Top 30 Greatest Strictly Come Dancing Performances

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Welcome to WatchMojoUK, and today we’re looking at thirty of the all-time best performances on “Strictly”.

#30: Salsa to “Mambo No. 5” by Lou Bega

Jake Wood & Janette Manrara

Who knew that Max Branning from “EastEnders” could move like this? Not us, since this phenomenal salsa was only his second dance of the series. He’d already got 28 points with his “Toxic” tango the previous week, but that rose to 35 in week two when “Mambo No. 5” was the song of choice. The energy was high and the mistakes were few, with some daring, limbo-esque choreography from Janette, finished with a spectacular lift. Nobody could say they weren’t having fun, and they were tied for the highest scoring points that week along with Pixie Lott and Trent – who they ultimately outlasted in the competition.

#29: Tango to the “Doctor Who” Theme

Stacey Dooley & Kevin Clifton

You could feel the heat between Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton no matter what they were doing, even if they were having to dance to the theme tune for “Doctor Who” – which doesn’t exactly scream “ballroom dancing”. With Kevin dressed as a Cyberman and Stacey dressed as the Thirteenth Doctor, they did this baffling but ultimately extremely memorable performance – and being memorable is always good when the public might have to vote for you. They even dragged a TARDIS onto the dance floor and everything, with the music working surprisingly well. All in all, they got a very respectable 35 points, and would eventually win the series.

#28: Jive to “Gold Dust” by DJ Fresh

AJ Odudu & Kai Widdrington

It’s always a joy to see a performance this good in the very first week, especially when it’s a jive – which can go very wrong or very right depending on how adventurous the choreography is. It absolutely looked like hard work, getting them an astonishing 34 points, which is no mean feat in the first week of the competition. They were impressive all the way through and potentially could have won had AJ not had to withdraw due to an ankle injury in the final. Then again, we’ll be talking about the couple who DID win that year later on, and they were just as spectacular.

#27: Paso Doble to “Los Toreadors” by Georges Bizet

Susanna Reid & Kevin Clifton

Arguably, the paso doble is one of the trickier dances because the two are often further apart, meaning the celebrities can’t rely on their professional partner quite as much. That hardly mattered for Susanna Reid, though, because she and Kevin got all the way to the final. This memorable performance in week 8 was yet another respectable showing from them, with nobody thinking that they might be eliminated – and, indeed, they weren’t. They got 39 points that week, and ended the series with only four points fewer than the ultimate winners. It was certainly a dance that you couldn’t take your eyes off, especially those spins at the end.

#26: American Smooth to “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head” by Robbie Williams

Ellie Leach & Vito Coppola

They brought this out in week 7 and then again in the final that they went on to win, getting 39 the first time around and a full house of 40 points the second. You know a dance is VERY technically impressive when they make it look effortless, which Ellie and Vito definitely pulled off with this number. Were they dancing, or just gliding around in perfect harmony? They were such an impressive pair that plenty of people called that they were going to win from the very beginning, proven right week after week. They were some of our favourites ever to watch take to the dance floor.

#25: Paso Doble to “The Matrix” Theme

Seann Walsh & Katya Jones

They were still a few weeks away from the catastrophic kissing scandal when they did this paso doble inspired by “The Matrix” in week 3, and it does make you wonder whether or not they could have won had they not squandered all the public’s goodwill. Possibly not, but this was certainly inventive, with various elaborate dance moves inspired by many of the film’s mindbending stunts. We can’t imagine it was easy to put something together for this piece or this movie, but was it cheating to attach Seann to a wire? At the end of the day, we don’t care, because it looked incredible.

#24: Argentine Tango to “Human” by Rag’n’Bone Man

Joe McFadden & Katya Jones

Another impressive showing from Katya, in this series, she and celebrity partner Joe McFadden were the eventual winners. They were performing the notoriously racy Argentine tango, featuring some more lifts that appear to go against the laws of physics – Katya’s trademark. This was in the semi-final and they got 35 points; not as much as some other couples, but they were consistently impressive. They certainly still deserved to win, though, thanks to Katya’s endlessly inventive choreography, and the fact that she lifted Joe up at the end! It’s no wonder she has so many fans.

#23: Argentine Tango to “El Tango de Roxanne” from “Moulin Rouge!”

