So that’s it from me until the GRAND FINAL, thank you as ever for joining in and being entirely brilliant in the comment box.
Join me from 6.30pm next Saturday for the first part of the final – we’ll hang some streamers down below and make it a party.
In the meantime do come and say hello on Twitter @heidistephens, and I’ll see you next week! KEEEEEP DANCING! Hx
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So that means we have our four final couples – Mark and Karen, Caroline and Pasha, Frankie and Kevin and Simon and Kristina. Caroline is looking like the favourite to win, but that’s by no means a done deal – it’s going to be a cracking final, I reckon.
So it’s goodbye to Jake the Snake and his amazing shimmying hips. Am not surprised, but would have been great to see his bonkers Samba once again in the final.
So who will the judges put through to the final, and who is going home at the final hurdle? Craig saves Mark and Karen, but Darcey saves Jake and Janette. Bruno saves Jake and Janette too, WHAT WILL LEN DO?
For the second week running, Len goes against the other judges and saves MARK AND KAREN.
Len is ALL about the bombshells this year.
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I loved this Rumba last night, and am very happy to watch it again. Still no Rumba hips, still don’t care. I’d love to see Mark in the final – I know lots of people can’t stand him, but he’s been on the biggest dance journey of them all.
Right, can Jake make those sparkly shoes work in the dance-off? Well maybe it’s just me, but I think this is considerably better than last night. Still a bit of a mess, but a bit less drunken spinning and marginally more control.
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Simon’s just glad to be there! DRINK!
So this is interesting – based on last night’s scoring it should be Jake and Janette going home tonight, but based on Len’s Rule Book it’s all about this dance, so it could go either way. Lots of room for improvement from Jake, less so from Mark. It’s going to be a close one.
So who else is through to next week’s final? Simon and Kristina are safe! Which means JAKE AND JANETTE are in the dance off.
Simon didn’t realise he was through, he’s been in the dance-off so many times he’s now the majority shareholder.
OK the judges’ montage is quite fun. They can do this again next year.
Pay attention everyone, it’s the very last Len’s Lens of the series. Or just covet Claudia’s shoes for 5 minutes, it’s what I usually do.
It’s Paloma Faith! She is dressed as the Quality Street nobody likes, and is making a noise like a hibernating bear being poked with a sharp stick. Tea, anyone?
So who is through to the final, and who is in tonight’s dance off? Caroline and Pasha are through, along with Frankie and Kevin. All as expected so far.
First couple in the dance off: MARK AND KAREN. Boo. BOO.
Louis was a plug for the Christmas Day special, in case you were wondering. He dances with Aliona, and from where I was sitting it was a really good show.
Last night on Strictly: special semi-final offer: buy one dance, get one free. The lack of training time showed, for the most part. Craig dusted off his ten for Caroline and Pasha’s brilliant Salsa. Jake and Janette were at the bottom of the leaderboard – I suspect that if they’re in the dance-off, they could well be going home.
Out come Tess and Clauds! DRESS WATCH: Clauds in a one-shouldered drop waist black sack, Tess in a split-to-the-thigh affair being held up by her bootlaces. Both nasty.
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And we’re off! Tonight’s group pro dance is a Studio 54-style disco inferno. Shiny spandex, Quality street wrappers and massive hair abound. Bruno is on the decks. The whole thing is a giant, glittery fire hazard. Wait, is that LOUIS SMITH?
Countryfile Casual Weatherman update: IT’S A WOMAN DRESSED AS A BANANA.
I think we may have broken weather chap, he’s probably in the Priory.
Thanks Countryfile for letting me know there’s only two weeks left to the New Year. I had no idea.
SUNDAY NIGHT RESULTS SHOW UPDATE
Evening all, and welcome to the VERY LAST Sunday night results show of the season! Always so many conflicting emotions at this point in the series – on the one hand the show and the liveblog are nearly over and I will miss them both immensely, but on the other hand it’s nearly Christmas and I’m about to get my weekends back, WAHOO.
But it’s not over yet - we still have a semi to deal with (leave it) and the GRAND FINAL next Saturday, which means one more couple need to leave the Strictly dancefloor tonight. Last night I predicted Simon and Kristina and Jake and Janette in the bottom two, with Jake and Janette to go. Should be Mark and Karen if we go with the scoreboard, but I think they won some public love with their contemporary Rumba last night.
