Strictly Come Dancing week four results – as it happened
And with a swish of the cape, he's gone
Cor blimey, guv’nor, strike a Lights Up
Twirly Shirley gets the casting vote
Did Shaun Wright-Phillips do enough?
Pros pay homage to Queen of Pop
Who’ll be flop of the pops in Icons Week?
Thank you and a glittery goodnight - for now
Readers’ verdicts are in
Get your Claud fix on the other side
Behold the Golden Glitterballs
Presenting trio had their best night yet
Icons Week leaderboard revealed
Credits roll
Shirley Gaga gets the casting vote
And voting is… open!
Will and Dianne’s jive
Jaime and Carlos’ paso doble
Graeme and Lauren’s salsa
Lacey and Vito’s American smooth
Shaun and Alexis’ Couple’s Choice
Bethany and Nancy’s cha cha cha
Cach and Maddie’s foxtrot
Sarah and Julian’s tango
Tabby and Mark’s samba
Lawrence and Jowita’s salsa
Dani and Nikita’s rumba
John and Katya’s paso doble
Our Strictly stars™
By jovi, it’s the judges
Frockwatch
And we’re off!
Tension-building VT
Madge and Dolly tomorrow night
On your dance cards tonight
Eyes down for iconic Strictly bingo
Sporty types tipped for bottom two
Delta misses out with rib injury
Who’ll be top of the pops in Icons Week?
Supernatural sitcom The Reluctant Vampire just wrapping up on BBC One right now. This episode guest-stars the reliably excellent Youssef Kerkour as Tom Davis’ neck-nibbling nemesis.
Straight after the results show, remember you can head over to BBC iPlayer for new(ish) spin-off Strictly: Lights Up, which sees Tyler West and Abi Clarke canvassing immediate reaction from the eliminated couple, judges and Elstree Studios guests. Ten minutes until results showtime…
The judges continue to take it in turns to have the deciding dance-off vote. It was announced last night that the responsibility this week falls to head judge Shirley Ballas. Who would normally get it anyway.
Will it be needed like Anton’s was last Sunday? It’s 15 minutes until the glitterball starts spinning again…
Coming into this weekend, the former footballer and dance-off survivor was bookmakers’ favourite for the boot. However, Shaun Wright-Phillips’ James Brown-themed Couple’s Choice routine scored 28 points and saw him ascend to the dizzy height of mid-table. Will that be sufficient to secure safety for another week?
He was followed by Dame Sarah Storey in the elimination odds. She ended up rock bottom of the leaderboard, so looks in serious danger. It’s 20 minutes until we’re back in the ballroom…
In honour of Icons Week, tonight’s group dance sees the Strictly professionals strike a pose as they delve into Madonna’s back catalogue.
What could be camper and more fabulous? It’s 25 minutes to sequin o’clock…
Somebody is about to be sent home in undignified fancy dress. Good evening and welcome to the third elimination from Strictly Come Dancing 2026. I’m Michael, your virtual dance partner for tonight’s results show. I’d love you to watch along with me as Icons Week sees another celebrity depart the dancefloor.
Last night saw musical makeovers for routines inspired by all-time great recording artists. Cach Mercer and Jaime Winstone tied at the top of the leaderboard after paying homage to Frank Sinatra and David Bowie respectively. But with a cluster of couples left in mid-table – eight scored between 27 and 31 points – it’s all to dance for.
Our 12 pro-celebrity pairs – not including injured Delta Goodrem and Kai Widdrington, who get a bye through to next week – now await their fates. Last night’s scores will be combined with the public vote and the bottom two will be consigned to the dreaded dance-off.
Dame Sarah Storey was cut adrift a the bottom of Saturday’s standings, four points below Dani Dyer, who was a surprise newcomer to the relegation zone. But will viewer votes agree? That mid-ranking pack might all have sweaty palms and beating hearts tonight.
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 snark. So snuggle up on this autumnal evening 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 back open for ballroom badinage. I’ll fleckerl down there whenever I can to hear your reactions and relay your comments up top.
Somebody’s swansong is set to be, yep, iconic. Nearly time to staaaaaart eliminating!
That concludes tonight’s iconic hoofing but don’t clock off choreographic duties just yet. We’ll be back tomorrow for the fancy-dressed dance-off.
The results show airs at 7.10pm on Sunday, featuring tributes to Dolly Parton and Madonna. Please rejoin me then to bid the unlucky couple farewell. In the meantime, I’m @michaelhogan on Twitter and @michaelhogan100 elsewhere, so please don a bad wig and say hi.
Thanks for watching along with me, glittery gang, and for all your ceaseless wit and wisdom. Hopefully see you tomorrow. In the meantime, as is contractually obliged: keeeeeep dancing!
Finally, MikeMoonlight says: “It’s rumoured that Paul Chuckle was in the audience tonight to anoint Ray Winstone and Danny Dyer as he and his late brother’s successors on CBBC: The Fackin’ ‘ell Brothers”.
On Shaun Wright-Phillips, DochkiMateri says: “Loving Shaun’s story. Not cheese, just warm and engaging. And loved his dancing even more!!!”
ButterflyBlu says: “Shaun was better this week. Noticed a couple of foot mistakes and he was a bit hesitant but has improved. Hope he’s not in the DO again.”
Somersetlass says: “SWP seems really lovely and although he’s certainly not a natural dancer, he throws everything at it. I was giggling my way throughout that – and wow, that cartwheel!”
MartGray says: “Sean and Alexis elicited a ‘Wow!’ with that sideways somersault crab thingy (technical term). How lovely to see him having fun. Alexis is so great.”
