Yahoo Finance Plot twist - 'Strictly Come Dancing' sees underdogs top movie week leaderboard
Strictly Come Dancing’s leaderboard has been upset by the underdogs overtaking the competition favourites in movie week.
EastEnders actor Maisie Smith and popstar HRVY might appear to be the most technically accomplished dancers, but they were ousted from their usual position at the top of the leaderboard by two more low-key performers.
Read more: Strictly confirms it will continue through second lockdown
Out in front after the judges’ voting is presenter Ranvir Singh, on a 2020 series high score of 27 points after she scored nine points from all three judges for her Dreamgirls-inspired Foxtrot.
It's national Foxtrot Day! The highest score of the series so far for Ranvir and Giovanni!
@ranvir01 and @pernicegiovann1 pic.twitter.com/gLcSRBMCi4— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) November 7, 2020
She and dance partner Giovanni Pernice won high praise from the judges, but right on their heels and just one point behind them are viewer favourites Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse.
Ranvir went into this with bookies’ odds only marginally better than Jaqui Smith’s. Good for her ❤️ #strictly
— Shaun Kitchener (@ShaunKitchener) November 7, 2020
Who would’ve thought Ranvir and Bill would be topping the leader board but they really were the BEST. #Strictly
— Briony (@AllAboutBriony) November 7, 2020
The comedian and his partner danced a Paso Doble to The Good, The Bad and The Ugly which had judges and viewers mesmerised, and won them two nines and an eight.
Notoriously hard-to-impress judge Craig Revel Horwood told Bailey: “If you keep going like this my darling I think we’ll be seeing you in the final.”
"Guitar YEEE-HAW. Bill and Oti have turned the Ballroom into the Wild West 🤠🔥 #Strictly@BillBailey @OtiMabuse" pic.twitter.com/yHviKFri3g
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) November 7, 2020
Bill is the dark horse of this series. He knew the history of the dance and it showed to me. #Strictly
— Obsidiandragonsblood (@Obsidiandragon0) November 7, 2020
Bill Bailey smashing #Strictly might actually be the biggest plot twist of 2020...
— Athena (@Athenaa_C) November 7, 2020
Smith and HRVY both impressed with their routines, too, but were in joint third place with 24 points each.
And in another surprising turn, joining them in third place with 24 points was Max George and his partner Dianne Buswell for their Simpsons dance, which saw them painted bright yellow.
Read more: Craig Revel Horwood doesn’t think Strictly curse can strike this year
George and Buswell weren’t the only contestants to have been stitched up in the wardrobe department.
HRVY and his partner Janette Manrara were dressed as gnomes, while even show host Tess Daly couldn’t stop laughing at Jamie Laing as Disney’s Hercules.
Bless my soul, @JamieLaing_UK and @karen_hauer are on a roll! That's one STRONG Charleston. 💪 #Strictly pic.twitter.com/VnlgtBkMWj
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) November 7, 2020
But Laing had the last laugh, as despite looking ridiculous, his commitment to his character won him 23 points.
Currently trailing at the bottom of the leaderboard are NFL player Jason Bell and his partner Luba Mushtuk, who are on just 12 points.
Strictly Come Dancing returns for the results show on Sunday at 7.25pm on BBC One.
