Strictly Come Dancing series 15


Strictly Come Dancing returned for its fifteenth series in 2017 with a launch show on 9 September on BBC One, and live shows starting on 23 September. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman returned as hosts, while Zoe Ball returned to host Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two on BBC Two.
Darcey Bussell, Craig Revel Horwood, and Bruno Tonioli returned as judges. On 9 May 2017, it was announced that Len Goodman, who had retired from the show at the end of the previous series, would be replaced by Shirley Ballas. Tonioli missed the week 5 episode due to a scheduling conflict, but was not replaced by a guest judge.
Holby City actor Joe McFadden and Katya Jones were announced as the winners on 16 December; while Gemma Atkinson and Aljaž Škorjanec, Debbie McGee and Giovanni Pernice, and Alexandra Burke and Gorka Márquez 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 Shirley Ballas, as head judge, having the last and deciding vote.

Professional dancers

On 21 June 2017, the list of professionals returning for the fifteenth series was revealed. Professionals from the last series who did not return included Joanne Clifton, Natalie Lowe, and Oksana Platero. They were replaced by former Dancing with the Stars Australia professional Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, and Amy Dowden. This series saw the final appearance of professional dancer Brendan Cole.

Couples

In the fifteenth series, there were fifteen celebrity contestants. On 7 August 2017, the first celebrity announced to be participating in the series was The Saturdays singer Mollie King. Celebrity reveals continued through the month with the line-up fully announced on One Show on 21 August 2017.
CelebrityNotabilityProfessional partnerStatus
Chizzy AkudoluHolby City actress & comedianPasha KovalevEliminated 1st
on 1 October 2017
Broadcaster, musician & Church of England priestDianne BuswellEliminated 2nd
on 8 October 2017
Charlotte HawkinsGood Morning Britain presenter & journalistBrendan ColeEliminated 3rd
on 15 October 2017
Brian ConleyComedian, singer & actorAmy DowdenEliminated 4th
on 22 October 2017
Simon RimmerChef & Sunday Brunch presenterKaren CliftonEliminated 5th
on 29 October 2017
Aston MerrygoldJLS singerJanette ManraraEliminated 6th
on 5 November 2017
Ruth LangsfordTelevision presenterAnton Du BekeEliminated 7th
on 12 November 2017
Jonnie PeacockParalympic sprinterOti MabuseEliminated 8th
on 19 November 2017
Susan CalmanStand-up comedian & television presenterKevin CliftonEliminated 9th
on 26 November 2017
Davood GhadamiEastEnders actorNadiya BychkovaEliminated 10th
on 3 December 2017
Mollie KingThe Saturdays singerAJ PritchardEliminated 11th
on 10 December 2017
Alexandra BurkeSinger-songwriterGorka MárquezRunners-up
on 16 December 2017
Debbie McGeeRadio presenter & magician's assistantGiovanni PerniceRunners-up
on 16 December 2017
Gemma AtkinsonActress & modelAljaž ŠkorjanecRunners-up
on 16 December 2017
Joe McFaddenHolby City actorKatya JonesWinners
on 16 December 2017

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. Scores from Week 5, which were judged on a 30-point scale, have been scaled up accordingly.
CoupleRank by
average		Total
points		Number of
dances		Total
average
Alexandra & Gorka1st5831636.4
Debbie & Giovanni2nd5671635.4
Joe & Katya3rd5401633.8
Aston & Janette4th225732.1
Gemma & Aljaž5th4961631.0
Davood & Nadiya6th3341130.4
Mollie & AJ7th3601327.7
Jonnie & Oti8th232925.8
Susan & Kevin9th2331023.3
Brian & Amy10th99519.8
Ruth & Anton11th158819.8
Chizzy & Pasha12th37218.5
Simon & Karen12th111618.5
Charlotte & Brendan14th70417.5
Rev. Richard & Dianne15th48316.0

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, Shirley Ballas, Bruno Tonioli.

Launch show

Musical guests:
During the show, the professional dancers performed a tribute to former host Sir Bruce Forsyth, who had died just weeks before the series began.

