In this article I continue my countdown looking at which series of Strictly Come Dancing has claim to be the ‘best’. (If you haven’t already, read Part 1 first).

This has been done by calculating the average score of the highest mark awarded in each dance style 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.

10th: Series Nine (2011)

• Possible dance styles: 15
• Perfect scoring dance styles: 4 (Argentine Tango, Paso Doble, Quickstep, Showdance)
• Lowest scoring dance style: 32 (Cha Cha Cha)
• Points scored: 565 (out of a maximum 600)
• Average score: 37.67

Series nine was the first to see perfect scores achieved in three dance styles; the Argentine Tango, the Showdance (both performed by Jason Donovan, with Kristina), and the Paso Doble (performed by Chelsee Healey, with Pasha). The dance style high scores were shared between Harry Judd and Aliona (six styles), Chelsee and Pasha (five) and Jason with Kristina (three); with one tie.

Here is the highest scoring American Smooth from the Series (39), performed by Harry & Aliona in the final at Blackpool.

9th: Series Six (2008)

• Possible dance styles: 13
• Perfect scoring dance styles: 3 (Cha Cha Cha, Foxtrot, Quickstep)
• Lowest scoring dance style: 34 (Jive)
• Points scored: 493 (out of a maximum 520)
• Average score: 37.92

This Series has the unique achievement in receiving scores of 40 in two dance styles that have rarely obtained perfection. The full marks earned by Lisa Snowdon (and Brendan) for the Cha Cha Cha has only been matched in one other Series; and incredibly, the perfect scores earned by both Rachel Stevens (with Vincent) and Lisa and Brendan for the Foxtrot are the only ones that have ever seen for this style on Strictly.

Over the course of the Series, the dance style high scores were shared between Rachel and Vincent (four routines), Lisa and Brendan (three), Tom Chambers with Camilla and Austin Healey with Erin (two each); with two ties.

Here is Rachel & Vincent’s perfect Foxtrot from Week 10.

8th: Series Twenty (2022)

• Possible dance styles: 16
• Perfect scoring dance styles: 2 (Couple’s Choice, Samba)
• Lowest scoring dance style: 32 (Viennese Waltz)
• Points scored: 611 (out of a maximum 640)
• Average score: 38.19

An impressive total of eleven dance styles received a score of 39 points or better in Series twenty, however only two of them earned a perfect score. This suggests that either Craig was exceedingly picky with his ten paddle, or Motsi, Shirley and Anton were too generous with theirs!

The dance style high scores were shared between Hamza Yassin with Jowita, Fleur East with Vito, Molly Rainford with Carlos, Will Mellor with Nancy (three styles each) and Helen Skelton with Gorka (Jive); with three ties.

Fleur & Vito’s perfect score for the Samba was only the second routine of this style that received a 40 on Strictly. Another highlight from them was their Week 4 Argentine Tango routine.

7th: Series Seventeen (2019)

• Possible dance styles: 16
• Perfect scoring dance styles: 3 (Jive, Quickstep, Showdance)
• Lowest scoring dance style: 33 (Cha Cha Cha)
• Points scored: 611 (out of a maximum 640)
• Average score: 38.19

Twelve of the sixteen dance style high scores in this Series were achieved by Kelvin Fletcher, with Oti (six) and Karim Zeroual, with Amy (four); with two ties. This was the the second year since the introduction of the Couple’s Choice, and to date, it is the only Series which has not seen a perfect score awarded for this style.

Kelvin & Oti’s 40 for the Quickstep in the semi-final was the first perfect score in this style for eight years; and was matched one week later by this effort from Karim & Amy.

6th: Series Twelve (2014)

• Possible dance styles: 15
• Perfect scoring dance styles: 5 (Argentine Tango, Cha Cha, Charleston, Salsa, Showdance)
• Lowest scoring dance style: 34 (Rumba)
• Points scored: 573 (out of a maximum 600)
• Average score: 38.20

In Series twelve the high score dance styles were shared between Caroline Flack and Pasha (five), Frankie Bridge and Kevin (five), Simon Webbe and Kristina (three); and Jake Wood with Janette (the American Smooth); with one tie.

This Series contained what is currently the last perfect Cha Cha Cha routine, performed by Caroline & Pasha in the final.

5th: Series Eleven (2013)

• Possible dance styles: 15
• Perfect scoring dance styles: 4 (American Smooth, Salsa, Showdance, Waltz)
• Lowest scoring dance style: 31 (Jive)
• Points scored: 573 (out of a maximum 600)
• Average score: 38.20

Although Series eleven only makes it to fifth place, just another seven points would have seen it move up to first. It’s dance style high scores were shared between Natalie Gumede with Artem (six), Abbey Clancy with Aljaz (three), Susannah Reid with Kevin (two), Sophie Ellis-Bextor with Brendan and Ashley Taylor-Dawson with Ola (one each).

