So that’s it for another Strictly week! Next week it’s the BLACKPOOL special – kick off is at 7.05pm, so don’t be late for the Glitterbus; I’ve thoroughly steam cleaned it after last year, and will bring a selection of finger sandwiches. In the meantime you can find me Twitter @heidistephens – thanks for coming, and have a good week! Hx
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Mike has been on a transformative Strictly journey, and his mum has even started Zumba. It’s a heartfelt goodbye from both of them, then they take to the floor to Take That’s ‘Rule The World’. Mike gets his head jammed in Katya’s crotch, and now they’ve started a Conga. Best farewell dance ever.
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All the judges vote for Michelle and Giovanni (obviously), which means MIKE AND KATYA are leaving Strictly. He’s had a good run and improved enormously since the beginning, but that’s absolutely the right decision.
Michelle and Giovanni’s American Smooth is still fabulous, despite the faffing abaaaht at the beginning and Michelle being dressed as a bottle of toilet duck.
Dance off time! Mike is doing the banana dance again. It is much as it ever was.
I’ve still never been to Blackpool, Every year I’m tempted to blag Strictly tickets and go, but that would mean missing the liveblog and the opportunity to get annoyed about superfluous backing dancers.
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Incidentally, I really don’t get the love for Chris – he must have had a HUGE public vote score to end up ahead of Michelle and Giovanni. He’s not a great dancer, nor is he particularly funny or charming; I am entirely at a loss as to his appeal. Karen, however, is entirely fierce and I love her.
So who is joining Michelle and Giovanni in the dance off? I’ve accepted that one of Mike or Chris will be going to Blackpool, but I may tip over the edge if it’s both of them.
Kelvin and Oti are safe, along with Emma and Anton and Chris and Karen!
Which means MIKE AND KATYA are in the dance-off. I’m not sure if there has ever been a dance off that’s more of a done deal, but it’s reasonable to assume that Michelle and Giovanni are safely off to Blackpool.
As is traditional on Remembrance weekend, the Strictly stars are helping to sell poppies in what looks like Waterloo station. My sister is a serving member of the RAF and laid a wreath in Stamford today, whilst my dad and brother-in-law both marched as RAF veterans at the Cenotaph. Am hugely proud of all of them.
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Up in the Clauditorium, I am entirely in love with Shirley’s dress. It’s DIVINE.
Time for a musical interlude, courtesy of actor Luke Evans, arguably the most square-jawed human ever to cross the Severn Bridge. He’s singing ‘Bring Him Home’ from Les Miserables, presumably for lols because I can’t find any evidence that he’s ever played Valjean other than in his own shower.
Ooh this song gives me the shivers, AND we get bonus barefoot Johannes and Amy!
Is Amy on some kind of retainer with the Blackpool Tourist Board?
Well, did NOT see that coming. Michelle and Giovanni scored 36 last night, and were second of the leaderboard – they should absolutely not have been in the bottom two.
So unless viewers decided to punish Michelle for that ghastly dress, I’m guessing people assumed they were safe and voted for those in a slightly more shaky position. VOTE FOR YOUR FAVES, PEOPLE.
So who is safely on the way to next week’s Blackpool extravaganza? Karim and Amy are safe, along with Alex and Neil and Saffron and AJ.
First couple in the bottom two: MCHELLE AND GIOVANNI!
WAIT, WHAAAAT?
Last night on Strictly: A bag of (mostly) delights, including a high energy Jive from Alex and Neil, a saucy housewife American Smooth from Michelle and Giovanni, and a hiptastic Salsa from Kelvin and Oti. Saffron and AJ waltzed their way to the top of the leader board, whilst Mike and Katya Paso-ed their way to the bottom. Please for the love of all things Strictly can we let them go – Mike has run his course and Katya looks like a woman on the edge.
TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH: Tess caught in a fishing net of blue sequins, Claudia in a rather fabulous dinner jacket.
