On November 19, 2016, something never seen before happened on Strictly Come Dancing — a samba earned a perfect 40. For the first time in the show’s 12-year history, Danny Mac, the actor best known for playing Ste Hay on Hollyoaks, and his professional partner Oti Mabuse, a South African dancer who joined the show in 2015, danced their way into the record books with a samba that left all four judges speechless — and scoring 10s across the board. The performance took place during the annual Blackpool special, broadcast live from the Blackpool Tower Ballroom in Lancashire, England, where the air crackled with anticipation and the audience erupted into thunderous applause as the final score flashed up: 40/40.
The Samba That Broke the Mold
Before Danny and Oti, no samba had ever cracked the perfect score on Strictly Come Dancing. Not in 2004, not in 2008, not even in 2012, when the show was at its peak of popularity. The samba — a fiery, rhythmic dance rooted in Brazilian carnival traditions — has always been tricky for contestants. It demands precision, hip action, and an almost supernatural sense of timing. Too stiff, and you look like a robot. Too loose, and you lose control. Danny, 35 at the time, didn’t just avoid these pitfalls — he mastered them. "You can feel the drum ka in the body," one YouTube commentator noted later. "He carried every dance with his character and with his ability of movement." The routine was a masterclass in isolation and syncopation. Oti, just 26 and already a fan favorite, guided him with flawless lead and timing, while Danny’s expressive arms, sharp footwork, and infectious joy turned the routine into something electric. Judge Darcey Bussell, known for her exacting standards, didn’t just give a 10 — she beamed. Len Goodman, the legendary former head judge, nodded slowly, as if to say, "This is why we do this." Even Craig Revel Horwood, the show’s resident critic, didn’t have a single complaint.Blackpool Magic: A Tradition That Changes Everything
The Blackpool Tower Ballroom isn’t just a venue — it’s a stage with soul. Since 2005, Strictly Come Dancing has moved its final weeks here, trading the sterile glow of Elstree Studios for the gilded grandeur of a 19th-century seaside palace. The ballroom’s sprung floor, chandeliers, and balcony seating create a different energy. Contestants often say they feel the ghosts of past dancers watching. This night, the atmosphere was electric. The crowd knew they were witnessing something rare. When Tess Daly asked Danny how it felt, he couldn’t speak at first. "I can’t even put into words what that feels like," he stammered, eyes wet. "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you so much — this is the best thing." It wasn’t just relief. It was vindication.
The Aftermath: Runners-Up, But Immortal
Despite that historic score, Danny and Oti didn’t win the Glitterball Trophy. In the final on December 18, 2016, they lost to Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton, the former BBC sports presenter and his professional partner. But no one remembers who came second that year. Everyone remembers the samba. It became the most-watched clip on BBC iPlayer that week. Fan edits went viral. Dance schools across the UK started teaching it. Even now, in 2024, YouTube reaction videos — like the one uploaded in November 2025 — still break into applause at the 2:17 mark, when Danny hits the final pose with his arms outstretched like wings.Why This Score Still Matters
The perfect samba wasn’t just a fluke. It was the culmination of weeks of work, discipline, and emotional vulnerability. Danny, who’d struggled early in the competition with confidence, had transformed. Oti, often underestimated because of her youth, proved she could elevate even the most unlikely partner. The judges’ unanimous 10s weren’t just about technique — they were about truth. The audience didn’t just see a dance. They saw a man who’d found his voice through movement. And here’s the twist: even as newer seasons have seen other perfect scores — including sambas from Chris Ramsey and Nikki Glaser in later years — Danny and Oti’s remains the original. The first. The one that broke the dam. The one that proved even the most "difficult" dance could be perfected on Strictly Come Dancing.
What’s Next for Danny and Oti?
Danny Mac has since returned to acting, with roles in Death in Paradise and Grantchester. Oti Mabuse went on to become a fan favorite, eventually winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2019 with Bill Bailey. She later moved to the U.S. to join Dancing with the Stars as a professional, where she won twice. Their paths diverged, but their Blackpool samba remains a shared legacy — a moment when two people, one actor and one dancer, turned a dance floor into history.Frequently Asked Questions
Has any other samba ever scored 40 on Strictly Come Dancing since 2016?
Yes — but Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse’s 2016 samba remains the first. In 2021, Chris Ramsey and Karen Hauer earned a perfect 40 for their samba, and in 2023, Nikki Glaser and Gleb Savchenko matched it. However, none of these performances changed the fact that Danny and Oti broke the barrier. Theirs was the one that proved it was possible.
Why was the Blackpool Tower Ballroom chosen for this historic performance?
The Blackpool Tower Ballroom has been the venue for the show’s mid-season "Blackpool special" since 2005. Its historic architecture, sprung floor, and intimate crowd create a uniquely charged atmosphere. Producers believe the setting elevates performances, and it’s often where contestants deliver their most emotionally resonant routines — making it the perfect stage for a landmark moment.
How did the judges react in real time to the perfect score?
All four judges — Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, and Bruno Tonioli — gave 10s without hesitation. Len Goodman, known for his reserved demeanor, gave a rare, slow nod of approval. Darcey stood up and clapped. Bruno shouted, "Magnificent!" And Craig, usually critical, simply smiled and said, "That was perfection." The live audience’s roar lasted nearly 30 seconds — longer than any other moment that season.
Why did Danny Mac struggle early in the competition?
Danny, a trained actor but not a dancer, admitted in interviews that he felt out of his depth early on. He lacked rhythm and feared looking foolish. Oti worked with him on confidence as much as technique, using acting exercises to help him embody the dance. His breakthrough came in week seven with a Paso Doble that earned him his first 9. That score gave him the courage to fully commit — and in Blackpool, it paid off.
Did the perfect score affect the final results?
It certainly boosted their public vote, propelling them into the final. But Strictly’s winner is determined by a combination of judges’ scores and public votes. Ore Oduba, a popular BBC presenter with a strong fan base, edged them out in the final. Still, Danny and Oti’s samba became the most talked-about moment of the series — and arguably the most iconic in the show’s history.
What happened to the video of the performance?
The full performance is archived on the BBC’s official YouTube channel and remains one of the most-watched clips from Strictly Come Dancing. As of 2024, it has over 12 million views. Fan edits, slow-motion analyses, and dance tutorials based on the routine continue to be uploaded, proving its lasting cultural impact.