Shaun Wright-Phillips’ 28-Point Breakthrough Puts Strictly Favourites Under Pressure

Shaun Wright-Phillips has changed the shape of the Strictly Come Dancing contest in a single performance. After ending last week at the foot of the leaderboard and surviving a dance-off, he delivered his strongest routine yet in Icons Week: a James Brown-inspired Couple’s Choice that earned 28 points and left viewers wondering which familiar names might now be in danger.

The former England player and partner Alexis Warr had been under pressure after their Quick Step left them last among the couples. They then faced Melanie Walters, known for Gavin and Stacey, in the dance-off. The difference this week was striking. Shaun’s new routine brought together flips, kicks, sharp rhythms and a moonwalk, giving the judges and audience a far more complete picture of what he can do.

That score matters beyond the number itself. A 28-point result gives Shaun a much stronger case to stay in the competition, particularly after his recent appearance in the bottom two. It also changes the calculations for couples who had seemed more secure: if a performer can make that kind of jump, the danger may shift quickly to someone whose standing looked comfortable earlier in the series.

Shaun said he was “blown away” by the judges’ response. He explained that the pair chose the dance to bring joy and excitement to the audience in the studio and to people watching at home. The performance’s energy was central to its impact, but the precision of the moonwalk and the range of movement gave the routine details to match its showmanship.

Viewers quickly began predicting that Shaun had done enough to avoid another dance-off. One fan on X suggested his Couple’s Choice could bring a surprise result, while another expected him to be safe. Those reactions reflect the uncertainty built into the leaderboard: a high score can reshape expectations, but it doesn’t settle who will be in danger once the audience response is included.

Dani Dyer is one of the couples feeling that pressure. Her Rumba with Nikita Kuzman scored 25, and fans argued that the mark was too low. Some were alarmed that Shaun had scored higher than Dani; others said the result left Dani and Nikita vulnerable and urged supporters to back them. Their concern is sharpened by Dani’s position in the running order: she performed second, a slot viewers have nicknamed the “death slot.”

That label captures a familiar anxiety among fans, but the more concrete issue is the combination of a score they consider disappointing and a rival’s sudden rise. Dani sits one place above Paralympian Dame Sarah Story on this week’s leaderboard, after Sarah fell to the bottom following two weeks that had shown promise. With positions so close, a single performance can make the gap between safety and the dance-off feel especially narrow.

Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu have also become part of the worried fan conversation. With Shaun’s score rising and Jaime Winstone doing well, some viewers fear Bethany and Nancy could be pulled into the dance-off. Other predictions put Dani and Bethany against each other. Neither scenario is confirmed; for now, these are audience readings of a leaderboard where a strong score at the top can squeeze the room for everyone beneath it.

At the other end, Cach Mercer and Jaime Winstone each scored 34, the highest marks this week. Their performances set the pace, while Shaun’s 28 represents a notable turnaround from last week’s last-place finish. Delta Goodrem, who topped the leaderboard last week, missed this round after sustaining a rib injury in training. Presenters Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe paid tribute to the Australian singer; she watched from home and became emotional.

The result is a week with several competing storylines: two couples at the top on 34, Shaun’s sharp recovery, Dani’s disputed 25 and Sarah’s drop to the bottom. The leaderboard gives a snapshot of the judges’ marks, while the audience reaction shows which results have unsettled fans. The next dance-off will reveal whether Shaun’s breakthrough has indeed moved him clear—and which of the names now drawing concern will have to perform again to stay.

Strictly Come Dancing continues tomorrow night on BBC One.