Strictly Come Dancing series 12


Strictly Come Dancing returned for its twelfth series beginning from 7 September 2014 with a launch show, and the live shows began on 26 and 27 September. After Sir Bruce Forsyth announced his departure from the show at the end of the previous series Tess Daly returned to present the main show on BBC One alongside Claudia Winkleman, who was promoted to co-presenter in addition to the results show, this change would last for 12 additional series until 2025. Zoe Ball returned as presenter of the spin-off show Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two on BBC Two. Judges Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, and Bruno Tonioli also returned.
The shows from 1 to 16 November were hosted by Daly and Zoe Ball, after one of Winkleman's children was involved in an accident. Winkleman returned to co-host the show on 22 November.
Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev were announced as the winners on 20 December, while Simon Webbe and Kristina Rihanoff, and Frankie Bridge and Kevin Clifton were the runners-up.
Fandom strictly-come-dancing-fan...

Format

The couples dance each week in a live show. The judges score each performance out of ten. The couples are then ranked according to the judges' scores and given points according to their rank, with the lowest scored couple receiving one point, and the highest scored couple receiving the most points. The public are also invited to vote for their favourite couples, and the couples are ranked again according to the number of votes they receive, again receiving points; the couple with the fewest votes receiving one point, and the couple with the most votes receiving the most points.
The points for judges' score and public vote are then added together, and the two couples with the fewest points are placed in the bottom two. If two couples have equal points, the points from the public vote are given precedence. As with the previous series, the bottom two couples have to perform a dance-off on the results show. Based on that performance alone, each judge then votes on which couple should stay and which couple should leave, with Len Goodman, as head judge, having the last and deciding vote.

Professional dancers

On 1 June 2014, it was revealed that Artem Chigvintsev, Anya Garnis, and James Jordan would not return as professionals, but that Garnis would still be part of the choreography team. They were replaced by two new professionals, Joanne Clifton and Tristan MacManus, as well as Natalie Lowe, who returned after missing the last series due to a foot injury. On 6 August, it was announced that Robin Windsor would not be competing as a professional in the series as previously announced due to a back injury; he was replaced by Trent Whiddon.

Couples

This series featured fifteen celebrity contestants. Frankie Bridge was the first contestant announced on 13 August, and additional celebrities were announced throughout the month. The full line-up was revealed by the BBC on 29 August.
CelebrityNotabilityProfessional partnerStatus
Gregg WallaceMasterChef judgeAliona VilaniEliminated 1st
on 5 October 2014
Jennifer GibneyMrs. Brown's Boys actressTristan MacManusEliminated 2nd
on 12 October 2014
Tim WonnacottBargain Hunt presenter & antiques expertNatalie LoweEliminated 3rd
on 19 October 2014
Thom EvansScotland rugby player & modelIveta LukošiūtėEliminated 4th
on 26 October 2014
Scott MillsBBC Radio 1 presenterJoanne CliftonEliminated 5th
on 2 November 2014
Television presenterAljaž ŠkorjanecEliminated 6th
on 9 November 2014
Judy MurrayTennis coach & British Fed Cup captainAnton Du BekeEliminated 7th
on 16 November 2014
Steve BackshallNaturalist, author & television presenterOla JordanEliminated 8th
on 23 November 2014
Sunetra SarkerCasualty actressBrendan ColeEliminated 9th
on 30 November 2014
Pixie LottSinger-songwriterTrent WhiddonEliminated 10th
on 7 December 2014
Jake WoodEastEnders actorJanette ManraraEliminated 11th
on 14 December 2014
Mark WrightThe Only Way Is Essex starKaren HauerFourth place
on 20 December 2014
Frankie BridgeThe Saturdays singerKevin CliftonRunners-up
on 20 December 2014
Simon WebbeBlue singer & actorKristina RihanoffRunners-up
on 20 December 2014
Caroline FlackTelevision presenterPasha KovalevWinners
on 20 December 2014

