Strictly Come Dancing series 8


Strictly Come Dancing returned for its eighth series on BBC One with a red carpet launch show on 11 September 2010, and the competitive live shows began on 1 October. According to BARB data, this series was the consistently highest-rated of the show to date, peaking at 14.28 million viewers. Alesha Dixon, Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, and Bruno Tonioli all returned as judges.
Five professional dancers from the last series did not return for this series: Darren Bennett, Matthew Cutler, Brian Fortuna, Lilia Kopylova, and Ian Waite. Three new professionals joined this series: Artem Chigvintsev, Jared Murillo, and Robin Windsor. For the eighth series, the set was totally revamped: the backstage room where scores were given was replaced by a tower above the dance floor so that the couples could watch as their teammates performed. During week 8, the live show was transmitted from the Tower Ballroom at the Blackpool Tower.
Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly returned to present the main show on BBC One. For the results show, Daly was joined by Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two presenter Claudia Winkleman.
The celebrities did not know their professional partners until they were introduced to each other at the launch show. The series concluded on 18 December when EastEnders actress Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev were announced as the winners, while television presenter Matt Baker and Aliona Vilani finished in second place, and psychologist Pamela Stephenson and James Jordan finished in third.
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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 couple with the fewest points is eliminated from the competition. The dance-off feature, where the judges choose which couple to save based on a final dance, was not utilised in this series. If two couples have equal points, the points from the public vote are given precedence.

Couples

This series featured fourteen celebrity contestants.
CelebrityNotabilityProfessional partnerStatus
GoldieMusician & DJKristina RihanoffEliminated 1st
on 10 October 2010
Paul DanielsMagicianOla JordanEliminated 2nd
on 17 October 2010
Peter ShiltonEngland goalkeeperErin BoagEliminated 3rd
on 24 October 2010
Tina O'BrienCoronation Street actressJared MurilloEliminated 4th
on 31 October 2010
Jimi MistryFilm & television actorFlavia CacaceEliminated 5th
on 7 November 2010
Michelle WilliamsDestiny's Child singerBrendan Cole
Ian Waite 		Eliminated 6th
on 14 November 2010
Felicity KendalStage & screen actressVincent SimoneEliminated 7th
on 21 November 2010
Patsy KensitFilm & television actressRobin WindsorEliminated 8th
on 28 November 2010
Ann WiddecombeConservative Party politicianAnton Du BekeEliminated 9th
on 5 December 2010
Gavin HensonWales rugby playerKatya VirshilasEliminated 10th & 11th
on 12 December 2010
Scott MaslenEastEnders & The Bill actorNatalie LoweEliminated 10th & 11th
on 12 December 2010
Comedian & psychologistJames JordanThird place
on 18 December 2010
Matt BakerTelevision presenterAliona VilaniRunners-up
on 18 December 2010
Kara TointonEastEnders actressArtem ChigvintsevWinners
on 18 December 2010

Dance troupe

The members of the dance troupe included Darren Bennett & Crystal Main, Ian Waite & Aneta Piotrowska, and Shem Jacobs & Tanya Perera.
The dance troupe performed the following:

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.
CoupleRank by
average		Total
points		Number of
dances		Total
average
Kara & Artem1st5711635.7
Pamela & James2nd4911435.1
Matt & Aliona3rd5481634.3
Scott & Natalie4th4021233.5
Jimi & Flavia5th170628.3
Patsy & Robin6th252928.0
Felicity & Vincent7th217827.1
Tina & Jared8th107426.8
Gavin & Katya9th3201226.7
Michelle & Brendan10th184726.3
Goldie & Kristina11th46223.0
Peter & Erin12th81420.3
Paul & Ola13th53317.7
Ann & Anton14th1621016.2

Weekly scores

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

Week 1

Half of the couples performed on the first night and the other half performed on the second night. Couples performed either the cha-cha-cha or the waltz. 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
Felicity & Vincent23 Cha-cha-cha"Sunny" — Bobby Hebb
Scott & Natalie29 Waltz"I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" — Aretha Franklin
Goldie & Kristina20 Cha-cha-cha"Tik Tok" — Ke$ha
Patsy & Robin22 Waltz"When I Need You" — Leo Sayer
Matt & Aliona31 Cha-cha-cha"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" — Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Pamela & James31 Waltz"If I Ain't Got You" — Alicia Keys
Paul & Ola16 Cha-cha-cha"Could It Be Magic" — Take That

