Strictly Come Dancing: A recap of the 2020 series

The 2020 final took place on Saturday 19th December

Author: Alex RossPublished 30th Jun 2021
Last updated 19th May 2022

Despite the Coronavirus pandemic putting a stop to many of our favourite shows in 2020, BBC did everything in their power to ensure Strictly Come Dancing could go ahead, and what a series it turned out to be!

Following a thrilling series, the final took place on Saturday 19th December 2020, resulting in comedian Bill Bailey and his pro partner Oto Mabuse being crowned the 2020 winners. As we await for the 2021 series to hit our screens, here's a recap of the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Who won Strictly Come Dancing 2020?

After a tense final, which included Jamie Laing, HRVY, Bill Bailey and Maisie Smith, it was Bill who was voted the 2020 winner by the British public, alongside his professional dance partner Oti Mabuse.

Following his final three dances, Bill was joint top of the leaderboard with an impressive score of 88/90.

When was the Strictly Come Dancing 2020 final?

The 2020 final took place on Saturday 19th December at 6pm, with a bumper episode lasing two hours and 20 minutes.

Who was in the Strictly Come Dancing 2020 final?

After eight weeks of amazing routines, just four couples made it into the 2020 final! These included:

HRVY and Janette Manrara

Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse

Maisie Smith and Gorka Márquez

Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer

When did Strictly Come Dancing 2020 start?

As the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing was shorter, the show officially kicked off with the Strictly launch show on Saturday 17th October.

The first live show, where all 12 celebs performed their first routines, took place on Saturday 24th October.

Which celebrities were on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020?

On Tuesday 1st September bosses started to announce the 2020 celebrity line-up for the show, unveiling names throughout the week! On Friday 4th September, the final two celebs were revealed as HRVY and Jacqui Smith.

Why was Nicola Adams axed from Strictly Come Dancing in 2020?

On Thursday 12th November, BBC bosses announced that boxing champion Nicola Adams had been forced to leave this year's show after her professional partner Katya Jones tested positive for Covid-19.

The BBC said in a statement, Katya is asymptomatic and the pair are now self-isolating separately following the latest government guidelines. As part of the protocols outlined ahead of the series, this sadly means they will no longer be able to take part in the competition."

Nicola said, 'Hey guys! I’m absolutely devastated my Strictly journey has come to an end so soon, I had so much more to give and so many people to win this for! But I just want to say a huge thank you to @katyajones for being the best dance partner anyone could ask for, you pushed me way out of my comfort zone and it’s been an incredible experience.

'As I said before I’m gutted to be out of the competition but in these unprecedented times and as frustrating as it is, the COVID measures are in place to keep everyone safe and I’m doing what I can to help.

'I’ll be spending the next 14 days isolating and I’d like to apologise in advance for ridiculous amount of TikToks/Reels I’ll be posting 😅 in my now free time when I’m not gaming! Here’s the highlights 👯‍♀️😉🙌🏾 #outsidethebox'. (sic)

Why did Motsi Mabuse miss Strictly Come Dancing in 2020?

Popular judge Motsi Mabuse announced on Thursday 12th November that she was self-isolating after taking an urgent trip to Germany.

She wrote, 'Hi Guys - Earlier this week I needed to travel to Germany for an urgent reason. I will of course be following the UK Government guidelines and self-isolating for 14 days. I'll be watching from home and by the power of technology, should be in your living rooms. Watch out though, I'll be doing my own hair and make-up!'. (sic)

Although Motsi appeared on the show via a video link, the BBC announced that Anton Du Beke would be stepping into her judging chair for the following two weeks - and fans were absolutely loving him on the panel!

Who was eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2020?

Week One: No elimination

Week Two: Jacqui Smith and Anton Du Beke

Jacqui Smith was the first celebrity to leave Strictly Come Dancing 2020. She and her partner Anton Du Beke went through automatically to the second week along with their fellow contestants, but found themselves in the bottom two with Jamie Laing and his partner Karen Hauer.

Although Jacqui and Anton gave it everything they had in the Samba to Tom Jones' 'Help Yourself', Karen and Jamie's American Smooth to 'Night and Day' by Frank Sinatra won all three of the judges over.

Week Three: Jason Bell and Luba Mushtuk

Former American footballer Jason Bell found himself in the bottom two following his Star Wars routine in Movie Week. Jason was up against Nicola Adams but following a tense dance-off, all three judges chose to save the boxer.

Week Four: Max George and Dianne Buswell

Despite performing well in the first few weeks, The Wanted's Max George found himself near the bottom of the leaderboard in Week 4. Following the public vote, Max was then in the dance-off alongside Maisie Smith.

Although Shirley Ballas voted for Max, both Craig and stand-in judge Anton chose to save Maisie, meaning Max was sent home.

Week Five: Caroline Quentin and Johannes Radebe

Despite receiving a score of 8 from all three judges, Caroline found herself second bottom of the leaderboard. After a public vote, Caroline and Johannes later found themselves in the dance-off against Masie Smith, but all three judges chose to save the EastEnders star.

Week Six: Clara Amfo and Aljaž Škorjanec

After finding herself bottom of the leaderboard for the second week running, following a Jive, Clara was voted out of the competition after the judges chose to save Jamie Laing following the dance off.

