It’s that time of the year on Strictly Come Dancing when the celebrities switch-up their glitzy wardrobes for something a bit more ghoulish.
The new series is already in full swing, with couples leaving week by week and dances scattering up and down the leaderboard.
Fans have enjoyed seeing the celebrities dress to impress in glamorous ball gowns and tiny leotards, but now its time to change into spook-tacularly good fancy dress.
Despite the dances being the most important part of the routine, viewers are eager to look out for who has put in the most effort in the make-up, hair and costume department.
As this year’s Halloween Week kicks off, here’s a look some of the best spooky performances and iconic costumes throughout the years.
Exciting: It’s that time of the year on Strictly Come Dancing when celebrities switch-up their glitzy wardrobe for something ghastly looking (Will Mellor and Nancy Xu pictured in 2022)
Coming up: Fans have enjoyed seeing the celebrities dress to impress in glamorous ball gowns but now it’s time for ghoulishly fancy dress (Tom Fletcher and Amy Dowden pictured in 2021)
Hilarious: As this year’s Halloween Week kicks off, here’s a look some of the best spooky performances and iconic costumes throughout the years (Ed Balls pictured in 2016)
Frankie Bridge dressing up as a witch (2014)
Frankie took to the dance floor dressed up as the iconic witch from Wicked, as she danced the Tango to Defying Gravity with her Strictly professional Kevin Clifton.
The former Saturday’s singer dressed up as a green witch as she covered her body head-to-toe in green paint.
Frankie, who come runner-up in the competition almost 10 years ago, scored an impressive 37 points for her sensational performance.
Judges Darcey Bussell, Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli praised the pair on their incredible performance for Halloween week.
Darcey said: ‘It was so beautiful I shivered down my back. I was so taken away with your performance. I can’t wait to see you return next week’.
Craig commented: ‘It was a spectacular number,’ while the late judge Len simply said: ‘One word – fabulous!’
Bruno added:’ I had tingles down my spine. It almost brought tears to my eyes at the end. It was simply amazing.’
A look to remember: Frankie Bridge took to the dance floor dressed up as the iconic witch from Wicked, as she danced the Tango to Defying Gravity with her Strictly partner Kevin Clifton
History: The former Saturday’s singer dressed up as a green witch as she covered her body head-to-toe in green paint
Craig Revel Horwood in drag (2022)
The judges are sure to get involved every year as they make a grand entrance, kicking off the show in iconic fancy dress costumes.
Last year, fans went wild over judge Craig as he dressed as Morticia Adams.
The judge looked completely unrecognisable as he arrived on the dancefloor in his hilarious outfit before taking his seat on the panel.
The other also made a lasting impression as Motsi Mabuse bejewelled her face, Anton Du Beke dressed as a pirate and Shirley put on a Addams Family costume as she dressed as Gomez.
Do you recognise him? The judges are sure to get involved every year as they make a grand entrance, kicking off the show in iconic fancy dress costumes (pictured Craig Revel Horwood)
Ellie Taylor as the wicked witch (2022)
The comedian landed in joint top of the leaderboard for her performance during Halloween Week in 2022 with her dance partner Johannes Radebe.
The star, 39, transformed into a spooky character and manage to climb to the top with her excellent performance.
The judges were impressed with Craig saying: ‘You have gone the full hog, you were just ahead of the tempo but it was one of your best dances’. Motsi Mabuse then said it was her favourite dance of the night.
At the time, Ellie said that she wanted to ’embrace her weird side’ to inspire her daughter.
Prior to her ghastly performance, she told The Mirror: ‘I’m approaching it the same way I’d want my daughter to approach anything in her life, which is that you don’t have to be the best, but you have to try and do your best.
‘That’s absolutely what I’m trying to do. If I can get that out of the competition, I think that’s a good example to her – to try really hard and embrace your weird.’
An indeed she did. The star ripped out her weird and funny side and impressed the judges with her Halloween special.
Success: Ellie Taylor, 39, landed in joint top of the leaderboard for her performance during Halloween Week in 2022 with her partner Johannes Radebe
Confident: The star transformed into a spooky character and manage to climb to the top with her excellent performance
Exciting: Prior to her ghastly performance, she told The Mirror: ‘I’m approaching it the same way I’d want my daughter to approach anything in her life, which is that you don’t have to be the best, but you have to try and do your best
Kevin Fletcher’s killer tango (2019)
Kevin fletcher kicked off 2019 Halloween Week with a sensational dance to the tango with his Strictly partner Oti Mabuse.
Kelvin and Oti turned out another stellar performance where they scored 36 out of 40.
