It’s one week to go until the all-important Blackpool week on Strictly Come Dancing, and the celebrities gave it their all tonight to secure their spot in the next phase of the competition.
There were eight rotines including a Rumba, Waltz and two American Smooths. La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec closed the show with their Couple's Choice - a suitably spectacular number set to “Don't Rain On My Parade” by Barbra Streisand.
Elsewhere, Karen Carney and Carlos Gu pulled off an unexpectedly dramatic American Smooth - and things got emotional as the pair were both left in tears after the judges’ comments.
Tonight’s episiode came after Harry Aikines-Aryeetey became the sixth celebrity to be eliminated from the competition last Sunday, alongside his pro partner Karen Hauer, after ending up in the dance-off against RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star La Voix. EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal, who has been in the dance off three times so far, sailed through to the next round following a Bhangra-inspired Couple’s Choice routine to “Sapphire” by Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh.
Recap the show as it happened below...
Key Points
- Amber Davies labelled 'perfect' - but misses out on top score
- Karen Carney brings some unexpected drama with her American Smooth
- Watch: Judges' comments leave Karen Carney and Carlos Gu in tears
- Emotional George Clarke dedicates dance to his mum
- La Voix praised for bringing the glamour with Couple's Choice
Welcome back! Here's what to expect tonight...
14:32 , Ellie MuirWe’re back for week eight of the competition, with just eight couples left.
Find out all of the songs and dances for tonight’s programme, below:
Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe will dance a Waltz to “Weekend in New England” by Barry Manilow.
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon will dance an American Smooth to “My Guy” by Mary Wells.
George Clarke and Alexis Warr will dance a Rumba to “Somewhere Only We Know” by Lily Allen
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu will dance an American Smooth to “You Don't Own Me” by SAYGRACE.
La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec will dance a Couple's Choice to “Don't Rain On My Parade” by Barbra Streisand.
Lewis Cope and Katya Jones will dance a Tango to “12 to 12” by sombr.
Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington will dance a Jive to “Sound of the Underground” by Girls Aloud.
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin will dance a Paso Doble to “Dream On” by Aerosmith.
Comment: Strictly Come Dancing’s Amber Davies is phenomenal – it’s time to get over her West End training
14:37 , Ellie MuirLast week, my colleague Rachel McGrath wrote about the brilliance of Amber Davies, who regularly faces criticism due to her previous dance experience.
“Strictly needs contestants like Davies. There aren’t many people who could replace an injured star with just 24 hours’ notice. When it comes to performances, she pulls off dynamic, exciting and ambitious routines, and her natural flair means her pro partner Nikita Kuzmin can go all out with the choreography.”
Read more below:
Strictly’s Amber Davies is phenomenal – I don’t care that she’s West End-trained
Some Blackpool news: Expect four stars to return next week
14:40 , Ellie MuirStrictly has announced that Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts, The Wanted’s Jay McGuiness, and actors Layton Williams and Danny Mac will return for the Blackpool broadcast next week. They are expected to star in a very special group number.
Find out more below:
Layton Williams and Ashley Roberts among former stars set to make Strictly return
And we're off!
18:31 , Rachel McGrathIt’s week eight so we’re down to just eight couples - and with Blackpool next Saturday, nobody wants to go home.
Tonight’s episode will feature a rumba, a Girls Aloud-themed jive and a Couple’s Choice - the latter from La Voix, who survived last week’s dance-off.
The RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star kept her place in the competition, with Gladiators’ Harry (aka Nitro) sadly going home. Who won’t quite make it to the iconic Tower ballroom? Let’s find out...
Strictly highlights the significance of Blackpool week
18:36 , Rachel McGrathThe show is opening with a VT about Blackpool, of course.
If you’d like to get a bit merry tonight then I can recommend taking a sip of a drink every time the town is mentioned. But drink responsibly, OK?
Balvinder opens the show
18:42 , Rachel McGrathBalvinder and Julian are dancing an American Smooth to the Mary Wells’ classic “My Guy”.
The EastEnders star had a rare week off from the dance-off after wowing with her Couple’s Choice last week and this feels like a really nice routine for her to be following it up with.
It goes without saying , she is unfortunately one of the stars who has struggled in the competition.
