We’re now in week four of Strictly Come Dancing 2026 and on Saturday (17 October) night, it was time for our second themed live show: Icons Week.
This year’s celebrities paid homage to stars including Mariah Carey, Shania Twain and Sir Elton John.
While there are 13 couples left in the competition, just 12 took to the dancefloor as Delta Goodrem was forced to pull out due to injury. As per the show’s rules, she was given a bye to next week.
With Goodrem out of action, the top spot on the leaderboard was up for grabs – and two celebrities tied in first place with 34 points each. Cach Mercer delighted the judges by showing his smooth side with a Foxtrot to Frank Sinatra while Jaime Winstone wowed with her dramatic David Bowie-themed Paso Doble.
At the other end of the leaderboard, Dame Sarah Storey could be in trouble, having received a score of 21 for her Tango to "That Don't Impress Me Much" and Dani Dyer isn’t too far ahead, after being given 25 for her Rumba.
The Strictly Come Dancing results show airs on BBC One at 7.30pm on Sunday (18 October).
Follow all the latest Strictly Come Dancing updates below...
Strictly Come Dancing - LIVE
- Delta Goodrem 'heartbroken' to miss live show
- Celebrity welcomes baby midway through series
- Lawrence Robb brings the fire with lift-packed salsa
- Famous dads spotted cheering their daughters on
- Cach Mercer goes top of leaderboard with dapper Foxtrot
- Jaime Winstone wows with Bowie-themed Paso Doble
That’s it from me!
I’ll be back next week, when we’ll have said goodbye to another of our Strictly 2026 couples.
One upside though, is that Delta Goodrem will (hopefully!) return to the competition.
We’ll also bring you the result when tomorrow’s dance-off airs.
20:26 , Rachel McGrathThe voting is open! And it closes at 8.50pm so get yourself over to the Strictly website now.
The judge with the casting vote in tomorrow’s results show will be Shirley. And there are two extra special moments to look forward to: the pros are performing a Madonna-themed dance and there’ll be a special Dolly Parton tribute.
20:25 , Rachel McGrathOh, this has been a great episode, wasn’t it?
I feel like the transformations really helped the celebrities up their game and the presenters seem to be finding their footing too.
Emma and Josh feel like much more of a proper duo and Johannes is coming into his own in the Clauditorium (we still need a new name for that).
When it comes to the leaderboard, there’s a tie for first place: Cach and Maddie have 34, as do Jaime and Carlos.
At the other end, Sarah and Julian have 21, while Dani and Nikita are only a little ahead on 24.
20:21 , Rachel McGrathWill’s scores are in! He’s received a 7, 8, 8 and another 8 - a brilliant total of 31. Will and Dianne’s highest yet!
20:19 , Rachel McGrathWhat a lovely way to close the show!
Here are the judges’ comments for Will...
Motsi: “I love that you are so consistent. You come here, you are well-rehearsed, well-prepared. Keep going. I love your journey.”
Shirley: “You can be extremely proud of yourself. This is your best dance so far.”
Anton: “A brilliant routine. Brilliantly put together and brilliantly danced.”
Craig: “For me, it was a little bit stick insect-like. I just wanted you to actually calm down a little bit. But that was a complex routine. I think you did a fantastic job.”
20:16 , Rachel McGrathOh gosh, that was an emotional VT, wasn’t it?! Will and Dianne were both in tears as they talked about being parents.
And now we have the gear change of the century, for their Elton John-themed Jive. And for the final time tonight... what a wig.
20:13 , Rachel McGrath1 Closing the show, it's Will Best! And it’s Jive time.
After slowing things down with a Waltz last week, and impressing the judges in the process, Will is performing a Jive to Elton John's "Crocodile Rock".
Before we get to the dancing, he deserves a huge congratulations - Will and his (irl) partner Tabby welcomed a baby this week! So I can only imagine how tired he is...
20:12 , Rachel McGrathJaime’s scores are in... 8, 9(!), 8 and 9 - that’s a total of 34.
20:10 , Rachel McGrathI really liked what they did with the timing there - slowing things down and speeding up again throughout the whole routine.
And here are the judges’ thoughts (also Motsi and Shirley are on their feet again!)...
Anton: “That is the best thing you’ve done in this competition. It was strong, dynamic, you had great power. It was immense. I loved it, well done.”
Craig: “You totally smashed that, darling.”
Motsi: “That was so clever. It felt like a piece of art. I loved the both of you mirroring each other. Well done, guys.”
Shirley: “The timing was good, I loved the character with the music. The whole thing had passion, I loved when it went slow, I loved when it sped up. I just loved it.”
