So that’s IT for another Strictly week! I’ll be back next Saturday for another turn around the dancefloor, so please join me then. Thank you all for joining in and being generally brilliant, and don’t forget to pop in for Bake Off on Tuesday if you’re passing. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, and I’ll see you next week!
Katie and Gorka take a spin round the floor to ‘Give Me Just a Little More Time’ by a band whose name I can’t remember. Hang on.
The Chairmen Of The Board. Also Kylie Minogue.
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All the judges save Charles and Karen, which means KATIE AND GORKA are leaving the Strictly dancefloor tonight. Am really sad about that – she’s an incredible inspiration and has grown in confidence every week. I feel like we haven’t seen the best of Katie, and it seems a real shame that it’s the end of her Strictly journey.
Gorka thanks Katie for being a wonderful human. Bit dusty in here.
Salsa time! Charles is giving this both barrels, and it’s considerably better than yesterday. He’s definitely got all the equipment to be a great dancer, and I’m pretty sure he’ll be staying based on that performance.
I love Katie, she’s exactly what this show should be about. And that dance was full of joy. I would also argue that her timing marginally improved.
Time for the dance off – for the first time in ages, it’s two dances I’m actually really happy to watch again.
First up it’s Katie and Gorka - timing was her main issue yesterday, so hopefully she can learn to keep time in the next three minutes. I realise this is a big ask.
I’m pretty sure we’ll be waving goodbye to Katie and Gorka tonight. This is not my preferred outcome, but that’s how Strictly rolls sometimes.
So who is safe, and who’s joining Charles and Karen in the dance off? Seann and Katya are safe, along with Lauren and AJ, Kate and Aljaz and Joe and Dianne.
Which means KATIE AND GORKA are in the dance off.
If the wind changes right now my mouth will be a cat’s bum for the rest of time.
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Next week Bruno is having a week off, so we’ve got Alfonso Ribeiro instead. The Carlton dance from Fresh Prince of Bel Air WILL be in the bingo.
AND it’s couple’s choice next week, where our couples can choose from contemporary dance, street/commercial dance or theatre and jazz. Apparently the latter includes Burlesque, which is a terrifying prospect.
Backstreet may be back, but the vocal has been left firmly in 1998. Why doesn’t anyone mime any more?
This is horrible, and yet somehow still amazing. Also gutted that Nick Carter has ditched the hair curtains.
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Time for a musical interlude, courtesy of reconstituted 90s boyband Backstreet Boys. They’re singing a medley of their greatest hits, which is only serving to remind us that the Backstreet Boys have a back catalogue of solid gold bangers.
Also going through to next week: Graeme and Oti, Faye and Giovanni and Danny and Amy.
First couple in the dance off: CHARLES AND KAREN, for the second time in a row. It must be quite hard not to take that personally. I actually quite enjoyed their Salsa last night.
Stacey and Kevin are the people’s choice this year, aren’t they? Non-ringers, she’s fabulous, he’s a mum fave. Will be amazed if they’re not in the final three.
So which couples are safely through to next week? Vick and Graziano are safe, along with Dr. Ranj and Janette, Stacey and Kevin and Ashley and Pasha!
I’m still here by the way, but nothing is happening of interest.
Last night on Strictly: more dancing! A bit of a weird show after a Movie Week blockbuster last week, but we got through it in one piece. Stacey and Kevin’s Foxtrot was my favourite of the night, and I’m still laughing about Kate and Aljaz’s Safari Samba. I really hope she’s not in the bottom two tonight.
TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH: Tess in a bin bag, Claudia in an ill-fitting beach dress. At least all shoulders are present and correct. Actually from a different angle I quite like Claudia’s dress, it has little sparkly stars.
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OK well that happened.
This week’s opening pro dance has an Anne Summers theme, with massive hairography and racy thrusting to Dua Lipa’s ‘Hotter Than Hell’. I bet it’s hotter than hell in those thigh boots. Break out the talc.
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And we’re off! Ba ba ba ba BA BA BAH etc.
SUNDAY NIGHT RESULTS SHOW UPDATE
Evening all, and welcome back to tonight’s Strictly Results Show! Hopefully the comments are back on now, I’m assuming things got a bit feisty down there in the early hours. Group hug, everyone.
