Anton du Beke couldn’t hold back the tears as Tasha Ghouri achieved the series’ first 40.
Dancing an American Smooth to Lewis Capaldi’s Someone You Loved, Tasha and her dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec wowed the judges and subsequently clinched a pristine score of 40 out of 40, which was the first perfect score of the series thus far.
Shirley Ballas remarked to Anton: “This is the first time I’ve seen you cry, and you were very emotional.”
Moved by the performance, Anton confessed: “It was beautiful. It just makes me go – this is why we dance. This is the point. People say why do you dance, and that’s why.
“We don’t dance for people to say we’re wonderful. We dance mostly for how it makes us feel. You’re extraordinary to watch. And Alijaz, I see you enjoying and I have the feeling myself when I dance … You want it go like that. Sometimes, it goes like that. This is what it’s all about. I watch you dance. I tried to find something I don’t like and I like it all.”
After their triumphant routine, in the Claudiatorium, both Tasha and Alijaz showed visible emotion upon receiving their perfect score, quickly heading off afterwards for preparation for the next challenge, the Samba-thon.
The celebrities this week also took to the dance floor en masse for a Samba-thon, attempting to impress the judges with their Samba techniques in hope of securing additional points.
Comedian Chris expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support he’s received, saying: “I’ve had lots of lovely messages from people saying you’re doing really well and it’s nice that fellow comedians think that I’m coming across as myself, that means a lot.”
Gladiators icon Montell shared her personal journey on the show, stating: “It’s brought out a side that’s been hidden for a long time. I’ve never been able to express it because I’ve never danced before. It’s more about discovering that side rather than creating a new one. It’s like I’m nurturing a side that was locked up in a box.”
*Strictly Come Dancing airs weekends on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.