Strictly Come Dancing week three results – as it happened
Ballroom King vs Latin Queen
Did waltzing Winstone do enough?
Who will miss out on Icons Week?
Thank you and a glittery goodnight - until tomorrow
Readers’ verdicts are in
From Dani Dyer's tango to Daddy Dyer's fandango
OMG it's the Golden Glitterballs
This week’s leaderboard
Credits roll
Anton gets the casting vote
And voting is… open!
Tabby and Mark’s Argentine tango
Bethany and Nancy’s American smooth
John and Katya’s cha cha cha
Graeme and Lauren’s jive
Dani and Nikita’s tango
Lawrence and Jowita’s rumba
Delta and Kai’s salsa
Sarah and Julian’s paso doble
Melanie and Aljaž’s Charleston
Jaime and Carlos’ Viennese waltz
Cach and Maddie’s Couple’s Choice
Shaun and Alexis’ quickstep
Will and Dianne’s waltz
Slippers for Stace
Lacey and Vito’s samba
Our Strictly stars™
Judges in the house
Frockwatch
And we’re off!
Anton vs Shirley grudge match tomorrow
On your dance cards tonight
Eyes down and dibbers out, it’s Strictly bingo
Shaun remains in the relegation zone
Hosts still a hot topic
Back to ballroom business as usual
Tonight’s group number has a nifty gimmick, as Anton du Beke and Shirley Ballas lead two teams of pros in a Ballroom vs Latin dance battle.
It’s like the Sharks against the Jets with added glitter and tiny ghost shoes. Which side will you be backing? Twenty minutes until the glitterball starts spinning again…
Actor Jaime Winstone got a dance-off scare last week but bounced back brilliantly, increasing her score by seven points – the biggest improvement on the night – for her passionate and flowing Viennese waltz.
Jaime has surely danced clear of danger. Well, hasn’t she? Nobody is ever completely safe in this hoofing game. The curse of the middle of the leaderboard might even mean that Graeme Hall and Will Best will be feeling distinctly edgy tonight.
Coming into this weekend, bookmakers’ favourite for the boot was Shaun Wright-Phillips, followed by Melanie Walters and Dame Sarah Storey. They were all left own the bottom of the standings and will be feeling the heat tonight. It’s 25 minutes until results showtime…
Somebody won’t get to play pop star dress-up next Saturday. Good evening and welcome to the second elimination from Strictly Come Dancing 2026. I’m Michael, your online dance partner for tonight’s results show. I’d love you to watch along with me as another celebrity departs the dancefloor.
There was some high-quality hoofing last night, with three celebrities – early pace-setter Delta Goodrem, the gifted Cach Mercer and surprise package Tabby Stoecker – notching scores in the 30s.
Our 14 pro-celebrity pairs now nervously await their fates. No more of this combined leaderboard business. The scores were reset and the slate wiped clean. Last night’s judges’ totals will be combined with the results of last night’s public vote and the bottom two will be consigned to the dreaded dance-off.
Shaun Wright-Philips was left at the foot of the scoreboard after his quickstep as neither quick nor steppy. Melanie Walters was just above after her Blind Date Charleston didn’t contain a lorra lorra swivel. There were a cluster of celebrities – rumba-ing Lawrence Robb, cardigan-clad John Nellis and paso doble dame Sarah Storey – just above the relegation zone. Any could come into choreographic contention. Or will another dance-off surprise be sprung?
It’s results showtime at 7.10pm on BBC One. I’ll be liveblogging from 6.40pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, analysis, reaction and Sunday night asides. So snuggle up under a sparkly slanket and I’ll see you on the sofa.
As usual, 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 back open for dance discourse. I’ll samba-bounce down there whenever I can to eavesdrop on your reactions and relay your comments up top. So please don’t be shy about chipping in.
Somebody exit is set to be iconic. Nearly time to staaaaaart eliminating!
