Strictly Come Dancing’s semi-final on Saturday saw AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington send temperatures soaring as they drove fans wild with their very steamy Rumba, which earned them an impressive 39 points.
The couple, who are rumoured to be in a romance, with put a sizzling display as they performed to Show Me Heaven by Maria McKee, with viewers watching at home noting that their ‘chemistry is off the scales.’
The night got off to an impeccable start for AJ, 33, and Kai, 26, as they had earlier bagged a perfect score of 40 points following their incredible Quickstep.
![Turning up the heat: AJ and Kai captivated the viewers and the audience with their spell-binding routine](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/20/51638661-10299909-Turning_up_the_heat_AJ_and_Kai_captivated_the_viewers_and_the_au-a-55_1639255589813.jpg)
Hot stuff: Strictly Come Dancing ‘s semi-final on Saturday saw AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington send temperatures soaring as they drove fans wild with their very steamy Rumba, which earned them an impressive 39 points
Week 12’s show saw the four remaining couples perform two dances each as they fought for a place in next week’s coveted 2021 grand final.
And AJ and Kai pulled out all the stops to bag their place in the final as they turned up the heat with a sensual performance amid the notoriously difficult dance.
After watching the routine, Anton Du Beke told them it was his favourite kind of Rumba and that her ‘rather loved it’, while Motsi Mabuse remarked that the ‘dance came together for you tonight perfectly.’
While Craig Revel Horwood commented on AJ’s ‘nice turnouts’ and praised her achievement in what was a ‘difficult’ dance, head judge and Queen of Rumba Shirley Ballas simply stood up and bowed down for the presenter.
![Gorgeous: The couple, who are rumoured to be in a romance, with put a sizzling display as they performed to Show Me Heaven by Maria McKee, with viewers watching at home noting that their 'chemistry is off the scales'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/20/51638893-10299909-Gorgeous_The_couple_who_are_rumoured_to_be_in_a_romance_with_put-m-35_1639255309619.jpg)
Gorgeous: The couple, who are rumoured to be in a romance, with put a sizzling display as they performed to Show Me Heaven by Maria McKee, with viewers watching at home noting that their ‘chemistry is off the scales’
She added: ‘You definitely know how to pull it together in a semi-final. It was captivating, a moment in time, just beautiful!’ leaving AJ stunned.
And viewers at home were just as in awe as the judges as they took to Twitter to remark on their dance, with one writing: ‘AJ and Kai’s chemistry is off the scales. Soooo happy for her, that was stunning! That’s two amazing dances!’
While another shared: ‘AJ & Kai sexy rumba, the chemistry between them two, love their partnership! Breathtaking to watch 39 points!’
![Reaching for the final: AJ and Kai pulled out all the stops to bag their place in the final as they turned up the heat with a sensual performance amid the notoriously difficult dance](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/20/51638873-10299909-image-m-63_1639255967197.jpg)
Reaching for the final: AJ and Kai pulled out all the stops to bag their place in the final as they turned up the heat with a sensual performance amid the notoriously difficult dance
![Praise: After watching the routine, Anton Du Beke told them it was his favourite kind of Rumba and that her 'rather loved it', while Motsi Mabuse remarked that the 'dance came together for you tonight perfectly'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/21/51638875-10299909-Praise_After_watching_the_routine_Anton_Du_Beke_told_them_it_was-a-78_1639257129789.jpg)
Praise: After watching the routine, Anton Du Beke told them it was his favourite kind of Rumba and that her ‘rather loved it’, while Motsi Mabuse remarked that the ‘dance came together for you tonight perfectly’
![Very impressed: Head judge and Queen of Rumba Shirley Ballas simply stood up and bowed down for the presenter](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/21/51638867-10299909-image-a-76_1639256841391.jpg)
Very impressed: Head judge and Queen of Rumba Shirley Ballas simply stood up and bowed down for the presenter
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/21/51639103-10299909-image-m-79_1639257227122.jpg)
![Reaction: Viewers at home were just as in awe as the judges as they took to Twitter to remark on their dance, with one writing: 'AJ and Kai's chemistry is off the scales. Soooo happy for her, that was stunning! That's two amazing dances!'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/20/51639105-10299909-Reaction_Viewers_at_home_were_just_as_in_awe_as_the_judges_as_th-a-71_1639256260678.jpg)
Reaction: Viewers at home were just as in awe as the judges as they took to Twitter to remark on their dance, with one writing: ‘AJ and Kai’s chemistry is off the scales. Soooo happy for her, that was stunning! That’s two amazing dances!’
‘Well, def cannot fake that chemistry. Felt like Kai & AJ forgot we were watching’, commented a third watcher.
With another agreeing: ‘That chemistry in AJ and Kai’s rumba was off the charts- I loved it.’
