Viewers were left flocking to social media as they wondered if their eyes were deceiving them when Strictly Come Dancing returned to screens on Sunday night (December 11). In a change to the usual schedule, the semi-final of the BBC One dance contest aired 24 hours alter than usual due to the World Cup.
And it was a big night in the ballroom as Hamza Yassin, Fleur East, Helen Skelton, Will Mellor and Molly Rainford performed twice for the first time in a bid to impress the judges and the voting public in a bid to secure a place in next weekend's grand final.
After his first performance of the evening - and the critique - left him feeling 'rubbish', Will Mellor returned to the dancefloor with partner Nancy Xu for their couple's choice and it was all about Manchester for the Bredbury-born actor as he closed the show dedication his performance to the nostalgia of his home city.
READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing viewers give Hamza 'maximum votes' before spotting unfortunate blunder
The Two Pints of Lager and Coronation Street star, 46, was seen back in his stomping ground with Nancy, paying a visit to his beloved mum. He then performed with his partner Nancy to an assortment of 1990s tracks – including Happy Mondays’ track Step On - and Bez from the legendary Manchester band was spotted waving his maracas in the audience.
Anton Du Beke said following the routine, which featured the pair wearing bucket hats: "In 20 series of Strictly Come Dancing, we’ve never had Manchester week... You put the disappointment of earlier behind you, you smashed the place up.” Craig Revel Horwood said: "I was slightly nervous it would be a dad doing this type of dancing but actually it went very well."
Head judge Shirley Ballas said it was a "daddy cool" dance which she "rather enjoyed" while Motsi Mabuse declared: "Oh what a comeback, the energy here is incredible. You can feel nobody wants to go home." Having scored a near-perfect 39, Nancy said: to Will: "Everything for him is his family. I know because this show is really important for your family, I really wish we can get to the end."
But before their comforting words to one another, Strictly co-host Claudia said to Will and Nancy: "Utterly brilliant..." before asking them how their peformance was. She then added: "Can I just say from all of us and those watching at home, something I never thought I'd say on Strictly, can we have a big welcome to Bez."
Many viewers were already taking to social media to ask if it was Bez they were seeing in the audience and after Claudia's confirmation, they couldn't help but think he looked like someone else as he donned a cream knit. @PaulG284 tweeted: "Are they sure it was Bez in the audience of #StrictlyComeDancing Looks more like John Craven to me."
@chasingbadger echoed: "Bez in his cable knit looked like John Craven #StrictlyComeDancing." @StuEkins commented: "Bez in disguise as John Craven? Bit of a surprise. #StrictlyComeDancing." @Vindictus13 posted: "Bez channelling John Craven #Strictly." @LeedsBeerWolf wrote: "Bez has gone full blown John Craven #StrictlyComeDancing." But @malik_mark added: "Nothing to see here - just #Bez looking scarily like @Keir_Starmer on #StrictlyComeDancing."
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