Strictly Come Dancing couple Will Mellor and Nancy Xu delivered one of the highlights of the semi-final as they performed a dazzling Manchester-inspired routine that served as something of a comeback story for Will.
Each of the five semi-finalists performed two dances on this week's show, which was moved to Sunday. Will and Nancy's first performance didn't go down well with the judges — their Paso Doble only scored 32, with two scores of seven.
However, the second dances were the couple's choice — and Will chose a Manchester-inspired routine that combined his love for his hometown with his passion for 90s music, complete with a medley of Stone Roses and Happy Mondays songs and a bucket hat for Will.
Related: Strictly Come Dancing pro Nancy Xu needed a push from show's choreographer last week
The dance went down a treat this time. Anton Du Beke declared that Will "smashed the place up," while Shirley Ballas called it a "daddy cool" dance."
Craig Revel Horwood said that he was initially nervous the performance was going to look like "dad dancing" and that it might not go particularly well. However, he said the dance ended up going "very well."
Motsi Mabuse highlighted what a great recovery performance this was after his earlier dance failed to impress. She praised him for coming back out, not letting the negativity of his first routine get to him, and acing a great dance. Will and Nancy received a score of 38.
Related: Strictly Come Dancing's Will Mellor explains why he would "never" do a reality show again
The dance also drew strong reactions from viewers, with some loving the "Madchester" vibes and others calling it "dad dancing, after all."
One fan wrote: "Will Mellor doing a Madchester routine in front of Bez is the Strictly content I never knew I wanted."
Another fan loved the glimpse of Bez, who was part of the Happy Mondays, in the audience, writing: "Love that Bez is there, with his maracas too! Brilliant dance from Will."
Meanwhile, another fan said the dance was the moment they've been waiting for.
"I give Will and Nancy a 10! THAT WAS INCREDIBLE!! Honestly, this is that moment I was waiting from you. The first time your dance was absolute perfection for me. Just a MOMENT!! Congratulations!"
However, some were less impressed.
Either way, Will and Nany's routine was a colourful highlight of the semi-finals and one of the most personal dances of the show as it highlighted the passion Will feelings for his home. It remains to be seen if that will be enough to take him through to next week's final.
For one week only, Strictly Come Dancing airs on Sunday (December 11) at 7.15pm on BBC One, with a results show on Monday (December 12). Spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows also stream on BBC iPlayer.
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