Strictly Come Dancing (series 15)


Strictly Come Dancing returned for its fifteenth series with a launch show on 9 September on BBC One, with the live shows starting on 23 September 2017. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman returned as hosts, while Zoe Ball returned to host on BBC Two. Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood, and Darcey Bussell returned as judges. On 9 May 2017, it was announced that Len Goodman, who had retired from the show, would be replaced by Shirley Ballas.
Tonioli missed the week 5 episode due to a scheduling conflict, and was not replaced by a guest judge. Therefore, the maximum score for a pair that week was 30.
In a change to the format to previous series, there was no elimination in the final, hence there were three runner-up couples this series. The series was won by Holby City actor Joe McFadden and his professional partner Katya Jones. McFadden was both the first Scottish celebrity and the oldest, at 42 years old, to win the show. Another 'Strictly' record was broken as Alexandra Burke scored the most "10s" in the history of the show with 32 surpassing the record set by Series 7 runner-up Ricky Whittle. This was Cole’s last series as a pro.

Professional dancers

On 21 June 2017, the list of professionals returning for the fifteenth series was revealed. Professionals from the last series who did not return include last year's winner Joanne Clifton, former professional finalist Natalie Lowe and Oksana Platero. Amy Dowden, former Dancing with the Stars Australia professional dancer Dianne Buswell and Nadiya Bychkova replaced them. For the second year in a row, Neil Jones and Chloe Hewitt were not partnered with a celebrity.

Couples

On 7 August 2017, the first celebrity announced to be participating in the series was The Saturdays singer Mollie King. Celebrity reveals continued across the month with the line up being completed on The One Show on 21 August 2017.
CelebrityKnown forProfessional partnerStatus
Chizzy AkudoluActress & comedianPasha KovalevEliminated 1st
on 1 October 2017
Rev. Richard ColesChurch of England priest & radio presenterDianne BuswellEliminated 2nd
on 8 October 2017
Charlotte HawkinsGood Morning Britain presenter & journalistBrendan ColeEliminated 3rd
on 15 October 2017
Brian ConleyComedian, singer, & actorAmy DowdenEliminated 4th
on 22 October 2017
Simon RimmerChef & Sunday Brunch presenterKaren CliftonEliminated 5th
on 29 October 2017
Aston MerrygoldFormer JLS singerJanette ManraraEliminated 6th
on 5 November 2017
Ruth LangsfordTelevision presenterAnton du BekeEliminated 7th
on 12 November 2017
Jonnie PeacockParalympic sprinterOti MabuseEliminated 8th
on 19 November 2017
Susan CalmanStand-up comedian & television presenterKevin CliftonEliminated 9th
on 26 November 2017
Davood GhadamiEastEnders actorNadiya BychkovaEliminated 10th
on 3 December 2017
Mollie KingFormer The Saturdays singerAJ PritchardEliminated 11th
on 10 December 2017
Alexandra BurkeSinger-songwriterGorka MárquezRunners-up
on 16 December 2017
Debbie McGeeRadio presenter & former magician's assistantGiovanni PerniceRunners-up
on 16 December 2017
Gemma AtkinsonActress & former modelAljaž SkorjanecRunners-up
on 16 December 2017
Joe McFaddenHolby City actorKatya JonesWinners
on 16 December 2017

Scoring chart

Average chart

For Week 5, where Bruno Tonioli was absent and there were only three judges, the scores have been weighted to work on the same scale. Extra points given from the Paso Doble-thon in Week 10 have been omitted from the total.
Rank by
average
PlaceCoupleTotal
points
Number of
dances
Total
average
12Alexandra & Gorka5831636.4
22Debbie & Giovanni5671635.4
31Joe & Katya5401633.7
410Aston & Janette225732.1
52Gemma & Aljaž4961631.0
66Davood & Nadiya3341130.4
75Mollie & AJ3601327.7
88Jonnie & Oti232925.8
97Susan & Kevin2331023.3
1012Brian & Amy99519.8
119Ruth & Anton158819.7
1211Simon & Karen111618.5
1215Chizzy & Pasha37218.5
1413Charlotte & Brendan70417.5
1514Rev. Richard & Dianne48316.0

