So that’s it for another Strictly! Only seven couples left now, and any of them could make the grand final in just four weeks’ time, so all getting very exciting. I’ll be back here next week, so please join me then, and feel free to swing by Twitter @heidistephens for a chat in the meantime. Thanks for all your comments as ever, you guys are the best. Have a great week! Hx
Jamelia and Tristan say lovely things about each other, because it’s the Strictly way. I’m sad to see her go, her dancing has come such a long way and she was the better dancer this weekend.
So what will the judges do? Craig saves Peter and Janette (WHAT), as does Darcey, apparently based on Peter’s improvement tonight. What was she watching? Bruno also saved Peter and Janette, harrumph. Len would have saved Jamelia, but it’s too late. Boo.
Peter’s Jive is still nothing of the sort, and his footwork is still rubbish. In addition, his hands look like shovels. This is considerably worse that last night, if we’re judging on tonight’s performance then Jamelia should definitely stay. JUST SAYING.
Love that they’re trying to out-dad dance Jeremy Vine, AND raided Tess’s dressing up box. Hilarious.
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Time for tonight’s second musical interlude, courtesy of the remaining three fifths of Take That. They get their own VT and everything.
I saw them at the O2 earlier this year, and they felt a bit diminished. Who knew that Jason Orange played such a valuable role? They’re performing their new single ‘Hey Boy’, which is standard Take That Radio 2-fodder. I’ve never really forgiven Barlow for being such a raging Tory and not paying his taxes. I might get over it one day.
Right, who’s in the dance-off with Peter and Janette? Anita and Gleb are safe (I should think so too), along with Katie and Anton and Helen and Aljaz.
Which means JAMELIA AND TRISTAN in the dance-off! They could live to fight another week, you know. This really could go either way.
Loving Darcey’s Christmas Tree dress. You can never have too many sequins.
Dance accompaniment for Anastacia is some kind of gymnastics display, featuring a very bendy girl in her nightie.
Time for a bit of music from Anastacia, who had a bunch of hits about 15 years ago, then took some time out to recover from two rounds of breast cancer and some cardiac problems. She has a fabulous voice, great to see her back.
This was one of the biggest hits of 2000, and it’s still an absolute CHOON.
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So who is through to next week, and who’s in the dreaded dance-off? Kellie and Kevin are safe (trying hard not to squeal, and failing), along with Jay and Aliona and Georgia and Giovanni.
First couple in the dance-off…PETER AND JANETTE! Oooh, this is going to be goooood.
Peter launches into a lengthy rollercoaster metaphor, and the entire crowd tunes out.
Last night on Strictly: strong performances from Anita and Gleb (fierce, passionate, wildly homoerotic, it’s a ten from me), Jay and Aliona (smiles all round), Kellie and Kevin (still being punished by wardrobe, weird music), Helen and Aljaz (jazz hands galore) and Georgia and Giovanni (all rather charming).
Katie and Anton had a bit of a wobble (but still lovely), Jamelia and Tristan did a very serviceable but not very showstopping Quickstep, and Peter delivered a non-Jive that was all a bit of a mess, and ended up at the bottom of the leaderboard. The big question is, have the Andre Fandom saved him from the dance-off?
Tess and Claudia dress watch: Tess in a peplum horror with sparkly bra straps, Claudia looking purposely windblown, but still better than Tess. 5/10.
And we’re off! I love seeing the original titles, when Daniel O’ Donnell was still a thing, and Jay looked like Sideshow Bob.
Tonight’s pro dance is a contemporary affair that’s heavy on dry ice and swinging from bits of fabric, accompanied by a warbly dance version of Emilie Sande. The celeb dancers turn up, marching on a plinth. All the girls appear to be dressed as Miss Piggy. No idea what that was all about.
Apparently there’s a “wodge” of mild air incoming. Hmm.
Countryfile Casual Weatherperson update: the dashing Alex Dakin in a sensible blue shirt with rolled up sleeves and jeans. Rocking the smart-casual look, I like it.
Lots of livestock shagging happening on Countryfile. All quite exhausting.
Not sure about Matt Baker’s green jumper on Countryfile. He looks like one of Santa’s little helpers.
