Strictly week seven: Jaime Winstone’s bye and a record-breaking run

By Daniel Okafor

Nine couples will dance in the seventh live show of Strictly Come Dancing 2026, shortened by 10 minutes after Jaime Winstone sustained a torn abdominal muscle, according to Michael Hogan’s liveblog. The start has moved to 6.40pm on BBC One, 10 minutes later than the previously announced 6.30pm. Ten couples remain, but Winstone and Carlos Gu receive a bye (an automatic pass to the next week) as the contest reaches its midpoint.

How many couples will dance, and when?

Unlike last week’s Halloween Spooktacular, week seven has no imposed theme, according to Hogan. The running order contains no overlaps, and each of the nine couples tackles a different dance style.

• Graeme “The Dogfather” Hall: Couple’s Choice, described by Hogan as a “heartstring-tugger”.
• Lacey Turner: rumba.
• Tabby Stoecker: paso doble.

Blackpool is two weeks away, with Christmas beyond it. Week seven sits at the contest’s midpoint. The result will carry more than routine sporting interest.

What does Jaime Winstone’s injury change?

The show announced on Wednesday that Jaime Winstone will miss this weekend because of a torn abdominal muscle. Doctors advised complete rest. Under the show’s rules, she and pro partner Carlos Gu receive a bye through next week, when the programme hopes both can dance again.

Jaime Winstone, a three-time dance-off survivor, said:

“I am absolutely devastated not to be dancing this weekend but I am in considerable pain and my doctors have advised complete rest to give my body the best possible chance to heal. As frustrating as it is, I have to put my health first and follow their advice.

“I love every moment of dancing and performing with Carlos, and I am praying for a speedy recovery so I can continue this magical journey. I want to thank everyone for their incredible support so far. It means more than you know. Wishing everyone luck on Saturday night. I hope to be back on that dancefloor very soon.”

Her statement leaves the schedule with nine dancers and one unavoidable gap. The rules provide the passage; her recovery will determine whether she needs it again.

Who do the bookmakers expect to win and leave?

Bookmakers cited by Hogan make Bethany Antonia the clear elimination favourite. She joined Winstone in last week’s triple dance-off and is now odds-on to leave. Dani Dyer, Cach Mercer and Will Best follow in the betting.

At the summit, Lacey Turner is narrowly tipped to win the glitterball trophy, just ahead of Tabby Stoecker. The leaderboard has behaved like a revolving door: a different couple topped the scoreboard in each of the first six weeks, breaking a Strictly record, according to Hogan.

Antonia, Dyer and Best remain the only couples yet to top the standings. One of them would extend the six-week sequence of weekly changes. At least one couple will fail to cross the contest’s midpoint, Hogan notes.

What carries over from last week?

Last week’s Halloween Spooktacular gave Lacey Turner the highest score for her Charleston. The format then staged its first ever three-way dance-off. Lawrence Robb, cast by Hogan as Ghostbusting Lawrence Robb, was eliminated.

Hogan presents himself as the evening’s virtual dance partner and begins liveblogging at 6pm. He promises build-up, rolling coverage, analysis and reaction while the show runs on BBC One.

He asks readers to post at @michaelhogan on Twitter, use @michaelhogan100 on Bluesky and Threads, email [email protected], or leave comments. He says he will quote reader responses in the liveblog.

Tonight will test whether Lacey Turner converts her narrow favourite status; Tabby Stoecker sits immediately behind her, while a win for Antonia, Dyer or Best would extend the record run of different weekly leaders.