Highest and lowest scoring performances of the series

The highest and lowest performances in each dance are as follows. Scores from Week 5, when there were only three judges, have been adjusted to show a score out of 40.
DanceCelebrityHighest scoreCelebrityLowest score
American SmoothAlexandra Burke40Simon Rimmer16
Argentine TangoDebbie McGee40Davood Ghadami29
Cha-Cha-ChaAlexandra Burke39Charlotte Hawkins12
CharlestonJoe McFadden40Ruth Langsford20
FoxtrotDebbie McGee36Chizzy Akudolu16
JiveAlexandra Burke40Charlotte Hawkins19
Paso DobleAston Merrygold
Gemma Atkinson
38Rev. Richard Coles14
Paso Doble-thonAlexandra Burke7Susan Calman1
QuickstepAlexandra Burke39Simon Rimmer19
RumbaDebbie McGee36Ruth Langsford15
SalsaAlexandra Burke40Gemma Atkinson26
SambaJoe McFadden37Simon Rimmer19
ShowdanceAlexandra Burke
Joe McFadden
39Gemma Atkinson37
TangoDebbie McGee40Brian Conley16
Viennese WaltzAlexandra Burke
Joe McFadden
39Susan Calman20
WaltzDavood Ghadami35Ruth Langsford16

Jonnie Peacock and Mollie King are the only celebrities not to land on this list.

Couples' highest and lowest scoring dances

The highest and lowest performances in each couple are listed. Scores from Week 5, when there were only three judges, have been adjusted to show a score out of 40.
CouplesHighest scoring danceLowest scoring dance
Joe & KatyaCharleston Tango
Alexandra & GorkaSalsa
American Smooth
Jive
Waltz
Debbie & GiovanniTango
Argentine Tango
Cha-Cha-Cha
Gemma & AljažAmerican Smooth Cha-Cha-Cha
Mollie & AJViennese Waltz
Waltz
Paso Doble
Davood & NadiyaCharleston Samba
Rumba
Susan & KevinQuickstep Foxtrot
Jonnie & OtiQuickstep Waltz
Cha-Cha-Cha
Ruth & AntonTango Rumba
Aston & JanettePaso Doble Viennese Waltz
Simon & KarenCharleston American Smooth
Brian & AmyAmerican Smooth Tango
Charlotte & BrendanFoxtrot Cha-Cha-Cha
Rev. Richard & DianneCha-Cha-Cha
American Smooth
Paso Doble
Chizzy & PashaCha-Cha-Cha Foxtrot

Weekly scores and songs

Unless indicated otherwise, individual judges scores in the charts below are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Shirley Ballas, Bruno Tonioli.

Launch show

Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusic
Gemma & Aljaž20 Cha-Cha-Cha"There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back"—Shawn Mendes
Brian & Amy16 Tango"Temptation"—Heaven 17
Alexandra & Gorka24 Waltz" A Natural Woman"—Aretha Franklin
Simon & Karen17 Paso Doble"Song 2"—Blur
Charlotte & Brendan22 Foxtrot"The Best Is Yet to Come"—Michael Bublé
Chizzy & Pasha21 Cha-Cha-Cha"Boogie Fever"—The Sylvers
Jonnie & Oti20 Waltz"When I Need You"—Luther Vandross
Joe & Katya29 Jive"Rockin' Robin"—Michael Jackson
Susan & Kevin20 Viennese Waltz"Mad About the Boy"—Dinah Washington
Debbie & Giovanni30 Paso Doble"Be Italian"—Fergie
Davood & Nadiya27 Cha-Cha-Cha"Dedication to My Ex "—Lloyd feat. André 3000
Ruth & Anton16 Waltz"This Nearly Was Mine"—Seth MacFarlane
Rev. Richard & Dianne17 Cha-Cha-Cha"There Must Be an Angel "—Eurythmics
Mollie & AJ23 Jive"Good Golly, Miss Molly"—Little Richard
Aston & Janette31 Foxtrot"It Had to Be You"—Harry Connick Jr.

