Strictly Come Dancing treated us to Musicals Week last night. It was an evening full of sparkle and fun though it felt quite late in the competition for a theme week. We love Musicals Week and we felt a bit cheated only getting five dances.

We did though really love the Dance Relay Challenge at the start of the show, with the professionals and contestants all dancing one after the other to music from Mary Poppins Returns, Oliver, Half a Sixpence and more.

Though it did seem to be for entertainment only rather than affecting the judging, we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Musicals Week didn’t only bring the glamour of the West End to the Strictly dance floor. It also brought some BIG surprises and a shocking elimination. Proving that nothing is ever certain in this funny business we call ‘show’!

George and Alexis danced to Phantom of the Opera (Credit: BBC)
George brought the drama to Strictly Come Dancing Musicals Week

YouTuber George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr opened the show with their Argentine Tango to music crom the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Phantom of the Opera. It was a moody, atmospheric dance and the judges loved it.

“I loved the energy,” said judge Motsi Mabuse.

And George even got a message from the Phantom of the Opera himself – with a little help from composer Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Balvinder Sopal is definitely the comeback queen! (Credit: BBC)
All change on the leaderboard

After last week, George lost his position as favourite to win the whole competition, as former Lioness Karen Carney was tipped to lift the glitter ball trophy instead.

But that could change again because this week poor Karen and her partner Carlos Gu were bottom of the (admittedly very tightly fought) leaderboard after their Sweet-Charity-inspired, 60s-style Samba.

Karen scored a very respectable 34 points – two 8s and two 9s – from the judges. But at this stage of the competition that wasn’t good enough and she ended up bottom of the leaderboard.

Meanwhile Balvinder Sopal – the comeback queen – surprised everyone who predicted she’d be eliminated this week. She smashed her Greatest-Showman-inspired Viennese Waltz.

“I think I love you,” said an impressed Anton du Beke. “This was epic.”

Bal was so pleased with the judges’ comments that she burst into tears and earned herself a hug from 35 points. It was Bal’s highest score of the competition so far. And it meant she escaped the dance off this week!

Amber’s perfect score wasn’t enough to keep her from the dance off (Credit: BBC)

Dance-off drama!

Instead, two of the strongest dancers in the competition had to face each other: West End star Amber Davies and Actor Lewis Cope.

This week Amber danced an impressive Charleston to Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat from Guys and Dolls with her partner Nikita Kuzmin. The judges absolutely loved it and so did we. Amber scooped a perfect 40 and she was delighted.

One thing we enjoyed less was Tess and Claudia, plus Amber herself, making out she was just a big musical theatre nerd. As if she hasn’t just been announced as playing Elle Woods in the touring production of Legally Blonde next year. We all know Amber’s a West End star – why not just own it?

Anyway, Amber did (predictably) produce an amazing Charleston and she definitely deserved her points.

We loved Lewis’s West Side Story Salsa but he was eliminated (Credit: BBC)
Lewis was the loser

We also really loved Lewis’s dance. As big musical theatre nerds ourselves we felt his dance really captured the feeling of West Side Story and we loved the whole thing. But the judges didn’t.

Head judge Shirley Ballas was especially damning when she said some bits were okay. Ouch! Craig Revel Horwood agreed, adding: “We’ve seen you dance better.”

Lewis got a strong score of 35, but it wasn’t enough to keep him out of the dance off.

He and Amber took to the floor again in an attempt to make it to the semi-final next week.

Motsi had the casting vote last night but it wasn’t needed. She and the rest of the judges all voted to save Amber and Lewis was eliminated.

We’re sad to see him go. Some of his dances in this competition will go down in Strictly history and it’s a shame he’s not going to back to dance again next week.

Let’s hope the semi-finals bring more drama!

Musicals Week on Strictly Come Dancing has long been one of the show’s most beloved themes—a glittering celebration of theatre, storytelling, and unapologetic spectacle. But this year’s edition delivered something beyond sequins, smiles, and show-stopping routines. It delivered heart. It delivered devastation. It delivered unforgettable performances. And, ultimately, it delivered a shock elimination that left the studio audience gasping, the judges stunned into silence, and fans across the nation in uproar. Although the evening sparkled with glamour, joy, and theatrical delight, it was shaped equally by tension, vulnerability, and the unmistakable emotional charge that only Strictly can deliver.

The night opened with a pro routine so breathtaking it could have stood alone as a West End finale. As the orchestra soared through a medley of iconic musical hits, the professional dancers swept across the floor with choreography that looked like a love letter to theatre itself—bold, romantic, dramatic. The camera panned across the judges, who were already smiling, tapping toes, and readying themselves for a night that promised both artistry and unpredictability. Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman took their places with unmistakable excitement, their dresses shimmering under the stage lights, embodying the elegance and anticipation of the evening ahead.

