Strictly Come Dancing 2022 RECAP: Fury as fan favourite dumped despite scoring over 30 points during Blackpool special
STRICTLY Come Dancing fans were left furious after Tyler West and Diane Buswell were dumped from the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
On Saturday's edition of , DJ and singer turned in the performance of the night, dancing a Couple's Choice to a megamix and scoring the first 40 alongside her partner Vito.
Molly and Carlos were the first couple to be voted for the dance-off and were shortly joined by and - but the former were voted off.
One irate fan posted on : "That was the most outrageous decision in the history of the competition! Tyler was so much better than Molly!!!! I'm completely dumbfounded by what I've just witnessed, Anton is the only sensible person on the panel!!!!!!
Speaking about the show, Tyler West said his experience on gave him confidence and a "new-found family" as he became the eighth contestant to leave the show after a competitive weekend in .
Strictly returns to BBC One on Saturday night at 7.15pm.
Molly & Carlos dance first
These two have a great connection.
They're dancing the jive and competing for survival.
I must say, there is a reason why Carlos is called the king of Jive - he is incredible.
Kym and Graziano through to next week
They've just spoken to Claudia about how they are grateful to have made it through.
Nice one, guys.
Tyler West and Diane Buswell are also in the dance-off
The second couple to dance again are Tyler and Diane.
This will be a tense showdown.
Fleur's dance was 'perfect' says Craig
Mr meany Craig said every minor detail of Fleur's performance was "perfect" and his 10 was a "no brainer".
He says he had no choice but to score a perfect ten to the singer because it "was so perfect".
Shirley says Hamza 'is the one to beat'
Shirley says "it's all coming together for Hamza".
She says he's the one to beat this show - and she absolutely loves him.
Judges give their thoughts
Motsi says everyone "was so good" and she says she loves the energy of the ballroom.
Interestingly this is only her second time at the Tower.
Blackpool made even more special with the first 40 score
The return to Blackpool proved to be a special show.
Singer and radio DJ Fleur East secured the first perfect 40 of the 2022 series after channelling her inner Destiny's Child.
But we'll soon find out who will join Molly in the dance-off.
Sam Ryder back on stage performing his new single
The Eurovision star is performing his new single, All The Way Over.
Sunday's results show earlier opened with a performance from Ryder, who sang John Farnham's You're the Voice.
Such was the power of this ballad, a little tear came to my eye.
First couple to face dance off announced
Molly & Carlos will be in the Blackpool dance-off.
Anton tells Molly to just be herself in a moment of tender advice.
Kym and Ellie bottom of the board
Craig says the pair "could be in trouble tonight with a lot of high scores on the leaderboard".
But for one couple, Anton says "time is about to run out".
It's results time and it's now or never!
Helen Skelton's joy of Blackpool
Helen Skelton has had the time of her life too, with a stunning Quickstep on Saturday night.
She said it was such a joy to "put a smile on people's faces".
Back in Blackpool - and it feels fab-u-lous
The judges are taking around Blackpool and also giving is a backstage preview.
Fleur gave an iconic performance - and Craig said it was "worth every inch of the perfect ten".
Strictly is back - with Sam Ryder!
The Strictly results show has begun - and we're being treated to an opening spectacle paying homage to Blackpool's ballroom credentials.
And Eurovision hero Sam Ryder is opening the show.
Lovely stuff for a Sunday evening!
Results show in under ten minutes time
We'll be headling back to the Blackpool Tower Ballroom for the results show tonight.
The leaderboard is topped by Fleur East with a magical 40.
But who will be dancing to survive in the competition?
Stick with us for up-to-the-minute action.
How Strictly helped Molly Rainford
Molly Rainford is the youngest celeb in this year’s Strictly, however, she explained how the show helped her to grow from a girl into a woman.
She said: “Strictly is definitely bringing out a different side in me, but it was tricky not feeling awkward about being that sensual and feminine.
“Of course, it was important that this dance was more than a sexy rumba — we also wanted to show this romantic story and the passionate side of us.
“But it was great to show the adult side of me and not just be the kid of the competition.”
Strictly stars take to Blackpool following last night's show
The stars of Strictly Come Dancing didn't waste any time hitting the town last night, following another dramatic instalment of the iconic dance show.
