Strictly Come Dancing: week six – live

7.57pm GMT Judges’ scores: 9, 10, 9, 10 for a total of 28 points. By order of the Peaky fookin’ Blinders, a winner. Second spot as it stands. 7.56pm GMT Judges’ comments: Motsi says “what a night, another fabulous number, challenging choreography, amazing”. Shirley says “smashed it, intensity and focus, sure-footed, loved the role reversal”. Anton says “she’s back and better than ever, extraordinarily good”. Craig concludes “wanted smoother passing of feet and looser leg but clean, confident, loved it”. Nines? Not another 10? 7.54pm GMT Karen and Carlos’ Aaargh-gentine Tango Former Lioness Karen Carney started the series strongly but has dipped and seemed to lose confidence. Solihull-born Kaz – who also played for Birmingham City – will relish this chance to channel Peaky Blinders, one of her favourite TV shows. As a former footballer, she should have the strong legs and fast feet for it too. She and partner Carlos Gu are both in flat caps, getting into character as Brummie bootleggers. A semi-fight scene to start, then into a powerful, expressive and passionate routine. Close body contact. Cool gender-neutral choreography and she seems to be leading at times. Their first lifts. Stylised and speedy, lacking a little sizzle perhaps but so good. Blinding. Song: Red Right Hand by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. The Southern gothic blues song’s title comes from John Milton’s Paradise Lost, where it’s used to describe the vengeful hand of God. The song isn’t just the theme tune to gangster hit Peaky Blinders but featured prominently in the Scream horror film franchise, so is suitably Halloween-ish. 7.49pm GMT Judges’ scores: 6, 7, 6, 7 for a total of 26 points. Bottom with three dances to go. Dance-off danger? Gladiator ready? 7.48pm GMT Judges’ comments: Anton says “marvellous topline, lovely lyrical timing but a mistake in the middle of the room”. Craig says “it lost elegance and artistry in the arms, needed a softer approach but you bring heart and soul to the table”. Motsi says “held composure and bounced back strongly from the mistake”. Shirley concludes “balance routine, need spatial awareness and longer stride but seamless highlights”. Sevens for Harry too? 7.44pm GMT Harry and Karen’s astronomical American smooth After intense dances for the past two weeks, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey – aka Nitro from Gladiators – is enjoying something more smiley. Ice cream parlour opening, then they’re floating in space, defying gravity with graceful elegance. Foxtrot style, switching in and out of hold, lots of side-by-side action. So many lifts that pro partner Karen Hauer barely touches floor in parts. Some gapping, heavy-footed and lumpy moments but reining in his usual power to achieve that smooth lightness. A jumping heel click to close. Song: Mystical Magical by Benson Boone. Sampling Physical by Olivia Newton-John, the shimmeringly ethereal pop hit was known as “the moonbeam ice cream song” before it was properly titled. 7.40pm GMT Judges’ scores: 7, 7, 7, 7 for a total of 28 points. Second from bottom as it stands. Dance-off danger, I fear. 7.38pm GMT Judges’ comments: Shirley says “delivered the sensuality beautifully, I wanted clearer weight transference but great footwork details, good job”. Anton says “a tale of two halves, upper body exquisite but hesitant down below”. Craig says “a little unstable and lost flow but full of character and expression”. Motsi concludes “you’re one op those most expressive dancers we have, great connection and emotion in the body, keep going”. Sevens and a bonus eight, are we saying? 7.35pm GMT Balvinder and Julian’s irresistible rumba Happy Bal-oween! EastEnders actor Balvinder Sopal dodged last week’s dance-off and was hugely relieved not to make it hat-trick. Can she get her confidence back, banish the nerves and enjoy dancing again? Slow start with dry ice hiding the footwork but a suitably intense connection with pro partner Julian Caillon. She’s found this the toughest dance yet to master but decent body action. Strong legs and feet. Fluidity, rhythmic and sensual. Lacking that continuous, oozing motion perhaps but plenty of passion. A romantic rumba with a dark twist. Song: Stay by Shakespears Sister. This baroque pop ballad topped the UK charts for eight weeks in 1992 and was inspired by 50s sci-fi B-movie Cat-Women of the Moon. Abbey Clancy and Aljaž Škorjanec performed a rumba to it in 2013 series and went on to lift the glitterball trophy. 