Oh Scott. You know I love you, but it was time to go. In the immortal words of George Michael “you should probably never dance again, cos Scott Mills’ feet have got no rhythm”. But don’t listen to him, I thought you were ACE.
So that’s it for Week 6! Only 10 couples remain, and the competition is definitely hotting up. I’ll be back next Saturday for more dancing, so join me from 6.30pm, unless you’re out doing firework things.
Thank you as ever for joining in, I’m on Twitter @heidistephens if you want to commiserate/mock me. Otherwise I’ll see you next week! Hx
It’s judgement time – Craig saves Alison and Aljaz, as does Darcey. Bruno agrees, but Len would have voted for SCOTT, because his foxtrot was more foxtrotty than Alison and Aljaz’s. But it doesn’t matter, and Aljaz’s breeches live to cling another day.
Whatever you think of Scott, he did do a brilliant job of Uncle Fester, and Joanne choreographed a fantastic routine. Going out on a high, I’d say.
Alison descends from the heavens and wafts about a bit, but I don’t care because Aljaz is giving it the full Emo Heathcliff and frankly he can come home any time he likes.
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Can we just take a moment to acknowledge how crap my prediction was this week? I think I let last week go to my head.
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So who’s in the dance off with Scott and Joanne? Pixie and Trent are through, along with Jake and Janette, Judy and Anton (BYE SCOTT), Simon and Kristina (unexpected) and Steve and Ola!
So that puts Alison and Aljaz in the dance-off! On the downside, that means Scott and Joanne are going home. On the upside, we get to look at Aljaz in breeches again! So every cloud.
Poor Alison’s mum. Hang on, IT’S THE CURSE OF THE MUMMIES!
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Darcey appears to wearing Zoe’s wet-look bin bag dress from last night. Wish they’d all stop demonstrating dance moves, it’s not show and tell. Sit DOWN.
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No dancers to accompany Annie? Bad decision, BBC. BAD.
It’s time for Annie Lennox! After last week’s Boy George Karma Cacophony, Strictly is clearly rattling the door of the 1980s cupboard to seeing who falls out. Who can we expect next week? My money’s on UB40. Or maybe Brother Beyond.
Loving Scott’s mum giving Craig a telling off, and Alison’s mum being so proud. Bless the mums. ANDY MURRAY WATCH: no sign.
Through to next week: Mark and Karen (stop shrieking), Frankie and Kevin, Sunetra and Brendan and Caroline and Pasha.
First couple in the dance off: Scott and Joanne! Noooo! Did nobody think of HIS MUM? You cruel people.
Only being up against Judy can save you now, Scott.
Last night on Strictly: a mess of Halloween insanity. Several couples stood out (Mark and Karen, Frankie and Kevin, Pixie and Trent), Alison and Aljaz did some wafting, Scott got the hump and Judy was the rigid corpse of Cruella De Vil.
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Tess and Zoe dress watch! Identikit dull black pantsuits and rubbish witch hats.
Pro dance time! Aljaz has gone for power shoulders, and is being all commanding with his girlfriend Janette. Oh I see, he’s the Hot Huntsman to Janette’s Snow White. Kristina is a magnificent Maleficent. A bit dark as fairytales go, but Huntsman Aljaz gets my vote.
The Countryfile weatherman is quite casual, isn’t he? I’m not sure I can entrust my outdoor laundry-drying schedule to a man who looks like he’s off to a barn dance.
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SUNDAY NIGHT RESULTS SHOW UPDATE!
Evening all, and welcome back for the Strictly results show! I’ve managed a spoiler-free Sunday, so am in a much better mood than last week. Other than the relentless coughing, which is now grating on MY nerves, so heaven help everyone else at Stephens Towers.
Last night our eleven remaining couples shook their Halloween thing, only one night after the rest of the country. Tonight they’ll drag the whole theme shambles out for just a little bit longer, and another couple will dance off into the spooky sunset. But first we have to endure another Halloween-themed pro dance, Annie Lennox, and a dreadful dance-off.
So who will it be in the bottom two tonight? Last night I predicted Simon and Kristina and Sunetra and Brendan, mostly because Simon has been in the dance-off before, and Sunetra was in the opening slot of death. But equally it could be Steve and Ola, Scott and Joanne, Judy and Anton or even Alison and Aljaz – so basically anyone from the bottom half of the table. Well done Heidi.
See you at 7.20!
So that’s it for tonight’s spooky Halloween spectacular. After last week’s bottom two prediction success, this week I’m going for…Simon and Kristina, and maybe Sunetra and Brendan?
Thank you all for joining in with your spooktastic comments, join me back here tomorrow at 7.20pm for the results. Come and say hi on Twitter @heidistephens if you’re in the vicinity, otherwise I’ll see you tomorrow. Keep spooky dancing! Etc. etc. Hx
Voting lines are open! Time for a recap. My favourite dances tonight: Aljaz’s breeches, Pixie’s hair, Anton’s puppies, Scott’s hunch, Mark’s and Karen’s jive. Less keen on the Pashfro.
