So that’s it for another Strictly Week! Thank you once again to Hannah for being an excellent supply teacher, and to everyone who took the time to be brilliant as usual in the comment box.
I’m in the liveblog hotseat right through until the final now (no more skiving off), so I’ll see you next Saturday for a jaunt to BLACKPOOL. Don’t forget your kiss-me-quick hat, and gave a brilliant week! Cheers, Hx.
Which means it’s time to say goodbye to Jeremy. It took me a while to warm to his particular brand of dad-dancing, but you can’t deny he gave every performance his all, and bought plenty of joy to the dance floor. He and Karen say heartfelt and lovely things about each other, and then twirl around for their final dance.
When he came into the bar after the show last night the whole place burst into clapping and cheering, am genuinely a bit sad to see him go.
The judges all vote to keep Jamelia and Tristan in the competition. I feel quite sad about this, but it’s the right decision, I think.
One more week, Tristan. Hold on.
Jeremy and Karen’s Quickstep is still brilliantly awful second time round, but I loved it. The world needs more sparkly pickaxes, in my humble opinion.
Jamelia’s arms were much better this time round, will the judges save her for the fourth time (which I think is a record)? Poor Tristan, I think he’s all done in.
Pre-Blackpool VT involving celebs packing a communal bag. Oh my SIDES.
So who else is in the dance-off with Jamelia and Tristan? Helen and Aljaz are safe (the first time anyone has screamed “BLACKPOOL” with such enthusiasm), along with Anita and Gleb, Kellie and Kevin and…Jay and Aliona!
So Jeremy and Karen are in the bottom two. How is this going to go, do we think?
It’s time for Len’s Lens! Put the kettle on, hug your children, admire the doilies glued to Darcey’s chest.
Another musical interlude, this time courtesy of Brandon Flowers from the Killers. He is quite handsome, the song is quite catchy in a shiny-suited Bryan Ferry kind of way, and it’s all accompanied by Aljaz and Oti doing a splendid Samba. I believe this is known as ‘showing the celebs what a Samba is supposed to look like’.
So which couples are safely off to Blackpool, and which couple is the first in the dance-off? Georgia and Joe Varney are safe, along with Katie and Anton (much high-fiving on the front row), and Peter and Janette.
First up in the dance-off…JAMELIA AND TRISTAN! Not entirely unexpected, frankly.
Last night’s recap – I unexpectedly enjoyed Katie and Anton’s Rumba, and (forgive me, dance purists) Kellie and Kevin’s hip-hop Samba – Strictly needs more DJ Jazzy Jeff and fabric offcuts bursting forth from your knickers, if you ask me.
The audience gasped when Jay stumbled in his Foxtrot – I spoke to him afterwards and he was properly gutted about it. Was less fussed about Peter and Janette’s Viennese (not enough whirling) and Helen and Aljaz’s Tango. Georgia and Joe Varney’s Charleston was epic.
Tess and Claudia dress watch! Tess in an electric blue bandage that gives her a giant boob-shelf, Claudia in a rather lovely black dress with a stripy belt. 6/10 for Tess ditching the bustier pantsuit.
By the way, the audience clapping along thing is obligatory; Stuart the Strictly warm-up guy makes you practise. The palms of my hands looked like raw bacon by the end of the night.
Tonight’s pro-dance is accompanied by boy band Years and Years (ask your kids), singing their hit single from earlier this year, ‘King’. I love this song, which is just as well as they recorded this three times last night. Can you imagine if it had been Boy George again?
The dance routine involves some park bench seduction and Brendan harassing the typing pool. Somebody call HR.
And we’re off! Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-baah, ba-ba-ba-ba BAH.
Casual Countryfile Weatherman update – a maroon sweater with rolled-up sleeves. Edgy fashion choice right there.
If you haven’t bought your Countryside Calendar, you’re missing out on a Happy Hedgehog and other rural delights. Also it makes a truckload of money for Children In Need. What’s not to love?
Can’t stop watching this Gleb/Aljaz Vine from @bbcstrictly. So many impure thoughts.
