So that’s it for Strictly Halloween – normal service will resume next week, which I for one am quite glad about. Thank you all for joining in with your comments and keeping me afloat last night when I was feeling a bit poorly – I’ll be back next week at 7pm for another spin around the Strictly dancefloor; in the meantime you can find me on Twitter @heidistephens if you fancy saying hello. Have a fab week! Hx
They take to the floor for their final dance to ‘Ghost Town’ by The Specials. Christ, what a bleak way to finish. I’m really sad now.
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Catherine and Johannes say the usual lovely things about each other, and shed a bucket of tears. Bit dusty in here.
Which means CATHERINE AND JOHANNES are leaving Strictly, which I am very sad about. Catherine had definitely potential (let’s pretend this Cha Cha never happened), and Johannes was one of my favourite things about Strictly this year – his red carpet high-heeled sass queen voguing last week will go down in Strictly history.
Craig saves Mike and Katya, but Motsi saves Catherine and Johannes (ooh interesting). Bruno also saves Catherine and Johannes, which means Shirley has the deciding vote!
Shirley chooses MIKE AND KATYA! Controversial.
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Hard to say which is further off in this Cha Cha – Catherine’s timing or the Steps vocal. If anything I’d say that was worse than last night on both counts.
Ah yes, a bunny Tango to a strangled Gwen Stefani. This really isn’t a bad dance and Mike has improved a LOT since Week 1, but it’s time for Mike to go.
So who is joining Catherine and Johannes in the dance off? Kelvin and Oti are safe, along with Karim and Amy, Emma and Anton and Emma and Aljaz.
Which means (as expected), MIKE AND KATYA are in the dance off. Do we HAVE to watch the bunny dance again? I can’t remember anything about it, other than the judges liked it more than I did.
Time for a musical interlude, courtesy of singer/songwriter/actor/guyliner ambassador Adam Lambert. He’s bought his own dancers, which is very bad form.
WELL. Chris and Karen have been saved, and now I’m very worried that we’re going to lose Johannes (and also Catherine), assuming they’ll be up against Mike and Katya. Surely Mike can’t survive another dance off?
Meanwhile Chris would like us to be clear that his dream about Anton being in his bed didn’t include any funny business. I think you’ve made it abundantly clear over the weeks that you are not gay, Chris, but thanks for clarifying further.
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So who is safely through to next week? Alex and Kevin are safe, along with Michelle and Giovanni, Chris and Karen (WAIT WHAT) and Saffron and AJ.
First couple in the bottom two: CATHERINE AND JOHANNES.
Chris looked extremely shocked by that result, as well he should.
Last night on Strictly – a lacklustre Halloween Special saved by Michelle and Giovanni, Kelvin and Oti and Alex and Kevin. I watched Alex’s dance again earlier – god love Kevin, he does his best under difficult circumstances and thankfully Alex just ignores him and does her thing. It didn’t deserve 9s for the dancing, but for sheer determination under pressure I think she earned every point.
TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH: Tess in a black Cornish pastry, Claudia in pedestrian black and strappy.
The most terrifying thing about this is the Britney vocal. If I was her, I’d be calling my lawyers.
And we’re off! Tonight’s Halloween pro dance has a suitably spooky theme – ankle fog, Giovanni in some kind of bondage harness and pleather trousers, and a breathy version of Britney’s Toxic. So happy right now.
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Penguins to the left of me, penguins to the right, here I am stuck in the middle with a testosterone-fuelled elephant seal.
Sadly we’ve seen the last of the Countryfile Casual Weatherperson for this season – it’s moved to an earlier slot in favour of the latest Attenborough. I was half-watching Countryfile earlier and caught a glimpse of silver weather fox Phil Avery in blue gingham – personally I’d have rolled the sleeves up to match that overly casual neckline, but bonus points for a premature poppyjaculation. 6/10.
SUNDAY NIGHT RESULTS SHOW UPDATE!
Evening all, and welcome back for the Halloween Special results! Last night felt a bit like trick or treating in the rain, only to discover you’ve got a bucket with nothing in it but parma violets. There were a few drumstick lollies and fizzers towards the end, but generally it was an evening of odd music choices, strange outfits and injured contestants.
Tonight another couple has to leave the Strictly dancefloor, before all attention turns to Blackpool in a few weeks. Based on last night’s dancing, it should be Chris and Karen, but I’d settle for Mike and Katya – join me at 7.15pm to find out!
