So that’s it for another week on the Strictly sofa – next week it’s HALLOWEEN, so wear your spookiest outfit and prepare for all manner of pumpkin spiced nonsense. Thank you all for joining in and being amazing as always, hope you have a fab week. See you next Saturday! Hx
Updated
David and Nadiya say heartfelt things about each other, then take to the floor to ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’ by Simple Minds. What a song.
So how will the judges vote? Craig saves Mike and Katya, and Motsi does likewise. Obviously Alfonso saves Mike and Katya too, would be rude not to. Which means it’s the end of the road for DAVID AND NADIYA – the right decision at the end of a top Strictly weekend.
Time to revisit Mike and Katya’s hip-thrusting Samba-lite – lack of content aside, it’s a some fairly inspired choreography from Katya. I don’t think the Jump On It lasso is ever going to beat Ed Balls riding the Gangnam Style pony, but still not one we’re going to forget in a hurry.
I know this is objectively terrible, but it’s making me laugh and god knows we all need a bit of that right now.
Dance off time! David’s Jive was full of mistakes last night, can he get his feet in order this time round? The simple answer is no, not really – the first half is definitely better than last night but then it all goes a bit awry. By the end David looks like he’s dancing to something else entirely. The taxi is clearly running.
Next week: the HALLOWEEN SPECIAL! I never really look forward to it, but it’s usually kind of amazing. I plan to fully embrace it this year.
Oh good lord, I’ve just realised we’re going to have to watch that Jive AND that Samba again. The dance off is a cruel mistress.
So who is joining Mike and Katya in tonight’s dance off? Catherine and Johannes are safe, along with Emma and Anton and Chris and Karen
Which means DAVID AND NADIYA are in the bottom two. Sanity reigns, and all is as it should be.
As for why she’s wearing a towelling dressing gown, I have no idea.
Time for a musical interlude, courtesy of singer-songwriter Mabel. She’s singing her huge hit ‘Don’t Call Me Up’ from earlier this year. Right now she’s got a track with Tiesto called ‘God is a Dancer’ in the charts that’s an absolute banger – Mabel’s music is very much my cup of tea, and great to see more contemporary artists on Strictly.
Also, pop fact fans – as lots of people have mentioned in the comments, Mabel is the daughter of 80s chart queen Neneh Cherry. I was a huge fan of her too, so I find this rather pleasing.
More couples safely through to next week: Alex and Neil, Karim and Amy, Michelle and Giovanni and Kelvin and Oti.
They’re dragging this out, but it’s pretty clear that David and Nadiya are in trouble.
So who is safely through to the HALLOWEEN SPECIAL next week? Will and Janette are safe, along with Saffron and AJ and Emma and Aljaz.
First couple in the bottom two: MIKE AND KATYA.
Last night on Strictly: what a difference a week makes. Great dancing, fabulous costumes, dance-appropriate music and scoring that largely made sense (Alfonso bonuses aside).
Highlights included an extraordinary contemporary routine from Will and Janette, a high-speed Salsa from Karim and Amy, a dreamy Viennese from Emma and Aljaz and a hip-thrusting Samba (in name only) from Mike and Katya.
TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH: two oven-ready roasting bags. I’ll set the timer.
Updated
And we’re off! This week’s opening pro dance has a red carpet theme to ‘Fame’ by David Bowie. Loving Nadiya’s angel wings and skimpy undergarments, Oti looks incredible in that catsuit, and I could watch Johannes vogue in heels all day. SLAY.
Well that was incredible. God I love this show.
Tonight’s Countryfile Casual Weatherperson is the dapper Nick Miller in nicely fitted lumberjack shirt and denim. ‘Weather’s going to be quiet – quieter than this shirt anyway’, says Nick; does this mean Nick is an unwilling CCW, having had his plaid arm twisted by wardrobe?
This look is a solid CCW 8/10 – if he wanted to match week 2’s Ben Rich, he needed to undo another button.
On Countryfile, Matt Baker is lathing a pole whilst wearing a gilet *fans self*. Meanwhile all the animals appear to be pregnant. I’m not saying these two things are related, but we probably shouldn’t discount it.
Updated
SUNDAY NIGHT RESULTS SHOW UPDATE!
Evening all, and welcome back to this week’s Strictly Results Show! Last night’s ride aboard the Alfonso Express was my favourite of the season so far – much as Bruno is a Strictly institution, Alfonso was a welcome breath of fresh air. He’s like a puppy that relentlessly licks your face when you’re having a bad day – even though it’s kind of annoying, you can’t help but feel better.
Can’t see how David and Nadiya aren’t going home this evening – I’d be amazed if they’re not in the bottom two, and only Mike and Katya taking both bits of Samba out of their routine could save them. Given the choice, I think I’d rather have Mike in the Halloween Special than David, although both are good sports.
Kick off is at 7.15pm, so I’ll see you then! In the meantime: Countryfile Tree Special!
Thanks to the BTL glitterati for joining in tonight, will see you tomorrow at 7.15pm for the Results Show – surely it’s David and Nadiya’s time to say goodbye?
If you happen to have BBC1 on just before 9am tomorrow, you might spot me chatting about Strictly on BBC Breakfast – I haven’t got time to get to Salford, so instead I’ll be live from BBC Bristol. It’s as close as I’ll ever get to my childhood dream of anchoring a Children In Need outside broadcast.
In the meantime I’m off to read your comments, so don’t forget to share your highs and lows below (or on Twitter @heidistephens), and enjoy the rest of your Saturday! Until tomorrow, Hx
And that’s it - the dancing is done, and the voting is open! I quite like it when Bruno is on holiday; Alfonso is still unhinged, but in a somehow more charming way. My faves of this evening were Karim and Amy, Will and Janette and Emma and Aljaz.
Scores: 9,10,9,10 – a total of 38 for Saffron and AJ, and we finish on an Alfonso ten! DRINK.
Also SO much screaming. DRINK.
Motsi thought Saffron did really well, and she had great technique. Shirley loved the heel turns, and she was very impressed with Saffron’s timing. Alfonso thought it was awesome, with spectacular rise and fall. Craig thought technically it was brilliant, and ‘you’ve really surprised me tonight’. The SHADE of it.
Some good cane work to start, and lovely to see a classic Foxtrot from Saffron and AJ. Feels like her heel leads are a bit overcooked, but a nice top line from Saffron and bags of style. The final cane section is a bit of a shambles, but she styles it out nicely.
Updated
And finally tonight it’s SAFFRON AND AJ! Tonight they’re dancing the Foxtrot to the theme From New York, New York by Frank Sinatra. Since they’ve got the glory slot, I think it’s reasonable to start spreading the news that they’re probably not leaving today.
No relatives for Saffron today, she’d used them all up by Week 4. Maybe time to start wheeling out the two million YouTube followers in small groups?
Updated
Scores: 5,6,7,7 – a total of 25 for Chris and Karen.
Craig wanted Chris to use more of the floor, but he loves watching him. Motsi thought it was another improvement and Chris needs to keep pushing. Shirley thought it was a bit flat-footed in places, but definitely an improvement. Alfonso loved the fun and thought Chris made everyone smile.
This is quite fast and furious from Chris, but he is (for the most part) keeping up with Karen. This is very much Chris’s kind of dance, and he’s come quite a long way since week one. In a high scoring week he’s definitely in danger, but he’s a public favourite and has bags of charisma. Enjoyed that.
Goodness, how do you follow that? Next up it’s CHRIS AND KAREN! This week they’re dancing the Quickstep to ‘Let’s Go Crazy’ by Prince. I LOVE this song, and really want them to include the spoken intro. Something along the lines of “dearly beloved, we have gathered here today to get through a slightly bedraggled Quickstep”.
Scores, 7,8,8,9 – a total of 32 for Will and Janette.
Alfonso had chills and it was incredibly inspiring, and Craig loved the emotional storytelling, although it would have helped Will tell the story if he’d had more movement in his torso. Motsi is in bits and can’t speak. Shirley thought it was a beautiful number and so well executed.
This is the first time in ten years that a dance on Strictly has made me cry.
Updated
Well this is rather special – Will has incredible inner strength and it shines through in this routine. I love the relationship between him and Janette, she really has brought out the dancer and storyteller in him. Beautiful.
Updated
Only three left! It’s time for WILL AND JANETTE! This week they’re dancing their Couple’s Choice – a Contemporary routine to ‘7 Years’ by Lukas Graham. I suspect this might be all rather beautiful.