Tonight’s pro dance is a Remembrance Sunday special, featuring stories of families sending their loved ones off to battle, to Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Time After Time’. A hauntingly beautiful and moving tribute, I am quite undone.
If you missed Countryfile Casual Weather earlier, it was presented by the delightful Nick Miller, resplendent in jeans, black belt and a burgundy plaid shirt with rolled up sleeves. Could have undone another button there Nick, but a casual effort nonetheless.
SUNDAY NIGHT RESULTS SHOW UPDATE!
Evening all, and welcome back for some Sunday night Strictly results! Hopefully you all had a love-filled, reflective and peaceful Remembrance Sunday, and have dried out after the Blackpool Bingo last night. Based on the performances and leaderboard, we should be waving goodbye to either Chris or Mike this evening – which one won’t be get a seat on the Blackpool funbus? Kick off is at 7.20pm, so I’ll see you then!
Thanks all for joining in down below and being amazing as always – I’m off to read your comments and have a retrospective sip of wine for every one of the mentions of Blackpool – was anyone keeping count? I’ll be back tomorrow at 7.20pm for the results, so join me then! Enjoy the rest of your Saturday x
So that’s it for the dancing, and the voting is open! Saffron and AJ are at the top of the leaderboard, whilst Mike and Katya have sunk to the bottom. Lots of dances I loved this evening – loved Alex, Michelle, Saffron and Kelvin. Can’t see how Mike and Chris won’t be facing off in the dance off, either one of them could go home tomorrow and if I’m honest I don’t much care which.
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Scores: 8,9,9,9 – a total of 35 and a happy finish all round.
Motsi loved the speed and body movement, and Shirley was impressed with the lifts, although there were a couple of timing issues. Bruno thought it was a Salsa in top gear, and Kelvin’s hips were turbo charged. Craig couldn’t really enjoy it because Motsi was screeching all the way through, but it was ‘hiptastic’.
This has a motor racing theme, because Kelvin is an actual racing car driver. But never mind that, look at Kelvin’s HIPS. They’re more fluid than my nan’s custard, and quite hypnotic to watch. He also has nice bounce, but between Kelvin’s hip action and Oti’s splits it’s quite hard to take it all in. A bit scrappy in places, but I definitely want an invitation to Kelvin’s lovin’ one man show.
And finally tonight it’s KELVIN AND OTI! This week they’re dancing the Salsa to ‘Let’s Hear It For the Boy’ by Deniece Williams, one of my absolute favourite songs of the 1980s. However I can strongly recommend not attempting to sing it at karaoke; it’s surprisingly high and just gets higher, until only dogs can hear you.
Scores: 9,10,10,10 – a total of 39 for Saffron and AJ. So much screaming.
Craig calls AJ a clever cherub – that was absolutely gawjus. Motsi thought it was the best dance she’s seen on her first Strictly. Shirley thought they made it look easy, whilst Bruno was swept away – it was a dance of the highest quality. Four tens, anyone?
Saffron appears to have embraced the poppy theme with gusto, although on a flesh-coloured dress it looks a bit like a nasty rash. This is, however, rather a charming Waltz, with nice flow and lovely rise and fall from Saffron. Her frame goes a bit awry towards the end, but generally quite lovely – easily my favourite dance of theirs.
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Who’s next? It’s SAFFRON AND AJ! This week they’re dancing the Waltz to another insipid cover – this time Ellie Goulding’s John Lewis version of Elton John’s ‘Your Song’.
I really want to love this partnership more, but I find myself unmoved. I’m sure they’re both lovely people, but there’s no chemistry for me – it’s like watching two plastic dolls bumping into one another. I need more of a connection and a bit more fire.
Scores: 8,9,8,8 – a total of 33 for Emma and Anton.
Bruno loved all the Fosse references, Emma was in her element although there were a couple of occasions when they weren’t mirrored. Craig thought it was understated and stylised – very much Emma’s dance. Motsi loved it too, and Shirley loved the use of music and the details – one of Emma’s better dances.