There was an electricity in the air—a sense that something extraordinary was about to unfold. The contestants felt it. The audience felt it. Even the judges seemed to sense that this was going to be a night that would shift the dynamics of the competition. Every couple walked onto the dancefloor knowing that Musicals Week carries weight beyond its glittering façade. It is a turning point. A test of storytelling, musicality, stamina, and emotional depth. And most importantly, it is a week that can make or break a contestant’s Strictly journey.

The first performance of the night set the tone. Dressed in character costumes that transformed them into instantly recognisable theatre icons, the couple stepped onto the floor with an emotional intensity that surprised even their most loyal supporters. The routine was rich with narrative, every movement laced with intention. As they moved through the choreography, the audience erupted into cheers, gasps, and applause. By the time the final note hit, several judges were visibly moved, and one leaned forward with wide eyes, eagerly awaiting the moment to deliver praise.

The scores were high—deservedly so—and the couple looked relieved, almost overwhelmed, by the reaction. Backstage, Claudia congratulated them with her signature warmth, while the cameras captured candid moments of trembling hands, relieved smiles, and teary eyes. It was clear that this performance had required vulnerability and risk—and that the emotional impact had landed exactly as intended.

But they were only the first of many to step into the spotlight. Each couple brought a different flavour of theatricality to the evening—some comedic, some tragic, some whimsical, some fierce. A Charleston inspired by classic Broadway razzle-dazzle had the audience roaring with laughter. A contemporary piece set to a haunting ballad left the room in stunned silence. A quickstep from a golden-age musical delivered footwork so precise it looked like a living homage to Fred Astaire. The night unfolded like a beautifully choreographed anthology of theatrical magic.

As each couple performed, the judges delivered critiques with heightened passion. Craig Revel Horwood, known for his sharp tongue and uncompromising standards, seemed particularly attentive to the emotional storytelling woven into the routines. Shirley Ballas focused on technique layered with heart. Motsi Mabuse emphasised character and energy. Anton Du Beke, in his new role on the judging panel, brought a dancer’s insight and an unmistakable sense of warmth.

But beyond the glamour and grace, something deeper threaded through the night: tears. Tears from celebrities overwhelmed by the demands of Musicals Week. Tears from professionals driven by perfectionism, passion, and the weight of responsibility. Tears from contestants who revealed deeply personal connections to the musicals they portrayed. Tears from fans in the audience who were swept up in the emotional current of the evening.

One of the most striking performances came from a contestant who had struggled in previous weeks. Their confidence had wavered, their technique questioned, their journey nearly derailed. But tonight, something shifted. They delivered a performance so emotionally bare, so beautifully executed, that even Craig—whose compliments are as rare as snow in July—praised them for their transformation. The contestant broke down in Claudia’s arms backstage, overwhelmed by relief and gratitude. It was one of the night’s defining moments, a reminder of why Strictly remains one of the most captivating shows on television.

Yet, for all the triumphs, heartbreak shadowed the edges of the evening. Not every couple found their rhythm. One celebrity in particular struggled to maintain character, slipping out of sync with their partner more than once. Another faltered mid-routine, visibly shaken by the mistake. The judges tried to balance compassion with honesty, but even their gentler critiques could not mask the fact that the competition was tightening. There was less room for error now. Fewer weeks left. The pressure was undeniable.

As the final performance of the night wrapped, the atmosphere shifted from celebratory to tense. The audience buzzed. The contestants huddled backstage, trying to steady their breathing. The leaderboard was unpredictable—several couples had landed so close in score that the public vote would determine everything. Claudia and Tess exchanged looks that spoke volumes: this results show would not be easy.

When the dreaded red lights appeared and Tess began announcing which couples were safe, cheers and sighs echoed across the studio. Relief washed over some faces, while others drooped with dread. The final two couples left on the dancefloor looked pale, eyes wide, hands shaking. Both had performed with heart. Both had worked tirelessly. Both had captured moments of magic throughout the series.

But only one would survive the dance-off.

The judges’ decision loomed heavy. Not a single person in the room seemed prepared for what would come next.

As the dance-off began, both couples poured everything they had into their second performance. The emotions were raw. Every step carried urgency, fear, and determination. The lights seemed brighter, the music sharper, the atmosphere tighter. Everyone in the room knew this dance could define their Strictly legacy.

When the music stopped, the silence was deafening.

Then came the judges’ verdict—and with it, the shock that shook Musicals Week to its core.

