From bringing the Fire in Gladiators to burning up the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom with ‘Fuego’, Montell Douglas and Johannes perform a sultry Samba in week 2 of the hit BBC1 show. Once more Eurovision unites in dance, as Eleni Foureira sees her Eurovision 2018 runner-up, ‘Fuego’ take centre stage on the Strictly dance floor.
Eleni Foureira features in Strictly Come Dancing
During week 2 of BBC1’s most famous celebrity dancing competition, keen viewers will have heard a familiar track in the show. Tonight, former Winter Olympian and Gladiators star, Montell Douglas and partner Johannes took to the floor to prove Montell is more than ready to rumble in the ballroom too. The duo stunned the audience and judges with their sultry Samba to Eleni Foureira’s Eurovision 2018 runner up, ‘Fuego’. Of course, the routine featured Montell’s signature Gladiators move with some nods to Eleni’s Lisbon choreography and a very similar looking catsuit!
The pair scored 30 out of a possible 40 points. After the week 1 scores were carried over to this weekend, this places them joint 4th on the leaderboard with a total of 56 points out of 80. Moreover the judges praised Montell’s level of commitment to one of the hardest dances in the competition.
“Definitely on fire! I loved that you could control that dance.”
Motsi Mabuse
“Your chemistry with Johannes is off the charts! Week 2 what a performance!”
Shirley Ballas
“Montell did well DAH-LING!”
Craig Revel-Horwood
Once more, Strictly proves itself as a platform for musicians looking for a streaming and sales boost in the UK charts. Not that Loreen needs to worry, with two number 2 chart hits in the UK with both Eurovision winners, as well as a UK and European Tour currently underway!
Tomorrow night will see the first elimination from the competition as the scores from the judges are combined with the viewers’ votes – much like Eurovision itself. UK viewers can tune in to Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday and Sunday nights on BBC1 and the iPlayer.
Eurovision and Strictly Come Dancing
Of course, this is not the first time Eurovision has found its way to the Strictly ballroom. Over the years, the producers who research the song choices for the show, have proven to be quite fond of Europe’s favourite singing competition. During the first show of this series alone, the producers picked out The Mamas and Chanel, as well as Benjamin Ingrosso’s latest hit, ‘Honey Boy’.
Throughout the shows’ history, the timing patterns of many dances have married well to the Eurovision winning songs of, Buck’s Fizz, ABBA and Lulu. Meanwhile the entries of Domenico Modugno, Gina G and Daði Freyr & Gagnamagnið have also featured in the show. In 2022 the Eurovision 2021 winners, Måneskin saw their cover of ‘Beggin’ taken to the dancefloor by Adam Peaty and Katya. Last year, Layton Williams and Nikita received a standing ovation for their Argentine Tango interpretation of Loreen’s 2023 winner, ‘Tattoo’. In a longer form feature, we highlighted these routines in more detail here.
What did you think of Montell and Johannes’ performance to Eleni Foureira on Strictly? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram, @escxtra on TikTok and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify for the latest music from your favourite Eurovision acts. As well as YouTube to see our reactions to the news in the run up to the new Eurovision season.
