Strictly stars prepare for Musicals week as the final approaches

With only two weeks left until the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing finale, the competition is reaching a fever pitch. This Saturday, Musicals Week returns, bringing performances inspired by iconic shows such as The Phantom of the Opera and Guys and Dolls. The episode will also open with a brand-new dance relay featuring all the remaining couples on the floor.

Musicals Week promises some exciting guest appearances, including Paddington Bear and the cast of the popular West End production Titanique.

Couples and Their Dances This Week

• Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin Charleston to "Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat" from Guys and Dolls
• Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon Viennese Waltz to "Never Enough" from The Greatest Showman
• George Clarke and Alexis Warr Argentine Tango to "The Point of No Return" from The Phantom of the Opera
• Lewis Cope and Katya Jones Salsa to "Dance at the Gym" from West Side Story
• Karen Carney and Carlos Gu Samba to "The Rhythm of Life" from Sweet Charity

Recap of Last Week

Last Saturday saw Lewis and Katya make history by winning the first-ever Instant Dance challenge. Karen and Amber both earned perfect 40s, with Karen achieving her first perfect score of the series. George and Alexis impressed the judges again, with Craig Revel Horwood calling their Quickstep "a joy to watch," while Alex and Johannes struggled with their Cha Cha Cha.

Sunday night featured a tense dance-off between Balvinder Sopal and Alex Kingston, with Balvinder ultimately being saved by the judges. Alex was eliminated, becoming the latest celebrity to leave the competition.

New Dance Relay Performance

This years Strictly has introduced fresh challenges, and Musicals Week brings the new "dance relay" at the start of the show. The five-minute routine will see every couple perform as part of a celebration of musical theatre. Songs from My Fair Lady, Oliver!, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Mary Poppins Returns will feature.

The professional dancers will perform Cell Block Tango from Chicago, alongside former contestant Tom Fletcher and the debut of Paddington Bear on the Strictly stage.

Countdown to the Grand Final

With the finale set for 20 December, tensions are high. Even strong scores may land couples in the lower half of the leaderboard, and the remaining pairs are vying for viewers votes. On Sunday, two more couples will face a dance-off, with another elimination imminent.

Catch Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday at 18:50 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Author: Harper Simmons