Simon Webbe & Kristina Rihanoff

Another tango, this time Simon Webbe from Blue was in the hot seat, paired up with Kristina. This was far more traditional than the last one we saw, but does that make it less impressive? No, not at all. It was an exceptional routine, with some extremely complex steps from both Kristina and Simon. Perhaps his days in a boyband learning choreography gave him an unfair advantage, but you’ll hardly see the members of Blue performing a tango like this on one of their myriad reunion tours. That lift at the end got an ovation from the audience, and 38 points from the judges.

#22: Couple’s Choice to “Symphony” by Clean Bandit

Rose Ayling-Ellis & Giovanni Pernice

Rose and Giovanni were the couple who beat AJ and Kai in series 19, making history since Rose, best known for “EastEnders”, is the first deaf contestant on the programme – and one of the only deaf actors working in British television. We can only imagine what it’s like to have to learn to dance without hearing the music – except, we don’t have to, because halfway through the number, all the music stopped so that we got at least a little insight into what it was like for Rose in the ballroom. This really was a masterpiece in the final that year, and very unsurprisingly, they got 40 points with it, fine-tuning it after its debut in week 8.

#21: Waltz to “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by Gerry and the Pacemakers

Chris McCausland & Dianne Buswell

Another historic contestant was Chris McCausland, who in 2024 became the first blind contestant and, subsequently, the first blind winner. They first performed this waltz in Week 5 to Liverpudlian anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, in tribute to Chris’s hometown. A waltz is another of those dances made all the more complex because of its rigidity; it has to look and feel a certain way, making it a tricky one to pull off perfectly since any errors will stand out even more. They got 35 in Week 5, but in the final, it pulled in 40, with tens across the board.

#20: American Smooth to “Singin’ in the Rain”

Ore Oduba & Joanne Clifton

“Singin’ In the Rain” is a timeless classic so if you plan on emulating it, you’d better get it right. And everything about this routine was just perfect. Joanne’s choreography pays the right level of homage to the original, while still making the number completely their own. Meanwhile, Ore channels Gene Kelly to move with such grace, elegance and impeccable timing across the dance floor. While the audience and judges loved the routine, the ultimate praise came from Gene Kelly’s widow, Patricia Ward Kelly. She called the dance “a beautiful tribute to Gene”. What could possibly be a higher compliment than that?

#19: Charleston to “Hot Honey Rag” from “Chicago”

Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice

Georgia and Gio brought all of the “Razzle Dazzle” for one of Strictly’s most memorable and entertaining Charlestons to date. It’s not just that it’s a fun and energetic routine danced flawlessly, but you can also tell just how much fun Georgia’s having and her joy is captivating. Considering that this was the dance she most wanted to perform, it’s no surprise. Their routine earned them a spot in Blackpool, and in the finals, they brought it back to score the 40 we all knew they deserved. They set the bar high for all future Charlestons as this is one we could happily watch on repeat.

#18: Salsa to “Hot, Hot, Hot” by “The Merrymen”

Mark Ramprakash & Karen Hardy

Of course, we can’t talk about Mark and Karen’s salsa without acknowledging that infamously unfortunate glitch at the start. However, once they manage to untangle themselves, their performance is even “hot, hot, hotter” than before. Mark got to show audiences that not only could he nail Karen’s intricate and speedy choreography, but also that he could inject some extra spice into his salsa as well. We’re glad that they got a do-over because their whole performance went down as absolutely legendary. Luckily, when they reprised it in the finals, it went off without a hitch, allowing audiences to really appreciate just how iconic it was.

#17: Couple’s Choice to “Rapper’s Delight” by “The Sugar Hill Gang”

Bill Bailey & Oti Mabuse

The comedian’s transformation from underdog to frontrunner was unbelievable. Yet, this dance, performed to an 80’ rap classic, managed to blow us away all over again. There’s a lot to contend with including props, detailed choreography and an energy level that leaves us exhausted just watching. They certainly didn’t go easy on Bill either, making sure that he hits every single beat with entertaining and innovative choreography. Still, Bill makes it all look so effortless and his chemistry with Oti is evident throughout. We don’t know about you, but for us, they could have crowned him the winner there and then.

#16: Contemporary to “7 Years” by Lukas Graham

Will Bayley & Janette Manrara

There was barely a dry-eye left following Will and Janette’s breathtaking and heartfelt contemporary dance. In the VT, he shared his own childhood health complications before dedicating this dance to anyone watching from a hospital. The style and choreography really allowed them to convey the emotion and story that inspired the number. It’s a beautiful tribute to his own life journey as well. We were left with chills while the judges could barely choke back their tears. There’s nothing more moving or striking than a routine danced from the heart. That’s why this dance will forever remain amongst Strictly’s most memorable and beloved performances.

