James and Luba take to the floor for their final dance to ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’ by Crowded House. Aww.
So that’s it for this week’s Strictly! Next week is MOVIE WEEK, so dig out your best Hollywood fancy dress and I’ll see you at 7.10pm. Personally I’m thinking Grace Kelly in To Catch A Thief, but you do you. Have a fab week! Hx
Which means JAMES AND LUBA are going home. That’s a shame, James had a certain hapless charm and I really wanted to see more of Luba. But good news for David, he lives to dance another week.
Craig saves David and Nadiya, because they ‘improved beyond compare’. Motsi and Bruno do likewise, because apparently that was a transformation from yesterday’s Paso.
I may have to watch the two again. HA, only joking.
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And if that wasn’t enough, it’s time to watch David do some lacklustre caping in his Mogadon Paso. What joy.
Time to watch James flip pancakes again, then provide a sturdy tartan pole for Luba to dance around. He’s definitely doing some steps, but they’re not the right ones and they’re definitely in the wrong order. I love him, can he please stay?
This is actually quite a tough one to call – both James and David are so wooden they belong in the National Arboretum, but actually I thought James was more entertaining last night, so he might edge it. But equally James is clearly struggling (as well he might, hard for any of us to know how his brain injury affects his coordination), so the judges might decide to set him free.
So who is joining James and Luba in tonight’s dance off? Alex and Neil are safe, along with Catherine and Johannes, Emma and Aljaz and Anneka and Kevin! Anneka looks stunned.
Which means David and Nadiya are in tonight’s first dance off, providing further evidence (if it were needed) that this dance business is Very Hard for a Tall Man.
Can we just take a moment to celebrate Motsi? She’s outstanding, I love her.
Time for a musical interlude, courtesy of West Lothian singer/songwriter Lewis Capaldi. He’s like the new Ed Sheeran, even though the old Ed Sheeran hasn’t gone anywhere.
Ooh, lovely barefoot contempo-waft from Aljaz and Janette.
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“Give it your best, so when you go home you can say you did everything possible”, says Motsi. IF you go home, surely? I fear James’ taxi is running.
Also through to next week – Saffron and AJ, Chris and Karen, Kelvin and Oti and Emma and Anton.
First couple in the bottom two (finally) – JAMES AND LUBA. Well, that’s not really a surprise.
Michelle and Giovanni are safe (THANKYEWWWW), along with Dev and Dianne, Mike and Katya, Karim and Amy and Will and Janette.
First couple in the bottom two…revealed later in the show. Oh for heaven’s sake.
So who is safely through to next week? As usual, enjoy the theatrical expressions of relief from people who know full well they’re not going anywhere. It’s the Strictly way.
PREVIOUSLY ON STRICTLY: the Difficult Second Week. A few movers (Karim, Michelle, Dev), a few shakers (David, James), a lot somewhere in the middle, and an American Smooth from Mike and Katya that 100% justifies retaining EU Health & Safety legislation.
Also, a heads up: it’s MOVIE WEEK next week, just in case nobody mentions it.
TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH: Tess in black velvet with (SHOCK) both shoulders and a straight hem, Claudia in fabulous sequinned trousers and voluminous sleeves. Both look excellent.
This week’s opening pro dance has a hotel bar theme, featuring Oti banging out some hot Latin moves to a weird acoustic version of Daniel Bedingfield’s ‘Gotta Get Thru This’. It sounds terrible, but it’s kind of amazing.
No idea who flamenco Nick Cave is, but I’m loving the drama.
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And we’re off! Our first Results Show of the season! Exciting.
We may or may not be subjected to the remnants of Hurricane Lorenzo, Ben is very much straddling the fence on this matter.
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Time for the weather for the week ahead! This week’s Countryfile Casual Weatherperson is the dashing Ben Rich in full Cotton Eye Joe plaid and denim. This week is looking a bit wet.
Just out of interest, how is rambling any different from ‘going for a walk’?
Lovely to see Countryfile back in its traditional pre-Strictly slot, and to see Craven already plugging next year’s calendar. Feels like a warm, comforting bath.
WAIT, the harvest mouse picture was STAGED with an actor mouse? I don’t know what to believe any more. Maybe those seals never died in that storm.
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SUNDAY NIGHT RESULTS SHOW UPDATE!
Evening all, and welcome back to the very first Strictly Sunday results show! Tonight we need to send our first couple home – based on dance ability alone, it should be James and Luba vs. David and Nadiya in the dance off, but I suspect the public might have a special place in their heart for James, so we’ll see. Kick off is at 7.15pm, see you then!
