So that’s it for another Strictly week! Only 12 couples remain, and I’ll be back next Saturday with sparkly bells on. Please join me then, it’s considerably more fun that way. If you can’t, please bring a note from your mum to Twitter @heidistephens.
Thanks everyone for joining in, and I’ll see you next week! Cheers Hx
They depart to an off-key version of Careless Whisper, which seems somehow appropriate. I’m really glad you’re never going to dance again, Daniel.
So dead-eyed Daniel is leaving on a jet plane back to count his millions in Ireland, and Kristina is finished for the season, having fulfilled her contractual obligations without any kind of love-triangle scandal. Well done Kristina, the nation loves you.
Craig saves Kirsty and Brendan, and Darcey does likewise. Bruno saves them too, and Len would have done the same if his vote mattered, which it doesn’t. The right decision, although Kristina is getting quite emotional.
The best thing about Daniel’s American Smooth is the bit at the end where he stops dancing. Kirsty’s Paso is considerably better, however, if you block out the angry U2 singing and Brendan’s glittery vest. That was actually a massive improvement on last night, well done Kirsty.
Updated
“How much do you want to stay in the competition?” Claudia asks Daniel. “Well I’m really enjoying learning the dances,” he responds, with the dead-eyed stare of a man whose luggage is already safely in the overhead locker.
Which means Kirsty and Brendan are in the dance-off! Well, we saw that coming. Consider this your punishment for putting carrots in a paella.
That said, I suspect they may survive to chop inappropriate vegetables another day.
Right, I’m back. Who’s joining Dantina in the dance-off? Helen and Aljaz are safely through to next week, along with Kellie and Kevin (limited screeching, well done), Georgia and Giovanni, Jamelia and Tristan (YES WOO), Jay and Aliona (get a room), and Carol and Pasha!
Len’s Lens – just popping over to the West Wing to put the oven on. Back shortly.
It’s Will Young! I love Will Young, and very glad to see he’s keeping up the 80s costume theme, although technically MC Hammer’s U Can’t Touch This was 1990.
Ooh, Will’s dancing with the ladies! They didn’t let Andrea Bocelli do that. Maybe auditioning for next year?
Updated
So who is the first couple in the bottom two? Safely through to next week is…Peter and Janette! (Did Peter just punch himself in the face?), Anita and Gleb, Jeremy and Karen (OH FOR GOODNESS SAKE), Katie and Anton and Ainsley and Natalie (YES).
First couple in the dance-off is…Daniel and Kristina! Ooh, didn’t see that coming. Maybe his fan base was at a Chris De Burgh concert last night? Daniel does his farewell speech, forgetting he’s not out just yet. Mentally he’s already on a Ryanair back to Dublin.
Last night on Strictly, lots of dancing. Some of it was really good, some of it was dreadful (I’m looking at you, O’Donnell). Highlights for me were Kellie and Kevin’s Foxtrot, Jamelia and Tristan’s Charleston, Ainsley and Natalie’s Waltz, Katie and Anton’s Viennese and Helen and Aljaz’s Salsa. Mostly the music was terrible.
Tess and Claudia Dress Watch! Tess in a bulletproof vest that gives her a shelf-boob, Claudia in comedy 80s fancy dress. She actually looks considerably better than Tess.
And we’re OFF! This week’s pro dance is an 80s-themed monster, reminding those of us who are old enough to remember that the 80s was the ninth circle of fashion hell. The music of choice is an insipid medley of Duran Duran’s Wild Boys and Cyndie Lauper’s Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.
Right now all I want to do is drink a warm bottle of White Lightning and hang myself with a legwarmer.
Updated
Countryfile Casual Weatherman update: ooh, it’s a WOMAN! Washed out jeans and jacket sleeves rolled up in homage to 80s Don Johnson.
Watching Countryfile. Anyone else feeling a bit sorry for the stag who’s just had his antlers lopped off with a wood saw? The indignity of it all.
SUNDAY NIGHT RESULTS SHOW UPDATE!
Evening all, and welcome back for tonight’s results show! Last night was a heady combination of (generally) great dancing and (generally) dodgy song choices, but if we’ve learned anything over all these years of watching Strictly, it’s that you can’t have everything.