Despite one small mistake, the pair were showered with praise for their dance, with Bruno gushing: ‘Bad! Bad! Oh but so good, talk about a Tango with a killer bite, almost hypnotic power and intention.
‘The staccato was razor sharp, the dance the choreography my darling was superb. You made a mistake in the link there, otherwise it was one of the most memorising tangos I’ve ever seen. The Prince of Darkness is the Prince of Tango.’
Without the error it seemed likely that Kelvin and Oti would have scored higher, but regardless they still earned 36 points out of 40.
Sinister: Kevin fletcher kicked off 2019 Halloween Week with a sensational dance to the tango with his Strictly partner Oti Mabuse
Freaky: Kelvin and Oti turned out another stellar performance where they scored 36 out of 40
Seann Walsh’s Halloween Week blunder (2018)
Strictly’s most talked about contestant Seann Walsh was eliminated from the competition during Halloween week with his dance partner Katya Jones.
Things were bound to be a little awkward between the couple, following Seann and Katya’s infamous snog.
Seann tried to make light of the cheating scandal as he returned to comedy after being voted off the BBC show.
The original scandalous snaps came out just hours after Seann’s then-girlfriend of five years Rebecca Humphries was seen emotionally cheering him on in the audience, when the dancing duo wowed with a Matrix-theme Paso Doble.
Sadly the good times were short-lived after the snaps showing Seann and Katya’s kiss were published, as it was also revealed the exchange in question took place on Rebecca’s birthday (October 3rd).
The actress proceeded to dump Seann in an extremely public Twitter statement, in which she accused him of ‘inappropriate’ and ‘hurtful’ behaviour, as well as admitting he called her a ‘psycho/nuts/mental.’
Awks: Strictly’s most talked about contestant Seann Walsh was eliminated from the competition during Halloween week with his dance partner Katya Jones
Spookily bad luck: The pair were removed from the competition shortly after their infamous kiss
Tilly Ramsay as Frankenstein’s bride (2021)
The daughter of Gordan Ramsay, 21, certainly impressed fans when she arrived on the dance floor with a face full of green paint in 2021.
The social media star danced as Frankenstein’s bride with her professional partner Nikita Kuzmin.
Alongside the green face paint, Tilly still sported dramatic stage make-up as she wore fluttery eyelashes and a red lip.
The dancing duo performed the Latin dance to Spooky Movies by Gary Paxton as they dressed as Frankenstein and Frankenstein’s bride for the Halloween special.
The pair impressed the judges with their dance and scored an amazing 35 points, leaving them third on the leaderboard.
Best dressed: Tilly Ramsay, 21, certainty impressed fans when she arrived on the dance floor with a face full of green paint in 2021 (pictured with Nikita Kuzmin)
Incredible: The social media star danced as Frankenstein’s bride with her professional partner Nikita Kuzmin
Iconic: The dancing duo performed the Latin dance to Spooky Movies by Gary Paxton as they dressed as Frankenstein and Frankenstein’s bride for the Halloween special
Rose Ayling-Ellis with her perfect score (2021)
Strictly’s Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice catapulted the top of the leaderboard after getting the earliest ever perfect score awarded in the dance contest’s history.
The EastEnders actress and her professional partner left the judges gobsmacked after they took to the floor with a sexy Tango to Ed Sheeran’s new track, Shivers, for the Halloween special.
Rose, the show’s first deaf contestant, gave it her all on the dance floor and the couple nailed the flawless tango, filled with fancy footwork, ‘out of this world’ technique and plenty of attitude.
The incredible dance left head judge Shirley and Motsi on their feet, while Craig simply said that Rose ‘smashed it’.
Much to Rose and Giovanni’s delight, Anton said: ‘I’ve written a few things down, and they all basically say perfect. Congratulations!’
Record-breaking: Strictly’s Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice catapulted the top of the leaderboard after getting the earliest ever perfect score awarded in the dance contest’s history, in the Halloween special
Ashley Roberts as a troll (2018)
Ashley stole the judges hearts with her incredible performance during Halloween Week with her Strictly partner Faye Tozer.
The former Pussycat Doll scored hattricks as they received an impressive three 10s for their amazing routine.
She had the audience up on their feet as they watched her take the stage with her outstanding Trolls-inspired Charleston.
Judge Bruno said: ‘Astonishing. That was a magical spell bounding, exuberant, action packed comedy of a Charleston. It will be one of the best strictly moments of the season.’
‘Craig hailed it ‘swivelicious,’ while Shirley said: ‘It was one of the best choreographic routines I’ve ever seen. You were outstanding.’
