Debbie McGee and Giovanni Pernice’s charming Viennese Waltz saw them top the leaderboard on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ on Saturday (30.09.17).
The 58-year-old star and her professional partner wowed with a elegant performance of ‘She’s Always a Woman’, giving them the edge as the public vote for their favourites.
Craig Revel Horwood branded it "a-ma-zing", whilst Darcey Bussell told the wife of the late magician Paul Daniels: "You show no effort, the ease and the detail. It’s fantastic."
However, it was Alexandra Burke and Gorka Márquez’s Paso Doble to ‘Ven A Bailar’ that earned them the highest score of the night of 36, achieving nines from all the judges – Shirley Ballas, Bruno Tonioli, Darcey and Craig.
Speaking after the performance, Darcey said: "Oh my! The strength, the drama, there’s an art within you … It’s so beautiful to watch. I was on the edge of my seat."
Aston Merrygold and Janette Manrara’s energetic festival-themed Salsa was a "smidgen from perfection", according to Bruno. And Craig told them: "The risk is always great when you try these lifts in sequence … It had rhythm and timing and it was an amazing performance."
Ruth Langsford and Anton Du Beke put last week’s disaster-filled dance behind them and their energetic Charleston was deemed "100 percent better" than their previous performance.
Shirley said: "It was 100 percent better! You nailed it today!"
Whilst Bruno added: "Great, great improvement from last weekend."
Simon Rimmer and Karen Clifton’s waltz to ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ left Shirley teary-eyed as she spoke of the meaning behind the song.
The emotional impact of the song even left Craig feeling sympathetic. He told them: "It’s a real shame [about the ending] because it did show a lot of promise. I feel for you."
Following the second week of performances, Charlotte Hawkins and Brendan Cole and Reverend Richard Coles and his partner Dianne Buswell found themselves at the bottom of the leaderboard with a score of 34 each.
‘Strictly Come Dancing’ will continue on Sunday (01.10.17), where the first celebrity will leave the competition.
Debbie McGee and Giovanni Pernice top Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard
