Wales On Sunday

Ashley leaves judge Craig speechless

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ASHLEY ROBERTS and Pasha Kovalev shot to the top of the leaderboar­d with a perfect routine in the Strictly Come Dancing semi-final that left Craig Revel Horwood lost for words.

He was speechless following their American smooth as the couple danced their second routine of the evening. The judge simply clapped when asked for his thoughts on the performanc­e.

Their routine propelled them to the top of the leaderboar­d alongside Faye Tozer and Giovanni Pernice, whose passionate Argentine tango wowed the judges.

Only one point separates the top three couples remaining as Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton also impressed to claim third place in the table with a total score of 75.

Roberts and Kovalev claimed the only perfect score of the night, impressing the judges with their second dance, which was filled with dramatic lifts that Bruno Tonioli described as “out of this world”.

Tozer and Pernice were praised for their passionate Argentine tango, described by Darcey Bussell as “powerful but feminine”.

They also managed a combined total of 76.

Nerves affected Lauren Steadman, who managed a total score of only 54 on the night with partner AJ Pritchard. She made a series of mistakes with her second dance.

Joe Sugg also failed to impress alongside partner Dianne Buswell, with his inability to take the lead on their second dance coming in for criticism from the judges. The pair had a total score of 59.

 ?? PICTURES: GUY LEVY ?? Pasha Kovalev and Ashley Roberts scored 40 for their semi-final performanc­e
PICTURES: GUY LEVY Pasha Kovalev and Ashley Roberts scored 40 for their semi-final performanc­e
 ??  ?? AJ Pritchard and Lauren Steadman
AJ Pritchard and Lauren Steadman
 ??  ?? Giovanni Pernice and Faye Tozer
Giovanni Pernice and Faye Tozer

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