Elsewhere, their second performance, a Quickstep to Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman left the whole ballroom on their feet as they applauded the routine, with AJ breaking down in tears after receiving their amazing perfect score.
The success comes after their dance disaster last week in which they fumbled their lift in their salsa, resulting in them landing in the dance-off against Dan Walker and Nadiya Bychkova.
![Fab-u-lous: The night got off to an impeccable start for AJ, 33, and Kai, 26, as they had earlier bagged a perfect score of 40 points following their incredible Quickstep](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/20/51638887-10299909-image-a-36_1639255418385.jpg)
Fab-u-lous: The night got off to an impeccable start for AJ, 33, and Kai, 26, as they had earlier bagged a perfect score of 40 points following their incredible Quickstep
![Good job: Aj and Kai lit up the dancefloor with their dazzling Quickstep which earned them top marks](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/21/51638889-10299909-Good_job_Aj_and_Kai_lit_up_the_dancefloor_with_their_dazzling_Qu-m-80_1639257262207.jpg)
Good job: Aj and Kai lit up the dancefloor with their dazzling Quickstep which earned them top marks
The presenter looked stunning in a sparkly white ballgown with feathered embellishments as she glided across the floor with her professional dancer partner Kai.
And after giving it their all on the floor, the judges were full of praise for the dance, with Craig Revel Horwood gushing: ‘OMG darling, that was incredible! loved it. You ripped that floor up – incredible.’
While Anton Du Beck remarked that it was ‘worthy of of Blackpool ballroom’, adding it was ‘absolutely spectacular’.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/21/51638891-10299909-image-m-105_1639257630740.jpg)
Wow: Their performance to Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman left the whole ballroom on their feet as they applauded the routine, with AJ breaking down in tears after receiving their amazing score
![Stunning: The presenter looked stunning in a sparkly white ballgown with feathered embellishments as she glided across the floor with her professional dancer partner Kai](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/20/51637205-10299909-image-a-21_1639253290347.jpg)
Stunning: The presenter looked stunning in a sparkly white ballgown with feathered embellishments as she glided across the floor with her professional dancer partner Kai
![Perfection: AJ and Kai couldn't have earned better score following their jaw-dropping Quickstep](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/21/51637031-10299909-Perfection_AJ_and_Kai_couldn_t_have_earned_better_score_followin-m-102_1639257595237.jpg)
Perfection: AJ and Kai couldn’t have earned better score following their jaw-dropping Quickstep
Motsi Mabuse added: ‘I’m so proud of you, so proud of that dance’, with an emotional Shirley Ballas adding: ‘I’m in absolute awe. It was pure Strictly magic.’
Meanwhile. AJ and Kai were joined at the top of the leaderboard by Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice, who also scored a perfect score with their Argentine Tango, as well as 39 points for their Waltz.
Their Waltz to How Long Will I Love You by Ellie Goulding was highly praised by all the judges, through Craig was quick to point out the actress’ ‘sticky right foot’, resulting in her dropping a point from the judge.
However, it was perfection for their second performance, with their Argentine Tango to A Evaristo Carriego by Eduardo Rovira leaving everyone speechless.
![Contenders: Meanwhile. AJ and Kai were joined at the top of the leaderboard by Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice, who also scored a perfect score with their Argentine Tango, as well as 39 points for their Waltz](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/21/51638895-10299909-Contenders_Meanwhile_AJ_and_Kai_were_joined_at_the_top_of_the_le-m-82_1639257286795.jpg)
Contenders: Meanwhile. AJ and Kai were joined at the top of the leaderboard by Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice, who also scored a perfect score with their Argentine Tango, as well as 39 points for their Waltz
![Beautiful: Their Waltz to How Long Will I Love You by Ellie Goulding was highly praised by all the judges, through Craig was quick to point out the actress' 'sticky right foot', resulting in her dropping a point from the judge](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/21/51639227-10299909-Beautiful_Their_Waltz_to_How_Long_Will_I_Love_You_by_Ellie_Gould-a-90_1639257391748.jpg)
![Full of grace: Rose looked elegant in a flowing lilac gown as she waltzed along with Giovanni](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/21/51639241-10299909-image-m-89_1639257388346.jpg)
Beautiful: Their Waltz to How Long Will I Love You by Ellie Goulding was highly praised by all the judges, through Craig was quick to point out the actress’ ‘sticky right foot’, resulting in her dropping a point from the judge
![Wow: However, it was perfection for their second performance, with their Argentine Tango to A Evaristo Carriego by Eduardo Rovira leaving everyone speechless](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/21/51639285-10299909-Wow_However_it_was_perfection_for_their_second_performance_with_-m-93_1639257459701.jpg)
Wow: However, it was perfection for their second performance, with their Argentine Tango to A Evaristo Carriego by Eduardo Rovira leaving everyone speechless
![Sizzling: After pointing out a mistake in her first routine, Craig had absolutely nothing bad to say about her second as he simply remarked: 'The dance belongs in the final!'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/21/51639291-10299909-image-a-96_1639257478168.jpg)
![What a dance: While Motsi was in agreement as she gushed: 'Oh my word, what a statement! That was the dance of the night, of the month, of the season!'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/21/51639281-10299909-image-a-97_1639257478186.jpg)
Sizzling: After pointing out a mistake in her first routine, Craig had absolutely nothing bad to say about her second as he simply remarked: ‘The dance belongs in the final!’
