By OLIVIA KEMP, SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER
Published: | Updated:
Strictly Come Dancing was forced to correct an embarrassing scoring blunder live on air on Saturday night after displaying the wrong score for Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola.
The EastEnders actress, 38, had been awarded a six by head judge Shirley Ballas for her Tango to Blondie's Atomic – but an on-screen graphic showed a seven.
Host Emma Willis interrupted proceedings before the leaderboard was revealed at the end of the show, saying: 'Before we go to the leaderboard, we need to apologise because there was a mistake with Lacey and Vito.
'Shirley scored a six but the graphic said seven. So we can confirm Shirley did in fact score a six, so the correct total score is 28.'
It capped an eventful show in which the judges appeared to be at each other's throats.
Craig Revel Horwood told Motsi Mabuse, 'Thank you for telling me what I've already known for 22 years, darling,' during one disagreement.
Strictly Come Dancing was forced to correct an embarrassing scoring blunder live on air on Saturday night after displaying the wrong score for Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola
Host Emma Willis interrupted proceedings before the leaderboard was revealed. She said: 'Before we go to the leaderboard, we need to apologise because there was a mistake'
He later took one of Shirley's miniature shoe props and stuffed it into her mouth, prompting presenter Josh Widdicombe to tell Lacey: 'Get upstairs because the judges are turning on one another!'
The evening also produced the first tens of the series.
Delta Goodrem, 41, received the first from Anton Du Beke for her comeback rumba with Kai Widdrington to Celine Dion's It's All Coming Back To Me Now.
The Australian singer, who returned after missing last week with a fractured rib, received seven from Craig, nine from Motsi and eight from Shirley, giving her 34 points.
Tabby Stoecker and Mark Karmalita then received two more tens, from Motsi and Anton, for their Couple's Choice to Olivia Rodrigo's Stupid Song.
Their score of 37 put them at the top of the leaderboard, while Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr finished bottom with 17.
The EastEnders actress, 38, had been awarded a six by head judge Shirley Ballas for her Tango to Blondie's Atomic – but an on-screen graphic showed a seven
Fans commented on the blunder as it happened
'Shirley scored a six but the graphic said seven. So we can confirm Shirley did in fact score a six, so the correct total score is 28', Emma said
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
LACEY TURNER
AGE: 38
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Stacey Slater on BBC's EastEnders
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I'm so excited and terrified at the same time but I've had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor.'
DELTA GOODREM
AGE: 41
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albums
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career - from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!'
CACH MERCER
AGE: 25
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Won Love Island 2025 and is a TikTok influencer
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!'
DAME SARAH STOREY
AGE: 48
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Britain's most successful Paralympian
WHY STRICTLY?: 'Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.'
BETHANY ANTONIA
AGE: 28
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.'
GRAEME 'THE DOGFATHER' HALL
AGE: 59
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!'
TABBY STOECKER
AGE: 25
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Olympic champion skeleton racer
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!'
MELANIE WALTERS
AGE: 64
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Gwen West in BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey
WHY STRICTLY?: 'Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.'
DANI DYER
AGE: 30
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Winning Love Island and being the daughter of actor Danny Dyer
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!'
CHRIS APPLETON
AGE: 43
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hairdresser to the stars - including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new.'
WILL BEST
AGE: 41
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Big Brother and previously TV
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!'
JAIME WINSTONE
AGE: 41
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Starring in films such as Kidulthood and Tomb Raider
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.'
SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS
AGE: 44
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City
WHY STRICTLY?: 'Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!'
LAWRENCE ROBB
AGE: 34
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Mackenzie Boyd on ITV's Emmerdale
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I can't quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time!'
JOHN NELLIS
AGE: 33
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Face of a popular football-focused YouTube channel
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I can't wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!'