Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal could be at risk of an early exit due to their dance assignment.
The former Towie star and his professional dancer have made it through to Movie Week, and have now been tasked with performing a Samba to the George Of The Jungle Theme tune.
Unfortunately for them, research has found that the style doesn’t have the best track record. Some may say the Samba is cursed, and it’s not even Halloween week yet.
Over the six series, it has been responsible for the most celebrity exits. A whopping 22% of all eliminated contestants have been dancing the Samba.
In Strictly 2023, it helped seal the fate of presenter Les Dennis, journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy, and comedian Eddie Kadi who all volta-ed straight out the fire exit door.
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It’s also previously brought footballer Alex Scott, politician Jacqui Smith and actor Greg Wise’s journies to an end.
Pete, 36, and Jowita, 30, are not the only ones who are facing a curse to overcome.
Singer Toyah Willcox, 66, and dance partner Neil Jones, 42, will also need to try and master the notoriously difficult dance.
They will have spent the last few days trying to nail the precise hip action and intricate footwork so they don’t see Craig Revel Horwood’s three-paddle, or face the dreaded dance-off.
Toyah already has experience being in the bottom two after she landed there on Sunday evening. Alongside Neil, she faced Olympic swimmer Tom Dean and dancer Nadiya Bychkova.
Three out of the four judges – with the exception of Anton Du Beke – decided to save Toyah. This means we’ll get to see her Samba to Poor Unfortunate Souls from Little Mermaid on Saturday night.
Of course, not all is lost – Pete and Toyah can look to the past for inspiration. Last year, Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell’s Romeo and Juliet-themed Samba on Movie Week was a box office hit.
His hip rotations were so impressive, that they performed it for a second time in the final.
Strictly history has been made by the Samba too – who can forget Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse’s performance in 2016 – the first time a Samba ever received full marks.
The Jive is the second riskiest routine from the 15 available dance genres and the Cha Cha Cha rounds off the top three. We’d personally be asking for Couple’s Choice every week to minimise the risk.
Toyah is currently the odds-on favourite at 10-11 to leave the contest so she may have some work to do.
Following just behind is Paul Merson, who sits at 7-2, while Nick Knowles is 9-2. Pete is in a much more safe position according to betting agent Coral, with his odds at 33-1.
So just maybe, he can shake off the curse? He’s certainly got great chemistry with Jowita.
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