Full Breakdown
Strictly Come Dancing 2025: Movie Week Highlights and Controversies
10/12/2025, 2:35:03 AM
Movie Week Overview
The third week of Strictly Come Dancing 2025 featured the much-anticipated Movie Week, where contestants performed routines inspired by famous film soundtracks. The episode aired on October 11, 2025, showcasing a variety of performances that delighted audiences and judges alike.
Top Performers and Scores
Lewis Cope and his partner Katya Jones stole the spotlight with a Paso Doble to "The Plaza of Execution" from *The Mask of Zorro*, earning the first perfect score of the season with 37 points. Judge Motsi Mabuse awarded them a 10, praising their performance as "extraordinary." Following closely behind were Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin, who received 35 points for their American Smooth to "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" from *The Sound of Music*.
Other notable performances included:
- Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer: Salsa to "I Always Wanted A Brother" from *The Lion King* - 32 points
- George Clarke and Alexis Warr: Couple's Choice to "Soda Pop" from *K-Pop Demon Hunters* - 31 points
- Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe: Quickstep to "Suddenly I See" from *The Devil Wears Prada* - 30 points
At the bottom of the leaderboard were Ross King and Jowita Przystal, who scored 19 points for their Paso Doble to the *Thunderbirds* theme tune.
Stefan Dennis's Absence
A significant development this week was the absence of Stefan Dennis, who was unable to perform due to illness. He and partner Dianne Buswell received a bye to the next round, in accordance with show rules. This decision sparked discussions among fans regarding the impact of his absence on the competition.
Guest Mentor: Cynthia Erivo
The episode featured Cynthia Erivo, renowned for her role in *Wicked*, as the first-ever guest mentor. Erivo provided feedback to contestants but did not score their performances, which led to some viewer confusion and disappointment. Fans expressed their desire for her to have a scoring paddle, arguing it would enhance the competition's dynamics.
Viewer Reactions and Controversies
Viewer reactions were mixed, particularly concerning the judging. Karen Carney faced backlash after receiving a low score of 4 from judge Craig Revel Horwood for her Cha Cha to "She's A Lady" from *Miss Congeniality*, while the other judges scored her 7. Fans took to social media to express their disbelief, with many calling Craig's score "unfair."
Additionally, Vicky Pattison, who performed a Charleston to "A Little Party Never Killed Nobody" from *The Great Gatsby*, received her first score of 7 but appeared upset with the judges' feedback, prompting support from viewers.
What's Next
The results show will air on October 12, 2025, where one couple will be eliminated based on the combined scores from the judges and public votes. With the competition heating up, the stakes are high as contestants strive to secure their place in the next round.
Conclusion
Movie Week on Strictly Come Dancing 2025 delivered memorable performances and sparked lively discussions among fans and judges alike. As the competition progresses, the dynamics of scoring and viewer engagement will continue to shape the outcome of this beloved series.