In other news, Paloma Faith is performing tonight, so bring earmuffs. See you at 7.20!
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So we’re done for another week! Thank you all for your comments, which I’m off to have a good read through now. Join me tomorrow from 7.20pm for the Results Show, and then next week it’s the FINAL! Enjoy the rest of your Saturday night, please drink responsibly and keeeep dancing! Hx
THE VOTING LINES ARE OPEN, and that’s IT for the semi-finals! It’s the final dance-off tomorrow – really hard to call who could go home this week, it’s going to be very close. I’m going for Simon and Kristina and Jake and Janette in the bottom two, with Jake and Janette to go. Although actually could be any of them, apart from Caroline and Pasha.
Scores: 10 (SEE? TOLD YOU), 10, 10, 10 – first perfect score of the series. DRINK FOR YOUR LIFE.
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She bangs, says Bruno and gives Caroline a high five. Craig thought it was very good. Wow, says Darcey – that was one hot Salsa. Full of rhythm, says Len – if you don’t get in the final, the world’s gone mad.
Four tens, possibly? Craig’s got to get that paddle out sooner or later.
So much pink, my eyes hurt. Caroline is giving his both barrels, and it’s a full-on party Salsa. Fabulous armography, great hip action, none of that disco nonsense, proper Salsa with bells on. And oh dear god Pasha’s HIPS! LOVED that.
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And FINALLY it’s time for Caroline and Pasha! Their second dance is the Salsa to ‘Maria’ by Ricky Martin. Very odd music choices this evening, but I’m hoping for a kick-ass Salsa from Caroline.
Scores: 9,10,10,9 – a total of 38 for Simon and Kristina.
Len thought it was smooth and elegant, with good technique in his feet – it could be Simon’s ticket to the final. Bruno thought Simon led with conviction, but there was a slight hesitation towards the end. Craig keeps it short with “you’re back”, and Darcey thinks it would be crazy after that performance if Simon isn’t in the final.
PHONE HANDS! DRINK!
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Loving Kristina’s massive beehive, not so sure about Simon’s shiny suit. It’s a super-cutesy Foxtrot, couldn’t be more different from Caroline and Pasha’s. Simon looks a bit stiff but lovely footwork and finishes with some nice little skippy promenades. Charming, but I’m not sure it’s enough.
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It’s time for Simon and Kristina! Their second dance tonight is the Foxtrot to ‘My Guy’ by Mary Wells. I think Simon’s in trouble tonight, this needs to be AMAZING.
Scores: 9,8,8,8 – a total of 33 for Mark and Karen. Is that the first time ever that Craig has scored more than the rest of the judges?
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Karen is crying because she feels like she let Mark down. It’s all getting totes emosh.
Darcey thought it was a unbelievably emotional, but would have liked to see more basic Rumba walks. Len thought it was a good effort and he loved the romance, but needed more recognisable Rumba and hip action. Bruno thought it was a nice roll in the hay with a lovely storyline, but it wasn’t recognisable as a Rumba. Craig loved that they broke tradition and upset Len, and showed Rumba in a different way. I CONCUR.
Well they’re not dressed as wooden toys, which is a start. They are barefoot, however, and lying on the floor. Karen is wearing a wisp of pink chiffon, and this is absolutely beautiful. Romantic, charming, some lovely shapes from Mark and a gorgeous spin at the end. No Rumba hips to speak of, but my favourite dance of the night. JUDGE ME GO ON.
It’s time for Mark and Karen! Their second dance tonight is the Rumba to Eva Cassidy’s version of ‘Fields of Gold’. It’s going to be a romantic rather than a sexy Rumba, because Mark is engaged. You are forgiven for not knowing this, as Mark doesn’t like to talk about it.
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Nice attempt at a “if you want to see them Bach next week” pun from Claudia. Woman’s a goddess.
Scores: 9,9,10,10 – total of 38 for Frankie and Kevin.
Craig thought it brought drama and intensity to proceedings, but transitions weren’t entirely seamless and her free leg went awry on occasion. Darcey thought Frankie kept her cool, and it had lovely leg action although she needs to watch her top line. Len thought it was full of mood and intensity and passion. Bruno loved the interpretation of the music – it was brilliant.
