Strictly Come Dancing week two of eliminations

Last weekend’s show saw Debbie McGee soar to the top of the leader board, while Holby City actress Chizzy Akudolu was first to be voted off. 

And the second week of eliminations centred around a movie-themed night of dancing, presented by Tess Daly, 48, who cut a glamorous figure in a gold floor-length dress, alongside a chic Claudia Winkleman, 45.

Judged by panelists Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli, the show kicked off with the whole cast performing a musical tribute to La La Land.

  

Making the most of her statuesque figure, Tess’ elegant frock skimmed her long and lean physique, and she teamed it with a pair of killer heels.

Wearing her hair in classic golden waves, the mother-of-two beamed as she took to the stage alongside raven-haired beauty Claudia.  

Claudia complimented her co-presenter perfectly, opting for a classic black off-the-shoulder ensemble.  

The show kicked off with the contestants introducing the hotly-anticipated dance-off with a musical-style intro, paying tribute to recent musical film La La Land with a group performance.

Judging panel:  Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli

Kicking off performances were Simon Rimmer and Karen Clifton, who danced the Quickstep to You’ve Got A Friend In Me from Toy Story. 

Dressed as the characters, the duo put on a cheery performance to the cheers of the crowd, adding comedy value to the show. 

Ruth Langsford and Anton Du Beke will dance the Rumba to Diamonds Are Forever.

Jonnie Peacock & Oti Mabuse will dance the Paso Doble to The Raiders March from Indiana Jones.

Mollie King & AJ Pritchard will dance the American Smooth to Climb Every Mountain from The Sound Of Music.

Charlotte Hawkins & Brendan Cole will dance the Tango to Danger Zone from Top Gun.

Alexandra Burke & Gorka Marquez, who received top marks on Saturday landing the overall second on the leaderboard, will dance the American Smooth to Wouldn’t It Be Loverly from My Fair Lady.

Debbie McGee & Giovanni Pernice will dance the Quickstep to Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off from Shall We Dance.

Gemma Atkinson and Aljaž Škorjanec will dance the Charleston to The Bare Necessities from The Jungle Book.

Susan Calman & Kevin Clifton will dance the Samba to the theme from Wonder Woman.

Davood Ghadami and Nadiya Bychkovawill dance the Samba to Stayin’ Alive from Saturday Night Fever.

Aston Merrygold and Janette Manrara will dance the Cha Cha to Can’t Stop The Feeling from Trolls.

Brian Conley & Amy Dowden will dance the American Smooth to If I Only Had A Brain from The Wizard Of Oz.

Joe McFadden and Katya Jones will dance the Viennese Waltz to Somewhere My Love from Doctor Zhivago.

Reverend Richard Coles and Dianne Buswell will dance the Paso Doble to Flash’s Theme from Flash Gordon. 

'I have seen a change in her, I have seen her happy again, and she has a sparkle in her face,' 57-year-old Donna admitted happily

‘I have seen a change in her, I have seen her happy again, and she has a sparkle in her face,’ 57-year-old Donna admitted happily

This comes a Debbie McGee’s sister revealed that the dance show is responsible for bringing the sparkle back to her sibling’s eye, after she lost her husband of 29 years (magician Paul Daniels) to a brain tumour in 2016.

Donna Phelan also believes that 58-year-old TV presenter Debbie’s dance partner Giovanni Pernice, 27, is partially responsible for her happier demeanour, crediting their busy rehearsal schedule for taking her mind off things.

Speaking to The Mirror, 57-year-old Donna admitted happily: ‘I have seen a change in her, I have seen her happy again, and she has a sparkle in her face.’ 

And admitting she been leaning on her less for emotional support, Donna added: ‘She is putting in as many hours training as she can, normally nine hours upwards, and she is exhausted.

‘But her face lights up on the dance floor with Giovanni. She always tries to keep happy, but you can see in her eyes now that she is really happy.’

Happy again: Debbie McGee's sister Donna Phelan has revealed that Strictly is responsible for bringing the sparkle back to her sibling's eye, after she lost her husband of 29 years (magician Paul Daniels) to a brain tumour in 2016

Happy again: Debbie McGee’s sister Donna Phelan has revealed that Strictly is responsible for bringing the sparkle back to her sibling’s eye, after she lost her husband of 29 years (magician Paul Daniels) to a brain tumour in 2016

Strictly Pairings – The Women 

Alexandra Burke & Gorka Marquez

Charlotte Hawkins & Brendan Cole

Chizzy Akudolu & Pasha Kovalev VOTED OFF IN THE FIRST ELIMINIATION

Debbie McGee & Giovanni Pernice

Gemma Atkinson & Aljaž Škorjanec

Mollie King & AJ Pritchard

Ruth Langsford & Anton Du Beke

Susan Calman & Kevin Clifton 

Strictly Pairings – The Men 

Aston Merrygold & Janette Manrara

Brian Conley & Amy Dowden

Davood Ghadami & Nadiya Bychkova

Joe McFadden & Katya Jones

Jonnie Peacock & Oti Mabuse

Reverend Richard Coles & Dianne Buswell

Simon Rimmer & Karen Clifton 

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk