It is often said that ‘a week is a long time in politics’, but the same can be true in the world of Strictly Come Dancing.  Angela & Carlos became only the twelfth partnership to be eliminated from the show one week after receiving a ‘ten’ from the judging panel.

In this week’s blog we look back at each of the other eleven partnerships who suffered this fate.

Gethin Jones & Camilla

• Series: 5 (2007)
• Week: Quarter-Final (Week 10)
• Dance: American Smooth 38 (9,9,10,10) and Jive 37 (9,9,9,10)
• Elimination: Semi-Final

In the first seven Series of Strictly, partnerships had to perform two routines in the Quarter-Final; and in Series 5, Gethin & Camilla received ‘tens’ for both their American Smooth and Jive. Another ‘ten’ was earned the following week, but this was not enough to avoid falling into the first ever Semi-Final dance-off; where the duo were defeated by Matt Di Angelo & Flavia.

Austin Healey & Erin

• Series: 6 (2008)
• Week: 11
• Dance: Foxtrot 36 (8,9,9,10) and Paso Doble 38 (10,10,8,10)
• Elimination: Quarter-Final

Rugby Union player, Austin (dancing with Erin) finished in second place on the Week 11 leaderboard, earning ‘tens’ for both their Foxtrot and Paso Doble. In the Quarter-Final, they received another ‘ten’, but finished in fourth place (out of four), and lost out in the dance-off to Lisa Snowdon & Brendan’s 39-scoring Waltz.

Patrick Robinson & Anya

• Series: 11 (2013)
• Week: Quarter-Final (Week 11)
• Dance: Rumba 36 (8,10,9,9)
• Elimination: Semi-Final

‘Casualty’ actor Patrick, dancing with Anya (in her only Series), finished joint top of the leaderboard in the Quarter-Final. However, their Rumba didn’t win over the public, as it landed them in the dance-off. A win over Ashley Taylor Dawson & Ola meant that Patrick was the ‘last man standing’ in Series 11; but a last place finish on the Semi-Final leaderboard, led to a dance-off elimination by Natalie Gumede & Artem.

Pixie Lott & Trent

• Series: 12 (2014)
• Week: 10
• Dance: Viennese Waltz 38 (9,9,10,10)
• Elimination: Quarter-Final

Solo singer Pixie, dancing with Trent (in his only Series) received ‘tens’ in four consecutive routines, culminating with this Viennese Waltz in ‘Around the World’ week. As happened with Angela & Carlos this year, Pixie & Trent’s downfall was initiated by a rarely seen Cha Cha Cha in the latter part of a Series; and they were eliminated by Simon Webbe & Kristina, on Len’s casting vote.

Jake Wood & Janette

• Series: 12 (2014)
• Week: Quarter-Final (Week 11)
• Dance: Charleston 38 (9,9,10,10)
• Elimination: Semi-Final

One week after Pixie & Trent’s elimination; ‘EastEnder’ Jake, dancing with Janette, suffered the same outcome. They had received two ‘tens’ for their Quarter-Final Charleston, but scores of only 30 and 31 in the Semi-Final led to a dance-off elimination versus Mark Wright & Karen.

Helen George & Aljaz

• Series: 13 (2015)
• Week: Week 10
• Dance: Viennese Waltz 39 (9,10,10,10)
• Elimination: Quarter-Final

Despite scoring more points than any other celebrity in the first nine weeks of Series 13, ‘Call the Midwife’ actress Helen, only received her first ‘tens’ with this Viennese Waltz.

One week later, Helen & Aljaz got to close ‘Musicals week’ with a ‘Les Mis’ inspired Paso Doble. This foreshadowed a miserable evening for the duo, as they would be eliminated by Georgia Mae Foote & Giovanni.

Claudia Fragapane & AJ

• Series: 14 (2016)
• Week: Quarter-Final (Week 11)
• Dance: Salsa 37 (9,9,9,10)
• Elimination: Semi-Final

After receiving 22 scores of ‘nine’ from the judges, gymnast Claudia eventually received her first ’ten’ in ‘Musicals week’ from Bruno. Another two ‘tens’ were earned in the Semi-Final; however, Claudia & AJ would then have the misfortune to come up against Danny Mac & Oti in the dance-off.

Aston Merrygold & Janette

• Series: 15 (2017)
• Week: 6
• Dance: Paso Doble 38 (9,10,9,10)
• Elimination: Week 7

‘JLS’ singer Aston, partnered with Janette, received his first ‘tens’ in Halloween week for this Paso Doble. It seemed certain that these would be the first of many this duo would earn on their way to the Final; however, they went on to suffer arguably the most shocking exit in Strictly history when losing out to Mollie King & AJ in the Week 7 dance-off.

Tilly Ramsay & Nikita

• Series: 19 (2021)
• Week: 9
• Dance: Couple’s Choice 40 (10,10,10,10)
• Elimination: Week 10

Tilly & Nikita had to wait until ‘Musicals week’ to receive their first ‘tens’, and they did it in style, receiving four in one go!  For me, there will always be an asterisk against this Strictly ‘perfect score’, as it’s the only occasion that Craig didn’t feature on the judging panel.  A failed Covid test that week led to Cynthia Erivo taking Craig’s place.

One week later, a 30-scoring Samba left the duo bottom of the leaderboard, where they would eventually be eliminated by Rhys Stephenson & Nancy.

Rhys Stephenson & Nancy

• Series: 19 (2021)
• Week: Quarter-Final (Week 11)
• Dance: Argentine Tango 39 (9,10,10,10)
• Elimination: Semi-Final

After two consecutive dance-off victories (including against Tilly & Nikita), Rhys & Nancy were saved from a third consecutive appearance with their 39-scoring Argentine Tango. Two more ‘tens’ followed for their Samba, however it wouldn’t be enough to earn them a place in the Final, as they came up against John Whaite & Johannes in the dance-off.

Will Mellor & Nancy

• Series: 20 (2022)
• Week: Quarter-Final (Week 11)
• Dance: Foxtrot 39 (9,10,10,10)
• Elimination: Semi-Final

A year ago, Will & Nancy received their highest score of the series in ‘Musicals week’ for this Foxtrot. They would go on to receive two more ‘tens’ for their Semi-Final Couple’s Choice, but were denied a place in the Final; losing out in the dance-off to Fleur East & Vito, on Shirley’s casting vote.