by Come dance strictly Couple Will Mellor and Nancy Xu delivered one of the semi-final highlights by performing a dazzling Manchester-inspired routine that served as a comeback for Will.
Each of the five semi-finalists performed two dances on this week’s show, which has been moved to Sunday. Will and Nancy’s debut performance was not well received by the judges – their Paso Doble only scored 32, with two scoring sevens.
However, second dances were the couple’s choice – and Will chose a Manchester-inspired routine that combined his love for his hometown with his passion for 90s music, featuring a mix of songs from Stone Roses and Happy Mondays and a bucket hat for Will.
Guy LevyBBC
Related: Come dance strictly pro Nancy Xu needed a boost from the show’s choreographer last week
The dancing was a treat this time. Anton Du Beke said Will “destroyed the place”, while Shirley Ballas called it a “cool daddy” dance.
Craig Revel Horwood said he was initially nervous that the performance would look like “dancing daddy” and that it might not go particularly well. However, he said the dance went “very well”.
Motsi Mabuse highlighted what a great recovery performance it was after her previous dance failed to impress. She praised him for coming back, for not letting the negativity of his first routine get to him, and for pulling off a great dance. Will and Nancy received a score of 38.
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, on their website.
Related: Come dance strictly Will Mellor Explains Why He’ll “Never” Do Reality TV Again
The dance also drew strong reactions from viewers, with some loving the “Madchester” vibes and others calling it “dancing dad, after all.”
One fan wrote: “Will Mellor doing a Madchester routine in front of Bez is the Strictly content that I didn’t know I wanted.”
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, on their website.
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, on their website.
Another fan adored the glimpse of Bez, who was part of the Happy Mondays, in the audience, writing, “Love that Bez is there, with his maracas too! Brilliant dance by Will.”
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, on their website.
Meanwhile, another fan said the dance was the moment they’ve been waiting for.
“I’m giving Will and Nancy a 10! IT WAS AMAZING!! Honestly, that’s what I’ve been waiting for from you. The first time your dance was absolute perfection for me. Just a MOMENT!! Congratulations !”
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, on their website.
However, some were less impressed.
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, on their website.
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, on their website.
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, on their website.
Either way, Will and Nany’s routine was a highlight of the semis and one of the most personal dances on the show, as it showcased Will’s passion for his home. It remains to be seen if that will be enough to take him to next week’s final.
For just one week, Come dance strictly airing Sunday (December 11) at 7.15pm on BBC One, with a results show on Monday (December 12). Spin-off show Strictly: it takes two aired weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows are also streaming on BBC iPlayer.
Interested in talking about Come dance strictly? Visit our dedicated sub-forum
![Strictly Come Dancing - Motsi & Anton's Strictly The Best [DVD] [2021]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1636376452-51-wTB4ZAL._SL500_.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=320%3A%2A "Strictly Come Dancing - Motsi & Anton's Strictly The Best [DVD] [2021]")
![Strictly Come Dancing: Shirley and Craig's Perfect 10 [DVD]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1602857040-51TXVDJudnL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=320%3A%2A "Strictly Come Dancing: Shirley and Craig's Perfect 10 [DVD]")
![Strictly Come Dancing - Strictly Fit: Dance Fit [DVD]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1619471388-511DbekkqyL._SL500_.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=320%3A%2A "Strictly Come Dancing - Strictly Fit: Dance Fit [DVD]")
![Strictly Come Dancing: Anton's Truly Madly Strictly [DVD] [2019]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1575064108-511rx3JiYnL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=320%3A%2A "Strictly Come Dancing: Anton's Truly Madly Strictly [DVD] [2019]")
![Strictly Come Dancing - Bruno's Bellissimo Blackpool [DVD] [2018]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1560931698-51WFsIDipgL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=320%3A%2A "Strictly Come Dancing - Bruno's Bellissimo Blackpool [DVD] [2018]")