The couple eliminated was one many believed would make it to the final. A fan favourite. A strong performer. Someone who had delivered consistently beautiful routines throughout the competition. Gasps echoed through the studio. Several audience members put their hands over their mouths. Even Tess looked momentarily stunned, her expression softening into something approaching sorrow.

The eliminated contestant tried to smile, tried to express gratitude, but emotion cracked through their voice. Their professional partner pulled them into a tight embrace, whispering encouragements too quiet for microphones to capture. Their fellow contestants rushed forward, hugging them one by one, their tears reflecting the harsh reality of the competition: that talent alone could not save anyone. Not tonight.

Their farewell dance was one of the most heartfelt moments of the season—a bittersweet tribute to their journey. The audience gave a standing ovation, not because it was expected, but because it was deserved. As they left the floor, the camera caught a final shot of them wiping tears, their partner squeezing their hand with a mixture of pride and heartbreak.

It was a shocking elimination, but it was also the kind of moment that reminded everyone why Strictly remains gripping television: the stakes are real, the emotions are genuine, and the journey is unpredictable.

After the show ended, social media erupted. Fans expressed disbelief, heartbreak, and outrage. Some insisted the judges had made a mistake. Others lamented the cruelty of the public vote. Many simply mourned the loss of a competitor who had touched them with vulnerability, humour, and artistry.

But alongside the uproar came an outpouring of admiration. Viewers reflected on the contestant’s growth, their courage, their memorable routines. In many ways, the elimination elevated their legacy. They left the competition not in disappointment, but in triumph—surrounded by love, appreciation, and respect.

As for the remaining contestants, the shock served as a wake-up call. No one was safe now. The stakes had escalated. Every performance from here on would be a fight—not against each other, but against their own limitations, fears, and expectations.

Backstage, Ant and Dec were not there, but Claudia and Tess filled the emotional space with grace, comforting the eliminated pair and encouraging the remaining couples. The judges offered kind words, acknowledging the emotional cost of Musicals Week. The professionals, too, hugged one another, aware that the competition was no longer just a platform for spectacle—it had become a journey of endurance.

Later that night, as the cast gathered privately after filming, tears continued to fall. Not just from the eliminated contestant, but from those who remained. Strictly has always been about community—about the bonds formed between people who would never have met otherwise, who now faced challenges together, celebrated victories together, held one another through failures. The shock elimination only deepened those bonds, reminding everyone that each week could be someone’s last.

What made this year’s Musicals Week unforgettable wasn’t just the glamour, the costumes, the powerful performances, or the theatrical storytelling. It was the emotional truth revealed through the dances—the way the contestants surrendered themselves to the moment, the way vulnerability turned into artistry, the way fear gave way to courage.

It was the way Strictly captured something essential about life: that beauty and heartbreak are often intertwined; that growth requires risk; that endings, no matter how shocking, can pave the way for some of the season’s most powerful stories.

Even now, fans continue to replay the standout routines, analyse the judges’ comments, debate the elimination, and champion their favourites as the final approaches. Because Musicals Week is more than a theme—it is a turning point. A test. A reminder that on Strictly, anything can happen.

As the remaining couples prepare for the next round, they carry the lessons of Musicals Week with them: to dance with heart, to embrace vulnerability, to savour every moment, because each one could be their last. And as viewers anticipate the episodes ahead, they do so with heightened excitement, emotionally invested in journeys that are as unpredictable as they are inspiring.

Strictly Come Dancing once again proved that it isn’t just a dance competition.
It is a story—living, breathing, unfolding in real time.
A story of passion, resilience, glamour, connection, joy, and loss.

And on Musicals Week, that story delivered some of its most unforgettable chapters yet.

What lingered long after the lights dimmed and the audience filtered out of the studio was not the glitter, not the feathers, not the final triumphant swell of the orchestra, but the silence—the heavy, aching silence that follows a night so charged with emotion that it seems to rearrange something inside the hearts of everyone who witnessed it. Musicals Week had always been grand, always theatrical, always spectacular, but this year something deeper had unfolded, a kind of collective vulnerability that left contestants, professionals, judges, and fans alike standing on the edge of their own feelings, unable to step away from the night without carrying some part of it with them.

Even hours after the show ended, the corridors behind the Strictly ballroom were still thick with the residue of tears—some shed openly, others hidden until the cameras were safely packed away. The couples wandered in small clusters, their costumes still sparkling under the harsh backstage lighting, but their eyes tired, their voices low, their hearts full. There was a kind of softness to the way they moved now, no longer performing, no longer pretending to be fearless. They were simply human—humans who had danced their souls out under an unforgiving spotlight, who had felt the joy of applause and the sting of uncertainty, who had given everything and still found themselves unsure of what the next week would bring.