Thank you all for joining in – I’m off to purge my fever in a dark room whilst reading all your comments. Don’t forget to put your clocks back, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow at 7.15pm for the results! Hx
So that’s IT for the dancing – bar the shouting tomorrow, that’s another Halloween Spooktacular out of the way. It was definitely a show of two halves – the first half was a bit meh, but they managed to raise the dead in the second half. Michelle and Giovanni were my faves by a very long way, but I’d give a bonus point to Alex and Kevin and Kelvin and Oti.
Could be an interesting bottom two tomorrow, Chris and Karen are definitely in trouble, and I suspect they might be sharing the dance-off with Mike and Katya – there’s a good chance Johannes’ cheekbones may save him.
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Scores: 7,9,9,9 – a total of 34 for Alex and Kevin. Who needs Neil?
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Craig thought Alex did really well – the style suited her but it was a bit floaty in places. Motsi loved the performance levels – it’s double what she’s delivered in previous weeks. Shirley thought it demonstrated extraordinary mental ability, it was absolutely on point. Bruno agrees – Alex delivered under pressure.
I really love this routine - the timing isn’t great but I think that’s Kevin’s lack of rehearsal more than Alex. I’m loving the sass and attitude, some great characterisation and bags of style. Enjoyed that.
And finally this week it’s ALEX AND KEVIN! This week they’re dancing their Couple’s Choice – a Street/Commercial routine to ‘Ghostbusters’ by Ray Parker Jr. This kind of dance is very much Neil’s forte, so a real shame that he’s injured and Alex has to dance it with Kevin (who is more of a barefoot contempo-waft kind of guy). Hopefully they can make this work and it won’t end up looking like something strange in our neighbourhood.
Scores: 9,9,9,9 – a total of 36 for Kelvin and Oti.
Bruno thought it was BAD, but oh so good – a Tango with a killer bite and hypnotic intention. There was a small mistake, but otherwise one of the most mesmerising Tangos he’s ever seen. Craig would love to see it again without the mistake, but obviously not in the dance-off – it was incredible. Motsi loved Kelvin’s inner strength and control, it was brilliant. Kelvin’s footwork reminded Shirley of a long snake, which is now all I can think about.
So Kelvin and Oti are is a vampires – more graveyard fog, DRINK. There’s a lot of faffing about before anyone starts dancing, but the actual Tango showcases how good Kelvin is at leading the dance and being in total command. Some nice changes in pace and contemporary touches, my fave Tango of the series so far.
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It’s time for KELVIN AND OTI! Their Halloween choice is a Tango to ‘Bad Guy’ by Billie Eilish. I LOVE this song, and it has a thumping bass that could make a really fun Tango – I haven’t particularly enjoyed the other two this evening, so very much looking forward to this.
Scores: 9,10,10,10 – a total of 39 for Michelle and Giovanni.
Shirley thought it was phenomenal – it was the perfect number for them, and Shirley’s fave of the evening. Bruno loved the combination of classic, gothic and sassy – the characterisation was perfect. Craig spotted a tiny bit of gapping, but it was inspired and he loved it. Motsi thought it was sensational and it had lovely technical details – out of this world. Time for some tens?
WOO, graveyard fog! DRINK! Despite not being to see their feet, I love this – Michelle is 100% fabulous and Giovanni is a weirdly attractive Gomez. Possibly my favourite Foxtrot ever – I LOVED that.
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It’s time for MICHELLE AND GIOVANNI! This week they’re dancing the Foxtrot to the Addams Family theme by Vic Mizzy. Were there ever two humans better suited to playing Morticia and Gomez than these two? Even though this is the most ridiculous song for a Foxtrot ever, I’m SO looking forward to it.
Thing came to visit during training. DRINK.
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Scores: 6,6,5,7 – a total of 24 for Catherine and Johannes.
Motsi liked the sass and the top half of Catherine’s was great, but downstairs nothing was happening. Shirley liked the timing at the beginning, but it went awry and there were mistakes. Bruno wanted Catherine to keep going when the timing went – she lost her confidence. Craig agrees with Motsi – the upper half of Catherine’s body was great but the lower half was terrible.
Mostly this dance is being led by Johannes’ cheekbones. Nice foot placement and leg action from Catherine, but a few mistakes and a bit lacklustre in places – it all feels a bit refined, I need more Halloween party abandon. Why is everyone so uptight this evening?
Next up it’s CATHERINE AND JOHANNES! Their Halloween choice is a Cha Cha Cha to ‘Scared Of The Dark’ by Steps, arguably one of the finer songs from the outstanding Steps back catalogue (don’t @ me, I like what I like). All Latin numbers danced by Johannes can only be a good thing, although it feels a bit like Catherine is making up the numbers at this point.
