Harley Quinn, Batgirl, and a Day Of The Dead sugar skull: Louise Redknapp, Anastacia and Daisy Lowe vamp up for dazzling Halloween Strictly Special
The show is known for its elaborate, glittering and gorgeous costumes.
Yet Strictly Come Dancing really pulled out all of the stops for the Halloween special on Saturday night with a whole host of wacky and wonderful outfits - which even appeared to aid many contestants, after scoring their best marks yet.
Glamorous girls Louise Redknapp, Daisy Lowe and Anastacia took centre stage as they dazzled on the floor in glamorously ghoulish get-up.
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Boo! The Halloween special of Strictly Come Dancing certainly did not disappoint on Saturday night - with several of the celebrities, including Louise Redknapp, scoring their best marks yet
Louise Redknapp and partner Kevin Clifton took to the floor first for their Charleston to the jazzy Emeli Sande version of Beyonce's Crazy In Love.
Dressed as the Joker and his sidekick Harley Quinn, the pair looked almost unrecognisable in their outfits - with Louise the spitting image of the character recently brought to prominence by Margot Robbie in Suicide Squad.
Complete with blue and pink eye-make-up, her trademark wild pigtails and a range of wild facial expressions, the star looked creepy but cool as she tore up the dancefloor with her kicks, flicks and selection of lifts - with one seeing Louise flipping over Kevin's shoulder.
Impressive: Dressed as the Joker and his sidekick Harley Quinn, the pair tore up the dancefloor with their kicks, flicks and selection of lifts
Len was only full of praise for the former Eternal singer, declaring: 'It was so animated! It was a comic book Charleston. The routine was dandy, you were a marvel and there was more fun than a Beano. It was absolutely spot on.'
Before Darcey added: ''A dazzling Charleston. You have pulled out all of the stops for tonight and it paid off.'
Craig 'Devil' Horwood as he was penned on Saturday night lived up to his harsher reputation however, admitting: 'It was a bit too controlled for me, but I have to commend you on the detail and clean lines.'
The pair scored an impressive 35 - their highest score to date after plateauing at 33 for the last few weeks.
Success: The pair scored an impressive 35 - their highest score to date after plateauing at 33 for the last few weeks
Anastacia also amped up the glamour in a figure-hugging sparkling frock as she took to the floor in her sultry but scary bat character.
Sporting a tight-fitting dress with a mesh underlay that featured a daring plunge, the star showed off her sensational figure as she danced with partner Brendan Cole - who returned to the show this week after a lung infection.
Talking of the injury, which forced to him to pull out of last Saturday night, Brendan said during rehearsal: 'Watching the show from home was so hard.'
Comeback kid: Anastacia looked delighted to be back on the floor with her original partner Brendan Cole
Bat-tastic: The popstar amped up the glamour in a figure-hugging sparkling frock as she took to the floor in her sultry but scary bat character
However he also admitted her quickstep with Tameka's partner Gorka was 'one of the most magical dances of the night', and aimed to achieve a similar effect this week.
The pair kicked and flicked excitedly round the floor to Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell, however the judges were not completely taken.
While Len praised the performance, but criticsed the kicks and flicks, Bruno advised she work on sharpening her footwork.
Not holding back however, Craig simply said it was 'flat-footed, laboured, sluggish and lacked energy.'
Anticipated return: Sporting a tight-fitting dress with a mesh underlay that featured a daring plunge, the star showed off her sensational figure as she danced with partner Brendan Cole
Not quite up to scratch: The pair kicked and flicked excitedly round the floor to Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell, however the judges were not completely taken
The pair scored 25 - receiving a very harsh 4 from Craig.
It is no surprise that model Daisy Lowe managed to stun on the dancefloor - even during gruesome Halloween week.
The brunette looked absolutely stunning in a flamenco style red dress - which cinched in at her womanly waist and cut across her shoulders to reveal her gorgeous, tanned skin and delicate decolletage.
What a Halloweekend: Anastacia's dance received a harsh 4 from Craig - but the judges still remained in high spirits in their spooky costumes
More determined than ever: Having been in the bottom two last week, model Daisy Lowe was determined to impress the judges with her Day of the Dead themed Paso Doble
Accessorising with feminine flowers in her hair and glittering diamantés in her traditional sugar skull make-up, the star looked second to none in her eye-catching costume - which perfectly combined femininity and sex appeal with Halloween horror.
Having been in the bottom two last week, Daisy was determined to impress the judges with her Paso Doble.
Despite dancing as figures of the past, the pair brought the bullfighting dance to life - scoring 33 from the judges.