7.32pm GMT Just me or has Tess Daly visibly relaxed since the announcement? We like the new loosey-goosey, more spontaneous Tess. 7.30pm GMT Judges’ scores: 10 (early for Craig!), 10, 10, 10 for a perfect 40 points. Top of the pops and highest score of the series so far, obviously. Scenes. Limbs. 7.28pm GMT Judges’ comments: Craig applauds says “I liked that, spec-tac-ular”. Motsi says “a real moment, out of this world”. Shirley says “phenomenal work, well done you”. Anton concludes “best dance of the series by miles, as good as anything ever on Strictly, a-may-zing”. A nine and three 10s, do we think? 7.26pm GMT Lewis and Katya’s creepy Couple’s Choice Actor Lewis Cope and pro partner Katya Jones haven’t scored lower than an 8 since way back in week two and are the highest scoring couple in the contest. This Couple’s Choice should showcase exactly how good Lewis is. An ambitious mash-up of styles, with elements of Charleston, jazz, tap and American smooth. Bob Fosse flourishes and floor work. Fun, quirky choreography by the ever-creative Katya. Leaps and comedy, a proper showdance. Partner work and plenty of precision in the side-by-side sections. Full of tricks and treats. Wow, a proper showstopper. Bravo. Song: Creep by Radiohead. A jazzy, brassy big band version of the 1992 grunge classic which remains Thom Yorke and co’s most successful single. It’s been covered by the likes of Alanis Morissette, Prince and Olivia Rodrigo. 7.21pm GMT Judges’ scores: 8, 9, 9, 9 for a total of 35 points. By far her best and top of the standings at this stage. Some improvement from that “2” a fortnight ago. 7.18pm GMT Judges’ comments: Rousing reception in the ballroom. La Voix says she felt the magic of dancing there. Anton says “drama, atmosphere, thrilling, neat and tidy, Len would’ve loved it”. Craig says “needed more arch and oval shape but power, passion, authority, you owned it, your best”. Motsi says “so regal and proud, well controlled, I saw the music in the dance”. Shirley concludes “beautiful neckline and skirt, quality of movement, brilliant”. Eights incoming? Even a nine? 7.15pm GMT La Voix and Aljaž’s petrifying paso doble Drag queen La Voix and partner Aljaž Škorjanec bounced back well last week, doubling the score from their cha-cha dis-ah-ster. Now she’s getting dark, strong and serious – even though she joked this week that she thought Paso Doble was a fishing village near Benidorm. She’s playing the Queen of Hearts in a red-and-black lace frock with corset and bustle. CGI suits of armour. Twists-turns, Spanish shapes and flamenco flourishes. Strong storytelling but footwork not quite there. Too stompy and lacking some curve but full of drama and magnificently moody. Song: Beethoven’s 5th. Let’s hope she’s not fifth to be eliminated. 7.10pm GMT Judges’ scores: 6, 7, 8, 8 for a total of 29 points. Dance-off danger? Surely not. 7.08pm GMT Judges’ comments: Craig says “too turned in and clunky but loved the hip action and the pot-stirrer”. Motsi says “no mistakes for the first time in three weeks, pick up your centre for more driving force”. Shirley says “you don’t realise just how good you are, stop smiling so much and be more competitive, great connections, did very well”. Anton concludes “believe in yourself, give us more and go to the next level”. Sevens and the odd eight, do we reckon? 7.04pm GMT George and Alexis’ chilling cha cha cha George Clarke and his pro partner Alexis Warr have been levelling out a bit in recent weeks, so he needs to focus, channel his energy, push harder and return to form. Can he master the leg action and Cuban rhythms of the ever tricky cha-cha? Cauldron-ography to start. He’s the mullet-wigged hero and Alexis is the evil queen in a purple fringed frock. Crisp and sharp but not quite getting his hips moving. Fast and flirty with spicy tricks. She’s dancing around him too much, while he’s just walking around. They end up behind the judges, which is awkward. Song: Apple by Charli XCX. Her 2024 synth-pop hit sparked a viral TikTok dance craze, while lyrically the apple core symbolises generational trauma passed down through families. Updated at 7.06pm GMT 7.00pm GMT Judges’ scores: 6, 7, 7, 7 for a total of 27 points. Solid. 