20:06 , Rachel McGrathThey’ve saved one of the best wigs until last, I see.
20:04 , Rachel McGrath This show feels like it’s flown by?!
Now it’s time for Jaime Winstone, with a Paso Doble to "Let's Dance" by David Bowie. I can’t wait to see Jaime and Carlos bring the drama with this one...
20:03 , Rachel McGrathThere are just two couples left to dance! And in order to fill some time because Delta isn’t dancing, Neil Jones is now plugging the Strictly socials if that’s your kind of thing...
20:02 , Rachel McGrathWhat did the judges make of it?
Craig: “I had to take my glasses off to believe what I was seeing. That was the weirdest salsa I have experienced in 22 years on this programme... and it was genius.”
Motsi: “Graeme, you are so committed. In the middle, I got worried. I thought, ‘is this man breathing? Will he survive?’. Breathe!”
Shirley: “I’m a little bit speechless. You give 150% of yourself. Every single part of your body is moving... we’ve just got to get it organised a little bit.”
Anton: “It was incredible. This was on the edge, you were redlining as they say. This, I really enjoyed.”
Graeme’s scores are in... 7, 7, 7 and 7 - a total of 28.
19:58 , Rachel McGrathOh wow! That was a quick routine! I can’t believe the wigs stayed in place...
I was not expecting that from Graeme!
19:55 , Rachel McGrath An ABBA medley? Now you’re talking my language.
Graeme ‘The Dogfather’ Hall is performing a salsa. He’s done pretty well with the ballroom styles so far, and I’m intrigued to see how this goes...
19:53 , Rachel McGrathLacey’s scores are in! She’s got a 7, 7, 7 and an 8. That’s a very respectable total of 29 - Lacey and Vito’s highest yet.
19:51 , Rachel McGrathGod, I would pay a lot of money to raid the Strictly wig cupboard.
Anyway, that was lovely from Lacey. Properly beautiful. And now that we’re in week four, the professionals have gone lifts-mad!
Here’s the verdict from the judges...
Shirley: “I loved the tricks there, they were what you expect to see in the final. It does look a little bit like you’re hanging on him? I’d like you to be a bit lighter, lift your body a bit more.”
Anton: “I enjoyed the perfomance. It had a lot of speed through the dance and I liked the way you gave yourself up to it. I liked that because nothing got stuck. It flowed through. In your ballroom dances though, focus on taking larger steps.”
Craig: “I do agree with Anton. I had an issue with your free arm, it lacked direction and intent. You have to tell the story all the way through. But you have flow, you have connection. I think you’re a really strong partnership.”
Motsi: “I think we all see what a talented dancer you are. You’re so talented, it looks so easy when you dance. You need to create an alter ego so when you step on that dancefloor, you’re not Lacey who is all shy.”
19:44 , Rachel McGrathLacey Turner is up next and I reckon this could be a really beautiful dance.
She's performing an American Smooth to "Hometown Glory" by Adele. Lacey has thrived with the more wholesome numbers this year (her Toy Story performance in Movie Week was lovely!) and certainly looks more comfortable during them.
19:43 , Rachel McGrathShaun’s scores are in. He’s received a 7(!), 7, 7 and another 7 - that’s a total of 28. By far Shaun’s best!
19:41 , Rachel McGrathThat smile! It’s infectious.
That was so much fun! Those lifts! Surely he’s heading for his highest score of the series. The crowd is going wild! I love this for him.
The judges’ comments are in:
Craig: “I was loving it until it went horribly wrong, darling. You got out of time on that very last moment. But this is my favourite of your dances.”
Motsi: “Everybody is rooting for you because we can see how hard you were trying. This week, you’re trying to be confident on the dancefloor and that is the road to being a professional on this show. A lot of people have been doing mistakes today, you’re not the only one. You bring us joy.”
Shirley: “It’s always nerve-wracking to come back but this was iconic. You were synchronised. I didn’t actually see where the mistake was. You came out here and you sold every part of it.”
Anton: “This week, you’re back up top. I thought this was terrific, well done you.”
19:35 , Rachel McGrathUp next are Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr with a Couple’s Choice! And it’ll be set to a James Brown medley, which I’m very here for.
Shaun survived the dance-off last week and I’m so happy we’re getting to see him doing this routine. What he lacks in skills, Shaun more than makes up for in enthusiasm. He is such a joy!
In his VT, Shaun has dedicated the dance to his lovely mum.
19:32 , Rachel McGrathBethany’s scores are in... 6, 7, 7 and 7 - a total of 27.