Week 1

There was no elimination this week; all scores and votes carried over to the following week. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusic
Gemma & Aljaž20 Cha-cha-cha"There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" — Shawn Mendes
Brian & Amy16 Tango"Temptation" — Heaven 17
Alexandra & Gorka24 Waltz"(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" — Aretha Franklin
Simon & Karen17 Paso doble"Song 2" — Blur
Charlotte & Brendan22 Foxtrot"The Best Is Yet to Come" — Michael Bublé
Chizzy & Pasha21 Cha-cha-cha"Boogie Fever" — The Sylvers
Jonnie & Oti20 Waltz"When I Need You" — Luther Vandross
Joe & Katya29 Jive"Rockin' Robin" — Michael Jackson
Susan & Kevin20 Viennese waltz"Mad About the Boy" — Dinah Washington
Debbie & Giovanni30 Paso doble"Be Italian" — Fergie
Davood & Nadiya27 Cha-cha-cha"Dedication to My Ex (Miss That)" — Lloyd, feat. André 3000
Ruth & Anton16 Waltz"This Nearly Was Mine" — Seth MacFarlane
Rev. Richard & Dianne17 Cha-cha-cha"There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)" — Eurythmics
Mollie & AJ23 Jive"Good Golly, Miss Molly" — Little Richard
Aston & Janette31 Foxtrot"It Had to Be You" — Harry Connick Jr.

Week 2

Musical guest: Emeli Sandé — "Starlight"
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Chizzy & Pasha16 Foxtrot"I'm a Woman" — from Smokey Joe's CafeEliminated
Aston & Janette32 Salsa"Despacito" — Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee, feat. Justin BieberSafe
Susan & Kevin22 Charleston"If You Knew Susie" — Enoch Light & The Charleston City All-StarsSafe
Charlotte & Brendan12 Cha-cha-cha"Sugar" — Maroon 5Safe
Joe & Katya22 Tango"Castle on the Hill" — Ed SheeranSafe
Brian & Amy19 Cha-cha-cha"Shake Your Groove Thing" — Peaches & HerbBottom two
Gemma & Aljaž26 Waltz"Un Giorno Per Noi (A Time for Us)" — Josh GrobanSafe
Rev. Richard & Dianne17 American Smooth"Love Really Hurts Without You" — Billy OceanSafe
Ruth & Anton20 Charleston"The Charleston" — Bob Wilson and his Varsity Rhythm BoysSafe
Simon & Karen19 Waltz"You'll Never Walk Alone" — Rodgers and HammersteinSafe
Mollie & AJ25 Tango"Addicted to Love" — Tina TurnerSafe
Jonnie & Oti29 Jive"Johnny B. Goode" — Chuck BerrySafe
Debbie & Giovanni34 Viennese waltz"She's Always a Woman" — Billy JoelSafe
Davood & Nadiya27 Quickstep"Last Nite" — The StrokesSafe
Alexandra & GorkaPaso doble"Ven a Bailar" — Jennifer LopezSafe

;Judges' votes to save
  • Horwood: Chizzy & Pasha
  • Bussell: Brian & Amy
  • Tonioli: Brian & Amy
  • Ballas: Brian & Amy

Week 3: Movie Week

Musical guest: Sheridan Smith — "My Man"
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicFilmResult
Simon & Karen19 Quickstep"You've Got a Friend in Me"Toy StoryBottom two
Ruth & Anton15 Rumba"Diamonds Are Forever"Diamonds Are ForeverSafe
Mollie & AJ30 American Smooth"Climb Ev'ry Mountain"The Sound of MusicSafe
Rev. Richard & Dianne14 Paso doble"Flash's Theme"Flash GordonEliminated
Debbie & Giovanni29 Quickstep"Let's Call the Whole Thing Off"Shall We DanceSafe
Brian & Amy22 American Smooth"If I Only Had a Brain"The Wizard of OzSafe
Gemma & Aljaž31 Charleston"The Bare Necessities"The Jungle BookSafe
Charlotte & Brendan17 Tango"Danger Zone"Top GunSafe
Jonnie & Oti26 Paso doble"The Raiders March"Raiders of the Lost ArkSafe
Susan & Kevin20 Samba"Wonder Woman Theme"Wonder WomanSafe
Joe & Katya32 Viennese waltz"Somewhere My Love"Doctor ZhivagoSafe
Aston & Janette35 Cha-cha-cha"Can't Stop the Feeling!"TrollsSafe
Alexandra & Gorka33 American Smooth"Wouldn't It Be Loverly"My Fair LadySafe
Davood & Nadiya25 Samba"Stayin' Alive"Saturday Night FeverSafe

