MOVIE week proved fruitful for Lancashire's cohort of Strictly Come Dancing contestants.

Chorley-born John Whaite topped the leaderboard with his partner Johannes Radebe after a near-perfect paso doble - while Blackburn's AJ Odudu sits high up in fourth place with her partner Kai Widdrington.

Whaite performed his dance to the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack and were scored 39 by the judges, with only Craig Revel Horwood not giving the pair a perfect score.

Judge Anton Du Beke said: “I’m a little overwhelmed, really.

“I have to be honest with you, I thought it might be a bit camp, this number.

“It was the best thing I have seen all night. You were so strong and believable and powerful.”

Shirley Ballas added: “I haven’t seen anything like that. Thank you for closing our show with such a magnificent performance.”

The routine received the highest score of any dance from the series so far.

AJ and Widdrington performed the American Smooth to I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston, from The Bodyguard.

Lancashire Telegraph: TOP: AJ received her top score of the series so farTOP: AJ received her top score of the series so far

AJ has spoken of experiencing self doubt during the week ahead of the routine, but did an amazing job on the night.

The judges gave her a total of 35 points, which is her highest scoring so far in the series.

Host Claudia Winkleman told her: "You did it so beautifully, you really did."