JUDGE JAKE! STRICTLY WEEK 4

STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026 | ICONS WEEK | SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER

My thoughts, comments and scores as a Ballroom & Latin teacher

Week 4, and my expectations are getting higher! We’ve now seen what these celebrities can do, and whilst nobody can master Ballroom or Latin technique in just a few weeks, I want to see more of those fundamentals being applied.

It’s not just about bigger tricks or harder choreography. I want to see recognisable dancing, musicality, character and, most importantly, improvement!

Here’s what I thought of Icons Week!

1. John Nellis & Katya Jones

Paso Doble | It’s My Life – Bon Jovi

A better Latin performance than last week’s Cha Cha! John’s musicality is a real strength. He understands how to hit the music and bring a routine together.

However, the dancing was still rather overstepped and lacked fluidity. I’d like more partnered Paso sections to really test his technique, balance and ability.

We know from his Ballroom that he has the potential, but I want to see that technique transferred into Latin.

And another lift? That’s two consecutive weeks! I don’t want him becoming a one-trick pony when he doesn’t need to be. Aren’t lifts restricted in these dances?

⭐ MY SCORE: 6/10

2. Dani Dyer & Nikita Kuzmin

Rumba | Hero – Mariah Carey

Rumba is a difficult dance, and I thought Dani understood the choreography and character well. There were recognisable steps and some lovely show-Rumba poses.

However, concentrating on straightening her legs and pointing her feet seemed to make her very upright, with too much curve through the lower back.

This restricted the hip and upper-body action, particularly through the walks and transitions.

Dani can clearly learn and perform a routine with the right emotion. Now I want to see more time spent on the quality of the movement.

Good posing to music, but I want more actual dancing!

⭐ MY SCORE: 7/10

3. Lawrence Robb & Jowita Przystał

Salsa | La Copa de la Vida – Ricky Martin

Why is Salsa so overstepped and stampy this season?

Yes, Salsa has Cuban leg action, but the movement should be subtle and natural, particularly at faster tempos.

Like last week’s Rumba, Lawrence’s hips and lower back seemed rather still, apart from a brief solo section where he showed he could actually move them!

The tricks and lifts were impressive, and he performed the routine well, but I want him to stop looking like he’s thinking about the next step.

He has the ability. Now let’s see more natural rhythm, character and Cuban movement!

⭐ MY SCORE: 6/10

4. Tabby Stoecker & Mark Karmalita

Samba | WHERE IS MY HUSBAND! – RAYE

After last week’s brilliant Argentine Tango, expectations were high!

I loved Mark’s choreography. He consistently combines recognisable dance steps with great showmanship, exactly what I want to see on Strictly!

Tabby delivered the character well, but her posture held back some of the Samba movement.

Bringing her diaphragm and chest forward would free up the upper body and help complete her lines. I’d also like more knee flexion in the travelling sections to create better rhythmical hip action.

A strong performance, just a little stiff in places. She’s certainly becoming a more complete dancer!

⭐ MY SCORE: 7/10

5. Dame Sarah Storey & Julian Caillon

Tango | That Don’t Impress Me Much – Shania Twain

I felt a little sorry for Sarah because this Tango seemed very similar in character to last week’s Paso.

The routine started promisingly, with some nice positions, but as the movement increased, her frame weakened and her head came forward, particularly in promenade.

There was quite a lot of fluff, and I would have preferred more partnered Tango, because the actual steps showed potential!

It wasn’t full of mistakes, but it didn’t really capture the character of Tango for me.

An average performance that could have benefited from simpler choreography and more time developing the technique.

⭐ MY SCORE: 5/10

6. Cach Mercer & Maddie Ingoldsby

Foxtrot | Theme from New York, New York – Frank Sinatra

Now THIS is what I want to see!

Cach was properly tested with recognisable Foxtrot, including some challenging partnered work and, finally, a few more proper slows!

His posture and frame were generally good, although I’d like his head further left and his frame better positioned to create more room with Maddie.

He also needs to strengthen his ankles and use the inside edges of his feet to neaten his leg lines.

When extending his arms, he should move his body away from them to create fuller, stronger shapes.

Great style, good technique developing and definitely Cach’s best week!

⭐ MY SCORE: 8/10

7. Bethany Antonia & Nancy Xu

Cha Cha Cha | Respect – Aretha Franklin

Bethany captured the Aretha Franklin character brilliantly, but I still wanted more actual Cha Cha!

There’s clearly Latin potential here, but too much flexion in both knees meant we lost the contrast between straight and bent legs that creates sharp, powerful Cha Cha action.

She also needs to bring her diaphragm forward and work through the floor rather than picking her feet up.

That would strengthen her hip action and make everything look more natural.

Her performance ability is already there. Give her more basic Latin technique to work with, and I think Bethany could be onto a winner!

⭐ MY SCORE: 6/10

8. Shaun Wright-Phillips & Alexis Warr

Couple’s Choice | James Brown Medley

Another redemption week for Shaun, and probably well-timed after last week’s disappointing Quickstep!

