Strictly Come Dancing: What time is it on tonight as countdown to Movie Week begins

Hours ahead of tonight’s broadcast, co-host Claudia Winkleman shared an Instagram story thanking professional dancer Vito Coppola for a delicious gift

“WE LOVE YOU @VitoCoppola,” wrote Winkleman, alongside a photograph of a package of food labelled: “PARMAGIANA FROM VITO.”

TV medic Dr Punam Krishan, who is partnered with Gorka Márquez, teased the performance on Thursday’s episode of spin-off show It Takes Two.

“What we’re doing, is for the first time, it’s never been done before,” Marquez had hinted during last week’s results show.

In addition to our remaining couples, the show’s professional dancers will be performing a Minions-themed routine, choreographed by Lizzie Gough and Kieran Donovan.

Check out a sneak peek of what’s to come…

After coming out on top in a dance-off against Tom Dean, Wilcox told The Sun that “everyone was completely shocked” by her win.

“They look at a tiny little 66-year-old who is either the same age as their mother or their granny – I fully understand that to young people I’m incredibly old, but I don’t behave like that,” she said.

“I also like that some younger ­people might not know who I am, because they might not know how strong I am.”

Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal have their work cut out for them tonight after having chosen to dance the Samba to the theme song of George of the Jungle.

The Samba hasn’t worked out so well for previous contestants, with the tricky dance style responsible for the most celebrity exits on the programme’s history. A total of 22 per cent of all eminated stars have danced the Samba.

Can Pete and Jowita break the curse?

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood admitted a “weight has been lifted” following the BBC’s findings into the behaviour of professional dancer Giovanni Pernice.

Appearing on ITV’s Lorraine show on Friday, the Strictly judge said: “There is a difference. It’s like a weight has been lifted off our shoulders because it was always hanging in the air.”

“So if things aren’t right or need addressing, I feel for the person that wants them addressed. And I think that’s a big, important part that everybody gets to say their thing. But now the investigation is over and everybody can move on.

“The eight years I’ve been on the show, it’s been great safeguarding. I’ve always felt taken care of when the bullying got really bad.”

Tonight’s episode arrives in the wake of the BBC’s investigation into the conduct of Giovanni Pernice, which cleared the dancer of the more serious allegations against him.

Amanda Abbington’s complaints of verbal bullying and harassment, however, were upheld. The broadcaster issued an apology to the actor following the outcome.

The 34-year-old two-time Strictly champion and Dancing on Ice judge, has revealed how she became emotionally detached from her husband, Marius Lepure, 41, when she joined the dancing competition in 2014 and became fixated on winning the glitterball trophy.

Knowles has confirmed he will not be performing on tonight’s episode due to an injury that has left him on crutches. As is customary, the pair will proceed to the next round of Strictly – although his future on the show appears uncertain.