Strictly Come Dancing Week Four: John Nellis Paso Doble Review 2026

Strictly Come Dancing week four delivered a dramatic paso doble from football content creator John Nellis and his professional partner Katya Jones. The performance, set to Bon Jovi's "It's My Life," was a bold choice that left judges with mixed reactions. In this Strictly Come Dancing week four review, we break down the judges' comments, the styling, and the standout moments from John's paso doble.

John Nellis's Paso Doble: A Rocky Start with Flaming Amps

After topping the scores with his week one foxtrot, John Nellis has taken a dip in recent weeks. But the paso doble was the dance he always wanted to do, and he hoped it would turn around his fortunes. The performance began with a slow start, as John and Katya embraced the rocky theme with a dodgy syrup, leather, and denim. Katya's skirt was made from plaid checked shirts, and flaming amps adorned the set. John wielded a guitar with sparks flying out, adding to the dramatic atmosphere.

However, the judges noted too much walking around and messin' abaht, along with some dodgy footwork. Despite this, John's big curved arms, dips, and splits showcased intense character and strong moves. The song choice, Bon Jovi's 2000 single, includes the line "For Tommy and Gina, who never backed down" – a nod to the fictional blue collar couple first mentioned in Livin' On A Prayer 14 years previously.

Judges' Comments: A Mixed Bag of Praise and Critique

The judges had varied opinions on John's paso doble. Motsi said, "He rocked it, loved the shaping and your spine, you weren't a little raisin, you were a big grape, but I wanted a little more flow." Shirley praised the continuous movement, while Anton welcomed him back from week one, saying he suited the dance and performed it like he loved it. Craig concluded, "An awkward moment, darling, you need to breathe and connect each step but good oval shaping, strength and power." The background to this story is set out in Celebrity: latest articles. A related thread runs through BBC Defends Editing Trans Rights Slogan on Strictly T-Shirt.

Despite the critique, John's performance was a memorable one, and the judges' feedback will be crucial for his improvement in future weeks. The paso doble is a challenging dance that requires precision and passion, and John showed both in spades, even if the execution wasn't flawless. Earlier coverage in Greek Strictly Come Dancing: A Celebrity's Behind-the-Scenes Story shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in John Oliver Exposes Underfunded Secret Service Crisis.

Comparison Table: John Nellis's Strictly Journey

Key Takeaways from John's Paso Doble

• Strong character and shaping: John's big curved arms and intense character were praised by the judges.
• Footwork issues: Craig noted an awkward moment and the need to connect each step.
• Rocky theme: The styling and set design added drama but may have distracted from the dance.
• Song choice: Bon Jovi's "It's My Life" provided a powerful backdrop for the paso doble.
• Judges' encouragement: Despite critiques, the judges see potential and want more flow.

FAQ