I have two:

Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennett's jive in series two.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd3OBFMiBHc

And Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy's salsa, which got off to a false start when his mic got caught up in her dress in series four.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdMMuH6wmPQ

With both these dances, the total joy and enthusiasm of the celebrities and the happy (purely platonic) relationship they shared with their professional dance partner came through so much. There was plenty of dance content and no props. Nothing I have even seen in subsequent series, however talented the celebrities, has surpassed these performances, which remain my absolute favourites and a wonderful memory.

have loads over the years but standout in my mind

jills jive
Alesha's cha cha https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ39GJloOMI
Alesha's waltz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3Py8fFLniQ

Zoe's Tango https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCDbLJVI3Eg oh for tango music like that these days

as i said have loads of dances over the year I have liked but these are standout ones for me

I will just say this and then the thread will be over...

Cherie Lunghi and James Jordan's Rumba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytTrEWCjacA

Scott and Natalie's Jive.
Close runner up: Flavia and Louis' Halloween Tango

Oh I loved this dance! Brilliant!

Also, Colin and Erin's rumba for a male celeb one- so gorgeous and actually not cringe worthy.

Actually most of Colin's dances.... and also Ramps AT...

Kara and Artem's American Smooth - controversial, but I loved it
Harry and Aliona's Quickstep
Sophie and Brendan's Charleston
Chelsee and Pasha's jive

Rachel & Vincent's Argentine Tango
Kimberley & Pasha's Charleston
Sophie & Brendan's Charleston
Sophie & Brendan's Viennese Waltz

I jumped up off my sofa for no reason at the end of Austin and Erin's Paso because I was so excited, Spanish waiter stylisation or not...

All of Colin and Erin's videos are back on YouTube by the way, along with all of Zoe & Ian's:

http://youtu.be/Z-YbYmP0NVo

Oh, thanks for letting me know.... can see what I will be doing this evening....

I assume you mean choreographed routine rather than favourite dance....

Colin and Erin's American Smooth

Tom and Camilla's showdance is by far my all time favourite.

Tom and Camilla's showdance
Flavia and Louis Showdance
Austin and Erin's Paso
Cherie and James Jordan's Rumba....

Perhaps, and it is just an assumption on my part...perhaps the OP just means exactly what they stated..their favourite dance. (in terms of feel good etc)

I absolutely loved Abbey and Aljaz's Salsa..perhaps not technically their best but it was one of my favourites.

also any dance that Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler performed was heaven for me. I am not at all technically knowledgeable...but in terms of visual entertainment they were sublime. I was ecstatic when they won.

Brilliant..they wuz robbed.

Not technically a salsa either Scarlett. I have a hunch that might be what Jennifer was getting at. But its a fair point, you and every other viewer is entitled to their favourites and to define enjoyment in their own terms.

And you prove your point perfectly. I think Rachel and Vincent's AT was the best we have ever seen, I loved it but strangely its not my favourite. Mark And Karen's was my favourite because of a package of factors beyond the actual dance.

At the top of my head...

Kata and Artems Rumba
http://youtu.be/1s1-ooEDMqo
Susanna and Kevin's Paso Doble
http://youtu.be/GbNusScEDHo
Sophie Ellis Bextor and Brandans Viennese Waltz
http://youtu.be/H_UM6zGOcNs

Perhaps I am in a minority but I interpret "the dance" to mean, Waltz, Fox, QS etc...the "steps" whether chorieographed or not, to that dance is the routine...?

Also love Natalie and Artems American Smooth
http://youtu.be/awW4Z0eEOms

Beautiful

A growing minority, I think. It's all gonna go ( i was going to say tits up, but that's okay for some dances done well) to pot.



Something that actually AIN'T THE DANCE always loses for me.

But hey.

It was my 'amateur' intro to the dance - I'd seen VandF do it, but this was the first time the SPIRIT of that dance actually happened in the competition.

And it was thrilling.


But mucho yes - Rachel and Vincents AT was incomparable Strictly wise.

Mine, too. Loved this dance/routine. It was gorgeous.

Ali and Brian's American Smooth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eB67M5KDTI