'Strictly Come Dancing' Review: Tricks And Treats On Halloween Special

Tricks And Treats On Halloween 'Strictly' Special

Strictly Come Dancing celebrated Halloween in style on Saturday's show, with all the contestants in full spooky regalia, and judge Craig Revel-Horwood even making a grand entrance on a broomstick.

But the most spooked person on the show was definitely actress Chelsee Healey, who was mortified when her dress struggled to keep up with the routine. Her blushes were spared with the help of her dancing partner Pasha, and the judges rushed to comfort her.

Astrologer Russell Grant and partner Flavia brought a devilish start to the show, with Russell resplendent in bright scarlet - horns and all. Judge Alesha Dixon told them they'd "got the Halloween party started". The judges noted a few errors in the routine, but at least the happy horoscoper made it through without tripping over his own tail.

Total score (out of a possible 40): 22

Waterloo Road actress Chelsee Healey and her partner Pasha tried to cast a spell over the judges with their dance to the song Love Potion - but a near wardrobe malfunction caused consternation for Chelsee. The judges comforted her that it didn't interfere with the overall bewitching effect, which they supported with their score cards.

Total score: 32

Meanwhile, boxer Audley Harrison and his partner Natalie brought the jive to Halloween. Harrison may have been sporting co-respondent shoes but, unfortunately, they weren't corresponding completely with his musical brain - with judge Craig calling it him "flat-footed and cumbersome". Nonetheless, the overall effect was very uplifting, with the pair's smiles proving contagious to judges and audience alike.

Total score: 20

Presenter Alex Jones has been taking advice from her One Show colleague Matt Baker, and it seems to be paying off. Goth rockers Evanescence provided a suitably spooky background for Alex, dressed in virginal white, to dance with James, who looked uncannily like Ray Reardon. Judge Craig found it "almost erotic", he admitted, and the other judges were equally impressed.

Total score: 31

Singer-turned-socialite Holly Valance put on a dramatic show as the Black Swan in Swan Lake, with her partner Artem suitably chalked up. The Halloween connection wasn't completely clear, but the judges didn't seem to mind, with Len asking for an instant replay, and Alesha calling it the dance of the night.

Total score: 35

Nancy Dell'Olio emerged from a glittering coffin for her routine, and wasn't shy about showing off some flesh in her typically dramatic style, being twisted and twirled by able partner Anton. Nancy's feather boa didn't make it to the end of the routine, and judge Alesha pulled no punches in her criticism, telling the pair they should have stayed in the coffin. This week saw Nancy's former love Sven Goran-Eriksson leave his team Leicester "by mutual consent". Will Nancy be facing a similar fate tomorrow?

Total score: 14

Harry Judd (from McFly), partnered with Aliona, put in a solid and stylish performance of Psycho Killer by Talking Heads - with Harry saving a devilish flourish until the end when he sneaked a chunk out of his partner's neck. Judge Craig applauded the "aggression", and Alesha called him "too cool for school".

Total score: 34

Footballer Robbie Savage was sporting a war wound after breaking his nose last week. This week saw him tucking his celebrated golden locks away and going Bad, thrusting away in time to Michael Jackson's tune. Despite the footballer's de-fleeced bare chest, even Len said he would have liked to have seen "a bit more savage", but Craig, Alesha and Bruno all seemed impressed with Robbie and his partner Ola.

Total score: 26

Anita Dobson was on a high after her high scoring round last week, and like Russell Grant, opted for overwhelming scarlet in her choice of frock. Dancing to Cliff Richard's Devil Woman, she embraced the theatricality of the tango, but lost a couple of steps along the way. All the judges agreed that Anita proved what a fantastic actress she is, but voiced doubts about the pair's technique. Will Anita be a Killer Queen, or even a Killer Queen Vic? Or will another one bite the dust?

Total score: 31

Lulu and her partner Brendan took the Halloween theme to their hearts, arguably more than any other pairs, rocking out to ACDC's Highway To Hell, and Lulu ending up mid-air to dramatic effect. Len noted that Lulu is still "soft in the body" making it difficult for Brendan to lead her properly, but he applauded the "treats" in the routine, and Alesha appreciated her "determination" and the fact they "didn't go wrong tonight" - hearty praise indeed.

Total score: 29

Jason Donovan put all his years of stage-training to use - glad hands and all - in a heartwarming version of Bewitched, with partner Kristina. The judges had nothing bad to say, and they got the biggest cheer of the night. They even started talking about their planned dance for next week - the rumba, apparently - which seemed a little presumptious before tomorrow night's results show, but then they did receive the biggest score of the series so far, so their confidence might not be misplaced.

Total score: 37

Click through our Slideshow of all the contestants in this series and vote for who you think should take off the title...

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