Model material: The brunette looked absolutely stunning in a flamenco style red dress - which cinched in at her womanly waist and cut across her shoulders to reveal her tanned skin
Olé! Despite dancing as figures of the past, the pair brought the bullfighting dance to life - scoring 33 from the judges
Bruno gushed: 'Such flamenco detail, true flavour of Spain, love the hair, make-up and choreography, adored the dance'.
Also taking to the floor in a wild costume was fan favourite Judge Rinder and his partner Oksana - clad in butterly-themed outfits for their Paso Doble, to the apt Born This Way by Lady Gaga.
In his usual dramatic and over the top style, he entered the stage from a harness in a brightly coloured bolero jacket - leaving his torso on show.
Performing a range of impressive matador jumps and even a tricky knee sliding walk at the end, the TV judge looked manlier and more in control than ever as he dominated the dancefloor.
All eyes on me: Accessorising with feminine flowers in her hair and glittering diamantés in her traditional sugar skull make-up, the star looked second to none in her eye-catching costume
Flying high: Next came fan favourite Judge Rinder and his partner Oksana - who prepared to tear up the floor with their butterly-themed Paso Doble
Even Craig was impressed with his display, gushing: 'It was all very silence of the limbs darling, a bit gruesome... but I mean that in a very good way. The darkest and strongest we've seen you which is fantastic.'
While Len couldn't agree more, calling the routing 'strong, powerful and meaningful.'
The pair also scored their highest score of 32 - making for a very successful night, which also happened to be Oksana's birthday, after getting an 8 from Craig.
Going for it: The judge performed a range of impressive matador jumps and even a tricky knee sliding walk at the end
Good work: Even Craig was impressed with his display, gushing: 'It was all very silence of the limbs darling, a bit gruesome... but I mean that in a very good way'
Hoping to flip the hearts of the judges next was Claudia Fragapane and her handsome partner AJ Pritchard, who performed a witch-themed American Smooth.
Dressed in a vibrant green tulle skirt and a glittering shirt, the Olympian looked truly stunning as she glided around the floor in the arms of her partner.
Clearly in a good mood during the spooktacular show, Craig dished out even more praise for Claudia, stating: 'The footwork was very good and you maintained body contact throughout. The lifts were fluid and I thought the whole thing was dynamic, well done.'
Bewitching: Hoping to flip the hearts of the judges next was Claudia Fragapane and her handsome partner AJ Pritchard, who performed a witch-themed American Smooth
Dark horse: Len, clad in his vampire cape, even praised AJ for giving his partner a difficult and rare three-step move, proving her as one of the ones to watch in the competition
Top of the crop: The pint-sized pair received 9s across the board - the highest score of the show so far
King of Ballroom Len, clad in his vampire cape, even praised AJ for giving his partner a difficult and rare three-step move, proving her as one of the ones to watch in the competition after receiving 9s across the board.
Next to give Halloween week a go was Hollyoaks star Danny Mac and partner Oti Mabuse - who, despite being a fan favourite and impressive dancer, has received slightly lower scores over the weeks than main rival Ore Oduba.
Dancing to Hozier's Take Me To Church for his Foxtrot, the hunky actor glided across the floor effortlessly - but sadly suffered a few hiccups with his footwork, forgetting his steps half way through.
Determined to be top: Next to give Halloween week a go was Hollyoaks star Danny Mac and partner Oti Mabuse
Not on form: Dancing to Hozier's Take Me To Church for his Foxtrot, the hunky actor glided across the floor effortlessly - but sadly suffered a few hiccups with his footwork
Craig said it was really sad to watch it go 'horribly wrong', as it could have been the star's first 10.
Len added he was 'bewitched by the routine, bothered by the mistakes and bewildered by the elastic.'
Next up was Laura Whitmore - who hoped to make a triumphant comeback after sacrificing her Jive last week due to an ankle injury.
However she certainly did not disappoint, achieving her highest praise and score yet, 36, for her Tango to Paint It Black.
Almost there: Craig said it was really sad to watch it go 'horribly wrong', as it could have been the star's first 10
Tango time: Next up was Laura Whitmore - who hoped to make a triumphant comeback after sacrificing her Jive last week due to an ankle injury
Harley Quinn, Batgirl, and a Day Of The Dead sugar skull: Louise Redknapp, Anastacia and Daisy Lowe vamp up for dazzling Halloween Strictly Special
Dramatic and sharp, the pair looked as one as they powered across the floor, with Len acknowledging: 'There was plenty of zip, hardly any doo-dah, footwork could have been more precise but great passion and chemistry.'
Meanwhile Darcey was highly impressed, calling the number her 'best dance yet', enjoying the 'focus, attack, sharp snapping hips and feminine quality.'