How’s she doing tonight, though? The routine has started with one of my few Strictly peeves - a CGI set. Performance wise, it’s solid! Perhaps not as smooth as it could be, however - and sorry, but it’s week eight so we have to be picky...
Balvinder 'played it safe' say the judges
18:47 , Rachel McGrathHere are the judges’ comments for Balvinder…
Anton: “What a lovely way to start the evening. I thought you had lovely musicality, lovely characterisation. For me, it was a little safe, that was all. I wanted a bit more of that positivity you showed last week. I enjoyed the performance, I just needed a little bit more power.”
Craig: “Your shoulders were raised slightly, your frame was occasionally a bit iffy. You need to watch your recovery arm when coming down from a lift. But you know, you always dance with conviction and you’re the most beautiful storyteller as well.”
Motsi: “I think really, the balance of the performance was a little bit of a problem for me. Your strong parts are so so strong, and then the minute you guys get together, there’s a carefulness. I think you are wonderful, you have a light in you that is shining. And if it goes a little bit dim, we miss the charisma you give.”
Shirley: “It takes a lot of courage and here we are, up you go, you’re doing the lifts, I can see you’re really comfortable. Thank you for working on your footwork too.”
And her scores are... 6 (ouch!), 7, 7, and 7 - a total of 27. That could be one of tonight’s lower totals...
Amber tackles the paso doble
18:51 , Rachel McGrathAmber and Nikita (my personal faves last week) are up now with a paso doble to “Dream On” by Aerosmith.
I had high hopes for this and they are not disappointing. First of all: the outflts. They both look sensational, Nikita is essentially topless, FYI.
This routine has heaps of drama, I love a more modern take on the paso. It does have the fluidity needed too, Amber is definitely moving between the all-important paso shapes so well. Bravo!
Amber labelled 'perfect' - but misses out on perfect score
18:57 , Rachel McGrathThe audience is on their feet!
Here are the judges’ comments for Amber…
Motsi: “I mean… every time you dance, it’s a highlight. I love that every single dance looks so different and you get fully into the dance. You keep the presence and presentation. Great choreography. I had to put my pen down because I was so involved and I want that. You put so much drama on it, I thought, ‘this is perfect’. Absolutely stunning.”
Shirley: “I would have liked to have seen more side stretch. That aside, the way you use your arms was exquisite. I love the way you took your skirt. Coming through the picture frame, selling the storyline. We loved it. All in all, very good.”
Anton: “It was thrilling to watch, it really was. I love nothing more than speed changes. Love that. You know, I found the whole thing very, very exciting. Well done.”
Craig: “I agree with Shirley, there could have been a little more shaping through the torso. But my goodness, you are so clean. The drama through that. You dance with purpose. I thought it was brilliant.”
And Amber’s scores are... 9, 10, 9, 10 - a total of 38!
Alex waltzes into week eight
19:01 , Rachel McGrathUp next with a waltz to “Weekend in New England” by Barry Manilow, it’s Alex and Johannes.
Alex had a rare struggle last week with the paso doble and found herself joint first from the bottom, but avoided the dance-off thanks to viewers’ votes.
This is lovely but I do find waltzes a bit boring (sorry). Alex definitely seems to have her confidence back, which is great. And you can tell these two just have the loveliest partnership.
Alex bounces back after struggling with the paso
19:07 , Rachel McGrathHere’s what the judges have told Alex…
Shirley: “I think you look much more comfortable this week. I wrote down classic, ladylike, feminine. It’s not very often I think ‘I’d love to trade places’ but you gave me that feeling. No errors in footwork at all. You darling, you send goosebumps all over me. I think you’re fantastic.”
Anton: “We must sound obsessed about technique and footwork but when it’s right you look like that. It underpins what you do. You two were dancing absolutely perfectly together, your feet were in harmony. You had a beautiful musicality running through it.”
Craig: “I would have liked to have seen more float in your free arm. And your head in the pivots was strange. But the footwork was so clean, it was full of elegance, lovely flow. I’m loving this partnership.”
Motsi: I’m loving this partnership as well. It’s such a joy to watch you dance. You give us atmosphere, I never feel rushed. I enjoy the energy you give us on the dancefloor. That was pure magic.”
Alex’s scores are... 8, 9, 9 and 9 - a total of 35.
Vicky jives to Girls Aloud
19:11 , Rachel McGrathOh I’ve been so ready for this: Vicky and Kai are doing a jive to Girls Aloud’s “Sound of the Underground”.