I’ll be back tomorrow at 7.15pm for the Results Show, so please join me here then – or swing by Twitter and say hi, I’m @heidistephens.
It looks like Countryfile is back where it belongs in its pre-Strictly slot, so there may be a short period of liveblog chat about sheep husbandry, forest management and the chosen attire of the Countryfile Casual Weatherperson if you turn up early doors. Thanks all for joining in, and I’ll see you tomorrow!
Time for a recap – Michelle and Giovanni would get my votes this evening if I actually had time to vote, but I’ll spend the next half an hour adding pictures and checking for typos.
Has to be James and David in the bottom two, although wouldn’t be surprised if it was Anneka. We’ll find out tomorrow, unless you’re one of those people who stays up for the online spoiler. Personally I prefer the surprise, but whatever floats your Strictly boat – just please don’t give away the result in the comment box.
So that’s IT for the dancing – Karim and Amy are at the top of the leaderboard, and James and Luba are at the bottom. The voting is OPEN, so vote vote vote!
Scores: 6,6,6,6 - a total of 24 for Will and Janette.
Craig loved the lifts, although Will was ahead of the beat in places. Motsi couldn’t have asked for more and she loved it. Shirley loved Will’s 150% commitment, he is what Strictly is all about. Bruno loved the energy and enthusiasm, and Will is inspiring him.
Will’s bought his ping pong bat out this week, as is traditional in the Salsa. He definitely gets gold for giving it both barrels and maintaining a slightly constipated facial expression throughout. Bags of attitude, some decent Salsa basics, a bit lacking in the shimmy and hip action but good fun nonetheless. Enjoyed that.
And finally, it’s WILL AND JANETTE! This week they’re dancing the Salsa to 1-2-3 by Gloria Estefan. This is solid gold 80s classic, and I’m hoping Will is going to wrap up the night with full wedding dancefloor abandon. If you were doing the Salsa on Strictly, you’d have a drink or two beforehand, surely? I’d have to be at least two G&Ts deep for any kind of shimmy.
Scores: 7,7,7,7 - a total of 28 for Kelvin and Oti.
Bruno really felt it, and has finally lost his marbles - for such a big hulk, Kelvin is so light on his feet. Craig thought Kelvin needs to watch his hands out of hold, and his bottom was sticking out. Motsi thought it had a beautiful atmosphere, but Kelvin needs to relax his shoulders. Shirley had issues with Kelvin’s footwork at the beginning, and it wasn’t the best frame of the night, but there’s no disputing Kelvin’s talent.
Kelvin’s decided to dance on his own, because who needs Oti? Oh there she is, looking divine as usual. This is delightful, if a little patchy in the footwork occasionally. Still, dry ice is covering up most of it (DRINK). A lovely romantic Waltz, nice work Kelvin.
Only two left! Next up it’s KELVIN AND OTI! Tonight they’re dancing the Waltz to ‘What the World Needs Now’ by Burt Bacharach. There’s no question that Kelvin has hips to spare (still pushing my eyeballs back in after last week), so now we need to know if he can deliver style and elegance in ballroom too. If so, Kelvin is going to be the one to watch this season.
KELVIN’S NAN! DRINK!
Scores: 4,6,6,6 - a total of 22 for Alex and Neil.
Shirley liked the energy and chemistry, but it was a bit flat in the feet and it needed better rhythm. Bruno liked the sass and the spark, but better foot placement would have given Alex better hip action. Craig thought it was stompy and it was a bit more Saturday Night Fever than Cha Cha Cha. Motsi liked the way Alex took a risk and she needs to keep that fire burning.
Alex looks incredible in a strappy white dress, and there’s some nice chemistry between her and Neil. She definitely looks more confident than I expected for her first Latin – Alex is clearly enjoying herself and giving it some welly. She needs to lift her head and there are a few timing issues, but great fun. Enjoyed that very much.
OK, I need that wiped from my memory. Who’s next? It’s ALEX AND NEIL! Their Week 2 dance is the Cha Cha to ‘What I Did For Love’ by David Guetta feat. Emeli Sande. There were a few timing issues in their Quickstep last week, but I’m hoping we’re about to meet Alex’s inner Latin goddess.
Scores: 3,4,3,4 - a total of 14 for Mike and Katya. Please don’t make me watch that again tomorrow.
Motsi just watched two different shows, it needed to be fun all the way through. Shirley thought Mike had a beautiful smile but it wasn’t an American Smooth – it lacked flow and style. Bruno wasn’t sure Katya was going to survive – the nation isn’t ready. Craig thought it was odd, and that’s all he can say.
