So that’s it for the semi-final - all that remains is for us to reconvene here at 6.35pm next Saturday for the Grand Final, where we’ll crack through two shows in one night and have a final marathon liveblog party. There’ll also be a bumper Strictly Come Bingo, so prepare for some self-mulling.
In the meantime, what’s your prediction for this year’s glitterball champion? For me it’s a toss-up between Jay and Aliona and Georgia and Giovanni, but I think Jay still has more to give and might edge the win. If you swing by @heidistephens on Twitter we’ll do a highly unscientific survey, or pop your thoughts in the comment box below – who will be getting your vote next week? Thank you all for joining in and being brilliant as ever this weekend, have a lovely weekend and I’ll see you next Saturday! Hx
Anita and Gleb dance their final dance to End Of The Road by Boyz II Men. I hate myself for knowing this.
So Anita and Gleb are out of Strictly, and say lots of lovely things about each other. Some very odd decisions from the judges this weekend, and a lack of consistency throughout the series, I think.
But there you go, the deed is done and we have our four grand finalists - Kellie and Kevin, Jay and Aliona, Georgia and Giovanni and Katie and Anton!
So who will the judges choose? Craig chooses Anita and Gleb, but Darcey choose Katie and Anton (PERIL). Bruno saves Katie and Anton too…so what will Len do?
Len decides to judge on this one dance, and saves Katie and Anton. To be fair to Len, it’s what he would have done with the Jamelia/Peter debacle too, but I can’t help feeling that Anita was a victim of Gleb’s choreography this week, which isn’t really her fault.
I’m also gutted that we won’t get to see two minutes of back-to-back Gleb Specials in their showdance next week. Can you imagine? Alas we’ll never know.
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Meanwhile Anita and Gleb’s Salsa is not great - some timing issues and very loose footwork in and out of several of the 97 lifts. Eeeek.
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Well this is definitely a more confident and assured Waltz from Katie, although you could still drive a bus between them in places. But footwork and balance is much better.
I’m a bit worried about Anita and Gleb in this dance-off. If it comes down to Len with the deciding vote, he might well pick Katie and Anton, the Salsa really wasn’t his cup of tea (or a Salsa, for that matter).
Time for another montage, but this is just a taster of how many we’ll get next week. I might include it in Strictly Come Bingo.
So who else is joining Anita and Gleb in the dance-off? Georgia and Giovanni are safely through to the final (quite right too), which means KATIE AND ANTON are in the dance-off!
I think Anton’s semi might be coming to an end.
Tonight’s musical interlude comes courtesy of the nation’s favourite 80s aussie soap actress-turned pop pixie, Kylie Minogue. She’s singing “I’m going to be warm this winter”, presumably because she’s claimed her Winter Fuel Allowance. Personally I’d have put some warmer trousers on, you’ll catch your death in those hotpants.
Look, I love Christmas as much as anyone, but this is dreadful.
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Anita and Gleb are doing their non-Salsa again in the dance-off. Nooooo! BAD DECISION.
So who is the first couple in the dance-off, and who is safely through to the GRAND FINAL? Jay and Aliona are though (excellent), along with Kellie and Kevin (hits mute button).
First couple in the dance-off: ANITA AND GLEB! Well, we expected that.
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Last night on Strictly – a couple of lovely Viennese Waltzes, a mixed bag of Charlestons, a cheeky Cha Cha, a gappy Waltz, a raunch-free Rumba and a classy American Smooth. Anita and Gleb managed a Foxtrot that was actually an American Smooth, and a Salsa that was an aerobics routine sponsored by hideousoutfits.com. If that’s Gleb’s idea of a Salsa, I can’t WAIT to see his showdance next week.
Tess and Claudia dress watch: Tess in black with random mirror-shard boobage, Claudia in a black lace nightie. Meh.
And we’re off! I love watching the opening titles at this stage of the competition, Daniel O’Donnell, Anthony Ogogo and Kirsty Gallagher all feel like such a distant memory.