SUNDAY NIGHT RESULTS SHOW UPDATE!
Evening all, and welcome back for tonight’s Strictly Come Dancing Liveblog, not-so-live from Blackpool! Last night’s show was quite the showstopper, I thought - we’re almost certainly seeing Jamelia and Tristan in the dance-off, and it’s a forgone conclusion unless they’re up against Peter and Janette, in which case things could get interesting. Hope your collective livers are OK after last night’s Strictly Come Bingo, I think we nearly had a full house.
The show kicks off at 7.15pm, join me then!
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I’ll be back here at 6.50pm for the results show, so do join me then for more fun and larks. Thank you all for being brilliant in the comment box, you are spectacular as ever – feel free to give me a wave on Twitter @heidistephens if you’re passing. Hope you’re all still in one piece after tonight’s Strictly Come Bingo - see you tomorrow night, and enjoy the rest of your Saturday. Cheers! Hx
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So that’s it’s for another Saturday night Strictly Seaside Special! Didn’t we have a luvverly time, etc. My prediction for tomorrow’s dance-off is Jamelia and Tristan, along with Another Couple It Really Doesn’t Really Matter Who. Let’s say Helen and Aljaz, just because.
So it’s all quite busy at the top of the leaderboard, with Georgia and Giovanni in the lead. Peter and Janette are at the bottom, which was unexpected. Time to find out how much the public loves Peter.
Darcey thought Kellie made it look like an easy day at work – a wonderful dance to finish a wonderful night. Len wants Kellie to file it under B for Brilliant. Bruno thought it was outstanding, and Craig agrees that it was tight and clean – he loved it. Leave it, Heidi.
Scores: 9,9,9,10 – a total of 37 for Kellie and Kevin. No chat with Claudia, we must be running out of time.
Kellie is stilling rocking the Patsy Stone look. It’s a bit dressage pony as Quicksteps go , but Kellie’s timing is great and there are some lovely details in there. Great fun, but a bit trotty for my tastes.
And finally it’s Kellie and Kevin! This week they’re dancing the Quickstep to Dolly Parton’s ‘Nine To Five’. I still haven’t quite got over last week’s hip-hop Samba, and for all the world can’t quite work out how the hell you Quickstep to Nine To Five. Feel free to pour yourself a cup of ambition, we might need it.
Scores: 8,9,8,9 - a total of 34 for Helen and Aljaz.
Craig thought it was a bit too controlled, but Darcey disagrees – it was a classy Charleston and she loved it. Len thought it was full of vim and vigour, but he would have liked more content in hold. Bruno thought it was sassy and glitzy – like a showstopping number on Broadway.
A great start from Helen, her endless legs are coming into their own. Lots of personality, some superb lifts, and a lovely quirky routine. Some of the transitions out of the lifts and are bit clunky, and then a load of backing dancers who all look like Helen turn up and it all gets a bit chaotic. Great fun, however.
Next up it’s Helen and Aljaž! Tonight they’re dancing the Charleston to ‘Anything Goes’ from the musical of the same name. This could be cute and fabulous, could be stiff and awkward. Depends what Helen’s legs decide to do.
Scores: 9,9,10,10 - a total of 38 for Georgia and Giovanni. A ten from Len - DRINK!
Bruno thought it was pure ballroom bliss, and Craig choses to overlook the lift mishap because it was fantastic. Darcey thought it was beautifully graceful – Georgia is gliding through this competition. Len was blown away, it was a brilliant dance.
Georgia’s pink dress is super-dreamy, and Giovanni scrubs up pretty well in white tails. Unfortunately there are so many dance couples and pink dresses on the dancefloor I can’t see what I’m looking at. Lots of swing and sway and Georgia’s arms are beautiful, but all a bit messy in the lift. Not sure that was Georgia’s fault, however – fire the spare dancer.
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It’s time for Georgia and Giovanni! This week they’re dancing the American Smooth to Whitney Houston’s ‘I Have Nothing’. That’s quite a dramatic power ballad for a Smooth, but let’s go with in on the basis we have absolutely no choice.
Scores: 6,7,8,8 - a total of 29 for Peter and Janette.
