With over a decade of Strictly Come Dancing behind us, we've enjoyed a lot of fun, drama, and incredible dancing across 16 series'. Every year a group of new celebrities and our favourite professional dancers bring us all the usual drama, surprise eliminations, cute backstage moments [1], and mind-blowing ballroom and Latin performances. While we wait to find out when 2020's historic season [2] will officially kick off (rumoured to be some time in late October), it's time to take a look back at some of the dances that have stuck in our heads over the years. From celeb dances to show dances, group performances to guest appearances, get ready for the very best of Strictly!
The Latin Dances: Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse's Samba
This dance was the first Samba ever to earn full marks from the judges, and it's easy to see why.
The Latin Dances: Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy's Salsa
This dance gave us two memorable Strictly moments. First, when Karen stopped the dance a few seconds in due to an epic wardrobe malfunction, we all thought that was it. The end of Ramps. But they restarted, threw everything they had into the routine, and delivered one of the most crowd-pleasing party salsas of all time. Where's the 11 paddle?
The Latin Dances: Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennett's Jive
Jill and her jive! Another legendary Strictly routine that earned the soap star her glitterball trophy. Jill and Darren returned to perform this number (or elements of it) on numerous occasions after their original win, leading us to believe Jill was one of Strictly's nicest ever contestants.
The Latin Dances: Louisa Lytton and Vincent Simone's Jive
This was only Louisa and Vincent's second dance of the competition, and already the Eastenders star was able to turn out a performance this good. Bruno gave her a 10, one of the earliest appearances for the top paddle ever in Strictly history.
The Latin Dances: Jay McGuinness and Aliona Vilani's Jive
This dance was probably the moment Jay secured his place in the 2015 final . . . despite the fact it was only week 3. Aliona pushed her boyband partner to the limit, and he delivered with an incredibly fast-paced number that people are still talking about. Like Louisa before him, Jay managed to land the first 10 of the series with a Jive, and there's no denying this dance deserved it.
The Latin Dances: Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton's Jive
There's clearly some magic happening on Strictly under which that male contestants who nail the Jive go on to win. It happened with Jay and Aliona, and it happened again with Ore and Joanne. Their jive to Bruno Mars's "Runaway Baby" scored them 39 points in the heats and 40 in the final, and was their most memorable dance by far.
The Latin Dances: Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace's Salsa
Despite strong competition from Emma and Louisa, series four eventually became the Matt and Alesha show, as the two battled out for the win. Matt's competency at the Latin dances was clear from the start, and this salsa got everyone moving. But eventually he and Flavia ended up in second place, despite that show dance sparkly vest [3].
The Latin Dances: Jake Wood and Janette Manrara's Salsa
This was the moment we all realised that Max Branning has moves and Janette is probably the most exciting professional dancer ever to feature on Strictly. Jake was never going to win series 12, but we looked forward to their amazing dances every week.
The Latin Dances: Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev's Salsa
Arguably the best salsa since Mark and Karen. Caroline nailed pretty much every routine before her 2014 win, but her salsa knocked it out of the park and scored the first 40 of the season.
The Tangos: Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy's Argentine Tango
The music on Strictly can be hit or miss, but it's the live performance of "Goldeneye" that made this dance. This was the first year the Argentine tango was introduced, and Karen and Mark showed us exactly how it was done, setting the standard for all future series. That dress launched a thousand copycats, too.
The Tangos: Rachel Stevens and Vincent Simone's Argentine Tango
Vincent is the king of the Argentine tango, so it's no surprise that when he danced it with Rachel, the results were explosive. For many, the rumba is the top dance from this pair, but we're suckers for those leg kicks, and this dance has dozens.
The Tangos: Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev's Tango
A combination of Kara and Artem's obvious chemistry, a brilliantly haunting song choice, and incredible choreography made this one of their most memorable dances. This girl was a winner from day one.
The Ballroom Dances: Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani's Quickstep
We want to marry Harry. Sadly, he's taken. In fact, he and his wife, Izzy, danced a ballroom number at their wedding. It's safe to say Harry was bitten by the Strictly bug after he and Aliona quickstepped to victory in 2011.
The Ballroom Dances: Kelly Brook and Brendan Cole's American Smooth
Kelly Brook never really got a chance to truly shine on Strictly as she left the competition early following the death of her father. But we got a glimpse of her potential with this American smooth. Kelly, a big fan of classic Hollywood glamour, was in her element. This dance was the subject of the show's first "lift gate," not the last time Brendan would get a telling off from Len for including illegal lifts in dances. Oh, the drama!
The Ballroom Dances: Chelsee Healey and Pasha Kovalev's Quickstep
Chelsee was a bundle of fun, brimming over with enthusiasm, and this energetic quickstep perfectly showed off her talent and personality. It wasn't her highest scoring dance (her paso doble earned a full house), but this dance proved she absolutely deserved her place in the final in 2011.