Tonigh’s pro dance opens with Tristan and a clipboard. They’re all in a terrible nightclub, busting latin moves to J-Lo’s On The Floor, which also features Pitbull. Are they on some kind of 2-for-1 deal on Pitbull tracks this week?
Casual Countryfile Weatherperson Update (the last of this Strictly season – wah!): a sensibly-attired Matt Taylor dressed like an estate agent. I’m already nostalgic for the days of jeans and check shirts, made the crappy weather seem better, somehow.
Every week I feel like this show is judging me for not buying a Countryfile calendar. What if I give a few quid to Children in Need and hang my Gleb Savchenko one instead? There’s no happy hedgehog, but plenty of shirt-free Gleb. What’s not to love?
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What’s occurring on Countryfile? Currently there is an In-depth discussion around the growing wild boar population, and Matt Baker (in a horrible blue beanie hat) doing chemistry experiments on limestone. I’m not sure I can bear the excitement.
SUNDAY NIGHT RESULTS SHOW UPDATE!
Evening all, and welcome back for tonight’s Strictly Results Show! Last night’s double-dancing semi was an up and down affair from start to finish - there was definitely a whiff of ‘not enough rehearsal time’, and bonkers scoring all round from the judges. By rights It should be Katie and Anton going home this evening, but we’re at the stage in the competition where anything could happen, and usually does.
I’ll be here from 7.20pm to record all the action for future generations to ponder, so join me here then. It’s our very last Sunday show of the season, so let’s make it a good one. See you in a bit!
So that’s it for the semi-final performances! I’ll be back here from 7.20pm tomorrow – be here, or be…somewhere else, I don’t mind. OK, I mind a bit.
Thank you as always for joining in, we’re almost at the end of the series and you guys have been incredible throughout. Enjoy the rest of your Saturday night, and I’ll see you tomorrow! Cheers, Hx
Time for a final appeal video. By giving just three votes via the BBC app, you can make a real difference to a B-list celebrity’s life.
So Kellie and Kevin are at the top of the leaderboard, and Katie and Anton are at the bottom. Unless everyone in the nation votes for Katie and Anton, they’re going home tonight. Time for a VERY long recap.
Scores: 9,10,10,10 - a total of 39 for Kellie and Kevin, and a similar score on the Scream Scale. Stop it.
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Bruno loved the moves and how they channelled Fred and Ginger. Craig thought it was a classic American Smooth – Kellie danced it beautifully even though the end didn’t quite come together. Darcey thought it had glamour and charm, it was heaven. Len loved it, and they should 100% be in the final.
I agree with Len, unless Kellie starts screaming again.
Kevin looks very dapper, and Kellie is wearing a dead flamingo. This is, however, a rather delightful American Smooth with lovely footwork and some great lifts. You can’t beat Kellie for a bit of side-by-side action, either. A weird musical arrangement, but great. They should be in the final, and almost certainly will be after that.
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And FINALLY, It’s time for Kellie & Kevin! Their second dance tonight is an American Smooth to ‘Let’s Face The Music And Dance’ by Irving Berlin. It’s a great (and last-ditch, let’s face it) opportunity for Kellie & Kevin to ditch the gimmicks and deliver a classy Fred & Ginger. If Ginger made a noise like a cat up a burning chimney every time someone gave her good news.
Scores: 8,8,8,8 - a total of 34 for Anita and Gleb. I have no idea what just happened.
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Len thought they threw everything into it – it was a very athletic routine but it lost some of the Salsa rhythm. Bruno thought some of those positions were possible illegal, but it had some shaky moments where it lost the fluidity. Craig thought it was a brave routine, and strangely he really enjoyed it. Darcey can’t believe Anita learned such a complex routine, but the speed was such that Anita lost some of the technique.
Is Anita dressed as a majorette in wedges? Interesting. They are throwing shapes to a terrible Pitbull remix of an 80s A-ha song – it has plenty of bump ‘n’ grind and Gleb throwing Anita around, but not nearly enough Salsa for my liking. What fresh hell is this? Incredible moves but a hot mess of a Salsa from start to finish, not my cup of tea at all.
