Strictly Come Dancing 2022: Kym Marsh dedicates American Smooth to late son Archie

Strictly Come Dancing’s eighth live show of the series hit BBC One on Saturday evening, with the nine remaining couples set face the first public vote of the series.

After giving it their all on the dancefloor last week, the celebrities once again learned a new routine as things stepped up a gear in week eight, thanks to the Couples’ Choice special.

Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima were awarded 31 points for their American Smooth to Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol. The actress said in her VT: ‘It reminds us of my son Archie. I gave birth to him prematurely and unfortunately he died shortly after.

Strictly Come Dancing 2022: Kym Marsh dedicated the American Smooth to her late son Archie as she and partner Graziano Di Prima were awarded 31 points during Couples’ Choice week on Saturday

The emotional star continued: ‘I feel by doing this dance, it will be not only in memory of Archie but get people talking about their own experiences.’

Kym and her ex-husband Jamie Lomas were left heartbroken when their child passed away at just 21 weeks, following a premature birth in February 2009.

Judge Motsi Mabuse said: ‘The message you tried to put through, the fragility and vulnerability came through, it was so clear. It started so well, I don’t know what happened. There was a sudden change of energy and I don’t know why. There was a great ending and it started so wonderfully.’

Emotional: The actress said in her VT: ‘It reminds us of my son Archie. I gave birth to him prematurely and unfortunately he died shortly after’

Feedbcak: Judge Motsi Mabuse said: ‘The message you tried to put through, the fragility and vulnerability came through, it was so clear. It started so well, I don’t know what happened. There was a sudden change of energy and I don’t know why’

Elsewhere, Ellie Taylor and Johannes Radebe danced the Charleston to Friendship – which gained them a score of 31.

In her VT, the comedian said: ‘From the outset of Strictly, I wanted Jojo to be my partner and here we are, week eight doing a dance about being mates. It’s full circle.’

Judge Anton du Beke said: ‘Huge improvement from last week. This time dancing suits you down to a T. I think you could be a musical theatre star.’

Hooray! Strictly Come Dancing’s eighth live show of the series hit BBC One on Saturday evening, with the nine remaining couples set face the first public vote of the series (Ellie Taylor and Johannes Radebe pictured)

Woohoo: After giving it their all on the dancefloor last week, the celebrities once again learned a new routine as things stepped up a gear in week eight, thanks to the Couples’ Choice special

Woah! Tyler West and Dianne Buswell then took to the dancefloor with a fiery Pasodoble to an instrumental, earning themselves a score of 31, the highest for a Paso this series

Oh dear! Craig said: ‘It lacked any Spanish line whatsoever, it was all very square and boxy, you just went from power position to power position, it wasn’t for me’

Craig Revel Horwood added: ‘I thought it could have been a little bit sharper however really difficult rhythm patterns. But it was goofy and I really enjoyed it.’

Tyler West and Dianne Buswell then took to the dancefloor with a fiery Pasodoble to an instrumental, earning themselves a score of 31, the highest for a Paso this series.

Craig said: ‘It lacked any Spanish line whatsoever, it was all very square and boxy, you just went from power position to power position, it wasn’t for me.’

In their element: Helen Skelton and Gorka Márquez danced the Salso to Despacito by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee and bagged themselves a score of 32, topping the leaderboard

Getting better! Anton said: ‘I’m loving your development throughout the whole series. You’re coming on, which is wonderful. You came on a bit later in that routine than I’d like’

Having fun: Tony Adams and Katya Jones Jived their way through the studio against Land of 1000 Dances by Wilson Pickett. They were awarded 24 by the judges

Unimpressed: Craig said: ‘A technical disaster. You were saying every step and counting the whole time. You’ve done the best I think you can. I think dance is beyond you but you gave it your best shot’

Helen Skelton and Gorka Márquez danced the Salso to Despacito by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee and bagged themselves a score of 32.

Anton said: ‘I’m loving your development throughout the whole series. You’re coming on, which is wonderful. You came on a bit later in that routine than I’d like. The first lift was great and then you were away and I thought, “Hello, she’s away,” you just started a bit slow.

Tony Adams and Katya Jones Jived their way through the studio against Land of 1000 Dances by Wilson Pickett. They were awarded 24 by the judges.