Scoring chart

The highest score each week is indicated in with a dagger, while the lowest score each week is indicated in with a double-dagger.
Color key:
;Notes

Average chart

This table only counts for dances scored on a traditional 40-point scale. Donny Osmond’s scores from Week 3 have been removed accordingly.
CoupleRank by
average		Total
points		Number of
dances		Total
average
Caroline & Pasha1st5621635.1
Frankie & Kevin2nd5611635.1
Pixie & Trent3rd3801134.5
Simon & Kristina4th5301633.1
Jake & Janette5th4171332.1
Mark & Karen6th4761531.7
Sunetra & Brendan7th2841028.4
Thom & Iveta8th136527.2
Steve & Ola9th240926.7
Alison & Aljaž10th172724.6
Judy & Anton11th155819.4
Tim & Natalie12th77419.3
Jennifer & Tristan13th55318.3
Scott & Joanne14th109618.2
Gregg & Aliona15th36218.0

Weekly scores

Unless indicated otherwise, individual judges scores in the charts below are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.

Week 1

Six of the couples performed on the first night and the other nine couples performed on the second night. There was no elimination this week; all scores and votes carried over to the following week. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
;Night 1
CoupleScoresDanceMusic
Caroline & Pasha27 Cha-cha-cha"Can You Feel It" — The Jacksons
Tim & Natalie18 Cha-cha-cha"Shop Around" — Captain & Tennille
Jake & Janette28 Tango"Toxic" — Britney Spears
Judy & Anton18 Waltz"Mull of Kintyre" — Wings
Scott & Joanne16 Cha-cha-cha"Rock DJ" — Robbie Williams
Pixie & Trent27 Jive"Shake It Off" — Taylor Swift

;Night 2
CoupleScoresDanceMusic
Mark & Karen24 Cha-cha-cha"I'm Your Man" — Wham!
Alison & Aljaž26 Cha-cha-cha"I'm Every Woman" — Chaka Khan
Steve & Ola26 Tango"Born to Be Wild" — Steppenwolf
Jennifer & Tristan18 Jive"Happy" — Pharrell Williams
Thom & Iveta23 Waltz"You Raise Me Up" — Westlife
Sunetra & Brendan24 Tango"Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)" — Robert Palmer
Gregg & Aliona18 Cha-cha-cha"Hot n Cold" — Katy Perry
Frankie & Kevin30 Waltz"Someone Like You" — Adele
Simon & Kristina27 Jive"Good Golly, Miss Molly" — Little Richard

Week 2

Musical guest: Nina Simone — "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood"
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Thom & Iveta25 Salsa"Hot Hot Hot" — ArrowSafe
Jennifer & Tristan19 Waltz"A Natural Woman" — Aretha FranklinBottom two
Simon & Kristina26 Tango"Sing" — Ed SheeranSafe
Gregg & Aliona18 Charleston"Hey, Good Lookin'" — Ray CharlesEliminated
Alison & Aljaž22 Foxtrot"I Just Want to Make Love to You" — Etta JamesSafe
Jake & Janette35 Salsa"Mambo No. 5" — Lou BegaSafe
Judy & Anton17 Cha-cha-cha"She's a Lady" — Tom JonesSafe
Caroline & Pasha29 Tango"Blame" — Calvin HarrisSafe
Tim & Natalie23 Waltz"When You Wish upon a Star" — Cliff EdwardsSafe
Sunetra & Brendan26 Cha-cha-cha"Million Dollar Bill" — Whitney HoustonSafe
Mark & Karen27 American Smooth"I'm Yours" — Jason MrazSafe
Scott & Joanne20 Tango"Stop" — Spice GirlsSafe
Pixie & Trent35 Waltz"Come Away with Me" — Norah JonesSafe
Steve & Ola21 Cha-cha-cha"Treasure" — Bruno MarsSafe
Frankie & Kevin30 Charleston"Happy Days" — Pratt & McClainSafe