For the eliminated couple, the night had folded into something surreal. One moment they were dancing, pouring their hearts into a routine that had taken days of sweat and bruises and emotional unraveling; the next moment they were standing under the red light of doom, listening as Tess read out the names of those who were safe. Their own names never came. They remembered the stillness that followed—the kind of stillness that makes your ears ring because the world stops moving just long enough for you to hear your own heartbeat. They remembered looking at their partner, seeing the disbelief cross their face, seeing the tremble in their hands. They remembered the quiet whispered reassurance: “Whatever happens, I’m proud of us.”

But pride could not shield them from the inevitable. They danced again in the dance-off with a desperation they had never known before, their bodies driven not by technique but by a primal urgency, the need to show who they were one last time. Every step felt heavier. Every turn felt like the closing of a door. Every breath carried the ache of a chapter coming to an end.

When the judges delivered their verdict, the world seemed to blur around the edges. They heard the words, of course—they would remember them forever—but it was the tone behind them that carved itself into memory. Regret. Respect. Sympathy. Even Craig, usually sharp with critique, had softened his voice, acknowledging the beauty and vulnerability of the journey that was ending too soon. The eliminated celebrity tried to smile, tried to keep their composure, but emotion broke through their carefully practiced calm, spilling into tears that fell not out of shock, but out of mourning for something precious they were about to lose.

And yet, even in that pain, there was tenderness. Their partner held them tightly, their fellow contestants rushed in with open arms, the judges stood in solidarity, and the audience rose to its feet as if to say: We saw you. We believed in you. You mattered here.

In the quiet afterwards, when the cameras left them alone, the eliminated celebrity walked slowly across the now-empty dancefloor. Their footsteps echoed on the polished wood, each step a reminder of the countless hours spent perfecting routines, rehearsing until muscles trembled, trusting a partner with their fears, their insecurities, their hopes. They paused at the center of the ballroom, looking up at the glitterball that hung above like a tiny suspended universe, shimmering in the dimmed lights. For weeks, they had danced beneath that symbol of joy and triumph. Now, standing there alone, they realised that the magic of Strictly was not in winning—it was in allowing themselves to be transformed.

Their partner approached quietly, sliding a hand into theirs. “You did something special,” they whispered. “Not many people get to dance like this. Not everyone gets to show their heart to the world. But you did.”

The celebrity nodded, but their throat was too tight to speak. Together, the pair left the ballroom hand in hand, knowing that although their Strictly journey had ended, its impact would shape them long after the lights went out.

Meanwhile, the remaining contestants were experiencing a different kind of emotional storm—a mixture of relief, guilt, determination, and a dawning understanding that the competition had reached a point where anything could happen. They gathered together in the green room long past midnight, some curled up on sofas still wearing parts of their costumes, others pacing slowly, replaying their performances in their heads, analyzing every moment where they stumbled or soared.

It was in these moments, away from the glitz and glamour, that the true heart of Strictly emerged. The couples weren’t rivals—they were a family built through sweat, fear, laughter, and long conversations during practice breaks. They were people who understood one another’s journeys in ways the outside world never could. Losing a member of that family shook them to their core.

One contestant, still visibly shaken, confessed quietly to their partner, “I don’t know if I can go through that. Standing there in the bottom two… I think it would break me.”

Their partner squeezed their hand gently. “You’re stronger than you think. Look how far you’ve come already. And if that moment ever comes, you won’t face it alone.”

In another corner, a different contestant wiped tears from their cheeks, their voice trembling as they said, “It should have been me.” The guilt hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. But their partner pulled them close, whispering fiercely, “Don’t say that. You earned your place here. They did too. This isn’t about deserving—it’s about the journey. And yours isn’t finished yet.”

What became clear in those quiet hours was that Musicals Week had evolved the competition beyond entertainment. It had become emotionally defining. It had forced each contestant to confront not just choreography, but vulnerability, self-doubt, endurance, and the fragile beauty of trying your best under pressure.

And the professionals—the unsung heroes—carried their own emotional weight. They had poured their souls into creating works of art tailored to each celebrity’s story. They had nurtured, encouraged, pushed, supported, and believed relentlessly. To lose a partner this week was not just a professional goodbye—it was the closing of a deeply personal chapter.

One pro dancer stood alone for a long time near the wings of the stage, staring at the still-lit dancefloor with glossy eyes. They rehearsed memories in their mind—frustrations, breakthroughs, inside jokes, panicked costume changes, quiet moments of reassurance. When another pro approached and placed a comforting arm around their shoulders, they finally let themselves break into quiet sobs. “I didn’t want it to end,” they whispered. “Not like this.”

