Strictly Dance Fever

This article originally stated it was lacking sufficient inline citations, a rather quaint way of saying it’s a bit thin on the ground. June 2016, they said. As if time itself is some kind of reliable source. Let’s rectify that, shall we?

Strictly Dance Fever

Strictly Dance Fever was a British television programme that graced the BBC One airwaves on Saturday evenings. It purported to be an amateur dance talent competition, though the caliber of talent often felt more like a vigorous attempt than actual mastery. Hosted by the ever-effervescent Graham Norton , it ran for two seasons, first in Spring 2005 and then again in Spring 2006. It was an ambitious, if ultimately doomed, endeavor.

Beyond the main Saturday night broadcast, there were ancillary programs. For those who couldn’t get enough, Zoe Ball helmed a Saturday night companion show on BBC Three . And for the truly dedicated, or perhaps just the chronically understimulated, there was a nightly BBC3 roundup and fanzine program hosted by Joe Mace . This additional programming, while perhaps intended to bolster viewership, often felt like a desperate attempt to keep the embers of interest from completely dying out. The program was, in essence, a less glamorous, less star-studded cousin to the BBC’s considerably more successful Strictly Come Dancing , another Saturday night staple. The BBC, in their infinite wisdom, announced on December 12, 2006, that Strictly Dance Fever had been unceremoniously axed. Its demise was attributed to a shift in programming priorities, making way for the Andrew Lloyd Webber talent search, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? , a show that, frankly, had more dramatic potential than watching amateurs flail.

The broadcast schedule for Strictly Dance Fever typically occupied BBC One ’s Spring lineup. The initial audition phase spanned two weeks, followed by another two weeks dedicated to recalls. The subsequent competition rounds, where the actual dancing occurred, ran for eight weeks, culminating in live finales. The ultimate winning couple was crowned in June of each year, a moment of triumph for some, and a quiet relief for most viewers.

Achieving a perfect score of 40 points, a feat that should theoretically signify flawless execution, was surprisingly common, occurring seven times across both series. In Series 1, Danny Last and Jodie Binstead managed this feat twice, while Joseph Hall and Sadie Flower achieved it once. Series 2 saw Darren Bailey and Lana Williams earn a perfect score once, and Darrien Wright and Hollie Robertson accomplished it an astonishing three times, suggesting either remarkable talent or a progressively generous judging panel. It’s worth noting that in the semi-final of Series 2, Darren Bailey and Lana Williams were awarded a perfect 30 out of 30 when judge Stacey Haynes was indisposed, which raises questions about her usual scoring. The absolute nadir of the competition, the lowest score ever awarded, was a dismal 12 points, received by Paul James Culshaw and Aravon McCann in Series 2. A score that low isn’t just bad dancing; it’s an insult to the very concept of rhythm.

Series 1

The scoring in Series 1 was a complex tapestry of points, with bold scores indicating the highest for that particular week and red signifying the lowest. An asterisk (*) denotes a couple that found themselves in the bottom two, a precarious position that often foreshadowed their eventual elimination. An “IN” simply meant a couple was not dancing due to an injury, a convenient escape clause for some, perhaps.

Scoring Chart

Average Chart

This chart attempts to provide a more objective view, ranking couples by their average scores rather than their final placement. It reveals who consistently performed well, even if luck or public favor didn’t quite align.

Weekly Scores

The individual judges’ scores, a delightful blend of opinions from Arlene Phillips , Luca Tommassini, Stacey Haynes, and Jason Gardiner , are presented in that precise order. Their evaluations often seemed more a reflection of their personal biases than objective critique.

Week 1

The leaderboard, as it were, was topped by Nathan & Kristy, who delivered a respectable Boogie Woogie . James & Claire followed with a Cuban Salsa , and Cem & Gemma also tackled the Cuban Salsa. Danny & Jodie, and Joseph & Sadie, both performed the Boogie Woogie and Cuban Salsa respectively. Dan & Michelle’s Boogie Woogie landed them in the elimination spot, while Adam & Rebecca’s Boogie Woogie and Toby & Casey’s Cuban Salsa kept them safe, for now. Alex & Katie’s Boogie Woogie placed them in the bottom two, and Paul & Natasha, despite their low score on the Boogie Woogie, were deemed safe.

Week 2

Danny & Jodie took the lead with a spirited Argentine Tango , closely followed by Joseph & Sadie, also performing the Argentine Tango. Adam & Rebecca’s Hustle secured them third place. Cem & Gemma’s Argentine Tango placed them fourth. James & Claire’s Hustle put them in fifth. Alex & Katie’s Hustle saw them eliminated, a fate shared by Toby & Casey, whose Hustle was less impressive. Nathan & Kristy’s Argentine Tango landed them in eighth, while Paul & Natasha’s Hustle, despite a low score, kept them from elimination.

Week 3

Cem & Gemma soared to the top with a dazzling Charleston , followed by Joseph & Sadie’s Charleston. Danny & Jodie’s Lambada secured third place. James & Claire’s Charleston was fourth. Toby & Casey’s Lambada resulted in their elimination. Paul & Natasha’s Charleston was sixth, while Nathan & Kristy’s Lambada landed them in the bottom two. Adam & Rebecca’s Lambada placed them last, but safe.

Week 4

Joseph & Sadie’s Lindyhop took the lead, followed by Nathan & Kristy’s Jitterbug . Cem & Gemma and Danny & Jodie, performing Lindyhop and Jitterbug respectively, tied for fourth. James & Claire’s Foxtrot placed them fifth. Adam & Rebecca’s Foxtrot landed them in the bottom two, and Paul & Natasha’s Foxtrot resulted in their elimination.

