'A-maz-ing!' Denise Van Outen waltzes into the top spot with romantic Viennese dance on Strictly
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But Craig Revel Horwood was left gushing over Denise Van Outen after she performed an impressive Viennese waltz on Saturday night's Strictly Come Dancing Show.
The former Chicago star received high praise from the Australian-British judge who told her simply: 'A-maz-ing'.
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Oh so elegant: Denise Van Outen and her partner James topped the leader board with 35 after performing an impressive Viennese waltz
Craig's sentiments were echoed by the rest of the judges and Len gushed: 'You had poise posture performance,' adding, 'You had more turns than a Catherine wheel.'
Denise and partner James Jordan's flawless performance bagged them the highest score of the evening an impressive 35, which left them sitting pretty at the top of the leader board.
VIDEO: Denise waltzes into top spot... For more Strictly Come Dancing click here...
The show opened with Kimberley Walsh and her partner Pasha Kovalev performing the salsa to Beyonce's track Naughty Girl.
The Girls Aloud star looked sensational in a plunging red number and she danced the routine with aplomb.
She's on fire! Kimberley Walsh performed the samba to Beyoncé's track Naughty Girl
Len noted: 'The return of nimble kimble it was a sparkler.'
He added: 'You came up and flaunted yourself at me do that every week and you would get an extra mark.'
Kimberley explained that she thoroughly enjoyed the performance and added that she felt much more comfortable with the dance compared with last week.
Purple haze: Lisa Riley and her partner opted for vibrantly coloured costumes to dance to the Tango
The Girls Aloud star managed to gain 33 points for her performance and up until Denise was at the top of the leader board.
Next to take to the dance floor was Lisa Riley who strut her stuff to the tango.
Craig was left less than impressed and his scathing critic left Len and Bruno confused.
Len told her: 'You come out and perform whatever dance you get you for for it 100%, I thought that was sharp.'
Bad reviews: Richard Arnold failed to impress with his foxtrot and he knew he had messed up the dance
Lisa and partner Robin Windsor racked up a respectable 27 points.
Not everyone impressed the judges and Richard Arnold was left apologising to his partner at the end of their dance.
Craig told him: 'Complete dance disaster' while Len described him as the 'Clogfather.'
His mistakes cost him dearly and he only managed to win 17 from the judges which left him at the bottom of the score board.
Victoria Pendleton and Brendon Cole were next to step out onto the Strictly stage to perform a sexy Samba.
Pedalling backwards? Victoria Pendleton did her best to make her samba sexy
While The Olympic gold medallist tried her best to pedal to victory her performance was somewhat a little lackluster.
Len told her: 'It was occasionally a little bit unstable in places.'
Bruno noted: 'It was all very very promising,' before adding it felt like: 'Las Vegas with a hangover.'
Darcey told her: 'You started so well but you lose your focus at the very end.'
Despite the criticism Victoria managed to pick up 23 from the panel, not a great score but not her lowest.
Louis Smith
Fellow Team GB star Louis Smith performed next, with high hopes after his top score performance last week.
His Samba went down well with everyone bar his biggest fan Darcey Bussell, who was seen admiring his muscles last week.
The ballerina told him: ' I was a bit disappointed it was a little bit safe it was too calculated I wanted it to be free.
Crag, Len and Bruno loved it and Louis walked away with a 27 score.
Salmon all round: Colin performed
Nicky Byrne and his partner Karen Hauer
Colin Salmon and his partner Kristina Rihanoff also achieved a 27 score while Nicky Bryne managed a 25.
During Fern Britton's performance all eyes were on her shirtless partner Artem Chigvintsev, whose buff body had everyone, including the judges, captivated.
The TV presenter bagged 24 while Michael Vaughan's efforts with the bagged himself 31.
All eyes on Artem: Fern Britton's partner had the audience, and the judges, captivated with his shirtless appearance
Bruno told him: 'I hope that this dream will continue for you.'
Dani Harmer was the last to perform on the show and she took to the stage with partner Vincent to demonstrate her fancy footwork to the jive.
Len told her: 'Clean as a whistle, crisp as a Pringle and absolutely fabulous.'
Craig made a rude critic about seeing her underwear but thankfully host Bruce Forsyth failed to hear the quip.
The Tracey Beaker star was given 33 for her efforts and she was delighted with the score.
Strictly returns to screens on Sunday night at 7.20pm on BBC One.
Tap to it: Dani Harmer and Vincent Simone performed the jive
Strictly Score board
Denise Van Outen and James Jordan - 35
Kimberley Walsh and Pasha Kovalev - 33
Dani Harmer and Vincent Simone - 33
Michael Vaughan and Natalie Lowe - 31
Lisa Riley and Robin Windsor - 27
Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace - 27
Colin Salmon and Kristina Rihanoff - 27
Nicky Bryne and Karen Hauer - 25
Fern Britton and Artem Chigvintsev - 24
Victoria Pendleton and Brendon Cole - 23
Richard Arnold and Erin Boag - 17
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2227430/A-maz-ing-Denise-Van-Outen-waltzes-spot-romantic-Viennese-dance-Strictly.html#ixzz2BFPu6To4
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