Week 2

; Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusicResult
Chizzy & Pasha16 Foxtrot"I'm a Woman"—from Smokey Joe's CafeEliminated
Aston & Janette32 Salsa"Despacito"—Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee feat. Justin BieberSafe
Susan & Kevin22 Charleston"If You Knew Susie"—Enoch Light & The Charleston City All-StarsSafe
Charlotte & Brendan12 Cha-Cha-Cha"Sugar"—Maroon 5Safe
Joe & Katya22 Tango"Castle on the Hill"—Ed SheeranSafe
Brian & Amy19 Cha-Cha-Cha"Shake Your Groove Thing"—Peaches & HerbBottom two
Gemma & Aljaž26 Waltz"Un Giorno Per Noi "—Josh GrobanSafe
Rev. Richard & Dianne17 American Smooth"Love Really Hurts Without You"—Billy OceanSafe
Ruth & Anton20 Charleston"The Charleston"—Bob Wilson and his Varsity Rhythm BoysSafe
Simon & Karen19 Waltz"You'll Never Walk Alone"—Rodgers and HammersteinSafe
Mollie & AJ25 Tango"Addicted to Love"—Tina TurnerSafe
Jonnie & Oti29 Jive"Johnny B. Goode"—Chuck BerrySafe
Debbie & Giovanni34 Viennese Waltz"She's Always a Woman"—Billy JoelSafe
Davood & Nadiya27 Quickstep"Last Nite"—The StrokesSafe
Alexandra & Gorka36 Paso Doble"Ven a Bailar"—Jennifer LopezSafe

;Judges' votes to save
; Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusicResult
Simon & Karen19 Quickstep"You've Got a Friend in Me"—from Toy StoryBottom two
Ruth & Anton15 Rumba"Diamonds Are Forever"—from Diamonds Are ForeverSafe
Mollie & AJ30 American Smooth"Climb Ev'ry Mountain"—from The Sound of MusicSafe
Rev. Richard & Dianne14 Paso Doble"Flash's Theme"—from Flash GordonEliminated
Debbie & Giovanni29 Quickstep"Let's Call the Whole Thing Off"—from Shall We DanceSafe
Brian & Amy22 American Smooth"If I Only Had a Brain"—from The Wizard of OzSafe
Gemma & Aljaž31 Charleston"The Bare Necessities"—from The Jungle BookSafe
Charlotte & Brendan17 Tango"Danger Zone"—from Top GunSafe
Jonnie & Oti26 Paso Doble"The Raiders March"—from the Indiana Jones filmsSafe
Susan & Kevin20 Samba"Wonder Woman Theme"—from Wonder WomanSafe
Joe & Katya32 Viennese Waltz"Somewhere My Love"—from Doctor ZhivagoSafe
Aston & Janette35 Cha-Cha-Cha"Can't Stop the Feeling!"—from TrollsSafe
Alexandra & Gorka33 American Smooth"Wouldn't It Be Loverly"—from My Fair LadySafe
Davood & Nadiya25 Samba"Stayin' Alive"—from Saturday Night FeverSafe

;Judges' votes to save
; Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusicResult
Debbie & Giovanni27 Cha-Cha-Cha"The Shoop Shoop Song "—CherSafe
Brian & Amy21 Paso Doble"I Believe in a Thing Called Love"—The DarknessSafe
Mollie & AJ27 Salsa"Súbeme la Radio"—Enrique IglesiasSafe
Davood & Nadiya29 Viennese Waltz"Say You Love Me"—Jessie WareBottom two
Charlotte & Brendan19 Jive"Marry You"—Bruno MarsEliminated
Joe & Katya24 Cha-Cha-Cha"You Keep Me Hangin' On"—Human NatureSafe
Ruth & Anton24 Tango"Allegretto"—BondSafe
Aston & Janette32 Quickstep"Mr. Blue Sky"—Electric Light OrchestraSafe
Simon & Karen19 Samba"Copacabana"—Barry ManilowSafe
Gemma & Aljaž35 Paso Doble"Viva la Vida"—ColdplaySafe
Alexandra & Gorka39 Jive"Proud Mary"—Tina TurnerSafe
Jonnie & Oti31 American Smooth"Cry Me a River"—Michael BubléSafe
Susan & Kevin30 Quickstep"Bring Me Sunshine"—The Jive AcesSafe