;Judges' votes to save
  • Horwood: Jennifer & Tristan
  • Bussell: Jennifer & Tristan
  • Tonioli: Jennifer & Tristan
  • Goodman: ''Did not vote, but would have voted to save Jennifer & Tristan''

Week 3: Movie Week

Individual judges scores given in the chart below are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Donny Osmond, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.
Musical guest: Donny Osmond — "Moon River"
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicFilmResult
Alison & Aljaž28 Jive"Footloose"FootlooseSafe
Steve & Ola34 Quickstep"I Wan'na Be Like You"The Jungle BookSafe
Jennifer & Tristan23 Foxtrot"Mamma Mia"Mamma Mia!Eliminated
Simon & Kristina30 Rumba"Take My Breath Away"Top GunBottom two
Judy & Anton23 Quickstep"Don't Rain on My Parade"Funny GirlSafe
Tim & Natalie22 Charleston"Money, Money"CabaretSafe
Caroline & Pasha42 Rumba"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"ArmageddonSafe
Scott & Joanne25 Samba"Under the Sea"The Little MermaidSafe
Frankie & Kevin45 Paso doble"America"West Side StorySafe
Jake & Janette40 Waltz"The Godfather Waltz"The GodfatherSafe
Pixie & Trent43 Quickstep"Be Our Guest"Beauty and the BeastSafe
Thom & Iveta38 Charleston"New York, New York"On the TownSafe
Sunetra & Brendan40 American Smooth"The Way You Look Tonight"Swing TimeSafe
Mark & Karen35 Paso doble"Superman Theme"SupermanSafe

;Judges' votes to save
  • Horwood: Simon & Kristina
  • Bussell: Simon & Kristina
  • Osmond: Simon & Kristina
  • Tonioli: Did not vote, but would have voted to save Simon & Kristina
  • Goodman: ''Did not vote, but would have voted to save Simon & Kristina''

Week 4

Musical guests: Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett — "Anything Goes" & "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)"
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Frankie & Kevin32 Cha-cha-cha"Call Me Maybe" — Carly Rae JepsenSafe
Mark & Karen29 Quickstep"Tiger Feet" — MudBottom two
Judy & Anton22 Tango"Jealousy" — Billy FurySafe
Simon & Kristina31 Charleston"My Old Man (Said Follow the Van)" — Kenny BallSafe
Alison & Aljaž27 Samba"Bootylicious" — Destiny's ChildSafe
Scott & Joanne15 American Smooth"Total Eclipse of the Heart" — Bonnie TylerSafe
Steve & Ola27 Salsa"Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora)" — Harry BelafonteSafe
Pixie & Trent32 Rumba"Stay with Me" — Sam SmithSafe
Tim & Natalie19 Paso doble"The Best" — Tina TurnerEliminated
Sunetra & Brendan27 Salsa"Turn the Beat Around" — Vicki Sue RobinsonSafe
Thom & Iveta30 Foxtrot"Build Me Up Buttercup" — The FoundationsSafe
Jake & Janette33 Jive"All Shook Up" — Elvis PresleySafe
Caroline & Pasha33 Quickstep"We Go Together" — from GreaseSafe

;Judges' votes to save
  • Horwood: Mark & Karen
  • Bussell: Mark & Karen
  • Tonioli: Mark & Karen
  • Goodman: ''Did not vote, but would have voted to save Mark and Karen''

