Strictly Come Dancing series 5

Format

Each week, couples dance in a live show and the judges score each performance out of ten. Couples are ranked by judges' scores and given points accordingly, with the lowest-scoring couple receiving one point and the highest receiving the maximum points available. The public vote also ranks couples, awarding points similarly.

The points from judges and public are combined; the two couples with the fewest points enter the bottom two. If tied, public vote points take precedence. The bottom two perform a dance-off on the results show, and each judge votes on which couple to save, with head judge Len Goodman having the deciding vote.

Weekly scores

In the first week, only male celebrities performed either the cha-cha-cha or the waltz; non-competing couples performed an unscored group swing dance. The judges voted to save Brian & Karen (Horwood) and Kenny & Ola (Phillips, Tonioli, Goodman). The following week, only female celebrities performed either the quickstep or the rumba; non-competing couples performed an unscored group merengue. Judges saved Letitia & Darren (Horwood, Tonioli, Goodman) and Stephanie & Vincent (Phillips).

Later weeks featured dances such as jive or tango, American Smooth or samba, foxtrot or paso doble, and salsa or Viennese waltz. In several dance-offs, John & Nicole were saved unanimously by Horwood, Phillips, and Tonioli, with Goodman not voting but stating he would have saved them.

In another week, Matt & Flavia were saved by Horwood, Tonioli, and Goodman, while Phillips voted for Penny & Ian. Kelly & Brendan were saved unanimously by Horwood, Phillips, and Tonioli, with Goodman not voting but indicating he would have saved them; Kelly Brook later withdrew after her father's death. In the semi-final, each couple performed two routines; the judges saved Letitia & Darren (Horwood, Phillips, Tonioli).