STRICTLY COME DANCING ANNOUNCES 'INSTANT DANCE CHALLENGE' IN SHOW FIRST

Strictly Come Dancing has announced Instant Dance, a fab-u-lous new dance challenge taking place later this month in the Saturday 29 November live show.

Overseen by Tess and Claudia, Instant Dance will challenge each remaining couple to pick a dance style at random from ones they have learnt in the competition so far. They will then be played their accompanying music and - after a frantic dash through wardrobe to select and change into their costumes - each couple will have just 10 seconds on the countdown clock to decide exactly how they’re going to dance it.

After all six Strictly couples have danced, the Strictly judges will rank them and award their extra marks accordingly. A maximum of six marks will be awarded to the couple whose Instant Dance performance impressed them the most, right down to one point for the couple whose dance impressed them the least. 

Head Judge Shirley Ballas says: "Instant Dance has the power to change everything for our couples, and will challenge them in ways they have never been challenged before. With standards so incredibly high this year and the competition so close, there's a lot resting on it. The dance styles, costumes and music might not be revealed until the night, but what we can be sure of right now is that it's going to be a whole lot of fun. I cannot wait!"

Instant Dance will take place towards the end of Strictly's Saturday 29 November live show, once all six remaining couples have danced in the usual way.