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

Week 4

Musical guest: Gregory Porter — "Smile"
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Debbie & Giovanni27 Cha-cha-cha"The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" — CherSafe
Brian & Amy21 Paso doble"I Believe in a Thing Called Love" — The DarknessSafe
Mollie & AJ27 Salsa"Súbeme la Radio" — Enrique IglesiasSafe
Davood & Nadiya29 Viennese waltz"Say You Love Me" — Jessie WareBottom two
Charlotte & Brendan19 Jive"Marry You" — Bruno MarsEliminated
Joe & Katya24 Cha-cha-cha"You Keep Me Hangin' On" — Human NatureSafe
Ruth & Anton24 Tango"Allegretto" — BondSafe
Aston & Janette32 Quickstep"Mr. Blue Sky" — Electric Light OrchestraSafe
Simon & Karen19 Samba"Copacabana" — Barry ManilowSafe
Gemma & Aljaž35 Paso doble"Viva la Vida" — ColdplaySafe
Alexandra & Gorka39 Jive"Proud Mary" — Tina TurnerSafe
Jonnie & Oti31 American Smooth"Cry Me a River" — Michael BubléSafe
Susan & Kevin30 Quickstep"Bring Me Sunshine" — The Jive AcesSafe

;Judges' votes to save
  • Horwood: Davood & Nadiya
  • Bussell: Davood & Nadiya
  • Tonioli: Davood & Nadiya
  • Ballas: ''Did not vote, but would have voted to save Davood & Nadiya''

Week 5

Individual judges' scores given in the chart below are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Shirley Ballas.
Musical guest: The Script — "Arms Open"
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Davood & Nadiya22 Jive"Tell Her About It" — Billy JoelSafe
Mollie & AJ24 Viennese waltz"Anyone Who Had a Heart" — Cilla BlackSafe
Simon & Karen16 Charleston"Fit as a Fiddle (And Ready for Love)" — Gene KellyBottom two
Debbie & Giovanni27 Rumba"Baby Can I Hold You" — Tracy ChapmanSafe
Brian & Amy16 Jive"It's Not Unusual" — Tom JonesEliminated
Susan & Kevin16 Cha-cha-cha"Shout Out to My Ex" — Little MixSafe
Aston & Janette24 Waltz"Can't Help Falling in Love" — MreeSafe
Ruth & Anton16 Samba"Love Is in the Air" — John Paul YoungSafe
Gemma & Aljaž24 Foxtrot"Believe" — Madilyn BaileySafe
Joe & Katya26 Paso doble"Diablo Rojo" — Rodrigo y GabrielaSafe
Alexandra & Gorka23 Samba"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranSafe
Jonnie & Oti24 Quickstep"Part-Time Lover" — Stevie WonderSafe

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

Week 6: Halloween Week

Musical guest: Steps — "Scared of the Dark"
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Jonnie & Oti20 Cha-cha-cha"Troublemaker" — Olly Murs, feat. Flo RidaSafe
Ruth & Anton22 Quickstep"Bewitched Theme" — Steve LawrenceSafe
Simon & Karen16 American Smooth"Delilah" — Tom JonesEliminated
Gemma & Aljaž30 Jive"Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)" — BuzzcocksSafe
Joe & Katya32 Foxtrot"Trouble" — ColdplaySafe
Mollie & AJ27 Cha-cha-cha"Better the Devil You Know" — Kylie MinogueBottom two
Alexandra & Gorka35 Tango"Maneater" — Nelly FurtadoSafe
Davood & Nadiya25 Rumba"Wicked Game" — Chris IsaakSafe
Susan & Kevin18 Foxtrot"Killer Queen" — QueenSafe
Debbie & GiovanniCharleston"Frankie" — Sister SledgeSafe
Aston & Janette38 Paso doble"Smells Like Teen Spirit" — NirvanaSafe

;Judges' votes to save
  • Horwood: Mollie & AJ
  • Bussell: Mollie & AJ
  • Tonioli: Mollie & AJ
  • Ballas: ''Did not vote, but would have voted to save Mollie & AJ''

