Top 20 Greatest Strictly Come Dancing Performances

[@WatchMojoUK]

There's an error in Caroline's showdance entry where we showed the Charleston instead. Apologies for the mistake, everyone! 😟🙏

[@andrewronaldcrew3917]

Thank you for owning up for it. ♥️

[@susangamble6038]

I did wonder. The Charleston was also one of my favourites of hers, though. So I didn't mind too much. Would have been wonderful to see her showdance, though. It was truly very, very special. Even more so, now.

[@culthosmythos]

Rest in peace Caroline. You danced like an angel, now you deserve to be with them always.

[@TheTradge]

Also you stated that a) Jay & Aliona's jive received a 39 which it didn't, and b) that they reprised it in the final which they didn't. WatchMojo REALLY need to be more thorough with their research for videos, because you guys make mistakes like this ALL THE TIME!!!

[@AmieMayDoula]

To be honest all her dances were pretty amazing

[@a.8882]

Giovanni Pernice and Oti Mabuse are the most brilliant choreographers in history of Strictly Come Dancing , period. their choreographies are always the most stunning.

[@annarichardson9401]

And katya also

[@naimaboukhouf7357]

Agree Gio and Oti are incredible Gio act on Holloween with Faye a masterpiece

[@LynneConnolly]

And now Kai Widdrington

[@thatssobonnie]

Pasha??

[@naimaboukhouf7357]

True and more amaze with Gio not just incredible dancer ,his acting every years are stunning

[@CanuckJim]

Honestly, there should be some sort of "All Stars" season because Burke and Tozer really were so talented they should get a second chance at the trophy.

[@Char-sf4cg]

Yes completely agree would like to see Debbie McGee, HRVY, Ranvir Singh, Danny Mac and Emma Barton to return for a second chance Plus some underdog/shock exits like Chizzy Akudolu, Tameka Epsom, Clara Amfo, Nina Wadia and Aston Merrygold Hell even Ed Balls

[@vaya-dragon1998]

@@Char-sf4cg don’t forget Joe Sugg

[@bnanaaasbrown9529]

Osha- Vaya Please no. The most average dancer ever, hyped to the heavens by rabid fans.

[@vaya-dragon1998]

@@bnanaaasbrown9529 sorry I upset you. Ok then, Dev Griffin?

[@iDislocateMyArmsAlot]

There is. some of the Christmas specials allow previous contestants to come back and have a second chance of getting there hands on the glitter ball

[@lonellfletcher]

Danny and Oti’s Samba has yet to be topped!!!!!

[@susannalouise5502]

AMEN! 🙏🏻

[@sophieallen8692]

I’m still so gutted they didn’t win!

[@Tcrumpen]

John and johannes’s Paso

[@peterwilliamskelhorn6675]

@@Tcrumpen i enjoyed watching John and Johannes on last year's strictly

[@Marvellous132]

@@sophieallen8692 The worst robbery has to be Chris Hollins' win over Ricky Whittle. That one is still a running joke and still stings.

[@WatchMojo]

Bill Bailey surprised us all!

[@julianaylor4351]

Not me, I saw him as Manny in a Black Books episode, dancing.

[@youthrevisitedagain]

Did you notice his sunglasses were upside down?

[@julianaylor4351]

@@youthrevisitedagain He's a comedian so he could have done it on purpose.

[@youthrevisitedagain]

@@julianaylor4351 that’s a definite possibility. I only know him from what I’ve seen on KZbin, but I truly love his sense of humor & musical talent.

[@nyancs7098]

No he didn’t, I believed in mr swag

[@angelafromitaly1569]

To me Danny Mac is and will always be the best male dancer of Strictly Come Dancing and of all the other editions abroad. That samba is unforgettable, but all his performances had a "top quality mark". Number 1 forever!

[@MoominJude]

Yep, totally agree

[@Chickp424]

Totally agree…he was like a pro every week…should have won the glitterball…he was robbed

[@SussexSandra]

Danny Mac, Kelvin Fletcher and Debby McGee were my 3 favourite to watch.