The Series has a ‘hard luck story’ which arguably prevented it from winning this countdown. Its only dance style to receive a score lower than 36 was the Jive with 31 points. Natalie was due to perform this style in Week 7, but due to fainting twice while rehearsing on the Saturday, medics prevented her from performing. Given Natalie’s ability, and that the Jive routine would have been performed to ‘Proud Mary’ (eventually used by Alexandra Burke four years later), a high score would surely have been inevitable.

Here is Natalie and Artem’s Showdance, which received a score of 40 in the final.

4th: Series Fourteen (2016)

• Possible dance styles: 15
• Perfect scoring dance styles: 5 (Argentine Tango, Charleston, Jive, Samba, Showdance)
• Lowest scoring dance style: 35 (Rumba)
• Points scored: 576 (out of a maximum 600)
• Average score: 38.40

I must admit that due to the overall strength of its finalists, Series fourteen was my prediction to win this countdown! It earned the first ever perfect score for the Samba (performed by Danny Mac and Oti), and the first perfect score for the Jive in twelve years (performed by Ore Oduba with Joanne). Both Danny and Ore received the dance style high score in three styles, however they were beaten by Louise (with Kevin) who had the highest score in four styles; with another five styles seeing a tie.

Despite all of Danny, Ore & Claudia Fragapane (with AJ) receiving solid scores of 35 for the Rumba, none of them were able to earn the additional four points which would have led to this Series finishing in first place.

Here is Danny & Oti’s Week 5 Rumba routine. Do you think the score of 35 was fair?

3rd: Series Nineteen (2021)

• Possible dance styles: 16
• Perfect scoring dance styles: 7 (Argentine Tango, Charleston, Couple’s Choice, Paso Doble, Quickstep, Showdance, Tango)
• Lowest scoring dance style: 34 (Salsa)
• Points scored: 616 (out of a maximum 640)
• Average score: 38.50

This Series saw six celebrities receiving the high score in at least one dance style; a number higher than in any other series. High scores were shared between Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni (four styles), John Whaite and Johannes (two), and AJ Odudu with Kai, Rhys Stephenson with Nancy, Tilly Ramsay with Nikita and Tom Fletcher with Amy (one each); with another five styles tied.

The perfect score that John & Johannes received for the Paso Doble, was the first seen for this dance style in ten years. The lowest dance style score this Series was 34 for the Salsa. Both John and AJ performed this style in the quarter-final, and underperformed, scoring 32 and 30 respectively. If either had managed a score of 37, Series nineteen would have ended as the winner of this countdown.

Here is the top scoring Salsa routine, performed by Tom & Amy in Week 5. Did this deserve more than 34 points?

2nd: Series Fifteen (2017)

• Possible dance styles: 15
• Perfect scoring dance styles: 6 (American Smooth, Argentine Tango, Charleston, Jive, Salsa, Tango)
• Lowest scoring dance style: 35 (Waltz)
• Points scored: 578 (out of a maximum 600)
• Average score: 38.53

To be honest, I was slightly surprised to find out that Series fifteen ended this high in the countdown; and was only two points away from winning. As well as receiving a maximum score in an impressive six dance styles, it received a score of 39 in another four; and its lowest dance style score was a still decent 35.

It’s dance style high scores were shared between Alexandra Burke with Gorka (five styles), Debbie McGee with Giovanni (four), Joe McFadden with Katya (two) and Davood Ghadami with Nadiya (one); with three ties. Debbie is one of two celebrities (along with Rose Ayling-Ellis) to receive a perfect score in both the Argentine Tango and Ballroom Tango.

Here is the highest scoring Waltz of the series, performed by Davood & Nadiya. Should it have scored more than the 35 points it received?

1st: Series Sixteen (2018)

• Possible dance styles: 16
• Perfect scoring dance styles: 7 (American Smooth, Charleston, Couple’s Choice, Jive, Salsa, Showdance, Viennese Waltz)
• Lowest scoring dance style: 32 (Cha Cha Cha)
• Points scored: 618 (out of a maximum 640)
• Average score: 38.63

Congratulations to Series sixteen for its victory in this countdown. It received a perfect score in seven dance styles, which is a total matched only by Series nineteen. Just two dance styles (the Rumba and Cha Cha) received a high score lower than 38.

The dance style high scores were shared between Ashley Roberts with Pasha (five styles), Faye Tozer with Giovanni (five styles) and Charles Venn with Karen (the Samba); with ties in another five styles. It also saw the first perfect score for the Viennese Waltz (performed by Faye & Giovanni) in eight years.

Series sixteen marked the introduction of the Couple’s Choice to Strictly, and it’s interesting to note that without the 40 points for this style, series fifteen and sixteen would have finished on an identical overall score! It seems fitting therefore, to end this countdown by watching Faye & Giovanni’s Couple’s Choice Theatre/Jazz routine from the final.

We hope you enjoyed this countdown – let us know your thoughts in the Comments below.

Will Series 21 be a Strictly record breaker? Time will tell but until then enjoy the Launch show on BBC One tonight at 6.35pm, and remember to check StrictlyDB for weekly blogs, live scores and links to all the dances!