Lovely to hear Will’s story, what an incredible inspiration he is.
Scores: 3,6,5,7 – a total of 21 for Mike and Katya. LOL.
Shirley thought it was an amazing crowd pleaser, but let’s not talk about the Samba. Alfonso comes out from behind the desk to make this dance all about him, whilst Craig recoiled in horror from beginning to end – it was like watching a three-year-old. Motsi was left confused – Mike did everything her teacher told her not to, but it had great entertainment and energy.
Katya has gone full muppet (DRINK) and Mike looks deeply uncomfortable with the whole business, frankly. It’s all a bit Norman Wisdom, but you can’t fault Mike for being a good sport. The actual Samba bits really aren’t bad, I’d just like there to be more of them. I love how the band keeps shouting ‘SAMBA, jump on it’, just to remind us what this dance is.
I weirdly enjoyed that, can’t really explain why.
Updated
Next up it’s MIKE AND KATYA! This week they’re dancing the Samba to ‘Apache (Jump On It)’ by The Sugarhill Gang. It’s not an obvious song for a Samba, and there’s a strong argument that this kind of thing should probably be illegal. I can only assume it’s been chosen because there is a very famous scene featuring this song from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air that may prompt a nostalgic Alfonso ten. BRACE BRACE.
Updated
Scores: 9,9,9,9 – a total of 36 for Emma and Aljaz. WELL.
Motsi thought it was beautiful in every way, and Shirley agrees – it was a miraculous recovery and she’s never seen such an improvement in one week. Alfonso hopes Emma feels amazing after that performance, the push last week has made her brilliant. Craig thought Aljaz has worked wonders, and that dance proves why Emma is still in the competition.
Time to update Heidi’s Hunches, these two aren’t going anywhere.
Updated
Love the one-shouldered bridal wear (DRINK). “A few stolen moments is all that we share/you’ve got your family and they need you there.” Essentially the story of this dance is Aljaz being sidelined by Emma in favour of some giraffes and a bunch of bonkers in-laws in the attic. OK not really.
As expected, this is rather lovely – Aljaz is king of the Viennese, and Emma looks very happy in his arms (who wouldn’t?). Lovely flow, albeit Emma’s feet are obscured by fog and a few dead swans. Loved that.
Updated
Who’s next? It’s EMMA AND ALJAŽ! This week they’re dancing the Viennese Waltz to ‘Saving All My Love for You’ by Whitney Houston. This is song is 100% dreamy, I hope both the vocals and the dancing do it justice.
Scores: 8,8,8,9 – a total of 33 for Alex and Neil.
Craig thought it was a huge improvement since last week, it was fantastic. Motsi had been waiting five weeks to see this side of Alex and Shirley agrees – by far Alex’s best dance. Alfonso thought it was the perfect song for Alex and she came out of her shell to be a wonderful butterfly. Please Alfonso, tell me more about these shelled butterflies.
Updated
Right come on Alex, get your booty on the floor and make our day. Love the matching outfits, and this is the most fun we’ve seen Alex have. Her core strength comes into its own with this kind of dance – a few timing issues and a little untidy in places,but love the character. More of this please.
It’s time for ALEX AND NEIL! This week they’re dancing the Charleston to ‘Pump Up the Jam’ by Swingrowers, which I’m assuming is a jazz/swing version of the Technotronic belter from 1989. Oh good.
Incidentally, Pump Up The Jam would be an excellent anthem for boosting the UK’s preserves trade post-Brexit, along with Lady Marmalade and Hey Pickle you’re so fine (note to self: needs more work).
We’re half way through! Please don’t leave me.
Scores: 5,7,7,7 – a total of 26 for Emma and Anton.
Alfonso thought Emma gave it her all, but he wanted more physical passion and energy. Craig thought it lacked fire and Emma’s free arm was all over the place, she looked like a bag of potatoes. Motsi thought it was a wow at the beginning and she loved the character. Shirley agrees that it lacked passion and fight between the two of them and the lack of time showed.
Emma looks a bit Maleficent, and I’m loving the drama of her skirt work. Her frame is a bit pitched forward and this lacks finish in parts, but a really very decent effort considering she missed the first two days of rehearsal. Ooh, that finish was a bit of a mess, limbs everywhere.