Whoever chose that outfit for Mike clearly hates him, it’s horrible. The cowboy skit at the beginning goes on for hours, which is just as well because the dancing is very much not my cup of tea. Ugly lifts, clunky transitions, fear of Katya dying, not recognisable as an American Smooth, generally all over the shop. NOPE.
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Next up it’s MIKE AND KATYA! This week they’re dancing the American Smooth to ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’ by Glen Campbell. This is highly unlikely to be smooth, so I’m guessing Katya has decided to double down on the American.
Scores: 8,8,8,8 - a total of 32 for Karim and Amy.
ISN’T HE CUTE?, wails Tess. Stop it.
Craig thought it was brilliant, Karim is definitely one to watch. Motsi agrees – Hollywood classy and elegant. Karim is definitely ticking Shirley’s boxes (OKAAAAY BIT WEIRD) and Bruno thought it was exceptional – Karim is like a young Gene Kelly.
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Karim has bags of style in this Foxtrot, and leads this dance masterfully. Nice footwork, great musicality and pace. That was a classy effort, really enjoyed that.
It’s time for KARIM AND AMY! This week they’re dancing the Foxtrot to ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ by Frank Sinatra. Karim has already shown us his moves, but can he deliver some classy ballroom without faffing about with it? Amy needs to keep things simple, or Karim is high risk for a Shock Merrygold Exit.
Scores: 2,3,2,3 - a total of 10 for David and Nadiya. Imagine being judged to be worse than James Cracknell. Brutal.
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Bruno thought it wasn’t quite Real Madrid, and more Sunday league in the park. I though my metaphor was better, but sure. Craig thought it was limp, lame and lacklustre. Motsi saw one or two steps, but the dancing is not there yet. Shirley thought it needed more energy, but David needs to turn up his bodily volume.
Nadiya looks entirely fierce, but David’s caping is less ‘matador in Madrid’ and more ‘man shaking a beach towel in Minehead’. Also he keeps forgetting to do his Paso face and starts smiling. Generally terrible, but entertainingly so.
Next up it’s DAVID AND NADIYA! This week they’re dancing the Paso Doble to ‘España cañí’, which is proper Paso music that requires masterful stamping and cape-waving. I think David could be in serious trouble this weekend, only James Cracknell jiving in lead boots can save him.
Are we there yet? Oh lord, still six to go.
Scores: 8,8,8,8 - a total of 32 for Michelle and Giovanni.
Shirley thought Michelle went from sassy last week to classy this week. Bruno loved the storytelling, and it had lovely details. Craig thought it was beautiful, and Motsi agrees – Michelle’s posture and timing were lovely.
So Giovanni is looking adorable as a gondolier, whilst Michelle is dressed as a patio umbrella. There’s some brief grappling over an oar, but generally this is rather charming with some lovely footwork and excellent spinning from Michelle.
I loved that, it was OARSOME. Look, it’s already been a really long evening.
Oh thank goodness, it’s time for MICHELLE AND GIOVANNI! Their second week dance is the: Viennese Waltz to ‘That’s Amore’ by Dean Martin. I very much hope this is going to have extra cheese, a stuffed crust and a tray of martinis on the side.
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This week feels a bit like hard work, I hope they’re saving the best for the second half.
Scores: 4,5,5,5 - a total of 19 for Catherine and Johannes.
Motsi thought it was hot, but Catherine’s posture was a bit upright. Shirley loved the technical content but it was a bit ahead of the music in places. Bruno thought Catherine lost the rhythm which meant she didn’t have the right bounce. Craig thought it was more like a Salsa, and it didn’t really work.
OK this is more like it. Johannes has hypnotic hips, how can I possibly watch Catherine? She’s making a decent effort, but it needs more fire and party abandon. Something seems to go a bit wrong in the middle , but her energy rallies at the end. Not a patch on Kelvin and Oti’s samba last week, but Johannes is a treat.
How do you follow that? Come on, this show needs a bit of fizz.
Next up it’s CATHERINE AND JOHANNES! This week they’re dancing the Samba to ‘Let the Groove Get In’ by Justin Timberlake. This was Justin’s brief 2013 foray into a Latin rhythm/African drum mashup, and I am a HUGE fan. Very much looking forward to this.
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Scores: 3,3,3,4 - a total of 13 for James and Luba.
Craig thought the pancake tossing was the best bit, his kicks and flicks were like a bucking bull. At least I think he said bucking, it’s hard to know. The dance wasn’t better than last week, but James’ personality definitely was. Motsi agrees, this week James clearly had fun, but he needs to work on the dancing. Shirley thought James really struggled with the content, but with determination he will improve. Bruno thought James wasn’t exactly light on his feet, but he is moving in the right direction and he made the dance his own.
