So that’s IT for our annual Blackpool outing – thank you all for coming along and being amazing. As mentioned yesterday I’m off to watch the show next week, so there will be a stand-in liveblogger for Saturday night. Please play nicely, and I’ll be back on Sunday so pick up the reins through to Christmas. Come and say hi on Twitter @heidistephens if you’re passing, and have a great week! Hx
Michelle gets a best bits montage, which means we’re definitely at the sharp end of the competition. She and Giovanni say lovely things about each other, then take to the floor to ‘My First, My Last, My Everything’ by Barry White. They both slayed, but it’s time to sashay away.
Craig has a battle with his decision, but saves Saffron and AJ. Motsi and Bruno do likewise, which means MICHELLE AND GIOVANNI are leaving the Strictly dancefloor. Based on this weekend’s performance, it was the right decision, much as it pains me to see them go.
Watching Michelle and Giovanni’s Vogue homage again, it’s easy to see why a lot of people would think this was pretty light on content for a street/commercial routine. It references a pretty niche moment in pop music history that a lot of people won’t get at all; I salute Michelle for going there, but it could be her ticket out of Strictly.
That said, can we acknowledge Giovanni’s dedication to striking a pose? He looks incredible.
Dance off time! First up it’s Saffron and AJ’s Quickstep. The footwork is incredibly fast, but that looked pretty polished. Undoubtedly one of their best dances, she should be proud of that.
I think this may be the end of the road for Michelle and Giovanni, Saffron and AJ got significantly better scores last night. On paper, neither of them deserves to be in the bottom two, but that’s the way Strictly goes.
So who is joining Saffron and AJ in tonight’s dance off? Karim and Amy are safe, along with Emma and Anton and Alex and Neil. Which means MICHELLE AND GIOVANNI are in the dance off.
Time for a musical interlude, courtesy of Westlife singing a medley of their greatest hits. I have a bit of a soft spot for Westlife, don’t @ me.
Next week when I’m in the studio I get Andrea Bocelli and *checks notes* “Bruno Tonioli welcoming everyone back from Blackpool with his rendition of Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”. Please send thoughts and prayers.
Saffron is a bit tearful about being in the dance-off. I think it’s been a while since someone last told Saffron she couldn’t have something she wanted.
So who is safely through to next week, and who is in tonight’s bottom two? Kelvin and Oti are safe, along with Chris and Karen.
First couple in the dance-off: SAFFRON AND AJ.
Chris Ramsay is definitely the people’s favourite this series, helped along by some sugar-fuelled Blackpool scoring from the judges. On the upside, we don’t have to watch that Salsa again.
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Last night on Strictly: one of my favourite shows of the series. Loved Alex and Neil’s girl power Paso, and Karim and Amy’s Charleston and Kelvin and Oti’s Jives were both proper showstoppers. Well done for Anton getting his first ever Strictly tens despite drafting in some superfluous backing dancers to do the heavy lifting. Also loved the risk Michelle took with her Couple’s Choice, it clearly meant a lot to her.
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TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH: Tess in feathery silver chain mail with both shoulders present and correct, Claudia in head-to-toe tiger print. It’s considered a neutral in Blackpool.
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And we’re off! Tonight’s opening Blackpool extravaganza starts off with old Nadiya looking at the moon, dreaming of Johannes. Hey, we’ve all been there. But now they’re young again, and they’ve taken all the Strictly lampposts to Blackpool. This is proper swishy-dress ballroom and I love it.
Aww, Nadiya and Johannes are getting married. Could that not have been Graziano?
Pulled myself away from S3 of The Crown earlier to catch the Countryfile Casual Weather, courtesy of Chris Fawkes in a smart navy shirt and charcoal slacks, with not so much as a rolled-up sleeve. I can only assume he’d come from a gastropub lunch with the in-laws and didn’t have time to change into jeans and manly plaid.
