So that’s it for another Strictly week! Next week is the SEMI FINAL, when our dancers have to do TWO DANCES, so make sure you’re here for a 6.50pm kick-off. Thank you all for joining in with your very funny and wise commentary down below, it is much appreciated.
I’m off to the recording of the Strictly Christmas Special tomorrow night, so keep an eye on Twitter @heidistephens and I’ll try to post a picture of me giving Harry Judd a light squeeze. Otherwise I’ll see you next Saturday! Keeeeep dancing! Hx
So what will the judges do? Craig votes to keep Georgia and Giovanni (after having a moan about the public’s choices, YES THAT’S WHAT WE DO CRAIG), and Darcey does the same. Bruno saves Georgia and Giovanni too, which means Helen and Aljaz are going home. Len would have done likewise, and I think this was the right choice.
Heartfelt speeches all round, and Helen’s clinging on to Aljaz like a koala. Let him GO, Helen, retain your dignity. They dance their final dance to ‘Tomorrow’ from Annie, and there’s that mute button again.
You’ve got to hand it to Helen, she’s giving this both barrels. I’d argue this is a better performance than last night, although there really isn’t much actual Paso in here, is there? But definitely less wobbly, Helen wants this BAD.
This Foxtrot is still lovely, and making me all smiley. Hold it together Georgia, you can’t leave yet. Aww, that was gorgeous.
The good news is we get to enjoy another round of Beauty and The Beast, featuring dancing furniture and ornaments. So that’s something.
Just for info, I will be FOOMIN if the judges save Helen. FOOMIN.
Right let’s find out who’s safe, and who’s in the dance-off? Anita and Gleb are safe (yay!), along with…Katie and Anton!
Which means GEORGIA AND GIOVANNI in the dance-off! Goodness, didn’t see that coming, they were second on the leaderboard. The perils of going first, or everyone assuming they were safe and voting frantically for Anita and Gleb?
SURELY the judges will boot Helen and Aljaz?
So if it’s Anita and Gleb in the dance-off, I fear they’re going home (noooo). Maybe they’d be saved over Katie and Anton too, if Helen manages a wobble-free Paso. But if it’s anyone else, Helen and Aljaz could be toast. Who will it be?
Time for a musical interlude, courtesy of Josh Groban singing Somewhere Over The Rainbow. I’ve never scurried for the mute button quite so quickly.
Craig finds it “shocking” that Helen and Aljaz are in the dance-off. They were second from bottom on the leaderboard, so not entirely shocking, is it?
TWO DANCES! DRINK!
So who is the first couple in this week’s dance-off, and who is safely through to the semi-final? Kellie and Kevin are safe (oh), along with Jay and Aliona (YES).
First couple in the dance-off: HELEN AND ALJAZ. Ooh, INTERESTING.
Last night on Strictly – a musical extravaganza that wasn’t as entirely awful as I was expecting, although it definitely had its moments. My highlights were Georgia and Giovanni’s Disney princess Foxtrot, Jay and Aliona’s gorgeous Rumba and Gleb dressed as a pornstar policeman (is it wrong to want them to be in the bottom two just a tiny bit so I can see that again?).
Lowlights were Helen and Aljaz’s too-much-going-on Paso, and Kellie and Kevin’s Viennese, mostly because I had “OOM PAH PAH OOM PAH PAH” stuck in my head for about five hours afterwards. I’m really hoping they’re not in the bottom two, just so I don’t have to experience that again.
If you were playing the drinking game, I’m sorry about the hats.
Tess and Claudia dress watch: Tess in a letter box (feel free to post your Christmas cards in her cleavage), Claudia in a studded shift and sensible ponytail. I’ve seen worse, 7/10.
Meanwhile Darcey is dressed in a 1960s lampshade, and looks like an Austin Powers extra.
Anyway, enough of that. We’re off! Tonight’s opening pro dance features the cast of the Lion King, doing a medley from the stage show. I’d be happy just to watch all the puppet animals, but they’ve also crammed in the pro dancers, who are dressed as garden peas.
I think we’ve reached peak busy dancefloor.
This year’s BBC Christmas ad features an unloved sprout, which is almost as surreal as The Muppets advertising Warburton’s giant crumpets.
Casual Countryfile Weatherperson update: the lovely Sarah Keith-Lucas in sensible high-waisted jeans and a fuchsia top. Weather: another week of weirdly mild, blustery and soggy, unless you’re in Scotland, in which case BRRRRR.
I hope one of you has bought me a Countryfile Calendar. It’s not like I haven’t dropped enough hints.
Just for fun, I’m introducing a bonus round of Strictly Come Bingo - a swig of your favourite Sunday night tipple every time anyone mentions that they have to do two dances next week.
