And that’s it for another Strictly Week! Thank you for joining in, I’ll be back next week for the QUARTER FINALS/MUSICALS WEEK, so please come along and bring your jazz hands and sparkliest dancing shoes. In the meantime you can find me on Twitter/Instagram @heidistephens, so feel free to come and say hello. Have a fabulous week! Hx
Susan and Kevin dance their final dance to “Let’s Dance The Last Dance” by Donna Summer, and throw in a bit of Morecambe and Wise. They will be missed.
Susan and Kevin say lovely things about each other, and it’s all got a bit dusty in here. They’ve had an amazing run, and it’s probably the right time to say goodbye, before someone flicks the switch on the media outrage machine. “Kevin may not have won the Glitterball this year, but he’s won Strictly for me”.
All the judges save Alexandra and Gorka, so it’s time to say goodbye to SUSAN AND KEVIN. I’ve loved watching these two – they’ve brought a truckload of joy to the dancefloor every week, and reminded me that you don’t necessarily need the best moves to be a dancer. Sometimes it’s just about getting on the floor and having the time of your life. We all need a bit more of that in our lives, no?
Time for a reprise of Susan and Kevin’s American Smooth - It’s a shame they can’t dance whatever they like right now – I’d have love to see their Bring Me Sunshine Quickstep again. But this has bags of charm, and she’s genuinely making an effort to put her feet together. Big smile from me.
Do any of Gorka’s shirts have buttons? This Rumba still feels a bit clinical to me, but it doesn’t really matter. Alexandra and Gorka have done more than enough, and deserve to be there.
So let’s enjoy this dance off – I’m quite keen to see if Alexandra and Gorka can ramp up the chemistry in this Rumba and leave us all feeling a bit more hot and bothered.
Which means SUSAN AND KEVIN are in the dance-off, and are already making jokes about how close this is going to be. “I’ve never seen a more uneven contest in my life, but there’s STILL A CHANCE”, laughs Susan. I love them so much.
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So who is joining Alexandra and Gorka in tonight’s dance off? Debbie and Giovanni are through (WHY SPOIL MY FUN THOUGH?), along with Gemma and Aljaz and Davood and Nadiya.
Shirley just described the Pasodoblathon as being like “being in the Winter Gardens watching the best dancers in the world”. Okaaaaay then Shirl.
Wait, what if Alexandra and Gorka are up against Debbie and Giovanni in the dance off? I fear the judges will have a meltdown. I kind of want to see this, just for LOLs.
Time for a musical interlude, courtesy of Kelly Clarkson. She won American Idol in 2002, became a massive star, released a decade and a half of absolute bangers, and is all kinds of fabulous.
Yeah this is no Breakaway, but I’m very much up for three minutes of barefoot, open-shirted Gorka contempo-wafting with Purple Quality Street Janette.
Well, can’t say I’m hugely shocked – it’s the curse of the ropey Rumba, and having a week in the dance-off won’t do Alexandra’s chances of winning any harm. They COULD feasibly go tonight if they’re up against another couple who significantly ups their game, unless of course it’s Susan and Kevin.
So who is safely through to Musicals Week next week, and who is the first couple in tonight’s bottom two? Mollie and AJ are safe (KISS KISS KISS), along with Joe and Katya.
First couple in the bottom two: ALEXANDRA AND GORKA!
Talking of fashion, I actually own a dress with a cape like the one Tess wore last night, but a different colour. I’ve never worn it, and now I’m not sure I ever will.
I love that Debbie’s mum is called Babs McGee. What a great name.
Last night on Strictly – back to school post-Blackpool. TWO DANCES.
Highlights: Davood and Nadiya’s dreamy Waltz, Debbie and Giovanni’s split-heavy Argentine, Susan’s general existence, VT’s packed with training footage (keep it coming please).
Lowlights: Gemma and Aljaz’s so-so Samba, Alexandra and Gorka’s restrained Rumba, two Quicksteps I can’t remember anything about, everything about the Pasodoblathon, which was bobbins.
