Strictly Come Dancing Week Three: Live Show Highlights 2026

Strictly Come Dancing week three delivered a night of sizzling sambas and shocking scores. The live show kicked off with a fox in the training room and ended with tears and triumph. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest episode.

Lacey Turner's Samba Struggles

EastEnders actor Lacey Turner tackled the notoriously tricky samba with partner Vito Coppola. The pair danced to Gipsy Kings' 'Bamboléo', a song that has soundtracked many a Strictly samba. Lacey wore a red outfit and embraced the Rio carnival feel, but her footwork looked hesitant in places and nerves showed on her face. Vito, the only male pro with a perfect 40 samba score (with Fleur East four years ago), needed Lacey to keep up. While she showed rhythm and fluidity, the bounce action wasn't quite there. Judges praised her effort but noted she needs to come out of her shell.

Judge's Scores and Feedback

Craig Revel Horwood said she was 'holding back', while Motsi Mabuse encouraged her to 'let go'. Shirley Ballas highlighted the need for more hip action. The scores reflected the critique: 6, 7, 7, 7 for a total of 27. It's a solid start but Lacey has more to give.

Aljaz's Tache and the Great Button Shortage

The show opened with all 14 couples coming out for a wave. No fancy dress this week, but Aljaz Skorjanec sported a stick-on 70s-style 'tache. Mark the Canadian had his nipples out, and pros Kai, Vito, and Julian all showed off their pecs. The Great Borehamwood Button Shortage struck again, with several male pros missing buttons on their shirts. The judges – Craig, Motsi, Anton, and Shirley – shimmied into view and even did a synchronised sit-down.

Hosts' Fashion Choices

Emma Willis wore a grey suit with giant shoulder pads, Josh Widdicombe opted for navy blue, and Johannes Radebe stunned in a red fright-fit asymmetric number. The hostly throuple brought glamour and laughs.

Dances and Scores: A Mixed Bag

Other couples also took to the floor. Here's a quick rundown of the top performances:

Ellie Leach continues to impress, topping the leaderboard with a graceful Viennese Waltz. Bobby Brazier's Jive was energetic but lacked precision. Angela Rippon proved age is just a number with a sprightly Charleston.

Key Takeaways from Week Three

• Lacey Turner needs to build confidence to master the samba.
• Aljaz's fake moustache stole the show.
• Ellie Leach is the one to beat.
• Judges are getting stricter as competition heats up.

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