So this starts with flipping pancakes, and never really evolves into any kind of Jive. Watching James dance is kind of fascinating. It’s like he’s battling some kind of invisible gravitational force that stops his body and limbs moving at a normal speed. So bad it was kind of amazing, can we keep him in?
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It’s time for JAMES AND LUBA! Tonight they’re dancing the Jive to ‘Tutti Frutti’ by Little Richard. I’m hoping for all our sakes that Luba has kept the footwork super-simple; last week showed us that James is not one of life’s natural dancers. He’s definitely in the danger zone this weekend and needs to find some serious kicks and flicks to stay out of the bottom two.
In the audience, Ben Fogle! SURELY he’s got to do Strictly at some point, I’m very much here for a Crufts theme. Apparently he can’t even clap in time to the music, which puts him in very good company in that audience.
Scores: 6,6,6,6 - a total of 24 for Emma and Anton.
Bruno thought Emma has the right feel and potential for ballroom – she threw everything into it, but it lacked a continuous gliding quality. Craig thought the top line needs improvement and there was occasional gapping, but Emma has real dance talent. Motsi thought Emma was a dancing queen, and she’d like to see more of her quality. Shirley thought it had flashes of brilliance, but a few timing issues here and there.
Emma is looking a bit wobbly in this Foxtrot, hasn’t quite mastered her balance. But nice footwork and she’s keeping up with the timing and the endless spins. A bit gappy, but a decent effort for Week 2.
Next up it’s EMMA B AND ANTON! Their dance this week is the Foxtrot to ‘Sunshine of Your Love’ by Ella Fitzgerald, Ernie Heckscher Big Band and Tommy Flanagan. Drink for every time Anton is declared ‘King Of The Ballroom’, and bonus drink for any evidence presented to support this.
KING OF BALLROOM! DRINK!
Scores: 5,7,7,7 – a total of 26 for Chris and Karen.
Shirley thought it was extraordinary, and it had great personality. Bruno loved the elements of Lindyhop, which were absolutely delicious – it was entertaining and charming. Craig thought it could have been crazier and more exaggerated, and Chris only had one facial expression, but that dance has given him hope. Motsi loved the personality, it was very nice.
Karen seems to be dressed as Dora The Explorer, no idea why. Chris’s timing is really not bad and the storytelling and slapstick elements are fab, but his feet don’t really do what they’re supposed to and that cartwheel was a shambles. Still, much better than last week, and it was good fun.
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Who’s next? It’s CHRIS AND KAREN! This week they’re dancing the Charleston to ‘Out of Our Heads’ by three fifths of Take That. If you’re not familiar with this song, it was their ill-advised foray into Light Skiffle last year, which I was pretty happy to forget ever happened. THANKS, Strictly.
KIDS. DRINK.
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Scores: 4,6,6,6 - a total of 22 for Emma and Aljaz.
Motsi loved the attitude and attack, but Emma needs to keep it up to the last beat. Shirley loved Emma’s frame, but she needs to work on her stamina – a good improvement from last week. Bruno thought Emma ran out of juice, and she needs to maintain the character. Craig thought it lacked attack and aggression, and the footwork was messy.
Don’’t love this music for Tango, but Emma is doing a decent job and giving it some nice attitude. Her top line isn’t quite right, but all quite elegant and good footwork until it all fizzles out a bit at the end. Not the fiercest, but definite progress.
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Next up it’s EMMA W AND ALJAŽ! This week they’re dancing the Tango to ‘Sucker’ by Jonas Brothers. So far all we’ve seen from Emma is sunshine and rainbows, so interesting to see if she can do Dramatic Tango face. Meanwhile we are ALL a sucker for Aljaz.
Very much enjoying the commitment to training footage so far. Does this mark the end of the comedy VT? *hopeful face*
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Scores: 6,7,7,7 - a total of 27 for Dev and Dianne.
Craig noticed the turned in toes too, and it was slightly flat-footed, but he loved the energy and personality. Motsi loved the musicality – Dev kept the time and it was fun to watch. Shirley thought Dev was quite light on his feet, and it was very entertainment despite his feet telling the wrong time. Bruno loved the swagger and style, and Dev ‘got the pump going’.
Despite Dev’s feet being a bit turned in, this Jive has some nice energy and decent timing. Kicks and flicks could have more welly, but plenty of content and nice characterisation. Good fun all round.
It’s time for DEV AND DIANNE! Their second dance of the series is the Jive to ‘Dance With Me Tonight’ by Olly Murs. This is a great song for a Jive, and a good opportunity for Dev’s character to shine through. I’m already a big fan of these two.
Scores: 4,5,5,5 - a total of 19 for Anneka and Kevin.