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Next up it’s Anita and Gleb! Their second dance is a Salsa to ‘Feel This Moment’ by Pitbull and Christina Aguilera. I have high hopes for this being joy-filled party extravaganza, with plenty of Latin hip action and party spirit. If I was Anita I’d have been knocking back Mojitos for the past half an hour, there’s nothing to lose at this point.
Scores: 9,10,9,10 – a total of 38 for Georgia and Giovanni.
Darcey thought Georgia was a breath of fresh air, and kept her frame so it was smooth and exquisite. Len thought it was full of content, rotation and lyrical movement – he is full of admiration. Bruno thought they were adorable sweethearts, and Craig agrees – he could watch them dance all night. First ten from Craig? COME ON.
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Well this is charming – a beautifully floaty Viennese and Georgia is making a valiant effort to retain her top line and not let her shoulders rise up. Lovely spins, lots of romance, all rather gorgeous *sigh*
It’s time for Georgia & Giovanni! Their second dance tonight is a Viennese Waltz to ‘Runaway’ by The Corrs.
This is a wet dog blanket of a song, but very much hoping Team GG’s Viennese is going to be a whirly confection of fabulousness that entirely blanks out the memory of last week’s oom-pah-pah Viennese from Kellie & Kevin. Jay and Aliona’s Viennese earlier definitely helped, but if I close my eyes I can still see Kellie standing on that table wanging a beer mug around.
Scores: 9,9,9,10 - a total of 37 for Jay and Aliona. So wait, that got the same score from Darcey as Katie and Anton? REALLY?
Craig thought it was brilliant, and Darcey agrees – energetic, alive and full of style. Len loved how Jay didn’t seem to be under pressure – he came out with confidence and it was a walk in the park. Bruno thought the Doctor danced a storm across the universe, and Aliona is doing a great job of convincing the judges that Jay meant to drop her, honest. Hmm.
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Jay is Doctor Who, and takes Aliona into his Tardis. They reappear and deliver one of the technically best Charlestons I’ve ever seen on this show – incredible footwork from Jay and fantastic timing, although one of the lifts is a bit hard work, did Jay drop her? He STILL looks a bit bored, but the dancing was outstanding. LOVED that.
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Next up it’s Jay & Aliona! Their second dance tonight is a Charleston to ‘Doctor Jazz’ from the musical Jelly’s Last Jam (anyone?). This dance SHOULD be the climax of Jay’s Journey from startled woolly-haired manchild to dance god and national treasure, so I’m quite excited.
Jay, if ever there was a time to unshackle your inner jazz hands and slap a daft grin on your face for two whole minutes, this would be it. We’ve waited twelve weeks, for crying out loud. BRING IT.
Scores: 8,9,7,7 -a total of 31 for Katie and Anton. A NINE, Darcey? Are you drunk?
Bruno thought it was unbalanced and Katie lost of the arch of her back, and she didn’t do the perfection of the music justice. Craig disagrees with Bruno – he really enjoyed it and thought Katie redeemed herself despite the balance issue. Darcey loved the dance content and transitions, but it was a bit upright in her top line. Len enjoyed seeing something quiet and understated, but it lacked control and was a bit unstable. It’s breaking Len’s heart, but he has to say it anyway.
Katie looks glorious in pink taffeta, and there’s plenty of dry ice to obscure any shonky footwork. Her top half looks lovely, however, although she loses her neck when they’re out of hold and it all gets wobbly in places. If this is Katie’s last dance, it’s delightful.
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Right, time for round two. First up it’s Katie & Anton! Their second dance tonight is the Waltz to ‘O Mio Babbino Caro’ by Puccini. It’s a lovely piece of music, but I’m worried this might all be a bit dull in an evening of swirly Vienneses and complex Latin routines. And Katie has some serious work to do to get up the leaderboard, this needs to be WOW.