Well this is unexpectedly intense and fabulous – Frankie looks like someone else entirely, and this is not in any way platonic. A couple of balance issues in places and Frankie drops her head, but loads of energy and great music for an Argentine. Bit wobbly at the end, but really enjoyed that.
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Next up it’s Frankie and Kevin! Their second dance this week is the Argentine Tango to Beethoven’s 5th. After a permafrost Rumba, think they need to pull some Argentine filth out of the bag. Can’t see it, somehow.
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Scores: 7,8,8,8 – total of 31 for Jake and Janette.
Should also have included “it’s the semis, it’s harder” in Strictly bingo. Damn.
Bruno thought it was dignified and elegant, but Jake’s neck was a bit stiff and he needed to relax. Craig enjoyed it more than the Cha Cha – Jake has improved his frame although it got a bit tight in the second half. Darcey thought it had plenty of rotation, although his free arm was a bit wafty. Len thought he was paralysed by the technique – he just needs to come out and dance.
Janette has swapped pink froth for a blue sparkly fishing net. It’s a charming and romantic Viennese, with lots of sway and an ease and flow we haven’t seen in Jake’s ballroom previously. Really enjoyed that.
We’re half way there! It’s time for Jake and Janette. Or Janette MAN-RAR-RAR, according to Tess. Their second dance tonight is The Viennese Waltz to ‘When a Man Loves a Woman’ by Percy Sledge.
Scores: 8,9,9,9 – a total of 35 for Caroline and Pasha. I’ve got no idea what’s going on with the scoring tonight.
Not much bingo action so far. Should have included Tess informing us that the crowd are on their feet.
Len thought it had plenty of sparkle but wasn’t quite flawless. Bruno thought it had lots of emotional intensity, and Caroline really felt the music, but it lacked precision in places. Craig wanted more arch in Caroline’s back, and her head placement was inconsistent. However she is a fantastic dancer, and she really stands out. Darcey thought it had lovely expressiveness, and her eye level was down, but was a lovely dance with beautiful details.
After some very iffy outfits this season, Caroline’s silver dress is glorious. It’s an odd music choice, resulting in a quite tense and moody Foxtrot. Caroline keeps dropping her head, not sure if it’s because she’s emoting. Deep.
It’s time for Caroline and Pasha! Their first dance this evening is the Foxtrot to Josef Salvat’s version of ‘Diamonds’. Last week they topped the leaderboard with their Argentine, and I really can’t imagine them not being in the final.
Scores: 6,9,8,7 – total of 30 for Simon and Kristina. What’s Darcey on tonight? That’s her highest score of the night.
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Darcey thought it started well, but then they got out of synch and it went a bit wrong. Len thought it was a shame it went wrong, as he was loving the routine. Bruno thought Simon let the animal out of the cage and couldn’t get it back in. Craig agrees it started well, then it all went horribly wrong.
A nice cartwheel entry from Simon, and a decent attempt at Samba hips. Samba rolls, however, are a bit laboured and the timing goes to pot. All gets a bit freestyle towards the end, but plenty of action from Kristina’s shredded tinsel dress. Not sure quite what to make of that, but I know for sure that I never want to hear that song again.
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It’s time for Simon and Kristina! Their first dance this evening is the Samba to ‘I Like To Move It’ by Reel 2 Real. Didn’t Irish puppet aliens Zig and Zag do a version of this?
Scores: 8,8,9,8 – a total of 33 for Mark and Karen.
Craig thought it could have been more seamless in the transitions, and his hands were a bit girly. But endearing, and Craig really liked it. Darcey thought it was sweet and charming, but could have had more glide. Len thought his footwork was good but needed more drive and finesse – however a good effort. Bruno liked Mark’s dainty hands, and he did his best.
Karen’s dress is a sea of pink froth, whilst Mark is trying out his wedding outfit. It’s charming but a bit saccharine for my tastes, although some nice rotation, timing and footwork from Mark. The singers get a bit shouty towards the end. Sweet and simple.
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Next up it’s Mark and Karen! Their first dance is the Viennese Waltz to ‘I Got You Babe’ by Sonny and Cher. I’ve decided Mark’s my favourite. Judge me all you like, I’ve been sat here for 12 bloody weeks and I don’t care.