Scores: 9,9,9,10 – a total of 37 for Frankie and Kevin, and the first “real ten” of the series, as in one not given by Donny Osmond.
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Fab. U. Lous, says Craig. Darcey thought it was beautiful – fantastic shaping and lines, and she was taken away by Frankie’s performance. Len thought it was spectacular, and Bruno thought it was totally wicked in the best possible way – it captured the spirit of the show and her technique was superb.
Frankie looks weirdly like a green Kelly Brook, whilst Kevin looks like Shrek from the neck down. It’s a footwork-frenzy of a Tango, with great command from Frankie. Not sure about the broomstick ascension at the end, but good Tango moves and a great performance.
Please let them not be in the bottom two, I NEVER want to hear this version of Defying Gravity again. *repairs windows*
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And FINALLY, it’s Frankie and Kevin! This week they’re dancing the Tango to ‘Defying Gravity’ from the musical Wicked.
One of my favourite Strictly Tangos ever is the Louis and Flavia zombie one from Halloween a couple of years ago – can Frankie and Kevin out-spook them?
Scores: 8,9,9,9 – that’s 35 for Mark and Karen, putting them at the top of the leader board. I smell a dark horse.
Bruno wants whatever Mark is on – his timing was spot on, and it was his best dance yet. Bravo, says Craig. Darcey thought it had great spring and style, she has high hopes for Mark. Len thought it was a sweet shop full to tasty treats. Missed opportunity for Halloween bingo, Len. I’m disappointed in you.
Loving Mark’s nerd outfit, I think Karen was supposed to be an evil plant of some kind? Mark is shaping up to be a really good dancer – his timing and kicks and flicks are sharp and he’s got plenty of pace and personality. Great fun, really enjoyed that - my favourite dance of the night so far.
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Only two couples to go! It’s time for Mark and Karen! Tonight they’re dancing the Jive to ‘Little Shop of Horrors’. I loved Mark’s Samba last week, can he deliver a kicky-flicky-brilliant Jive?
Scores: 3,6,6,6 – a total of 21 for Scott and Joanne.
Len thought it was neither super nor natural, but it was fun and entertaining. Bruno loved Scott’s panto side, it was really good fun. Craig loved the hunched dancing, and can’t think of much else to say. Darcey loved the characterisation and his top line was actually quite smooth, but it lacked glide. Great acting, however.
Scott’s outfit is a bit more Dr. Evil than Fester, but let’s go with it. Joanne is an outstanding Morticia, however. Scott’s going for the hunched foxtrot, in keeping with the character. Once he gets upright, his footwork really isn’t that bad, although it all deteriorates into some lifts and spins that I hope were intentionally bad. Weirdly, this is probably Scott’s best dance so far. I rather enjoyed it. JUDGE ME, GO ON.
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It’s time for Scott and Joanne! This week they’re performing the Foxtrot to the theme from The Addams Family Theme. Scott is dressed as Uncle Fester, and it’s a tune that’s inherently stompy. What could possibly go wrong?
In Scott’s latest vote-winning dastardly plot, he’s promised to dance at the wedding of a member of One Direction if he gets through to next week. If things are looking shaky, drafting in squillions of Directioners to vote for you isn’t a bad strategy, to be fair.
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Scores; 7,8,8,9 - a total of 32 for Caroline and Pasha.
Darcey thought it was sometimes so perfect it lost the vibe and fun of the dance. Len agrees – not Caroline’s best, but not her worst, and good fun. Bruno thought it had disco inferno. Craig thought it was a big frenetic, but he loved it.
What a bunch of joyless funsponges.
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Out come Caroline and Pasha, in horrifying afro wigs and rancid fringing. Caroline’s disco Samba moves are brilliant, she’s got fantastic hip action and and fabulous footwork. She loses her arms on occasion, but it’s great fun. Apart from the wigs. The wigs are awful.
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Only four couples left! It’s time for Caroline and Pasha! Tonight they’ll be dancing the Samba to ‘Le Freak’ by Chic. Because disco can be totally Halloween if it’s got “freak” in the title, see?
Last week included two top Sambas, so Flasha have got some work to do.
Loving Zoe as presenter tonight. *whispers* Umm, maybe Zoe and Claudia might be a good combination? Just a thought.
Scores: 6,7,8,8 – a total of 29 for Jake and Janette, and another set of scores that are entirely at odds with the judges’ comments. I can’t keep up.
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Craig was disappointed – he wanted more with the cape and it was a bit stilted. Darcey thought it had energy and attack, but he was too upright all the way through without the Paso shaping. Len doesn’t agree, Jake got into to the character and whilst his shaping needed more oomph, he had plenty of “gertcher”. Bruno thought he was so immersed in the role, but he didn’t let the intensity out.
