Helen George tops Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard after Quickstepathon triumph
Call The Midwife star Helen George has topped the leaderboard with 46 points in this week's episode of Strictly Come Dancing.
The 31-year-old and partner Aljaz Skorjanec triumphed in the Quickstepathon, taking the maximum seven points available.
George won praise from the panel for her dreamy Viennese waltz to At Last By Etta James.
"Lovely movement across the floor. The storytelling was absolutely excellent in and out of hold," said Craig Revel Horwood.
"The story did not stop for me. Thank you, I loved it," former ballerina Darcey Bussell said.
Head judge Len Goodman stated, "Tickle my bum and call me Donald. This was a match made in heaven."
Bruno Tonioli agreed. "Everything came together perfectly," he said as the actress was awarded 39 points for her routine on Saturday night's show.
The rules in the Quickstepathon included staying in hold and no lifts. But it was not the best night for singer Peter Andre.
The star's American smooth with partner Janette Manrara was given 31 points, placing them bottom of the leaderboard again.
Andre also finished the Quickstepathon in last place, picking up just one more point to take his overall total to 32.
"I just enjoy watching the pair of you dance so well done for that," Goodman told the pop star.
EastEnders actress Kellie Bright scored 34 points for her energetic salsa to I Want You Back.
In the Quickstepathon, she finished in sixth place with partner Kevin Clifton and ended the night with a score of 36.
Broadcaster Katie Derham and partner Anton Du Beke thrilled the crowd with their Argentine tango and were awarded 32 points.
"Drop-dead gorgeous," cried Tonioli.
The BBC presenter earned five more points in the Quickstepathon.
Pop star Jay McGuiness and partner Aliona Vilani thrilled with their tango to When Doves Cry by Prince.
Judge Bussell was speechless at what she saw. "You were just working as one," she eventually said as the pair scored 38 points.
In the Quickstepathon, The Wanted singer picked up an extra three points.
The judges disagreed over the rumba danced by presenter Anita Rani and Gleb Savchenko.
"To me, that was a very polished performance," said Bussell as the couple earned 31 points. They were placed fourth in the Quickstepathon and were awarded with four extra points.
Former Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote and partner Giovanni Pernice performed a strident paso doble to The Final Countdown.
"What a dynamic routine. Fantastic," declared Revel Horwood as she earned 33 points.
As runner-up in the Quickstepathon, the actress scored an additional six points.
The Quickstepaton threatened to take the show over time as the judges struggled to make their minds up.
Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman pressed for the scores and then announced another celebrity will leave the popular ballroom series this evening.
