With some miserable winter weather hitting the UK, I thought that for this week’s blog I would offer a little bit of ‘Strictly sparkle’, by highlighting some of my favourite Strictly routines that have featured colourful face paint.

Red

• Couple: Tom Fletcher & Amy
• When: Series 19 (2021), Week 6
• Dance: Tango, Score 29 (7,8,7,7)

Dressed as devils, and on the ‘Highway to Hell’, Tom and Amy closed Halloween week two years ago with this terrifying Tango. Their performance did not go entirely to plan, with Amy slipping on her skirt, and Tom’s microphone pack falling from his costume; but there is no doubting that the make-up team deserved a ‘ten’ for their efforts.

Honourable mentions: Graeme Swann & Oti’s Charleston; Mollie King & AJ’s Cha Cha Cha; Pamela Stephenson & James’ Jive

Orange

• Couple: Claudia Fragapane & AJ
• When: Series 14 (2016), Week 11
• Dance: Salsa, 37 (9,9,9,10)

It’s my view that Claudia & AJ are one of Strictly’s most underrated semi-finalists. They received their first ‘ten’ of the competition in Musicals week for this Lion King inspired Salsa.

Honourable mentions: Karim & Amy’s Samba; Zara & Graziano’s Paso Doble; Kirsty & Brendan’s American Smooth

Yellow

• Couple: Stacey Dooley & Kevin
• When: Series 16 (2018), Week 3
• Dance: Salsa, 32 (8,8,8,8)

Kevin’s initial plan was to choreograph a ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ routine for Stacey in ‘Movie week’. Thankfully, production convinced him to go with this Minions routine instead, otherwise we would have been denied seeing this upbeat, ‘happy’ Jive which put the duo on track for eventual Glitterball success.

Honourable mentions: Max George & Dianne’s Couple’s Choice; Will Bailey & Janette’s Paso Doble

Green

• Couple: Tilly Ramsay & Nikita
• When: Series 19 (2021), Week 6
• Dance: Cha Cha Cha, 35 (8,9,9,9)

There is an abundance of excellent options when it comes to picking a dance with the colour green. After much deliberation, I have picked this chilling Cha Cha Cha from Tilly & Nikita. Despite the duo topping the leaderboard on two other occasions, my thoughts are that this was their best routine of the series. My only query is are we sure this was Tilly dancing rather than Dancing with the Stars finalist Kelly Osborne?!

Honourable mentions: Frankie Bridge & Kevin’s Tango; Chelsee Healey & Pasha’s Jive; Ed Balls & Katya’s Samba; Ellie & Vito’s Salsa; Annabel & Johannes’ Foxtrot

Blue

• Couple: Dev Griffin & Dianne
• When: Series 17 (2019), Week 3
• Dance: Couple’s Choice, 36 (9,9,9,9)

In contrast with the colour green, I found that there are surprisingly few routines which have used blue, indigo or purple face paint.

One routine, which does stand out is this Couple’s Choice from Dev & Dianne. What makes it even more remarkable is that in a ‘run through’ the day before the live show, Dianne was dropped during one of the lifts, and had to be rushed hospital, where she was diagnosed with whiplash.

Honourable mention: Dr Ranj & Janette’s Jive

Indigo

• Couple: Adam Peaty & Katya
• When: Series 19 (2021), Week 3
• Dance: Rumba, 20 (4,5,5,6)

Adam & Katya’s ‘Avatar’ inspired Rumba is arguably a better fit to be included in the blue category, but the lighting that was used in the routine definitely gives it more of an indigo feel. A meagre score of only 20 points seemed harsh, and the public agreed, lifting the duo to safety from last place on the leaderboard.

Purple

• Couple: Danny Mac & Oti
• When: Series 14 (2016), Week 6
• Dance: Foxtrot, 30 (7,8,7,8)

Danny & Oti’s frightening Foxtrot included a couple of stumbles which meant this turned out to be their lowest score of the series.  However, given that Danny is (still currently) the male celebrity with the highest average score, even a below par routine from him is better than the vast majority of dances we see on Strictly!

Honourable mention: Simon Rimmer & Karen’s Quickstep