#15: Samba to “La Vida Es Un Carnaval”

Kelvin Fletcher & Oti Mabuse

The Samba is a notoriously difficult dance and an ambitious choice for a debut performance. Yet, Kelvin really gets the party started thanks to his brilliant rhythm and hypnotic hips. Of course, credit to Oti, who always knows how to bring out the best in her partners, even with limited rehearsal time. They certainly heat up the ballroom, leaving audiences in the studio and at home, feeling rather flushed. Bruno even called it the best debut samba he’d ever seen in any celebrity dance contest. Kelvin might have been a late addition to the line-up but he instantly cemented his place as the frontrunner.

#14: Quickstep to “Dancin’ Fool” by “Copacabana”

Joe Sugg & Dianne Buswell

When you go to the famous Blackpool Tower, you’re expected to bring your A-Game. And that’s exactly what we got from this duo in abundance. They perform this classic and elegant quickstep, emulating all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age. They forgo any gimmicks to focus instead on Joe’s natural talent and their undeniable chemistry. Their performance is simply joyous and you can really see that Joe has put his heart and soul into every single step. Joe and Dianne never failed to amaze and entertain us every week but there’s something about this dance that makes it a cut above the rest.

#13: Showdance to “Angels” by Robbie Williams

Caroline Flack & Pasha Kovalev

From her debut dance to ultimately lifting the glitterball, Caroline proved that she was a talented dancer each week. However, it was her show dance, which she performed with her heart on her sleeve, that really stands out as one of her best. The emotion behind it is so raw and authentic and it’s almost impossible not to get lost in the moment with her. Even Craig had to admit that she’d melted his heart. Sure, she was technically brilliant, but it’s the emotion and passion behind every movement that really put this dance in a class of its own. She definitely was a worthy winner.

#12: Argentine Tango to “When Doves Cry” by Prince

Rachel Stevens & Vincent Simone

If we say ‘Argentine Tango’ which couple springs to mind, Rachel and Vincent? Yeah, us too. It wasn’t the first Argentine Tango ever seen on the show, but it’s definitely the most iconic. The execution is clean, sharp and precise, and of course, being lead by the king of the Argentine Tango doesn’t hurt either. The pair danced to Prince’s ‘When Doves Cry’ during the semi-finals and scored 39, maybe Craig just lost his ten paddle, who knows. Everything came together perfectly for this routine as the pair delivered a mesmerising dance that secured their place as this season’s frontrunners.

#11: Argentine Tango to “Por Una Cabeza” by Carlos Gardel

Debbie McGee & Giovanni Pernice

The Argentine Tango is another of those dances that are often hard for celebrities to master. Yet, with Debbie’s agility, flexibility and staccato execution you might believe that she’d been dancing it her whole life. She moves with such precision, sharpness and artistry, making this complex choreography look like a breath of fresh air. It’s practically impossible to tell the professional apart from the celeb. We love the drama, passion and how she draws in the audience only to suddenly take our breath away as the tempo becomes more animated. After watching this dance, it’s clear how Debbie earned herself the affectionate nickname, “Leggie McGee”.

#10: Jive to “Proud Mary” by Tina Turner

Alexandra Burke & Gorka Marquez

Another consistently high performer, Alexandra Burke performed a Jive that made it almost impossible to decipher the celebrity from the pro dancer. The partners earned three tens for their routine to Tina Turner’s ‘Proud Mary’ and Craig even likened her technical precision to “Splitting an atom.” Gorka certainly did not go easy on his partner as he choreographed a routine that required high energy and stamina, but barely left Alex a moment to catch her breath. She makes it look effortless as she easily keeps up with his speed and energy levels, all the while, smiling from start to finish.

#9: Showdance to “If My Friends Could See Me Now” from “Sweet Charity”

Tom Chambers & Camilla Dallerup

You know those dances that put an instant smile on your face? This is one of them. Dancing to the “Sweet Charity” number, this duo easily showed just why they deserved to be the season six champions. This was one of those show dances that compiled all of their greatest moments, reminding us why we’d been rooting for them all along. Some of the tricks Camilla threw in there couldn’t have been easy either, but Tom hits every one of them with perfect timing and impeccable musicality. Who says that you need extravagant sets and fancy props to create a show dance for the ages?

