The Home and Away actor admitted he was terrified during the routine.
Perfect scores are few and far between on Dancing With The Stars, with the show’s judges paying close attention to timing, posture, and footwork. While some viewers have criticised the quartet for being too harsh on this year’s cast, one contestant managed to score full marks in Sunday night’s episode after a somewhat risky performance.
Home and Away star Kyle Shilling took to the dance floor for the third time this season, performing a jive with his dance partner Lily Cornish to Elton John’s ‘I’m Still Standing’. The routine began with a slight fumble as his star-shaped glasses fell off too early; however, he delivered an otherwise flawless routine.
In addition to choreography with matching boater hats and canes, the pair wowed viewers with an impressive double cartwheel.
The judges praised Kyle for his stellar performance and awarded him 40 points, making him the first contestant this season to receive a perfect score.
“You’re a confident young man and you are so full of potential, tonight you lived up to it,” Helen Richey said, while notoriously critical judge Craig Revel Horwood added, “I thought you did absolutely brilliantly, I loved it”.
Kyle spills on ‘scary’ move
In the sky box, host Dr Chris Brown described Kyle and Lily’s cartwheel as “one of the most spectacular moves” ever seen on Dancing With The Stars.
Kyle admitted he didn’t like being held upside down by Lily, and he hoped he wouldn’t have to do it again because it was “so scary”.
“This whole series I’ve been lifting and supporting Lily as much as I can, and then I’m upside down and I look down and she’s got heels on,” he remarked. “And I’m thinking, one of those heels go, I’m going with it.”
Lily also confessed her legs were shaking while doing the cartwheel, adding: “I’m not that sturdy down here, but we did it!”
Fans praise ‘excellent’ performance
Viewers took to social media following the episode to praise Kyle and Lily’s “fun and energetic” performance and commend them on their perfect score.
“That was so much fun to watch, excellent dancing,” one person wrote, while another added, “I think it’s time for a career change! He’s a natural. Just wow!”.
“This is the only time I have seen a man move so good in a dance like this well done,” a third remarked, followed by someone else who said, “Loved it. So much confident energy. Definitely deserves the perfect score”.
“This was soooo good! That cartwheel and how fast his legs were moving, so good to watch! Well done guys!” a different user replied.
Kyle is now one of eight contestants moving on to the semi-final of the competition alongside Brittany Hockley, Felicity Ward, Harry Garside, Mia Fevola, Michael Usher, Shaun Micallef, and Trent Cotchin.