We’ll be waving goodbye to another Strictly couple tonight, hopefully not to the uncomfortable strains of the Sound Of Music soundtrack. If Kirsty and Brendan aren’t in the bottom two I’ll eat my spangly hat, but the other couple could be any one of about five. It should be Daniel or Jeremy, but the combined force of their fanclubs may keep them all in for a week or two longer. Could be Anita, or maybe Ainsley again?
Will Young is performing tonight, who I actually really like so be nice. See you at 7.15!
So that’s it for tonight’s show! A vast improvement on last week, with brilliant dancing from Kellie and Kevin, Jamelia and Tristan and a whole bunch of other people.
I reckon this week’s bottom two could be Kirsty and Brendan and Ainsley and Natalie, or maybe Anita and Gleb? We’ll have to wait until tomorrow night’s results show to find out - join me here then, but in the meantime feel free to come and say hello on Twitter @heidistephens, I’ll be mooching around reading your comments for the next hour or so. Thank you as always for joining in, see you at 7.15 tomorrow! Hx
Scores: 8,8,9,8 – a total of 33 for Katie and Anton, which puts them at the top of the leaderboard. This has never happened to Anton before, he’s quite pleased.
Updated
Len thought it was light and fluffy – so much better than last week. There was even a mention of a fleckerl – DRINK! Bruno thought it was a huge turnaround from last week, so elegant. Craig thought it had a couple of skippy moments, but incredible. Darcey loved the content, and Katie really pulled it off.
Updated
I love Katie’s dress, it’s gorgeous; I can take or leave the wrist hankies, however. This is a very lovely Viennese, but Katie’s timing is a bit off at the beginning. Brilliantly spinny, however, and lovely Viennese Whirls at the end. Pretty good, I thought.
Updated
Katie’s children in the VT! DRINK!
And finally it’s Katie and Anton! This week they’re dancing the Viennese Waltz to Elvis Presley’s If I Can Dream. I love a Viennese Waltz, but I can’t remember Anton ever staying in long enough to dance one in recent years. They took a bit of a panning from the judges last week, so pulling something splendid out of the bag would be very helpful at this point. Just saying.
Scores: 8,8,8,8 – a total of 32 for Peter and Janette. The top of tonight’s leader board is getting quite busy.
Darcey loved Janette’s choreography, and the dance had great focus and belief. Len thought it had plenty of snap, although Peter lost his posture during the Viennese crosses. Bruno thought Peter was right on the character, and it had real intention and focus. Craig thought he was picking his feet up on the walks, but it was dynamic and had real purpose – exactly what you want from a Tango.
Peter and Janette are playing any cards, which are binned off in favour of a super-fast and very thrusty Tango. Great footwork from Peter and plenty of drama, but he loses his frame on occasion and lets his head drop. Still, loads of welly, which we like in a Tango. Go Peter.
Updated
Next up it’s Peter and Janette! Tonight they’re dancing the Tango to New Order’s Blue Monday. Last week’s Camp Pirate Paso was a bit of a shambles, and Peter’s Week One form hasn’t really been repeated since. Would quite like to see him deliver a commanding Tango without being hampered by dreadlocks and fishing waders.
Scores: 8,8,8,8 – a total of 32 for Helen and Aljaz.
Craig would like to see Helen “earth the grind” (no idea), but she is an incredible dancer. Darcey loved the last lift, and she liked seeing Helen’s naughty, spicy side. Len loved would like to have his knee replacement in their fun hospital. Bruno loved Helen’s saucy nursey (it’s all gone a bit Blackadder), but it was exactly what a Salsa is all about.
I’m not sure Aljaz has ever been to medical school, but I love this dance. Helen is giving it both barrels - nice splits and lots of knicker-flashing, but not enough shimmy and she’s still doing pointy ballet legs. Ooh, that was a great lift at the end. Bags of fun and Aljaz can take my temperature any day.
Updated
In training, Aljaz takes Helen up the Shard.
Updated
Next up it’s Helen and Aljaz! Tonight they’re dancing the Salsa to Miami Sound Machine’s Doctor Beat. I’m ancient enough to remember this being a hit in the 80s, so I’m hoping this is going to be a cheese-packed delight. Also Aljaz in a doctor’s outfit? Someone keep an eye on my blood pressure.
Updated
Scores: 6,7,7,6 – a total of 26 for Ainsley and Natalie.