#8: Rumba to “Samba Pa’Ti” by Carlos Santana

Kara Tointon & Artem Chigvintsev

Craig called it “almost perfect”, Len called it a “knockout” and Bruno thought that she danced it like a pro. There aren’t many celebrities who would call the rumba their dance but clearly, Kara isn’t among them. They ooze with sensuality and elegance and their chemistry only makes it even more enchanting. If you’re a seasoned Strictly fan then you’ll know just how much control it takes to master the rumba’s tricky rhythm. Yet, Kara takes it all in her stride and makes every step look so graceful and effortless. If it was up to us, this dance would get a perfect score every time.

#7: Contemporary to “Unsteady” by “X Ambassadors”

Ashley Roberts & Pasha Kovalev

It’s rather difficult to single out just one of Ashley’s dances. However, we had to go with her contemporary as it showed her in a light that her other dances simply couldn’t. Dedicating the dance to her late father, Ashley lays it all out there on the dance floor. Each step is filled with raw emotion and danced beautifully. It’s a breathtaking number that tells a heart-wrenching story that’s bound to leave you all choked up. We all knew that Ashley could dance but here she proved that it takes a lot more than just pristine choreography to take a dance from good to unforgettable.

#6: Jive to “You Can’t Stop The Beat” from “Hairspray”

Karim Zeroual & Amy Dowden

With every week and each phenomenal performance, we found ourselves wondering when Karim would finally be awarded a perfect score. Well you know what they say, 11th time’s the charm? At least it was for Karim and Amy, thanks to their astounding “Hairspray” inspired jive during Musicals Week. Not only did he finally get his first 40 but also the first 40 of the series overall. And quite right too as you don’t perform a high-energy showstopper like that for anything less than a 10. Luckily Craig had his 10 paddle on hand while Motsi’s animated feedback became almost as memorable as the dance itself.

#5: Quickstep to “Don’t Get Me Wrong” by “The Pretenders”

Harry Judd & Aliona Vilani

Harry and Aliona sailed around the dance floor, earning them their highest score of the season and pretty much securing their place in the finals. This no-frills Quickstep solely focused on the dancing and showed us all why Harry deserved his place in the competition. It’s always wonderful seeing how much the performer is enjoying the dance and Harry looks like he’s on cloud nine. This routine cemented their place in the Strictly history books as one of the most memorable Quicksteps on the show. Even Craig had to search hard to find anything to criticise and that’s saying something.

#4: Theatre Jazz to “Fever” by Peggy Lee

Faye Tozer & Giovanni Pernice

As the first pair to perform the theatre jazz couple’s choice, Faye and Gio set the bar exceptionally high. Dancing during Halloween Week, the pair performed a dance that could easily steal the show in a Bob Fosse musical. They really capture the choreographer's signature style with intricate isolations, intriguing shaping and outstanding lifts. Craig practically had to take a microscope to the performance just to find something to criticize. But even he had to admit that it was “absolutely brilliant”. This was nothing like anything we’d ever seen before on the Strictly dance floor. We could happily watch it on repeat every Halloween.

#3: Jive to “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John

Jill Halfpenny & Darren Bennett

A week three Jive has proven lucky for three Strictly champs, but it’s Jill Halfpenny’s routine to Elton John’s ‘I’m Still Standing’ that paved the way, with Bruno even calling it a “Masterclass in Jive.” Jill and Darren will also go down in the Strictly history books for being the first pairing to ever score full marks in the competition thanks to this dance. It’s sharp, precise and energetic with not a kick or flick out of place. When they came back to perform the routine four years on, Jill proved once again why this dance deserves Strictly legacy status.

#2: Jive to “Misirlou/You Can Never Tell” by Chuck Berry

Jay McGuiness & Aliona Vilani

Jay McGuiness secured his position as the one to watch pretty early on in the show, starting with a Pulp Fiction themed Jive in week three. Their dance is packed to the brim with perfectly executed kicks and flicks and more action than the movie that inspired it. It may have only been early days, but it became one of those iconic Strictly routines that fans still talk about to this day. They received a 37 from the judges with Bruno brushing off his ten paddle, and the others following suit with three 9s.

#1: Samba to “Magalenha” by Sergio Mendes

Danny Mac & Oti Mabuse

Any dance that holds the record of being the one and only Strictly samba to score full marks to date, deserves first place on our list too. This amazing record belongs to Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse whose spicy Samba left judges and viewers alike in complete awe. It had bounce, it was fluid and Danny didn’t put a foot out of line. The Samba is meant to be a party dance and this is a routine definitely worth celebrating. Sure, they may have missed out on that glitterball trophy but this is a record they can hold onto forever.

Let us know which iconic dances you think we missed in the comments!