It’s another Strictly results show, and time for our third couple to leave the dancefloor. How can we have only said goodbye to two couples so far? It feels like this series has been going for years. Kick off is at 7.45, so I’ll see you then!
No idea if Seann and Katya will be in the dance off tomorrow - if there’s one thing that the last couple of years has taught us, it’s that the voting public absolutely can’t be trusted.
I’m off to Manchester now to do BBC Breakfast after 8.30am so tune in if you want to see what I look like after a very long drive and a rubbish night’s sleep. Otherwise I’ll be back here at 7.45 tomorrow for the verdict – thank you for joining in, and I’ll see you then! Hx
So that’s it for tonight’s dancing! Time for an interminable recap – my favourites this evening were definitely Stacey and Kevin, but there was loads of great stuff in there tonight. Another good showing from this year’s couples, despite the ugliness.
Scores: 8,8,8,9 - a total of 33 for Stacey and Kevin.
No expenses spared on Kevin’s birthday cake, which is just as well as Kevin has just stuck his face in it.
Sadly, Stacey is a screamer. You can’t have everything, I guess.
Shirley loved the theme and Stacey’s technique - for a non-dancer she is unbelievable. Bruno thought it was styled to perfection, with great details - the dance was brilliant. Craig thought it leaned towards an American Smooth but loved it anyway. Darcey thought it was elegant in hold and very, very nice.
OMG I love these two. Stacey knows no fear, and Kevin knows how to put on a show. This is a great Foxtrot with bags of charm and style, and these two make a great partnership – probably my favourite on the show this year. LOVED that.
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And finally it’s STACEY AND KEVIN! This week they’re dancing the Foxtrot to ‘Hi Ho Silver Lining’ by Jeff Beck. It’s a classic of the ‘drunk singalong at a wedding’ genre, so am really hoping Stacey and Kevin aren’t going to let us down. God knows we need the laughs right now.
Loving Neil at the back giving them both a killer death stare as Katya says “It’s been an amazing week!”. I have no words, really quite upsetting.
Scores: 6,7,8,7. People continually disappoint me, and I am no longer Team Shirley.
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Darcey thought it was a full routine with great energy and attack and she enjoyed the tricky lifts, but it was quite clumsy in places. Shirley loved the choreography, and they get extra point for saving the lift - it was entertaining from start to finish. Bruno thought they threw everything at it – it was manic in a good way but the finish was a bit gangly. Craig loved the full routine, they did it really well.
So this looks a lot like a Charleston that was a Viennese Waltz until Tuesday, at which point it hastily became a Charleston. Nice slapstick , not much in the way of swivel and the lifts all a bit clunky. Generally all quite laboured and relying very much on the comedy factor. FORGIVE ME FOR NOT LAUGHING.
It’s time for SEAN(N) AND KATYA! This week they’re dancing the Dance of Shame to ‘One Kiss’ by Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa. OK, I made this up. They’re dancing the Charleston to ‘Bills’ by Lunchmoney Lewis. I expect the paying of these bills to be done in an entirely contactless fashion.
I love that they have a chaperone in training. Seann hasn’t been nailing the jazz hands. LEAVE IT HEIDI.
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Scores: 8,8,8,8 - a total of 32 for Ashley and Pasha.
Craig thought it was sharp and had incredible energy, and he loved it. Darcey loved the intent and drama, but Ashley lost her shoulders in the second half. Shirley thought Ashley was bouncing off Pasha’s body and it needed more stillness and a better neckline throughout. Bruno loved the power and theatre - Ashley was as much in control than Pasha.
I’m LOVING Ashley’s getup, she looks fierce. As expected, this is a great Tango from Ashley, she definitely knows how to put on a show. I’m never going to want her to win, but these two are great to watch and I’m very much here for Pasha in guyliner. Good work.
Next up it’s ASHLEY AND PASHA! This week they’re dancing the Tango to ‘Look What You Made Me Do’ by Taylor Swift. I anticipate this dance being excellent and completely fierce, because Ashley doesn’t do anything by halves. That said, she’s also not as good in hold as she is out, so will be interesting to see how she gets on with being glued to Pasha for a couple of minutes.
Have we seen Seann and Katya in the Clauditorium this evening? Have they been banished?
Scores: 5,7,7,7 - a total of 26 for Graeme and Oti.