19:30 , Rachel McGrathThat was so much fun! You can tell Bethany and Nancy really love dancing together.
Did the judges love it?
Motsi: “I loved it. You have a natural feel for movement, you had really nice body waves and Cuban breaks. It was great, it was fun, but I want super great for you.”
Shirley: “I think it takes a lot of confidence to start on your own at the top of the stairs, so I admire you for that. I think you’re a force to be reckoned with and we’ve just tapped the iceberg with you.”
Anton: “You are magnificent when you’re standing. When you move, it doesn’t work as well because the weight is too far back.”
Craig: “I think your footwork was a problem and then that translated into the straight lack. I thought it lacked fluidity. But what you did bring was performance and that was absolutely worth watching.”
19:24 , Rachel McGrathCach is a tough act to follow but if anyone can do it, it’s Bethany and Nancy. They’re performing a Cha Cha to Aretha Franklin's "Respect”, which could be right up their street, I reckon.
19:22 , Rachel McGrathCach’s scores are in... 8(!), 9(!!), 8 and 9 - that’s 34, putting him top of the leaderboard. And it’s the highest score of the series so far. Bravo!
19:21 , Rachel McGrathCach certainly looks the part! And I thought that was a very elegant routine.
Motsi and Shirley were on their feet at the end! And here’s what the judges have to say...
Anton: “I wish I didn’t look so ridiculous. Cach, from one old ballroom boy to a new one... welcome to the club. I’m so delighted. You invested and completely committed to that. Your footwork is immaculate. Your timing. Stick with it because you are great.”
Craig: “I do want to thank you for committing, finally, to one genre. Because I knew you’d be fantastic. And you were, my darling.”
Motsi: “I loved it. I saw you and I saw so many other people. You remind me of Sammy Davis Jr. You are brilliant, you’re a great dancer. You are iconic, really.”
Shirley: “The way you stayed connected together was fantastic. You came out here, you were cool, the whole thing was fantastic. A job well done.”
19:14 , Rachel McGrathI've been looking forward to this one: Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby are doing a Foxtrot to Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York".
I really enjoyed Cach's Couple's Choice last week, which saw him mash up lots of dance styles, but I think he could really prove himself as a ballroom man with this one.
19:12 , Rachel McGrathAw, Sarah looks a little emosh!
“This has been incredible this week,” she says, “learning to become Shania.”
And now she has a video message from Shania herself! I love that so much.
Here are the scores... 5, 5, 5 and 6 - a total of 21.
19:11 , Rachel McGrathI love Sarah but it did feel like the energy dipped a little there.
Here are the judges’ thoughts...
Shirley: “It had too much bounce in it and the frame was breaking. But character, attitude, dramatics - they were good, well done.”
Anton: “I think you’re better than you think you are. Believe in yourself a bit more because you are really quite good. You’re stopping yourself from taking the next step.”
Craig: “I thought it was bouncy, too much. This dance should really remain on one level. When you went into your solo bits, you lost expression in the body itself. If you’re flying solo, you need to make that more powerful.”
Motsi: “I’m not agreeing with him completely. What I see is you were playing the role and that gave you a bounce. Last week you were here counting, you weren’t doing that this week. You were dancing and performing. We have improvement. Just keep going.”
Sarah Storey is up next with a Tango to Shania Twain's "That Don't Impress Me Much".
Sarah has been promising so far but hasn't fully found her way in the competition.
The other celebs have so far thrived by getting into character, let’s hope Sarah does the same!
19:03 , Rachel McGrathTabby’s scores are in! She’s received an 8, 7, 7 and 7 - a total of 29.
And I cannot remember the last time Craig scored a dance higher than his fellow judges?!
19:01 , Rachel McGrathWow, wow, wow.
Here are the judges’ comments for Tabby...
Craig: “Not too shabby, Tabby. I love how you played that for sass. You took control of that man and the dance. Brilliant.”
Motsi: “I loved the attitude, I loved the opening. How would Raye do a samba? I think like that. What I would love you to do is work on the upper part of your body.”
Shirley: “I think it had a good blend of samba, you had about five different timings. Moving forward, get your nose over your toes - it was a little bit backweighted. But all in all, a very nice package.”
Anton: “Stationery samba walks were exquisite. Bang on. Keep working in the right direction because it’s all going nicely.”
18:58 , Rachel McGrathTabby has really lucked out on the costume department tonight.
I’d be asking to keep this dress... or just taking it and saying nothing.
18:56 , Rachel McGrath Oh, I’m so ready for this. Tabby and Mark are up now with a Samba to Raye’s “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND”.
