Strictly Come Dancing: Karim Zeroual Earns First 40 Of Series, But Fans Unhappy With 'Best Jive Ever' Praise

Craig Revel Horwood finally found his 10 paddle, but Bruno Tonioli's comments caused upset with viewers.

Karim Zeroual has achieved the first perfect score on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, after performing a Jive that was dubbed the show’s “best ever”. 

The CBBC presenter and his partner Amy Dowden wowed the judges with their performance to You Can’t Stop The Beat from Hairspray during Saturday’s Musicals special. 

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Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden performed a Jive during Musicals Week
BBC/Guy Levy

The show-stopping routine had Craig Revel Horwood reaching for his 10 paddle for the first time this series, with the judge also standing up to applaud the couple as he gave his critique. 

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The routine earned the first perfect score of the series
BBC/Guy Levy

Motsi Mabuse had an even more animated reaction, demanding Karim came over to the judges’ desk before handing him her paddle with a score of 10 on it. 

 

Bruno Tonioli hailed the dance as “mindblowing”, claiming it left him with “shivers going down his spine”, adding: “I think tonight you are the best Jive we’ve ever seen on Strictly. You are a champion in my eyes already, I don’t care what happens.”

However, Bruno’s remarks left some fans unhappy, who claimed nothing would ever beat Jay McGuiness’ Pulp Fiction-inspired Jive...

Another couple who earned high praise was Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse, who danced an American Smooth to Gaston from Disney’s Beauty And The Beast.

They scored a total of 39, with Shirley Ballas telling the former Emmerdale star: “You are fantastic!”

 

Kelvin and Oti finished joint second on the leaderboard with Emma Barton and Anton Du Beke, who performed a Charleston to Thoroughly Modern Millie from the musical of the same name. 

 

Alex Scott and Neil Jones failed to impress with their Samba, earning them the lowest score of the night, 27.

Comedian Chris Ramsey and Karen Hauer scored 28 for their foxtrot to Consider Yourself from Oliver!.

Find out who will be next to leave the dancefloor during Sunday night’s results show, airing at 7.20pm on BBC One.