SUNDAY NIGHT RESULTS SHOW UPDATE!
Evening all, and welcome back for the Blackpool Results Show! I trust we’re all feeling suitably jaded after too many cocktails and a night spent on that seafront tram, using Sooty as a pillow.
It was a great show last night, but now it’s time to say goodbye to another Strictly couple. Kick off is at 7.15pm, so I’ll see you then!
So that’s it for tonight’s show – I’ll be back tomorrow at 7.15pm for the Blackpool results. I also wanted to say happy birthday to Ella – about seven years ago I promised her dad (my friend Chris) that if I was still doing this liveblog when she was 14 I’d take her to Strictly, as that’s the youngest age you’re allowed in the studio. Somehow I’m still here, and today is Ella’s 14th birthday. Which means next Saturday I’m taking her to Strictly.
Thank you all for joining in down below – am off to read all your comments, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow! Keeeep dancing for the rest of your Saturday, Hx
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And with that the dancing is done, and the voting lines are open! Time for a look at the leaderboard – Karim and Amy and Kelvin and Oti are at the top of the Tower, whilst Michelle and Giovanni are eating chips in the rain.
I’m currently very worried that it’s going to be Chris and Karen vs. Michelle and Giovanni in the dance-off, and Chris is going to win.
Scores: 9,10,10,10 – a total of 39 for Karim and Amy, Craig isn’t ready to unleash his ten just yet.
Craig thought it as clean, precise and tight – absolutely brilliant. Motsi is speechless – she can’t give more than a ten but Karim can have her hairpiece or her clothes. God I love Motsi. Shirley thought it was absolutely flawless, and it was hard to tell who was the professional. Bruno reiterates that Karim reminds him of a young Gene Kelly, the whole show tonight has been spectacular. Tens all round?
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Karim’s outfit is quite an alarming rainbow of colours, including a pair of yellow trousers that make him look like Fireman Sam at Mardi Gras. But you can’t deny the man can dance – his footwork is incredible. Lovely details, great energy – LOVED that. Great finish to a pretty great Blackpool show.
And finally tonight it’s KARIM AND AMY! This week they’re dancing the Charleston to ‘Happy’ by C2C featuring Derek Martin. This is a great song for a Charleston, and I can’t wait to see what tricks and treats Karim and Amy have up their sleeve (a bit late for Halloween, but we’ll take it anyway). Karim messed up last week and had a rough ride from the judges, hopefully this Charleston will see him back in his performance comfort zone.
Scores: 8,8,8,8 – a total of 32 for Michelle and Giovanni, apparently the Couple’s Choice free pass is no more.
I think of lot of viewers won’t have got that at all, am worried for Michelle this week.
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Bruno thought it was a great tribute to the mother of all divas. Craig wanted more definition in the vogue armography, but he loved the high styling and the sentiment. Motsi loved how Michelle is on her own kind of trip (LOL), and the message behind the dance was so important. Shirley thought Michelle used the music to its fullest, it had attitude and great sentiment.
This is the least traditional Strictly dance ever, but I love how Michelle is owning it and Giovanni is well and truly leaning in. This won’t be everyone’s cup of tea (being mostly armography and walking about), but I loved it.
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It’s time for MICHELLE AND GIOVANNI! This week they’re dancing their Couple’s Choice – a Street/Commercial routine to ‘Vogue’ by Madonna. Everything about this sounds incredible, all it needs is Johannes in heels as one of the superfluous backing dancers and I will die a happy woman.
The VT with Michelle’s family is glorious, she dedicates this dance to the mothers out there who fight for their kids, and the LGBT community who have always been there for her. Dusty in here.
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Scores: 8,9,9,9 – a total of 35 for Saffron and AJ.
AJ has won fourteen titles on the sprung floor in Blackpool. Drink everything.