Loving the judges working the catwalk. Shirley has gone full Christmas already.
TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH: Tess in a strapless wetsuit, Claudia in a rather fabulous black sparkly shift.
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Tonight’s opening pro dance has a fashion theme, with Oti looking fierce and Janet Jackson-esque on the catwalk. Then Brendan comes out dressed as the bloke from My Chemical Romance and suddenly it all gets a bit Zoolander. OMG, Neil and Pasha in guyliner. Anton in pink fur! Bruno in Cuban heels! I love this.
And we’re off! Sing along, everyone.
OK some paragraphs get one and others don’t, and I have no idea why.
Absolutely nothing to see here.
I’ve just noticed the giant capital letters in every section up here. Have these always been here, or is this a new thing? I don’t like it, it makes me feel like every paragraph should contain something momentous (or at the very least, vaguely interesting).
Tonight’s Countryfile Casual Weatherperson is the homely Philip Avery, looking like he’s just popped in from the garden after a couple of hours lifting onions. There is such a thing as over-casual, Phil.
SUNDAY NIGHT RESULTS SHOW UPDATE!
Evening all, and welcome back for this week’s Strictly results show! Last night was a fun show, I thought – nice to put the focus back on the dancing after a week of larking about in Blackpool. There are at least four couples in the bottom two danger zone tonight, I reckon – Mollie and AJ, Gemma and Aljaz, Alexandra and Gorka and Susan and Kevin, and I have a sneaky feeling that the Calman/Clifton journey might be about to come to end. But this is Strictly, and we should never underestimate the power of the public vote - wouldn’t surprise me one bit if we had a Gemma/Mollie dance off tonight.
Kick off is at 7.20pm, so join me then for another glittery goodbye. We’ve only got three more to go after this, so let’s make it count. See you in a bit!
So that’s it for tonight’s dancing! All you glitterbunnies have been fabulous as ever, so thank you. I’ll be back tomorrow for this week’s results, so join me from 7.20pm (or a bit earlier if you have any interest in the wardrobe choices of the Countryfile Casual Weatherperson). Enjoy the rest of your Saturday, and I’ll see you tomorrow! Hx
So who do we fancy in the bottom two? If you don’t want it to be Susan and Kevin (which I don’t, but not enough to find time to actually vote in the next 15 minutes), then you need to send some votes their way. My money’s on Gemma and Aljaz, or even Mollie and AJ – unless the nation wants to see more of that Showmance in a Rumba or Argentine (yes, we’re THAT shallow).
Plug for Musicals week! DRINK!
Voting is now open! Enjoyed tonight’s show, feels like everyone has upped their game this week, which is just what we needed. Particularly loved Davood and Nadiya and Debbie and Giovanni this week.
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Susan and Kevin come 7th, Mollie and AJ 6th, Gemma and Aljaz 5th, Davood and Nadiya 4th, Debbie and Giovanni 3rd, Joe and Katya 2nd, Alexandra and Gorka 1st.
OK so I was wrong. This has changed precisely nothing. Well done everyone.
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Yeah, no idea what we’re looking at, mostly because I don’t have seven pairs of eyes. Very much enjoying Susan caping like she’s shaking out a picnic blanket, however. Gemma looks a bit bored, Davood is giving good drama, Joe is mostly providing a pole for Katya to dance around.
God I miss Aston and Janette.
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To me Pasodoblathon sounds like someone asking for their phone after invasive dentistry, but let’s play along and pretend this will in any way enhance this evening’s entertainment.
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So Joe and Katya currently at the top, and Susan and Kevin at the bottom. My betting is the judges give Gemma and Aljaz a boost in the Paso-thingy, and put Joe back to mid-table.
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Scores: 4,6,5,6 - a total of 21 for Susan and Kevin.