6.59pm GMT Judges’ comments: Huge rousing ovation in the studio. Motsi says “you’re one of the best performers and you execute it, needed more musicality but you’re a fighter, proud of you”. Shirley says “you did the best promenade position, didn’t miss a beat”. Anton says “second to none in the open parts but in hold, you got a bit ahead of Vito in the step patterns, so much to love”. Craig concludes “glad we’re seeing more technique, walks got out of time but I love the new serious Ellie”. Sixes and sevens, are we saying? 6.55pm GMT Ellie and Vito’s terrifying tango Can “Team Cheeky” stop smiling and get serious? Ellie Goldstein and her partner Vito Coppola have performed upbeat party dances for the past three weeks. It’s a month since she was last in ballroom hold. Ellie always sparkles on the dancefloor but needs to show some improvement in footwork and technique. She’s playing a magician, pulling Vito the rabbit out of a giant top hat. A little flat-footed, lacking sharpness and staccato action but spooky, pacy with plenty of steps, high kicks and tricks. Nice breakdown. A floor spin before she puts a spell on Vito and has him on a string to finish. Now that’s magic. Song: Abracadabra by Lady Gaga. Her dark and theatrical electro-pop hit from earlier this year incorporates elements of Spellbound by Siouxsie & The Banshees. A goth classic. 6.50pm GMT Judges’ scores: 7, 8, 8, 8 for a total of 31 points. Her best ballroom score. Tearful Vicky is “over the moon”. 6.49pm GMT Judges’ comments: Shirley says “huge improvement from your week two foxtrot”. Anton says “breathy, big and bold, marvellous heel turn, super performance”. Craig says “needed more reach and extension, smoother transitions and nicer shape in flight, but wonderful to see your confidence growing”. Motsi concludes “finish your moves, make it cleaner but atmospheric and characterful, you’re a contender for the final”. Sevens and the odd eight? 6.45pm GMT Vicky and Kai’s alluring American smooth Vicky Pattison and her pro partner Kai Widdrington are the only couple in the contest to increase their score every week. Can the Geordie lass continue that steady improvement? She’s playing a ghost in a pearl-embellished white frock. Foxtrot steps and solid frame. Smooth with a sprinkle of spookiness. Spinning lifts. Posture not perfect and the odd thrown-away move but lovely flow. This is her first number with proper storytelling and she’s doing a great job of bringing the drama. Song: Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler. the 1983 power-pop chart-topper was written and produced by Jim Steinman, who Tyler approached after liking his work with Meat Loaf. It was originally written for a Nosferatu musical, hence the rather vampiric lyrics. It once topped a poll of most popular songs to sing in the shower. Updated at 6.45pm GMT 6.41pm GMT Our Strictly stars™ Our couples emerge for staircase waves and they’ve all been raiding the creepy costume box. Devils! Ghosts! A big bad wolf! And a white rabbit, for some strange reason! It’s like a posse of toddlers going trick-or-treating. 6.40pm GMT Judges rise from the grave The paddle-raising quartet arrive in full fancy dress. All in a steampunk vampiric vibe, including Auntie Joan aka Anton. The panel’s table is cobweb draped with skull and pumpkin ornaments. Never knowingly under-themed. 6.39pm GMT Frockwatch Our Halloween hosts arrive, so let’s rate their fright night finery. Tess Daly is black velvet strapless affair with matching choker. Claudia Winkleman is in a polo necked number. Claud wins. 6.38pm GMT Cue clapalong titles Five of the male celebs have bowed out already, via a combo of elimination and injury. Who’s next on the night bus home from Borehamwood? 6.37pm GMT Aaaaand we’re off! Cue the compulsory horror-themed VT. A Blair Witch Project parody this year. With added zombies. 