Still, let’s not forget it’s Anton’s first semi in eleven years.
We’re half way through! STAY WITH ME, PEOPLE.
Scores: 9,8,9,8 - a total of 34 for Kellie and Kevin. Tonight’s scoring is bonkers, no?
Meanwhile Kellie’s trying really hard not to squeal, but failing.
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There were lots of elements that Len loved – it had great movement and a lyrical style, although there was a tiny wobble. Bruno thought it was prim, proper and correct – a brother and sister dance, but beautifully done. Craig thought it was technically brilliant, and almost perfect. Darcey thought Kellie caressed the floor, it was beautiful.
Kellie’s dress is a lovely shade of green, albeit she looks a bit like a fish. It’s a Rumba of beautiful shapes and lines (apart from the wobble), and it brings to life what a great dancer Kellie is. Nice hip action, but alas zero romance. My loins have practically frozen over.
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And finally for the first round, it’s Kellie & Kevin! Their first dance is a Rumba to ‘Songbird’ by Eva Cassidy. Other than Songbird being QUITE CLEARLY a Fleetwood Mac song from the sublime Rumours album, this is a dangerous point in the competition to be doing a Rumba – Jay and Aliona’s scored 39 last week, and Kellie & Kevin don’t have anything close to their chemistry.
Scores: 7,8,8,9 - a total of 32 for Anita and Gleb. Does Bruno have any other score paddles?
LET HER GO, TESS. DRINK!
Darcey loved the style of the dance and the extensions, but her top line sinks at times. Len thought it drifted into an American Smooth for the second half – it was lovely, but not a Foxtrot. Bruno thought she had a great connection with the music and the style, and it was wonderful. Craig was slightly more impressed this week, but Anita isn’t fully extending the leg and it let the dance down (but he loved it and it was still beautiful). What ARE the judges on this evening?
Anita is lying on a piano, which looks really uncomfortable. Gleb is wearing far too much for my liking, but this is delightful nonetheless. Anita’s wrist hankies are a bit distracting and this feels a bit ploddy and tentative in places, but a classy effort from Anita with a cracking floor spin to finish. Nice.
Next up it’s Anita & Gleb! Their first dance this week is the Foxtrot to Frank Sinatra’s ‘New York, New York’, which (on paper at least) is ticking all my boxes. Last week’s Argentine was decidedly rough around the edges, and they really need to deliver something special tonight if they’re going to make it through. Has there ever been a shirtless foxtrot? I’m asking for a friend.
Scores: 8,8,8,9 - a total of 33 for Georgia and Giovanni.
Craig thought it lost hip action, but he adored the dance and the storytelling. Darcey loved the energy and the connection, but agrees with Craig (DRINK) that it needed more straight leg hip action. Len thought it was great despite lack of hip action, and Bruno is shaken and stirred – it was disco diva fabulous.
Georgia looks incredible, and Giovanni doesn’t look half bad either. Sharp footwork from Georgia, bags of attitude and plenty of party spirit. I’d have liked her to work it a bit more and her legs get a bit leaden towards the end, but great fun.
It’s time for Georgia and Giovanni! Their first dance tonight is the Cha Cha to ‘I Will Survive’ by Gloria Gaynor, which is a camptastic disco classic. Feels like yonks since we last watched a Cha Cha, have high hopes that this one is going to be fab-u-LUSS.
Scores: 8,9,8,9 - a total of 34 for Jay and Aliona.
Bruno thought it was simply beautiful, and it had fantastic turns. He would have liked more drive in hold, but very nice. Craig loved the opening sequence, could have done with more control in the top line and he wanted more smiling from Jay, he thought the storytelling was more like Aliona had just dumped him. Darcey disagrees, she felt the romance throughout. Len loved the start and the reverse fleckerl, but Jay needs to close his feet in the natural turn and his technique wasn’t right.
Well this is already super-romantic and gorgeous. Lovely rise and fall and spins from Jay, and I can’t write anything else because I find them transfixing to watch. So beautiful, loved that.
