Strictly Come Dancing’s Musical Week special saw Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin top the leaderboard with a perfect score of 40 points following their Couple’s Choice dance to Revolting Children from Matilda on Saturday.
The TV presenter, 20, and her professional partner, 23, left the judges and audience on their feet following their perfected executed and energetic performance, which comes after the pair previously landed in the dance-off two weeks in a row.
Meanwhile, Cynthia Erivo stepped in to guest judge Strictly Come Dancing as Craig Revel Horwood continued to isolate after testing positive for Covid.
Top of the class! Strictly Come Dancing’s Musical Week special saw Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin top the leaderboard with a perfect score of 40 points following their Couple’s Choice dance to Revolting Children from Matilda on Saturday
Getting into character as mischievous school children, Tilly and Nikita appeared determined not to land in the dreaded bottom two as they pulled off a specular routine full of flicks and tricks.
And their hard work certainly paid off as the judges awarded them top scores, with head judge Shirley Ballas remarking she struggled to tell who the professional was.
She told them: ‘That’s how good you was. No disrespect to you [Nikita] but she kept up with you every step of the way.’
Anton Du Beke called Tilly a ‘fighter’ and told the children’s TV chef that she was an ‘inspiration’ to children.
There she is! Meanwhile, Cynthia Erivo stepped in to guest judge Strictly Come Dancing as Craig Revel Horwood continued to isolate after testing positive for Covid
Amazing: The TV presenter, 20, and her professional partner, 23, left the judges and audience on their feet following their perfected executed and energetic performance, which comes after the pair previously landed in the dance-off two weeks in a row
Top marks: The pair were ecstatic as every judge awarded them the maximum 10 points, earning them 40 points in total
Guest judge Cynthia declared that the performance was ‘awesome’ and packed with ‘so much fight and energy’, while Motsi Mabuse gushed that the pair were a ‘forced ti be reckoned with’.
Meanwhile, Cynthia, 34, – who has won Emmy, Grammy and Tony awards for her on-stage performances, took to the panel for Musicals Week in Craig’s absence.
She said previously of the exciting role: ‘I’m so delighted to be joining the Strictly judging panel for Musicals Week. Musicals have a unique place in my heart, it’s such a special way of connecting all art and making it one.’
The Bad Times at the El Royale actress continued: ‘I’m excited to bring my experience to the show and I can’t wait to see what the couples have in store this weekend.’
Great job: Getting into character as mischievous school children, Tilly and Nikita appeared determined not to land in the dreaded bottom two as they pulled off a specular routine full of flicks and tricks
Loved it: And their hard work certainly paid off as the judges awarded them top scores, with head judge Shirley Ballas remarking she struggled to tell who the professional was
Impressed: Guest judge Cynthia declared that the performance was ‘awesome’ and packed with ‘so much fight and energy’, while Motsi Mabuse gushed that the pair were a ‘forced ti be reckoned with’
London born Cynthia has starred in numerous theatre productions across the globe, including Broadway’s revival of The Colour Purple, the Sister Act UK Tour and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.
She played the lead role of Aretha Franklin in the third series of Genius, the title role in acclaimed biopic Harriet, is currently filming for the new Luther movie and will star as Elphaba in the highly anticipated upcoming film adaptation of musical, Wicked.
The acclaimed star has won a Daytime Emmy Award, Grammy Award and Tony Award, and been nominated for two Academy Awards and will bring plenty of experience to the judge’s table.
Elsewhere, AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington sent viewers wild as they teased a kiss during their romantic Waltz as they kicked of Musicals Week.
The couple are at the centre of intense romance rumours and did nothing to quell the speculation as they enjoyed a highly-charged moment a while dancing to the song Edelweiss from the film the Sound Of Music.
Close: Elsewhere, AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington sent viewers wild as they teased a kiss during their romantic Waltz as they kicked of Musicals Week
Will they, won’t they? The couple are at the centre of intense romance rumours and did nothing to quell the speculation as they enjoyed a highly-charged moment a while dancing to the song Edelweiss from the film the Sound Of Music
Ahead of their dance, choreographer Kai teased that he wanted to kiss AJ as he encouraged her to get into character as lovebirds Maria and Captain von Trapp.
After larking around on a hill as they mimicked the 1965 film, Kai jokingly stared at AJ as if he wanted to go in for a peck on the lips with the TV presenter, with AJ quipping: ‘I’m not gonna kiss ya!’.
Defending his actions, Kai replied: ‘But we’re getting into character’, and as AJ sighed and turned away, the deflated dancer said: ‘OK’.
What a tease: Ahead of their dance, choreographer Kai teased that he wanted to kiss AJ as he encouraged her to get into character as lovebirds Maria and Captain von Trapp
Ooh I say! After larking around on a hill as they mimicked the 1965 film, Kai jokingly stared at AJ as if he wanted to go in for a peck on the lips with the TV presenter, with AJ quipping: ‘I’m not gonna kiss ya!’
Playing up the romance:Defending his actions, Kai replied: ‘But we’re getting into character’, and as AJ sighed and turned away, the deflated dancer said: ‘OK’
And as they later took to the dancefloor, the chemistry between them continued as they performed a sensational routine, with the ending seeing them gaze into each other’s eyes as the music faded.
The judges were certainly impressed with their routine, as head judge Shirley Ballas remarked that it was ‘beautifully executed’.
‘I’m so delighted’: This week, Cynthia Erivo stepped in to guest judge Strictly Come Dancing as Craig Revel Horwood continued to isolate after testing positive for Covid (pictured earlier this month)
Sick: Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Craig tested positive for COVID-19 and would be absent from this weekend’s Strictly shows
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Craig tested positive for COVID-19 and would be absent from this weekend’s Strictly shows.
The Strictly Come Dancing judge is currently self-isolating and hopes to be back in action the following week.
A Strictly spokesperson said: ‘Craig Revel Horwood has tested positive for Covid-19 and is now self-isolating following the latest government guidelines.
‘While Craig will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend, all being well he will return the following week.’
Star: London born Cynthia has starred in numerous theatre productions across the globe and will bring plenty of knowledge to the judges’ panel for Musicals Week of the show
