Strictly Come Dancing Shocker: Shaun Wright-Phillips Sinks to Bottom as Delta Goodrem and Tabby Stoeker Land Series’ First 10s

Saturday night’s edition of Strictly Come Dancing delivered a roller-coaster ride of emotions for viewers and contestants alike, starting off with a series of mistake-ridden routines before ultimately concluding on a spectacular high note. The evening featured dramatic highs and lows, highlighted by the first perfect tens of the competition, a triumphant return from injury, and a harsh warning from the judges regarding the precarious position of some early favorites.

The live show got off to a notably shaky start on October 24, as several celebrity contestants struggled to maintain their footing during their routines. Among the hardest hit was Shaun Wright-Phillips, whose energetic jive to Stevie Wonder’s classic "Faith," featuring Ariana Grande, failed to impress the judging panel. Craig Revel Horwood did not mince words when delivering his critique, famously labeling the former athlete’s performance as "disastrous." The misstep proved costly for Wright-Phillips, who ultimately found himself languishing at the very bottom of the evening’s leaderboard with a total score of just 17 points.

Wright-Phillips was not the only prominent name facing a tough night in the ballroom. Lawrence Robb, who had previously been heavily touted by bookmakers and fans alike as an early favorite to lift the coveted Glitterball Trophy, also hit a major stumbling block. Alongside his professional dance partner Jowita Przystal, Robb delivered a patchy performance that left the judges visibly underwhelmed, signaling that the competition is wide open and that no contestant is safe from elimination based on past reputation alone.

Despite the early stumbles, the mood in the studio shifted dramatically as the night progressed. The latter half of the show showcased the resilience and growing technical prowess of several key contenders, turning what could have been a disastrous evening into one of the most memorable episodes of the current series.

Chief among the comeback stories of the night was Delta Goodrem. Having been forced to sit out the previous week’s festivities—known as Icons Week—due to a painful rib injury, Goodrem made a triumphant return to the dancefloor. Transforming into the ultimate comeback queen, she delivered a near-flawless rumba that captured the hearts of both the audience and the judging panel. Her emotional and technically precise routine earned her a standing ovation and a massive milestone for the series: the very first 10 of the competition, courtesy of judge Anton du Beke. Goodrem’s triumphant return yielded a total score of 34 points, firmly re-establishing her as a powerhouse in the competition.

However, Goodrem was soon outdone by Olympian Tabby Stoeker. Performing an intensely emotional Couple’s Choice routine to Olivia Rodrigo’s "stupid song," Stoeker bared her soul on the dancefloor. Visibly moved after the routine finished, Stoeker wiped away tears as she reflected on the vulnerable nature of the performance.

"I swore I wouldn’t cry on Strictly but there we go," Stoeker admitted to co-host Claudia Winkleman. "It was really vulnerable, it’s quite scary. I wanted to express that all of us can overcome anything that comes at us."

The judges were equally moved by the raw authenticity of the performance. Craig Revel Horwood praised her dedication, telling her, "You have done your father and yourself proud. I applaud you." Motsi Mabuse declared that the dance "deserves all the flowers" for its exquisite execution, while head judge Shirley Ballas described her as a "beautiful dancer." When the scores were tallied, Stoeker was awarded an impressive 37 points, including 10s from both Anton du Beke and Motsi Mabuse, catapulting her straight to the top of the leaderboard.

As the evening drew to a close, John and his professional partner Katya Jones took to the floor to close the live show with an ambitious and fast-paced Quickstep to McFly’s "Five Colours In Her Hair." The high-energy routine proved to be a fitting finale for a dramatic evening.

The judges praised the speed and intricate footwork of the routine, though they offered constructive feedback for the future. Shirley Ballas commended the pair, noting, "So fast, so challenging, but you pulled off all that footwork. I was very pleased with you." Anton du Beke called it a "very difficult routine, performed excellently," while Craig Revel Horwood suggested that John’s solo work needed a bit more broadening, though he acknowledged that the contestant "absolutely flew around that floor." Motsi Mabuse affectionately dubbed him "Speedy Gonzales," encouraging him to bring his exceptional ballroom fluidity over to his Latin routines.

John’s efforts were rewarded with his highest score of the series so far, picking up a 7, an 8, an 8, and a 9 for a total of 32 points.

With all the live performances concluded, the final leaderboard reflected the night’s dramatic swings in fortune. Tabby Stoeker sat comfortably at the summit with 34 points following her stellar Couple’s Choice, while Shaun Wright-Phillips remained precariously at the bottom with 17 points.

Immediately following the close of the live show, the public vote opened, giving viewers a brief window until 9 pm to cast their support for their favorite couples and potentially rescue struggling contestants like Wright-Phillips and Lawrence Robb from the dreaded dance-off.

During the closing moments of the broadcast, it was also revealed that Anton du Beke will hold the crucial casting vote during tomorrow night’s elimination results show.

The results show is scheduled to air at 7.10pm on Sunday on BBC One. In addition to the tense elimination proceedings, viewers can look forward to a special musical guest performance from former Spice Girl Melanie C, rounding off another eventful weekend in the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom.