The glitz and glamour of Strictly Come Dancing’s Movie Week dazzled viewers on Saturday night (October 11), but it wasn’t the celebrity dances or the iconic ballroom that stole the show. In a whirlwind opening, the BBC’s flagship dance competition introduced its first-ever guest mentor, Cynthia Erivo, in a segment so bold and theatrical it left fans buzzing—and drawing comparisons to an entirely different reality TV titan.
Before the celebrities and their professional partners could take to the floor, the spotlight shone on Cynthia Erivo, celebrated for her upcoming role as Elphaba in the Wicked film. A tribute segment showcased her star power, setting the stage for a breathtaking professional routine set to the Wicked anthem As Long As You’re Mine. Erivo, joining the judging panel as a guest mentor, will offer her insights on performances without assigning scores, adding a fresh dynamic to the Strictly panel.
However, it was the dramatic, larger-than-life introduction to Erivo that had fans doing a double-take. Social media erupted as viewers likened the segment to the iconic, high-energy opening sequences of The X Factor. On X, one fan exclaimed, “What was that intro for Cynthia? It’s giving X Factor icl #strictly,” while another gushed, “Obsessed with that X Factor style intro for Cynthia #BBCStrictly #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly.” A third viewer chimed in, “What’s the 2010 X Factor intro about #Strictly,” and another declared, “Why is this Cynthia Erivo intro giving peak X Factor omggggg I love it #Strictly.” In just three minutes, Erivo’s entrance had hijacked the conversation, leaving fans captivated and divided.
As Movie Week unfolded, the night wasn’t without its surprises. In a blow to the competition, Neighbours star Stefan Dennis was forced to withdraw from the live show due to illness. The announcement came during Friday’s It Takes Two, with the BBC confirming, “Due to illness over the past few days, Stefan Dennis has been advised by doctors to rest and, as a result, he will not dance this weekend. In line with the rules of Strictly, Stefan and his professional partner Dianne will receive a bye through to next week when they will hopefully be able to dance again.” Fans now eagerly await his return to the ballroom.
Elsewhere, the competition is heating up, with bookmakers tipping TV presenter Ross King as the favorite to face elimination on Sunday night. With odds of 10/11, King’s chances look bleak, while rugby star Chris Robshaw follows closely at 6/4. Stefan Dennis, despite his absence, remains a contender for elimination at 8/1, with no other contestant facing odds shorter than 14/1. Alex Apati of Ladbrokes commented, “It’s bad news for Ross heading into this weekend’s Strictly… punters reckon he’s next in line for the boot.”
As Strictly Come Dancing’s Movie Week delivered drama, sparkle, and an unforgettable opening, Cynthia Erivo’s X Factor-esque introduction proved to be the true show-stealer. With fans still buzzing and the competition fiercer than ever, one thing’s clear: this season is full of surprises, and the ballroom is only getting hotter.