Bruno thought it was flat-footed but Graeme didn’t miss a beat. Craig wanted more precision - it had great showmanship, but it wasn’t great as a Jive. Darcey loved the energy and the timing was great, but the kicks needed to be sharper and his arms aren’t consistent. Shirley rather liked it, particularly Graeme’s personality and consistency.
This has a moon theme for no apparent reason; hopefully Graeme will keep his bum under wraps, I’m not ready. Graeme is somewhat heavy of foot, and it all has a whiff of drunk dad at a wedding, sadly. The kicks and flicks are largely absent, but Graeme has great timing and keeps up the energy to the end. Not my favourite dance of the evening.
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Only four left! Woo!
Scores: 4,5,5,6 - a total of 20 for Kate and Aljaz.
Shirley enjoyed the charisma, but it wasn’t Kate’s dance and it had too many foot faults. Bruno thought it was a trip, but Kate got stuck a few times and couldn’t get into the natural bounce. Craig thought that dance belonged behind the newsdesk, but Darcey loved the African party moves, albeit Kate’s panic was on her face.
Kate’s parrot dress is dreadful, but I’m loving the madness of this sightseeing Samba. Kate looks entirely uncomfortable from start to finish, and it’s very hard not to compare this to Oti and Danny’s African-inspired Samba (spoiler: it doesn’t).
All a bit shambolic, but thoroughly enjoyable for all the wrong reasons. Apart from that rendition of Africa, which we will never speak of again.
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It’s time for KATE AND ALJAZ! This week they’re dancing the Samba to ‘Africa’ by Toto. Oh god I love this song, it’s a classic. I’m guessing this is going to be a slower Samba than the usual frantic party madness, which I’m absolutely OK with.
Scores: 6,7,7,7 - a total of 27 for Dr. Ranj and Janette. That leaderboard is going to be a mess.
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Darcey thought that was a nice surprise - it had focus, intent and drama but needed more curve in the Spanish line. Shirley loved Ranj’s serious side, and it had some beautiful basic elements. Bruno loved he machismo and the flamenco touch, but Ranj needs to pull out of his hips. Craig didn’t feel it was really danced, but Dr. Ranj did really well.
OK I love Paso Ranj. He’s quite sexy and this really isn’t the worst Paso we’ve ever seen. Nice timing and plenty of intent, would have liked a bit more of the flamenco section and his frame gets a bit woolly towards the end, but actually really enjoyed that.
Next up it’s DR RANJ AND JANETTE! Tonight they’re performing a Paso Doble to ‘Cancion del Mariachi’ by Los Lobos. So far we’ve only seen Party Ranj, so I’m quite looking forward to seeing if he can do fierce and powerful flamenco god.
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I love how they’re leaving Seann and Katya until the end, entirely shameless but brilliant.
Scores: 6,6,6,7 - a total of 25 for Lauren and AJ.
Craig loved the energy, and Darcey really enjoyed the confidence despite the mistakes. Shirley loved the footwork and Lauren’s personality, but they went wrong a couple of times. Bruno agrees - when they weren’t making mistakes, it was gorgeous.
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I love Lauren’s hot pink dress, and AJ is definitely growing on me. Loving this Quickstep – quite quirky, with bags of charm and energy. Not without the odd mistake, but Lauren looks way happier than previous weeks. Really enjoyed that.
Incidentally, if I was Olly from Years and Years I’d be filing a lawsuit right now.
It’s time for LAUREN AND AJ! This week they’re dancing the Quickstep to ‘If You’re Over Me’ by Years and Years. This is one of my favourite songs of the year, and I’m quite looking forward to this – last week’s Fame Cha Cha light in the Latin welly department, but world champion triathlete Lauren has plenty of stamina so may well find the Quickstep right up her street.
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Scores: 6,6,6,7 - a total of 25 for Charles and Karen. Who are they saving their votes for?
Bruno is on a high speed spin - it was a disco Salsa with a cool swagger, but it needed more hips. Craig loved the lifts but the hips weren’t happening in the forward and back basic. Darcey loved Charles’ natural rhythm (LEGACY DRINK), but he needs to contain it more. Shirley enjoyed the choreography but Charles needs to be more secure in the change of weight from foot to foot.
