Strictly Come Dancing 2022: Kym Marsh dedicates American Smooth to late son Archie

Strictly Come Dancing’s eighth live show of the series hit BBC One on Saturday evening, with the nine remaining couples set face the first public vote of the series.

After giving it their all on the dancefloor last week, the celebrities once again learned a new routine as things stepped up a gear in week eight, thanks to the Couples’ Choice special.

Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima were awarded 31 points for their American Smooth to Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol. The actress said in her VT: ‘It reminds us of my son Archie. I gave birth to him prematurely and unfortunately he died shortly after.

Strictly Come Dancing 2022: Kym Marsh dedicated the American Smooth to her late son Archie as she and partner Graziano Di Prima were awarded 31 points during Couples’ Choice week on Saturday

The emotional star continued: ‘I feel by doing this dance, it will be not only in memory of Archie but get people talking about their own experiences.’

Kym and her ex-husband Jamie Lomas were left heartbroken when their child passed away at just 21 weeks, following a premature birth in February 2009.

Judge Motsi Mabuse said: ‘The message you tried to put through, the fragility and vulnerability came through, it was so clear. It started so well, I don’t know what happened. There was a sudden change of energy and I don’t know why. There was a great ending and it started so wonderfully.’

Emotional: The actress said in her VT: 'It reminds us of my son Archie. I gave birth to him prematurely and unfortunately he died shortly after'

Emotional: The actress said in her VT: ‘It reminds us of my son Archie. I gave birth to him prematurely and unfortunately he died shortly after’

Feedbcak: Judge Motsi Mabuse said: 'The message you tried to put through, the fragility and vulnerability came through, it was so clear. It started so well, I don't know what happened. There was a sudden change of energy and I don't know why'

Feedbcak: Judge Motsi Mabuse said: ‘The message you tried to put through, the fragility and vulnerability came through, it was so clear. It started so well, I don’t know what happened. There was a sudden change of energy and I don’t know why’

Elsewhere, Ellie Taylor and Johannes Radebe danced the Charleston to Friendship – which gained them a score of 31.

In her VT, the comedian said: ‘From the outset of Strictly, I wanted Jojo to be my partner and here we are, week eight doing a dance about being mates. It’s full circle.’

Judge Anton du Beke said: ‘Huge improvement from last week. This time dancing suits you down to a T. I think you could be a musical theatre star.’

Hooray! Strictly Come Dancing's eighth live show of the series hit BBC One on Saturday evening, with the nine remaining couples set face the first public vote of the series (Ellie Taylor and Johannes Radebe pictured)

Hooray! Strictly Come Dancing’s eighth live show of the series hit BBC One on Saturday evening, with the nine remaining couples set face the first public vote of the series (Ellie Taylor and Johannes Radebe pictured)

Woohoo: After giving it their all on the dancefloor last week, the celebrities once again learned a new routine as things stepped up a gear in week eight, thanks to the Couples' Choice special

Woohoo: After giving it their all on the dancefloor last week, the celebrities once again learned a new routine as things stepped up a gear in week eight, thanks to the Couples’ Choice special

Craig Revel Horwood added: ‘I thought it could have been a little bit sharper however really difficult rhythm patterns. But it was goofy and I really enjoyed it.’

Tyler West and Dianne Buswell then took to the dancefloor with a fiery Pasodoble to an instrumental, earning themselves a score of 31, the highest for a Paso this series.

Craig said: ‘It lacked any Spanish line whatsoever, it was all very square and boxy, you just went from power position to power position, it wasn’t for me.’

Woah! Tyler West and Dianne Buswell then took to the dancefloor with a fiery Pasodoble to an instrumental, earning themselves a score of 31, the highest for a Paso this series

Woah! Tyler West and Dianne Buswell then took to the dancefloor with a fiery Pasodoble to an instrumental, earning themselves a score of 31, the highest for a Paso this series

Oh dear! Craig said: 'It lacked any Spanish line whatsoever, it was all very square and boxy, you just went from power position to power position, it wasn't for me'

Oh dear! Craig said: ‘It lacked any Spanish line whatsoever, it was all very square and boxy, you just went from power position to power position, it wasn’t for me’

Helen Skelton and Gorka Márquez danced the Salso to Despacito by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee and bagged themselves a score of 32, topping the leaderboard.

Anton said: ‘I’m loving your development throughout the whole series. You’re coming on, which is wonderful. You came on a bit later in that routine than I’d like. The first lift was great and then you were away and I thought, “Hello, she’s away,” you just started a bit slow.

Tony Adams and Katya Jones Jived their way through the studio against Land of 1000 Dances by Wilson Pickett. They were awarded 24 by the judges.

In their element: Helen Skelton and Gorka Márquez danced the Salso to Despacito by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee and bagged themselves a score of 32, topping the leaderboard

In their element: Helen Skelton and Gorka Márquez danced the Salso to Despacito by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee and bagged themselves a score of 32, topping the leaderboard

Getting better! Anton said: 'I'm loving your development throughout the whole series. You're coming on, which is wonderful. You came on a bit later in that routine than I'd like'

Getting better! Anton said: ‘I’m loving your development throughout the whole series. You’re coming on, which is wonderful. You came on a bit later in that routine than I’d like’

Craig said: ‘A technical disaster. You were saying every step and counting the whole time. You’ve done the best I think you can. I think dance is beyond you but you gave it your best shot.’ 

Molly Rainford and Garlos Gu performed the Rumba 

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