Strictly Come Dancing delivered a stunning dance-off tonight after an exhilarating Musicals Week.
This evening’s episode of the BBC show saw Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe compete against Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec in a nail-biting dance-off. The two couples reprised their performances, with Montell and Johannes delivering a heartfelt Rumba to ‘I’m Here’ from The Color Purple, while Tasha and Aljaz executed a powerful Argentine Tango to ‘Ex-Wives’ from Six.
The panel of judges, comprising Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke, were unanimous in their decision to save Tasha and Aljaz, propelling them into the next round.
Although her vote was not needed, head judge Shirley Ballas concurred that she would have also chosen to save Tasha and Aljaz. Consequently, it marked the end for Montell and Johannes, with Montell sharing a poignant reflection on her journey.
Montell praised her partner Johannes. She said: “He has been amazing. Strictly has touched me in ways I never knew possible. I’m an Olympian and a Gladiator, but I have honestly struggled with confidence my whole life and being on the show, with the beautiful crew, the judges, the cast has just been such an honour.
“I have to say thank you to you [Johannes] because I really have found a friend and a brother in this man. I mean it from the bottom of my heart, I hope he’s in my life forever, because we have something very special.”
Johannes sang the praises of his dance partner Montell on the show, adding: “I am so proud of you Montell, because you are a non-dancer. But the one thing that you have done every single week is turn out beautiful dancing. So I want to say to you, thank you for respecting our art form of Ballroom and Latin. The way you handled it was like a true pro. You’re my winner.”
During tonight’s results show, there was an electrifying performance from The Schuyler Sisters of the acclaimed musical Hamilton, whilst the show’s professional dancers graced the floor with a number to As If We Never Said Goodbye from Sunset Boulevard.
*Strictly Come Dancing’s semi-final will air next Saturday at 6.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.