[@MoominJude]

@@SussexSandra Debby was great too

[@KatherineTOwen]

I agree. I was watching it for Danny and Oti that year.

[@sazparker8849]

Thank you for including Joe Sugg, Tom Chambers, Kelvin Fletcher, Karim Zerowal, Harry Judd, Jay McGuiness and Danny Mac here. Joe and Harry's Quickstep's will forever be my favourites I've ever seen on the show; flawless and looking like professional dancers and Tom's Showdance was the one to beat for many years. As for Danny's Samba, I've never seen anything like it. Brilliant choreography from Oti - he should have won in 2016 🥺

[@Krugerking84]

Hi 😊

[@Nick_the_antzzzz]

Harry Judd is not only in my fave band but my fave stricly contestant

[@robinsmith5442]

Sorry, American here. I fell in love with Bill Bailey all over again with his and Oti's Rapper's Delight.

[@vallee3140]

Hyer why be sorry ? it was brilliant wasn't it

[@ExposedByJools]

Jay will always be my number 1. Purely because he was the most nervous and quiet contestant and then pulled that out of the bag on week 3 class 🙌🙌

[@miad6274]

Surprised Faye and Giovanni’s musical week Charleston isn’t here, easily one of the best strictly routines, agree with the rest of this list tho

[@merrymermaid]

my favourite dance of all time!!

[@bizarrebunny5579]

I loved that one sm, but I preferred their Halloween musical theatre/jazz dance

[@JohnSmithShields]

just for the goats

[@sarahwedge6253]

Bill and Oti were amazing and they definitely deserved to win! As they did

[@peterwilliamskelhorn6675]

+Sarah Wedge Bill showed everyone that age is just a number

[@RosLanta]

I think you've made an error in editing here - the voiceover is talking about Caroline's showdance to Angel, while we're seeing her Charleston to Istanbul?

[@BleuButterfly1994]

Thank you, thought I was going crazy.

[@WatchMojoUK]

You are correct - sorry for the error all 🙏

[@debracundall4403]

Oti and Danny Mac were absolutely robbed of that title. Ore was really really good but Danny took it to the next level. They were brilliant. X

[@Chickp424]

Agreed

[@speechy_keen4878]

Bill has to be my favourite of all time. Such a well deserved win! ✨

[@tmumvadi2002]

Danny at the top yesss!!! Danny Mac is literally the best ever constenant strictly ever had!!!

[@kimmarievan-ever6599]

I agree with you completely..he should have won not Ore..Danny was brilliant in every dance Ore in the American Smooth the others were a bit ropey..

[@eleanorshakespeare8477]

I agree, he was completely robbed because he had a few dance lessons as a child.

[@hamarlow]

@@eleanorshakespeare8477 He HAS gone on to a very good career in musical theatre as a result, though, so don't feel TOO sorry for him...;-)

[@Marvellous132]

@@hamarlow Yeah, isn't he playing Billy Flynn in Chicago? I would say that Danny Mac and Karim Zeroual are the two most naturally gifted male celebs I've ever seen on Strictly UK.

[@em-hc8bu]

harry and aliona's quickstep will forever be my favourite dance on the whole of strictly... it's just mesmerising to watch!!

[@helenkasanyal4278]

Me too !!! My favourite in all the seasons the song has never matched a dance so well and it's just perfect in movement and emotion ❤ 👌

[@bellabana]

Ricky Whittle’s was better by far!

[@tallulahlawksley]

Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup's showdance will always be my favourite dance. It was sheer brilliance.

[@peterwilliamskelhorn6675]

+Tallulah Lawksley from 2008s final (that's the first year i started watching Strictly)

[@ampersandcastle1091]

Giovanni is the best choreographer, his routines are amazing! I’ve absolutely adored the dances he’s done with Rose this year

[@gillianmcluckie]

You need to do a list of just Giovanni's dances. His routines this year with Rose have been amongst some of his best

[@hayleydouglas]

You got the facts wrong about Jay's Jive again - he scored 37 with Bruno being the only 10 in Week 3 and they didn't redo in the final in their year

[@julianaylor4351]

Can we see the worst dance routines ever, for a laugh? Since Halloween is coming up, how about the best Strictly Halloween routines?

[@adampeckitt2391]

Agreed

[@edie8931]

faye’s jazz routine is in my opinion the best halloween routine there’s ever been

[@pennymaple1817]

Ooh yes, making a request for Rose and Gio's tango to "Shivers" and Anita and Gleb's waltz to "Once Upon a Dream"

[@SussexSandra]

So glad Danny Mac & Oti were number 1. And Jay McGuiness was no. 2. They have been my top 2 dances since I watched them perform on the show. Danny Mac was totally robbed that year. He was consistently the best dancer. I can’t remember 1 dance by Ore and yet he won. Kevin Fletcher was my no.3 but that had nothing to do with dance 🤣👍

[@vallee3140]

I dont think the audience warmed to Danny like they did Ore, that makes a lot of difference, personally I loved Ore.

[@Chickp424]

It was probably all the crying that Ore did that got sympathy votes…he was really good but Danny was just superb and should have won

[@vallee3140]

@@Chickp424 I never vote for somebody who only cries, in fact it puts me off, but he had a lovely character, Danny did not, but agree he was probably the best dancer, but the best one does not always win. Look at this year Fleur and Kim have been in the bottom two ,who would have thought it.

[@SussexSandra]

Yep totally agree

[@mikedoverskog]

Always nice to get my points of view verified, lol. I'll never forget their Samba. Pretty sure the next list will have to include Hamza Yassin & Jowita Przystał Salsa to Ecuador by Sash! from this year's (2022) season.

[@bronwynroberts860]

Sorry but this series was a ripoff in my opinion, no memorable dances in my book.

[@pandorazbox9659]

Danny should have won that glitter ball, the man is a brilliant dancer.

[@Me-sr1jj]

Rose and Giovanni’s “Symphony” dance needs to be added

[@dianegarciaprieto2118]

Loved Singing in the Rain. Always love Giovanni 's dances love all the pros.on Strictly full stop.❤💯

[@Kelly2k1]

I loved Jill and Darren sometimes go back and rewatch their dancers all these years later.

[@dianegarciaprieto2118]

Loved them all,so nice to watch them again.👍💯👏

[@maryamshabestari7960]

Best ever 1) bill Bailey and 2) Jill halfpenny. Fabulous

[@JamieBoy-ij2ri]

Rose and Giovanni’s couples choice will always be the greatest

[@alessia0064]

Couldn't agree more.

[@eleanorshakespeare8477]

Jake Wood's Salsa is also worth a mention. Jeanette let him use her head as a football... Which pro has done that?! I'd also mention Natasha Kaplinski (can't spell her surname) she was the first winner of Strictly.

[@RoseTylerxx]

That Couple's Choice from Will and Janette is one of my all time favourites! It really connected with me! But I am pretty annoyed at the lack of Kevin Clifton on this list! He has had many brilliant performances in his time on the show...

[@JustImmiagine]

Right there with you about Will and Janette - and about Kevin! Cantina Band should be there at the very least…

[@tarae6587]

me too!! kevin is one of the absolute best dancers and choreographers, disgraceful not to have him on this list imo

[@peterwilliamskelhorn6675]

@@JustImmiagine Will and Janette were my favourites in 2019

[@amystar2357]

Why are you showing footage of Caroline's Charleston while talking about her showdance? Very odd

[@WatchMojoUK]

editing error! Our apologies 🙏

[@jess1ca547]

Joe’s quickstep will forever be in my KZbin favourites playlist

[@lauramariawaugh5719]

Thanks for this, I’d forgotten some as soon as so many dances are awe inspiring. Just brilliant entertainment.

[@dizzyduck44]

I think we need to be reminded every now and then that whilst Jay and Kareem’s jive we’re brilliant, Jill Halfpenny’s was at full out competitive speed, by her own request. I think the longer it goes the more we forget the speed of that routine

[@ALTnOtes]

4:54 thank you for putting the upside-down glasses in there :)

[@ania5038]

I think AJ and Kai can officially be added to this list somewhere...