After last week’s neon horse excitement, this week’s Countryfile feature on growing biofuels to warm your local farmhouse is a bit dry, if I’m honest.
SUNDAY NIGHT RESULTS SHOW UPDATE!
Evening all, and welcome back for this week’s Results Show! Last night was a hot mess of jazz hands, props and superfluous dancers clogging up a too-small dancefloor, but it was just about redeemed by some brilliant dancing, so I’ll let this one go. As for who’s in tonight’s bottom two...really could be any of them at this stage, although I’d bet good money on the public saving Anita and Gleb just to spite Craig for that six.
Everything kicks off at 7.20, so join me then. Apparently there’s a musical performance from Josh Groban, so I’m just off to look up who he is. See you in a bit!
So that’s it for tonight’s show! Great dancing, could have done with quite a lot less musical theatre, but maybe that’s just me.
My tip for tomorrow’s dance-off is Katie and Anton and Helen and Aljaz – I think the public will save Anita and Gleb. So on that basis, maybe Katie and Anton to go? But we’ll have to wait until tomorrow at 7.20pm to find out. Join me here then, and thank you as always for joining in and being brilliant and hilarious. Enjoy the rest of your Saturday! Hx
Scores: 8,8,9,9 - a total of 34 for Helen and Aljaz, who does phone hands. Aljaz, you know I love you, but stop it.
Updated
Bruno thought it was full-blooded drama – strong and impactful, although she had a few balance issues. Craig thought it had timing issues at the beginning and a wobble at the end, but in between it was clean, feisty, sharp and brilliant. Darcey thought it had loads of content, and Helen wasn’t on top of it all, but great energy and intent. Len thought it was a fitting end to a fantastic quarter final.
Helen is in a windtunnel, and needs a better coat. There are many superfluous dancers. They’re giving this plenty of passion and welly, I just can’t really see what Helen is doing due to all the distraction and extra bodies. I think that was a fairly decent Paso, but who can say?
And finally it’s Helen & Aljaz! Tonight they’re performing the Paso Doble to ‘At The End Of The Day’ from Les Miserables. They danced a lovely Viennese last week, but can they stay at the top of the leader board with a ferocious Paso?
Scores: 8,9,9,9 - a total of 35 for Katie and Anton.
Len thought it was a very accomplished performance in hold, and Bruno agrees that it needed to get started a bit earlier. Craig loved the choreography, but it needed to be a bit sassier at the start. Darcey thought it oozed confidence, but would have loved to see a bit more stretch in places.
Katie looks incredibly (HAT CAFE TABLES DRINK) and looks a little tentative out of hold, but then Anton turns up and kicks off a very solid Foxtrot. I’d have liked a little more character and punch from Katie, but some very decent footwork and a lovely performance.
It’s time for Katie & Anton! Tonight they’re dancing the Foxtrot to ‘Maybe This Time’ from the musical Cabaret. I think Katie could be in danger of the dance-off this weekend, so they badly need to deliver something fabulous.
Scores: 9,10,10,10 - a fabulous 39 for Jay.
The performance bought tears to Darcey’s eyes, the intimacy was real and she loved how Jay showed compassion and it was fabulous. Len thought it was fantastic, and he’s now convinced that Jay is a terrific dancer. Bruno thought it was a pitch-perfect interpretation of a theme – irresistibly romantic and touching. Craig thought Jay presented Aliona so well, and it had incredible control and great hip action.
Updated
Some lovely shaping and hip action from Jay, and a rather gorgeous story of romance and passion. Beautifully sensual, bit of a one-legged wobble from Jay but I am nevertheless moved. LOVED that.
Updated
In the VT, they have wheeled out Ronan Keating. Drink until you can drink no more.
It’s time for Jay & Aliona! This week they’re dancing the Rumba to ‘Falling Slowly’ from the musical Once (nope, me neither).
I was out with some girlfriends last night and we all agreed that we definitely DO NOT want wafty vanilla romance from this Rumba. Give us down and dirty fifty shades of Rumba filth, please. We may have had some wine, to be fair.
Scores: 9,9,9,9 - a total of 36 for Kellie and Kevin. My ears are melting.
And now Kellie is making a noise like a badger caught in a drainpipe.
Craig thought it had no grace and elegance and was common as, and he loved it. Darcey loved the characterisation, sway and lyricism. Len loved it too, it was like a knees-up down the Old Vic and he’d love to watch it again. But not tonight (or tomorrow, Len). Bruno starts singing “Consider Yourself” and honestly this is the longest hour of my life.
Kellie is dressed as a strumpet barmaid (KEVIN GIANT HAT DRINK), and despite this being my idea of musical hell on wheels, it’s undeniably a decent Viennese Waltz. The bloody table from their Harry Potter Paso is back, however. A great performance, if you like that kind of thing. We also appear to have bought all the superfluous dancers back from Blackpool. Stop it.