;Night 2
Musical guests: Robbie Williams & Gary Barlow — "Shame"
CoupleScoresDanceMusic
Jimi & Flavia26 Cha-cha-cha"Don't Upset the Rhythm (Go Baby Go)" — Noisettes
Peter & Erin21 Waltz"Take It to the Limit" — Eagles
Michelle & Brendan24 Cha-cha-cha"Stone Cold Sober" — Paloma Faith
Gavin & Katya28 Waltz"You Light Up My Life" — Debby Boone
Tina & Jared24 Cha-cha-cha"California Gurls" — Katy Perry, feat. Snoop Dogg
Ann & Anton17 Waltz"My Cherie" — Al Martino
Kara & Artem30 Cha-cha-cha"I Like It" — Enrique Iglesias, feat. Pitbull

Week 2

Musical guest: Robbie Williams — "Rock DJ"
Couples performed either the foxtrot or the salsa, and are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Matt & Aliona31 Foxtrot"She Said" — Plan BSafe
Peter & Erin17 Salsa"Mambo No.5" — Perez PradoBottom two
Tina & Jared26 Foxtrot"On the Sunny Side of the Street" — Frankie LaineSafe
Patsy & Robin28 Salsa"Canned Heat" — JamiroquaiSafe
Paul & Ola21 Foxtrot"Lady Luck" — Brian SetzerSafe
Scott & Natalie32 Salsa"Let's Hear It for the Boy" — Deniece WilliamsSafe
Michelle & Brendan26 Foxtrot"It Had to Be You" — Harry Connick Jr.Safe
Goldie & Kristina26 Foxtrot"This Business of Love" — DominoEliminated
Pamela & James32 Salsa"Dr. Beat" — Gloria EstefanSafe
Felicity & Vincent25 Foxtrot"Somethin' Stupid" — Frank Sinatra & Nancy SinatraSafe
Ann & Anton12 Salsa"Mambo Italiano" — Dean MartinSafe
Kara & Artem32 Foxtrot"From Russia with Love" — Matt MonroSafe
Gavin & Katya19 Salsa"Don't Stop the Music" — RihannaSafe
Jimi & Flavia30 Foxtrot"Fever" — Peggy LeeSafe

Week 3

Musical guest: Peter Andre — "Defender"
Tina O'Brien was unable to perform due to an illness. Under the rules of the show, she was granted a bye to the following week.
Couples performed either the quickstep or the rumba, and are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Kara & Artem31 Quickstep"Are You Gonna Be My Girl" — JetSafe
Felicity & Vincent29 Rumba"True Colors" — Cyndi LauperSafe
Patsy & Robin24 Quickstep"Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" — KT TunstallSafe
Paul & Ola16 Rumba"Take a Bow" — RihannaEliminated
Matt & Aliona31 Quickstep"Dreaming of You" — The CoralSafe
Gavin & Katya22 Rumba"Always on My Mind" — Elvis PresleySafe
Scott & Natalie34 Quickstep"I Wan'na Be Like You" — Louis PrimaSafe
Michelle & Brendan24 Rumba"Wicked Game" — Chris IsaakBottom two
Peter & Erin26 Quickstep"Lullaby of Broadway" — Tony BennettSafe
Jimi & Flavia25 Rumba"Ain't No Sunshine" — Bill WithersSafe
Ann & Anton18 Quickstep"Puttin' On the Ritz" — Fred AstaireSafe
Pamela & James35 Rumba"Make You Feel My Love" — AdeleSafe

Week 4

Musical guest: Neil Diamond — "Midnight Train to Georgia"
Ian Waite filled in for Brendan Cole, who was attending his father's funeral.
Couples performed either the Charleston or the tango, and are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Jimi & Flavia27 Charleston"Do Your Thing" — Basement JaxxSafe
Scott & Natalie35 Tango"Allegretto" — BondSafe
Tina & Jared29 Charleston"You Give a Little Love" — from Bugsy MaloneSafe
Felicity & Vincent29 Tango"Czardas" — MontiSafe
Patsy & Robin28 Charleston"Hot Honey Rag" — from ChicagoSafe
Gavin & Katya23 Tango"Toxic" — Britney SpearsSafe
Peter & Erin17 Charleston"Cabaret" — Liza MinnelliEliminated
Pamela & James34 Tango"Love Is the Drug" — Roxy MusicSafe
Matt & Aliona35 Charleston"42nd Street" — from 42nd StreetSafe
Michelle & Ian27 Tango"Killer" — Adamski & SealBottom two
Kara & Artem32 Charleston"Put a Lid on It" — Squirrel Nut ZippersSafe
Ann & Anton21 Tango"La cumparsita" — Gerardo Matos RodríguezSafe