Shirley thought Saffron managed the speed very well, but there were a few missteps. Bruno thought it captured the spirit of the jazz age, and Saffron managed the changes of pace well. Craig thought Saffron’s elbow was dragging towards the end, but he loved the routine. Motsi thought Saffron was fearless and bold, and she looked like a ballroom queen.
This has a charming 1920s feel, although a cream and gold dress when you’ve reached Beefy Oxo levels of fake tan might have been a bad call.
Saffron doing a pretty good job of keeping up, but the timing is a bit off in places and the superfluous backing dancers are even more annoying than usual. Nice sliding split at the end, a solid job of an incredibly demanding Quickstep.
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Next up it’s SAFFRON AND AJ! This week they’re dancing the Quickstep to ‘Marvellous Party’ by Beverley Knight. Last week AJ choreographed a beautiful Waltz that was well within Saffron’s range; I’m fully prepared for that to be a one-off, and for Saffron to spend this dance sprinting after AJ like he’s just snatched her handbag.
In their VT, AJ has mentioned both the size and the sprung nature of the floor. I think that’s a full house!
Scores: 9,10,10,10 – a total of 39 for Kelvin and Oti.
Kelvin made Motsi’s life, it was out of this world. Shirley is speechless, Kelvin’s footwork was superb. Bruno thought it was a Jive of the first degree – a professional standard. Craig thought the chassees could have been a bit lighter, but the strength and stamina were formidable.
Lovely Jive footwork from Kelvin, including some random flying press ups, just because he can. But of course what we’re all really looking at is how amazing Oti looks in horizontal stripes. If this is what prison is like, I will gladly relinquish my freedom.
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Next up it’s KELVIN AND OTI! This week they’re dancing the Jive to ‘Jailhouse Rock’ from Smokey Joe’s Café. Right now I think Kelvin and Oti are the ones to beat this year, they’ve got so many great dances to revisit during final week and Oti is definitely due a glitterball win.
Kelvin’s wheeled out his nan! It’s not on the bingo, but a Blackpool nan is a down in one.
Scores: 8,8,9,9 – a total of 34 for Alex and Neil. Oh, we’re not over-marking EVERYONE then. Good to know.
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Craig thought the hair was going to be the star, but Alex was powerful and theatrical, and really really great. Motsi was so proud of Alex, she let go and attacked the dance despite a few small issues. Shirley thought it was a pure girl Paso, Alex led the pack and held her own. Bruno thought it was like the Queen of Sheba leading a tribe of Amazons, which I don’t think is how the story went but whatever.
Really not sure about those outfits – it’s a bit My Chemical Romance does Pirates of the Caribbean. That said, Alex is absolutely smashing this Paso – I love the attitude and attack. It’s not technically perfect, but I think this might be one of my favourite Strictly Pasos ever.
It’s time for ALEX AND NEIL! This week they’re dancing the Paso Doble to ‘Run The World (Girls)’ by Beyonce. My hopes for this are higher than Bruno on candyfloss – we haven’t really seen Fierce Alex yet.
Scores: 8,9,10,10 – a total of 37 for Emma and Anton. My goodness, we have peaked early.
Those are Anton’s first ever tens on Strictly Come Dancing in 17 years. BIG DAY.
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Bruno thought it was glamorous, classy and sophisticated, a great job. Craig thought it had beautiful movement around the floor, although Emma’s face was like a china doll with only one expression. Motsi thought Emma looked divine and the dance was amazing, her best dance so far. Shirley thought it was beautifully executed, by far Emma’s best dance.
I do love a traditional American Smooth, and this has got bags of elegance and charm. Emma loses her top line a bit, but there are few lovely lifts and some nice footwork. Enjoyed that.
Incidentally if you squint a bit, Emma’s dress looks like the bleeding corpse of a dead swan.
Next in the slot of death it’s EMMA AND ANTON! This week they’re dancing the American Smooth to ‘Let’s Face the Music and Dance’ by Ella Fitzgerald. This is very much Anton’s comfort zone, but unless they can get top marks from the judges there may still be trouble ahead.
