Susanna Reid and Natalie Gumede reach towering new heights as they both top Strictly Come Dancing leader board during Blackpool spectacular 

By FAY STRANG

PUBLISHED: 20:09, 16 November 2013 | UPDATED: 21:26, 16 November 2013

Newsreader Susanna Reid and Natalie Gumede received the highest scores of Strictly Come Dancing  so far this series and jointly topped the leader board with a whopping 39 points each.

The women stunned the judges as they took part in the most spectacular show of the season in the incredible Blackpool Tower ballroom.

Making her return to the show following her week off due to exhaustion Natalie ensured she wowed with her Charleston alongside Artem, while Susanna did the same with her Paso Doble with Kevin. 

Leading lady: Natalie Gumede topped the leader board with 39 points on Saturday evening's Strictly Come Dancing

Joint scores: Susanna Reid also got the highest score of the season with her dance

The show kicked off with Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Brendan doing the Quickstep to Shirley Bassey’s The Lady Is A Tramp.

She revealed it meant a lot to her to dance in Blackpool because she used to watch Come Dancing when she was a child with her mother Janet – who is the well-known Blue Peter presenter.

As the VT played Janet couldn’t hold back the tears as she welled with pride for her talented daughter.

Following the performance, Sophie gushed: ‘That was amazing.’

She's back: Natalie was back with a bang following her week off due to illness

Energetic: The actress impressed with her fast paced and spot on moves

Over the moon: Natalie couldn't have been happier with her successful return to the show

Gatsby like: Dancing to will.i.am's Bang Bang it was as if Natalie was from Baz Lurhman's Great Gatsby

Len kicked off the comments and told her: ‘You’ve come out full of character, it was full of intent. It was spot on.’

Bruno added: ‘This lady is definitely not a tramp, she’s a tease. The technique was good, you were really really good.’

However Craig brought them back to earth and said that while he enjoyed the story telling, he wasn’t impressed with her top line.

Fiery: It's no surprise Susanna topped the leader board considering her fiery performance

Gobsmacked: Susanna couldn't quite believe how well her performance in Blackpool had gone

Overjoyed: She sobbed into Kevin's arms as she heard her very high scores

He said:  ‘I thought it was a little loose and jaggered and sometimes you forgot about your left hand.’

Darcey concluded: ‘You came alive, it was beautiful.’

Craig rewarded her seven points, while Darcey, Len and Bruno all gave her nine points. 

Next up came Patrick Robinson and Anya Garnis, who topped the leader board the previous week – this week they were taking on the samba.

Best ever: Patrick was told that his Samba was the best they had seen from a male contestant

Anticipation: The nine remaining acts all dressed to impress for the big Blackpool show

Following the performance Bruno kicked off the comments and said: 'That really was a blistering hot samba, I really felt like I was in Rio. You are one of the best male samba dancers we've every had.'

Craig added: 'I have to agree with Bruno, it's just a shame it went so horrible wrong. That could have been dazzling.'

He was referring to the fact that there was a slight wardrobe malfunction for Anja and her fur train, while Patrick unfortunately  missed a couple of steps.

Darcey told him: 'It was superb, well done.'

Elegant: Sophie received nine points from all of the judges about from Craig who gave seven

Muscle man: Once again Ben delighted the audience with his big muscles and slick moves

Len was equally as ecstatic and said: 'That's not a samba, that's a wamba. You messed up just one step, you got excited - we were all excited. You are a terrific dancer.'

Craig rewarded him an eight and again Darcey, Len and Bruno gave a generous nine points each.

The performance was followed by Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff dancing the American Smooth to Falling to Alicia Keys.

As the dance came to an end Craig told him: 'Big Ben is back darling in the ballroom.I would like to see a little more style but a vast improvement.'

Captain: Fiona and Anton looked amazing with Anton dressed as a pilot

Darcey gushed: 'You carried  that off with ease. You're an attentive partner when it comes to lifts. 

Len added: 'Craig saying you're back, you never went away. Lovely, well done.'

And Bruno agreed: 'It had such warmth, care and involvement.'

All of the judges commented that he had to work on his position when he is out of hold, however he received eight points from all of the judges, marking his highest personal score to date. 

Picking up some tips: Abbey paid a visit to a retirement home to pick up a few dance tips

Ashley Taylor Dawson and Ola Jordan took to the stage next to dance the Paso Doble with a cowboy theme.

After the energetic performance Darcey said: 'You had that attack. I would have loved a little more drama in that kill, that was the only thing.'

Len disagreed and said: 'I thought you got stronger and stronger. I'm surprised how powerfully you danced that paso.'