Week 5: Halloween Week

Musical guest: Alice Cooper — "Poison"
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Pamela & James27 Jive"Devil Gate Drive" — Suzi QuatroSafe
Tina & Jared28 Argentine tango"Beautiful Monster" — Ne-YoEliminated
Kara & Artem37 Paso doble"The Phantom of the Opera" — from The Phantom of the OperaSafe
Patsy & Robin31 Jive"Monster Mash" — Bobby "Boris" PickettSafe
Felicity & Vincent26 Viennese waltz"Waltz No. 2" — Dmitri ShostakovichBottom two
Jimi & Flavia30 Paso doble"Thriller" — Michael JacksonSafe
Michelle & Brendan29 Jive"The Time Warp" — from The Rocky Horror ShowSafe
Gavin & Katya26 Paso doble"Uprising" — MuseSafe
Scott & Natalie39 Viennese waltz"I Put a Spell on You" — Screamin' Jay HawkinsSafe
Ann & Anton16 Paso doble"Wild Thing" — The TroggsSafe
Matt & Aliona34 Argentine tango"Bat Out of Hell" — Meat LoafSafe

Week 6

Musical guest: Bryan Ferry — "You Can Dance"
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Kara & Artem36 Salsa"Conga" — Gloria EstefanSafe
Pamela & James33 Foxtrot"Let There Be Love" — Nat King ColeSafe
Felicity & Vincent29 Paso doble"Habanera" — Georges BizetSafe
Jimi & Flavia32 Quickstep"Mr. Pinstripe Suit" — Big Bad Voodoo DaddyEliminated
Matt & Aliona35 Viennese waltz"Where the Wild Roses Grow" — Nick Cave & Kylie MinogueSafe
Ann & Anton17 Charleston"Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love" — Ella FitzgeraldSafe
Michelle & Brendan30 Waltz"Right Here Waiting" — Richard MarxBottom two
Patsy & Robin29 Cha-cha-cha"All the Lovers" — Kylie MinogueSafe
Scott & Natalie28 Rumba"Wishing on a Star" — Rose RoyceSafe
Gavin & Katya29 Cha-cha-cha"Don't Cha" — Pussycat DollsSafe

Week 7

Musical guests:
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Pamela & James32 Cha-cha-cha"Money (That's What I Want)" — The Flying LizardsSafe
Michelle & Brendan24 Paso doble"American Woman" — The Guess WhoEliminated
Patsy & Robin32 Viennese waltz"Anyone Who Had a Heart" — Dionne WarwickSafe
Gavin & Katya33 Quickstep"I Want You to Want Me" — Cheap TrickSafe
Ann & Anton20 Foxtrot"You Make Me Feel So Young" — Frank SinatraSafe
Kara & Artem38 Argentine tango"Los Vino" — Otros AiresSafe
Felicity & Vincent26 Salsa"All Night Long (All Night)" — Lionel RichieBottom two
Matt & Aliona35 Rumba"Too Lost in You" — SugababesSafe
Scott & Natalie39 Jive"Hit the Road Jack" — Ray CharlesSafe

Week 8: Blackpool Week

Musical guests:
This week's episode was staged in the Tower Ballroom at the Blackpool Tower in Blackpool, Lancashire. Couples performed either the American Smooth or the samba, and are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Patsy & Robin28 Samba"Copacabana" — Barry ManilowBottom two
Kara & Artem35 American Smooth"Cry Me a River" — Michael BubléSafe
Matt & AlionaSamba"Young Hearts Run Free" — Candi StatonSafe
Felicity & Vincent30 American Smooth"Me and My Shadow" — Frank Sinatra & Sammy Davis JrEliminated
Gavin & Katya27 American Smooth"She's a Lady" — Tom JonesSafe
Scott & Natalie32 Samba"(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" — Jackie WilsonSafe
Pamela & James37 American Smooth"Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps" — Doris DaySafe
Ann & Anton13 Samba"Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel" — TavaresSafe

Week 9

Musical guest: James Blunt — "So Far Gone"
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Kara & Artem34 Jive"Runaround Sue" — DionSafe
Ann & Anton14 Rumba"My Heart Will Go On" — Celine DionSafe
Patsy & Robin30 Argentine tango"They" — JemEliminated
Scott & Natalie31 American Smooth"Fly Me to the Moon" — Frank SinatraSafe
Gavin & Katya22 Jive"Hey Ya!" — OutkastBottom two
Matt & Aliona33 American Smooth"Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" — Alicia KeysSafe
Pamela & James38 Charleston"Let's Misbehave" — Easy Virtue OrchestraSafe

Week 10: Movie Night (Quarter-final)

