Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton du Beke won fans over when he joined the judging panel on Saturday to replace Motsi Mabuse, after she urgently flew home to Germany and is now in quarantine for two weeks.
Meanwhile, Clara Amfo was in high spirits as she soared to the top of the leaderboard with her Charleston performance alongside dance partner, Aljaz Skorjanec.
And both stars were in good spirits as they headed home after Saturday’s show, despite producers enforcing a strict partying ban on all contestants after a string of COVID-19 scares.
Plenty to smile about: Strictly’sAnton du Beke beamed as he led the stars heading home after Saturday’s live show
Strictly veteran Anton, 54, sat in the prestigious judging seat for the firt time on Saturday and has reportedly told bosses that he wants to be a permanent judge on the show next year.
Anton, who has been one of the programme’s most popular professional dancers since it began in 2004, hopes his role on the panel could lead to a full-time position.
Friends of the ballroom star, say he has been eager ‘for quite some time’ to have a judging role and has been disappointed when outsiders have been brought in.
Top evening: Clara Amfo was in high spirits as she soared to the top of the leaderboard with her ‘perfect’ Charleston performance alongside dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec on Saturday
New position: Last night, the Strictly veteran, 54, sat in the prestigious judging seat and has told bosses that he wants to be a permanent judge on the show next year
Anticlimax: Clara, 36, and Anton had a sensational evening, but it was cut short as producers enforced a strict partying ban on all contestants after a string of COVID-19 scares
His chance came after he was the first to be booted off the current series with partner, ex-Labour Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, who said she was ‘pleased he was free to get the job’.
One friend told The Mail on Sunday: ‘This is a dream come true for Anton. For many years now he has fancied the role but has been beaten to it when the likes of Motsi and before that Shirley Ballas were brought in.
‘He has been a trouper for Strictly, he has been given some less-than-able celebrities to dance with over the years and never, complains. He really will stop at nothing on his pitch to become a full-time judge.’
Meanwhile Clara burst into tears after she and dance partner Aljaz, 30, topped the leaderboard on Saturday when her Charleston earned her an impressive 29 points.
The radio presenter, 36, performed the upbeat dance to Baby Face by Julie Andrews, which was praised as ‘perfect’ by the judges.
Impressed: Shirley Ballas was delighted with the marked improvement from Clara and her upbeat dance to Baby Face by Julie Andrews, saying: ‘Oh my goodness’
Top form: Comedian Bill Bailey and partner Oti Mabuse fell on the floor after receiving a 10 from Shirley for their street dance to Rapper’s Delight by The Sugarhill Gang
Stylish departure: Despite not participating in Saturday’s episode, Luba Mushtuk was in the attendance and she stayed warm with a beige Louis Vuitton scarf
Chic: The dancing beauty, 30, displayed her scarlet manicure as she texted on her phone and gazed into the camera lens
Gushing about Clara’s performance, Craig Revel Horwood sung her praises as he said: ‘I don’t want to see it again actually until the final darling.’
While Shirley, 60, was delighted with the marked improvement from Clara, saying: ‘Oh my goodness.
‘I mean I haven’t been your highest scorer, just looking at my scores here, and I look at you the transformation, the lovely shoulder line, the swivels, the storyline, those legs of death, I mean you were absolutely brilliant today.’
Clara donned a chic faux leather beret and face mask as she returned to her vehicle and headed home.
In a night full of high scores, HRVY earned the first ten of the series when he took on the Salsa and danced to Dynamite by BTS, and was awarded with 27 points.
Welcome gits: Luba was seen with a collection of flower bouquets in her car
Keep a low profile: Ranvir Singh covered her face as she sat in the back of her vehicle
Comfortable: The television presenter, 43, cut a casual figure in a grey hoodie, navy leopard print leggings and white sliders
Comedian Bill Bailey and partner Oti Mabuse fell on the floor after receiving a 10 from Shirley for their street dance to Rapper’s Delight by The Sugarhill Gang.
Despite not participating in Saturday’s episode, Luba Mushtuk was in attendance for the show, and she stayed warm with a beige Louis Vuitton scarf for her exit.
The dancing beauty, 30, displayed her scarlet manicure and glamorous make-up look as she departed with a collection of flower bouquets in her car.
Ranvir Singh covered her face as she sat in the back of her vehicle following her Strictly performance.
The television presenter, 43, cut a casual figure in a grey hoodie, navy leopard print leggings and white sliders.
The Strictly curse? Ranvir and her dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, fuelled romance rumours as Shirley Ballas praised the ‘chemistry and flirting’ during their performance
Staying protected: Neil Jones protected his face with a printed bandana scarf
Rare night out: Joel Dommett also attended Saturday’s episode in a red and black check shirt
Ranvir and her dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, fuelled romance rumours as Shirley Ballas praised the ‘chemistry and flirting’ during their routine.
Meanwhile Neil Jones protected his face with a printed bandana scarf and Joel Dommett also attended the show in a red and black check shirt.
Later on, Nancy Xu, Tess Daly and Shirley all kept a low profile as they sat down in their taxis and prepared to head home.
Elsewhere on Saturday, EastEnders star Maisie Smith and Gorka Marquez executed a ‘tremendous’ cha-cha-cha to Cyndi Lauper’s Girls Just Want To Have Fun.
Finished for the evening: Later on, Nancy Xu, Tess Daly and Shirley all kept a low profile as they sat down in their taxis and prepared to head home
Ready for bed: Karen Hauer With delivered a peace signal to the camera as she wrapped up her evening following a fun-filled routine with her dance partner Jamie Lang
Splash of colour: Maisie, 19, was seen wearing a mustard yellow Adidas jacket and a sequin face mask as she jumped in her taxi and exited the venue
No more parties: Participants were reportedly told to take part in the series and nothing else after HRVY and Maisie broke the show’s social-distancing rules during filming for It Takes Two
The actress, 19, was seen wearing a mustard yellow Adidas jacket and a sequin face mask as she jumped in her taxi and exited the venue.
Participants are said to have been told they are to take part in the series and nothing else, after HRVY and Maisie were pictured breaking the show’s social-distancing rules during filming for It Takes Two.
According to The Sun, bosses are keeping an eye on the pair, fearing a romance could blossom and put social distancing rules at risk.
This comes actor Katya Jones and Nicola Adams were forced to pull out of the show when Katya, 31, tested positive for coronavirus.
The insider told the publication: ‘Contestants, cast and crew have always had a few drinks after the show to let off steam. But bosses have slapped a party ban on the youngsters and reminded them they are there for the show and nothing else’.
A source confirmed to MailOnline: ‘The stars are being reminded that they must stay at least two metres apart.’
Change of plan: According to The Sun , bosses are keeping an eye on contestants after Katya Jones and Nicola Adams were forced to pull out of the show after Katya tested positive for COVID-19
Crack down: A source said: ‘Contestants, cast and crew have always had a few drinks after the show to let off steam. But bosses have slapped a party ban on the youngsters and reminded them they are there for the show and nothing else’
Stick to the rules: A source also told MailOnline: ‘The stars are being reminded that they must stay at least two metres apart