{"id":24334,"date":"2022-10-22T21:19:38","date_gmt":"2022-10-22T19:19:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1726674"},"modified":"2022-10-22T21:45:14","modified_gmt":"2022-10-22T19:45:14","slug":"ellie-simmonds-docked-point-on-strictly-come-dancing-after-illegal-lift","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/ellie-simmonds-docked-point-on-strictly-come-dancing-after-illegal-lift\/","title":{"rendered":"Ellie Simmonds docked point on Strictly Come Dancing after illegal lift"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By David Craig\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Saturday, 22 October 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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The stars of Strictly Come Dancing<\/a> have really shone tonight as the show celebrates the centenary of the BBC, although Ellie Simmonds<\/a> found herself penalised after a rule violation.<\/p>\n

The Paralympian performed a dance to Montagues and Capulets by Sergei Prokofiev, also known as The Apprentice theme music, which made use of props including a boardroom table and briefcases.<\/p>\n

Early in the performance, Simmonds was stood atop the table and was graciously lifted down by her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, which looked superb to those watching at home.<\/p>\n

However, rather than being praised by the expert panel, it actually resulted in a lost point for the couple as head judge Shirley Ballas clarified that it was an illegal move.<\/p>

\u201cI have to deduct one point for an assisted lift at the beginning because that\u2019s not allowed. But other than that, you are absolutely phenomenal,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Kuzmin politely countered that he needed to find some way to get Simmonds down to the ballroom floor, to which Craig Revel Horwood offered some additional guidance.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got to agree with Shirley,\u201d he began. \u201cThe lift was illegal because it went on too long. If it was just a matter of getting Ellie off the platform, then fine, but then she should have landed on the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re wondering what exactly is meant by the term \u201cillegal lift\u201d, it comes from the traditional rules of professional ballroom dance competitions, which specify which styles allow lifts and which do not.<\/p>\n