Dust off those sequins and prepare for some strategic Samba: Strictly Come Dancing’s infamous Dance-A-Thon returns. This season’s iteration, set for November 23rd, features the Samba and is sure to inject some chaos into the competition just weeks before the final.
For the uninitiated, the Dance-A-Thon isn’t your typical Strictly affair. Couples, whose identities will be unveiled following the Blackpool results show on November 17th, will shimmy, shake, and strategically sidestep until the judges, with merciless efficiency, eliminate them one by one. The last couple standing snags a handy seven bonus points, while the first pair shown the door receives a mere single point.
The Dance-A-Thon, a callback to traditional ballroom competitions, first graced our screens in 2009 and has popped up intermittently throughout Strictly’s two-decade run. This year, it’s the Samba that’s been chosen for the endurance test. It’s a rhythm known for its energy and hip action, which should lead to either some spectacular displays or some truly awkward shuffling, depending on the couples’ stamina and skill.
While the casual viewer will undoubtedly enjoy the visual spectacle (and potential for mishaps), the Dance-A-Thon also adds an element of strategy for the more dedicated fan. Could a couple on the brink of elimination use a strong Samba showing to claw their way back up the leaderboard? Or will a frontrunner stumble, opening a window for a competitor?
The Samba-Thon looks to be a pivotal moment in the 21st season. Its placement in the schedule, just weeks before the grand finale, suggests it could significantly reshape the race for the glitterball trophy. Whether the Dance-A-Thon is a beloved tradition or an unwelcome interruption, it will certainly spice things up.
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday, November 23 on BBC One and iPlayer.