More VT comedy. My sides. DRINK.
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Scores: 7,7,7,8 – a total of 29 for Karim and Amy.
Craig loved Karim’s leaps, but it lacked style and didn’t feel like a Paso. Motsi wanted more intention and for Karim to push it further. Shirley thought it lacked light and shade and it felt like Karim was running – it needed to be calmer and have more moments of silence. Bruno thought it was original, exciting and creative – a new interpretation of the Paso for a new generation.
OK so apparently this has a Stranger Things theme, which I have never watched so I’m not entirely clear what’s happening. All I can see is Karim in a terrible wig and Amy in a knitted dress, doing one of the more bizarre Pasos we’ve seen. Karim has a nice Spanish line and his footwork is outstanding as always, but I’m mostly transfixed by Amy’s heel/ankle sock combo.
For me that was weird, sorry.
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It’s time for KARIM AND AMY! This week they’re dancing the Paso Doble to ‘Smalltown Boy’ by Bronski Beat. Of all the weird song choices Karim has been subjected to this year (Kung Fu Fighting, anyone?), this has to be the oddest. Unless the Dave Arch singers are planning to interpret Jimmy Somerville’s falsetto as terror screaming, I really can’t see why you’d pick this 80s electro-bop as a Halloween Paso.
Oh good, comedy VT. DRINK.
Scores: 6,6,7,7 – a total of 26 for Mike and Katya.
Bruno was pleasantly surprised – it was a proper Tango with care and attention in the footwork. There were a couple of things that didn’t work, but it was going in the right direction. Craig wasn’t keen on Mike’s bottom and shoulders, but he loved the concept. Motsi liked that it was recognisably a Tango, and it was a solid performance. Shirley liked the lack of gimmicks and Mike’s frame is improving.
So this has an Alice in Wonderland theme, because Katya didn’t get the Halloween memo. Despite some nice armography in the middle, this is a bit stompy – the most animated thing on the dancefloor right now is Mike’s ears.
I think if we’re honest we’re all waiting for Mike to leave this weekend. TICK TOCK TICK TOCK.
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It’s time for MIKE AND KATYA! This week they’re dancing the Tango to ‘What You Waiting For’ by Gwen Stefani. Not a Halloween song, DRINK.
Scores: 8,8,8,9 – a total of 33 for Saffron and AJ.
Shirley loved the flick ball change, but Saffron was slightly in front of the music and it needed tidying up a bit. Bruno was bewitched – it was clean and tight and the chemistry between Saffron and AJ was sizzling. Craig thought it was the first dance he’s enjoyed tonight, it put a smile on his face. Motsi loved how Saffron is ‘involved with her dance partner’ (not like that), but she needs to look cleaner and more in control.
Apparently Saffron is Sabrina the Teenage Witch, which I vaguely remember from the 90s, even though the wig is quite Velma from Scooby Doo. This does kind of work as a Jive and Saffron is giving it both barrels, but she’s struggling a bit to keep up and it feels a bit scrappy (doo) in places.
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Next up it’s SAFFRON AND AJ! This week they’re dancing the Jive to ‘Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic’ by The Police. I mean, it’s an 80s classic and has the word ‘magic’ in the title, but in which universe would you pick this for a JIVE? Very odd.
Scores: 5,6,6,6 – a total of 23 for Chris and Karen.
Motsi thought Chris’s hips were warmed up, and he compensated for the lack of basics with his personality. Shirley thought there were a few mistakes here and there, and Chris’s hip action could have been pushed further. Bruno thought it was good in a horrible way, but he needs to focus on the timing. Craig thought Chris looked like he came back from the dead, and his joints needed some WD-40.
I love these costumes, they both look incredible. Did Karen fall over at the beginning, or was that supposed to look that shambolic? Chris’s timing leaves a lot to be desired, and the Samba walks look like he’s being chased by a wasp. I have no idea what just happened.
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It’s time for CHRIS AND KAREN! This week they’re dancing the Samba to ‘Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)’ by Backstreet Boys. This isn’t technically a spooky song, but the original video was a Halloween classic. Fingers crossed for some actual Samba content amongst the zombie lurching and boyband dance breakdowns.
Scores: 6,8,8,8 – a total of 30 for Emma and Aljaz.
Craig thought it lacked energy and sharpness, and some of the steps were a bit lame. Motsi doesn’t agree – it was polished and had a touch of spice. Shirley wants Craig to get in the Halloween spirit – Emma is blossoming and her ‘petals are opening week by week’. Bruno thought Emma sold it, she was a flapper from Tatler.