Week 7

Musical guest: Stereophonics — "Caught by the Wind"
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Alexandra & Gorka39 Cha-cha-cha"I've Got the Music in Me" — Marcia HinesSafe
Mollie & AJ27 Foxtrot"Call Me Irresponsible" — Connie FrancisBottom two
Joe & Katya36 Charleston"Alexander's Ragtime Band" — Ella FitzgeraldSafe
Gemma & Aljaž26 Salsa"Sun Comes Up" — Rudimental, feat. James ArthurSafe
Aston & Janette25 Viennese waltz"Who's Lovin' You" — The Jackson 5Eliminated
Ruth & Anton22 Paso doble"The Shady Dame from Seville" — Julie AndrewsSafe
Debbie & Giovanni40 Tango"I Gotta Feeling" — The Black Eyed PeasSafe
Jonnie & Oti27 Salsa"Turn Me On" — Kevin LyttleSafe
Susan & Kevin29 Jive"This Ole House" — Shakin' StevensSafe
Davood & Nadiya35 American Smooth"This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" — Natalie ColeSafe

;Judges' votes to save
  • Horwood: Mollie & AJ
  • Bussell: Aston & Janette
  • Tonioli: Aston & Janette
  • Ballas: Mollie & AJ ''''

Week 8

Musical guest: Seal — "Autumn Leaves"
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Susan & Kevin27 Tango"Firework" — Katy PerrySafe
Joe & Katya33 Rumba"One" — U2 & Mary J. BligeSafe
Ruth & Anton18 Foxtrot"Mack the Knife" — Bobby DarinEliminated
Davood & Nadiya38 Charleston"The Lambeth Walk" — Pasadena Roof OrchestraSafe
Gemma & Aljaž28 Viennese waltz"You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" — Brenda LeeSafe
Alexandra & Gorka38 Argentine tango"Mi Confesión" — Gotan ProjectSafe
Mollie & AJ22 Paso doble"Layla" — Derek and the DominosSafe
Jonnie & Oti21 Foxtrot"Someone like You" — AdeleBottom two
Debbie & Giovanni35 Salsa"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" — Boys Town GangSafe

;Judges' votes to save
  • Horwood: Jonnie & Oti
  • Bussell: Jonnie & Oti
  • Tonioli: Jonnie & Oti
  • Ballas: ''Did not vote, but would have voted to save Jonnie & Oti''

Week 9: Blackpool Week

Musical guests:
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
Mollie & AJ29 Charleston"Wings" — Little MixSafe
Susan & Kevin25 Paso doble"Scott & Fran's Paso Doble" — from Strictly BallroomSafe
Debbie & Giovanni33 Samba"Wannabe" & "Who Do You Think You Are" — Spice GirlsBottom two
Jonnie & Oti26 Tango"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" — EurythmicsEliminated
Gemma & Aljaž38 American Smooth"Downtown" — Petula ClarkSafe
Davood & Nadiya35 Paso doble"Live and Let Die" — Paul McCartney and WingsSafe
Alexandra & GorkaQuickstep"The Gold Diggers' Song (We're in the Money)" — from 42nd StreetSafe
Joe & Katya34 Salsa"Ride on Time" — Black BoxSafe

;Judges' votes to save
  • Horwood: Debbie & Giovanni
  • Bussell: Debbie & Giovanni
  • Tonioli: Debbie & Giovanni
  • Ballas: ''Did not vote, but would have voted to save Debbie & Giovanni''

Week 10

Musical guest: Kelly Clarkson — "Meaning of Life"
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
;Judges' votes to save
  • Horwood: Alexandra & Gorka
  • Bussell: Alexandra & Gorka
  • Tonioli: Alexandra & Gorka
  • Ballas: ''Did not vote, but would have voted to save Alexandra & Gorka''

Week 11: Musicals Week (Quarter-final)

Musical guests: Amber Riley, Beverley Knight & Cassidy Janson — "I'm Every Woman"
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicMusicalResult
Gemma & Aljaž29 Quickstep"Hello, Dolly!"Hello, Dolly!Safe
Mollie & AJ31 Rumba"Hopelessly Devoted to You"GreaseSafe
Joe & Katya37 Samba"Money, Money"CabaretSafe
Debbie & Giovanni39 American Smooth"Memory"CatsSafe
Davood & Nadiya29 Argentine tango"The Phantom of the Opera"The Phantom of the OperaEliminated
Alexandra & GorkaCharleston"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"Mary PoppinsBottom two