Musical guest: Manic Street Preachers – "Some Kind of Nothingness"
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicFilmResult
Scott & Natalie35 Paso doble"James Bond Theme"Dr. NoBottom two
Ann & Anton14 American Smooth"Hello, Dolly!"Hello, Dolly!Eliminated
Matt & Aliona35 Jive"Soul Bossa Nova"Austin Powers: International Man of MysterySafe
Pamela & JamesViennese waltz"Unchained Melody"GhostSafe
Gavin & Katya33 Foxtrot"Minnie the Moocher"The Blues BrothersSafe
Kara & Artem38 Tango"El Tango de Roxanne"Moulin Rouge!Safe

Week 11: Semi-final

On the first night, each couple performed one routine and then all couples participated in a swing dance marathon for additional points. On the second night, each couple performed one additional routine. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
;Night 1
CoupleScoresDanceMusic
Pamela & James35 Paso doble"Bad Romance" — Lady Gaga
Kara & Artem39 Viennese waltz"Stop!" — Sam Brown
Gavin & Katya27 Samba"Bamboleo" — Gipsy Kings
Scott & Natalie33 Argentine tango"Época" — Gotan Project
Matt & Aliona28 Salsa"Spinning Around" — Kylie Minogue
Gavin & Katya1Swing-a-thon
'		"In the Mood" — Glenn Miller
Scott & Natalie2Swing-a-thon
'		"In the Mood" — Glenn Miller
Pamela & James3Swing-a-thon
'		"In the Mood" — Glenn Miller
Matt & Aliona4Swing-a-thon
'		"In the Mood" — Glenn Miller
Kara & Artem5Swing-a-thon
"In the Mood" — Glenn Miller

;Night 2
Musical guests:
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Scott & Natalie35 Charleston"Anything Goes" — Cole PorterEliminated
Kara & Artem39 Rumba"Samba Pa Ti" — Carlos SantanaSafe
Matt & Aliona38 Tango"Hung Up" — MadonnaSafe
Gavin & Katya31 Viennese waltz"You Know Me" — Robbie WilliamsEliminated
Pamela & James40 Quickstep"Steppin' Out with My Baby" — Fred AstaireSafe

Week 12: Final

Musical guest: Paloma Faith – "Upside Down"
During the first show, each couple performed two routines, one of which was their showdance routine, and the other of which was a reprise of their highest-scoring dance from the series. At the end of the first show, the couple was the lowest combined scores was eliminated. During the second show, each couple performed two additional routines, one of which was their favourite dance of the series. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
;Show 1
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Matt & Aliona38 Samba"Young Hearts Run Free" — Candi StatonSafe
Matt & Aliona34 Showdance"I Like The Way (You Move)" — BodyRockersSafe
Kara & Artem39 Rumba"Samba Pa Ti" — Carlos SantanaSafe
Kara & Artem36 Showdance"Don't Stop Me Now" — QueenSafe
Pamela & James40 Viennese waltz"Unchained Melody" — The Righteous BrothersThird place
Pamela & James37 Showdance"(I've Had) The Time of My Life" — from Dirty DancingThird place

;Show 2
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Matt & Aliona35 Paso doble"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" — The AnimalsRunners-up
Matt & Aliona37 Viennese waltz"Where the Wild Roses Grow" — Nick Cave & Kylie MinogueRunners-up
Kara & Artem38 Waltz"If You Don't Know Me By Now" — Simply RedWinners
Kara & Artem37 American Smooth"Cry Me a River" — Michael BubléWinners

Dance chart

The couples performed the following each week:
  • Week 1: One unlearned dance
  • Week 2: One unlearned dance
  • Week 3: One unlearned dance
  • Week 4: One unlearned dance
  • Weeks 5–7: One unlearned dance
  • Week 8: One unlearned dance
  • Weeks 9–10: One unlearned dance
  • Week 11 : One unlearned dance & swing dance marathon
  • Week 11 : One unlearned dance
  • Week 12 : Highest-scoring dance of the series & showdance
  • Week 12 : One unlearned dance & 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 show7.4661237.5%
Week 1 9.602638.2%
Week 1 9.363841.6%
Week 29.433742.1%
Week 2 results9.274836.0%
Week 39.643541.2%
Week 3 results9.3041035.1%
Week 410.062442.3%
Week 4 results9.923536.9%
Week 510.881343.8%
Week 5 results10.122438.8%
Week 611.121344.0%
Week 6 results10.652436.6%
Week 711.741444.2%
Week 7 results11.072736.3%
Week 812.281345.3%
Week 8 results11.692439.2%
Week 912.431343.3%
Week 9 results11.942440.5%
Week 1013.031345.0%
Week 10 results12.042540.1%
Week 11 9.6051433.4%
Week 11 11.5721143.1%
Week 11 results12.041941.1%
Week 1213.722245.8%
Week 12 results14.281147.6%
Series average
201011.0740.9%