This is the second time Vicky has danced to Cheryl, as she performed her Couple’s Choice to “Fight For This Love” earlier in the series.
Fast-paced and energetic, this is a style that really suits Vicky. There was a lack of movement in a body roll just there but she’s keeping the pace up in the faster sections. She looks like she’s having an absolute blast too.
Judges tell Vicky: 'Not your best, not your worst'
19:16 , Rachel McGrathHere are the judges’ comments for Vicky…
Craig: “I thought it could have done with more retraction and some slip. It was a little bit flat-footed, you were slightly back-weighted. But you played that character brilliantly, you really, really did.”
Motsi: “There were tiny mistakes in the beginning, but I loved the way you recovered from that. It’s gone a level up in the difficulty of the choreography so I loved that. You are our sunshine
Shirley: “The performance was good, the choreography. When you did your swing b its, that’s when it got a little bit back. When you land in jive, it should be like you’re on a sponger. A bit more usage of the legs and you would have been well away there.”
Anton: “I think of Len [Goodman], he would have said ‘it’s not your best, it’s not your worst’. That was such a great performance, and I love that about you. You really gave it everything. From that perspective, you were top class.”
Vicky’s scores are: 6 (ouch!), 7, 7 and 7 - 27. She’s going to need viewers’ support to get to Blackpool...
Karen brings some unexpected drama with her American Smooth
19:19 , Rachel McGrathUp next with an American Smooth it’s Karen and Carlos.
Karen’s Charleston last week was absolutely fantastic but she does excel at the slower, ballroom styles too. This is set to “You Don’t Own Me” by SAYGRACE.
For an American Smooth, this is bringing some drama! Which plays to Karen’s strengths really well. I’m loving it.
Judges' comments bring Carlos Gu to tears
19:25 , Rachel McGrathHere are the judges’ remarks for Karen…
Anton: “I’m going to talk about you as a dancer because I know what you can do well, you bring it every week. But I want to see the next thing, I want to see lyrical, I want to soft. It was a little brittle, this dance. I want fluid motion through the body and the legs.
Craig: “This particular dance was a little spiky. You need a lot more expression in your arms and hands, you need to be softer. But you are gorgeous. I love watching you dance. Even though I’m criticising it, I adore this partnership.”
Motsi: “What I love about you is it always remains Karen. Every dance, I see you. You made this your own. A little bit more reach would help but as a number, I felt it was so strong. The performance was out of this world.”
Shirley: “Your posture is coming along so beautifully. I saw some flow, up and over. But it’s got to be a little more consistent. Boy was it on the right track though. I thought overall, I saw so many improvements.”
Carlos is in tears! This is properly emosh bless him (we’ll bring you a clip of that shortly).
The scores are... 7, 8, 8 and 8 - a total of 31.
George delivers an emotional rumba
19:29 , Rachel McGrathIt’s rumba time for George and Alexis. They’re dancing theirs to the Lily Allen cover of “Somewhere Only We Know” (well, a Strictly band cover of the Lily Allen cover).
This dance is dedicated to the social media’s star mum, who has had health issues including a cancer diagnosis. She’s in the audience tonight too, which makes it extra special.
The rumba is particularly difficult for male celebs but this is really, really lovely. Great hip movement and rumba walks. Lots of emotion too. I suspect we’ll be needing the tissues again.
Craig declares George's dance 'wasn't a rumba'
19:36 , Rachel McGrathThat was another emotional one!
Here are the judges’ comments for George…
Motsi: “Thank you for being so vulnerable, it’s never easy to be so open with everybody. Thank you for that. I know you’re always quite careful about how you are on Strictly and I think you’re leaning more and more in and I love that. I want to say to your mum, I wish her all the best. That was a beautiful, lyrical rumba. The rumba section I had a bit of a problem with the musicality. It went off a tiny bit. But as a feeling, this was really very, very beautiful.”
Shirley: “You wanted to say that beautiful story for your family and I don’t think there’s anything stronger than a son and a mum relationship. It was a beautiful, lyrical feeling. It went off a little bit with the synchronicity but other than that, I thought you did wonderfully.”