Next up it’s EMMA AND ANTON! Tonight they’re dancing the Paso Doble to ‘Nothing Breaks Like A Heart’ by Mark Ronson and Miley Cyrus. I loved their Viennese last week, much prefer Anton with a decent partner rather than being subjected to the Comedy Anton Show every week.
That said, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Anton do a Paso that isn’t camper than a chiffon tent, and I’m not sure Miley is going to help.
Scores: 7,7,7,8 – a total of 29 for Michelle and Giovanni.
Shirley loved the choreography, but it lacked sensuality and quality in places. Alfonso loved the connection in the story, and thought it was very hot. Craig didn’t think it oozed, and it needed more continuous movement, but the storytelling was exquisite. Motsi loved Michelle’s aura and the dance gave her really feeling and emotion.
Michelle has a much better dress this week, in fact it appears to be several dressed in one. This Rumba has some sensitive touches and some lovely lines from Michelle, but also feels a bit tentative in places and lacking the connection we need from a Rumba. Left me a bit cold, sadly.
Who’s next? Excellent, it’s MICHELLE AND GIOVANNI! This week they’re dancing the Rumba to ‘Too Good at Goodbyes’ by Sam Smith. Kelvin and Oti set a very high Rumba bar last week, but of all the remaining couples I have the highest hopes for these two giving them a run for their Rumba money.
Scores: 8,10,9,9 – a total of 36 for Karim and Amy.
Motsi got more than a party feeling – Karim is taking this competition to a whole different level. Shirley thought Karim has set the bar even higher, he’s a delight to watch in every way. Alfonso thought Karim brought the dogs in, fed them, then let them back out. Craig thought Karim was taking too big steps and it needs more control, but he loved it.
OK so I take it back, this is great. Karim is having a BALL, and giving it full Salsa hip action and shimmy. I’m not fussed about the handstands and street dance sections, but that was great fun and Karim is outstanding. LOVED.
Also full fringing from Amy. DRINK.
Next up it’s KARIM AND AMY! Tonight they’re dancing the Salsa to ‘Who Let the Dogs Out’ by Baha Men, presumably because Amy wanted to do a calypso-style Salsa and literally no other song was available. I’m pretty sure Karim was in nappies when this came out, lord knows why they’ve let it out of the millennium novelty dustbin.
Oh, apparently this dance is dedicated to Hacker T. Dog. Forget nans and parents, Karim’s got a puppet.
Scores: 6,7,7,8 -a total of 28 for Catherine and Johannes.
Craig didn’t feel Catherine and Johannes were dancing as one unit, and the footwork was sloppy. But good drive and great staccato. Motsi wanted it to be sharper, but is enjoying the variety in Catherine’s dancing. Shirley also had issues with the footwork, but also plenty that is improving. Alfonso loved the character and the hotness, and Catherine’s top line is gorgeous.
Catherine has gone full peacock, which is actually quite a LARGE bird if we’re being picky. She descends on a swing, drags Johannes out of his cage and proceeds to deliver a pretty feisty Tango. Could do with more attack and a tidier footwork, but a great music choice and a nice top line. Enjoyed that.
Updated
It’s time for CATHERINE AND JOHANNES! This week they’re dancing the Tango to ‘Little Bird’ by Annie Lennox. This is such a great song, one of my faves from Annie Lennox. Haven’t seen a Tango I’ve really loved yet this season, so very much hoping Catherine and Johannes are going to smash this.
Scores: 3,4,4,5 – a total of 16 for David and Nadiya.
Alfonso thinks the Jive is hard for a tall man (BONUS DRINK) and there were some issues. He asks David to scream (DRINK) so he can let it go and have some fun. Craig thought no amount of screaming is going to fix that, it needed more energy and better timing. Motsi liked the top half of David’s body, but there were a LOT of mistakes down below. Shirley thought it had good basic content, and David carried on despite the mistakes and also he is TALL.
I find David rather charming – he tries so hard but always looks like he’s in a state of mild panic. Much of this is Nadiya using him as a human pole so we don’t have to look at his turned in toes and terrible timing. If I was Dev on my sofa right now, I’d be LIVID.