[@christinemason5826]

Their couples choice to Just the way you make me feel, their Charleston too should be in there too 😊

[@dawnkateley1]

Their WEEK 1 jive also. For a week 1 dance it was amazing. Best week 1 dance ever in my eyes.

[@christinemason5826]

@@dawnkateley1 Not forgetting their Argentine Tango 😊👍

[@justsayin397]

Jay and Aliona all the way …..exquisite ❤️

[@julkasteven8198]

I can tell something else about #20. Joanne's Brother Kevin Clifton would play Cosmo in the stage version of Singing in the Rain. I saw him do that at Glasgow King's last year. What a Fantastic experience. And the amount of talent in Clifton siblings is huge.

[@wonderwoman5528]

Never seen that Giovanni one before, that looked incredible

[@Char-sf4cg]

Next do best professional dancers on Strictly history My list would be: (Kai would probably be here but he is new!) 10: Johannes 9: AJ/ James Jordan 8: Gorka 7: Katya 6: Aliona 5: Kevin 4: Giovanni 3: Anton 2: Karen 1: Oti

[@adeletaylor6143]

I used to love James Jordan but he seems really bitter lately.

[@alyssaeve9783]

Johannes at number 10 is a travesty

[@dawnkateley1]

No Vincent? His Argentine Tangos and Rhumbas were amazing and sooo hot 🔥. I loved him. He will always be my number 1. Just love him. But as a choreographer Katyas out of the box thinking, moves and her little special moves she puts in are out of this world. Best choreographer by far. So clever (even if she can be a bit loud and annoying). Hers and shaun walsh matrix dance was just something else

[@g.m.4877]

Oh no, Kevin at 5 and Anton at 3, much as I like the latter no way! 😘X

[@veesvoyages]

Some brilliant dances here! Personal faves from this list: Georgia's charleston, Bill's couples choice, Kelvin's samba, Debbie's argentine tango, Alexandra's jive, Kara's rumba, Faye's theatre jazz and Jay's jive

[@SussexSandra]

Giovanni & Oti were the best pros and actually i’ll put Anton up there too. He just always received the cardboard cutouts as partners. But he did it with grace and humour every year. He really is a team player.

[@g.m.4877]

Seeing this in 2024 I am sure you will add Dianne and Vito to the list, they bring joy to their partners and get the best out of them! ❤

[@bizarrebunny5579]

15:34-15:55 probably is my favourite sequence in a dance in strictly history, it hit so hard to watch like it was beautiful. It’s not necessarily my fav of all time but that sequence 100% is

[@zxaddictxz]

Skipped a few numbers which were not my favorite ones, but mostly agree with the choices. Debbie/Giovanni's tango still gives me shivers. Surprised that not a single routine by Natalie/Artem is included. She was an amazing dancer and should have won her season (similar to Danny who was robbed).

[@stephenpodeschi6052]

Start again with Bill in the top three slots please for giving us sheer joy in the depth's of this 'plandemic'....lol Jay did not dance the jive in the final and they only got 37 in week three for their efforts which is excellent but the dance deserved a 40. They did not do the routine in the final as it was to stressfull for Jays knee joint if i remember correctly , which was a shame as it surely would of got a 10 from each judge if performed well.

[@babyelephant260907]

So many happy memories! Controversial, but I would add Maisie and Gorka’s tango to “Midnight Sky” to the mix.

[@RuthT90]

I'm glad you put Danny and Oti first, they were incredible. I love their Samba but their American Smooth was my favourite dance of all time. I miss the days when Strictly was purely about Latin and ballroom dancing. Now it's all gimics and trying to do things different.

[@millerhxc]

That Jill Halfpenny season was so long ago, the only footage they can find was filmed on a potato...

[@thebeachisdark7]

Jay’s jive, Caroline’s charleston and Karim’s jive are the ultimate

[@paigeleigh2554]

In 2022, just look at the state of Strictly. It's an absolute joke! I loved the video!

[@AvatarBliss]

Frankie and Kevin’s Argentine Tango should be here!!

