The 24th series of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing is off to memorable start. The legendary dancing competition series returned to screens just a few weeks ago for its launch show, which featured some of the show's most unique pairings yet. And with that, Strictly 2026 took form - setting the stage for another edge-of-seat series.
Last week's Movies Special saw some history-making routines, with Lacey and Vito, Delta and Kai, and Graeme and Lauren all standing out for the right reasons. In the end, it was Chris and Amy who were unfortunately eliminated after the first Dance-Off of the series.
Now, we're back to a regular week of dancing ahead of next week's Icons Week Special. Who stood out this time? Let's dive into our recap of the events and figure all of that out!
Strictly spoilers and results: Week 3 Leaderboard
I'll admit it was very strange having a Week 3 on Strictly that wasn't Movies Week. It did alter the vibes and left some viewers feeling that it was a little flat. But even with the lack of vibes, the dancing made up for that as we had some genuinely great performances
Lacey and Vito opened the show with a super Samba that made us all feel the party, Will and Dianne showed great technique in their quiet Waltz, highlighting how far Will has come. Jaime and Carlos delivered a strong Viennese Waltz that reminded everyone they should not have been in the Dance-Off last weekend. And Dani and Nikita showed real promise with a sharp and staccato Tango that has really set the stage for Dani to become one of the real journey contestants of the competition this year.
Delta and Kai ultimately topped the Leaderboard again with a sensational Salsa while Tabby and Mark proved to be the surprise of the night, with an incredibly passionate Argentine Tango that illustrated how they have become real contenders in the competition.
Here are the scores that each of the Week 3 dances were given by the judges, and the Leaderboard we were left with at the end of the episode:
- Delta and Kai danced the Salsa - 8, 9, 8, 8 = 33
- Tabby and Mark danced the Argentine Tango - 8, 8, 7, 8 = 31
- Cach and Maddie danced the Couples Choice - 7, 8, 8, 8 = 31
- Jaime and Carlos danced the Viennese Waltz - 7, 7, 7, 7 = 28
- Dani and Nikita danced the Tango - 7, 7, 6, 7 = 27
- Bethany and Nancy danced the American Smooth - 6, 7, 7, 7 - 27
- Lacey and Vito danced the Samba - 6, 6, 7, 7 = 26
- Graeme and Lauren danced the Jive - 6, 6, 6, 7 = 25
- Will and Dianne danced the Waltz - 6, 6, 6, 7 = 25
- John and Katya danced the Cha Cha - 4, 5, 5, 6 = 20
- Lawrence and Jowita danced the Rumba - 5, 5, 4, 6 = 20
- Sarah and Julian danced the Paso Doble - 4, 5, 5, 6 = 20
- Melanie and Aljaž danced the Charleston - 3, 5, 4, 5 = 17
- Shaun and Alexis danced the Quickstep - 3, 4, 3, 5 = 15
Who is in danger on Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Week 3?
Strictly's Week 3 Leaderboard is in a very unique position in that it can create quite a shock Dance-Off. Last week's Leaderboard ended up doing the same thing when Jaime and Carlos fell into the Dance-Off from a low-middle position, and this week's could very well do it again because of all those ties. So, while Shaun and Alexis and Melanie and Aljaž are at the bottom, they actually have more points than they normally would due to all those ties closing the gap between the top of the Leaderboard and the bottom.
Yes, there are only eight points between the couples at the top and the couples at the bottom (instead of 13), so the public vote has the ability to quite literally turn everything on its head - which isn't usually as likely at this early stage of the competition when there are so many couples. With that in mind, anyone from the upper middle is still quite vulnerable this week.
While Shaun and Melanie are still the most vulnerable at the bottom of the Leaderboard, that three-way tie of 20 points just above them makes Lawrence, Sarah, and John even ore vulnerable. As the public vote will be the tie-breaker, someone within that tie will find themselves in potential danger. The same goes for the two-way tie of 25 just above them.
With that in mind, we're predicting a Dance-Off between Shaun and Melanie or one of those and another couple from the upper middle down. It's going to be an interesting night, that's for sure!
Who is leaving on Strictly Week 3?
Strictly returned for another intense Results Show on Sunday night, which saw Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe announce the Bottom Two couples. The final four consisted of Bethany and Nancy, Melanie and Aljaž, Shaun and Alexis, and Graeme and Lauren. Two of those couples were safe and the other two had to dance off.
Dance-off: Shaun and Alexis vs. Melanie and Aljaž
Craig and Anton offered advice to the two couples as they had given them both the same marks on Saturday night, telling them both to do the same again but attempt to improve upon the routines as much as they can. And, with that, Shaun and Alexis reprised their Quickstep while Melanie and Aljaž did their Charleston again.
The Dance-Off saw a judges panel that was somewhat split when it came to deciding who would go home. Craig opted to save Shaun and Alexis based on stronger technique and performance while Motsi felt that Melanie and Aljaž had the edge. Shirley felt that both couples were generally equal, making for a great Dance-Off, but that one really took the Saturday night feedback to heart and improved the routine: Shaun and Alexis. The spli decision meant that Anton had the casting vote, which he used to save Shaun and Alexis.
Eliminated: Melanie and Aljaž
The judges gave Melanie and Aljaž a standing ovation as they said their goodbyes to them, Emma, Josh, Johannes, and all of the contestants. Melanie revealed that she thought she would have been going home last week so she was grateful to be able to dance with Aljaž for another week. And Aljaž himself praised his partner for her work ethic, ending their time on Strictly with how they started and ended each day of training: With a hug and a dance.
Needless to say, the show will miss Melanie's enthusiasm and she and Aljaž were a truly great partnership that will be remembered for years to come. Relive their beautfiul Waltz from Movies Week below:
The Strictly Come Dancing Results Show airs on BBC One on Sunday, October 11, at 7:15 p.m. BST.
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