Bruno thought it had some very nice moves and Anneka should be proud of herself; however her top line was too tense and she looked a bit panicky. Craig thought it lacked rise and fall, but Kevin has worked miracles. Motsi agrees it was a huge improvement – simple but simply beautiful. Shirley thought Anneka should pat herself on the back.
Anneka looks glorious in pink, that dress is divine. Her top line is a bit stiff and unsteady, and a few timing issues in the footwork, but rather charming and lovely storytelling.
Also big hand to the Dave Arch singer tackling Whitney, that was outstanding.
Next up (uh oh slot of death) is ANNEKA AND KEVIN! This week they’re dancing the Waltz to ‘Run to You’ by Whitney Houston. I’m worried that Kevin will see this as an opportunity for interpretive contempo-waft and forget to Waltz. I’m worried about Anneka dancing in a dress and heels after last week’s boiler suit and plimsolls horror show. Mostly I’m just worried.
Time for the Terms & Conditions, courtesy of 80s crooner Tony Hadley. Why hasn’t he ever been on Strictly? He’d be gold (GOLD).
Talking of gold, Claudia’s dress is truly horrible.
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Scores: 5,5,6,7 - a total of 23 for Saffron and AJ.
Shirley would like Saffron to work on her musicality and the fundamentals, and then the sky’s the limit. Bruno thought the timing went awry but it was a complex routine and Saffron did extremely well. Craig thought it was stiff in the hip but Saffron has the most amazing spins. Motsi loved the speed and Saffron’s energy, and she really delivered – everyone else now has to do the same.
Saffron appears to be dressed in rainbow raffia, and her fake tan has already gone off the Ronseal chart. She’s got some nice precision footwork, but the timing is patchy in this Cha Cha and the transitions needs some work. Definitely an ambitious routine to start the show, not sure what the judges will make of that.
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Right, let’s get some dancing under way. First up tonight is SAFFRON AND AJ! This week they’re dancing the Cha Cha to ‘One Touch’ by Jess Glynne and Jax Jones. It’s another chart pop banger for the YouTube kids, but Saffron needs to broaden her appeal if she’s going to win the public vote on a live show. A solid opening Cha Cha is a good place to start.
Out come the stars! Mike Bushell appears to have rolled in a pile of leaves coated in sick, which is unfortunate.
TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH: Tess in a space blanket, Claudia in a crumpled toffee finger wrapper.
Is anyone else’s TV cutting out? If it’s just mine, that’s awfully inconvenient.
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And we’re off! Last week on Strictly: a show that lasted so long I had to start tucking into my Brexit stockpile of Haribo Tangfastics. Lots of great dancing, including a Kelvin/Oti Samba that pretty much made me pregnant. A handful of clunkers this year, but actually a decent number of beginners with huge potential, and fewer shameless ringers than we’ve had in the past. A couple of theatre schoolers, but no-one with significant dance experience that I know of, which is how it should be.
BA-BA-BA-BA etc. Anneka making a run for it, Mike Bushell leapfrog, annoying Will/Janette fist bump. Three months of this, people.
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This week’s Strictly Come Bingo – a swig of that dirt rough liqueur at the back of your walk-in larder for any occurrence of the following:
- Comedy VTs featuring limited training footage
- Early appearances of kids or nannas
- Dry ice covering up dodgy footwork
- Phone hands
- Hats
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It's Strictly Week 2!
Evening all, and welcome back to this week’s Strictly Come Dancing liveblog! It’s Week 2, which means the public vote will be opening tonight and our first couple will be going home tomorrow. Sad as this is, I’m already dreaming of shows that run for less than two hours, so we definitely need to start politely hoofing people off.
Last week we saw all our couples dance for the first, time, which means we can start making very broad assumptions about how far they’ll go in this year’s competition. Right now these are based on very little evidence, but we’ll shuffle these around as the weeks pass. Feel free to give this brand new liveblog feature a better name than oh, I don’t know, Heidi’s Hunches.
Group 1: driving for December – Kelvin and Oti, Michelle and Giovanni, Karim and Amy, Dev and Dianne, Saffron and AJ
Group 2: battling for Blackpool – Emma B and Anton, Emma W and Aljaz, Alex and Neil, Catherine and Johannes, Will and Janette
Group 3: happy to see Halloween – Chris and Karen, Mike and Katya
Group 4: dodging the dance-off – David and Nadiya, James and Luba, Anneka and Kevin
Kick-off is at 6.40pm; the show is a whole 10 minutes shorter than last week, but still a hefty two hours and nine minutes so bring wit, sparkle and a fully-stocked picnic basket to the comment box below. See you then!
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