Week Seven: JJ Chalmers and Amy Downden

Following a super close dance-off with Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer, JJ Chalmers and Amy Dowden sadly found themselves out of the competition. Although Motsi chose to save them, Shirley agreed with Craig that Jamie deserved to stay in the competition for another week.

Week Eight: Ranvir Singh and Giovanni Pernice

Despite finding himself in the bottom two for the fourth time, Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing was yet again saved by the judges, meaning Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh and her professional partner Giovanni Pernice were eliminated just before the final.

Who were the pairings on Strictly Come Dancing 2020?

The 2020 official pairing were unveiled during the launch show on Saturday 17th October! Check out the pairs below:

Nicola Adams and Katya Jones

Former Boxer Nicola Adams and pro dancer Katya Jones are making history on the show this year, being unveiled as the first ever same-sex pairing on Strictly!

HRVY and Janette Manrara

Singer and YouTube star HRVY has been paired with Janette Manrara.

Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse

Comedian Bill Bailey has been paired with 2019 Strictly champion Oti Mabuse.

Maisie Smith and Gorka Márquez

EastEnders actress Maisie Smith will dance alongside popular pro Gorka Márquez.

Jacqui Smith and Anton Du Beke

Former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has been paired with Strictly legend Anton Du Beke.

Clara Amfo and Aljaž Škorjanec

Radio and TV presenter Clara Amfo will dance alongside Aljaž Škorjanec.

Caroline Quentin and Johannes Radebe

Actress Caroline Quentin has been paired alongside Johannes Radebe.

Max George and Dianne Buswell

The Wanted singer Max George has been paired with Strictly 2018 finalist Dianne Buswell.

Ranvir Singh and Giovanni Pernice

Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh will dance alongside Strictly favourite Giovanni Pernice.

JJ Chalmers and Amy Dowden

TV presenter and Invictus Games medallist JJ Chalmers will be paired with pro dancer Amy Dowden.

Jason Bell and Luba Mushtuk

Former American footballer Jason Bell will be under guidance from pro dancer Luba Mushtuk.

Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer

Following his injury last year, Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing will work alongside Karen Hauer in the 2020 series.

Who finished top of the leader board on Strictly 2020?

Week One: HRVY and Janette Manrara - 25/30

Week Two: Maisie Smith and Gorka Marquez - 25/30

Week Three: Ranvir Singh and Giovanni Pernice - 27/30

Week Four: Clara Amfo and Aljaz Skorjanec - 29/30

Week Five: Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer - 29/30

Week Six: HRVY and Janette Manrara - 30/30

Week Seven: HRVY and Janette Manrara - 29/30

Week Eight: Maisie Smith and Gorka Marquez - 59/60

The Final: HRVY, Maisie Smith and Bill Bailey - 88/90

Who finished bottom of the leader board on Strictly 2020?

Week One: Jacqui Smith and Anton Du Beke - 13/30

Week Two: Jacqui Smith and Anton Du Beke - 12/30

Week Three: Jason Bell and Luba Mushtuk - 12/30

Week Four: JJ Chalmers and Amy Downden - 17/30

Week FIve: Clara Amfo and Aljaz Skorjanec - 18/30

Week Six: Clara Amfo and Aljaz Skorjanec - 19/30

Week Seven: JJ Chalmers and Amy Dowden - 20/30

Week Eight: Ranvir Singh and Giovanni Pernice - 44/60

The Final: Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer - 84/90

Who were the Strictly Come Dancing 2020 judges?

Motsi Mabuse returned to the show in 2020 alongside Craig Revel Horwood and head judge Shirley Ballas.

However, due to the restrictions in place across the world due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Bruno Tonioli did NOT appear on the show in his usual role.

Speaking on GMB, Bruno said, “I will watch the show and then we’ll do a segment which will be shown on the results show – it’s like another view. It wouldn’t be right for me to interfere in the judging process because I’m not there.

"There’s things you see when they’re 8ft away from you. Craig, Shirley, Motsi know exactly what they’re doing.

“It will be my point of view, overall, pointing out this and that.. I’m glad that I’m able to do it.”

Who were the professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing 2020?

All of the professional dancers from the 2019 series returned for 2020, expect Kevin Clifton and AJ Pritchard, who have both quit the show.

The professionals include, Aljaž Škorjanec, Amy Dowden, Anton Du Beke, Dianne Buswell, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez, Graziano Di Prima, Janette Manrara, Johannes Radebe, , Katya Jones Karen Hauer, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova, Neil Jones, Nancy Xu and last year's winner Oti Mabuse.

Was there a live studio audience on Strictly Come Dancing 2020?

There was! Despite the Coronavirus pandemic causing havoc with our favourite TV shows, fans were urged to apply for tickets for the 2020 live shows via the BBC Shows and Tours website.

Guidance on the BBC website stated: "To make the most of the limited space we'll have in the studio this year because of our social distancing measures, for the first time ever tickets will be allocated to groups of four, allowing you to come along as a family bubble/household group.

"We'll be able to seat family groups of four people from the same household/social bubble at cabaret tables and in balcony seating. Cabaret tables and balcony seats will be allocated randomly, in advance of your arrival at the studio."

Who presented Strictly Come Dancing in 2020?

Popular hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman returned for the 2020 series. The pair have received great praise from both viewers and critics over the last few years.

Now read:

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