[@anca442]

I'd add Aston Merrygold and Janette Manrara Salsa to 'Despacito, Joe McFayden and Katya Samba to Money MOney, Danyy Mac and Oti Charleston to Puttin' on the Ritz, and definitely add Rose!

[@lily-xj3hv]

ore and joanne's american smooth is my favourite ever dance on strictly, it captures the perfection that is singing in the rain so well!!

[@seemathomas9203]

You missed out Jake Woods salsa and Louis Smith show dance.

[@bethroesch2156]

I've got to find this here in the US. Honestly, the celebs in the UK are better than the ones who show up on DWTS. Plus, I really, really love to watch ballroom dance and DWTS has seemed to be anything but ballroom

[@ifeelpretty5790]

You can watch the dances on the KZbin channel, it takes some digging to find full episodes here in the US though.

[@ezrielpaterson9295]

I wish Rose and Giovanni were on this list.

[@maxthecat14]

I preferred Mark Ramprakash dancing their Argentine tango to "Goldeneye" rather than their Salsa. it was much more atmospheric.

[@RTG1031]

Was the first time they scored 40

[@kathleech8044]

Karen and Marks dance lives in my mind for free

[@dolciejones43]

Obsolutely fabulous

[@Dynexsil]

Sorry but I gotta call out some misinformation. Jay and Aliona didn't actually reprise their Jive in the 2015 final. Instead, they wanted to surprise people by doing the paso doble. Please do your research

[@dajtoad1]

I don't think it was so much surprising people as being afraid it wouldn't be as good as first time. They opted out, which infuriated everyone. Nobody wanted to see their paso again.

[@beezig]

That Danny Mac dance, Fab-u-lous!!!

[@deborahchasteen3206]

Bill Bailey was a revelation! Wouldn’t have guessed he had it in him.

[@chrissummers5115]

I wouldn't disagree with any of these but I'd like to have seen some Kevin Clifton routines in there. His Paso Doble and Argentine Tango dances were utterly amazing!

[@peavette]

Bill Bailey is the perfect man.

[@Em-un8gw]

Oopsies you will definitely want to add that dance that rose and gio just did last night!

[@thisiselliex7877]

Number 13 isn’t correct. It says Caroline flacks dance is Angels by Robbie Williams but her Istanbul dance plays? Editing error?

[@WatchMojoUK]

Correct! Sorry and thanks for the catch!

[@ians3207]

I like Danny Mac and he was robbed of the glitter ball his year, BUT Jay's Jive should be number 1, not 2....

[@jamesdraper884]

A few issues here. Jay McGuiness did not redo his jive in the final, Caroline Flack's charleston is shown over a description of her showdance, Rachel Stevens' rumba is far more famous than her argentine tango, and there is absolutely no way that Joe Sugg deserves to be in this list at all. The many glaring omissions include: Alesha Dixon, Natalie Gumede, Simon Webbe, Ali Bastian, Abbey Clancy, Maisie Smith, Denise van Outen, and other dances by some of the people already on the list. Also, Jill Halfpenny's jive should be No. 1, I don't think some people appreciate how integral that dance was to the longevity of the show.

[@MissMystic26]

I completely agree. Jill’s jive will forever be the best dance in strictly ever simply because it was the first time we had ever seen a dance of that quality. Jill and Darren paved the way for everything that came after.

[@dawnkateley1]

Also think Caroline's showdance should be up near top and not as low down. But yes Jill's jive is 1 of, if not the best dance, and puts a lot of the more recent dances to shame. Best jive ever done on strictly. More intricate than any of the more modern 1s done. And the speed never let up like we seem to see as the years go on.

[@sophieann8316]

Omg Joe sugg made it 💜

[@paulwright6044]

Funny how some dances age well, and others...don't. WatchMojoUK's own Top 10 list on this same subject included Alesha Dixon's Cha-Cha-Cha, Louis Smith's Showdance, and Charlestons from Chris Hollins and Caroline Flack (maybe that's why the b-roll footage for her "Showdance" was for that dance instead? Jay McGuiness's Jive jumps up as a result. None of the Honorable Mentions from that list made it here either.

