What did you miss?
Strictly Come Dancing resurrected its Halloween theme on Saturday, 26 October, with the celebrities, professionals and judges all getting into the spooky spirit.
While Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood’s sinister sisters from The Shining, Chris McCausland’s zombie, Pete Wicks’ Joker and Jowita Przystał’s Harley Quinn were all standout efforts from the wardrobe and makeup team, Carlos Gu donning a Claudia Winkleman costume undoubtedly topped the lot.
Such was its popularity on social media site X (formerly Twitter), a number of viewers even called for the pair to casually switch roles for the evening.
What, how and why?
Carlos’ look consisted of a jet black wig complete with eye-fluttering fringe, a black undertop and blazer, tights and heels. The only difference between the pro choreographer and the Strictly presenter was his necklace.
His hilarious doppelgänger was first spotted by fans in the post-dance studio, when opening act Chris and Dianne Buswell received their judges score of 26. Carlos helped Claudia introduce guest terms and conditions announcer Sara Cox.
“Aww love you Sara,” said co-presenter Tess Daly from the dancefloor, “and Carlos that is a very strong look!”
Reacting to the Carlos Claudia scenes, one X user wrote: “Who else wants Claudia to dance and Carlos to interview her?”
“[Please] let them have carlos interviewing one of the couples like nothing is happening, if not … pls fire all of the producers, cause that would be hilarious,” someone else echoed.
Okay, the lack of a partner for Carlos is forgiven purely for this Claudia costume alone. #Strictly
— Charlie | AmazingChi (@TheAmazingChi) October 26, 2024
I cannot get over Carlos he is spot on with that look 😂😂 #Strictly
— Charlotte Lockley (@charllockley97) October 26, 2024
Read more:
Why does Claudia Winkleman not dress up for Halloween?
Meanwhile, there’s a heartbreaking reason why neither Claudia or Tess join in on the Halloween fun each year.
10 years ago, the former’s young daughter Matilda brushed past a candle in her witch outfit and suffered horrendous burns as flames engulfed her. She underwent several operations at London’s Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and her mother has since become a campaigner for the safety regulations around materials used for fancy dress.
“I don’t like Halloween because three years ago it turned out our screams were real,” Claudia shared during an interview on BBC’s Watchdog in 2017. “She ‘went up’ is the only way I can describe it – it was a spark, and she screamed out for me. It was like those horrific birthday candles that you blow out and they come back. It was really fast, it wasn’t fire like I’d seen.
“It was definitely life-changing for me. I was talking to somebody and then I heard her shout and she was on fire. It feels like she was on fire for hours, but the surgeon said it was probably just seconds.”
Tess, who has two daughters of her own with husband Vernon Kay, does not indulge out of solidarity.
Strictly Come Dancing’s results show airs Sunday, 27 October on BBC One.