Skip to main contentSkip to footer
Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington performing the Charleston to the theme of Murder She Wrote© BBC

Strictly Week 6 - Angela Rippon and Ellie Leach steal the night for spooktacular special

Scarier than a '1' from Craig Revel Horwood

Matthew Moore
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead
Updated: October 28, 2023
Share this:
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead

Welcome to the Strictly spooktacular!

Hello there! Or should that be boo? Welcome to Strictly Week 6, otherwise known as the Halloween special. Halloween is always a highlight of the Strictly Come Dancing calendar and we can't wait to see how the costume and makeup teams have outdone themselves for the ten horror-themed dances. We're just minutes away, so get the last minute Halloween treats in, get the pumpkins set up and let's hope we get plenty of treats rather than some tricky footwork.

Share this:
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead

Who left last week?

Last week saw Eddie Kadi and Zara McDermott face each other in the dance-off. The judges opted to unanimously save Zara and Graziano, meaning that it was Eddie and Karen who left.

But in a surprise twist, the pair weren't the only couple to exit the competition. On Monday, it was announced that Amanda Abbington, who had been dancing with Giovanni Pernice, had decided to pull out of the show after missing the previous week due to "medical reasons". If you're wondering what that will mean for how the show moves forward with eliminations, then read here.

Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice on It Takes Two © BBC
Amanda and Giovanni have pulled out of the competition

Share this:
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead

Who will top the leaderboard this week?

This year's Strictly has been anything but predictable, but having topped the leaderboard for the past two weeks will Bad Education star Layton Williams make it three in a row? There's never a guarantee when it comes to Strictly and with Ellie Leach charging up the leaderboard, will she top it for the first time. Or could performances from Nigel Harman or Angela Scanlon see them at the top for the second time?

Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin during their Salsa on week five© Guy Levy
Layton and Nikita's Salsa last week nearly saw them get a perfect score
Share this:
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead

No opening number!

Well that's a change up for the books, Halloween has not opened with a professional number like many of the other themed weeks. But we did get a Time Warp opening with the judges.

Share this:
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead

Angela blows the house down with opening performance

Angela Scanlon certainly brought the house down with her opening number as she fought back after struggling the previous week. The star's creepy costume and movements really channelled the Halloween spirit and has gotten us right in the mood for the rest of the evening.

Judges' scores: 33, this is the pair's highest score since their Charleston which saw them top the leaderboard.

Share this:
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead

When are we getting Joel Dommett on Strictly?

Survivor presenter Joel Dommett read out the terms and conditions, but I can't be the only one wondering when the comedian will finally make his debut on the dancefloor. Strictly 2024 anyone?

Share this:
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead

Adam's American Smoth was magic!

Not going to lie, Adam's dance genuinely put a smile on my face, and judging by the comments from the judges, we're not the only ones. Anton loved the footwork, Motsi was "caught off guard" as she hailed the routine as his "best dance" as she brought up the f-word, yes "final". Adam is really cementing himself as one of the frontrunners at the moment after a string of good performances.

Judges' scores: 32, which is their joint highest score

Share this:
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead

Zara gave her best with skeleton dance

Zara has been in the dance-off twice, but this might not be the dance to save her. Craig was particularly harsh, while Motsi wanted the Love Island star to "risk it" instead of being so "careful". Is this the end of the road for the popular star?

Judges' scores: 25, which currently sees them at the bottom of the leaderboard

Share this:
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead

Layton's Tango didn't suck!

My puns might suck, but Layton certainly doesn't! The star hasn't been the best in ballroom, but he has certainly improved with that show-stopper of a routine. The change of lead, the standing backflip, the corset! What more do we need from Layton?!

Judges' scores: 36, placing them at the top of the leaderboard... for now

Share this:
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead

Bobby's hips make triumphant return!

Remember Bobby's hips from Week 3? Well they made their return with his cheeky cha-cha-cha, and he completely blew the roof off the studio. The judges were bowled over, audiences loved it, Bobby is a star in the competition!

Judges' scores: 30, which puts them in the middle of the leaderboard and around where the couple consistently score

Share this:
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead

Krishnan's monster moment

Krishnan continues to prove his worth in the competition and he went all out for the Viennese Waltz, which came with a Jekyll and Hyde twist. Anton praised his "super" footwork, although Craig called it "chunky".

Judges' scores: 27, which puts them towards the bottom of the leaderboard

Lauren Oakley and Krishan Guru-Murthy dancing the Viennese waltz to Kiss from a Rose by Seal© BBC
Lauren Oakley and Krishan Guru-Murthy dancing the Viennese waltz to Kiss from a Rose by Seal
Share this:
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead

Rippon makes Lansbury proud!

You can never have too many Angelas, and Angela Rippon proved that as she became Angela Lansbury for her Murder, She Wrote Charleston. Craig praised the routine as a "swivel masterclass" while Motsi was nearly lost for words over the routine.

Judges' scores: 33, which is joint second on the leaderboard with Angela Scanlon

Share this:
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead

Annabel's devillish tango lit up the floor

Annabel wanted to come back from a difficult week, and with this tricky tango, she did just the trick. She had passion, power and followed Johannes with ease, although the judges noted that she lacked energy as the routine went on. Annabel has always been able to perform solid routines, but with the leaderboard slimming down, will she be safe?

Judges' scores: 29, which means they're third bottom on the leaderboard

Share this:
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead

Nigel was made for the cha-cha-cha

After accidentally kicking Katya last week, Nigel came back strong with his cha-cha-cha, although Shirley and the other judgespointed out "two errors" in their routine - something we didn't spot. But surely this routine was 'made' for a Bride of Frankenstein theme??

Judges' scores: 30, the same that Bobby scored

Nigel Harman and Katya Jones doing the Cha-cha-cha to I Was Made for Lovin’ You by KISS© BBC
Nigel Harman and Katya Jones took on a Cha-cha-cha to I Was Made for Lovin’ You by KISS
Share this:
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead

Ellie killed that routine!

What a way to close the show! While many couples faltered, Ellie and Vito truly delivered. The Coronation Street star has been sniffing around the top of the leaderboard and she finally managed it with her salsa. Ellie is turning into a serious contender for this crown, and she's easily one of our favourites to watch.

Judges' scores: 38, a leaderboard topper!

WATCH: Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola top leaderboard with spooky salsa

Share this:
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead

Go softly into the night...

That brings us to an end of the Halloween special. Ellie got to top the leaderboard for the first time, while Zara finds herself at the bottom of the leaderboard alongside Krishnan and Annabel.

Who will go home in tomorrow's episode? Check back with HELLO! to find out. See you next week!

Share this:

More TV and Film

See more