Maisie, 19, embodied the Disney Princess character of Elsa from Frozen as she and professional dancer Gorka Marquez, 30, performed an American Smooth to the song, Into The Unknown. After receiving some tough critique from the Strictly Come Dancing judges on how she could improve her performance, the EastEnders actress joined Claudia Winkleman, 46, for a debrief. However, the BBC soap star then broke down in tears as her family sent her emotional message from their home.
Due to coronavirus restrictions and as a result of forming a support bubble with Gorka, the actress has to live alone for the remainder of her time in the competition.
As she can’t see her family on a daily basis, being reunited with them virtually, the soap star was completely overcome with emotion.
Maisie’s father was the first to speak as he said: “We are so proud of her. Every week, she smashes it out of the park.
“We love you, Maisie. You are really, really doing a great job,” he continued before the actress’s mother said she was “struggling” seeing her daughter only via a television screen.
“I just want to give you a hug because you’ve finally got to be a princess, I love it,” she added, with the contestant wiping away her tears.
READ MORE: Shirley Ballas’ appearance leaves Strictly viewers distracted
The couple then received their scores from the judges with Craig Revel Horwood, 55, giving the couple an eight.
Head judge Shirley Ballas, 60, gave the actress a seven with Motsi Mabuse, 39, rewarding the pair with a nine.
This meant Maisie and Gorka went straight to the top of the leaderboard with a combined total of 24 out of a possible 30.
Reacting to the scores, the actress was amazed as she told Claudia she “wasn’t expecting” to receive such marks.
With one celebrity leaving the dance floor already, no one wants to be the next person to be voted off by the viewers and judges.
At the moment, JJ Chalmers, 33, is the favourite to leave with Coral bookmakers putting his chances of making an exit at 5/4.
No far behind him is Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing, 31, who was saved by the panel during last weekend’s dance-off.
The reality star’s chances of being eliminated stand at 2/1, with American footballer Jason Bell, 42, also in the danger zone at 33/1.
Coral spokesperson Harry Aitkenhead said: “Strictly continues and more celebrities are going to feel the heat with eliminations to come thick and fast now through the weeks after the first last Sunday.
“We think JJ Chalmers is under the most pressure and make him the favourite to be sent packing next,” he continued.
Two people who don’t need to worry are EastEnders actress Maisie and singer HRVY, 21, who have both received nines from the judges.
The pair are currently at 50/1 to be eliminated, but the public vote could change the game completely following week three of the competition.
Strictly Come Dancing: The Results airs Sunday at 7:15pm on BBC One.