Week 5

Musical guest: Culture Club — "Karma Chameleon"
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Jake & Janette31 Quickstep"I'm Still Standing" — Elton JohnSafe
Sunetra & Brendan30 Viennese waltz"Anyone Who Had a Heart" — Cilla BlackSafe
Scott & Joanne19 Charleston"Flash, Bang, Wallop" — Tommy SteeleSafe
Thom & Iveta27 Cha-cha-cha"It's My Party" — Jessie JEliminated
Frankie & Kevin32 Foxtrot"Daydream Believer" — The MonkeesSafe
Alison & Aljaž23 Tango"Addicted to You" — AviciiSafe
Mark & Karen33 Samba"That's the Way (I Like It)" — KC and the Sunshine BandSafe
Simon & Kristina28 Viennese waltz"Somebody to Love" — QueenBottom two
Judy & Anton18 Charleston"Varsity Drag" — Pasadena Roof OrchestraSafe
Caroline & Pasha34 Paso doble"Live and Let Die" — Paul McCartney and WingsSafe
Steve & Ola30 Waltz"I Wonder Why" — Curtis StigersSafe
Pixie & Trent35 Samba"I, Yi, Yi, Yi, Yi (I Like You Very Much)" — Edmundo RosSafe

;Judges' votes to save
  • Horwood: Thom & Iveta
  • Bussell: Thom & Iveta
  • Tonioli: Simon & Kristina
  • Goodman: Simon & Kristina ''''

Week 6: Halloween Week

Musical guest: Annie Lennox — "I Put a Spell on You"
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Sunetra & Brendan27 Jive"Tainted Love" — Gloria JonesSafe
Alison & Aljaž26 American Smooth"Wuthering Heights" — Kate BushBottom two
Simon & Kristina29 Paso doble"Poison" — Alice CooperSafe
Steve & Ola26 Charleston"Dem Bones" — Kay StarrSafe
Pixie & Trent33 Tango"Danger! High Voltage" — Electric SixSafe
Judy & Anton20 American Smooth"Cruella de Vil" — from One Hundred and One DalmatiansSafe
Jake & Janette29 Paso doble"Black Betty" — Ram JamSafe
Caroline & Pasha32 Samba"Le Freak" — ChicSafe
Scott & Joanne21 Foxtrot"The Addams Family Theme" — Vic MizzyEliminated
Mark & Karen35 Jive"Prologue (Little Shop of Horrors)" — from Little Shop of HorrorsSafe
Frankie & Kevin37 Tango"Defying Gravity" — from WickedSafe

;Judges' votes to save
  • Horwood: Alison & Aljaž
  • Bussell: Alison & Aljaž
  • Tonioli: Alison & Aljaž
  • Goodman: ''Did not vote, but would have voted to save Scott & Joanne''

Week 7

Musical guest: Katherine Jenkins — "We'll Gather Lilacs"
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Simon & Kristina33 Quickstep"I Got Rhythm" — Bobby DarinSafe
Caroline & Pasha31 Waltz"Three Times a Lady" — CommodoresBottom two
Jake & Janette27 Rumba"Strangers in the Night" — Frank SinatraSafe
Judy & Anton18 Paso doble"I Fought the Law" — The ClashSafe
Sunetra & Brendan31 Foxtrot"All of Me" — John LegendSafe
Alison & Aljaž27 Charleston"Friend Like Me" — from AladdinEliminated
Mark & Karen31 Waltz"Weekend in New England" — Barry ManilowSafe
Frankie & Kevin32 Samba"La Bamba" — Connie FrancisSafe
Pixie & Trent36 Foxtrot"When I'm Sixty-Four" — The BeatlesSafe
Steve & Ola28 Paso doble"Use Somebody" — Kings of LeonSafe

;Judges' votes to save
  • Horwood: Caroline & Pasha
  • Bussell: Caroline & Pasha
  • Tonioli: Caroline & Pasha
  • Goodman: ''Did not vote, but would have voted to save Caroline & Pasha''