Is there some law that states all Jazz dances have to be done in a bowler hat? A few balance issues at the beginning, but some nice footwork from Emma and some good hat action. I don’t really get this type of dancing, not really my cup of tea - also why does this song sound like the theme to the Flintstones?
Next up it’s EMMA AND ANTON! It’s Couple’s Choice week for them, and they’ve chosen a Theatre/Jazz routine to ‘Right Now’ by The Pussycat Dolls. Since Faye and Giovanni’s Theatre/Jazz CC was one of the most memorable dances of last year, this is hugely risky. But if we consider the alternative of Anton doing street dance or interpretive contempo-waft, it’s probably for the best.
Scores: 9,9,9,9 – a total of 36 for Michelle and Giovanni.
Shirley thought it was sophisticated and sassy – naughty and nice from Michelle. Bruno loved the flawless storytelling, and the little touches Michelle gave to the character. Craig thought Michelle was the mistress of detail, he loved it. Motsi always buys what Michelle is selling – they use technique in the right way so she can really feel the dancing.
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So Michelle is a housewife trying to please her man, but Giovanni is having none of it. Changing that ghastly dress might be a good start. I love the storytelling of this American Smooth, it’s a lovely build of attitude to the finish and Michelle is an absolute queen. LOVED that.
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It’s time for MICHELLE AND GIOVANNI! This week they’re dancing the American Smooth to ‘I Just Want To Make Love To You’ by Etta James. Alison Hammond and Aljaz danced the Foxtrot to this back in 2014, but I’m very much hoping that Michelle will turn the sass dial up to 11 and Giovanni will give us full Diet Coke Break realness.
Scores: 5,7,7,7 – a total of 26 for Chris and Karen.
Motsi loved serious Chris, but the footwork could have been cleaner. Shirley enjoyed the focus and how he led the dance, and the footwork was fairly decent. Bruno appreciated the purpose, the intent and the content, but he looked like he was walking it in places. Craig thinks Chris seriously needs to up his game to stay in the competition, it was technically lacking.
Oooh, flames! Chris has a great Tango face, but from the neck down this lacks drive and precision. Mostly this a lot of wandering about, with pigeon toes in hold. A nice effort, but less of a Tango and more of a grumpy stroll.
Next up it’s CHRIS AND KAREN! This week they’re dancing the Tango to ‘Survivor’ by 2wei, the inspired cover of the Destiny’s Child anthem. Sorry, ‘inspired’ was a typo, I meant ‘insipid’. Chris is definitely a survivor, and yet I have no idea why or how.
Scores: 6,8,8,8 – a total of 30 for Karim and Amy. ‘I don’t know how I got that’, says Karim. Neither do I, Karim, neither do I.
Craig points out that there were two large mistakes and too much rise and fall, and Motsi wants Karim to overcome his nerves and gain more focus. Shirley thought it lost some of the quality in hold, but it was disappointing for Karim. Bruno liked the sense of stormy romance, if Karim had managed to get it right it would have been fantastic.
Ooh, they’re up a lighthouse! This is a pretty Viennese from Karim , although Amy’s chiffon wings are rather distracting and it all feels a bit tangly. Too much rise and fall and not Karim’s best dance, but charming nonetheless.
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It’s time for KARIM AND AMY! This week they’re dancing the Viennese Waltz to ‘Give Me Love’ by Ed Sheeran. Their Quickstep last week earned them three tens, so they’ve got a lot to live up to this week. But Karim is the precision dancer in this year’s competition, I don’t suppose a Viennese is going to give him any trouble.
Scores: 5,7,7,6 – a total of 25 for Mike and Katya.
Bruno appreciated the effort, but it needed more power and was too heavy and rigid. Craig thought the shaping at the beginning showed promise but it had no flow. Motsi liked the focus and the characterisation, it was without a doubt a great Paso. Shirley was impressed by Mike’s solo start and he led the dance well – a good effort despite the lack of flow.
