Strictly Come Dancing viewers were moved to tears as they witnessed a touching moment involving Chris McCausland on the latest episode of BBC’s popular dance competition. The 47-year-old stand-up comedian, who is blind, together with his partner Dianne Buswell, closed Saturday night’s show with a powerful performance to Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) by John Lennon. The routine, which included a “poignant” blackout segment symbolizing McCausland’s experience with blindness, was met with resounding support from the audience and earned them a score of 33 points from the judges.
The judges, including Craig Revel Horwood and head judge Shirley Ballas, praised McCausland for his emotional dance. Revel Horwood described the blackout moment as “absolutely spectacular”, while Ballas commended McCausland for always giving his all in his performances. The episode also saw other contestants deliver impressive routines, with Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri quickstepping to Fantasy by Mariah Carey and JLS star JB Gill leading the judges’ leaderboard with a samba performance.
However, not all performances received glowing reviews. Singer Shayne Ward’s rumba was critiqued by judge Motsi Mabuse, while EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick found himself at the bottom of the leaderboard with his Argentine tango. Opera singer Wynne Evans, on the other hand, impressed the judges with his improved footwork during an American Smooth routine to Grace Kelly by Mika. Olympian Montell Douglas and dancer Johannes Radebe also made a strong comeback with their paso doble.
The episode was not without its emotional moments, as presenter Claudia Winkleman shared a message of support for pro dancer Amy Dowden, who had to withdraw from the competition due to an injury. Winkleman expressed the team’s love for Dowden and their anticipation of her return to the dance floor. Despite the highs and lows of the evening’s performances, the spirit of competition remained strong as the contestants vied for a chance to compete in the upcoming Blackpool event.
As the competition heats up, fans are eagerly anticipating the next episodes to see which contestants will rise to the occasion and who will face elimination. With each dance bringing its own blend of emotion, skill, and entertainment, Strictly Come Dancing continues to captivate audiences with its dazzling performances and heartfelt moments. Stay tuned for more updates and highlights from the dance floor as the competition unfolds.