After a yearlong wait, Strictly Come Dancing has finally returned to our screens for their 22nd Series and last Saturday we were treated to not one but two Charleston routines! Both dances have received mixed opinions from both the audience and the judges, but which was your favourite?

NICK KNOWLES AND LUBA MUSHTUK

First up we have DIY SOS presenter, Nick Knowles and his professional partner Luba Mushtuk, who danced an entertaining number to “Rain on the Roof” from Paddington 2. Although this week is not Movie Week, the couple were unable to perform the previous Saturday due to Nick’s injuries.

It appears that marmalade sandwiches are not everyone’s cup of tea, as the couple’s Charleston sparked controversy amongst the Strictly fandom; witch mixed opinions being shared. Even though some agreed with the lower scoring, others were quick to defend the pair, with one stating that Nick should be ‘given some slack due to his recent injury.’ But what do you think?

Watch their full routine here:

The routine opens with the couple setting the scene, with Luba emerging from the laundry basket- making direct reference to the film. The camera then pans to Nick and his Jazz Hands, completing a basic Charleston step, before the pair come together to complete Kick Charlestons, Inverted Scarecrows, and Bunny Hops. At 0:30, the couple continue with a sequence of ‘Mop-Ography’- adding comical value to the dance. At 0:58, some further partner work occurs, with a Side-to-Side Charleston, and a small lift. Later on further Kicks, Umbrella-Ography, and Jazzy celebratory runs occur before the pair come together for their final pose; and Nick enjoys a sandwich.

In my opinion, although it was entertaining to watch, this Charleston lacked substance and, as a result, it was a little bit boring as I felt Nick could have used his facial expressions to bring a bit of cheekiness to the Charleston. However, with that being said, I think Nick did extremely well to perform despite his injuries.

It seems I am not alone in thinking this, because one critic stated that the dance “needed more energy and more life,” however, opposing this; another stated “[His] efforts deserved that marmalade sandwich.”

It is clear that the Judges had the same view as Head Judge Shirley commented on how “[He] missed out on the sense of freedom” and Craig (who choreographed the routine in the film) stated that there was “no comparison unfortunately.”

Due to these comments, Nick and Luba found themselves in the dreaded Dance Off on Sunday evening, and although Nick took the Judges comments into consideration, it wasn’t quite enough to save them from leaving the competition.

Scores:

Craig Revel Horwood - 4

Motsi Mabuse – 6

Shirley Ballas – 5

Anton Du Beke – 6

MyCharleston – 5

  TASHA GHOURI AND ALIAZ SKORIANEZ

Next up, we have Social Media Star and Love Island contestant Tasha Ghouri and her professional partner Aliaz Skorianez, who closed the show with a Coachella- themed Country Charleston set to the tune “UNHEALTHY” by Anne-Marie and Shania Twain and choreographed by the wonderful Jenny Thomas (check out her Instagram here.) Although unconventional with regards to theme and song choice, the audience seemed to really enjoy this Charleston, with one going as far to say that “it was perfection, [and] it is nice to have a break from the usual Jazzy routines.”

Do you prefer a more traditional Charleston, or are you in agreement with the critics relief from Jazz and though this routine deserved it’s high score? Let’s take a closer look…

Watch their full routine here:

The routine opens with the pair posing for pictures with selfie-sticks, and after only a few bars of music, they immediately go into a lift, followed by Charleston swivels, partner sequences, and a twirl. At 0:46, the couple then come together for some ‘Selfie-Stick-Ography’ and a further impressive lift; leaving the audience erupting with applause. Later on, the couple are in perfect synchronisation with their country-inspired moves, Suzy-Qs, Charlie Chaplin’s, Hitchhikes, and the SPLITS!

To conclude the routine, the pair have just enough time for a few Trucks, Side-to-Side Charlestons, and a lift before coming together for their final position.

I must admit, when I first heard about the theme of this Charleston, I was a little sceptical because I worried that the authenticity of the original Charleston would be lost. Whilst I felt this was the case for the theme, I think Tasha is an incredible dancer, and I LOVED the routine and the choreography as it really captured the fun and cheeky Charleston that we all know and love. It is clear that many others shared similar views, with one critic sharing that it was “the BEST dance of the series so far!”

The Judges also enjoyed this number as Tasha and Aliaz were the highest scoring couple of the night, and left Head Judge Shirley exploding with complimentary remarks, exclaiming how she “Could not fault it” and Motsi sharing a similar view with “FAB-U-LOUS!”

As a result, this highly scoring routine of 39, sent the couple safely swivelling into next week!

Scores:

Craig Revel Horwood - 9

Motsi Mabuse – 10

Shirley Ballas – 10

Anton Du Beke – 10

MyCharleston – 9

By: Eleanor O’Donnell