Well I liked it, which is all that matters.
Jake looks all kind of masterful, and has bats flying out of his cape. Janette as catwoman is fine by just about every dad in the country. It’s another fast and furious dance from Jake, with plenty of attack and passion, and some nice flamenco arms. Totally fierce. Loved it.
Who’s next? It’s Jake and Janette! This week they’re performing the Paso Doble to ‘Black Betty’ by Ram Jam. I have every expectation that this is going to be fierce, but can Jake keep his can’t-stop-dancing limbs under control?
Scores: 3,6,6,5 – a total of 20 for Judy and Anton.
Bruno describes Judy as a learning-to-walk rescue dog – she confused American Smooth with American Stiff (different movie entirely, Bruno). Craig thought it was spiky and had no flow – it looks like Anton was dancing with a mannequin. Darcey thought she looked amazing, but it was all a bit stiff. Len thought it was great until Judy got out of the car, but it did have a little style and sophistication.
Judy’s in a car, resplendent in furs, and looks amazing. “Bring me those puppies!” she yells. Anton has a couple of confused-looking dogs, which may well be the best bit of this.
Several weeks later, she gets out the car and some dancing begins. As usual there’s quite a bit of wooden wandering around on Judy’s part, but she’s trying to deliver something vaguely resembling a top line, so that’s an improvement.
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It’s time for Judy and Anton! This week they’re dancing the American Smooth to ‘Cruella De Vil’ from the movie 101 Dalmations. I say “dancing”, we all know that only applies in the loosest possible sense. See also “smooth”.
Still, if we get through this without wishing we were watching puppies being murdered instead, that’s definitely a result.
You’ll notice I didn’t comment on that version of Electric Six. I’m pretending it never happened. It’s best that way.
Scores: 8,8,8,9 – a total of 33 for Pixie and Trent. Top score of the night so far.
Len thought it was shocking, but in good way, although her right arm does weird things. Bruno thought it was a fantastic Tango – lots of quirky details. Craig thought it was jam-packed with detail with lots of fantastic steps. Darcey loved the attack, but the amount of detail made it look a bit messy.
Pixie has gone for some hair-raisingly spectacular backcombing, and Trent is dressed as a zebra-panted Joker. This is a top notch Tango – lots of attitude and tons of personality from Pixie. Bit chaotic in places, but that’s fine by me. LOVED that.
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Next up it’s Pixie and Trent! This week they’re dancing the Tango to ‘Danger! High Voltage’ by Electric Six. Believe it or not it’s been 11 years since this musical moment of camptastic genius was in the charts.
Part of me wishes they’d gone for “Gay Bar” instead, but it’s decidedy less Halloween, and probably would require Ofcom to draft in extra staff.
Scores: 5,7,7,7 – a total of 26 for Steve and Ola. It’s going to be another night of bonkers scoring, clearly.
Darcey thought it was cheeky and fun, but Steve lost his way a few times. Len admired Steve’s guts, and even though it went wrong it was fun and quirky. Bruno thought it was over-ambitious. Craig thought the lifts were messy, the timing was out, but the turning kick section was great.
So Steve and Ola are both dressed as skeletons, although Ola’s is considerably more slutty than Steve’s and she appears to have a giant dog bone on her head. It’s an odd Charleston, but Steve’s footwork is decent and there are a couple of nice lifts. He loses his step a few times, and could have done with more swivel. Fun, though.
Sorry for calling Simon and Kristina Steve and Ola. I’m not well, and may have had too many Lemsips.
Who’s next? It’s time for Steve and Ola! This week they’re performing the Charleston to ‘Dem Bones Dem Bones’ by Kay Starr. Steve needs to get dem bones into some kind of spooky swivel, or he may be in trouble this week.
Scores: 6,8,7,8 – a total of 29 for Simon and Kristina.
Craig thought it was a commanding performance, and Simon did really well. Darcey thought Simon came alive. Len thought it lacked finesse but Simon gave it plenty. Bruno thought it needed more refinement, but it had plenty of power.
Simon is caught in a spider’s web, and Kristina is the catsuit-clad spider who wants to eat him. This Paso has plenty of pace and punch, but Simon’s footwork and feeble air punching just makes it all a bit camp and unconvincing. Ooh, gymnastics!
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Next up it’s Simon and Kristina! Tonight they’re dancing the Paso Doble to ‘Poison’ by Alice Cooper. Simon survived the bottom two last week and needs to unleash his inner Paso God if he isn’t going to linger in the Bland and Unforgettable zone again. Just saying.
Scores: 5,7,7,7 – a total of 26 for Alison and Aljaz.