Bruno thought it needed more extension in the lines, but the intention was good. Craig thought the frame and posture was very good, but Ainsley lost it towards the end – he really enjoyed it, however. Darcey enjoyed it too, it expressed a real charm although he lost his neck and shoulders towards the end. Len thought Ainsley lost his hold, but no mistakes and good footwork.
Well this is rather charming – Ainsley has a nice presence in ballroom, and is surprisingly light of foot. Nice rise and fall, and all rather elegant. Enjoyed that very much.
Only four left - it’s time for Ainsley and Natalie! This week they’re dancing the Waltz to What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong, but hopefully not the version Barry Manilow did last year.
Ainsley has a lot to prove this week, after ending up in the bottom two last week. He’s by no means the weakest dancer in this year’s competition, but he doesn’t have the fanbase of Carol, Daniel or Jeremy so he needs the judges’ points. Come on Ainsley, you can do it.
Scores: 5,6,6,5 – a total of 22 for Carol and Pasha.
Len thought Carol really got into character, and went for it. Bruno thought it needed more passion and aggression, and Carol looked like she had a toothache. Craig thought it was the first time Carol’s body has engaged in a dance, and she had great tension. She needs to work on her hand shaping, however. Darcey really enjoyed it, but she needs to strengthen her body to create better shapes.
Loving Pasha as a turtleneck toreador, less keen on Carol’s tarmac-ed forehead headdress. This definitely has drama, and Carol is doing her best to play the part of Flamenco queen. Her technique is a bit lacking, but it has better shaping than we’ve seen from Carol previously, albeit could do with a bit more welly. Still, identifiably a Paso, which is a good start.
Updated
Next up it’s Carol and Pasha! Tonight they’re dancing the Paso to Trad’s Espana Cani, which is proper Paso music for what I hope will be a proper Paso, rather than Pasha dragging Carol around like he’s hefting straw bales while Carol wafts her skirt in a lacklustre fashion.
Scores: 5,7,6,7 – a total of 25 for Jay and Aliona. They paw each other a bit in the Clauditorium, who needs points?
Darcey was very excited at the start, but there were too many mistakes. Len thought it was a very fast dance and Jay’s feet were doing more than his brain could handle, and his head was drifting too. Bruno thought it should have been a barnstormer, but Jay’s butt was sticking out and there were a few crash landings. Craig thought it had too many mistakes, sadly.
Jay and Aliona are dressed in gowns and mortarboards, for some reason. Too much running about at the start, but once they’re in hold it’s a very decent Quickstep in places, and a bit gallopy in others. And then Jay top line goes, he has a stumble or two, and suddenly it’s all going to hell. But that JIVE last week, eh?
Updated
It’s time for Jay and Aliona! This week they’re dancing the Quickstep to My Generation by The Who. Of course the entire nation now expects Jay to come out and deliver another jaw-dropping performance, having peaked rather too early in Week 3 with Jay’s Unforgettable Jive. No pressure whatsoever, Jay.
We’re over half way, people. Stay with me.
Scores: 8,8,8,8 - a total of 32 for Jamelia and Tristan. Jamelia is making a noise like a kitten caught in a mousetrap. Stop it.
Craig tought it was Jamelia’s dance, and he really enjoyed it. Darcey thought it had great stamina, and Len thought it was Jamelia’s best dance with knobs on. Bruno thought she was right on it, the ultimate flapper.
Someone in wardrobe really hates Jamelia - today it’s Julia Roberts’ hooker wig from Pretty Woman and a budget silver Christmas tree.
Some great swivel from Jamelia, but again her limbs seem a bit out of control. Some cracking lifts, however, and a great high-energy routine - just needs to be a bit tidier. Her best routine so far, I’d say.
It’s time for Jamelia and Tristan! Tonight they’re dancing the Charleston to Straight Up by Paula Abdul. Despite a loose-limbed Salsa in a banana bathrobe last week, Jamelia and Tristan managed to stay out of the bottom two. I am glad about this, because I think she could be really good.
Scores: 8,8,8,8 - a total of 32 for Kellie and Kevin. Kellie is screaming again. She really needs to stop that. Also she might want to consider taking her rollers out.
Bruno thought it had a nostalgic, retro feel - like watching a documentary on BBC4 (I think that’s a compliment). Craig thought it was confident and clean, and Darcey thought it was beautiful. Len thought it was lovely - from Albert Square to Memory Lane.