;Judges' votes to save
  • Horwood: Alexandra & Gorka
  • Bussell: Alexandra & Gorka
  • Tonioli: Alexandra & Gorka
  • Ballas: ''Did not vote, but would have voted to save Alexandra & Gorka ''

Week 12: Semi-final

Musical guests: Craig David & Bastille — "I Know You"
Each couple performed two routines, and are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Joe & Katya35 American Smooth"Have You Met Miss Jones?" — Robbie WilliamsSafe
Joe & Katya35 Argentine tango"Human" — Rag'n'Bone ManSafe
Alexandra & Gorka39 Viennese waltz"Everybody Hurts" — R.E.M.Safe
Alexandra & Gorka40 Salsa"Finally" — CeCe PenistonSafe
Mollie & AJ24 Samba"Whenever, Wherever" — ShakiraEliminated
Mollie & AJ32 Waltz"Angel" — Sarah McLachlanEliminated
Gemma & Aljaž30 Rumba"Beneath Your Beautiful" — Labrinth, feat. Emeli SandéBottom two
Gemma & Aljaž32 Tango"My Sharona" — Royal BloodBottom two
Debbie & Giovanni34 Jive"I'm So Excited" — The Pointer SistersSafe
Debbie & Giovanni36 Foxtrot"Isn't She Lovely" — Stevie WonderSafe

;Judges' votes to save
  • Horwood: Gemma & Aljaž
  • Bussell: Gemma & Aljaž
  • Tonioli: Gemma & Aljaž
  • Ballas: ''Did not vote, but would have voted to save Gemma & Aljaž''

Week 13: Final

Musical guest: Ed Sheeran — "Perfect"
Each couple performed three routines: one chosen by the judges, their favourite dance of the season, and their showdance routine. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Alexandra & GorkaAmerican Smooth"Wouldn't It Be Loverly" — from My Fair LadyRunners-up
Alexandra & Gorka39 Showdance"There's No Business Like Show Business" — Ethel MermanRunners-up
Alexandra & Gorka40 Jive"Proud Mary" — Tina TurnerRunners-up
Debbie & Giovanni39 Salsa"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" — Boys Town GangRunners-up
Debbie & Giovanni38 Showdance"One Day I'll Fly Away" — VaultsRunners-up
Debbie & Giovanni40 Argentine tango"Por una Cabeza" — Carlos Gardel & Alfredo Le PeraRunners-up
Gemma & Aljaž38 Paso doble"Viva la Vida" — ColdplayRunners-up
Gemma & Aljaž37 Showdance"Show Me How You Burlesque" — Christina AguileraRunners-up
Gemma & Aljaž39 American Smooth"Downtown" — Petula ClarkRunners-up
Joe & Katya39 Viennese waltz"Somewhere My Love" — from Doctor ZhivagoWinners
Joe & Katya39 Showdance"You Make My Dreams" — Hall & OatesWinners
Joe & Katya40 Charleston"Alexander's Ragtime Band" — Ella FitzgeraldWinners

Dance chart

  • Week 1–9: One unlearned dance
  • Week 10: One unlearned dance & paso doble marathon
  • Week 11 : One unlearned dance
  • Week 12 : Two unlearned dances
  • Week 13 : Judges' choice, showdance & favourite dance 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 show10.291144.7%
Week 111.041146.9%
Week 210.791144.9%
Week 2 results9.332237.2%
Week 311.151148.0%
Week 3 results9.643339.5%
Week 411.261148.4%
Week 4 results10.102241.7%
Week 511.491149.7%
Week 5 results9.832238.9%
Week 612.282251.0%
Week 6 results10.233340.2%
Week 711.962251.3%
Week 7 results10.633344.0%
Week 811.742248.1%
Week 8 results11.463344.3%
Week 912.052349.0%
Week 9 results11.393446.0%
Week 1011.292244.2%
Week 10 results11.083444.0%
Week 1111.112244.5%
Week 11 results10.943343.7%
Week 1211.733348.2%
Week 12 results11.762246.6%
Week 1313.011155.9%
Series average
201711.1445.7%