AJ Odudu wowed Strictly Come Dancing judges on her debut on this year’s competition.

Television presenter AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington received a score of 34 from the judges on the hit BBC show. She took the top spot on the leaderboard.

Motsi Mabuse called her routine “the best dance of the evening, without a doubt”.

Anton Du Beke said: “We have just dropped into week nine.”

He added: “There’s not much to say. It was absolutely remarkable. Completely brilliant.”

 

 

Actress Nina Wadia was scored 24 by the judges for her samba.
Craig Revel Horwood said: “Nina, who knew that was in you, my darling.”
Shirley Ballas added: “The dance that everybody wants to avoid is the samba, and you did things in this routine that look like they belong in week seven for me.”
She added: “For week one, outstanding.”
She was performing with professional partner Neil Jones.

Comedian Judi Love received a score of 24.
Anton Du Beke said: “I loved that. I love you two together, this makes me happy.
“The chemistry is great, you play off each other beautifully and that’s going to be your thing.”
She was performing with her partner Graziano Di Prima.

Great British Bake Off star John Whaite was scored 30 by the judges, taking him to the top of the leaderboard.
Whaite is part of Strictly’s first all-male pairing alongside professional dancer Johannes Radebe.
Anton Du Beke said: “Last week you said you wanted to make it about the dancing and let me tell you, you absolutely made it about the dancing because that was a great dance.”
He added: “Just carry on like that please and I will be delighted. Fabulous.”
Shirley Ballas added: “Well, I feel this is a testament to the same-sex couple.
“It was absolutely exquisite.”

Greg Wise was scored 24.
Anton Du Beke said: “I’d give you 45 points on my own if I could.
“I loved it. Great job.”
He performed the American Smooth with his partner Karen Hauer.
Comedian Robert Webb received a score of 20 from the judges.
Craig Revel Horwood said: “At this point, I couldn’t care less about technique.
“It’s a great crowd pleaser, I loved it. Absolutely hilarious.”
He was performing with Dianne Buswell.

Actress Katie McGlynn was scored 22.
Judge Shirley Ballas said: “Girl, you came in, you attacked.”
She was performing with Gorka Marquez.

EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis was scored 22.
Anton Du Beke said: “This is the most fun watching a dance I have had for a long time.
“I absolutely loved it.”
Ayling-Ellis, who plays Frankie Lewis in EastEnders, is the first deaf contestant to appear on the programme.
She was performing with Italian professional dancer Giovanni Pernice.

BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker was scored 24 by the judges.
Anton Du Beke told him: “I have to be honest with you, I was a bit nervous about this.
“I thought you were going to be awful.”
He added: “But you were terrific.”
Walker dedicated his dance to Louise Minchin, who recently left BBC Breakfast.
He was dancing with Nadiya Bychkova.

 

Olympic swimming champion Adam Peaty was given a score of 30 by the judges.

Anton Du Beke said: “It was tremendous. If you just keep that going through the series, you will be just fine.”

Shirley Ballas added: “It was effortless and it moved in every direction.”

Peaty was performing with his partner Katya Jones.