After looking back at which professional dancers on Strictly had come the closest to ‘perfection’, I thought it would be interesting to compare each of the individual Series to discover which one could claim to have been the ‘best’. I have measured this by calculating the average score of the highest marks awarded in each dance style that was performed over the course of a series.

A few points to clarify before the countdown begins…

• All routines that were marked by three or five judges, have been recalculated into a score out of 40, to ensure a fair comparison.
• The maximum number of points a series could receive is 640, based on a score of 40 for each of the 16 current dance styles.
• Dance styles which are no longer performed on the show, such as the Lindy Hop or Dance Fusion, have been excluded from the analysis.
• The average score for each Series has been calculated based on the total number of dance styles that were scored in that Series. So, for example, any Series occurring before 2018 isn’t penalised for not receiving a Couple’s Choice score.
• If two Series are tied on the same score, the higher placing will go to the older Series.

Big thank you to fellow “Strictly Statistician” James (Instagram: @drross365) for contributing this article to the StrictlyDB Blog.

20th: Series One (2004)

• Possible dance styles: 10
• Perfect scoring dance styles: 0
• Lowest scoring dance style: 27 (Cha Cha Cha)
• Points scored: 340 (out of a maximum 400)
• Average score: 34.00

With only ten contestants, Series One was dominated by Natasha Kaplinsky who achieved the highest scoring routine in seven of the ten dance styles; and tied for highest in another.

Natasha & Brendan’s Samba was the only routine of this Series to receive a ten, from Arlene in Week 5.

19th: Series Two (2004)

• Possible dance styles: 9
• Perfect scoring dance styles: 1 (Jive)
• Lowest scoring dance style: 31 (Waltz)
• Points scored: 318 (out of a maximum 360)
• Average score: 35.33

The high dance style scores in Series Two were split between Jill Halfpenny (five routines, with Darren) and Denise Lewis (three, with Ian), with one tie. Jill’s perfect score for the Jive would not be seen again for this dance style for another twelve years.

This Quickstep performed by Denise and Ian, was the highest scoring of this dance style this Series (scoring 38).

18th: Series Three (2005)

• Possible dance styles: 11
• Perfect scoring dance styles: 0
• Lowest scoring dance style: 30 (Jive)
• Points scored: 395 (out of a maximum 440)
• Average score: 35.91

Season Three saw the introduction of the American Smooth and Viennese Waltz to the show. This was the second (and presumably final) Series that did not receive a perfect score for any dance style. The high dance style scores were shared between Darren Gough (one routine, with Lilia), Colin Jackson (four, with Erin) & Zoe Ball (three, with Ian); with three ties.

Here is Darren & Lilia’s 36-scoring Paso from the Series Three final.

17th: Series Four (2006)

• Possible dance styles: 13
• Perfect scoring dance styles: 1 (Salsa)
• Lowest scoring dance style: 34 (American Smooth & Rumba)
• Points scored: 472 (out of a maximum 520)
• Average score: 36.31

Series Four saw the introduction of the Argentine Tango and Salsa; Mark Ramprakash (with Karen Hardy) excelled in both, scoring 39 & 40 respectively. It would be seven years before Strictly would see another perfect Salsa.

Without the addition of these two new dance styles, Series Four would have finished with a lower average score than Series Three.

Here is Mark and Karen’s Argentine Tango, performed to Goldeneye in Week 11.

16th: Series Eighteen (2020)

• Possible dance styles: 16
• Perfect scoring dance styles: 4 (American Smooth, Charleston, Couple’s Choice, Showdance)
• Lowest scoring dance style: 30.7 (Rumba)
• Points scored: 589.3 (out of a maximum 640)
• Average score: 36.83

Having started off this countdown with the four earliest Series, I was surprised to discover that Series Eighteen ended up with the next lowest average. A reduced Series length meant that some dance styles were hardly featured. For example, there were only two Argentine Tango routines, and just a solitary Rumba; meaning that HRVY’s Rumba score of 23/30 had to be included.

Another hindrance to the scoring average was the absence of Bruno; meaning that Craig’s marks carried a greater impact on the total score than in any other Series.