[@DeAnne1233]

It would be nice to see the full 3-4 minute dance each time with the chatting between the clips. 🗳🇺🇸

[@Camille_Anderson]

Alexandra Burke, Caroline Flack, Faye Tozer, Debbie McGee, Ashley Roberts are stil the best female celebrities imho. Its just a joy as a dancer to see people go on a "journey" through dance.

[@CraigLincolnAlistair1999]

Love this show

[@TheTradge]

SO glad Georgia and Giovanni's Charleston was on this list, just disappointed it was so low down because it was just that good!

[@davidravenscroft1641]

Loved Bill Bailey (a very big fan admittedly)..but he deserved to win! Have to say though..Hamza doing the salsa was spectacular and the best dance I've seen on strictly. (On this season's strictly).

[@Outlier999]

Surely the "Twisted Tango" Giovanni Pernice and Rose Ayling-Ellis performed on the Halloween 2021 show has to be up there now. It scored a 40 earlier in the series than any dance on Strictly has before or since. The audience went wild.

[@Becka.M-D]

I can not decide between Bill Bailey, Will Bayley, Kevin Fletcher, Caroline Flack, Kara Tointon, Danny Mack, Harry Judd & Jay McGuinness. They were all amazing routines, but these guys are all joint number 1 for me. I will add Rose & Giovanni from 2021 with their contemporary dance & show dance. I think their contemporary dance is my number 1 from the first season to this 2022 season so far. I can’t believe show 4 is tonight

[@mirandaboutros9293]

Absolutely criminal that Kimberley Walsh did not make this list.

[@sashamilne8998]

I think bill and oti should be higher as it was so so good

[@MoominJude]

So glad Danny is number one, because he was that year and has never been topped. Best male dancer to date, totally robbed of the title.

[@frankmoniz1467]

The couple at number 19, the number from Chicago, definitely top 5 for me.

[@gingersnap931]

Can we all agree after watching this that Giovanni is the best male professional dancer on Strictly?

[@g.m.4877]

I would like to see an updated version with Helen Skelton's Fosse inspired 'Caberet', Ellie and Vito's showdance and also Giovanni and Rose doing theirs! ❤

[@captpicard100]

Danny Mac was absolutely robbed of the glitter ball trophy if ever a man’s talent deserved to win it, it was his.

[@50sRockChick]

My favourite routines are Scott and Natalie's Tango, Joe and Diane's Halloween Foxtrot performance, and Rose and Gio's Showdance.

[@angelagraham7551]

Fabulous Caroline Flack what an absolute tragedy

[@judithtitterington9862]

Bill and oti, the best.

[@Blackcat21943]

That was amazing that is, Giovanni and Debbie’s dances

[@AprilSA80]

One of my Favourites is from the first ever season Brendan Cole and Natasha Kaplinksy, Paso Doble to O Furtuna. Wish I could find it online

[@janetmorrison4957]

Its Danny Mac and One for me. He's amazing. I can't believe he didn't win.

[@tiftif_seashell]

Where was HRVY`s American Smooth or his Couple's Choice Street/Commercial

[@sazfretz1945]

I'm not surprised by Tom Chambers. He did play a dancer in the Midsomer Murders episode, "Point of Balance."

[@elainelight]

I loved Helen and Gorka's couples choice to Mein Herr.

[@hrowens33]

The video mistake is there but Caroline's Charleston is still iconic

[@samuelsunshine22]

Jay and Aliona didn't perform the jive again in the final though......who does your research?

[@lollipopthree5235]

No-one

[@dajtoad1]

They've not only incorrectly said he re-visited the Jive, they've even invented the score!!!

[@priscillawhiting2247]

Love the dance..how can a person enjoy watching the dance when you are talking much..its half the dance and more talking us through the dance

[@tarae6587]

kevin clifton should be on this list several times, he's an incredible dancer and choreographer, up there in the top three of all time with giovanni and oti i'd say.

[@SamCovington-fh7ek]

Rose Ayling Ellis couples choice was the greatest Strictly Come Dancing performance of all time