirstina around on the floor, causing hysteria for those watching at home. It was less of a graceful sweep, and more of a lumbering drag reminiscent of carrying out the lawn mower on a damp Sunday morning. Probably not what they were going for.
England cricketer Mark Ramprakash ended up winning the entire competition back in 2006, but it wasn’t without a few hiccups.
In quite the wardrobe malfunction, the sports star accidentally got his microphone caught on partner Karen Hardy’s dress, bringing their dance to a dramatic standstill. They tried their best to carry on, with cables flying around left, right, and centre, but they decided soon after not to continue.
Luckily, the future glitterball owners were allowed to try again, and managed to score a brilliant 36, and later performed the same routine at the final, to score the show’s second 40.
Safe to say the Strictly wardrobe department were quick to make it harder for such an accident to happen!
Political figures tend to get a bad wrap for their dancing skills on Strictly, but moments like Ann Widdecombe’s Blackpool Week 8 routine, prove why.
The former MP was performing the Samba with dance partner Anton Du Beke, and while her less-than-graceful techniques were something audiences were well accustomed to, nothing could prepare people to see Ann physically dragged around the dancefloor with her legs in the air, before being spun around to face the judging panel.
Len Goodman compared the routine to a motorway accident, saying: “You really don’t want to watch, but you can’t help yourself.”
Despite her less-than-stellar attempts, Ann survived all the way until Week 10, only just missing out on a place in the semi-finals.
Comedians are another type of celeb who are always underestimated when it comes to their dance floor prowess, but Bill Bailey changed everything during his run in the 2020 competition.
After scoring just 15 marks in Week One, the Never Mind The Buzzcocks star decided he would give Week Two everything he had, and blew the judges away with his Doctor Dolittle Quickstep.
Bill and partner Oti Mabuse continued to shine throughout the series, with his Week 4 Street/Commercial routine to Rappers Delight also becoming one of the most talked-about of the year.
The funnyman was then crowned Strictly’s oldest winner, lifting up the glitterball trophy with glee in December 2020.
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday 1st October at 6:30pm on BBC One.
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