He clearly enjoyed himself, and the character and energy made this an entertaining routine.

Execution wasn’t always clean, and he still seemed to look towards Alexis for reassurance, but there were no major disasters.

As I’ve said before, Couple’s Choice is difficult to judge against traditional Ballroom and Latin.

Nothing was particularly outstanding technically, but it was enjoyable to watch.

I think Couple’s Choice may have saved his bacon! The real test will be when he returns to Ballroom or Latin.

⭐ MY SCORE: 6/10

9. Lacey Turner & Vito Coppola

American Smooth | Hometown Glory – Adele

I was a little confused by this American Smooth!

There were some lovely lines and impressive lifts, but the phrasing and timing didn’t quite work for me.

The transitions felt disconnected, particularly going into and coming out of the lifts.

After last week’s timing issues, I wanted a cleaner performance, but this still felt rather steppy and jumpy for a Ballroom-based dance.

I also struggled to identify which style of American Smooth they were trying to showcase!

There’s definitely potential, but I think simpler choreography and more accurate execution would have delivered a much stronger performance.

A missed opportunity for me.

⭐ MY SCORE: 5/10

10. Graeme Hall & Lauren Oakley

Salsa | ABBA Medley

An interesting Salsa! I liked the disco character and how Lauren put the routine together, but some of the execution felt rather rushed.

The little disco hand rolls were tight, and Graeme’s upper body remained quite stiff despite plenty of movement.

I’d like him to bring his shoulders and head back, lift his chest and create bigger, more natural body action.

On the positive side, his Salsa steps weren’t overstepped. They were lower, flatter and better placed through the balls of his feet.

I just wanted more Cuban rhythm and less posing!

He has the ability, and I think he can be pushed further.

⭐ MY SCORE: 7/10

11. Jaime Winstone & Carlos Gu

Paso Doble | Let’s Dance – David Bowie

Bowie and Paso Doble! A rather transcendent combination, and Jaime’s quirky character made it work!

I loved the musicality and performance. The routine had great energy and a good mixture of Paso and show, although I’d have liked another 10–15% of actual Paso content.

Technically, Jaime needed a stronger frame, particularly when resisting Carlos in the shaping positions.

Her posture was too upright, with the hips needing to come further forward over the balls of the feet to create more strength.

A very enjoyable performance, but stronger shaping and more complete lines would have made it even better!

⭐ MY SCORE: 7/10

12. Will Best & Dianne Buswell

Jive | Crocodile Rock – Elton John

I felt for Will having to learn such an energetic dance during what must have been a knackering week!

He had great rhythm, energy and good body positioning, with his weight forward, hips back and knees flexed.

But the footwork let him down.

His kicks, flicks and general steps lacked ankle extension and accurate foot placement, making the dancing look flat and stamped rather than light and bouncy.

The black shoes and white socks didn’t help hide those issues either!

The performance was there. Now he needs more finesse through the feet.

With cleaner technique, this could have been a great Jive!

⭐ MY SCORE: 7/10

DELTA GOODREM & KAI WIDDRINGTON

Injury bye

Delta was unable to perform during Icons Week because of injury and received a bye into Week 5.

⭐ MY SCORE: N/A

🪩 JUDGE JAKE’S WEEK 4 LEADERBOARD

Position

Couple

Score

🥇 1st

Cach & Maddie

8/10

Joint 2nd

Dani & Nikita

7/10

Joint 2nd

Tabby & Mark

7/10

Joint 2nd

Graeme & Lauren

7/10

Joint 2nd

Jaime & Carlos

7/10

Joint 2nd

Will & Dianne

7/10

Joint 7th

John & Katya

6/10

Joint 7th

Lawrence & Jowita

6/10

Joint 7th

Bethany & Nancy

6/10

Joint 7th

Shaun & Alexis

6/10

Joint 11th

Lacey & Vito

5/10

Joint 11th

Sarah & Julian

5/10

N/A

Delta & Kai

Injury bye

My performance of Icons Week: Cach & Maddie’s Foxtrot!

Finally, a routine that really showcased proper Ballroom dancing, with recognisable steps, challenging choreography and technical improvement!

🪩 MY OVERALL THOUGHTS

I don’t think we saw huge improvements across the board this week.

The standard is rising, and with the hours these celebrities are putting in, I want to see more attention given to technique, not just choreography and performance.

Nobody expects perfection after four weeks, but I do expect to see the fundamentals developing!

🪩 THE DANCE-OFF

I think Sarah leaving was probably the right decision.

She had some promising moments, but looking at her performances and scores across the last few weeks, I wasn’t seeing the same level of improvement as some of the others.

It’s a shame, but ultimately, this is a dancing competition!

💬 NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Was I fair or too harsh? Who impressed you most during Icons Week, and which of my scores would YOU change?

Head over to Hove Dance Centre’s Facebook or Instagram and let me know what you thought of the performances, the judges and the dance-off!

Don’t be afraid to disagree with me. That’s half the fun! 😂

JUDGE JAKE | HOVE DANCE CENTRE