Kellie looks beautiful, Kevin is entirely adorable, and this is subtle and gorgeous and romantic from start to finish. Kellie has a lovely frame, and they’re such a great couple to watch. LOVED that.
This week Kellie and Kevin’s is telling the love story of her grandparents. In the absence of children, I’m declaring this a DRINK-worthy occasion.
Next up it’s Kellie and Kevin! Tonight they’re dancing the Foxtrot to Dream A Little Dream by Mama Cass. I still haven’t quite got my head around their Star Wars Charleston last week – it was either entirely brilliant or completely bonkers. A lovely Foxtrot that erases the memory of Kevin swivelling with a light sabre would be excellent, thank you.
Scores: 3,6,6,5 - a total of 20 for Jeremy and Karen. With the exception of Craig, the judges are on crack.
You’re consistently not the best dancer, says Len, but consistently the most fun. Bruno thought it had questionable technique but was somehow artistic. Craig thought it was like watching a stork that had been struck by lightning. Darcey thought Jeremy made it his own, even if it wasn’t the dance they wanted.
Jeremy is standing in a bath wearing a magic eye shirt and having some kind of fit. Karen is dressed as a fraggle. There is dancing of some kind, but not in any way recognisable as a Jive. A bad case of protruding bum, with flapping legs on backwards. Will this hell ever end?
Updated
Next up it’s Jeremy and Karen! Tonight they’re dancing the Jive to Bobby Darin’s Splish Splash. I’m really trying to feel the love for Jeremy – I get that’s he’s kind of charming and having a lovely time, but then I hear him wanging on about some incendiary nonsense on Radio 2 and all my goodwill dissolves. I’ll keep trying, I promise.
Scores: 7,7,9,8 - a total of 31 for Georgia and Giovanni. Len gave that a 9, same as Jay’s Jive last week. What the hell is that?
Darcey thought it was a dream to watch - sweet, crisp, light and endearing, although Georgia was losing her shoulders by the end. Len agrees, but it was drab rather than fab - loads of content and full of life and content. Craig thought it had great movement, but she lost her top line and Georgia needs to smile more. I have no idea what Bruno said, his voice is starting to fill my ears with buzzing.
Georgia is sitting on a cloud, and Giovanni is supposed to be an angel. Nice footwork and plenty of skipping, but the singularly worst version of S Club 7 I’ve ever heard, even taking into account actual S Club 7 on their most recent tour. Georgia loses her neck on occasion, but fun.
It’s time for Georgia and Giovanni! This week they’re dancing the Quickstep to S Club 7’s pop classic Reach. After last week’s pose-tastic Rumba, I’m hoping this is going to be fun-packed and bouncy. Giovanni got a proper telling-off from Len last week, so I’m expecting him to pretend to behave from now on, whilst blatantly continuing to think disrespectful thoughts.
Scores: 4,6,6,5 - a total of 21 for Kirsty and Brendan.
Craig thought it has as much shape as broomstick, other than when she was in Brendan’s arms. Darcey thought it showed more confidence, but her free arm was awry. Also something about “physical physicality” that made no sense whatsoever. Len thought it was like a paella, tasty in places but not in others. Bruno thought it had determination but lacked shaping.
Kirsty is moaning about the music. I think it’s very likely we’ll be seeing that again tomorrow.
Kirsty has gone full gypsy skirt, and Brendan is wearing a sparkly vest. It’s a somewhat tentative Paso from Kirsty, with very little thrust and passion. Lots of circling, not enough oomph and her transitions are awful. No.
It’s time for Kirsty and Brendan! This week they’re dancing the Paso to U2’s Beautiful Day. I’m sure we’ve heard the Dave Arch singers murder this song before.
Kirsty and Brendan are another couple in the middle of the field right now, but they’re the one couple whose dances I can never remember, AND they’re in the slot of doom this week. So delivering a punchy Paso would be good move.
Daniel and Kristina are doing phone hands. We hate phone hands. Stop doing phone hands.
Scores: 5,6,6,6 - a total of 23 for Daniel and Kristina.