OOH, I quite like Charles’ Salsa hips, they definitely have spin. He’s also removing all his clothes one layer at a time, which is mildly unsettling. The transitions out of the lifts are a bit clunky but his Salsa basic is actually pretty good and he looks pretty good in a vest. What more do we need?
Next up it’s CHARLES AND KAREN! Tonight they’re performing a Salsa to ‘Use It Up and Wear It Out’ by Odyssey. This is a disco classic, but Karen knows that Shirley’s not big on Disco Salsa so hopefully they’ll keep it under control and get plenty of basic in. Charles was in the bottom two last week and is quite keen to avoid it again, because Charles Venn is not a bottom two kind of guy.
They’ve gone for a launderette theme, so let’s get ready to tumble.
Scores: 3,5,5,5 - a total of 18 for Katie and Gorka. Mean, Craig.
Shirley was delighted by the amount of content, but Katie needs to work on her timing. Bruno loved how fun it was, but agrees timing needs work. Craig agrees - it was also a bit stompy and the dance didn’t really suit Katie. Darcey thought it was really endearing, but the kicks needed to be sharper - Katie is definitely improving.
OK so nerdy Gorka might be the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen. I love this version of Katie too – full of joy, fun and character. The dancing is too tentative, it’s lacking Jive basics and her timing isn’t great, but I don’t care. It’s charming, and I could watch these two all night.
It’s time for KATIE AND GORKA! Tonight they’re dancing the Jive to ‘Why Do Fools Fall In Love’ by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. Katie has been slowly growing in confidence over recent weeks, but is going to need to find another gear to get through this Jive. The nation will be willing her through every kick and flick, tough times for her right now.
Scores: 7,7,7,8 - a total of 28 for Faye and Giovanni. It’s all about the sevens this evening.
Giovanni definitely felt it. Need some time alone to think about that.
Darcey loved Faye’s expression but it needed more undulation in the body. Shirley liked the combination of basics and new steps, but she didn’t feel the transitions and it needed more expression. Bruno definitely felt it and Faye’s lines were very good, but sometimes she lost fluidity. Craig missed the connectivity between Faye and Giovanni, but she’s a beautiful dancer.
Faye is looking incredible in shredded tinsel. I’m not a big fan of Rumba, but this is quite special. Faye’s hip action and foot pressure is outstanding, and Giovanni is doing a wonderful job of showcasing her despite his bare chest (DRINK). Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous.
Next up it’s FAYE AND GIOVANNI! This week they’re dancing the FIRST RUMBA OF THE YEAR to ‘Chandelier’ by Sia. Everyone gets so excited about the Rumba, but in recent years they’ve been a bit too platonic for my liking. Come on Faye give us two minutes of Rumba filth. God knows we’ve all earned it.
It’s Clare from Steps!
Scores: 6,7,7,7 - a total of 27 for Danny and Amy.
Craig didn’t like Danny’s over-expressive hands and it was a bit skippy, but he loved the rotation. Darcey loved the musicality and Danny has one of the best postures in the competition. Shirley loved Danny’s footwork - it wasn’t consistent all the way through but definitely a step in the right direction. Bruno thought Danny filled the space with arms like a wind turbine, but he needs to push it further.
Danny looks glorious, and Amy’s gold dress is to die for. This is just lovely - elegant, stylish and a classy Viennese from Danny. Exactly what I hoped for - no idea if it ticked all the technical boxes, but I loved that.
Time for DANNY AND AMY! This week they’re dancing the Viennese Waltz to ‘I’ve Gotta Be Me’ by Sammy Davis Jnr. I love a Viennese Waltz, and have every hope Danny is going to deliver something super-classy.
It’s all about wheeling out the family this week, isn’t it?
Scores: 7,7,7,8 - a total of 29 for Vick and Graziano.
Bruno thought it was sweet, light and fluffy, and Vick has improved both her dancing and her expression. Craig thought it was a vast improvement too, although it was a bit trotty in places. Darcey enjoyed the enthusiasm even thought it was quite bouncy, and Shirley agrees - it had great basic steps and a great step forward for Vick.
OK this is already a bit sugary for my tastes, my teeth are hurting. Some nice footwork from Vick, and she’s stuck to Graziano like toffee. Gets a bit gappy at the end, but all rather adorable. Enjoyed.
