THE first TEN of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing have been handed out.
Judge Motsi Mabuse whipped out her 10 paddle for the first time on only week three of the series.
It came at the end of the latest episode in which the star gave the highest mark possible to Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope.
Motsi awarded a 10 to the star for his Paso Doble with Katya Jones.
Her fellow judges handed out a mark of nine for the performance.
However, her decision comes amid ongoing criticism of Lewis’ past dance experience.
The performer appeared in Billy Elliot in childhood before going on to be a finalist on Sky competition series, Got To Dance.
His previous dance career has seen many viewers brand his appearance in the show a “fix” after he often found himself atop the leaderboard.
Writing online, one fan said: “He is a fully trained dancer since he was seven years old. He’s had a massive dance-based career.”
Someone else went on to quip: “He was so obviously better than everyone else even in just that little dance on Saturday so it was very clear his previous dancing experience was extensive.”
Lewis was drafted in to the contest last minute with the star admitting the process of being approached and formally signed up was a total of 36 hours.
The actor joined the show as a replacement for Game Of Thrones star Kristian Nairn who was forced to pull out due to injury.
As well as their success on Got To Dance, his group Ruff Diamond performed on the BBC‘s Children in Need alongside the cast of EastEnders before they went on to represent the UK in Las Vegas as part of the 2013 World Hip Hop Dance Championships.
Lewis eventually quit the group in 2015 at age 20.
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 lineup
Strictly Come Dancing news and the latest line up
- Nitro from Gladiators AKA Harry Aikines-Aryeetey will be using his athletic prowess to try to win over the judges.
- Doctor Who and ER star Alex Kingston will be adding some drama.
- Chris Robshaw, former Harlequins and England rugby captain will be tackling the dance floor.
- EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, who plays Suki Panesar, has moved from Walford to the ballroom.
- Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis has landed on the show from Down Under.
- George Clarke, a YouTube star, will also be showing off his moves.
- Love Island winner Amber Davies joined as a last minute replacement after Dani Dyer pulled out with injury.
- La Voix is the first drag star to join the main series
- Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink swaps is football boots for dancing shoes.
- Ellie Goldstein is the first contestant with Down’s Syndrome to take part.
- Thomas Skinner is swapping the boardroom for ballroom dancing.
- I’m A Celeb winner Vicky Pattison has been announced.
- Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope was announced as the last contestant after Game Of Thrones star Kristian Nairn pulled out of the show before the launch date over medical reasons.