;Judges' votes to save
Individual judges scores given in the chart below are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Shirley Ballas.
; Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusicResult
Davood & Nadiya22 Jive"Tell Her About It"—Billy JoelSafe
Mollie & AJ24 Viennese Waltz"Anyone Who Had a Heart"—Cilla BlackSafe
Simon & Karen16 Charleston"Fit as a Fiddle "—Gene KellyBottom two
Debbie & Giovanni27 Rumba"Baby Can I Hold You"—Tracy ChapmanSafe
Brian & Amy16 Jive"It's Not Unusual"—Tom JonesEliminated
Susan & Kevin16 Cha-Cha-Cha"Shout Out to My Ex"—Little MixSafe
Aston & Janette24 Waltz"Can't Help Falling in Love"—MreeSafe
Ruth & Anton16 Samba"Love Is in the Air"—John Paul YoungSafe
Gemma & Aljaž24 Foxtrot"Believe"—Madilyn BaileySafe
Joe & Katya26 Paso Doble"Diablo Rojo"—Rodrigo y GabrielaSafe
Alexandra & Gorka23 Samba"Shape of You"—Ed SheeranSafe
Jonnie & Oti24 Quickstep"Part-Time Lover"—Stevie WonderSafe

;Judges' votes to save
; Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusicResult
Jonnie & Oti20 Cha-Cha-Cha"Troublemaker"—Olly Murs feat. Flo RidaSafe
Ruth & Anton22 Quickstep"Bewitched Theme"—Steve LawrenceSafe
Simon & Karen16 American Smooth"Delilah"—Tom JonesEliminated
Gemma & Aljaž30 Jive"Ever Fallen in Love "—BuzzcocksSafe
Joe & Katya32 Foxtrot"Trouble"—ColdplaySafe
Mollie & AJ27 Cha-Cha-Cha"Better the Devil You Know"—Kylie MinogueBottom two
Alexandra & Gorka35 Tango"Maneater"—Nelly FurtadoSafe
Davood & Nadiya25 Rumba"Wicked Game"—Chris IsaakSafe
Susan & Kevin18 Foxtrot"Killer Queen"—QueenSafe
Debbie & Giovanni39 Charleston"Frankie"—Sister SledgeSafe
Aston & Janette38 Paso Doble"Smells Like Teen Spirit"—NirvanaSafe

;Judges' votes to save
; Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusicResult
Alexandra & Gorka39 Cha-Cha-Cha"I've Got the Music in Me"—Marcia HinesSafe
Mollie & AJ27 Foxtrot"Call Me Irresponsible"—Connie FrancisBottom two
Joe & Katya36 Charleston"Alexander's Ragtime Band"—Ella FitzgeraldSafe
Gemma & Aljaž26 Salsa"Sun Comes Up"—Rudimental feat. James ArthurSafe
Aston & Janette25 Viennese Waltz"Who's Lovin' You"—The Jackson 5Eliminated
Ruth & Anton22 Paso Doble"The Shady Dame from Seville"—Julie AndrewsSafe
Debbie & Giovanni40 Tango"I Gotta Feeling"—The Black Eyed PeasSafe
Jonnie & Oti27 Salsa"Turn Me On"—Kevin LyttleSafe
Susan & Kevin29 Jive"This Ole House"—Shakin' StevensSafe
Davood & Nadiya35 American Smooth"This Will Be "—Natalie ColeSafe

;Judges' votes to save
; Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusicResult
Susan & Kevin27 Tango"Firework"—Katy PerrySafe
Joe & Katya33 Rumba"One"—U2 & Mary J. BligeSafe
Ruth & Anton18 Foxtrot"Mack the Knife"—Bobby DarinEliminated
Davood & Nadiya38 Charleston"The Lambeth Walk"—Pasadena Roof OrchestraSafe
Gemma & Aljaž28 Viennese Waltz"You Don't Have to Say You Love Me"—Brenda LeeSafe
Alexandra & Gorka38 Argentine Tango"Mi Confesión"—Gotan ProjectSafe
Mollie & AJ22 Paso Doble"Layla"—Derek and the DominosSafe
Jonnie & Oti21 Foxtrot"Someone like You"—AdeleBottom two
Debbie & Giovanni35 Salsa"Can't Take My Eyes Off You"—Boys Town GangSafe

