Strictly Come Dancing

- Season 6

(2008)

A preview of the upcoming competition looks at how the new contestants are coping with training, but also looks back at the highs and lows of the last series.

In round one the male contestants take to the dance floor to perform either a cha-cha-cha or a waltz. The ladies perform a group dance. After the judges votes are added up, Gary Rhodes and Karen Hardy are bottom of the leader board.

In the first Results show of the season, current champions Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler perform one of their dances from last year, all the contestants do a group dance and guest Bette Midler performs 'Wind Beneath my Wings'. After the public vote had been taken into account, Flavia Cacace and Phil Daniels, and Lilia Kopylova and Don Warrington found themselves in the bottom two and had to perform in the dance off.

In round two, the female contestants perform either a salsa or a foxtrot, whilst the men perform a group dance.

In the round two results show, season 2 winners Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennett perform their glitter-ball winning jive, Sugababes perform their single 'Girls', the three new dancers Hayley, Brian and Kristina perform a routine and all the pro dancers perform a group tango. Jodie and Ian, and Gillian and Anton are the bottom two after votes have been added up and have to perform in the dance off.

In round three the male celebrities take to the dance floor performing either a jive or a tango. The female contestants do a group swing dance.

In the third round results show some of the professional dancers do a group rumba, Flavia and Vincent perform a romantic slow dance, Andrea Bocelli sings one of his classic hits, and the female contestants perform their group swing dance. Gary and Karen, and Mark and Hayley find themselves in the bottom two and have to perform in the dance off.

Round four sees the female contestants perform either a rumba or a quickstep. The male contestants perform in a new group dance.

In the round four results show Simply Red sing 'Something Got Me Started', the professional dancers perform a group American Smooth, and the Samba world champions perform. After the results have been counted, Heather and Brian, and Jessie and Darren find themselves in the dance off.

In round five, the male and female contestants compete against each other for the first time this season. They perform either a samba or an American smooth.

In the round five results show, Katherine Jenkins and Darcey Bussell sing and dance, Alesha Dixon performs her new single, and the professional dancers perform a rocking paso-doble. Heather and Brian, and Don and Lilia find themselves in the bottom two and have to perform in the dance off.

Round six sees the contestants performing either a Paso-Doble or a Viennese Waltz.

In the round six results show, special guest Enrique Iglesias sings 'Hero', the cast of the West End show The Jersey Boys perform 'December 63', and Kristina Rihanoff and Brian Fortuna dance a Mambo. Andrew and Ola, and Mark and Haley find themselves in the bottom two and have to perform in the dance off.

Round seven sees each of the remaining contestants performing a different dance.

In the round seven results show the professional dancers perform two special dances, Kelly Jones of The Stereophonics sings 'Handbags and Gladrags' and Gabby Logan presents a sports show style segment looking at the contenders. Heather and Brian, and Andrew and Ola find themselves in the bottom two, having to perform in the dance off.

In round eight, again each of the remaining contestants perform a different dance. John and Kristina are well bottom of the judges leader board after their votes.

In the round eight results show, some of the professional dancers perform to World War II songs, and guest Beyonce sings her new song 'If I Were a Boy'. Heather and Brian again find themselves in the bottom two, along with Rachel and Vincent, and have to perform in the dance off.

The remaining 8 couples all perform a different dance. John and Kristina are again bottom of the judges leader board, whilst Rachel and Vincent come top, with their Rumba getting the not only the highest marks (39) of the season so far, but the highest marks for a Rumba in the history of Strictly.

In the round nine results show, Bruce and Anton du Beke do a song and dance number to 'Me and My Shadow', special guest Tom Jones sings 'If He Should Ever Leave You', and some of the professional dancers perform a group cha-cha-cha. Cherie and James, and Lisa and Brendon find themselves in the bottom two and have to perform in the dance off.

There are now only six remaining couples, after John Sergeant quited the competition during the week. He and Kristina performed a last farewell dance. Rachel and Vincent's foxtrot was top of the leader board with the first perfect score (40) of the season so far, and the highest foxtrot score ever. Christine and Matthew came bottom of the judges leader board.

In the round ten results show, guest John Barrowman sings 'Can't Get My Eyes Off You', the remaining couples perform a special group dance to the music of 'Saturday Night Fever', choreographed by Arlene Phillips, and Vincent and Flavia perform a Milonga, that dances first appearance on Strictly. Lisa and Brendan, and Jodie and Ian come bottom of the leader board and have to perform in the dance off.

The final five couples have to perform two dances each, a Latin and a Ballroom. Christine and Matthew are bottom of the judges leader board.

In the round eleven results show, the pro dancers perform two routines, including Darren and Lilia who do a Latin medley, and Estelle sings her hit 'American Boy'. Rachel and Vincent, and Christine and Matthew are in the bottom two and have to perform in the dance off.

In the quarter-final round, again each couple must perform two dances, a Latin and a Ballroom. Rachel and Vincent get the highest mark for a Tango in the series (39). For the first time Austin and Erin are bottom of the judges leader board.

In the quarter-final results show, Brian and Kristina perform a Hustle, the professional dancers perform a group Viennese Waltz, and Flavia, Vincent and two special guest dancers perform an Argentine Tango. Guest Barry Manilow sings his classic hit 'Copa Cabana'. Lisa and Brendon, and Austin and Erin find themselves having to perform in the dance off.

In the semi-final, the remaining 3 couples perform both an Argentine Tango and a dance of their choice. Lisa and Brendan receive a maximum 40 points for their quickstep, and are joint top of the judges leader board along with Rachel and Vincent. Tom and Camilla are bottom.

In the season's first live results show, six of the professional dancers perform a group jive, and the cast of stage show Chicago sing 'All That Jazz'. Due to the fact that there was a tie on the judges leader board, it was announced that all three couple would go forward to this years final. As a result, the show ran 10 minutes shorter than billed.

In the Grand Final, the three remaining couples perform their favorite Ballroom (in each case a Foxtrot), and their favorite Latin dances. For the first time ever on Strictly, Lisa and Brendon get a perfect 40 in both their dances. Bruce sings 'What the World Needs Now', and all of the previous couples do a short dance (except Jodie and Ian, as Jodie is ill). Tom and Camilla are bottom of the judges leader board at the end of the show.

In the Grand Final results show, Lisa and Brendon are first to be voted out. The two remaining couples both perform a Viennese Waltz and all dance a show dance. Four previous champions and their partners perform a special group dance, James and Ola perform a Cha-Cha, and guest Duffy sings her hit 'Mercy'. Tom and Camilla finally win out to take the Strictly trophy as 2008 champions.

Two former champions, Jill and Alesha, former contestant Kelly, and series 6 finalists Rachel, Lisa and 2008 champion Tom, compete in the 2008 Christmas Special.