Week 8: Blackpool Week

Musical guests: Shirley Bassey — "Goldfinger" and McBusted—"Air Guitar"
This week's episode was staged in the Tower Ballroom at the Blackpool Tower in Blackpool, Lancashire. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Frankie & Kevin37 Quickstep"Town Called Malice" — The JamSafe
Jake & Janette36 American Smooth"Feeling Good" — Michael BubléSafe
Sunetra & Brendan30 Samba"I Don't Feel Like Dancin" — Scissor SistersBottom two
Simon & Kristina38 Argentine tango"El Tango de Roxanne" — from Moulin Rouge!Safe
Judy & Anton24 Viennese waltz"Let's Go Fly a Kite" — from Mary PoppinsEliminated
Mark & Karen36 Charleston"We No Speak Americano" — Yolanda Be Cool & DCUPSafe
Pixie & Trent38 Paso doble"The Eve of the War" — Jeff WayneSafe
Steve & Ola31 American Smooth"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleSafe
Caroline & Pasha37 Jive"Crocodile Rock" — Elton JohnSafe

;Judges' votes to save
  • Horwood: Sunetra & Brendan
  • Bussell: Sunetra & Brendan
  • Tonioli: Sunetra & Brendan
  • Goodman: ''Did not vote, but would have voted to save Sunetra & Brendan''

Week 9

Musical guest: Barry Manilow — "Copacabana" & "What a Wonderful World"
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Steve & Ola23 Jive"Little Bitty Pretty One" — Frankie LymonEliminated
Caroline & Pasha33 American Smooth"Mack the Knife" — Robbie WilliamsSafe
Pixie & Trent37 Charleston"Sparkling Diamonds" — from Moulin Rouge!Safe
Mark & Karen32 Tango"Love Runs Out" — OneRepublicSafe
Frankie & Kevin38 Viennese waltz"What's New Pussycat?" — Tom JonesSafe
Jake & Janette38 Samba"Macarena" — Los del RíoSafe
Sunetra & Brendan30 Waltz"Last Request" — Paolo NutiniBottom two
Simon & Kristina36 Salsa"Let's Hear It for the Boy" — Deniece WilliamsSafe

;Judges' votes to save
  • Horwood: Sunetra & Brendan
  • Bussell: Steve & Ola
  • Tonioli: Sunetra & Brendan
  • Goodman: Sunetra & Brendan

Week 10: "Around the World" Week

Musical guests: André Rieu & Alfie Boe — "Volare"
Dance guests: Michael Flatley & Lord of the Dance
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceCountryMusicResult
Pixie & Trent38 Viennese waltzNetherlands"Tulips from Amsterdam" — Max BygravesSafe
Mark & Karen32 SalsaUnited States"Viva Las Vegas" — Elvis PresleyBottom two
Sunetra & Brendan27 RumbaBrazil"The Girl from Ipanema" — Michael BoltonEliminated
Caroline & PashaCharlestonTurkey"Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" — They Might Be GiantsSafe
Simon & Kristina38 WaltzAustria"Edelweiss" — from The Sound of MusicSafe
Frankie & Kevin36 JiveUnited States"Surfin' U.S.A." — The Beach BoysSafe
Jake & Janette29 Argentine tangoGreece"Zorbas" — Mikis TheodorakisSafe

;Judges' votes to save
  • Horwood: Mark & Karen
  • Bussell: Mark & Karen
  • Tonioli: Mark & Karen
  • Goodman: ''Did not vote, but would have voted to save Mark & Karen''

Week 11: Quarter-final

Musical guest: OneRepublic — "Counting Stars"
Each couple performed one routine and then all couples participated in a waltz marathon for additional points. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
;Judges' votes to save
  • Horwood: Pixie & Trent
  • Bussell: Simon & Kristina
  • Tonioli: Pixie & Trent
  • Goodman: Simon & Kristina ''''