The Ballroom Dances: Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev's Viennese Waltz
This is one of the few dances in Strictly history where, if you didn't recognise their faces, you'd have trouble guessing who was the celebrity and who was the professional. Kara looked comfortable both in hold and out, and the choreography of the speedy waltz was beautiful. The whole dance was ballroom perfection.
The Ballroom Dances: Holly Valance and Artem Chigvintsev's Paso Doble
Holly had big shoes to fill as Artem's partner following his win with Kara, and she didn't take kindly to persistent rumours of a ballroom romance, given that both she and Artem were in relationships with other people. You get the feeling this dramatic, angry paso was her way of taking out all that anger and frustration, and it was easily her most memorable routine.
The Ballroom Dances: Abbey Clancy and Aljaz Skorjanec's Quickstep
Natalie was arguably the better technical dancer, but the enthusiasm and love for dance that Abbey showed in numbers like this — a bright and sunny quickstep — coupled with her adorable professional partner ensured her the trophy during a very competitive year. She remains one of our favourite Strictly contestants ever because she was clearly enjoying it so much!
Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Brendan Cole's Charleston
Described as the "classy Charleston," Sophie managed to pull off the goofiest of dances with effortless ease and elegance. Nobody expected this to be her best dance, but discovering that it was became one of the most memorable moments of the series.
The Show Dances: Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup's Show Dance
After winning Strictly, Tom went on to star on the West End stage, taking the Fred Astaire role in Top Hat, tap routines included. It's easy to see why when you watch this vaudeville-meets-Old-Hollywood routine. It's just such a shame about Camilla's outfit.
The Show Dances: Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler's Show Dance
After wowing everyone with an amazing Viennese waltz, Alesha pulled out the big guns with a show dance that was memorable for more than just the purple outfit. Tango, Argentine tango, and paso provided the base for the high-octane number, which won Alesha not only the glitterball trophy but, a while later, a place on the judges panel.
The Show Dances: Natalie Gumede and Artem Chigvintsev's Show Dance
Bringing old-school Fred and Ginger up to date, this was a stunning Broadway-inspired routine that was perfectly suited to Natalie's skills as a dancer. While so many show dances resort to the tried-and-tested formula of throwing the girl around to a high-tempo tune, this concentrated on showcasing incredible skill in ballroom, Latin, swing, and even tap. Also, we really fancy Artem, even in a yellow suit.
The Show Dances: Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace's Show Dance
When your celebrity partner is an Olympic gymnast, there's only one way to go with freestyle choreography. Flavia ensured a win with a dance that played to every single one of Louis's strengths and put him right in the centre of the action.
The Exhibition Dances: The Champions Dance
Any excuse to bring Ramps out to do a salsa again! In this group dance featuring winners of various Strictly series, each couple did a short routine that paid homage to their most famous dances.
The Exhibition Dances: When Strictly Met So You Think You Can Dance
The winner of the final series of So You Think You Can Dance UK, Matt Flint, made a guest appearance in a men-only group dance that will get you very hot under the collar.
The Exhibition Dances: Ian Waite and Darcey Bussell's Jive
When ballet met ballroom! Before Darcey was a judge, she joined professional Ian on the Strictly dance floor for this amazing performance. Wait for the end, when Darcey pins herself to Ian using only her abs!
The Exhibition Dances: Kristina the Evil Queen
The professional dances in the 2014 series have seriously upped the ante with higher production values, better costumes, and really amazing choreography. This two parter from the Halloween [5] results show is one of the best.
The Exhibitions Dances: Crazy in Love
It starts out like "Cell Block Tango" and ends up like a music video. This killer routine from 2013 marked the moment the professional dances went into overdrive.
The Exhibition Dances: Movie Night
This Movie Night opener features professionals, celebs, the judges, and Donny Osmond and has all the cheese and showbiz appeal we love from Strictly. If anyone knows where we can get one of those black and white dresses, do share!
The Exhibition Dances: The Girls Run the World
Beyoncé song + sexy costumes + Ola Jordan = classic Strictly. This is the dance all the husbands, boyfriends, brothers, and dads had been waiting for.
The Exhibition Dances: Anything Goes
Boys in uniform who know how to swing. The themed shows always bring us the best professional dances, and this one from musicals night was no exception.
The Exhibition Dances: Born This Way
The 2011 opening dance was a riotous affair that didn't really know what it was meant to be doing. And that's why we love it. We'd also forgotten how absolutely stunning Katya Virshilas was.
The Exhibition Dances: The American Smooth
This one was for all the women who wish they were Ginger Rogers, the men who wish they were Fred Astaire . . . and anyone who wishes they could compete on Strictly.
The Exhibition Dances: On Broadway
Five Artems? Have they been reading our diary?
The Exhibition Dances: "Run Boy Run"
Giovanni, Aljaz, and Kevin are imprisoned in a Roman jail ruled by the evil Emperor Du Beke. Enough said.