That concludes tonight’s hot live hoofing action but don’t pack away Shirley’s tiny haunted shoes just yet. We’ll be back tomorrow to see who’s boarding the glittery bus home. I fear for Shaun Wright-Phillips and Melanie Walters but don’t rule out another dance-off shocker.
The results show airs at 7.10pm on Sunday. Please rejoin me then to dissect the dance-off and wave off the unlucky couple. In the meantime, I’m @michaelhogan on Twitter and @michaelhogan100 elsewhere, so please do moonwalk past and say hello.
Thanks for watching along with me, glitterball gang, and for all your excellent contributions. Hopefully see you tomorrow. In the meantime, it almost goes without saying: keeeeeep dancing!
Finally, on Tabby Stoecker’s show-closing Argentine tango, acanthe says: “Well, I can see why they left that dance for last. Impressive!”
VelvetinaB says: “Loved that AT! Very sexy and fabulous footwork. A couple to watch. (I’d love to see this in a later week with even more experience.)”
whistledownthewind says: “Didn’t think of Tabby as a potential winner before. After that Argentine tango, I do now.”
ladyglencora adds: “I thought week three was way to early for an AT but there was great connection between Tabby and Mark. Impressive kicky flicky stuff. Looking forward to seeing that again in the final.”
On Bethany Antonia’s American smooth, IvanTiger says: “Bethany is an elegant mover BUT dancing in clunky flat shoes is a mistake. Nancy’s flats are at least pretty and light. A shame.”
YodaknowsAll says: “Bethany in hold is a revelation with really good footwork. Just needs to relax side-to-side. Good overall.”
Lushattic says: “Oh, that was sweet and beautiful. Loved that.”
Bianco says: “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of watching same-sex couples doing traditional-style ballroom dances. That was absolutely beautiful!”
Somersetlass adds: “I can’t stop grinning after that American smooth. It was a tad clumpy in places (I wonder why they chose the flat shoes?) but the whole dance was full of joy, and I loved the way Bethany and Nancy switched roles. Possibly my favourite of the night.”
Jockette61 says: “Loved that samba from Lacey Turner. Lovely synchronicity with Vito.”
Pancake01 says: “Well done, Lacey! A good go at an early samba. If she stays in until the end, I’d like to see that again.”
On Shaun Wright-Phillips, Aine183 says: “I‘m not loving this quickstep. Floppy arms out of hold and there nothing quick about it at all. Someone seems to be out of his depth.”
wrigglefingers says: “Shockingly bad music for a quickstep and a struggling dancer.”
neko99 adds: “Alexis looks amazing! Shaun’s no talent but she’s a good teacher. Getting improvement week on week. Hope he stays.”
On Cach Mercer’s Couple’s Choice, Strictlylounging says: “Cach out-dancing his partner there and you can see how much he loved that. Could see that in a stage performance.”
YodaknowsAll says: “A great concept from Cach, but they were out of sync too many times for it to be outstanding.”
EmmyHarb adds: “That felt a little bit A-level Performing Arts end-of-year show but I did really enjoy it.”
On Melanie Walters, LegTheory says: “If I can dance like that when I’m 64, then I’d be very happy!”
YodaknowsAll says: “I like Melanie but every move in that Charleston needed more pep. No swivel that I saw either.”
diamondcat says: “Not enough swivel in this Charleston. In fact, there seemed to be rather a lack of Charleston steps altogether.”
LazyMillennial adds: “I remember David Quantick describing Chris Morris’ surreal masterpiece Jam as being like the strange giddiness you experience when you’re just about to die. I would apply the same to Melanie’s bizarre Charleston.”
ladyglencora says: “Finally! Grown-up clothes and a grown-up dance for Will Best. Really enjoyed that.”
YodaknowsAll says: “Will’s best dance by a country mile. A waltz with real class.”
wtrukus says: “Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous outfit for Jamie Winstone. Enjoyed the dance and Carlos as well. Hopefully well out of dance-off territory.”