Praised: Ashley Roberts stole the judges hearts with her incredible performance during Halloween Week with her Strictly partner Faye Tozer
Gone down in history: The former Pussycat Doll scored hattricks as they received an impressive three 10s for their amazing routine
Nancy Dell’Olio Halloween nightmare (2011)
Nancy didn’t receive the best of results for her performance during Halloween Week.
The Italian-British lawyer rose from the ‘dead’ as she stepped out of a glittery coffin wearing a spider-web frock at the start of her performance.
Its a sight that some Strictly viewers will never be able to un-see, with some recalling the lawyer should have stayed in the coffin the whole performance, because it was so ‘unflattering to see’.
Judge Alisha said: ‘Nancy, I think you’re a sexy woman and you know how to work it but I have to be honest, you are a walking disaster. The lift was so unflattering, you both should have stayed in the coffin.’
Awks: Nancy Dell’Olio rose from the ‘dead’ as she stepped out of a glittery coffin wearing a spider-web frock at the start of her performance
Fail: Its a sight that some Strictly viewers will never be able to un-see, with some recalling the lawyer should have stayed in the coffin the whole performance, because it was so ‘unflattering to see’ (pictured with partner Anton Du Beke)
Aston Merrygold (2017)
The JLS star and Janette Manrara wowed with their Paso Doble, which scored an impressive 38 points from the judges.
But, the dance partners received a lot of hate prior to their performance as they were filmed practicing their routine in a graveyard, which they filmed in the short video that is played before they perform.
Fans of the show immediately took to Twitter to brand the choice of location ‘disrespectful’ – after the pint-sized pair were seen dancing in a cemetery for their VT, during the Halloween special.
Incredible: The JLS star and Janette Manrara wowed with their Paso Doble, which scored an impressive 38 points from the judges
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2023: THE CONTESTANTS’ PROFILES
Angela Rippon
Age: 78
Profession: Journalist
Angela says: ‘Having been a fan of Strictly since day one, and as a former presenter of Come Dancing, this will be quite an adventure for me. A scary one, considering I’m about to be 79. But I’m looking forward to the challenge, and perhaps being able to learn to dance the Argentine Tango.’
Amanda Abbington
Age: 49
Profession: Actress
Amanda says: ‘I’m thrilled to have been asked to do Strictly. I’m actually really shy and self-conscious so this will be a great opportunity for me to overcome those things.’
Layton Williams
Age: 28
Profession: Actor
Layton says: ‘Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK! It’s time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!’
Krishnan Guru-Murthy
Age: 53
Profession: Journalist
Krishnan says: ‘I’m surprised, delighted and slightly confused to find myself taking part in Strictly on the basis of ‘You only live once!’ I can’t wait to start learning to dance, but I am slightly worried about my general decrepitude.’
Eddie Kadi
Age: 40
Profession: Comedian and radio presenter
Eddie says: ‘WOW. Anyone who knows me, understands that music and dance is so important and central to who I am. I’m so unbelievably proud and honoured that Strictly and the BBC have asked me to join the 2023 Team. I promise you, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. This is going to be a VIBE.
Angela Scanlon
Age: 39
Profession: TV presenter
Angela says: ‘I’m not particularly fit, I’ve no idea how my pelvic floor is going to react to this dancing. I’ve never done any dances apart from drunken jiving at a wedding!’
Zara McDermott
Age: 26
Profession: Documentary maker and former Love Island star
Zara says: ‘I am so excited to be joining the world of Strictly! I grew up watching it every year with my nan and she was the biggest Strictly fan. We would dance around the house and I have such fond memories of that time in my life.’
Adam Thomas
Age: 34
Profession: Actor and presenter
Adam says: ‘I can’t dance to save my life but I’m buzzing to learn and have a good laugh with my pro. Get me on that dance floor…I can’t wait!’
Ellie Leach
Age: 22
Profession: Coronation Street star
Ellie says: ‘It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be doing Strictly!! It’s always been a dream of mine so I guess dreams really do come true!!!!’
Bobby Brazier
Age: 20
Profession: EastEnders star and model
Bobby says: ‘I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly line up, I can’t wait to start training like a professional dancer and adding a few moves to my locker. I’m looking forward to performing in-front of everyone.’
Nigel Harman
Age: 49
Profession: Actor
Nigel says: ‘I’m amazed, excited, and terrified to be doing Strictly. As an armchair fan of the show I have watched in awe as people have twirled and gyrated across the screen. And now it’s my turn…..gulp!’
Annabel Croft
Age: 57
Profession: Broadcaster and ex tennis player
Annabel says: ‘I have always loved watching Strictly and can’t quite believe I’m going to be part of this magical show – swapping tennis balls for glitter balls and looking forward to finding some joyfulness in the process.’