Sensational: Molly Rainford and Garlos Gu performed the Rumba to All the Man That I Need by Whitney Houston and were awarded 37 points, their highest so far

Impressive: Anton said: ‘That was tremendous, that was the most mature performance you’ve put it. There was a real connection with Carlos I’d never noticed before. I heard the leg judge purring at your leg action’

Craig said: ‘A technical disaster. You were saying every step and counting the whole time. You’ve done the best I think you can. I think dance is beyond you but you gave it your best shot.’ 

Molly Rainford and Garlos Gu performed the Rumba to All the Man That I Need by Whitney Houston and were awarded 37 points, their highest so far.

Anton said: ‘That was tremendous, that was the most mature performance you’ve put it. There was a real connection with Carlos I’d never noticed before. I heard the leg judge purring at your leg action.’

Entertaining: Fleur East and Vito Coppola danced the Samba to Feeling Hot Hot Hot by The Merrymen and were given 39 points, which saw them top the leaderboard

Bawling: A teary Motsi said: ‘I am so proud of you right now. You did your work and put everything on that dancefloor and that Samba deserves absolutely everything’

Fleur East and Vito Coppola danced the Samba to Feeling Hot Hot Hot by The Merrymen and were given 39 points, which saw them top the leaderboard.

A teary Motsi said: ‘I am so proud of you right now. You did your work and put everything on that dancefloor and that Samba deserves absolutely everything.’

Will Mellor and his on-screen partner Nancy Xu performed the Waltz to Three Times A Lady by the Commodores and dedicated the performance to his late father Bill, who passed away from cancer during the pandemic.

The pair were awarded a score of, with Moti saying, ‘That was absolutely beautiful in every essence of the word. Music, together, timeless, feeling, message, performance, what more do you want? I don’t know. Beautiful.’

Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One at 7:15pm on Sunday – when one more couple will be eliminated from the contest. 

STRICTLY COME DANCING 2022: WHO ARE THE CONTESTANTS?

KYM MARSH

Age: 46

Profession: Coronation Street star and presenter

Kym says: ‘I’m so delighted that this year they have! I’m a huge fan of the show and can’t believe I’m going to go from watching at home in my pyjamas to actually dancing in front of the judges in a glittery dress.’

ELLIE SIMMONDS 

Age: 27

Profession: Former athlete 

Ellie says: ‘To be asked to be part of the Strictly family is just so exciting and I cannot wait, it’s going to so much fun.’

TYLER WEST 

Age: 26

Profession: Radio DJ

Tyler says: ‘It’s a show that means so much to me and my family and I can’t wait to seriously shake a leg on that shiny dance floor… with a side of sequins.’

ELLIE TAYLOR

 

Age: 38

Profession: Comedian

Ellie says: ‘Well, cover me in fake tan and roll me in sequins! I’m absolutely over the moon to be a part of Strictly 2022!’

TONY ADAMS MBE 

Age: 55 

Profession: Retired footballer and manager

Tony says:  ‘To say I’m excited is an understatement – the lure of the sequins and the call of the salsa has me swapping my battered old football boots for a set of Strictly soft shoes’

WILL MELLOR

Age: 46

Profession: Actor

Will says: ‘I know it will be a huge challenge but that’s what life is all about. This is also my Mum’s favourite show and she’s had a really tough few years so I’m doing this is for her as well. Bring it on!’

 MOLLY RAINFORD

 Age: 21

Profession: Singer 

Molly says: ‘I already know it’s gonna be an experience of a lifetime and I can’t wait to meet the rest of the Strictly family I’ll be sharing it with.’

FLEUR EAST

Age: 34 

Profession: Singer

Fleur says: ‘I’m equally nervous and thrilled to be part of this year’s Strictly line up. I’m excited to learn new skills and I want to soak up every moment of this magical experience.’

 HAMZA YASSIN

Age: 35

Profession: Wildlife cameraman and presenter

Hamza says: ‘I am absolutely over the moon to be joining Strictly 2022. Never in a million years did I think I’d be on such a cool show.’

HELEN SKELTON

Age: 39

Profession: TV and radio broadcaster

Helen says: ‘I’m really excited to get stuck into a fun adventure. My family and friends have always loved the show and can’t wait for me to get started’