Latest updates and reaction from Strictly Come Dancing week five as Chris McCausland leaves fans ‘sobbing’ after emotional routine and Jamie Borthwick tops leaderboard with ‘near-perfect’ score

Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage of Strictly Come Dancing as we enter week five.

Controversy returned to the show this week after Wynne Evans and Katya Jones’ infamous ‘hand incident’ set tongues wagging last weekend resulting in the pair defending their awkward encounter.

The pair will be hoping to put the incident and focus talk on their dancing when they attempt to cha-cha-charge up the leaderboard this evening.

We will provide a live commentary of all the dancers tonight and endeavour to bring you the most eye-catching pictures and video from proceedings plus your reaction on social media.

So for now sit back, relax and let’s see which celebrities rip up the dancefloor or face the risk of waltzing off tomorrow night.

We can’t forget to treat you with a re-run of Montell and Johannes’s incredible performance now!

They are both frontrunners this week – and they both gave stunning performances that blew the judges away.

But who has won it for you this week? Let us know in the comments.

Droves of fans have headed to Twitter to react to Jamie and Michell’s sensational performance tonight:

Drum roll please… Here’s what our readers made of tonight’s show.

Fantastic Paso by Jamie tonight as well.

Jamie was good, but I thought overmarked. Chris in my opinion was the best tonight.

I thought Jamie’s dance was amazing. He should have got 4 x 10s.

Bottom two: JB and Wynne, but Wynne will be going.

It’s been quite the sequin-spangled night in the ballroom – but who are you placing your bets on to survive into next week’s completion? Let us know in the comments!

Here is what the final set of scores are looking like for week five of Strictly!

• Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas: 9 + 10 + 10 + 10 = 39
• Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe: 9 + 10 + 10 + 10 = 39
• Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell: 8 + 9 + 9 + 9 = 35
• Wynne Evans and Katya Jones: 7 + 9 + 9 + 8 = 33
• Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu: 7 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 31
• JB Gill and Amy Dowden: 7 + 8 + 7 + 8 = 30
• Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec: 8 + 9 + 8 + 9 = 34
• Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola: 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 32
• Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin: 6 + 7 + 6 + 7 = 26
• Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał: 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 = 22
• Dr Purnam Krishnan and Gorka Marquez: 4 + 6 + 5 + 6 = 21
• Paul Merson and Karen Hauer: 3 + 5 + 5 + 6 = 19

Looks like Chris and Dianne didn’t only bring tears to the ballroom – fans far and wide were left tear-eyed after their jaw-dropping performance.

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again – not a dry eye in the house!

Looks like Montell and Johannes have put the judges in the carnival spirit walking a way with a stunning score of 39!

Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe had the crowd on their feet with a dance dedicated to her Nan to the Skeleton Move by KG and Zanda Zakuza

‘MONTELL AND EXCELL,’ Craig said.

Motsi said: ‘Today you let it explode there was so much energy. Now we are in the Caribbean everyone feels seen I absolutely loved it!

‘All I can say is Nana is looking down on you and she has sprinkled her magic dust on you because you were exceptional,’ Shirley said.

‘What a celebration,’ said Anton: ‘If you make the final you do that again.’

Despite looking a bit glum earlier in the week, Wynne and Katya haven’t let recent controversy get in the way of bringing the best to the dancefloor!

Their stunning Quickstep to Mr Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) scored: 7, 9, 9, 8.

Fans and audience members were left in tears after Chris’s emotional performance and tribute to Liverpool tonight.

We can’t miss an opportunity to watch THAT incredible dance one more time!

Strictly Come Dancing star Pete Wicks‘ mother was reportedly embroiled in a row with BBC security after being barred from entering the studio on Saturday.

According to reports, the former TOWIE favourite’s mum Tracey arrived to the studio late ahead of her son’s performance with dance partner Jowita Przystal.

In pictures obtained by The Mirror, Tracy, dressed in a green and white patterned dress, was seen waving her hand in the air as she engaged in a heated conversation with staff.