Anton: “I really, really liked it. It’s the sort of dance I would like to do. I always wanted to be the best male partner or dancer I could be, that was my life’s ambition. And I feel like that’s you. You’re the loveliest person to dance with in this competition. You’re a wonderful, wonderful partner. I loved it, well done.”
Craig: “Technically, it wasn’t great. And you know what, it wasn’t actually a rumba so for me it was difficult to judge. You danced a contemporary dance. The story was magnificent. You will win the audience votes but you won’t win my vote.”
And here are the scores... 6 (ouch!), 7, 8 and 8 - a total of 29.
Lewis goes for an 'effortless' tango
19:40 , Rachel McGrathLewis and Katya are up next with a tango set to “12 to 12” by sombr. Out of all of this evening’s routines, this is probably the one I’ve been looking forward to most.
Lewis said he wanted this to look effortless, and I think he’s doing a decent job. He and Katya totally look the part too, naturally. The spins are great and he looks really in control. I think the track is letting it down a little though? Let’s see what the judges say...
Lewis tangos to the top of the leaderboard
19:45 , Rachel McGrathHere are the judges’ comments for Lewis…
Craig: “Your thumb was up. It was. Only for half of it, bizarrely. What I loved is there were no tricks, you were completely in control. You danced it all on one level. You are a sensation.”
Motsi: “I had goosebumps. I’ve been a judge for 18 years and I tell you, I don’t think there’s ever a man who could dance a tango like this. This is the one dance I feel today was complete. We had it all.”
Shirley: “I loved the staccato movement. I loved the way it stayed flat. Your self-awareness, outstanding. One tiny thing is I would like you to work on your left arm. But other than that, I thought it was tremendous.”
Anton: “Lewis… it’s just, listen - you’re great. I love the way you’ve toned it all down. It’s contained but powerful. It’s brilliant. We know you can do the tricks so you don’t have to get them out all the time. You’re almost perfect apart from the arms. Just sort them out.”
Lewis’s scores are... 9 (hooray!), 10 (yay!), 9 and 9 - a total of 37.
Watch: Judges' comments leave Carlos and Karen in tears
19:47 , Rachel McGrathEarlier, I told you about this emotional moment as Carlos and Karen were both left in tears after the judges’ comments.
It wasn’t necessarily what they said that left the duo crying, but the emotion of the whole week.
Watch the moment back below...
La Voix closes the show in style
19:50 , Rachel McGrathIt’s Couple’s Choice time! And this couldn’t have come at a better point for La Voix. The Drag Race star clung on to her place in the competition after last week’s dance-off, when the judges voted to save her instead of Gladiators’ Harry.
This track choice - “Don’t Rain On My Parade” - feels absolutely perfect for La Voix. And the song is dedicated to La Voix’s parents, who have both supported the star throughout her drag career. La Voix’s mum sadly passed away just months ago so this is another especially emotional number.
La Voix started the routine in a green robe so, of course, an outfit reveal was coming. She’s now in a stunning sparkly number. This is a properly fun routine and really sums her up so well. Is she dancing perfectly? No, there’s room for improvement. But as always, she’s bringing enough pizzazz that I don’t really care.
La Voix praised for bringing the glamour
19:56 , Rachel McGrathHere are the judges’ comments for La Voix…
Shirley: “I loved it. [La Voix has now run up to hug Shirley, which I love]. I loved it, I loved you.”
Anton: “Oh showbiz, baby. Just gorgeous. I get emotional about numbers like that because they’re special. This is what I love, this is the number I would want to do.”
Craig: “For me, the footwork was haphazard and messy. The steps were a little bit basic. But you’re a storyteller, you’re really funny, you always bring an amazing character to life. I just love the showbiz element of the whole thing so thank you.”
Motsi: “We need the showbiz, we need the glamour, we need it! I loved that. That was entertaining, it was just beautiful, the way you told your story. The conviction of that dance showed us you want to get to Blackpool. You should leave your heart on the dancefloor and that is what you did.”
The judges' scores are... 7, 8, 9 and 9 - a total of 33.
George Clarke’s tearful dedication to his mum who has cancer
19:57 , Rachel McGrathHere’s another of the emotional moments we saw earlier.
George dedicated his dance to his mum, who has been diagnosed with cancer. Watch it again below...
Voting is now open!
19:59 , Rachel McGrathAnd you only have until 8.30pm to back your faves so go, go, go!