The Series did produce a number of great routines though including this Quickstep from Maisie & Gorka.

15th: Series Thirteen (2015)

• Possible dance styles: 15
• Perfect scoring dance styles: 3 (Charleston, Showdance, Tango)
• Lowest scoring dance style: 32 (Waltz)
• Points scored: 556 (out of a maximum 600)
• Average score: 37.07

High dance style scores for this Series were split evenly between Jay McGuiness (five styles, with Aliona), Kellie Bright (five, with Kevin) and Georgia May Foote (four, with Giovanni); with the one exception being the Viennese Waltz, which was topped by Helen George and Aljaz.

Relatively low scores for the Argentine Tango (34), Cha Cha Cha (33) and Waltz (32), prevented Series Thirteen from reaching the top ten. Here is the top scoring Salsa of the Series (36), performed by Jay & Aliona at Blackpool in Week 9.

14th: Series Seven (2009)

• Possible dance styles: 15
• Perfect scoring dance styles: 4 (American Smooth, Charleston, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz)
• Lowest scoring dance style: 32 (Rumba, Salsa)
• Points scored: 557 (out of a maximum 600)
• Average score: 37.13

Series Seven saw the introduction of the Charleston, and the re-introduction of scoring for the Showdance, which had previously only received scores in Series One. High marks for both of these styles (40 and 39.2) enabled Series Seven to finish a couple of places higher in this countdown.

Despite not winning the Glitterball, Ricky Whittle (partnered with Natalie) dominated this Series, achieving the high score in ten of the fifteen styles; with a tie in another style. High praise should also be given to Ali Bastian who achieved the first ever perfect scores on Strictly in both the American Smooth and the Viennese Waltz.

Here is Ali & Brian’s perfect Viennese Waltz, which was performed in Blackpool.

13th: Series Ten (2012)

• Possible dance styles: 15
• Perfect scoring dance styles: 3 (Charleston, Showdance, Tango)
• Lowest scoring dance style: 30 (Cha Cha Cha)
• Points scored: 560 (out of a maximum 600)
• Average score: 37.33

Series Ten received perfect marks in three dance styles; including the first ever 40 for the Tango (achieved by Kimberley Walsh, with Pasha).

A disappointing 30 for the Cha Cha Cha prevents Series Ten from reaching the top ten of this countdown. Despite all fourteen celebrities performing this style, nobody was able to beat Lisa Riley’s score (with Robin) awarded in Week 1.

Kimberley and Pasha improved their Tango score from Week 8 (34) by 6 points when they danced it again in the final.

12th: Series Eight (2010)

• Possible dance styles: 15
• Perfect scoring dance styles: 2 (Quickstep, Viennese Waltz)
• Lowest scoring dance style: 32 (Cha Cha Cha)
• Points scored: 560 (out of a maximum 600)
• Average score: 37.33

Only four dance styles received a score of 39 or better in Series Eight, which is the lowest total over the past fifteen Series. This year was dominated by Kara Tointon (with Artem) and Pamela Stephenson (with James) who received the top marks in 13 of the 15 dance styles; the exceptions being the Jive (Scott Maslen, with Natalie) and the Samba (Matt Baker, with Aliona).

Pamela’s perfect score for the Viennese Waltz would be the last one in this style for eight years, and was the only 40 awarded in the Series Eight final.

11th: Series Five (2007)

• Possible dance styles: 13
• Perfect scoring dance styles: 1 (Waltz)
• Lowest scoring dance style: 33 (Rumba)
• Points scored: 486 (out of a maximum 520)
• Average score: 37.38

Series Five winner Alesha obtained the highest score in eight of the thirteen dance styles with her partner Matthew Cutler. The other high scores were achieved by Matt Di Angelo (two routines, with Flavia) and Gethin Jones (two, with Camilla); with one tie.

This is one of only two Series that received a 40 for the Waltz and here is Matt & Flavia’s routine.

I hope you enjoyed that trip down memory lane. In my next article, I will countdown the Series which made it into the top ten. Which Series do you think will finish in first place?