The publication reports that Tracey was screaming: ‘Let me in. Let me in, I’m Pete’s mum!’ in front of alarmed security as she tried to gain access to the building.

It is said that Tracey argued her case for around 15 minutes before a production member reportedly let her in, allowing her to join the rest of the audience.

Shayne and Nancy have bounced back after a week in the bottom two, scoring the following with their American Smooth to Get Here by Sam Smith.

Let us know who you think will top tonight’s leaderboard in the comments!

Jamie and Michelle blew judges away with their performance tonight. Let’s take a look at the dance in pictures.

Their Samba definitely delivered in energy and scores. Here’s how Sarah and Vito scored – 8,8,8,8 = 36

Looks like Sarah and Vito’s Samba to Do It Do It Again by Rafaella Carrà is set for some big scores…

‘You are a force my goodness,’ Motsi said.

‘Your spins was absolutely fabulous, you didn’t miss a beat at all,’ Shirley said.

‘Your upper body was a bit stiff but for personality and performance it was your best dance,’ Anton added.

‘That is a party I want to be at. That was the campest thing. I loved it,’ Craig said.

Not sensational but not too shabby – Pete and Jowita samba away with the following scores:

‘Not a lot of body action,’ Shirley said: ‘Just need a bit more of that figure eight everywhere.’

‘I thought it was a terrific effort,’ Anton said: ‘My only problem with it was you danced down to her here and once you moved away you stayed down there for some reason.’

‘There were two lifts – one foot should remain on the floor at all times,’ Craig said as he teased disqualification.

Pete may be on Shirley’s mind all week but it doesn’t look like he will have a perfect score.

Not an easy task for the most experienced of dancer’s – but will Pete be able to pull off a Rumba to Don’t Look Back In Anger by Oasis?

Their Quickstep to Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield didn’t go down well with the panel.

An average score for an average dance: ‘6, 6, 6, 7 = 26’

Paul and Karen didn’t manage to sweeten up the judges with their performance this week scoring 3, 5, 5, 6, leaving the fifth week with a total score of 19.

Paul and Karen’s Samba to the Car Wash by Rose Royce didn’t leave the impression they were hoping for with the judges.

‘You know what I did see you are putting so much effort in everything you are doing,’ Motsi said: ‘I loved you were smiling. It was a picture of joy.’

‘You just love what you do and I can see that,’ Shirley said: ‘I thought you did very well.’

‘It lacked turn out, there was musicality missing. But I have to say it is nice to see you try more technique,’ Craid said: ‘You gave it a good go and you should be very proud.’

It doesn’t look like there’s a promising score ahead for the duo’s Samba.

It looks like Tasha and Aljaz matched last week’s energy but they did manage to tango their way to an impressive score of 34 after receiving 8, 9, 8, 9 from the judges.

Despite positive comments about the Tango, it doesn’t look like frontrunners Tasha and Aljaz will bag a perfect score tonight.

‘It lacked a little bit of aggression for me,’ Craig said. ‘You danced it brilliantly, I could go as far as toosay aboultey magnificent.

‘Tasha isn’t letting go. You are still up there for me without a doubt, ‘ Motsi said.

‘It had very clear timing. The first part was sensational but the last third started to get a bit loose and goosey in his arm. You are on a very good track.’ Shirley said.

‘You started off wow, you got disconnected from your legs,’ Anton said.’You are at an incredible level. Overall a magnificent dance.’

Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec are heading to the floor to perform a tango to Dog Days Are Over by Florence + The Machine.

Last week the Love Island star walked away with her first set of 10s and a stunning score of 39 – can she beat it tonight?

Christ and Dianne have waltzed their way to a stunning total of 35 after receiving 8, 9, 9, 9 from the judges for their stunning waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone.

The verdicts are in for Chris and Dianne’s Waltz You’ll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers – and the judges were teary.

