Strictly Come Dancing 2016: Claudia Fragapane receives her first 10 for Lion King salsa in musicals week

The Olympic gymnast received her first full marks from Bruno Tonioli
Personal best: Claudia Fragapane earned her first 10 from a Strictly judge for Lion King salsa
BBC / Guy Levy
Ben Travis5 December 2016

Claudia Fragapane had her best week on Strictly Come Dancing yet, earning a full ten marks from one of the judges for the first time.

The Olympic gymnast performed a salsa to The Lion King classic I Just Can’t Wait to be King in a week themed around musicals.

Bruno Tonioli gave Fragapane and AJ Pritchard’s routine ten out of ten.

“What I saw tonight, I saw the little kitten showing a bit of bite – and I love that,” he said. “Tonight you let your hair down, it was like a spice girl out there.”

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The rest of the judges awarded Claudia nine marks each.

“That routine was packed full – you were using that body,” praised Darcey Bussell.

Len Goodman said: “You captured the flavour of The Lion King, but you also captured the flavour of salsa.

“You’re clean, you’re precise, I never ever worry that things are going to go Pete Tong. You’re a terrific dancer, and a bundle of joy.”

Even Craig Revel Horwood had kind words to say. Despite a few technical foibles, he claimed Fragapane’s “body isolation is extraordinary, compact and clean”. He described the dance as “absolutely amazing, darling”.

Top of the leader board was actor Danny Mac – who in the previous weeks had earned a full 40 points.

His tango to One Night Only from the musical Dreamgirls received an overall score of 38, with Bruno and Darcey awarding 10s.

“It really was a star turn, you took it as a leading man,” Tonioli said. “You were the star of the show.”

Bussel said: “It was outstanding. I was totally absorbed, I was focused on your amazing position and top line.”

BBC One, 7pm

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