Welcome to the fifth live show of Strictly Come Dancing 2026. According to The Guardian's live coverage, 12 pro-celebrity couples will compete tonight in a theme-free show, with Delta Goodrem returning to the dancefloor after recovering from a rib injury. The programme airs at 6.30pm on BBC One, with the results show following on Sunday 25 October.
This week's competition arrives after Icons Week produced the tightest scoreboard in the series so far, with all remaining couples separated by just nine points. Different couples have faced elimination each week, making the contest unpredictable and fiercely competitive. The judges have awarded five near-perfect nines to date, raising the question of whether tonight might see the first maximum score of the 2026 series.
Which dance styles are featured tonight?
Several dance pairings share the same style this evening, which should intensify the competitive atmosphere. Lacey Turner and Graeme Hall will perform the tango, while Shaun Wright-Phillips and Lawrence Robb are both dancing jives. Cach Mercer and Will Best have both been assigned the cha-cha. The evening will also feature a Couple's Choice routine from Tabby Stoecker and, in a historic moment for the show, Strictly's first ever all-female Argentine tango, performed by Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu.
How is Delta Goodrem progressing after her injury?
Delta Goodrem has received medical clearance to return to competition after sitting out last week with a painful rib injury. To ease her back into the competition, she will perform a slow rumba tonight, a style chosen to minimise strain on her recovering ribs. Her return brings the total number of competing couples back to 12 after three couples had already left the 2026 competition: Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden, Melanie Walters and Aljaž Škorjanec, and Dame Sarah Storey and Julian Caillon.
Who are the bookmakers' favourites?
Despite climbing from ninth to fifth on last week's leaderboard, Shaun Wright-Phillips remains the bookmakers' favourite for elimination this week. At the opposite end of the betting odds, an all-female top three is currently predicted, comprising Lacey Turner, Tabby Stoecker and Delta Goodrem. The male trio expected to rank next are Cach Mercer, John Nellis and Graeme Hall.
Could we see the first perfect 10 of the series?
The judges have awarded five near-perfect nines so far this series. By comparison, Lewis Cope and Alex Kingston had both received maximum scores by this stage last year. Tonight's non-themed show, falling between Icons Week and the upcoming Halloween special, provides an opportunity for the judges to award their first 10 of 2026 if a couple delivers an exceptional performance.
What songs are being performed?
According to the BBC's confirmed Week 5 song list, Dani and Nikita will perform a salsa to "DESPECHÁ" by ROSALÍA, Jaime and Carlos will dance a foxtrot to "Man I Need" by Olivia Dean, and John and Katya will perform a quickstep to "Five Colours in Her Hair" by McFly. These selections represent a mix of contemporary and classic tracks chosen to suit each couple's strengths.
What to watch for during the show
Viewers can expect the familiar hallmarks of a Strictly live show: Craig Revel Horwood's characteristically pithy one-word critiques, Shirley and Anton's joint demonstration dances, and the judges' inevitable struggle to score the Couple's Choice routine. Motsi Mabuse and Vito Coppola are likely to deploy elaborate food-based metaphors, while Johannes Radebe will probably address someone as "darling" or "babe." The judges may also criticise flapping arms, spatulistic hands or lack of straight leg action, and there will be the customary half-hearted audience reaction when the casting vote holder is revealed.
What happens next?
The Week 5 results show is scheduled for Sunday 25 October 2026, when one couple will be eliminated. Halloween Week is scheduled for Saturday 31 October 2026, promising themed performances and the theatrical production values the show is known for. The competition continues to tighten as the field narrows and couples vie for a place in the later stages of the series.
Coverage begins at 6pm with build-up and analysis, followed by the live show at 6.30pm. Join in the conversation and share your thoughts on the performances as they unfold.