Next up it’s VICK AND GRAZIANO! This week they’re dancing the Quickstep to ‘Can’t Hurry Love’ by Diana Ross and the Supremes. After last week’s scarf-shambles Salsa, I’m sure Vick will be delighted to back in Graziano’s ballroom arms. But can her feet keep up?
This week’s Terms & Conditions are being read by Martin Kemp, apropos of absolutely nothing.
Scores: 5,7,7,7 - a total of 26 for Joe and Dianne.
Shirley needs a bit more work on Joe’s hips, but she loves his musicality and arm movements. Bruno thought it was quirky and charming, but it got a bit angular and puppety in parts. Craig thought it was a bit overplaced and flat-footed, but Joe is so watchable. Darcey thought Joe pulled it of, even though it’s DIFFICULT FOR A MAN (LEGACY DRINK).
Tess, please stop talking about Joe’s tiny bottom.
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Joe is doing his best with this Cha Cha, and it’s very decent effort at hip action. He’s not the best male dancer in this year’s competition, but he has a certain charm and is clearly giving it everything. A bit stiff, but a great effort.
First up tonight it’s JOE AND DIANNE! Tonight they’re dancing the Cha Cha Cha to ‘Just Got Paid’ by Sigala feat. Ella Eyre and Meghan Trainor. Another song the kids will love, he’s not daft. We haven’t seen Joe’s cheeky latin hips yet, let’s see if they’re a thing.
Out come the judges! Darcey is wearing the sexiest nursing scrubs of all time. Here come the stars - disappointed that Seann and Katya have gone for mad stripes rather than sackcloth and ashes. They get a huge cheer from the crowd, and are already giving it jazz hands. That’s one way to play it, I suppose.
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TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH: Tess in a horrible one-shouldered pantsuit, Claudia in half a dress. They both look like they’ve got dressed in the dark and put their arms in the wrong holes.
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And we’re off! Previously on Strictly – remember when we all decided Seann was a Paso legend and Katya a dance magician? Those 12 hour training sessions REALLY paid off, no? Anyway it was Movie Week, and we all had a lovely time apart from Lee and Nadiya, who went home. GOOD TIMES.
This week’s theme: DON’T MENTION THE ELEPHANT IN THE TRAINING ROOM
This week’s Strictly Come Bingo (SUBTLE DISTRACTION EDITION) - a slug of your favourite tipple for any occurrence of the following :
- Bruno falling off his chair
- First ten of the series
- Bare chests
- Awkward glossing over of awkwardness with bonus awkwardness
- Illegal lifts
Evening all, and welcome to tonight’s Strictly Come Dancing liveblog! It feels like we’ve been on quite the journey since last Sunday, and it’s only Week Four. We haven’t even made it to Halloween yet.
So what have we learned in the past week? Firstly that Sean(n) Walsh is either a) just a guy, standing in front of a girl, mistakenly snogging her in an alleyway or b) a gaslighting, birthday-shirking lowlife. Secondly, that Seann’s dance partner and Strictly (un)professional Katya Jones has retained the support of her husband Neil, who is working through his humiliation by chafing his bits on some rocks for Instagram.
Finally, we’ve learned that Seann’s ex-girlfriend Rebecca has given him the boot in spectacular style, leaving with her dignity intact and Winston the cat under her arm. Somebody put Strictly up for an award at the British Soap Awards, I’m ready to vote.
Here’s how I’d quite like this weekend to play out: Seann and Katya will deliver a Charleston of Shame, and the judges will pretend nothing ever happened (apart from Bruno who will go rogue, and Craig who will raise a single eyebrow). They’ll end up in the bottom two due to a combination of punishing scores from the judges and public vote tumbleweed, and will be quietly retired ‘tomorrow’ with a cringe-tastic final dance. None of this will actually happen, obviously, but I’d give quite a lot to be in the studio audience this evening (with Rebecca as my plus one, just for fun). However that would mean missing the liveblog, which would be a dereliction of duty.
Mostly I’m looking forward to this drama all being over so we can all get back to enjoying Strictly Come Dancing for the joyous, glitter-fuelled fluff it is. I believe there are 12 other couples dancing this evening, so lets give them the love and attention they deserve. Kick-off is at 6.40pm – bring wine, popcorn, your cat and a bucket of your finest comment box wit and wisdom. See you then!
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