In their VT, Anton takes Emma to the winter gardens to talk about all the trophies he’s won. DRINK.
Sooty is reading the Terms & Conditions, despite him not being able to talk. Claudia has lost it.
Scores: 7,8,9,9 – a total of 33 for Chris and Karen. It’s going to be that kind of night, isn’t it?
Shirley loved how Chris opened the show, he brought his groove. Bruno enjoyed the ride – it was infectious fun, Salsa spiced up with hip hop and Chris’s hips are starting to unclog. Craig thought it lacked flow and hip rotation, but the timing wasn’t bad and Chris has upped his game. Motsi (sparkly polar bear with giant chandelier earrings, love it) thought it was slick and energetic.
I had hoped that most of this Salsa was going to take place in the rollercoaster, but sadly not. I think the combo of hot pink trousers, lurid shirt and trainers is supposed to be a distraction from Chris doing a total of four bars of actual Salsa – the rest is mostly jigging about in a constipated fashion. I miss Dev.
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First up tonight it’s CHRIS AND KAREN! This week they’re dancing the Salsa to ‘Uptown Funk’ by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars. Weirdly, this is the first time this song has ever featured on Strictly, let’s see what Chris can bring to the party.
In the VT, Chris is on a dayglo tram explaining Sooty to Karen. Sure, why not.
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Sprung floor mention! DRINK!
Out come the stars! Oh my goodness, Michelle as Marie Antoinette is a DREAM. I’ll explain the reference later for anyone who wasn’t a huge Madonna fan in 1990. Wait, what ELSE were you doing?
All our judges come out carrying Blackpool tat, including Bruno with some candyfloss. DRINK.
TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH – END OF THE PIER SPECIAL: Tess in yet another roasting bag (is she sponsored by Bacofoil?), Claudia in an ill-fitting sparkly suit.
Blackpool obviously counts a feem week, so we get a bonus opening performance. There’s quite a lot going on, involving all our stars, neon musical instruments and copious fringing. It’s spectacularly camp and I love it.
And we’re off! Cue footage of the crew packing some glitterballs to take to Blackpool. The stars are on their way up north and they’re absolutely buzzing about it. SEAGULL DRINK.
This week’s episode of Pointless appears to be set in an acid house party in 1989. That said, Alexander Armstrong looks great in a pink blazer.
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This week’s Strictly Come Bingo – BLACKPOOL SPECIAL! Have a swig of something that burns on the way down for any occurence of the following:
- Anyone observing how big the Tower Ballroom is
- Any mention of the sprung floor
- Any pro mentioning their Blackpool trophy cabinet
- VT featuring consumption of chips/candyfloss
- Seagulls
It's the Strictly Blackpool Special!
Evening all, and welcome to this week’s Strictly Come Dancing liveblog! It’s week nine, which means our annual road trip to the bright lights of Blackpool is upon us. Prepare yourself for superfluous backing dancers, tens being tossed around like seafront chips, and our Strictly pro dancers reliving those heady days when they were king/queen of the Tower Ballroom. This time last year I wrote “Think of it as a warm blanket of predictability and comfort while the country burns around us”. Who knew that one year on absolutely nothing would have changed?
Things are hotting up down in Heidi’s Hunches (might have turned the central heating up too high), with Chris and Emma in the danger zone and not even a Couple’s Choice to save them.
- Group 1: one eye on the final – Kelvin and Oti, Alex and Neil, Karim and Amy
- Group 2: hot on their heel leads – Saffron and AJ
- Group 3: couple’s choice free pass – Michelle and Giovanni
- Group 4: dodging the dance-off – Emma and Anton, Chris and Karen
Kick off this evening is at 7.05pm - as usual I’ll be riding the minute-by-minute commentary rollercoaster up here, whilst you are invited to provide the penny amusements in the comment box below. See you in a bit!
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