Tess is manhandling. DRINK.
Next up it’s Jay and Aliona! Their first dance tonight is a Viennese Waltz to Bryan Adams’ ‘Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?’
Yesterday I made the mistake of listening to this on YouTube, and discovered a video made on a budget of about twelve dollars, featuring lots of people wearing Zorro masks, for no reason I can fathom.
Anyway, a lovely Viennese Waltz would be great, thanks Jay and Aliona. They’ve got TWO DANCES this evening, just in case you missed it. TWO DANCES.
Scores: 4, 7, 7, 7 - a total of 25 for Katie and Anton. A FOUR, Craig?
Are you TRYING to unleash the voters? Did you learn nothing from last week?
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Len is hoping their Waltz is going to be better, as their Charleston was a struggle. It wasn’t slick enough, some of the lifts were clumsy and for Len it wasn’t their best moment. Bruno thought it was “loosey goosey” and Katie lost her timing, and Craig thought the swivel was non-existent and it was stiff and uncomfortable throughout. Darcey thought it was charming at the start, but Katie faded and lost her stamina and energy.
Katie’s red dress is smoking hot, and this kicks off with bags of style and personality. Her footwork lacks precision and her kicks are a bit laboured, however – the whole thing needs to be more punchy and the lifts are too scruffy. But plenty of content and lovely to see Katie’s lighter side.
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First up tonight, it’s Katie & Anton! Their first dance is the Charleston to ‘Too Darn Hot’ from the musical Kiss Me Kate. Didn’t we rinse musicals for all they were worth last week, do we really need another one? My jazz hands have calluses.
If Katie’s Foxtrot last week was anything to go by, she may struggle with the performance element of this. Even worse, Jay and Aliona are doing a Charleston later, which could make this one a bit forgettable.
Out come the judges! Darcey’s green dress is GAWJUS. The five remaining couples descend the stairs of doom, and Kevin really needs to stop doing that kick at the end of the entrance music because it’s REALLY ANNOYING.
Nice to see Jay has made an effort this week, however.
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Tess and Claudia dress watch: Tess in rusty body armour, Claudia in a one-shouldered sack. 4/10 for Claudia’s glossy fringe.
And we’re off! Time for another soft-focus appeal video on behalf of five desperate celebs. If I text in and pledge £5 a week, can we make these stop?
Would also like to give a shoutout to Lizzie Hancock, the 12-year-old daughter of a colleague of mine. Apparently Lizzie reads out bits of this blog to her family every week during Strictly, which warms my cockles. It’s stuff like this, as well as everyone getting stuck in down below in the comment box, that makes this job very worthwhile, so thanks.
Goodness, it’s getting emotional already. I’ll be a wreck by next week.
This week’s Strictly Come Bingo – a swig of whatever tickles your fancy for any occurrence of the following:
• Any mention of Anton experiencing his first semi in eleven years
• Tess manhandling the celebrities
• Darcey agreeing with the boys
• Len kicking off his comments with “You came aaaaht…”
• A ten from Craig (it’s time, surely?)
Evening all, and welcome to this week’s Strictly Come Dancing liveblog! We’ve made it to the semi-final, which means there are only two shows left before it’s all over for another year. On the one hand this means I can make weekend plans again, but on the other it means no more Strictly, and no more liveblogs. I’m quite sad about this, if I’m honest.
But let’s not say our tearful goodbyes just yet – tonight’s show should be a nail-biter, with each couple taking on the added pressure of TWO DANCES. Clearly we’re all hoping for a double helping of brilliant performances, rather than ten under-rehearsed dances that are about half as good as they should be; history tells us it could go either way, but fingers crossed the remaining five couples pull it out of the glittery bag.
We’re back to a 100 minute show tonight, so bring snacks and booze and buckle in for the long haul. I’ll be here from 6.50pm to kick things off up here, and would be delighted if you could add plenty of wit and sparkle in the comment box below. We only have two weeks left, so let’s make it count.
See you at 6.50!
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