Mike opens with a nice bit of stompy flamenco, and if you ignore his free arm this absolutely isn’t the worst Paso we’ve ever seen. However his Spanish line isn’t quite happening, and mostly Katya is using him as a pole to dance around. Also not sure about the weird knee balance finish.
Next up tonight (slot of death, Mike’s time is up) it’s MIKE AND KATYA! This week they’re dancing the Paso Doble to ‘Tamacun’ by Rodrigo y Gabriela. This is a proper Paso tune, for what I’m guessing will be anything but a proper Paso.
Reading this week’s Terms & Conditions – Clara Amfo off of Radio 1. I love her, and that catsuit is incredible.
Scores: 7,8,8,8 – a total of 31 for Alex and Neil.
Shirley thought Alex did very well, she was light on her feet and looked like she was having the time of her life. Bruno thought it was bright, lively and sunny – Alex is growing in confidence and her timing was great, but her leg retractions need to be a bit sharper. Craig thought Alex’s balance was slightly off and needed more attack in the kicks and flicks, but she was working it. Motsi thought they looked like a couple who have got new life in their relationship after one of them had an affair. TOO SOON.
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Neil appears to be dressed as your grandad, whilst Alex has been line dancing in custard. Loving the energy of this Jive, and great to see Alex in her absolute element – she’s got the stamina and her personality is shining through. The footwork is a bit soft in places but definitely one of my favourite Jives this year.
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First up tonight it’s ALEX AND NEIL! This week they’re dancing the Jive to ‘Let’s Twist Again’ by Chubby Checker. More than happy to hear the original version of this, rather than the Jive Bunny butchered version. Good to see Neil back on the dancefloor this evening, I think it was a bit touch and go whether he’d be dancing this week. Thanks for everything Kevin, but your Grimsby harbour jigsaw isn’t going to finish itself.
Meanwhile the stars descend the Strictly stairway – some absolute frock horrors this week, Michelle looks like a pine fresh magic tree.
TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH: Tess in one-shouldered gold foil (including a random tail), and Claudia in a black pearly halterneck.
Thanks for the drinking game nod, Clauds. Chin chin to you too.
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And we’re off! First Blackpool mention! DRINK! Last week on Strictly we waved goodbye to society zookeeper Emma Weymouth and the lovely Aljaz. This week, the pressure is on, because they all want to go to Blackpool.
Three or four Blackpool mentions there. Get stuck in, people.
This week’s Strictly Come Bingo is a ONE WORD SPECIAL, as is traditional in Week 8 - take a sip of your favourite tipple for any mention of BLACKPOOL.
Only very small sips, mind; the NHS is already in crisis and I don’t wish to add to their burden.
Evening all, and welcome back for another spin around the Strictly dancefloor! It’s the pre-Blackpool warm-up week, where seats on the Glitterbus are being allocated on a strictly first-come first-served basis.
With only eight couples left, things are starting to heat up a bit down in Heidi’s Hunches. Chris and Karen and Mike and Katya are very much the weakest remaining links, and history tells us that they’ll both probably go over the next two weeks now they’re both running out of personality-driven dances and the judges have no choice but to judge their actual technique. I’d put Emma and Anton in the danger zone too, but they’re playing their Couple’s Choice joker this evening, which seems to guarantee you nines even if you just rock up and do the Macarena in your underwear.
- Group 1: one eye on the final – Kelvin and Oti, Michelle and Giovanni, Karim and Amy
- Group 2: hot on their heel leads – Alex and Neil, Saffron and AJ
- Group 3: couple’s choice free pass – Emma B and Anton
- Group 4: dodging the dance-off – Mike and Katya, Chris and Karen
Kick off is at 6.50pm, so get ready to sprinkle a little joy and sparkle in the comment box below. See you then!
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