Last night's instalment saw some serious dance skills, and after the show, the stars hit partied the night away.
Gemma Atkinson, who took part in Strictly 2017 with Aljaž Škorjanec, looked happy partying the night away with partner and Strictly pro Gorka Marquez.
Not long to go now!
Just over an hour to go until Strictly returns for week nine's results show.
Last night showed fans just how far each celeb has come since the start of this year's competition.
Fleur East wowed the judges with a max score of 40, while Ellie struggled despite a strong performance, receiving just 31 points.
Why was there no dance-off last week?
Usually, the public votes for their favourite performances of the night, putting two couples at risk of leaving the show.
The couples then take part in an intense dance-off, where they battle it out to stay, leaving the final decision in the hands of the judges.
However, due to a serious injury, Tony Adams, who was one of the celebs vulnerable of going home, had to make the choice to end his time in the competition.
This decision meant the dance-off did not go ahead, and lucky Tyler West and pro-partner Dianne Buswell went through to next week’s show.
Shirley Ballas shares behind-the-scenes look at last night's episode
Iconic Strictly judge Shirley Ballas shared a behind-the-scenes look at last night's Blackpool special on Twitter today.
She gave fans a glimpse of her dancing the Samba on the ballroom floor.
The legendary judge also reminded fans to tune in tonight at 7:20pm for the results show.
Recap: Last night's scores ahead of tonight's elimination
Strictly Come Dancing returned to Blackpool this weekend and fans loved it.
Fleur managed to achieve the first 40 of the series after a magnificent display on the dance floor.
- Fleur East and Vito Coppola – 40
- Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez – 39
- Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal – 38
- Tyler West and Dianne Buswell – 35
- Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu – 35
- Will Mellor and Nancy Xu – 35
- Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima – 33
- Ellie Taylor and Johannes Radebe – 31
Fleur East's dad would 'burst with pride' if he saw last night's performance
In an emotional video shared during last night's show, Fleur East opened up about her late father and his love of Strictly Come Dancing.
“I love singing so much because it’s part of my DNA. It’s part of who I am,” she said.
“If my dad was here and he knew I was going to Blackpool, I think he would burst with pride.”
She continued: “He was my biggest fan. Everything I’m doing, I’m doing for him and to make him proud.”
What time is Strictly on tonight?
Strictly Come Dancing is back tonight, with one of the remaining celebs sadly being sent home.
The episode airs at the usual time of 19:20pm on BBC One.
Yesterday saw the first 40 of the series awarded, as Fleur East stunned the judges.
Fans divided on Fleur's performance, despite 40 point total
Strictly fans are debating the judges' decision to award Fleur East a maximum score of 40 last night.
One fan took to Twitter to say: "I’m sorry, but Fleur’s dance looked like she and a few mates learnt a dance routine then performed it in front of her parents. I don’t get how that was 40?!?"
A second viewer agreed: "Didn’t like it. Where’s ballroom or Latin. Just a music video."
While another contested: "It is just a tv programme and she is just a person enjoying herself as are the rest of the celebs trying to entertain us. There is nothing negative about any of the dances that warrants nasty criticism on social media."
Strictly’s Molly Rainford breaks silence on rumours of two secret romances with fellow stars
Her stunning looks have naturally seen her linked to other performers on Strictly, including pro Nikita Kuzmin, 24, and fellow celebrity Tyler West, 26.
Now, the dancer has opened up about these rumours.
She said: “Apparently everyone thinks I’m dating all the cast, but what time do we have to date anyone while we’re on this show?
“Anyone who’s squeezing it in, please share the tips. I want to know how you do it.
“They’re both lovely boys but I’m too busy for any of that.”
How Strictly helped Molly Rainford
Molly Rainford is the youngest celeb in this year’s Strictly, however, she explained how the show helped her to grow from a girl into a woman.
She said: “Strictly is definitely bringing out a different side in me, but it was tricky not feeling awkward about being that sensual and feminine.
“Of course, it was important that this dance was more than a sexy rumba — we also wanted to show this romantic story and the passionate side of us.
“But it was great to show the adult side of me and not just be the kid of the competition.”