‘I found that extremely emotional,’ Shirley said: ‘Your footwork, it was absolutely spectacular footwork.’

‘Just a little bit more work on the upper body but from the neck down heavenly,’ Anton said.

‘Your left elbow is way too low. It lacked any sort of swing: ‘Craig said before Chris quipped back about his bear.

‘It flowed beautifully,’ Craig continued with a smirk: ‘I thought it was brilliant.’

‘I could feel your emotions that’s not a thing everyone can do,’ Motsi said: ‘This is so much more important than technique, but what you are giving us is absolutely sensationaly special.’

The Eastenders actor’s performance did not disappoint, bagging an almost stunning score from the judges of 9, 10, 10, 10.

In total Jamie and Michelle were only ONE point off a picture perfect score!

The Eastender star was greeted with stunning reviews from the judges, who were grinning like cheshire cats following his passionate performance.

‘Paso bleeding tastic doll!,’ Craig raved as Motsi yelled: ‘Brilliant.’

Shirley said ‘outstanding choreography, basics and oval shapes, set the tone, remarkable.’

‘The dance was magnificent you will never dance a better dance than that you were brilliant,’ Anton said.

Jamie and Michelle landed in the top two last week with an astonishing score of 34 – and even TWO nines.

But can their Pasodoble bring the heat to the Strictly dance floor?

Punam and Gorka received the following score from the judges: 4, 6, 5, 6 for a total of 21 points

It looks like the pair may be in the hot seat again this week!

Motsi said ‘loved the wedding vibe, it was romantic and vulnerable, got on top of the mistakes but push it more and make it dynamic’.

Anton dubbed her dancing as ‘lovely’ but said she keeps it to herself, he added: ‘share it with us, too hesitant, crakc it out and commit.’

However, Craig wasn’t too positive – is a low score on the horizon?

Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez are preparing to get their glad rags on after a rocky week in the bottom two last week. But will they be able to pull it out of the bag this week?

The pair will be performing the Viennese Waltz to She’s Always A Woman To Me by Billy Joel

Electricity was in the air as the pair took to the dancefloor and even Craig Revel Horwood was won over.

‘You, my love, are a good one,’ Anton Du Beke praised the JLS dancer, dubbing him ‘absolutely super.’

Although there were some critiques of his technique, his brilliant performance was described as ‘divine’ by the judges.

They walked away this week with a stellar score of 30 from the panel.

Week five of Strictly is officially here – sit back, relax and watch with us as we welcome the first couple – JB and Amy Dowden – onto the dancefloor!

The pair will be performing Jive to Hey Ya! by Outkast.

The Welsh Opera singer took to Instagram to thank his 78,000-strong following for their support as he prepares to get his glad rags on and head to the dance floor.

Here we go it’s nearly showtime. Thanks for all the wonderful messages I’m certainly feeling love. Don’t forget to vote vote vote

Love you all you’re amazing.

Strictly’s Wynne Evans put on a brave face as he left his London hotel and head to the studio ahead of Saturday’s live show, after becoming the bookies’ favourite to leave the competition next.

The opera singer, 52, – who was once a frontrunner for the Glitterball Trophy alongside his dance partner Katya Jones, 35, – is just 5/1 to be sent packing from the competition this week having been 25/1 in the same market last week.

The duo have spent the week defending their awkward exchange during Saturday night’s live show.

Viewers spotted the toe-curling moment Katya moved Wynne’s hand away from her waist and snubbed his attempt at a high-five with her.

But he’s not letting the disheartening results prediction get him down and was seen with a huge grin on his face as he made his way to Elstree solo.

Vito Coppola brought his energy from the dancefloor straight to the kitchen as he made his debut on This Morning’s cooking segment, following his MasterChef win.

The 31-year-old is competing tonight with celebrity partner Sarah Hadland and took a break from rehearsals to appear on the ITV show where viewers appeared enthused his his bubbly personality.

