The pair were seen topping the latest Strictly leaderboard after they the first Instant Dance challenge on the BBC show
Strictly Come Dancing’s Lewis Cope and Katya Jones(Image: BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing fans admitted to being ‘surprised’ by Lewis Cope’s latest scores, as some were quick to call out Katya Jones amid the introduction of a new challenge.
The pair were seen topping the latest Strictly leaderboard after they the first Instant Dance challenge. Saturday night (November 29) was eventful in the Elstree studios after the BBC dance competition introduced a new challenge which tasked the couples with performing a dance on the spot for the chance to win extra points.
The episode began as normal, with each couple performing their choreographed dances, with actor Lewis and professional dancer Katya Jones dancing a rumba to Harry Styles’ Falling.
They received 36 points from the judges, following last weekend’s perfect score in Blackpool, as head judge Shirley Ballas said: “I love the chemistry, I love the narrative, and I love the way you told the whole story. So for me, I would say this is one of the very, very good rumbas. Well done.”
Meanwhile, Craig Revel Horwood added: “The hips, I thought, lacked a little bit of fluidity and resistance and hold through the four one, that’s what I felt was a little bit missing from this dance. But the composition of that dance was fantastic. Artistry, flair, my darling and full of emotion. I loved it.”
But Strictly fans were seemingly left surprised by the scoring. @annjewell71 said: “Beautiful. Stunning dance. Can’t believe no 10s there.” @jessriggs4 wrote: “This deserved 40. Beautiful storytelling. Lewis FTW.” @bye.julie commented: “Should have been a 40.”
@jollyskinner echoed: “Amazing . Should of been 40. Love you 2.” @_lisakane posted: “It upsets me so so the judges feel like that have to find fault when really this was exquisite. Why can’t he just be that good. This is a beautiful partnership and a joy to watch. So in love with all that you do!” @julzzzzb added: “#strictly Lewis and Katya deserved 40 for that Rumba the scoring has been as chaotic as some of the others dances.”
Lewis and Katya during their rumba(Image: PA)
It was then, towards the end of the show, after each couple had performed their choreographed dance, they returned to the dancefloor to learn what dance they would have to perform and the accompanying music for the Instant Dance challenge.
The mystery dance tested their knowledge, as it was one that they learned over the course of the competition and was revealed in an envelope which they picked out last week but did not open until the live show.
They were then given 15 seconds to pick a costume, quickly change backstage, and then given just ten seconds to decide how they were going to perform the dance. The judges then ranked each of the performances, with the best earning six points and the worst earning just one.
The challenge brought chaos and excitement to the dancefloor, with much anticipation from the celebrities, dancers and judges alike at how it would work in real time.
Shirley said it was a very close call for first place, but gave the win to Lewis and Katta, who “took chances” on their jive, winning six additional points, while tied in second place on the leader board was former Lioness Karen Carney and her partner Carlos Gu, and Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin, who both received perfect scores for their main performances.
But some eagle-eyed viewers were quick to call out Katya, who they believe they spotted instructing her partner what to do before the time allowed. @DrrewRya said: “Katya was signalling to Lewis about what moves to do when they were on the stairs. But they were not allowed to until the 10 second count down. #StrictlyComeDancing #strictly.”
@Jimbo1984 noted: “So much for the professionals not talking to celeb before the 10 seconds. Katya showed Lewis the leg move to do whilst on stairs and Nikita and Amber were shouting across stairs to each other before Karen danced. Surely that’s breaking the rules of this challenge. #strictly.”
But @slinehan1 argued: “LEWIS AND KATYA DID NOT CHEAT IN THE INSTANT DANCE CHALLENGE!! It was never said that the couples couldn’t signal to each other on the stairs!! You’re all just bitter that he’s the best dancer and it’s pathetic trying to bring him down like that. #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.”