Strictly Come Dancing: AJ Odudu's Charleston Gets Near-Perfect Score, And Fans *Still* Think She Was Undermarked

She and Kai Widdrington got glowing reviews for their performance, but the judges still failed to give them a perfect score.

AJ Odudu served up one of the most exciting Strictly Come Dancing routines of the series so far on Saturday night when she and Kai Widdrington delivered a jam-packed Charleston.

The pair wowed viewers with a throwback to the 1920s that barely allowed AJ a second to catch her breath, complete with swivels, kicks, jumps and lifts.

Following the performance, none of the judges had any negative critiques, which included Craig Revel Horwood, who summed up the number with just three words: “A. Ma. Zing.”

And yet, when it came to scoring the dance, Craig refused to give it a perfect score, instead reaching for his 9 paddle, while the rest of the judges gave it 10s.

AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington delivered the routine of the night
AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington delivered the routine of the night
BBC/Guy Levy

Fortunately, AJ’s overall score of 39 still put the Don’t Rock The Boat presenter at the top of the leaderboard for the night, but many viewers couldn’t help commenting on Craig’s stinginess:

Nah I'm sorry. How can Craig give a 9 without any feedback?! If it's A-MAZE-ING with 0 feedback it is a 10?! How could AJ have got a 10?! Please tell us Craig. Such an incredible dance!!! #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing

— Shannen (@Nutkiin) November 6, 2021

Craig said it was amazing and never gave one critic! So why didn't he score AJ and Kai a 10? 🤔 #Strictly

— Seema Thomas™ (@funky_seema) November 7, 2021

Everyone should learn the Charleston, it just brightens your day. Boo to Craig. He didn't find anything wrong with it, yet still not a 10. #ajandkai #Strictly

— Caroline Claydon (@ClaydonCaroline) November 6, 2021

I don’t normally tweet about #Strictly but I’ve got to say AJ & @Kaiwidd were amazing tonight!

That dance was perfect! No 10 from Craig? Like I know it takes a lot but what else does he want them to do? Levitate? 🤷🏻♀️

My favourites 💯 #Strictly

— Becca 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@rjanegibbons82) November 6, 2021

The fury I felt with Craig’s 9 to AJ #strictly pic.twitter.com/vwQf47K1Pz

— chawner laughs (@appehmichael) November 6, 2021

Couldn’t focus on Sara because the entire episode was ruined by Craig giving AJ a 9 #Strictly pic.twitter.com/a0MN3kmdfQ

— Harrison Brocklehurst (@harrisonjbrock) November 6, 2021

The whole nation when Craig revealed that 9 for AJ #Strictly pic.twitter.com/50Ad8k6mHL

— Greg (@gregalexander03) November 6, 2021

Me complaining to the BBC about Craig giving AJ a 9 😡#Strictly #Strictly2021 pic.twitter.com/UaiAMr3ug0

— TV Reactions 📺 (@TellyReactions) November 6, 2021

Craig giving AJ a 9. Mate #Strictly pic.twitter.com/HTXLPnkUd7

— KC (@MsKaylaChantel) November 6, 2021

CRAIG WAS WRONG FOR THAT 9 NAHHHH #strictly pic.twitter.com/C1RYxmryWQ

— 𝒄𝒊𝒄𝒊 (@sweetfoolsss) November 6, 2021

What is Craig's problem....a measly 9!!!!

I demand a refund!!#Strictly #AJ https://t.co/RJoArAGtb9

— kate (@8twinge) November 6, 2021

So Craig giving AJ a 9, will mean that when AJ and Kai repeat this dance in the final and get a perfect 40, the crowd will erupt.

— Alex J Call (@AlexJCall) November 6, 2021

One mark behind AJ and Kai on 38 points were Tom Fletcher and Amy Dowden, who impressed the judges with their Paso Doble.

Dressed in elaborate matador-inspired outfits, the McFly star won particular praise for his cape action, with Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas both awarding him and Amy a perfect score.

Sadly, it was a rather different story for Olympian Adam Peaty and his partner Katya Jones, who ended up at the bottom of the leaderboard on Saturday.

Fresh from surviving last week’s dance-off, Adam and Katya opened the show with a Jive performance, which earned them an overall score of 27 out of 40.

Find out which two couples landed in the bottom two this week in Sunday night’s Strictly results show, airing at 7.15pm on BBC One.

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