Bruno thought it was premium econony - adequate, but needed more character and Daniel needs to ignite his performance. Craig thought it needed swing and sway and it lacked style, but Daniel has great musicality, although he needs to take more risk. Darcey thought the take off and landing on the lifts was very good, and Daniel needs to use his musicality to overcome his nerves and fill the dancefloor. Len thought it had a lovely easy feel, but it was a bit careful. Lots of charm and elegance, however.
So Daniel is dressed as a pilot, and Kristina is cabin crew in a dress that appears to be highly pressurised. Daniel’s frame is carved from the trunk of a tree, but his footwork is very serviceable. Out of hold it’s a bit of a shambles, but I’ve definitely seen worse. Sort of charming, in a weird kind of way.
Who’s next? It’s Daniel and Kristina! This week they’re dancing the American Smooth to Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me To The Moon. Daniel’s ballroom is considerably better than his Latin (shudder) – I’ve only recently discovered that last week’s godawful Grease Jive was actually supposed to be a Cha Cha. Who knew?
Gleb’s taken his shirt off in the Claudiatorium. Brendan’s handing out canapes. Nobody’s listening to the Terms & Conditions right now.
Scores: 6,7,7,7 - a total of 27 for Anita and Gleb.
Len thought it took a while getting started, but Anita coped well, although it could have been a bit sharper in her footwork. Bruno thought it was warming up nicely, but it needed more energy and was a bit stilted in places. Craig thought it was a bit stiff in place, and she needs a more efficient spotting technique. Good isolations though, and Anita went for it. Darcey thought Anita showed determination and the party came alive, but she was quite distracted by Gleb. Weren’t we all? I’m transfixed by his white trousers.
Updated
Glen is channelling his inner DJ, whilst Anita is giving it full Samba wiggle on a box. Gleb does a bit more back-scuttling, some great enthusiam from Anita but not enough hip action and her footwork isn’t sharp enough. Good fun though, and a nice effort from Anita. No Samba rolls though, BOO.
Time for some dancing! First up it’s Anita and Gleb - they’re dancing the Samba to Shakira’s Hips Don’t Lie, which I think is the first Samba of the season. I’m pretty confident that Gleb’s hips won’t be lying any time soon, but can Anita get hers in gear?
After last week’s vaguely sinister Rampant Crab, I’m also keen to know if Gleb has any other scuttly moves up his blue satin sleeves.
Out come the stars! Lots of frosty blue today, and Daniel dressed as a pilot. Helen is wearing a Anne Summers nurse outfit, and Georgia has gone all Disney princess.
Tess and Claudia dress watch! Tess in a hideous split-to-the-thigh number with cheap lace panelling and a missing sleeve, Claudia in a dodgy pantsuit with boxy shoulders. 3/10 just for turning up.
And we’re off! Previously on Strictly: Movie Night. The only thing that could have made this show worse would have been the return of Donny Osmond. But just as we were begging for the BBC to make it all stop, Jay and Aliona came out with a killer Jive and saved the day. After a dance-off between One-armed Anthony and Disco Penguin Ainsley, Anthony was sent home by the judges, taking lovely Oti with him. I very much hope she’ll be back next year, she was all kinds of fabulous.
Not sure what the hell that opening VT was about. Anyone?
Right, Pointless has finished so it’s nearly time! Grab snacks and booze, we’re going in.
I’m introducing Strictly Come Bingo this week – a glug of whatever you fancy for any occurrence of the following:
• Claudia in a comedy hat
• Any mention of fleckerls
• Len losing his shit
• Any mention of Peter’s new album (out this week)
• VTs featuring small children
Updated
Evening all, and welcome to this week’s Strictly Come Dancing liveblog! After last week’s movie-themed hot mess, we’ve got a couple of weeks of normality until Halloween; this makes me very happy, so I’m planning to make the most of it.
Tonight’s show is just 1 hour and 50 minutes long, which is a full 15 minutes shorter than last week. In a parallel Strictly universe that would be down to fewer comedy VTs, but the reality is that we’re theme-free and spared the dance efforts of Anthony and Iwan, so there are only 13 couples left to dance. I’ll be up here from 6.30pm keeping a close eye on the footwork, the fashion and the judges’ comments; meanwhile your job is to be witty and wise down below. We almost smashed 2000 comments last week, which may be a record for this early in the season. Keep it up, liveblog team.
Grab a megabucket of glitter and a vat of wine, and I’ll see you at 6.30!