Our #strictly Pros know how to shake their thang! Hot stuff @Gleb_Savchenko, @AljazSkorjanec! More #Strictl... https://t.co/B7ws14Oo6Y
— BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly) November 15, 2015
Matt Baker is free-diving for crabs and a one-clawed lobster. If I was going to wrestle myself into that wetsuit, I’d definitely want both claws.
Ooh, Countryfile is in Somerset. I’m in Wiltshire now, but lived there for years. Cider, anyone?
SUNDAY NIGHT RESULTS SHOW UPDATE!
Evening all, and welcome back for tonight’s Strictly liveblog! It’s Heidi here, back from my pilgrimage to the studio last night. The daughter and I both had a fabulous time – there are a few pictures on Twitter @heidistephens if you’re interested. Many thanks to Hannah for doing a splendid job of filling in both here and on the X Factor liveblog – I salute your outstanding multi-tasking. Obviously I’ve seen the results so know the outcome of this evening’s show, but I promise to keep proceedings spoiler-free.
All tonight’s action kicks off at 7.20, but in the meantime here are a few highlights from my Strictly jaunt:
- Getting an Aljaz hug so big my feet left the floor. He’s too handsome by half, my knees were weaker than Len’s.
- Seeing how all the pro/celeb couples genuinely support each other, and the sense of it being a big Strictly family. Bake Off levels of loveliness.
- Meeting Jay. My 16-year-old daughter Emma was a big fan of The Wanted and was dying to meet him – she even took him some cake. I had a slight “never meet your heroes” worry for her, but he was absolutely lovely and entirely made her evening.
- Tess and Claudia embracing Strictly Come Bingo – a gazillion mentions of Blackpool AND Peter Andre’s kids? Your livers must be in a terrible state this morning.
- A couple of unexpected delights – Claudia’s off-camera filthy mouth, and Giovanni being very sweet and funny in person. I liked him very much.
- Meeting Louise Rainbow, Strictly’s Exec Producer. I discovered she’s a huge fan of this blog and reads your comments every Sunday morning. Good work, everyone.
- Bake Off Nadiya! BAKE OFF NADIYA!
- Meeting Georgia’s charming cousin Wesley. I’d had a couple of beers and promised I’d give him a shout out in this blog. Hey, I’m a woman of my word.
See you in a bit!
Updated
Another night of Strictly joy draws to a close... phew. Your comments have been more fun than a donkey ride, so I want to hug you all and tell you that Heidi Stephens will return for tomorrow night’s tense dance-off. Showtime is 7.20pm
So I’m off to watch X Factor. Why not join me on that other Liveblog? Keeeeeep dancin’
Jezza’s going to straddle an electric guitar next week! It’s a 4, 6, 6 and 5. A steady 21.
Len thinks Jeremy should go to Blackpool and Bruno admires his “determination and resilience”. “It was like being at the National Dressage Championship,” says Craig. “You are very light on your feet,” says Darcey, with advice about his top line.
Keep those 10s handy, judges!
Loving the Weller-like already. This is surreal, but marvellous.
Saving the best ’til last - Jeremy and Karen are going to quickstep to The Jam’s Going Underground. And, tee hee, they’re going down a Crossrail tunnel in the VT.
Oh yes, that’s the highest score of the series.
Looks like Georgia will indeed need a coat for Blackpool with these scores: 9, 10, 10, 10. Scream! She’s got 39.
“It took my breath away,” says Darcey, “You put the ‘Go’ in Chicago” quips Len. Bruno’s “completely razzle-dazzled” and Craig’s dishing out the “LUV”.
A perky little Chicago number from Georgia and Giovanni. Who loves a Charleston?
The Andre has a 34: 8, 9, 8 and 9
Craig finds it “frenetic” but he did love it, while Darcey thinks it was “flowing with emotion”. Len won’t part with a 10. “You had flow, you had musicality, it had a bit of an American Smooth”, he says. Bruno: “just wonderful, magic”.
