Alsager: Keep dancing - we take a look at top moments of the iconic show which started a local dance craze

By Deborah Bowyer

9th Dec 2023 | Local News

Dance teacher, Mark Farrugia, started classes at Alsager Civic based on the hit show. (Photo: Mark Farrugia)
Dance teacher, Mark Farrugia, started classes at Alsager Civic based on the hit show. (Photo: Mark Farrugia)

Strictly Dancing is in full swing with the semi-finals this weekend and Cheshire's own 'Mr Strictly', aka dance teacher Mark Farrugia, will be watching.

Mark Farrugia, used to drive a security van round delivering money to banks and building societies.

Mark's dance classes inspired by Strictly are busier than ever. (Photo: Nub News)

Now the Maltese-born dancer is driving people crazy on the dance floor – teaching them some of his fancy footwork as well as helping them to get fit after setting up 'Strictly Dance Fit'.

Mark launched "Strictly Latin Dance Fit/Fit steps" classes all over the county including Alsager Civic Hall and Sandbach Cricket Club prompted by the Strictly craze as we revealed here

Mark taking to the floor in a competition. (Photo: Mark Farrugia)

And he was right on point predicting last year's winner as we told here

But what are the show's favourite dances? Strictly marks the 21st series of the nation's favourite dancing show.

Online gambling company, Betway has taken a look back at some of the most viral routines in the show's history, by comparing their number of YouTube views to reveal which ones audiences can't get enough of.

Jay McGuiness & Aliona Vilani's Jive (2015) - 7.8 million views

Not only is this famous Jive from the 13th series the most viewed on YouTube but it was also crowned the most memorable dance in the show's history!

Despite it only being week three of the competition, Jay McGuiness, former The Wanted member, picked up a whopping 37 out of 40 points for his jive with partner Aliona and secured the first 10 of the series.

Danny Mac & Oti Mabuse's Samba (2016) - 6.8 million views

Hollyoaks actor Danny Mac became the first celebrity in the show's history to score a perfect 40 for a Samba, which he performed with partner Oti on week 10 of series 14.

His Samba impressed more than just the judges, as it claims the title of the second-most-viewed celebrity routine on YouTube. 

Anita Rani & Gleb Savchenko's Samba (2015) - 5.4 million views

Anita Rani took part in series 13, where she reached the semi-final alongside her professional dance partner, Gleb Savenchko.

The pair impressed the judges and audiences alike with their energetic Samba, which has received over 5.4 million views on YouTube. 

Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice's Jive (2015) - 5.1 million views

Another popular performance from the 13th series of Strictly was Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice's Jive in week one of the competition.

Although the couple only scored 27 points for the dance, viewers haven't been able to resist flocking to YouTube over the years to rewatch the lively routine, which has amassed over 5.2 million views.  

Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice's Samba (2015) - 4.8 million views

Another Samba that has wowed audiences over the years was by Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice in 2015

The pair celebrated Giovanni's Latin heritage with the iconic dance, which scored the couple an impressive 35/40 on the night.

Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice's Charleston (2015) - 4.2 million views

Georgia and Giovanni were no strangers to the top of the leaderboard throughout the competition, and their Chicago-themed Charleston in week 8 was clearly a fan favourite, as it's still racking up millions of views on YouTube.

Georgia had declared that she wanted to appear on Strictly to learn the iconic dance, as she had always been 'obsessed' with the Charleston, and Chicago is her favourite musical - she certainly did it justice!

Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice's Cha Cha (2015) - 4.1 million views

Another one of Georgia and Giovanni's dances that viewers can't get enough of is their Cha Cha, which they performed in week 12 of series 13.

The passionate routine was performed to 'I Will Survive' during the semi-final and scored the pair 33/40 and secured them a place in the final.

Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden's Jive (2019) - 3.3 million views

In 2019, TV presenter and actor Karim Zeroual and partner Amy jived to 'You Can't Stop the Beat' from the musical Hairspray.

The pair received a full house of 10s all round, which was the first perfect 40 of series 17. Since then, the routine has continued to wow viewers and has racked up over 3.3 million views on YouTube.

Joe Sugg & Dianne Buswell's Jive (2018) - 3.1 million views

When YouTube star Joe Sugg took part in the competition in 2018, he left viewers 'pleasantly surprised' by his dancing skills. His jive, in particular, with partner Dianne has accumulated over 3.1 million.

The pair wowed the judges and viewers alike throughout the series, reaching the final and finishing as runners-up.

Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice's Salsa (2015) - 3 million views

The 10th-most-viewed Strictly routine is another performance by the dancing duo Georgia and Giovanni. 

But who will win in the finals of this iconic show? Cheshire's 'Mr Strictly', Mark predicted the winner last year as we revealed here. His website link is here

     

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