Tabby is a great example of someone who isn’t necessarily a household name, but really thrives in the competition and wins viewers over. Her Argentine Tango last week was stunning. I reckon she could go far in the series...
18:54 , Rachel McGrathLawrence’s scores are in... 7, 8, 7 and 8 - that’s 30, which puts him top of the leaderboard!
It’s 10 more than he received last week so that’s a huge improvement.
18:52 , Rachel McGrathOh that was good! I feel like his hips could have been a bit looser, especially at the start, but there was plenty of actual salsa content which was great.
And some stunning lifts (to be expected really, this is Jowita, after all). That one at the end! I gasped.
Here’s the judges’ verdict...
Anton: “Heaven’s above. That was spectacular. I sense it already that one or two this side of me are going to talk about technique. But I think your performance was outstanding. Your lifts are amazing. Please don’t dance less than that performance ever again.”
Craig: “I thought you were picking your feet up way too much. It didn’t help you with any figure-eight hip action, it was very square. But that is the strongest dance I’ve seen you do.”
Motsi: “Listen, this is the Lawrence we need. You were so enthusiastic. You are improving, great leading skills. But I think if you find a little more time to practice, you would be even better.”
Shirley: “I loved the partnering skills, the energy. They were lifts you would do as a top-class professional. Your fluidity is getting better.”
18:46 , Rachel McGrathLawrence and Jowita are up now with a Salsa to “La Copa de la Vida” by Ricky Martin.
Lawrence’s VT has seen him meet up with Emmerdale pal Lewis Cope, who was one of the standout stars in last year’s series (and robbed of a place in the final, no I’m still not over it).
18:43 , Rachel McGrathDani’s scores are in.
It’s a 6, 6, 6 and a 7! That’s a total of 25.
18:42 , Rachel McGrathWow, Dani and Nikita - I loved that too! I feel like the standards are going to be very high tonight.
Here’s what the judges thought...
Shirley: “I could tell you were a little bit nervous but I thought you handled your nerves very well. Your timing was very good, you handled the choreography beautifully. If you can start to get flexibility, you’re on a winning streak.”
Anton: “I enjoyed that performance a lot. I enjoyed it more than you did. You were a bit reserved. It was like you were having an intimate moment with Nikita, then you realised there was a whole room of people watching.”
Craig: “I thought your Rumba walks at the beginning lacked hip action and control. In this dance there are no real full stops but I feel you were hesitating. But I think you have a really fantastic connection with Nikita and that really shone through.”
Motsi: “I think you have grown, we can see that you trust [Nikita]. You have a bit too much tension so work on your breathing, allowing your body to express everything you are feeling.”
18:36 , Rachel McGrathCan we take a second for the dads in the audience?
Love that they’ve sat Danny Dyer and Ray Winstone together. And I’d love to see them both sign up for next year.
18:34 , Rachel McGrath It's Rumba time for Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin!
They're performing to "Hero" by Mariah Carey. Dani really stepped things up last week and got in the zone for her Tango - and tonight's performance is similar, as it also requires getting into character and showing a serious side.
John's scores are in...
18:33 , Rachel McGrathHe’s received a 6 (harsh!), 7, 8 and another 8 - that’s a total of 29.
18:31 , Rachel McGrathI thought that was great! I do think that with themed weeks, the costumes really help the celebrities get into character.
Here’s what the judges have had to say...
Motsi: “He rocked it! What a way to open the dancefloor. You brought it to life, I loved the shaping you had, I loved your spine. I would have liked a little bit more flow.”
Shirley: “Katya, you had beautiful tricks going on but you also had great Paso Doble. It was amazing, your footwork, everything. You are back on form.”
Anton: “You were sensational. I loved it. I knew you’d like this dance and you came out and performed it like you loved it - that is half the battle.”
Craig: “There was a small awkward moment down here. You need to connect each step, it lacked a little bit of flow, darling. But you know what, you created an enormous amount of shaping. Full of strength, full of power. Well done you.”
18:27 , Rachel McGrathOpening the show tonight, it’s John Nellis and Katya Jones - with a Paso Doble to Bon Jovi's "It's My Life".
And can I just say, it’s a going to be a great night for wigs...
18:23 , Rachel McGrath Ok, the costume department have really outdone themselves this week.
Yes, that’s Craig and Anton as Liam and Noel. Amazing.
18:21 , Rachel McGrath Here are our hosts... and don’t they look fabulous once again!
17:58 , Rachel McGrath Welcome to this evening’s Strictly liveblog.
I’ll be bringing you all the updates on this week’s live show – and we only have 15 minutes to go!