Len thought it had plenty of action, but not his finest effort – his hands and footwork weren’t quite right. Bruno thought it had plenty enthusiasm and energy, but he lost the Jive and it wasn’t recognisable enough. Craig thought it was flat-footed and heavy, and Peter’s weight was in the wrong place, but loved his commitment and energy. Darcey thought it was fast and furious. “We had a ball”, says Peter. “A ballroom”. Oh my sides.
As an aside I suspect if Peter had owned a rag doll he loved that much, they’d have made a 6-part Channel 5 series about it by now.
Not a huge amount of Jive going on here and, Peter’s footwork is a bit lacklustre. The Rupert Bear pants are distracting, which is probably a good thing because Peter’s kicks and flicks are decidedly half-arsed and there’s way too much running about for my liking.
This may be the worst comedy VT of all time.
It’s time for Peter and Janette! They’re dancing the Jive to Ike and Tina Turner’s ‘River Deep, Mountain High’. Their Viennese last week wasn’t as good as the Charleston the week before, but Peter’s pretty good with high-energy dances so this could be a triumph.
Claudia in Kiss Me Quick hat! Just keeping drinking.
I starting bitching about the scoring for a minute there, but decided life is too short.
Scores: 8,9,9,9 - a total of 35 for Katie and Anton.
Darcey thought it was exquisite, with film star style from beginning to end, it just needs to be smoother in the transitions. Len thought it had elegance, glamour and sophistication. Bruno thought it was stylistically impeccable, and Katie is fantastic in hold. Craig loved the elegance, but Katie looks a bit lost coming out the lifts, and there was a wobble here and there.
Katie’s dress is all kinds of fabulous, and Anton is looking dapper in top hat and tails. This is proper Fred and Ginger ballroom, with bags of style and elegance. Katie looks like she’s having the best time ever. Couple of little balance issues and a wobble at the end, but charm galore. Really enjoyed that.
It’s time for Katie and Anton! This week they’re dancing the American Smooth to Dean Martin’s ‘Ain’t That A Kick In The Head’. Anton is in his spiritual home, dancing ballroom with a partner who can actually dance. No Latin moves are required. Theoretically this should be marvellous.
Scores: 9,10,9,9 - a total of 37 for Anita and Gleb. Why not more tens? That was bloody fabulous.
Craig thought it had drama, theatre, and fabulous Spanish line – magnificent. Darcey was blown away, it was forceful and full of intent and beautifully classy. Len thought it was full of drama – they turned the ballroom into the bullring. Bruno had never seen so much prime beef on display – definitely not a Paso for vegetarians. It embodied the heart and soul of Spain (ole)
Anita’s looking fabulous, and the superfluous backing dancers are shirtless. What’s not to love? Great solo opening from Anita, no sign of Gleb, however. Oh there he is – no shirt either, just some kind of strapping until Anita puts his matador jacket on. Now they’re both fully dressed, this gets down to business – a full on and fierce Paso with plenty of passion and welly. Loved it.
Gleb eating chips in a gale! DRINK!
Next up it’s Anita and Gleb! Tonight they’re dancing the Paso Doble to ‘Malaguena’ by Connie Francis. They did a rather splendid Quickstep last week, and Anita is shaping up to be a safe bet for the final, if you ask me. Can they deliver a punchy Paso in the Tower Ballroom?
Scores: 7,8,8,8 - a very decent 31 for Jamelia and Tristan.
Bruno thought it had great content and packaging, and she’s clearly worked on her footwork. But Jamelia still has issues with her frame, and it all gets bouncy in the runs. “Can they avoid a fifth dance off?” Tess asks Craig. “No, not really” replies Craig. (Harsh, but true.) Darcey loved the intent and pace – her best ballroom. Len compares Jamelia to Blackpool tram (DRINK) – she just keeps rolling.
In this routine, Jamelia has to be a doll trapped in a box. Any excuse to be a bit stiff and wooden. Once released from her cardboard prison, Jamelia’s footwork is actually really good, albeit her top line goes a bit awry and there are lots of gapping problems. Out of hold, it’s all a bit awkward, but definitely not the worst Quickstep I’ve ever seen.