ReclinedPotato says: “Jaime and Carlos’ Viennese waltz seemed to want to be a tango. Bit strange and didn’t work for me, despite my liking for the couple.”
Somersetlass says: “A strong, confident-looking VW from Jaime and Carlos. Quite a revelation for a dance that I think of as floaty and dreamy. Surely enough to keep them out of the dance-off.”
shazza2704 adds: “Wow, that was wonderful. Gawjus outfits and top toon by the much-missed Michael Hutchence. Dance of the night so far.”
Aine183 says: “Graeme Hall has gone for the costume of doom this week. Is he fed up with dancing already?”
Lushattic says: “Not usually a fan of ‘characters’ on Strictly but its hard not the love the Dogfather. He’s such a likeable fella.”
Somersetlass says: “Graeme really is a revelation, isn’t he? It may not have been the flashiest of jives, but it was bursting with content, and he’s got real style. And it’s wonderful to see Lauren with a partner who can actually dance!”
YodaknowsAll says: “Graeme is currently my favourite. His absolute joy in dance has won me over. Kicks and flicks could’ve been sharper but I don’t care. His smile lights up the room.”
Catalyst36 adds: “Graeme did much better than I expected. Jive is very tough for older and bigger guys, but he did really well. He is light on his feet and brings a great old-fashioned class to the dances.”
On Dame Sarah Storey’s paso doble, yorkshirecoast says: “Might try watching that paso with the right music sometime.”
Heartticker says: “Quite liked the paso. If it was set to more traditional music it would’ve been better. Love Julian standing up for his partner.”
Pancake01 says: “I liked that from Dame S. She looked so strong. I think she went wrong a couple of times but good effort.”
Vicc adds: “Enjoyed that paso. It had some decent shaping and power. Not sure that Craig will agree but I think Sarah is improving.”
YodaknowsAll says: “There was some hip movement from Lawrence Robb but not enough. I’m not sure it’s all his fault as a week three rumba is harsh.”
Strictlylounging says: “Ooh, I hate the rumba! I say it every year. It is so awkward! I think he’s probably doing it well and I like this partnership but I cannot bring myself to feel less icky about it!”
G1adys says: “I’d be happy to see the rumba disappear. At least Lawrence has his out of the way. There are weaker dances tonight that should keep him out of the dance-off.”
Heartticker adds: “Is it me or is it hot in here? I really liked that rumba and thought Shirley was a bit harsh.”
whistledownthewind says: “Delta Goodrem is one of the strongest celeb dancers this year and tonight’s salsa was very good, I thought. Probably a finalist.”
PoolaC says: “For the first 45 secs, I was like OK, AUSSIE J-LO! Then it went a bit flat. Still good but she misses movement in her spine. Otherwise very fun!”
EmmyHarb says: “I think Vicky Gill repurposed Janette’s old samba trousers as samba leggings for the statuesque Delta. Love seeing Kai with a great partner.”
YodaknowsAll says: “After a few flat dances, along comes Delta to revive the night. A phenomenal salsa.”
ReclinedPotato adds: “Despite the bottle washer leggings, that was a brilliant routine. We are living in the Kelta Quadrant and I’m loving it.”
ladyglencora says: “Dani Dyer nailed that tango. Great connection between her and Nikita. One or two footwork/stability issues but good work which should see her through to the latter stages.”
IvanTiger says: “Dancing in the dark! The small bits we can see look OK but put a shilling in the meter so we can see the dance!”
Heartticker says: “Wow, that was great from John and Katya. He is a ‘bloke’ dancing and I’m here for it. Katya is a magician.”
YodaknowsAll says: “That cha-cha was all about the great choreography by Katya, which covered up a whole load of sins. A bit repetitive, but I liked it.”
Bigted1980 adds: “My Aunty Sue would love John’s sparkly waterfall cardigan.”
KioskNews shows a cleaned-up reading view extracted from the publisher’s page — the original always lives on their site, not ours.