Strictly Come Dancing pro smashes record on BBC Strictly spin-off: It Takes Two
Pro dancer Lauren Oakley (UK) has achieved the record for most pendulum dance steps in 30 seconds and a coveted Guinness World Records certificate on the set of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two.
Over 15 Strictly dancers, including Nancy Xu, Dianne Buswell and Neil Jones, went head-to-head during the annual Pro Challenge and aimed to take home the official Guinness World Records title.
This year, the footwork chosen for the challenge was the "pendulum step": a classic Ballroom move that recreates a pendulum-like movement.
Alternating the two legs, the dancer will have to quickly swing one leg horizontally to the side of the body while simultaneously hopping on the opposite foot twice.
Then, the dancer brings the extended leg back down until it meets the other leg.
The movement must then be repeated with the other leg as quickly as possible.
Technique, focus and fast footwork were the key ingredients to smash the challenge, but only one dancer could set the first-ever title for most pendulum dance steps in 30 seconds!
All the participants stepped up but, eventually, 32-year-old pro dancer and choreographer Lauren came out on top with a total of 15 pendulum steps and no disqualified moves.
The Birmingham-born dancer began performing professionally at the young age of seven and toured the world before joining the hit BBC show.
She has been part of the Burn the Floor and Him & Me tours, alongside fellow pro and record holder Giovanni Pernice, and joined Strictly for the 20th series in 2022.
The number of steps varied greatly across the board, from Carlos Gu’s 14 to Gorka Marquez achieving a total of nine steps.
Sadly, all 21 steps achieved by Dianne were disqualified.
The Italian record holder and dancer Graziano Di Prima achieved a whopping 17 steps, although five of them were disqualified – landing him with a total of 12 steps in 30 seconds.
Pro dancer Carlos also achieved an impressive 17, although the three incorrect steps from his performance earned him a final result of 14 steps in 30 seconds.
This year's leaderboard:
- Lauren Oakley: 15
- Carlos Gu: 14
- Nancy Xu: 14
- Nadiya Bychkova: 14
- Neil Jones: 14
- Michelle Tsiakkas: 13
- Johannes Radebe: 12
- Jowita Przystal: 12
- Graziano Di Prima: 12
- Luba Mushtuk: 11
- Katya Jones: 11
- Vito Coppola: 10
- Karen Hauer: 10
- Gorka Marquez: 9
- Dianne Buswell: 0
Seeing pro dancers challenge their limits during the BBC dance competition, showcasing their skills and aiming for an ambitious Guinness World Records title, is now a beloved tradition.
For two consecutive years, 2016 and 2017, professional dancer Giovanni (Italy) set two records:
Swivel steps are a classic undulating movement in the Charleston dance, and the record required the challenger to step forward and back while swivelling their heels inwards on each step.
The challenging sequence had to be repeated as quickly as possible with perfect technique.
In 2018, Latin dance champion Otlile "Oti" Mabuse won the Strictly Pro Challenge, breaking the record for the most jive toe heel swivel steps in 30 seconds with a total of 48 steps.
"I have never attempted in my life to set any record, so I'm really excited," said Oti just before the attempt.
She alternated several steps and stayed true to her technique ("I'm going to stick to the rules and go as fast as I can," she said at the beginning of the challenge) for an intense, nail-biting 30 seconds.
Graziano, who racked up a total of 12 pendulum steps during this year's challenge, already nabbed the top spot at another Pro Challenge in 2019.
The Italian dancer broke the record for most Botafogo dance steps in 30 seconds, achieving an incredible total of 90.
A classic footwork technique for Samba dancers, Botafogo steps have several variations and can be repeated for many times during a dance.
"It's my first time, so I'm really excited but also really nervous," Graziano said before the attempt.
His strategy of pouring all his energy and precision into the 30 seconds of the challenge paid off, and he came out on top.
The record for most Botafogo dance steps in 30 seconds was originally set in November 2011 by Artem Chigvintsev (Russia) - pro-dancer, current Dancing with the Stars (US) dancer and former Strictly Come Dancing star between 2010 and 2013.
After Artem achieved a total of 79 correct Botafogo dance steps in such an astounding time, Graziano smashed the record with 11 steps to spare.
More recent records broken during the annual Strictly Pro Challenge:
- Most fleckerls in 30 seconds, with 25. The record was achieved by pro-dancer Nadiya Bychkova (Urkaine) in 2020.
- Nadiya smashed the challenge once again in 2021. She broke the record for most pat-a-cake dance steps with 38.
- Most back Charleston kick steps in 30 seconds. The record was achieved by Amy Dowden (UK) in 2022, with 19 steps.
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