Who’s next? It’s Jamelia and Tristan! They’re dancing the Quickstep to 1960’s classic ‘I’m A Believer’ by The Monkees. Jamelia has now survived the dreaded dance-off four times, but I suspect her time may be up this week. Although it would be worth keeping them in just for Tristan’s incredulous “are you feckin’ kidding me?” look every time the judges give them another reprieve.
Scores: 9,9,9,9 - a total of 36 for Jay and Aliona.
Len thought it made Blackpool ROCK (drink), and is Jay’s best dance since his week 3 Jive. Bruno thought Jay’s loins were on fire. Craig loved the armography and hip action, and FINALLY there is some facial expression from Jay. Darcey was warmed up, and loved how Jay was flirting with Aliona from beginning to end.
Superfluous backing dancers (DRINK) are harassing Jay, but he only has eyes for Aliona. This is great – loads of energy, fab footwork, great lifts, and Jay is definitely smiling, albeit in an “I’ve just had a root canal” kind of way.
I suspect that Jay’s Journey will not reach its spectacular climax until he has to deliver a Charleston, but hopefully it will be worth the wait. LOVED that.
First up tonight it’s Jay and Aliona! Tonight they’re dancing the Salsa to ‘Cuba’ by The Gibson Brothers. The Salsa is a party dance, so will require Jay to arrange his face into that of a young man dancing with wild abandon on the streets of Havana. If Aliona has any sense, she’ll have been feeding him Mojitos since lunchtime.
Out come the stars! No idea what’s going on with Janette’s dress, looks like custard-coloured webbing.
Len’s new knee is bearing up well, not sure he should be shaking too many pineapples, however. Craig is lowered in on Jeremy’s guitar. Jeremy gives it a three.
Tess and Claudia Dress Watch: clearly the wardrobe department left their dresses in the Borehamwood dressing-up box and were forced to fashion them out of binbags instead. 4/10.
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It’s Blackpool, so we get an opening pro-dance on both nights. Tonight’s is some kind of Downton Abbey-themed Charleston/Jive mashup featuring lindy-hopping scullery maids and Helen boozing at the top table. I don’t know where to look, so I’m giving it a miss.
Wait, is Kellie dressed as Patsy from Ab Fab?
And we’re off! We kick things off with an opening VT featuring a bleak-looking Blackpool and lots of excited locals. Georgia and Giovanni are on a rollercoaster, apropos of nothing. DRINK.
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SHOPPING INTERLUDE: If anyone else likes Frances’s lace top as much as I do, I’ve just asked her on Twitter and it’s from Joules. £69, also available in grey.
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Very much enjoying Bake Off Richard and Frances on Pointless. Can’t believe they didn’t choose Austen on Film, however.
This week’s Strictly Come Bingo (Blackpool Special Edition) – a swig of your favourite tipple for any mention of the following:
- Any reference to a kiss-me-quickstep
- VTs featuring pro dancers doing traditionally Blackpool things – I’m thinking Aliona driving a charabanc, Brendan with a hanky on his head, Giovanni in an amusement arcade, Gleb and Aljaz wrestling in candyfloss (did I say that out loud?)
- People eating soggy chips in a howling gale, and pretending it’s fun
- Bruno or Len raking Blackpool for metaphors, e.g. “you lit up the dancefloor like Blackpool illuminations”, “that was a proper seaside special”, “packed with amusements” and so on until we all die.
- A ten from Len
- Superfluous backing dancers (a teeth-grinding Blackpool tradition, bring extra wine)
Evening all, and welcome to this week’s Strictly Come Dancing liveblog! It’s Blackpool week, which means a 700% increase in mentions of Blackpool, a return of the hilarious comedy VT and levels of excitement never before experienced by anyone who has actually been to Blackpool in November.
I will say at this point that I have a bit of a soft spot for Strictly Goes To Blackpool – the Tower Ballroom has such an incredible dance heritage, and it seems only fitting that the remaining eight couples should have the chance to dance there. Also it’s lovely to see some of the dances performed on a full-sized dancefloor, especially as the studio floor is about the size of squash court.
Everything kicks off at 6.50pm – I’ll be up here casting a highly untrained eye over the frocks and footwork, while you all sprinkle some witty and wise garnish down below. See you then!