Peter and Janette are wafting through a Viennese Waltz to Cilla’s You’re My World. It’s an emotional one, with choreographed staggering.
Peter’s kids klaxon!
Boom! It’s the scores: 9, 8, 7 and 9. A Darcey-shaking 33.
Just put them on the bus to Blackpool now! Oh, hang on, the judges must speak. Bruno’s dancing. “It really worked beautifully,” he says. Craig’s not down with the “very odd music choice”, but he loves it. Darcey found it “very exciting” but was disturbed by the “odd moments”. And Len is “a cuppa tea in a world of skinny lattes”.
BOOM SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE THE ROOM.
This is genius. “Work that boo-ty”.
So, X Factor in 20 minutes. Are we going to finish watching Strictly first or are we channel-hopping? I’m liveblogging that too if you’re so inclined. But for now, DANCE!
Blackpool overload. Anyone run out of wine?
A welcome 31 from the judges: 7, 8, 8 and 8.
Husband in the audience klaxon!
Len: “I say ‘fantastic”. Bruno’s so impressed he’s standing up and pointing. Of course, Craig thinks it’s “a little melodramatic”, but Darcey says it’s “one classy love story”. Katie could be heading up the M1.
Rumba to Shirley Bassey anyone? It’s Katie and Anton with “the dance of love”.
The scores are in and they’re not wobbly bobbly: 8, 9, 8 and 9. It’s 34!
Darcey thinks “the effect, the drama... was perfection”, Len saw “loads of snap, crackle and pop”, Bruno thinks it’s “slinky and polished” and Craig “thought it needed to be a bit lower” but “the lines were extremely powerful”. Woop.
Helen and Aljaz are dancing the tango to James Bay’s Hold Back The River. It’s rather stunning, isn’t it?
Next up, Uneccessary Grinding with their latest single. Oh no, hang on... it’s the scores: 5, 7, 7 and 7. So 26 isn’t too hopeful.
“You’ve got me shaken and stirred” says Bruno, “You’re missing a few steps. Craig criticises Jamelia’s “unattractive hands”, while Darcey is kind and constructive: “a fab dance”. Len loves the gyration and energy: “Top notch!”
Jamelia and Tristan up next, but first he heads into the Loose Women lair. Brave man. It’s a samba to Erasure’s A Little Respect and... wow!
“Exquisitely lyrical arms” ahoy! And the scores are in: 6, 8, 8 and 8. A mixed bag and a 30.
Was the cravat was the most interesting thing in that dance? “Don’t be discouraged - it was fantastic,” says Bruno. Craig “found the whole thing a little bland”. Darcey disagrees: “beautiful” and Len loved it so much he summons up another reference to The Wanted.
Here come Jay and Aliona. Can they emote all the emotions in Sam Smith’s Lay Me Down?
What’s Kev come as?
The scores are in: 8, 8, 8 and 8 - an impressive 32. What did you think?
Len thinks Anita’s “a great all-rounder”, “Blackpool is calling your name” sizzles Bruno, Darcy’s impressed and of course Craig has a couple of criticisms.
And yes, that is a technical term.
So Anita’s hoping to make Gleb smile with a quickstep to The Pretenders’ Don’t Get Me Wrong. Love the floor-sweep between the legs with a swishy dress.
If points were given for the warm-up shrug dance, Kel and Kev would be top of the leaderboard.
Here we go. Showtime! I wonder if they’re hoping to go to any seaside towns with big towers next week? Nobody’s mentioned it.
Good evening and welcome to this week’s Strictly Come Dancing Liveblog!
The fabulous Heidi Stephens has foxtrotted down to the Strictly studio to watch the live show, so that means Aljaz is in for a special Saturday night squeezing. It also means I get to be your Liveblog stand-in for the night and chortle at your comments, so please keep them coming.
Warning: tonight’s show contains one couple dancing to Boom! Shake The Room, so a few updates will be brought to you with a laptop waved in the air like it’s 1993.
A couple of sequins left to sew on before showtime at 6.50pm, so see you then.
