Strictly Come Dancing series 7

Strictly Come Dancing returned for its seventh series on 18 September 2009 on BBC One. Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly returned as presenters of the main show on BBC One, while Claudia Winkleman presented the spin-off show Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two on BBC Two. Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, and Bruno Tonioli returned as judges. Series 5 winner Alesha Dixon joined the judging panel as a replacement for Arlene Phillips. Darcey Bussell served as a guest judge beginning with the quarterfinal.

Camilla Dallerup, Karen Hardy, and Hayley Holt were replaced as professional female dancers by Natalie Lowe, Aliona Vilani, and Katya Virshilas. The show on 7 November was filmed from the Blackpool Tower Ballroom for the first time since the finale of series 2.

Due to illness, Bruce Forsyth did not appear in the show on 14 November. As a result, Tess Daly took over as main presenter, and Claudia Winkleman took over Daly's normal role.

BBC Breakfast sports presenter Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan were announced as the winners on 19 December, while Hollyoaks actor Ricky Whittle and Natalie Lowe finished in second place.

Format
The couples dance each week in a live show. The judges score each performance out of ten. The couples are then ranked according to the judges' scores and given points according to their rank, with the lowest scored couple receiving one point, and the highest scored couple receiving the most points (the maximum number of points available depends on the number of couples remaining in the competition). The public are also invited to vote for their favourite couples, and the couples are ranked again according to the number of votes they receive, again receiving points; the couple with the fewest votes receiving one point, and the couple with the most votes receiving the most points.

The points for judges' score and public vote are then added together, and the two couples with the fewest points are placed in the bottom two. If two couples have equal points, the points from the public vote are given precedence. As with the previous series, the bottom two couples have to perform a dance-off on the results show. Based on that performance alone, each judge then votes on which couple should stay and which couple should leave, with Len Goodman, as head judge, having the last and deciding vote.

Couples
This series featured sixteen celebrity contestants.

Scoring chart
The highest score each week is indicated in with a dagger (†), while the lowest score each week is indicated in  with a double-dagger (‡).

Color key: • {{legend|gold|Winners}}

• {{legend|silver|Runners-up}}

• {{legend|lightblue|Bottom two}}

• {{legend|#fff383|Excused from competition for the week}}

• {{legend|lightgreen|Withdrew from competition}}

• {{legend|#f4c7b8|Eliminated}}
 * Notes

Weekly scores
Unless indicated othwise, individual judges scores in the charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli.

Week 1
Musical guest: Katherine Jenkins — "I Believe"

Only half of the couples performed this week, and they performed once each on two different nights. On the first night, they performed either the tango or the waltz; and on the second night, they performed either the cha-cha-cha or the rumba. The couples who did not compete this week performed a group merengue that was not scored. One couple was eliminated after the second night. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
 * Night 1


 * Night 2
 * Judges' votes to save
 * Horwood: Martina & Matthew
 * Dixon: Martina & Matthew
 * Tonioli: Rav & Aliona
 * Goodman: Rav & Aliona (Since the other judges were not unanimous, Len Goodman, as head judge, made the final decision to save Rav & Aliona)

Week 2
Musical guest: Jamie Cullum — "I'm All Over It"

The format this week was the same as last week. The half of the couples who did not perform last week performed once each on two different nights. They performed either the tango or the waltz on the first night, and either the cha-cha-cha or the rumba on the second night. The couples who did not compete this week performed a group merengue that was not scored. One couple was eliminated after the second night. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
 * Night 1


 * Night 2
 * Judges' votes to save
 * Horwood: Craig & Flavia
 * Dixon: Craig & Flavia
 * Tonioli: Craig & Flavia
 * Goodman: Did not vote, but would have voted to save Richard & Lilia

Week 3
Musical guest: Andy Williams — "Moon River"

Couples performed either the paso doble or the quickstep, and are listed in the order they performed.
 * Judges' votes to save
 * Horwood: Lynda & Darren
 * Dixon: Lynda & Darren
 * Tonioli: Lynda & Darren
 * Goodman: Did not vote, but would have voted to save Lynda & Darren.

Week 4
Musical guest: Dionne Bromfield — "Mama Said" (with Amy Winehouse providing backing vocals)

Couples performed either the foxtrot or the salsa, and are listed in the order they performed.
 * Judges' votes to save
 * Horwood: Lynda & Darren
 * Dixon: Lynda & Darren
 * Tonioli: Craig & Flavia
 * Goodman: Craig & Flavia (Since the other judges were not unanimous, Len Goodman, as head judge, made the final decision to save Craig & Flavia)

Week 5
Musical guest: Spandau Ballet — "Gold"

Couples performed either the jive or the Viennese waltz, and are listed in the order they performed.
 * Judges' votes to save
 * Horwood: Zöe & James
 * Dixon: Zöe & James
 * Tonioli: Zöe & James
 * Goodman: Did not vote, but would have voted to save Zöe & James

Week 6
Musical guest: Harry Connick, Jr. — "The Way You Look Tonight"

Couples performed either the American Smooth or the samba, and are listed in the order they performed.
 * Judges' votes to save
 * Horwood: Jade & Ian
 * Dixon: Jade & Ian
 * Tonioli: Jade & Ian
 * Goodman: Did not vote, but would have voted to save Jade & Ian

Week 7
Musical guest: Bee Gees — "You Should Be Dancing"

Couples are listed in the order they performed.
 * Judges' votes to save
 * Horwood: Ali & Brian
 * Dixon: Zöe & James
 * Tonioli: Ali & Brian
 * Goodman: Ali & Brian

Week 8: Blackpool Week
Musical guest: Rod Stewart — "It's the Same Old Song"

This week's episode was staged in the Tower Ballroom at the Blackpool Tower in Blackpool, Lancashire. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
 * Judges' votes to save
 * Horwood: Ricky G. & Erin
 * Dixon: Ricky G. & Erin
 * Tonioli: Ricky G. & Erin
 * Goodman: Did not vote, but would have voted to save Ricky G. & Erin

Week 9
Musical guest: Cast of Jersey Boys — "Beggin'"

Bruce Forsyth did not attend the live show due to influenza; Ronnie Corbett stepped in as guest host.