Craig said: 'A cowboy defending himself with cape doesn't do it for me. It was a bit bizarre but I'm a fan of bizarre and extraordinary and I thought that was extraordinary.'

Joyous: Abbey managed to receive three tens from the judges for her efforts

Proud: Abbey's husband Peter couldn't have looked prouder

While Bruno added: 'That was fully loaded, powerful, plenty of thrust. You never lost the focus. 

Craig rewarded him eight points while Darcey, Len and Bruno all gave a generous nine.

The dance was followed by Fiona Fullerton and Anton du Beke who performed the American Smooth.

Len kicked off the comments and said: 'I thought the attitude was first class, the movement was business and the lifts were economy. It had an air of style and class.'

Generous: Darcey Bussell and Len Goodman were very generous with their scores throughout the evening 

Bruno added: 'VIP lounge for you darling. But you don't travel light, you have more luggage that Joan Collins.'

While Craig said: 'I would have liked to have seen smoother throughout. Getting into that last lift was a complete and utter disaster.'

Darcy concluded: 'I loved the style you gave it. It was the preparation for the lifts as the boys said.It looks a little unfinished that's all.'

The received six points from Craig, while Darcey gave seven and Len and Bruno gave eight. 

Abbey Clancy and Aljaz Skorjanec were next up to dance the Quickstep.

Let's dance: Ashley's performance was cowboy themed which left Craig rather confused

Stunning: Ben's performance was beautiful showing off his impressive skills on the dance floor

Bruno started: 'That really was a quick step on pleasure beach, you deserve a refreshment and it can only be champagne. For a non dancer to do that, is unbelievable 

Craig was much harsher and pointed out numerous mistakes rather than saying anything positive, but he did add that he absolutely loved it. 

A delighted Darcey said: 'For a tall leggy lady like you you've showed how to handle those moves. Well done.'

Len told her: 'I'm telling you if you are a stick of Blackpool rock you would have talent written throughout you.'

Emotional: Sophie's mother Janet couldn't hold back the tears as she proudly watched her daughter's VT

Amazing: Sophie was ecstatic following her performance in the famous ballroom

Personal best: Rugby player Ben Cohen was delighted with high score of 32 following his performance

While Craig only gave seven Darcey, Len and Bruno all gave full marks to the model.

Next up was Mark Benton, who was celebrating his birthday on the evening, and Iveta Lukosiute who took on the energetic Jive.

Staring the comments Craig said: 'I thought it was a little flat footed and stompy, it looked like you had flippers on the end of your feet. I'm looking for more technique.'

Darcey was much kinder and added: 'It was a show stopping performance.For me i love it. You try so hard.

Len said: 'Blackpool is a place you come for fun and that was fun. Big, brash, noisey and fabulous to watch.

Excitement: The atmosphere was on another level on Saturday evening as the show aired live from Blackpool

While Bruno agreed: 'What you gave us was a fantastic fun ride that put the feel good factor through the roof. i had a wonderful time watching your performance. 

Unsurprisingly Craig gave just five points, while Darcey, Len  and Bruno all gave eight which was Mark's top score to date. 

Susanna Reid and Kevin Clifton took to the floor next to dance the Paso Doble, which received rave reviews. 

Not enough: Despite Fiona and Anton's fabulous appearance they came joint bottom of the leader board

Darcey told her: 'You are a beautiful gypsy girl', while Len added 'It was like a buffet of Spanish tapas.'

Bruno said: 'It was just fantastic' and even Craig said: 'Absolutely fabulous.'

And the scores reflected the comments with Craig giving nine and Darcey, Bruno and Len gave ten which was the highest score of the series so far. 

Impressed: Mark Benton put on a real show with his dance, leaving most of the judges impressed

Perfect: The beach side set was perfect for the Blackpool location

The final dancer was Natalie Gumede and her partner Artem Chigvintsev who danced the Charleston after missing the show the week before due to her exhaustion. 

Following their spectacular Len said: 'Like the Blackpool illuminations – spectacular.'

Craig added: 'I loved the modern twist. I though the whole thing was sensational.'

While Darcey agreed, adding: ‘That was a joy to watch, thank you.’

Craig gave nine, while Darcey, Len and Bruno all gave ten points each, equaling Susanna's score and pushing her to joint top position. 

Strictly Come Dancing continues Sunday on BBC 1 at 7.15pm. 

So happy: Abbey was delighted after she received three tens from the judges

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2508434/Susanna-Reid-Natalie-Gumede-reach-towering-new-heights-Strictly-Come-Dancing-leader-board-Blackpool-spectacular.html#ixzz2krm0u1lg
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