Strictly Come Dancing fans were left flabbergasted as they flocked to social media to comment on Anton Du Beke's scoring. He was back alongside Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, and Motsi Mabuse on the BBC One show as they cast a beady eye over the couples' latest routines.
It was all about bringing the spooky and the spiritual as Saturday night's show (October 29) was Strictly's annual Halloween special and the 11 remaining couples were hoping to bring the tricks and the treats to the ballroom.
And things got off to a shocking start - in a good way - as former England footballer Tony Adams received his highest score of the series so far as he was awarded 31 out of a possible 40 points for his "quivering quickstep" to The Devil Went Down To Georgia by The Charlie Daniels Band on Strictly Come Dancing.
Opening the Halloween TV special dressed as the devil, Tony and his professional partner Katya Jones “shocked” the judges with their performance as head judge Shirley said: "I’m absolutely in shock. Your footwork was lovely and light. You kept a lovely frame, you have absolutely shocked me."
However, trouble started to occur between the judges when singer and former Britain’s Got Talent finalist Molly Rainford split the opinions with her Argentine Tango to Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) by Kate Bush. Last week, Jayde Adams became the fourth contestant to leave the competition losing out to Molly in the dreaded dance-off, who was told she had played it "too safe."
Struggling to hold back the tears on the Halloween special after the dance, CBBC star Molly, 21, said: "We definitely were nervous, having that taste of going home – I really want to be here."
Shirley, who scored her a nine, said: "I am all hot underneath my collar, there was drama, passion and everything in between. You came back and were determined, foot by foot a really strong performance. I loved it."
Meanwhile, Craig, who awarded the singer a six, was booed as he gave his comments but as they did, Anton turned and said: "Really, is that all you're going to give him?" Craig then told the audience to "shut up" as they got louder following Anton's goading. He said: "Everything in this dance is a reaction to the leader, I felt like you were acting two dances."
And the disagreements continued despite Kiss FM DJ Tyler West and partner Dianne Buswell receiving a standing ovation for their Cha Cha Cha to Day-O (The Banana Boat Song) by Klaus Hallen Tanz Orchester. Dressed as Beetlejuice from the 1988 comedy, Tyler, who scored 35 for the dance, said: "It’s a catfish of a dance, its fun to dance but tricky."
He received a 10 from Anton Du Beke, who said: “The Cha Cha Cha is a revolting dance to do well. Let me tell you, I thought that was brilliant. That’s one of the best Cha Cha Chas I’ve seen on Strictly Come Dancing." But Craig said there was not a lot of Cha Cha Cha in the dance.
And it appears the Halloween special is having some kind of adverse effect on the panel as Strictly viewers @DanielDm27 tweeted: "Anton’s been booed more than Craig tonight. What is happening #Strictly." @Laurenevail echoed: "Anton feeling spicy tonight. Getting more boos than Craig … #Strictly."
@DeafinitelyMars commented: "Did Anton drink a bit of Craig’s vino tonight? He’s dishing out criticism like he’s not used to #Strictly." @Sias_Creations posted: "Why has Anton switched with Craig today? He's deffo coming across extra critical #Strictly." @TraylorHolmes added: "Anton was voted best judge at the NTAs last week. This week he’s getting booed #Strictly."
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