Updated
I left VTs featuring kids out of this week’s bingo, but feel free to get stuck in.
Next up it’s Kellie & Kevin! This week they’re dancing the Viennese Waltz to ‘Oom Pah Pah’ from Oliver. I’ve decided that Kellie and Kevin must be contractually obliged to deliver at least two of the following three each week: a) daft music, b) a daft routine or c) daft outfits. There’s no other possible explanation for the insanity.
Scores: 6,8,9,8 - a total of 31 for Anita and Gleb. Craig really isn’t a fan, is he?
Updated
Bruno gives Anita praise for taking on such an iconic number, and Anita really went for it. However her footwork got a bit sloppy in places, and needed to be sharper. Craig thought the dance exposed Anita’s weak points – her feet were flexed and she has pigeon toes, but it had a great sense of drama. Darcey loved the energy, attitude and intent, but there were a number of issues with Anita’s feet. Len thought it was hot and steamy, Anita and Gleb did a spectacular job.
Anita is looking all kinds of fabulous, and Gleb has an enormous truncheon. Unfortunately Anita’s footwork and kicks are a bit loose and her toes need to be more pointy in the lifts. A wobble at the end, but a great performance; I’d be really sad to see Anita go.
Updated
It’s time for Anita & Gleb! Tonight they’re dancing the Argentine Tango to ‘Cell Block Tango’ from Chicago. Last week’s literary Rumba was a bit wafty for my liking, can she and Gleb deliver a sharp and sexy Argentine?
Scores: 9,9,9,9 - 36 for Georgia and Giovanni. I want to see that again.
Jodie Prenger is singing the Terms & Conditions. Just kill me now.
Updated
Len thought it was charming and had a lovely ease to it, although a couple of heel leads were missing. Bruno thought Georgia was a picture of loveliness, and everyone was transported by the magic of it all. Craig thought it was absolutely delightful and enchanting, and the phrasing was spectacular. Darcey thought Georgia excelled, and it had beautiful control. 9s all round?
Well this is gorgeous and romantic and magical, as I hoped it would be. Giovanni looks decidedly un-beastly, Georgia has a lovely top line and there is a dancing teapot. What’s not to love?
Updated
First up it’s Georgia & Giovanni! This week they’re dancing the Foxtrot to ‘Beauty & The Beast’ from the show of the same name. I would strongly argue that this is a Disney film (albeit adapted for the stage) rather than a musical, but it’s a lovely song and one of my favourite films, so I’m going to let it go. JUST THIS ONCE MIND.
Out come the stars! Katie is wearing a Flavia wig, Jay is channelling his inner Brokeback Mountain.
Tess and Claudia dress watch: Tess in yet another bin bag coated in tar, Claudia in a minimalist pant suit. 7/10, I’ve seen worse.
Craig looks very happy. Musicals Week must feel like coming home.
Updated
Ooh, Darcey is dressed as a big purple Quality Street.
Because it’s a feem week, we open with pro dance to ‘That’s Entertainment!’ Alas it’s the showtune version, rather than the one by The Jam.
So many hats. Start drinking, and never stop.
Updated
And we’re off! Tension-building VT of all the celebs looking scared. Reality check: you’re not clearing landmines, it’s a dance show.
Strictly’s on Pointless again, cast your mind back to series one in 2004. I didn’t start watching until 2010, so I’d be hopeless at this. Ian Waite?
Sorry it says Week 12 in the URL. We are definitely in Week 11.
This week’s Strictly Come Bingo – a swig of the strongest booze you can find for any occurrence of the following:
• Sightings of the Strictly black lamppost, the white gazebo, the tree swing or the café table and chairs
• Tess wearing a dress that looks like moth-eaten curtains
• Any mention of “next week’s semi”
• Tap dancing
• Hats
Evening all, and welcome to tonight’s Strictly Come Dancing liveblog! We’ve reached the quarter-final stage, and for reasons best known to themselves, the gods of Strictly have decided to bung in a Musicals theme. Forget all the great training VTs and quality dancing of last week, it’s back to a mess of costumes, shonky props and hammy acting as we celebrate all things greasepaint, glitter and jazz hands. The good news is that there are only six couples left and we no longer have to endure heartfelt speeches from Peter Andre, so tonight’s show is only an hour long.
I’ll be up here in the royal box from 7pm, keeping an eye on the showbiz dancing action; you guys offering your wit and wisdom from the cheap seats would be most welcome. Just for info, musical theatre ranks just below rodding a blocked drain in a list of my favourite things, so feel free to hold my hand and we’ll get through this together.
See you at 7!
Updated
