sashayed back onto our screens this evening on One, with the five remaining pairs dazzling audiences in a spectacular effort to secure their spots for next week’s live showdown.
The couples still vying for the glitterball trophy include dancing with Dianne Buswell, partnered by stand-in Lauren Oakleywho stepped in for an injured Amy DowdenPete Wicks and Jowitza Przystal twirling together, and Aljaz Skorjanec showing off their moves, and coupled with Vito Coppola.
JB and Lauren hit the dance floor as the second act of the night, and it didn’t take long before viewers flocked to social media, all echoing a similar sentiment as they heaped praise upon the professional dancer’s standout performance.
Lauren entered the limelight earlier in the series after Amy was forced to bow out due to a foot injury, leaving her unable to compete.
Admirably, JB has been commended for his swift acclimatisation to this sudden change, all while keeping Amy close to his heart, reports .
Tess and Claudia host Strictly (Image: BBC)
Their evening’s fiery Paso Doble performance electrified the studio, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, viewers were vocal with their endorsements for Lauren, convinced that her stellar performance throughout the season merits her a permanent role in future contests.
One fan pleaded: “That was a fabulous routine from JB and Lauren. Please please please don’t bench Lauren next year. She’s brought JB on by leaps and bounds this year.”
JB and Lauren performed a fabulous Paso Doble (Image: BBC)
Another chimed in firmly: “Note to #Strictly Do not bl***y bench Lauren, next year!” (sic).
Another fan expressed: “I hope Lauren gets a partner next year. She’s brilliant!”
A concerned viewer cautioned: “I don’t want to see Lauren without a partner at the start of a series ever again!!” (sic)
JB and Lauren got a great reception from the judges (Image: BBC)
And sternly told show bosses: “Strictly if you bench Lauren next year…”
Last week’s episode left audiences reeling as Pete once again dodged the dance-off despite trailing with the judges’ scores, leading to ‘s departure.
Bookies now suggest that Pete’s luck may run out this week, with Ladbrokes placing him as the likely next exit at odds of 1/2.
Trailing behind him is JB at 5/2, while Sarah and Tasha seem safer with odds of 12/1 each, and Chris is tipped as the frontrunner for the Glitterball trophy at 2/9.
Ladbrokes’ Alex Apati remarked: “Chris has headed the betting pretty much from day one this series; it’ll take something pretty spectacular to stop him at this point.”
He added: “Pete’s already defied the odds by making it this far, but the latest odds suggest Sunday night will be the end of the road for him.”
On It Takes Two earlier in the week, Pete addressed the backlash he’s received during his stint on Strictly, labelling it “abuse” and stating firmly: “I’m not here to please everyone.”
: The Results airs tomorrow night at 7.20pm on One and iPlayer.