Craig was visibly moved by Layton & Nikita’s showstopping Charleston last night – we spotted a definite tear in his eye, and he gave it a rare standing ovation commenting that it was the best Charleston he had seen on the show in twenty years. It certainly had the ‘wow’ factor but we wonder if Strictly fans agree?

Here are the 12 perfect Charlestons the show has seen to date so that you can be your own judge. The dance has become a firm fan favourite since it was first introduced to the show in Series 7 (2009). In fact, Chris Hollins & Ola were the first couple to perform a Charleston on Strictly in Week 11 of that year and they make this list because their Bugsy Malone routine scored a perfect 50 just 3 weeks later in the Series’ Final.

Enjoy all of these brilliant routines and please do let us know your favourite Charleston in the Comments below.

The 12 Perfect Charlestons of Strictly

Layton Williams & Nikita

• Date: 9th December 2023
• Series: 21, Semi-Final
• Score: 40 (10,10,10,10)
• Track: Fit As A Fiddle (And Ready For Love) by Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor

Rhys Stephenson & Nancy

• Date: 13th November 2021
• Series: 19, Week 8
• Score: 40 (10,10,10,10)
• Track: The Charleston by Bob Wilson and his Varsity Rhythm Boys

HRVY & Janette

• Date: 12th December 2020
• Series: 18, Semi-Final
• Score: 30 (10,10,10)
• Track: Another Day of Sun from ‘La La Land’

Faye Tozer & Giovanni

• Date: 1st December 2018
• Series: 16, Quarter-Final/Musicals Week
• Score: 40 (10,10,10,10)
• Track: The Lonely Goatherd from ‘The Sound of Music’

Ashley Roberts & Pasha

• Date: 15th December 2018
• Series: 16, Final
• Score: 40 (10,10,10,10)
• Track: Witch Doctor by Don Lang

Joe McFadden & Katya

• Date: 16th December 2017
• Series: 15, Final
• Score: 40 (10,10,10,10)
• Track: Alexander’s Ragtime Band by Ella Fitzgerald

Danny Mac & Oti

• Date: 19th November 2016
• Series: 14, Blackpool Week
• Score: 40 (10,10,10,10)
• Track: Puttin’ On The Ritz by Gregory Porter

Georgia May Foote & Giovanni

• Date: 19th December 2015
• Series: 13, Final
• Score: 40 (10,10,10,10)
• Track: Hot Honey Rag from ‘Chicago’

Carolina Flack & Pasha

• Date: 20th December 2014
• Series: 12, Final
• Score: 40 (10,10,10,10)
• Track: Istanbul by They Might Be Giants

Denise Van Outen & James

• Date: 22nd December 2012
• Series: 10, Final
• Score: 40 (10,10,10,10)
• Track: Walk Like An Egyptian by The Puppini Sisters

Kimberley Walsh & Pasha

• Date: 15th December 2012
• Series: 10, Semi-Final
• Score: 40 (10,10,10,10)
• Track: Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines by Ron Goodwin

Chris Hollins & Ola

• Date: 19th December 2009
• Series: 7, Final
• Score: 50 (10,10,10,10,10)
• Track: Fat Sam’s Grand Slam from ‘Bugsy Malone’

Photo credits: BBC embeddable video thumbnails from YouTube