;Judges' votes to save
; Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusicResult
Mollie & AJ29 Charleston"Wings"—Little MixSafe
Susan & Kevin25 Paso Doble"Scott & Fran's Paso Doble"—from Strictly BallroomSafe
Debbie & Giovanni33 Samba"Wannabe/Who Do You Think You Are"—Spice GirlsBottom two
Jonnie & Oti26 Tango"Sweet Dreams "—EurythmicsEliminated
Gemma & Aljaž38 American Smooth"Downtown"—Petula ClarkSafe
Davood & Nadiya35 Paso Doble"Live and Let Die"—Paul McCartney and WingsSafe
Alexandra & Gorka39 Quickstep"The Gold Diggers' Song "—from 42nd StreetSafe
Joe & Katya34 Salsa"Ride on Time"—Black BoxSafe

;Judges' votes to save
; Running order
;Judges' votes to save
; Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusicResult
Gemma & Aljaž29 Quickstep"Hello, Dolly!"—from Hello, Dolly!Safe
Mollie & AJ31 Rumba"Hopelessly Devoted to You"—from GreaseSafe
Joe & Katya37 Samba"Money, Money"—from CabaretSafe
Debbie & Giovanni39 American Smooth"Memory"—from CatsSafe
Davood & Nadiya29 Argentine Tango"The Phantom of the Opera"—from The Phantom of the OperaEliminated
Alexandra & Gorka39 Charleston"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"—from Mary PoppinsBottom two

;Judges' votes to save
;Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusicResult
Joe & Katya35 American Smooth"Have You Met Miss Jones?"—Robbie WilliamsSafe
Joe & Katya35 Argentine Tango"Human"—Rag'n'Bone ManSafe
Alexandra & Gorka39 Viennese Waltz"Everybody Hurts"—R.E.M.Safe
Alexandra & Gorka40 Salsa"Finally"—CeCe PenistonSafe
Mollie & AJ24 Samba"Whenever, Wherever"—ShakiraEliminated
Mollie & AJ32 Waltz"Angel"—Sarah McLachlanEliminated
Gemma & Aljaž30 Rumba"Beneath Your Beautiful"—Labrinth feat. Emeli SandéBottom two
Gemma & Aljaž32 Tango"My Sharona"—Royal BloodBottom two
Debbie & Giovanni34 Jive"I'm So Excited"—The Pointer SistersSafe
Debbie & Giovanni36 Foxtrot"Isn't She Lovely"—Stevie WonderSafe

For the Dance Off, Mollie & AJ chose to dance their Waltz, while Gemma & Aljaž chose to dance their Tango.
;Judges' votes to save
;Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusicResult
Alexandra & Gorka40 American Smooth"Wouldn't It Be Loverly"—from My Fair LadyRunners-up
Alexandra & Gorka39 Showdance"There's No Business Like Show Business"—Ethel MermanRunners-up
Alexandra & Gorka40 Jive"Proud Mary"—Tina TurnerRunners-up
Debbie & Giovanni39 Salsa"Can't Take My Eyes Off You"—Boys Town GangRunners-up
Debbie & Giovanni38 Showdance"One Day I'll Fly Away"—VaultsRunners-up
Debbie & Giovanni40 Argentine Tango"Por una Cabeza"—Carlos Gardel & Alfredo Le PeraRunners-up
Gemma & Aljaž38 Paso Doble"Viva la Vida"—ColdplayRunners-up
Gemma & Aljaž37 Showdance"Show Me How You Burlesque"—Christina AguileraRunners-up
Gemma & Aljaž39 American Smooth"Downtown"—Petula ClarkRunners-up
Joe & Katya39 Viennese Waltz"Somewhere My Love"—from Doctor ZhivagoWinners
Joe & Katya39 Showdance"You Make My Dreams"—Hall & OatesWinners
Joe & Katya40 Charleston"Alexander's Ragtime Band"—Ella FitzgeraldWinners

Dance chart

Weekly ratings for each show on BBC One. All ratings are provided by BARB. The series 15 first live show with 11.04 million viewers is the most watched series debut for the show in its history.