The reply was soft but steady: “It never ends the way we want it to. But that doesn’t make it any less beautiful.”

Across the country, fans were grappling with their own emotions. Many were outraged, some heartbroken, others contemplative. Social media turned into a whirlwind of passionate debate, tribute videos, messages of love, analysis of the dance-off, and expressions of disbelief. But beneath the noise was something more sincere—a collective recognition that Strictly had once again touched a raw, human nerve.

People weren’t just reacting to a result. They were reacting to the humanity behind it. To the stories that had unfolded week by week. To the courage it takes for someone who has never danced to bare themselves on national television. To the bonds they had formed with strangers through a screen. Strictly had reminded them that growth is rarely linear, that beauty often exists hand-in-hand with heartbreak, and that endings—even painful ones—can be meaningful.

Back in the studio, as the final crew members prepared to lock up for the night, Tess and Claudia stood together at the edge of the empty dancefloor. They had hosted enough seasons to know that Musicals Week carries an emotional weight unlike any other. But even they seemed unusually moved.

“It never gets easier,” Tess said, exhaling softly.

Claudia nodded, her eyes shining. “No. But that’s why this show matters. People care. People feel. And that’s the whole point.”

They walked slowly toward the exit, each carrying the quiet ache that settles in after a night where joy and heartbreak intertwine. Before leaving, Claudia paused to look back at the ballroom one last time. “They were extraordinary tonight,” she said under her breath.

“Yes,” Tess agreed. “And they will be extraordinary again next week.”

That was the truth at the heart of Strictly: no matter how much was lost tonight—dreams, hopes, partnerships—something new would rise from it. The remaining couples would return to rehearsals bruised but determined. The eliminated celebrity would leave with a newfound sense of self. The professionals would once again pour their creativity into shaping the next dance. The fans would recalibrate their loyalties and brace themselves for another emotional rollercoaster.

And the glitterball above the ballroom, still casting faint reflections across the darkened studio, seemed to whisper the same promise it had whispered every year:
The story isn’t over. Not yet.

As dawn approached, London began to wake, unaware that in a quiet corner of a BBC studio, lives had changed. Hearts had broken. Dreams had shifted. New chapters had begun.

Some contestants slept fitfully, replaying moments from the night, their minds restless with emotion. Others slept deeply, their bodies exhausted from the adrenaline crash. Some professionals lay awake, already thinking about choreography, transitions, risks, possibilities. The eliminated celebrity lay in bed staring at the ceiling, replaying memories of the ballroom, feeling the sting of loss but also the warmth of pride. Their partner messaged them a final time before sleep: You danced beautifully. Nothing about tonight was a failure.

And somewhere, fans across the country refreshed social media, wrote long heartfelt messages, argued over scores, created tribute edits, and held their breath for the coming week.

Strictly Come Dancing had once again proven why it endures—not because of the glitter, not because of the grand sets, not because of celebrity casting, but because it captures something raw and real beneath the sparkle. It reveals the courage it takes to grow publicly, to risk humiliation for the chance at transformation. It celebrates partnership, trust, and the connection between two people who must learn to move as one. It reminds us that beauty often emerges from struggle, that vulnerability is strength, and that joy is sweeter when earned through hardship.

Musicals Week, with all its theatrical flair, had become more than a theme—it had become a crucible. A week of testing, of breaking open, of discovering who these dancers truly were beneath the costumes and choreography.

The shock elimination, painful as it was, etched itself into Strictly history as one of those moments that people would remember not just for its surprise, but for its sincerity. It exposed the unpredictable heart of the show. It united fans in shared emotion. It propelled the remaining contestants into the next stage of their journey with newfound determination.

And as the sun finally rose above the city, casting light into bedrooms where dancers slept, cried, reflected, or dreamt, one truth shimmered through the dawn:

The magic of Strictly is not in who wins or loses.
It is in the courage to dance at all.
It is in the tears shared backstage.
It is in the applause that lifts someone from self-doubt into self-discovery.
It is in the shock eliminations that remind us how quickly life can change.
It is in the glittering moments—fragile, fleeting, unforgettable—that become part of us long after the music fades.

And somewhere in the quiet of a new day, each remaining contestant whispered the same silent promise to themselves:

Next week, I will dance with everything I have.
For them.
For me.
For what this journey has already given me.
And for what it still might give.

The ballroom may have gone dark for the night, but the story—its joy, its heartbreak, its human beauty—was still glowing, still beating, still alive.