Strictly's Blackpool Spectacle Hinges on Two Vital Stars
The iconic Strictly Come Dancing has made its annual pilgrimage to the legendary Blackpool Tower Ballroom, setting the stage for what promises to be one of the most glorious nights in the show's long history. The electric atmosphere, however, is largely powered by two standout performers whose late entry into the competition has fundamentally shaped this series.
It is almost impossible to imagine what this year's contest would have looked like without Lewis Cope and Amber Davies stepping in from the reserve bench. These two celebrities are, by a significant margin, the best dancers in the competition, performing at a level that their fellow contestants can only dream of reaching.
The Unmatched Talent of Lewis and Amber
Despite facing commentary about their previous dance experience, the pair have been absolutely vital. Lewis Cope, the former soap star, is the only contestant to have earned a perfect score of 40. His haunting Couple's Choice routine to a eerie cover of Radiohead's 'Creep' with professional partner Katya Jones on Halloween Week was a defining moment. The performance was a masterclass in synchronicity, charisma, and sheer skill, rivalling anything one might see in the West End.
This routine has cemented its place as a series highlight, standing alongside legendary dances from Strictly history like Jay McGuiness's Tango and Rose Ayling-Ellis's silent symphony. Outside of that, only one other dance has truly captivated audiences: Karen Carney's debut Jive, which unexpectedly topped the first leaderboard, though her performances have been less consistent.
Meanwhile, Amber Davies, the former Love Island winner, has delivered exceptional performances every single week with her partner Nikita Kuzmin. Her Paso Doble to Aerosmith's 'Dream On' last week was utterly breathtaking from start to finish. Surprisingly, her incredible skill has not guaranteed public favour, as she has already found herself in the dreaded dance-off, proving that prior dance training can sometimes be a curse on the show.
The Wider Contest and Public Perception
While the author's personal vote goes to the delightful partnership of ER star Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe, whose chemistry is a highlight of the series, the piece argues that Lewis and Amber deserve to make the semi-final, with one of them absolutely needing to be in the final. This year's final will only feature three couples due to the withdrawal of Neighbours star Stefan Dennis.
Even with some middling scores, YouTube sensation George Clarke remains the hot favourite to win, a prospect the author is not opposed to given his warmth and vulnerability. However, the article posits that George and Alex alone would not have made this series so phenomenal. It would have been lost without the extraordinary talent of Lewis and Amber, a truth expected to become even clearer on the grand Blackpool stage.
The piece concludes with a call to action for the public, urging viewers to move past their scepticism of celebrities with dance experience. Without such high-calibre performers, the show risks becoming little more than a local talent contest. While past winners like Bill Bailey and Chris McCausland proved phenomenal without formal training, this series lacks such a surprise package, making the world-class talent of Lewis and Amber all the more essential to keeping the excitement alive.