Next up it’s DAVID AND NADIYA! This week they’re dancing the Jive to ‘Such A by Night’ by Michael Buble. I’m still not convinced that Buble is for life rather than just Christmas, but people will insist on playing his songs outside the official Buble season.
This is the slot of death – the Strictly powers-that-be have clearly decided that David’s time is up.
Time for the Terms & Conditions, this week courtesy of comedian Joe Lycett.
I don’t really see the point of this segment, but I’m prepared to tolerate it if it means they never bring back the comedy VT. It’s been blessedly absent this year (Halloween pending) in favour of the training footage we all begged for, so this two minutes of WTF feels like a small price to pay.
Scores: 8,8,8,9 - a total of 33 for Kelvin and Oti.
Updated
Shirley thought Kelvin brought sunshine to the studio, but it needed more fluidity in the leg action. Alfonso thought it was awesome and Kelvin was driving from the seat of his pants. Craig thought it was a bit stiff in the walks but amazing rhythm and isolations. Motsi couldn’t take her eyes of Kelvin’s feet (SURE), and he gave her flirty energy.
Kelvin is such a great dancer, and he’s making this Cha Cha look easy. Great hip action, lovely Cha Cha basics and bags of fun from start to finish. A couple of small timing issues at the end, but enjoyed that a LOT.
Updated
First up tonight it’s KELVIN AND OTI! This week they’re dancing the Cha Cha Cha to ‘Get Stupid’ by Aston Merrygold, who has popped in for training. Hopefully Kelvin’s liquid hips will dull the 2017 pain.
Just a small reminder that last week was scoring mayhem and musical madness that ultimately resulted in the excellent Dev Griffin going home. I’m still cross about it, and would like to take this moment to dedicate my crossness to my nan, who sadly died 24 years ago.
Out come the stars! Nadiya in a fringy merkin, DRINK! Oh good lord, Katya has eaten a fraggle, DRINK DRINK DRINK. And a couple of asymmetric shoulders, I’m so sorry.
Out come the judges! Motsi’s gone full pearly queen.
Updated
TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH: Tess upholstered in blue velvet flares with some kind of peplum arrangement (awful), Claudia in a black and white spotty frock (lovely for a picnic).
Updated
And we’re off! We’ve reached the point in the series where it feels like we’ve been doing this for MONTHS and yet somehow only three couples have left. How is that possible?
“Watch out Strictly 2019, Alfonso’s back!” I mean, he can’t be any more unhinged than Bruno.
@scarletpanda down below just asked what makes fringing superfluous. Top half OR bottom half is fine, if it’s both that’s just excessive. I don’t make the rules (I do).
Updated
This week’s Strictly Come Bingo – a slug of that flavoured gin someone gave you last Christmas for any occurrence of the following (you’ll get a load more in a couple of months, best get rid):
- An Alfonso Ten
- Screaming
- Superfluous fringing
- One-shouldered frocks
- Early mentions of Halloween
Evening all, and welcome to this week’s Strictly Come Dancing liveblog! It’s Week Five, which means the last week of (relative) normality before the ninth circle of hell is cracked open for Halloween. It’s also Guest Judge Week – Bruno is off Dancing With Some Stars in the US, and once again they’ve replaced him with Alfonso Ribeiro. If you’re not familiar with Alfonso’s work, he qualifies for the Strictly judging panel because he won DWTS in 2014, and also does a funny dance on demand.
After last week’s shock eviction, my Heidi’s Hunches in in tatters – I had Dev driving for December and now nothing makes sense. But let’s plod on regardless, just in case scoring logic is restored at any point – I’ve promoted Catherine and Johannes to the top group as this year’s most likely candidates for a Strictly Journey, and moved Chris and Mike out of the danger zone – they seems to be shaping up as public faves.
Group 1: driving for December – Kelvin and Oti, Michelle and Giovanni, Karim and Amy, Catherine and Johannes
Group 2: battling for Blackpool – Emma B and Anton, Will and Janette, Saffron and AJ, Alex and Neil, Chris and Karen, Mike and Katya
Group 4: dodging the dance-off – David and Nadiya, Emma W and Aljaz
I’ll be jiving away up here from 6.40pm, so please join me then – tonight’s show is 1 hour 49 minutes so feel free to sprinkle appropriate levels of joy in the comment box while you’re down there. See you in a bit!
Updated