6.34pm GMT Insert your vampire fangs and nibble on some necks. Or at least a bowl of Nice ‘N’ Spicy Nik-Naks. We’re about to go over live to the Elstree Studios ballroom… 6.31pm GMT On your dance cards tonight Another selection box tonight, with nine different dance styles. The only doubling up is from Vicky Pattison and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, who both perform American smooths. We’ll also see an Argentine tango from Karen Carney and a Couple’s Choice form Lewis Cope. Just five frightening minutes until the spangly curtain comes up… 6.25pm GMT Amanda Holden-hosted quiz hotchpotch The Celebrity Inner Circle just wrapping up on BBC1. As always seems to be the case, there’s a few Strictly alumna among the guests. This week, it’s Chizzy Akudolu (first out in 2017), JJ Chalmers (quarter-finalist in 2020) and Melvin Odoom (first out in 2016). A mere 10 minutes to wait now… 6.20pm GMT Bwa-ha-ha, it’s Halloween bingo Tick them off when you spot them! Drink a bubbling, smoking potion for each! End up doing the Monster Mash and the Timewarp at a total stranger’s house party! Here’s tonight’s 10-point spotter’s checklist: Judges wield pumpkin/ghost/bat-shaped scoring paddles Someone begins routine by climbing out of a coffin, sparking traumatic Nancy Dell’Olio flashbacks Halloween prop overload means way too much “messin’ abaht” and dances take ages to get going Routine “enhanced” and “augmented” by shonky CGI creatures Claudia and Tess dress in gothic black and blood red respectively A judge or pro has a disembodied hand on their shoulder Craig says a dance was “a horror show, darling” with “frightening footwork” or “stiff zombie hips” Band leader Dave Arch is dressed as a baton-wielding werewolf/vampire Someone’s face-paint transfers to their partner’s cheek or costume during the dance Production team’s names are “spookified” with Halloween puns on the end credits 6.15pm GMT Midway mark next week Tonight’s 10 couples are bidding to get through to week seven, which marks the halfway milestone of the contest. Fun fact: this is the furthest we’ve ever got into a series without Anton Du Beke giving a perfect 10. Could it happen tonight? Twenty minutes until the glittery curtain comes up… 6.10pm GMT Your Halloween highlights What’s your most memorable Halloween routine of Strictly yore? Numbers that stick in my mind include Ashley Roberts’ witchy Charleston, Faye Tozer’s skeletal Couple’s Choice, Kara Tointon’s Phantom paso and Frankie Bridge’s green-faced Wicked tango. All by female celebs, I notice. Has a celebrity male ever delivered a Halloween classic? Let me know your own favourites. It’s 25 minutes until the ghostly glitterball starts spinning… 6.06pm GMT Another monstrous elimination looms Balvinder Sopal is bookies’ strong favourites for the boot again this week, followed by La Voix and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey. Amber Davies will also be nervy after last week’s dance-off shock. Could Halloween characterisation help them all to safety? Half an hour until we get our first choreographic clues… 6.04pm GMT Whose hoofing will be a horror show in the Halloween Spooktacular? Someone will be sent home in pumpkin-shaped carriage. Good evening and welcome to the sixth live weekend of Strictly Come Dancing 2025. I’m Michael, your cyber dance partner for tonight’s fright night special. You are cordially yet creepily invited to watch along with me as our 10 remaining couples cook up a cauldron of choreography. Last time out, Icons Week saw the first major dance-off shock of the series, as Amber Davies plummeted from joint second on the scoreboard into the bottom two. But she managed to survive and instead, former Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink departed the dancefloor. Tonight the surviving 10 pairs undergo terrifying transformations to perform deliciously dark dances which they hope will bewitch judges and voting viewers alike. It promises to be a feast of twinkle-toed trick or technical treat. But who will be kept alive and kicking in the competition? And for whom will the Halloween church bell toll? It’s supernatural showtime at 6.35pm on BBC One. I’ll be liveblogging from 6.05pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, analysis, reaction and pumpkin-spiced asides. So pour yourself a magic potion and I’ll see you on the sofa. As always, I’d love to hear from you too. You can tweet me @michaelhogan, contact me on Bluesky or Threads @michaelhogan100, email me michael.hogan.freelance@guardian.co.uk and the comments section below is open for bwa-ha-ha banter. I’ll zombie-walk down there whenever I can to see what you’re all saying, quoting some of your Halloween wit and wisdom up top. So please don’t be shy about sharing your thoughts. It’s week six and it’s going to be a scream. Nearly time to staaaart spooky dancing!