Bruno thought they were a match made in heaven, although the footwork was a little sketchy in hold. Craig thought it was one of the campest entrances he’s seen, and Alison’s feet were a bit turned out. Darcey thought she needs more control in hold, but she loved the wafting and Alison was clearly having a great time. Len also loved the wafting – needed more movement in hold, but it was great fun.
Can we also just acknowledge the outstanding vocals of whoever sang Wuthering Heights. I salute you, and also thank you on behalf of my ears.
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Alison descends from the ceiling in a festival of white bedsheets. Loving Aljaz in breeches and eye makeup, however. Gosh, it’s warm in here.
It’s actually a rather lovely Smooth, although the volume of the dress is distracting. All quite wafty and romantic and charming, Alison’s best ballroom outing so far, I’d say.
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Next up it’s Alison and Aljaz! Tonight they’re dancing the American Smooth to ‘Wuthering Heights’ by Kate Bush.
I’m not sure if I’m more nervous about Alison doing an American Not-So-Smooth, or the band singing Wuthering Heights. Be very afraid.
Scores: 6,7,7,7 – total of 27 for Sunetra and Brendan. And the pumpkin scoring paddles! DRINK!
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Len thought it started well but it lost its way, along with the flair of the dance. Bruno thought Sunetra found the kicks and flicks hard, along with the arm placement. Craig thought it was a bit laboured and lacked punch, and could have been cleaner and sharper. Darcey (hair watch: 1980 Girl’s World head) thought it lacked attack, but Sunetra has lovely arms.
Sunetra is in a cobwebby bed, which she and Brendan push around for a bit. Sunetra’s kicks and flicks lack punch, and her timing’s off too. Then more bed-pushing. More furniture removals than Jive. All a bit odd, really.
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Up first is Sunetra and Brendan! Tonight they’re dancing the Jive to ‘Tainted Love’ by Gloria Jones. Because tainted love is inherently scarier than the untainted kind, possibly.
Out come the celebs! Oh Pasha, really? What’s with the hippy wig? Scott’s Uncle Fester is outstanding, as is Judy’s Cruella.
Out come Tess and Zoe! Dress watch: Zoe’s sporting a glittery black number that looks like tarmac, whilst Tess is wearing a navy bodycon horror with string vest sleeves. Definitely a win for Zoe.
Darcey dress watch: horrific panelling lace. No.
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Opening pro/celebrity group dance – a meatloaf that’s been left in the oven too long. All the celebs are emoting with pretend scared faces. Anton’s tumbling awkwardly in on wires. This is the 9th circle of hell.
And we’re off! Let the spooky circus begin. Last week, 12 couples became 11 when Thom and Iveta left the Strictly dancefloor with some dubious disco dad moves. This week, 1 hour 45 minutes of pointless Halloween guffery. I’m already exhausted.
The son has just shouted NO and left the room. He lasted less than 3 minutes.
In other news, my 22-year-old son is home for the weekend, and I am trying to persuade him to watch Strictly with me as the daughter is off to a Halloween party. He’s not looking very keen, if I’m honest. Boo.
Bonnie and Todd sounds like cockney rhyming slang. As in “I’m a bit Bonnie and Todd. Todd Carty, farty”. I’m NOT, clearly. Just an example. Look I’m NOT, OK?
Just for fun, let’s do Halloween Strictly bingo – drink a shot of something evil from your drinks cupboard for any occurrence of the following:
• Len describing a dance as having “plenty of tricks, and plenty of treats”
• Last year’s pumpkin-shaped scoring paddles
• Zoe wearing Claudia’s zombie eye makeup (Clauds is having a week off)
• Pasha doing really bad VT acting
You may want to bring plenty of booze.
Anton’s on Pointless! The man is omnipresent. Also Todd Carty, who appears to have taken some kind of elixir of youth.
Good evening, and welcome to the Strictly Come Dancing not-quite-Halloween liveblog! Just when you’d consigned your sad, limp pumpkins to the wheelie bin (standard waste or garden rubbish? Such a dilemma), Strictly is cranking out a feeble encore. Prepare yourselves for costume nightmares, set design horror, makeup atrocities and ear-bleeding musical hell.
Last week Thom and Iveta were sent home in the standard mid-series “why are worse dancers not being voted off?” furore. The answer is the same every year – because people vote for their favourites, and dancing brilliance is only one consideration, along with underdog status, entertainment value, Scottishness and Radio 1 audience size. And if it was a pure dance competition, surely everyone would be complete beginners at the start, otherwise it wouldn’t be fair, no?
I would also argue that Halloween week needs the likes of Judy and Scott just to keep the camp horror levels up, but maybe that’s just me. Hello? Anyone? *tumbleweed*
I’ll be here from 6.30pm to keep an eye on every terrible Tango and scary Salsa. Feel free to make spooky noises in the comment box below, I can’t do this alone.
See you at 6.30pm! MWAH HAH HA HA HAAAA etc.