Sebnose adds: “I pop to the kitchen to put dinner on, I come back and Shaun’s going to become a pro? What the hell did I miss!?”
On Lacey Turner, fihema says: “During Vito’s first season, it felt as if nobody took him too seriously. The garbled rush of English and puppy dog enthusiasm. But he has proved – and continues to prove – to be one of the best teachers (if not THE best) teacher on this show. Lacey is another partner flourishing in his care.”
VelvetinaB says: “Some lovely moves and lifts by Lacey and Vito, but the music really doesn’t work with the tempo of the dance. Most odd.”
IvanTiger says: “Lacey in that wig looks like Tanya Branning! She can dance but again, more lifts than dancing.”
Irreverentnurse adds: “Love Vito. You’re like a little turtle, a snail coming out from the shell. I think Jojo corrected him and said pearl.”
Climingrose says: “Bethany Antonia is one talented girl. And she always looks as though she’s enjoying herself, which is great to see.”
acanthe says: “The trouble for Bethany is that Nancy, with her perfect cha-cha legs is right there beside her. I’m really rooting for Bethany, though.”
whistledownthewind says: “I think Bethany’s partnership with Nancy is the best all female Strictly pairing so far.”
ReclinedPotato adds: “I’m very biased and get emotional when I see Bethany and Nancy dancing together. To me that was EVERYTHING. Song, costume and just the right attitude.”
1991fab says: “Tabby Stoecker did so well! A hard dance to a very hard song! She’s shaping up to be one of my favourites. Very versatile, can do lots of different styles!”
IvanTiger says: “Tabby is fabby! Really great mover and so much pizzazz. Love her.”
Haigin88 adds: “Tabby will be in for the whole series. Looks very serious when performing, while having a lovely, warm look when being natural. Everyone will love her all the way.”
MartGray says: “That foxtrot from Cach Mercer and the wonderful Maddie was just gorgeous. So elegant. What a marvellous mix of moves, music and modes. Cach is king.”
ladygencora says: “Well, Frank the Sauce did well there. Absolutely brilliant. And well done Maddie for sticking to the brief.”
Phoebe says: “Yes, at last a proper ballroom dance, proper costumes and the best foxtrot music. Love, love, love.”
IvanTiger says: “Oh yes, Cach can do ballroom with utter suavity. More frame work but he is bliss in motion.”
Bigted1980 adds: “A foxtrot to a big-band standard in a suit with a fantastic partner. It worked. Fancy that.”
On Jaime Winstone, Lushattic says: “Never thought I wanted to see Ziggy dancing with Aladdin Sane – but I did.”
LoveAretha30 says: “Jaime and Carlos (not Carlo!) were fantastic. That floor spin was incredible! I agree with Motsi, it was a piece of art!”
VelvetinaB says: “I prefer a traditional paso but obviously that couldn’t happen this week. This was a great second best! I love Carlos’ choreography and Jaime did well.”
fihema adds: “So, so good from Ms Winstone! Loved it. Great orchestration too. But the dancing was spot-on. Bowie was the master, and that honoured his genius somehow. I can’t imagine him sitting with a cuppa watching Strictly – and yet I can. He’d probably have enjoyed that.”
On Will Best, DochkiMateri says: “Post-natal dad-dancing. A new style is born.”
1991fab says: “Well done, Will! He did great, he’s improving and congratulations on the baby!”
EmmyHarb says: “I feel like the judges overmarked Will because of the baby.”
Gardener_Maidhc adds: “If Will’s fiancee doesn’t murder him in his sleep after his credit-hogging, then she is probably just too exhausted.”
On Graeme Hall says, CasLass says: “He’s been knobbled by his outfit, as is tradition.”
YodaknowsAll says: “A very strange salsa. Not a lot of upper body isolation or hip movement but man, did Graeme sell it.’”
IvanTiger says: “Graeme’s a darling and can move so well for his age. Lots of attack and musicality, despite costume and wig. Good fun.”
Jockette61 says: “Watched Graeme and Lauren with a HUGE smile on my face throughout. He gives it his all. Brilliant!”
yorkshirecoast adds: “Graeme is living his best life.”
Bigted1980 says of Sarah Storey: “That didn’t impress me much, but I think Sarah is very likeable.
Aine183 says: “Oh no, I really like her, but the Dame looks totally out of her depth in this tango. There is a danger that we might see that again tomorrow.”
ladyglencora says: “Dame Sarah has come as Angela Rayner. Maybe not the icon she was going for.”
MartGray adds: “Aha, finally an icon Sarah has come as Bianca Jackson…. RICKKKKKKY MARTIN.”
On Lawrence Robb’s salsa, acanthe says: “Woah! That was great from Wee Ricky! There was a moment when he smiled at the camera and seemed to be thinking ‘I cant’ believe I’m doing this but it’s great isn’t it?’”
BenCaldwell88 says: “Lawrence’s screaming eyes every time they went into a lift were hilarious, bless him. Great dance though.”
Haigin88 says: “Lawrence is going to get better and better over the series. Those who improve over a long period tend to last longer than most.”
Lidoswimmer adds: “That was fun! Almost worthy of Lewis Cope. The only thing Lawrence needs to be mindful of is not doing the David Brent biting his lower lip thing.”
On John Nellis, Aine183 says: “I am rather surprised that the judges seem to have liked this paso. It looked like a random collection of poses to me.”
YodaknowsAll says: “I like John but this paso doesn’t do it for me. A lot of stomping with just a little attempt at Spanish lines. Just meh.”
KioskNews shows a cleaned-up reading view extracted from the publisher’s page — the original always lives on their site, not ours.