The Strictly Come Dancing Halloween Special 2025 brought eerie elegance to the BBC stage on Sunday night, as celebrities and professionals delivered chilling performances to tracks by Charli XCX, Lady Gaga, Radiohead, and even Beethoven. Hosted by Vicky Pattison, the show blended haunting visuals with dramatic choreography, leaving both judges and audiences captivated.
Themed as a “Fright Fest,” the special aired live on BBC One, showcasing spooky dance routines and theatrical storytelling. Contestants competed for crucial leaderboard points ahead of next week’s elimination round.
What Happened Tonight
Presenter Vicky Pattison and her partner opened the night with a powerful American Smooth, earning high praise from the judges. Motsi Mabuse declared Pattison “a contender for the final” after a near-perfect score.
Meanwhile, Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope and professional Katya Jones, who topped the leaderboard last week, continued to impress with their dynamic routine. Their consistency keeps them among the top competitors this season.
Former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink exited the competition despite earning 30 points, marking one of the tightest eliminations so far.
Quotes and Reactions
Judge Motsi Mabuse praised Pattison’s performance, saying:
“You brought intensity, power, and elegance — this is finalist material.”
Fans on social media echoed her sentiment, celebrating the Halloween choreography set to Charli XCX’s haunting beats as one of the evening’s highlights.
Impact and Analysis
With the Halloween special marking the midpoint of the 2025 Strictly season, performances like Pattison’s and Cope’s are setting the tone for the final rounds. Their consistency and creativity could significantly impact leaderboard standings heading into November.
The blend of contemporary pop (Charli XCX) and classical compositions (Beethoven) also showcased the show’s trademark versatility, reinforcing its reputation as one of Britain’s most-watched reality competitions.
What’s Next
Sunday’s results show will feature a special live performance from Cat Burns, star of The Celebrity Traitors, before the next elimination round. The remaining contestants will then prepare for the Musical Week episode, airing next Saturday on BBC One.