Week 5

This week, Nathan & Kristy were absent due to Nathan’s injury, but public votes kept them in the running. Danny & Jodie’s Mambo secured the top spot. Cem & Gemma’s Mambo placed them in the bottom two. Joseph & Sadie’s Mambo was third, and James & Claire’s Mambo was fourth. Adam & Rebecca’s Mambo led to their elimination.

Week 6

A demanding week where each couple performed a Milonga and a famous dance from a musical. Danny & Jodie excelled with their Milonga and a Top Hat routine. Joseph & Sadie followed with their Milonga and a Dirty Dancing number. James & Claire performed the Milonga and a Sound of Music inspired piece. Cem & Gemma’s Milonga and Saturday Night Fever routine landed them in the elimination zone. Nathan & Kristy’s Milonga and Bandwagon performance put them in the bottom two.

Week 7: Semi-Final

The semi-final required couples to dance a Waltz and a different swing dance. Danny & Jodie’s Waltz and Lindyhop secured them first place. Nathan & Kristy’s Waltz and Lindyhop placed them second, but it wasn’t enough to save them from elimination. Joseph & Sadie’s Waltz and Hustle were third, and James & Claire’s Waltz and Jitterbug landed them in the bottom two. Stacey Haynes was absent for judging this week, meaning scores were out of 30 for each dance.

Week 8: Final

The grand finale saw the remaining couples perform their favorite dance of the series and a Showdance. Joseph & Sadie emerged victorious, their Lindyhop and Showdance earning them the win. Danny & Jodie were the runners-up, their Milonga and Showdance placing them second. James & Claire took third place with their Cuban Salsa and Showdance.

Dance chart (Series 1)

This chart summarizes the dances performed by each couple throughout Series 1.

Series 2

Series 2, much like its predecessor, featured a scoring system where bold indicated the highest score and red the lowest. The bottom two remained a place of dread, and eliminations followed a predictable, if somewhat tiresome, pattern.

Scoring Chart

Average Chart

Similar to Series 1, this chart ranks couples by their average scores, offering a different perspective on their performance throughout the competition.

Weekly Scores

The judging panel for Series 2 included Ben Richards , Arlene Phillips , Wayne Sleep , and Stacey Haynes. Their collective wisdom, or lack thereof, dictated the fate of the dancers.

Week 1

Darrien & Hollie kicked off Series 2 with a strong Rock & Roll performance, securing first place. Lana & Darren followed with their own Rock & Roll. Stephannie & Ben performed a Salsa , and Clare & Stewart also danced the Salsa. Dawn & Rob’s Salsa placed them fourth equal. Helga & Clive’s Salsa saw them eliminated, while Jennifer & Mark’s Rock & Roll put them in the bottom two. Aravon & Paul C. and Pamela & Paul M. both scored 21 for their respective dances, with Stacey & JP bringing up the rear with a Rock & Roll.

Week 2

Pamela & Paul M. took the lead with a captivating Argentine Tango . Clare & Stewart’s Hustle followed closely. Stephannie & Ben also performed the Argentine Tango. Lana & Darren and Jennifer & Mark, dancing the Hustle and Argentine Tango respectively, tied for fourth. Hollie & Darrien’s Argentine Tango placed them sixth. Stacey & JP’s Hustle landed them in the bottom two, while Dawn & Rob’s Hustle saw them eliminated. Aravon & Paul C.’s Hustle was ninth.

Week 3

Lana & Darren’s Guapacha secured the top spot, followed by Pamela & Paul M.’s Charleston . Hollie & Darrien’s Guapacha was third. Stacey & JP’s Guapacha landed them in the bottom two. Aravon & Paul C.’s Charleston was fifth, while Stephannie & Ben and Jennifer & Mark, performing Charleston and Guapacha respectively, tied for sixth. Clare & Stewart’s Charleston resulted in their elimination.

Week 4

Pamela & Paul M. led the pack with a dynamic Jitterbug . Stephannie & Ben’s Jitterbug secured second place. Lana & Darren’s Lambada was third. Hollie & Darrien’s Jitterbug was fourth. Jennifer & Mark’s Jitterbug placed them in the bottom two, and Stacey & JP’s Lambada kept them safe. Aravon & Paul C.’s Lambada resulted in their elimination, a score of 12 being a rather ignominious end.

Week 5

Lana & Darren triumphed with their Flamenco , followed by Hollie & Darrien’s American Smooth . Stephannie & Ben also performed the American Smooth. Pamela & Paul M.’s Flamenco led to their elimination. Stacey & JP’s American Smooth landed them in the bottom two, and Jennifer & Mark’s Flamenco kept them safe.

Week 6

Lana & Darren showcased a strong Lindyhop and Milonga . Hollie & Darrien also performed the Lindyhop and Milonga, achieving a perfect score on the latter. Stephannie & Ben’s Lindyhop and Milonga placed them in the bottom two. Stacey & JP’s Lindyhop and Milonga were fourth. Jennifer & Mark’s Lindyhop and Milonga resulted in their elimination.

Week 7: Semi-Final

The semi-final featured an Adagio and a different swing dance. Stacey Haynes was absent, meaning scores were out of 30. Lana & Darren’s Adagio and American Smooth secured them first place. Hollie & Darrien’s Adagio and Hustle were second. Stephannie & Ben’s Adagio and Guapacha landed them in the bottom two. Stacey & JP’s Adagio and Salsa resulted in their elimination.

Week 8: Final

The final competition saw couples perform their favorite dance and a Freestyle routine. Hollie & Darrien were crowned the winners, their perfect scores in both the Milonga and Freestyle proving unbeatable. Lana & Darren were the runners-up, their Flamenco and Freestyle earning them second place. Stephannie & Ben secured third place with their Lindyhop and Freestyle.

Dance chart (Series 2)

This chart provides a complete overview of the dances performed by each couple during Series 2.