Strictly 2023: The remaining couples hit the dancefloor for week 7 - As it happened

The leaderboard for Week 7

Ellie Leach is top of the leaderboard again, with Layton Williams and Annabel Croft close behind. Adam Thomas is currently at the bottom of the leaderboard, alongside Angela Scanlon.

The Week 7 leaderboard (BBC)

Krishnan Guru-Murthy closes the show with a Couple's Choice

Krishnan and his dance partner Lauren Oakley performed a Couple's Choice to You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon.

Krishnan and Lauren (BBC)

Krishnan joked that he was "no Patrick Swazye but he loves" Strictly after the dance, with Shirley saying that their dance had some very "difficult" moves and she found him a "joy".

Anton said that he agreed that Krishnan was a "joy" but joked that he took "walking to a whole new level", with Craig saying that he also felt the dance had too much walking. Even so he felt that the presenter has "magnetic charm" on the dance floor.

Motsi commended Krishnan for "dancing with the heart", and saying that his ability to remain present on the floor was a "gift".

The pair earned the following scores: 6, 8, 8, and 7 fir a total of 29.

Adam Thomas follows last week's dance off with a Rumba

Adam and his partner Luba Mushtuk performed a Rumba to Dancing On My Own by Calum Scott, which was his wedding song.

Adam and Luba (BBC)

Motsi said that he did a "great job" as a man doing a Rumba in the competition, saying that he lead the dance well but that he needed to work on his footwork so there was "more action".

Shirley said that it is "difficult" for men to lead a Rumba, and said that while she was impressed with how he has improved she felt he did needed to work on "changing weight".

Anton gave constructive criticism, saying he lead the dance well but that the Rumba movements weren't "strong enough" to be excellent.

Craig continued to give criticism, saying that he needed to work on his hands and his footwork, calling his hips "stiff" during the Rumba Walk but he found the partnership was still strong.

They earned the following scores: 6, 7, 7, and 7 for a total of 27.

Ellie Leach aims to top the leaderboard again with her American Smooth

After her success last week, Ellie Leach hoped to repeat her success by performing an American Smooth to Ain’t That A Kick In The Head by Robbie Williams with her partner Vito Coppola.

Ellie and Vito (BBC)

Shirley and Motsi were on their feet after Ellie's dance, but Craig said that she missed one of her foot movements but that she is improving week on week.

Motsi said that Ellie was giving "final vibes" while Shirley was also full of praise, saying that Ellie was so impressive she was "finalist material."

Anton was equally as delighted by the performance, saying that he wished he could have done their routine because it was "joyous" and that Ellie was "beautiful" on the dance floor.

The pair got the following scores: 9, 10, 10, and 10 for a total of 39.

Bobby Brazier turns up the heat with an Argentine Tango

Bobby and his dance partner Dianne Buswell performed a fiery Argentine Tango to Sail by AWOLNATION.

Bobby and Dianne (BBC)

Anton said that he felt the performance look rehearsed which meant that it shouldn't have been because they "should be so wrapped up in each other" on the floor, but he felt the dance was still "clean as a whistle" despite it.

Craig felt the dance was "too aggressive" and that he also wasn't leading, agreeing with Anton that it felt too choreographed.

Motsi added that she could see he had intention and was strong on the floor, and that he gave a much better performance.

Shirley said she felt Bobby had "attitude" and that he did well leading, despite what Craig said, and that she "liked everything he did" with the dance.

They received the following scores: 6, 8, 8, and 8 for a total of 30.

Annabel Croft pays tribute to her husband on the dancefloor

Annabel performed a Couple's Choice in honour of her husband Mel Coleman, dancing with Johannes Radebe to Wings by Birdy.

Annabel and Johannes (BBC)

The emotional performance moved the judges, with Shirley holding tissues as she gave her opinion on the dance and said that she had "no words" for the dance other than "divine".

Anton said that he felt the dance was "perfect", while Craig did give some criticism over her arms but that he felt it was a "beautiful story, beautifully executed".

Motsi said she thought it was Annabel's best dance, and that she felt the former tennis player and Johannes were "so strong together".

The dance earned the pair the following scores: 8, 9, 9, and 9 for a total of 35.

Angela Scanlon shakes things up with a Samba

Angela and Carlos Gu took to the dancefloor with a Samba to Ain’t It Funny by Jennifer Lopez, which featured fun elements like "skirtography" and "toeography".

Angela and Carlos (BBC)

Motsi said that she loved Angela's lines and her personality, but that she found her upper body was too far back which meant that her weight was in the wrong position for the dance and made her unsteady, but added that she had improved.

Shirley agreed with Motsi, saying she enjoyed the "atmosphere" and "chemistry" of the dance but that she also noticed how she was leaning too far back so she was unsteady.

Anton said that he liked Angela's knee positioning during the dance and that there was "a lot to like" but she needed to "watch her weight position" moving forward.

Craig went on to say that he felt her body was "disconnected", saying she liked her performance from the waist down but not what she was doing with her arms and shoulders. Regardless, he felt she'd brought an "incredible energy" to the floor.

They received the following scores: 6, 7, 7, and 7 for a total of 27.

Nigel Harman tries to impress with his Tango

Nigel and his partner Katya Jones prepared an emotional Tango in a bid to improve his score from recent weeks, and is dancing to Nothing Breaks Like a Heart by Mark Ronson ft. Miley Cyrus.

Nigel and Katya (BBC)

But did he succeed? Well, Craig began judging and in true Craig fashion opened criticisms and said he felt their dance "lacked drama" but that he is still "wonderful to watch".

Motsi continued, disagreeing with Craig by saying she felt they'd been waiting for Nigel to do a dance like this. She added that she could see control in their Tango which she enjoyed.

Shirley said that she felt Nigel struggled last week but that he brought his "A-game" this week, going on to say she felt his footwork was "fabulous".

Anton sided with Motsi and Shirley, saying he enjoyed the dance immensely and that his footwork was good but he needs to work on his frame.

They earned the following scores: 7, 9, 9, and 8 for a total of 33.

Angela Rippon shows off her Waltz

Angela and her partner Kai Widdrington performed a Waltz to Fascination by Nat King Cole, a song she revealed she enjoyed in her youth.

Angela and Kai (BBC)

Anton said he "always" finds himself smiling when he watches Angela dance, but said that she needed to make wider steps during the dance routine but he found it "elegant".

Craig added that he felt her footwork was "wobbly" and her frame came loose so she needed to work on those things, but she brings "style and elegance".

Motsi shared that Angela "looked beautiful" with Kai, and that it is good that she is at ease on the dancefloor but she shouldn't "play it safe" moving forward.

Shirley started positively, saying the upper half of her body was beautiful but that she needs to work on her footwork to make it smoother across the ballroom floor.

The pair earned the following scores: 7, 8, 6, and 7 for a total of 28.

Layton Williams opens the show

West End star Layton Williams and his partner Nikita Kuzmin take to the floor with a Jive to Shake Ur Body by SHY FX, T.Power, Di.

Layton and Nikita (BBC)

The routine was a hit with judges Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse on their feet for the pair.

Shirley praised Layton for working on his "precision" this week, adding: "I thought it was absolutely outstanding."

Anton agreed "to a point", saying that Layton was "extraordinary" at what he does but that he had a few things to improve when it came to his performance.

Craig sided with Anton, recommending ways in which Layton could improve his Latin dance moves but said that parts of the dance were "incredible" too.

Motsi was full of praise, saying Layton's performance was "one hell of a jive" and said she agreed with Shirley's comments because the dance was "exceptional".

They earned the following points: 8, 10, 10, and 8 for a total of 36.