One said: ‘Please make Vito a regular. He brings such joy and innocent passion. I could listen to Vito talk all day’; ‘I really like Vito but my he can talk!’

Later in the show, Vito sat down for an interview alongside his Strictly partner Sarah. The pair were once again full of energy, prompting Ben to say: ‘Listening to you is exhausting’

Sarah replied: ‘I don’t know, we immediately connected, we are both like puppies.’

Vito added: ‘She’s more energetic than me, multiply by 10.

Last month, Vito was crowned the new winner for the 2024 series of MasterChef.

For those of you who can’t wait for tonight’s programme to start, here’s a treat for you.

Here is a list of dances that will be performed this evening and the numbers accompanying them.

Ever thought about doing the Rumba to Oasis…now’s your chance to see how it’s done

Tonight’s dances (may not be in order):

• Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe – Couple’s Choice to Skeleton Move by KG, Zanda Zakuza
• Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez – Viennese Waltz to She’s Always A Woman To Me by Billy Joel
• Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin – Quickstep to Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield
• Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola – Samba to Do It Do It Again by Rafaella Carrà
• Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec – Tango to Dog Days Are Over by Florence + The Machine
• Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell – Waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers
• Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas – Paso Doble to Malagueña by Ernesto Lecuona
• JB Gill and Amy Dowden – Jive to Hey Ya! by Outkast
• Paul Merson and Karen Hauer – Samba to Car Wash by Rose Royce
• Pete Wicks and Jowitza Przystal – Rumba to Don’t Look Back In Anger by Oasis
• Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu – American Smooth to Get Here by Sam Smith
• Wynne Evans and Katya Jones – Quickstep to Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra

Before we look ahead to tonight’s offering…let’s just remind you what happened last week.

Nick Knowles, the oldest male celebrity in this year’s line-up, became the third star to be kicked off the ballroom after he and Luba Mushtuk lost the dance-off to Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu. LINK

And Tasha Ghouri earned the first 10s as she impressed judges with her performance of the Charleston with partner Aljaz Skorjanec to Unhealthy by Anne-Marie, Shania Twain

Here is the leaderboard in full:

• Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec (9+10+10+10) = 39
• Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas (8+9+9+8) = 34
• Wynne Evans and Katya Jones (8+9+9+8) = 34
• Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe (8+8+8+9) = 33
• Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell (6+8+8+8) = 30
• JB Gill and Amy Dowden (7+8+7+8) = 30
• Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu (7+8+7+8) = 30
• Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał (7+7+8+7) = 29
• Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin (7+7+7+7) = 28
• Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola (6+7+7+7) = 27
• Paul Merson and Karen Hauer (4+6+6+7) = 23
• Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk (4+6+5+6) = 21
• Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez (4+5+5+6) = 20

The Strictly story of the week has undoubtedly been Wynne Evans and Katya Jones’ awkward ‘hand incident’ after viewers last weekend spotted the professional moving the opera singer’s  hand away from her waist and snub his attempted high-five.

The dance partners have spent the week defending their toe-curling exchange during last Saturday night’s live show.

On Monday the pair appeared together on Strictly spin off show It Takes Two where Katya declared Wynne had been ‘portrayed as someone he is not’, as they insisted his ‘wandering hand’ incident was a silly joke.

Clinging to his arm, she said: ‘The idea that it made me feel uncomfortable or offended in any way is total nonsense, and those that have doubts, you guys have got it wrong. So hopefully this will be the end of it, and you just keep making me smile.’

However, Wynne admitted he had watched the footage of the incident back and confessed: ‘I can see how people may have misinterpreted it.’

Hours after the broadcast, neither Katya or Wynne raised a smile as they walked to their training studio in Wales ahead of rehearsals for tonight.

The controversy has left the pair in serious danger of being booted off Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday’s results show according to the bookies.

Opera singer Wynne, 52, – who was once a frontrunner for the Glitterball Trophy – is just 5/1 to be sent packing from the competition this week having been 25/1 in the same market last week.