![Congratulations: The pair were elated as their bagged the perfect score of 40 points from the judges](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/21/51639273-10299909-image-a-98_1639257517066.jpg)
Congratulations: The pair were elated as their bagged the perfect score of 40 points from the judges
After pointing out a mistake in her first routine, Craig had absolutely nothing bad to say about her second as he simply remarked: ‘The dance belongs in the final!’
While Motsi was in agreement as she gushed: ‘Oh my word, what a statement! That was the dance of the night, of the month, of the season!’
Rhys Stevenson and Nancy Xu were first up on the night, performing the Tango to One Vision by Queen, which earned them a standing ovation from the audience.
Shirley Ballas gushed: ‘What a way to open the show, thank you so much’, adding that he was generally ‘mastering your craft’.
While Anton Du Beke told him that he ‘loved him in hold’, with Craig Revel Horwood agreeing that it was ‘strong and full of drama’.
And the judges positive comments were reflected in the score as Rhys and Nancy received an impressive 36 points – their highlight ballroom score so far.
The latest show comes after Strictly Come Dancing staff are reportedly dreading the return of Nina Wadia for the show final after she slammed the series.
The former EastEnders actress, 52, was the first star to be voted off the show in week two – later claiming the judges had been too harsh towards her with their scores.
Nadia claimed their marking was ‘shocking’ and described her time on the BBC ballroom dance contest with partner Neil Jones as ‘odd’.
![Comeback: Strictly Come Dancing staff are reportedly dreading the return of Nina Wadia, 52, for the show final after she slammed the series (pictured her on the show with Neil Jones)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/19/51627579-0-Comeback_Strictly_Come_Dancing_staff_are_reportedly_dreading_the-a-1_1639250884917.jpg)
Comeback: Strictly Come Dancing staff are reportedly dreading the return of Nina Wadia, 52, for the show final after she slammed the series (pictured her on the show with Neil Jones)
Nina is set to return for the final next Saturday but insiders claim show staff are unimpressed, with one telling the Mirror: ‘It’s left a very sour taste in the mouth’.
Another said Nina ‘moaned all the time’, adding: ‘She is coming back for the final, which we are slightly dreading.’
MailOnline has contacted the BBC and Nina’s representatives for comment.
![Unimpressed: Nina, who danced with Neil, 39, on the show, claimed the judges' marking was 'shocking' and described her time on the BBC ballroom dance contest as 'odd'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/19/51627581-0-Unimpressed_Nina_who_danced_with_Neil_39_on_the_show_claimed_the-a-2_1639250884919.jpg)
Unimpressed: Nina, who danced with Neil, 39, on the show, claimed the judges’ marking was ‘shocking’ and described her time on the BBC ballroom dance contest as ‘odd’
The one-time soap star, who danced with professional Neil, 39, on the show, lost out in the dance off to former Coronation Street actress Katie McGlynn, 28.
After her elimination, she told The Lads Dads And Couple Beers Podcast: ‘Coming out of Strictly was a big shock because: A, I wasn’t expecting it to happen the way it happened, and it happened very quickly and it was all very surreal for me and when I came out I was very down.
‘My mental health, I’ve got to tell, I was down. That was from a lot of different feelings.
‘There was a feeling of embarrassment coming out as early as I did, there was a feeling of did I let people down, did I let myself down.’
She continued: ‘All these questions going on in my head and then the people reaction at the back of it, to say well no.. you shouldn’t have come out you were robbed, and I’m like I needed that!
‘I needed that kind of almost validation to think I wasn’t going crazy, I didn’t think I was that bad. Then you realise “OK hang on, I need to separate a reality show from what is actually real life”. Reality shows are so the opposite of reality.’
![End of the road: The former EastEnders actress was the first star to be voted off the show in week two, later claiming the judges had been too harsh towards her with their scores](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/11/19/51627585-0-End_of_the_road_The_former_EastEnders_actress_was_the_first_star-a-3_1639250884927.jpg)
End of the road: The former EastEnders actress was the first star to be voted off the show in week two, later claiming the judges had been too harsh towards her with their scores