Scores: 7,8,9,10 – a total of 34 for Frankie and Kevin. OK, whatever.
Bruno felt like love had been reawakened – it had innocence and purity, and was something he hadn’t seen before. Craig found it rather sterile – it had a beauty to it but was quite heavy in places. Darcey thought the interpretation was magical rather than lustful, but it needed more tension. Len thought it was a match made in heaven, and it had lots of lovely touches.
Ah, the Rumba. Dance of love, between two dancers dressed as wooden toys. It’s charming and beautiful but completely without soul. DRINK.
It is just me, or has there been a distinct lack of Latin filth this year? This is what happens when couples remain strictly professional. Spoils everything.
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Next up it’s Frankie and Kevin! Their first dance is the Rumba to Lily Allen’s version of ‘Somewhere Only We Know’. You know, from the completely sex-free John Lewis advert about a hibernating bear. I’m suppressing yawns already.
Scores: 6,8,8,8 – a total of 30 for Jake and Janette. Not a great start for a semi.
Len thought it was bright and lively, with plenty of “funk in the trunk”. Bruno thought it was hyperactive disco – he liked the enthusiasm, but the Cha Cha got a bit lost. Craig thought it was an unruly drunken explosion and lacked any finesse and subtlety. The goatee is a NO from me.
No idea what Darcey said, too busy looking at her 80s Meg Ryan hair.
They’re on their feet, apparently. Just in case you don’t have eyes.
Jake’s behind the bar, necking a pint. Janette is resplendent in pink fringing. Jake puts on some sparkly shoes, and his hips go wild. It feels a bit stompy in places, and Jake still forgets what to do with his arms. Very laboured spinny arrangement in the middle, and not a great deal of actual Cha Cha. Not my favourite Latin of Jake’s, have to say.
First up it’s Jake and Janette! Their second dance is the Cha Cha to ‘Boogie Shoes’ by KC and the Sunshine Band.
Good choice to do a Latin in the semi-final, but it needs to be pretty special for a Cha Cha. Can Jake’s hips get him into the final?
Out come Tess and Clauds! DRESS WATCH: Tess in your nan’s spare room curtains, Claudia in a lace dress that looks like it’s falling off. Cracking fringe though.
Out come the judges! CHEESY DANCE WATCH: too much hip action, Craig has grown a rubbish beard.
Out come the celebs! OUTFIT WATCH: Kevin is dressed as a toy soldier. Why? WHY?
Previously on Strictly: there was dancing, and a rubbish Waltzathon. In a Strictly MEGA-SHOCKER, Len dug the rulebook out of the bin and hoofed out Pixie and Trent.
Caroline and Pasha are currently riding high, but there’s no clear winner at this stage and any of them could be in the bottom two tonight. I’m worried about Frankie and Kevin doing both the Argentine AND the Rumba this evening – if both are in the passion-free friendzone, they could be in trouble.
Right, everyone ready? I’ve got a bowl of caramelised peanuts and a bottle of Baileys, let’s smash this thing.
Pointless - Vajazzle?
B was right, E was wrong. I still know more than Paul Young.
Pointless theme tune round: B is definitely ER. Think E is Twin Peaks?
Good evening, and welcome to the Strictly Come Dancing Semi Final Liveblog! The five remaining couples will be performing two dances each this week, which means the show is really long again, so bring snacks and booze. It’s also a mop-up of all the dances they’ve managed to avoid so far, so too many Rumbas. Might want to bring extra booze.
We’ve been at this liveblogging lark for three months now, so let’s have another round of Strictly Bingo – a swig of something festive (I’m on the Baileys) for any occurrence of the following:
- any mention of Mark’s fiancée
- an illegal lift
- Len offering to pickle his walnuts if someone doesn’t make the final
- Simon saying “I’m just happy to be here”
- Desperate phone hands
- a passionless Rumba that leaves us all feeling bleak and barren
- a ten from Craig (it will happen tonight, it’s traditional)
I’ll be here from 6.50pm to keep an eye every cheesy twist and Viennese whirl, so feel free to join me in the comment box with your festive sparkle, wit and wisdom.
See you at 6.50!
