Strictly Come Dancing Shines in Movie Week Amid Judging Panel Curiosity

Fans of Strictly Come Dancing experienced a mix of excitement and confusion during the latest episode, which marked the show’s Movie Week. Fourteen couples performed routines inspired by iconic film songs, aiming to impress the judges and secure their place in the competition. Notably, actress Cynthia Erivo made her debut as the show’s first guest mentor, drawing attention for her role but also raising questions about her involvement in the judging process.

This week, the competition intensified after the elimination of contestant Thomas Skinner last weekend, setting the stage for a thrilling night of performances. The evening commenced with a captivating American Smooth from Amber Davies and her partner Nikita Kuzmin. Dancing to “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” from The Sound of Music, the duo delivered a standout performance that earned them the highest score of the series so far. Judges were impressed, with scores of 8 from Craig Revel Horwood and 9s from Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas, and Anton Du Beke.

While viewers praised the dancers for their impressive routines, many took to social media to express their bewilderment over Cynthia’s role at the judges’ table. One comment on X, previously known as Twitter, questioned, “Why is Cynthia not scoring? Why’s she just sat there?” Others echoed this sentiment, calling it “an odd decision” not to include her in scoring, with remarks like “Cynthia Erivo finger clapping at the judges desk is EVERYTHING I needed.” Fans suggested giving her a score paddle so she could participate more actively in the judging process.

Before joining Strictly Come Dancing, Amber Davies stepped in for Dani Dyer-Bowen, who had to withdraw from the competition due to an ankle injury sustained during rehearsals. Reflecting on her experience, Davies said, “This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life. I’ve watched Strictly with my family since I was younger, and to now be part of the show is a dream come true. I hope I do her proud.”

With the competition heating up, the remaining couples are eager to secure their positions on the leaderboard in the weeks to come. As the show continues to captivate audiences, viewers will be watching closely to see how the judging dynamics evolve, especially with the inclusion of guest mentors like Cynthia Erivo.