‘Some tricks and quite a few treats in there’ adds Tess, half-heartedly. I miss Len.
Grey haired Aljaz is quite unsettling, but I’m loving the energy of this Charleston. This feels like a very different Emma from the one we saw in Week 1 – her performance skills have come on leaps and bounds. A bit shaky in the transitions and a bit scrappy in the footwork, but great fun.
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Next up it’s EMMA AND ALJAZ! This week they’re dancing the Charleston to ‘A Little Party Never Killed Nobody’ by Fergie feat. Q-Tip and GoonRock. Not technically a spooky track, other than having an oblique death reference in the title, so DRINK. However this song does have some serious Gatsby vibes, so should be perfect for a Charleston.
Apparently the Ts&Cs were read by actress Anna Maxwell Martin. Sorry Anna, I don’t watch nearly enough TV.
So it seems Will fell off a table in studio rehearsal and had hurt his knee, but he and Janette will be back next week. Good news.
Time for the Halloween Terms and Conditions, courtesy of someone I’ve never seen before in my life and didn’t catch the name of. Sorry.
Scores: 5,7,8,8 – a total of 28 for Emma and Anton.
Shirley thought Emma did very well – it was sharp and staccato but she wants Emma to work on the chemistry and passion. Bruno loved the grand production and the concept, but Craig thought it lacked aggression and drive – Emma needs to up her game. Motsi loved the complicated choreography and Emma’s posture, but wanted more energy.
Emma has gone full Helena Bonham Carter, it’s absolutely terrifying. Super-fast footwork on this Tango, but Emma’s top line needs more extension and it all feels a bit passionless. A bit more attack from Emma would not have gone amiss.
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First up tonight it’s EMMA AND ANTON! This week they’re dancing the Tango to ‘Toccata and Fugue in D Minor’ by Bach. I love a classical Tango and this music is incredible, even if it does remind me of the theme to Ski Sunday, because I am a peasant. Will be very disappointed if they haven’t wheeled an enormous pipe organ into Elstree studios.
No Will and Janette this evening, Will has injured his knee. Boo, that’s a shame, hope he’s OK.
Neil is also injured, so Kevin is dancing with Alex. Kevin looks very pleased about it.
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Out come the stars! Why is Aljaz dressed as Philip Schofield?
TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH: Tess in a black shroud, Claudia in an unfinished beige ballgown. Sure.
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Because it’s a feem week, we get a bonus pro dance, seemingly set in the Natural History Museum. More bad acting, DRINK.
Everyone is walking like an Egyptian. I have no idea what this has to do with Halloween, other than it being horrible. Mostly this does not feature red carpet Johannes giving it sass in heels, so it’s a no from me.
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And we’re off! Cue bad Halloween acting - DRINK.
In random Pointless facts, I used to regularly play Scrabble online with Rufus Hound. He was very good at it.
This week’s Halloween Special Strictly Come Bingo – a swig of your favourite poison for any occurrence of the following:
- The word “spooktacular”
- Obscure non-scary music choices
- Graveyard ankle fog
- Bad VT acting
- Early sightings of training room poppies
I’m all over the Pointless piers – Clevedon, Southwold, Brighton, Llandudno, Cromer.
It's the Strictly Halloween Special!
Evening all, and welcome to this week’s Strictly Come Dancing Halloween Special! Gird your mummified loins for for an evening of spooky Sambas, quivering Quicksteps and chilling Charlestons, plus all the usual madness of a sugar-fuelled, pumpkin-spiced evening in the Elstree house of horror.
After David and Nadiya’s non-shock exit last week, the competition is starting to warm up (it doesn’t officially hot up until Blackpool). I’ve updated Heidi’s (Haunted) Hunches below, but the Strictly Halloween Special has a rich history of torturing dance integrity in favour of gimmicks and props, so all bets are off at this point.
Group 1: driving for December – Kelvin and Oti, Michelle and Giovanni, Karim and Amy, Alex and Neil
Group 2: battling for Blackpool – Emma B and Anton, Will and Janette, Saffron and AJ, Emma W and Aljaz, Catherine and Johannes
Group 4: dodging the dance-off – Mike and Katya, Chris and Karen
Just FYI I’m a little under the weather this weekend, so apologies in advance if tonight’s liveblogging feels a bit like rigor mortis has set in. I’ll be getting my freak on up here from 6.35pm, whilst you are actively encouraged to brush away the cobwebs and cast a few spells in the comment box below. Grab a bottle and the bag of trick or treat sweets (they were never going to make it until Thursday anyway) and I’ll see you then! Wooooo, etc.
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