Week 12: Semi-final

Musical guest: Paloma Faith — "Changing"
Each couple performed two routines, and are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Jake & Janette30 Cha-cha-cha"Boogie Shoes" — KC and the Sunshine BandEliminated
Jake & Janette31 Viennese waltz"When a Man Loves a Woman" — Percy SledgeEliminated
Frankie & Kevin34 Rumba"Somewhere Only We Know" — Lily AllenSafe
Frankie & Kevin38 Argentine tango"The 5th" — David GarrettSafe
Mark & Karen33 Viennese waltz"I Got You Babe" — Sonny & CherBottom two
Mark & Karen33 Rumba"Fields of Gold" — Eva CassidyBottom two
Simon & Kristina30 Samba"I Like to Move It" — Reel 2 RealSafe
Simon & Kristina38 Foxtrot"My Guy" — Mary WellsSafe
Caroline & Pasha35 Foxtrot"Diamonds" — Josef SalvatSafe
Caroline & Pasha40 Salsa"María" — Ricky MartinSafe

;Judges votes to save
  • Horwood: Mark & Karen
  • Bussell: Jake & Janette
  • Tonioli: Jake & Janette
  • Goodman: Mark & Karen ''''

Week 13: Final

Musical guest: Take That — "Greatest Day", "These Days" & "Never Forget"
During the first show, each couple performed two routines, one of which was their showdance routine and the other chosen by the judges. At the beginning of the second show, the couple with the lowest public vote was eliminated. During the second show, the remaining couples performed their favourite dance of the series. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
;Show 1
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Frankie & Kevin39 Samba"La Bamba" — Connie FrancisSafe
Frankie & Kevin38 Showdance"Get Happy" — Judy GarlandSafe
Mark & Karen35 Cha-cha-cha"I'm Your Man" — Wham!Fourth place
Mark & Karen35 Showdance"Don't Stop Me Now" — QueenFourth place
Caroline & Pasha40 Cha-cha-cha"Can You Feel It" — The JacksonsSafe
Caroline & Pasha40 Showdance"Angels" — Beverley KnightSafe
Simon & Kristina39 Charleston"My Old Man (Said Follow the Van)" — Kenny BallSafe
Simon & Kristina39 Showdance"A Little Less Conversation" — Elvis PresleySafe

;Show 2
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Frankie & Kevin39 Paso doble"America" — from West Side StoryRunners-up
Caroline & Pasha40 Charleston"Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" — They Might Be GiantsWinners
Simon & Kristina40 Argentine tango"El Tango de Roxanne" — from Moulin Rouge!Runners-up

Dance chart

The couples performed the following each week:
  • Weeks 1–10: One unlearned dance
  • Week 11: One unlearned dance & waltz marathon
  • Week 12: Two unlearned dances
  • Week 13 : Judges' choice & showdance
  • Week 13 : Favourite dance of the series

Reception

Donny Osmond's role as a judge in week three was panned by viewers, as he, unlike the other judges, was not a professional dancer. Viewers also deemed his scoring too inconsistent, as he awarded unusually high marks, including the first ten of the series.

Ratings

Weekly ratings for each show on BBC One. All ratings are provided by BARB.
EpisodeDateOfficial rating
Weekly rank
for BBC One		Weekly rank
for all UK TV		Share
Launch show9.162233.7%
Week 1 8.213428.5%
Week 1 9.401139.0%
Week 29.932243.3%
Week 2 results9.353338.3%
Week 39.742239.2%
Week 3 results9.043335.2%
Week 410.301143.3%
Week 4 results9.612238.8%
Week 510.651142.9%
Week 5 results10.092239.7%
Week 610.931144.1%
Week 6 results10.062239.2%
Week 710.521142.8%
Week 7 results9.692235.9%
Week 811.461144.6%
Week 8 results10.532240.8%
Week 910.331138.9%
Week 9 results10.282240.1%
Week 1010.761142.4%
Week 10 results10.452241.3%
Week 1110.971143.0%
Week 11 results9.712235.2%
Week 1210.981142.4%
Week 12 results10.252238.3%
Week 1311.671146.4%
Week 13 results11.622242.8%
Series average
201410.2540.2%