Laila Rouass only performed half of her rumba due to a backstage injury. The judges scored the dance only on what they saw. Jade Johnson also suffered a knee injury during dress rehearsal and was unable to perform on the live show. Under the rules of the show, she was granted a bye to the following week.

Couples are listed in the order they performed.
 * Judges' votes to save
 * Horwood: Ricky G. & Erin
 * Dixon: Phil & Katya
 * Tonioli: Phil & Katya
 * Goodman: Ricky G. & Erin (Since the other judges were not unanimous, Len Goodman, as head judge, made the final decision to save Ricky G. & Erin)

Week 10
Musical guest: Dame Shirley Bassey — "This Time"

Jade Johnson withdrew from the competition earlier in the week due to her prior injury.

Couples are listed in the order they performed.
 * Judges' votes to save
 * Horwood: Laila & Anton
 * Dixon: Laila & Anton
 * Tonioli: Laila & Anton
 * Goodman: Did not vote, but would have voted to save Laila & Anton

Week 11
Musical guests: James Morrison & Nelly Furtado — "Broken Strings"

Each couple performed either the Charleston or rock 'n' roll, and then all couples participated in a group Viennese waltz for individual points. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
 * Judges' votes to save
 * Horwood: Ricky W. & Natalie
 * Dixon: Ricky W. & Natalie
 * Tonioli: Ricky W. & Natalie
 * Goodman: Did not vote, but would have voted to save Ricky W. & Natalie

Week 12: Quarter-final
Individual judges' scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli.

Musical guest: Bette Midler — "The Rose"

Each couple performed two routines, and are listed in the order they performed.
 * Judges' votes to save
 * Horwood: Ricky W. & Natalie
 * Bussell: Ricky W. & Natalie
 * Dixon: Ricky W. & Natalie
 * Tonioli: Did not vote, but would have voted to save Ricky W. & Natalie
 * Goodman: Did not vote, but would have voted to save Ricky W. & Natalie

Week 13: Semi-final
Individual judges' scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli.

Musical guest: Lily Allen — "Not Fair"

Each couple performed two routines, one of which was the Argentine tango and the other of which was selected by the judges. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

Week 14: Final
Individual judges' scores in the charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli.

Musical guests: Alesha Dixon & Bruce Forsyth — "Something's Gotta Give"
 * Show 1

Each couple performed one routine (either their highest-scoring ballroom dance or their highest-scoring Latin dance), and then both couples participated in a group Lindy Hop for individual points. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

Each couple performed two routines, one of which was their showdance routine and the other of which was either their highest-scoring ballroom dance or their highest-scoring Latin dance, whichever they had not performed the night before. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
 * Show 2

Dance chart
The celebrities and professional partners danced one of these routines for each corresponding week:
 * Week 1: Cha-cha-cha or rumba AND tango or waltz; group merengue
 * Week 2: Cha-cha-cha or rumba AND tango or waltz; group merengue
 * Week 3: One unlearned dance (paso doble or quickstep)
 * Week 4: One unlearned dance (foxtrot or salsa)
 * Week 5: One unlearned dance (jive or Viennese waltz)
 * Week 6: One unlearned dance (American Smooth or samba)
 * Weeks 7–10: One unlearned dance
 * Week 11: Charleston or rock 'n' roll AND group Viennese waltz
 * Week 12 (Quarterfinal): Two unlearned dances
 * Week 13 (Semifinal): Argentine tango & judges' choice
 * Week 14 (Final): Highest-scoring ballroom dance, highest-scoring Latin dance, group Lindy Hop & showdance

Reception
In September 2009 Strictly Come Dancing earned a place in the Guinness World Records as the "most successful reality television format", with licensing rights sold to broadcasters in 38 countries. Nonetheless, the sixth series' audiences had suffered as a result of direct clashes with ITV rival The X Factor. The BBC's decision in August 2009 to screen the seventh series on Saturday nights only was partly an attempt to reduce conflict with the rival talent show, as ITV had hinted that The X Factor 's results show would be broadcast on Sunday evening. Sources at the BBC described the move as "better for the viewers... people at home lose out if things are competing against one another... We wanted to make Strictly Come Dancing an unmissable TV event".

However, the BBC still came under intense criticism when the extended Saturday show, initially running from 7–9pm, clashed almost entirely with The X Factor 's main show. ITV sources accused the BBC of "effectively splitting the audience". Writing in The Guardian George Dixon, head of scheduling for BBC One, argued that "the ability of viewers to see programmes again, whether via personal video recorders like Sky+, online catch-up services including iPlayer or on channels such as E4 or ITV2, [makes] the notion of 'forcing' viewers to watch... outdated", adding that "There are around seven repeats of The X Factor on ITV1 and ITV2 each week".

The scheduling conflict ended with The X Factor securing a higher audience throughout the series. On 22 October 2009, the BBC rescheduled the Saturday show, now down to eight contestants, so that the overlap between the two programs was only 45 minutes. The BBC denied that the move was in direct response to the success of its ITV rival, saying instead that the move was to accommodate a new series with impressionist Jon Culshaw. Strictly Come Dancing 's runtime, previously fixed at two hours, was also expected to decrease as contestants were progressively eliminated, leading to a further reduction in overlap.

Ratings
Weekly ratings for each show on BBC One. All ratings are provided by BARB.