Ore Oduba looked almost unrecognisable as he disguised himself as a werewolf for his Charleston with Joanne Clifton.
She's better than ever: Dramatic and sharp, the pair looked as one as they powered across the floor, with Len acknowledging: 'There was plenty of zip, hardly any doo-dah'
Dark horse? Meanwhile Darcey was highly impressed, calling the number her 'best dance yet', enjoying the 'focus, attack, sharp snapping hips and feminine quality'
Who's that guy? Ore Oduba looked almost unrecognisable as he disguised himself as a werewolf for his Charleston with Joanne Clifton
The makeup effects were highly commendable, with Ore being given an incredibly realistic and scary beard and facial hair, while Joanne sported a pair of gruesome false teeth.
Having scored the first 10s of the series two weeks ago, the dance did not seem to be the pair's best after they suffered a few hiccups with lifts and failed to achieve enough bounce or the dance's trademark swivel.
Craig said his supporting leg was a 'problem' and said he was 'completely out of time', but praised his 'absolutely brilliant' characterisation.
Not his best: Ore was left disappointed after making a few mistakes in his routine
Giving it his all: Having impressed judges so far, the dance did not seem to be the pair's best after a few hiccups with lifts and not enough bounce
Ore admitted: 'I am a little bit [disappointed], I have never missed that lift.'
Yet the sports presenter still attained his usual but perhaps generous score of 9s from Bruno and Len - still retaining his place toward the top of the leaderboard.
Greg Rutherford took to the floor next, having survived last week's show by the skin of his teeth after a sub-standard Cha Cha last week.
Admitting he much prefers the Rumba, despite it being a notoriously difficult dance to master, Greg put on a very powerful and manly display as he led his partner Natalie around the floor.
Unrecognisable: Craig did however praise his characterisation - aided by his sensational hair and make-up
Gold medal standard? Greg Rutherford took to the floor next, having survived last week's show by the skin of his teeth after a sub-standard Cha Cha last week
Dominating: Admitting he prefers the Rumba, despite it being a difficult dance to master, Greg put on a very powerful and manly display as he led his partner Natalie around the floor
Despite impressing the audience, the judges were slightly bemused by the choreography - which focused more on eye-catching and crowd pleasing moves rather than classic Latin elements.
Darcey said: 'You definitely gained some confidence, this was a fast and furious rumba, some really nice long lines and deep lunges, but I wanted more rumba content.'
Yet Craig shocked the audience by claiming: 'I don't think I can judge this dance as a Rumba' as he said it was 'nothing to do' with the classic Latin dance.
Showdance or rumba? The judges were slightly bemused by the choreography - which focused more on crowd pleasing moves rather than classic Latin elements
The man, the myth, the legend: Last but certainly not least was MP Ed Balls - who took to the floor as a nutty professor for his Cha Cha
The feedback was met with tears from Natalie, who said she felt like she had let Greg down because of the choreography.
The pair received a higher score than the previous week nonetheless after scoring 8s from Len and Bruno - but were still left second from bottom on the leaderboard.
Last but certainly not least was MP Ed Balls - who took to the floor as a nutty professor for his Cha Cha.
Defying all odds, the star managed to get to grips with the Latin moves in his science goggles more than any other dance so far, scoring a standing ovation from the audience.
He's got Balls! Defying all odds, Ed managed to get to grips with the Latin moves in his science-themed routine, scoring a standing ovation and an eight from judge Bruno
He approves: Len added to the merriment, critiquing the dance: 'It wasn't super or natural but it was so much fun, strong pressure, kept on time, your best dance'
Ed was elated with his criticism - scoring an 8 from Bruno who called it: 'Horribly fabulous - hips like a jackhammer went from mincing to triumphant.'
Len added to the merriment, critiquing the dance: 'It wasn't super or natural but it was so much fun, strong pressure, kept on time, your best dance.'
Laura and Claudia were left joint top of the board, while Anastacia took last place - only just below Greg and Ed, despite his success on the night.
Nutty professor: Ed really got stuck into his mad scientist character, clad in a classic white coat and a pair of wacky goggles
On the way up: Ed was elated with his criticism - scoring an 8 from Bruno who called it: 'Horribly fabulous - hips like a jackhammer went from mincing to triumphant'
Success: A frightfully fun evening was had at the BBC studios - with many contestants performing their best in an array of wild and wonderful costumes
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3885666/A-spooktacular-Saturday-night-Strictly-Come-Dancing-s-Halloween-special-dazzles-viewers-wacky-costumes-effects-celebrities-score-best-marks-yet.html#ixzz4OWDMK0Nq
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