'Strictly Come Dancing': Ed Balls Dancing Dressed As The Mask Was Almost Too Brilliant

Ed as The Mask. Danny as Zorro. Judge Rinder as Fred Flintstone. You do spoil us, 'Strictly'.

Movies Week on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ never disappoints, but this year upped the ante quite considerably, by giving us Ed Balls dressed as The Mask.

Yes, in Saturday’s (8 October) live show, the third of the series, the former Labour MP and partner Katya Jones hit the dance floor to perform a samba to ‘Cuban Heat’ from the Jim Carrey film.

Going all out for the occasion, Ed was seen sporting a bright yellow suit, complete with a matching fedora, and green face paint.

Frankly, we couldn’t believe what we were seeing.

Open Image Modal
Did this actually happen?
Guy LevyBBC

Bruno Tonioli in particular was impressed with Ed’s performance, telling him (and nearly knocking Len Goodman in the face with his gesticulating arm): “I was expecting a samba bounce… I got a samba blow-out! You could not have given more impact to that performance”

Craig Revel Horwood, meanwhile, summed up the feelings of the millions watching at home, saying: “I think someone must have put something in my water.”

Ed wasn’t the only one of this year’s contestants to raid the dressing up box for his performance, though, with Judge Rinder performing a Charleston to the theme tune to ‘The Flintstones’, while dressed as its lead character.

Really getting into the swing of things, he even wore a black wig and drew on some stubble, while he and Oksana Platero opened the performance by walking a car on, in the style of the original cartoon.

It was Danny Mac and Claudia Fragapane who really impressed the judges this week, though, with both of them getting nines across the board for their performances.

Danny dressed up as Zorro (which we weren’t exactly mad about), to dance a Paso Doble to the theme tune from ‘The Mask Of Zorro’, while Claudia gave an enthusiastic Charleston to a ‘Bugsy Malone’ number.

'Strictly Come Dancing': All The Winners
Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole(01 of16)
Open Image Modal
Newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky was the first star to ever triumph in the inaugural series of 'Strictly Come Dancing', back in 2004, when there were just seven competitors to beat.Having obviously been a hit with 'Strictly' viewers, she was later chosen to cover for regular presenter Tess Daly, when she went on maternity leave. (credit:BBC)
Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennet(02 of16)
Open Image Modal
Clearly sensing they were onto a winner, the BBC decided to kick-start the second series of 'Strictly' just three months after Natasha Kaplinsky's victory, securing its spot in the Saturday night schedule in the latter half of the year.Jill Halfpenny was crowned winner second time around, along with her partner, Darren Bennet. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova(03 of16)
Open Image Modal
Darren became the first male celebrity to triumph in the 'Strictly Come Dancing' final in 2005, beating Colin Jackson and eventual 'It Takes Two' presenter Zoe Ball in the process. (credit:Michael Boyd/PA Archive)
Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy(04 of16)
Open Image Modal
Cricket player Mark Ramprakash took home the glitter-ball trophy a year later.Here he is performing with his professional partner, Karen Hardy, at the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year Awards a year after his victory. (credit:David Davies/PA Archive)
Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler(05 of16)
Open Image Modal
'Strictly' helped breathe new life into Alesha's career, when she and partner Matthew Cutler were crowned winners.Her smash hit solo single 'The Boy Does Nothing' followed soon after, not to mention a spot on the 'Strictly' judging panel... until Simon Cowell decided to snare her for 'BGT', that is. (credit:BBC)
Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup(06 of16)
Open Image Modal
'Holby City' actor Tom Chambers' public profile skyrocketed, when he and his professional partner, Camilla Dallerup, were crowned winners of the sixth series.They beat TV presenter Lisa Snowdon and 'Negotiate With Love' singer Rachel Stevens in the live final, back in 2008. (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)
Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan(07 of16)
Open Image Modal
Chris Hollins gave professional dancer Ola Jordan her first, and so far only, win back in 2010. (credit:BBC)
Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev(08 of16)
Open Image Modal
Kara and Artem had a double victory in 2010.Shortly after taking home the glitter-ball trophy, they announced that they were dating. (credit:Rowan Miles/PA Archive)
Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani(09 of16)
Open Image Modal
Can we please just take a moment to appreciate this photo? (credit:David Jones/PA Archive)
Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace(10 of16)
Open Image Modal
The tenth series was won by Olympian Louis Smith and his professional partner, Flavia Cacace. (credit:Georgie Gillard/Associated Newspapers/REX)
Abbey Clancy and Aljaž Skorjanec(11 of16)
Open Image Modal
In the first ever all-female 'Strictly' final, Abbey beat Susanna Reid and Natalie Gumede to the glitter-ball trophy.Fourth place was also a female contestant, with Sophie Ellis-Bextor leaving the competition at the semi-final stage. (credit:Rui Vieira/PA Archive)
Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev(12 of16)
Open Image Modal
Caroline Flack, who took part in the competition less than a year after leaving 'X Factor' spin-off show, 'Xtra Factor'. Apparently sensing her popularity was on the rise, Simon Cowell quickly signed her up to host the main show, alongside Olly Murs. (credit:BBC)
Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani(13 of16)
Open Image Modal
When the 2015 contestants were first announced, no one would have tipped Jay for victory, particularly after he continuously played down his dancing abilities.

Cut to a couple of months later, though, and that Glitter-ball trophy was his.
(credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton(14 of16)
Open Image Modal
TV presenter Ore Oduba beat off stiff competition from 'Hollyoaks' star Danny Mac who was hot favourite to lift the glitterball trophy in 2016. (credit:PA Archive/PA Images)
Joe McFadden and Katya Jones(15 of16)
Open Image Modal
'Holby City' actor Joe was the dark horse of the competition, rising through the ranks as the weeks went on to triumph over Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee and Gemma Atkinson in the 2017 final. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton(16 of16)
Open Image Modal
Stacey and Kevin were the surprise winners of the 2018 series, triumphing over other finalists Ashley Roberts, Faye Tozer and Joe Sugg. The pair later went on to begin a relationship. (credit:Aaron Chown - PA Images via Getty Images)

Before You Go