Craig thought there were all kind of issues, but it was sweet. Darcey thought it was cool and sophisticated, but it needed more sweeping lines and Susan’s feet need to come together. Shirley loved the entertainment factor, but at this stage in the competition it needs more technique. Bruno thought it was a charming turn, but technically Susan isn’t as advanced as she could be at this stage.
This all a bit Love Boat, but equally rather fabulous. Susan’s footwork has come a really long way over the past ten weeks, and she comes to life out of hold. Some fun lifts too – she’s never going to be the best dancer, but an absolute joy to watch. Lovely.
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And finally, it’s Susan and Kevin! This week they’re dancing the American Smooth to ‘Beyond the Sea’ by Bobby Darin. This is a lovely song and I have every hope of this being rather charming, but Susan needs to nail her footwork and posture tonight to stand any chance of staying out of the bottom two.
Scores: 9,9,10,10 - a total of 38 for Debbie and Giovanni.
Bruno loved how Debbie used the dancefloor, and Debbie drew beautiful pictures with her legs. Craig thought it was unbelievable, and he wishes he could dance like Debbie – but her leg was too placed in the Ganchos. Darcey loved the articulation and her balance was outstanding, but she lost her frame briefly in one of the lifts. Shirley found it all quite emotional, and she has never seen balance like that.
Debbie looks incredible in black fringe, and is making the most of her amazing legs and ballet training. This is an extraordinary effort, with some lovely detail from Debbie – she must have a core of STEEL. I am transfixed. LOVED that.
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Very much enjoying all the training footage this week. This season has definitely seen less comedy VTs, which is very good news.
Next up it’s Debbie and Giovanni! This week they’re dancing the Argentine Tango to ‘Por Una Cabeza’ by Carlos Gardel and Alfredo Le Pera. Debbie had a bad week last week, but was still surprised to be in the bottom two (never be surprised, Debbie; you’re supposed to pretend you’re expecting it every week).
The big question is, can they come back fighting with a steamy Argentine? Is Debbie and Giovanni getting down and dirty even something we want to see? HELL YES IT IS, and I really want Debbie in the final. Speaking as a woman of advancing years, she is a beacon of post-menopausal hope.
Scores: 8,9,9,9 - a total of 35 for Davood and Nadiya. How come Joe and Katya got two tens, and that didn’t??
Shirley though Davood delivered – it was a stripped back version of a classic Waltz, and very well done. Bruno thought it was stylish, elegant and he was totally charmed. Craig thought it needed more swing and sway, but otherwise beautiful. Darcey thought it was effortless, with great control and romance – her kind of Waltz.
Nadiya is looking positively bridal, and this is already glorious. Lovely rise and fall from Davood, great footwork and frame, and very much in control. Great rendition of this beautiful song too. I’m properly moved, which hardly ever happens.
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It’s time for Davood and Nadiya! Tonight they’re dancing the Waltz to ‘With You I’m Born Again’ by Billy Preston and Syreeta Wright. I love Davood’s ballroom, and these two are rapidly shaping up to be my favourites in this competition. Am hoping for high romance and bags of style here.
Apparently the Waltz is difficult for the man. Are there any dances that aren’t difficult for the man? Maybe we just need different men?
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All the pro dancers are trying to get Mollie and AJ to snog, I think tabloid rumours are now confirmed.
Scores: 7,7,8,9 - a total of 31 for Mollie and AJ. OK Bruno, you crack on.
Darcey thought it was competent and assured, but Mollie tired in the second half and her shoulders started to rise. Shirley loved Mollie’s wing-like arms (demo DRINK), and Bruno thought it was a bright, lively and clear Quickstep, with no wobbling. Craig agrees Mollie dropped the ball towards the end but she is making great progress.
FASHION UPDATE: Mollie’s dress looks like sick.
The footwork on this Quickstep is good, but Mollie’s top half is a bit wild and I’m pretty sure that was an illegal lift. Not sure what the slide at the end was supposed to look like, but I’m guessing it wasn’t that.
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Small child in the VT! DRINK DRINK DRINK
Next up it’s Mollie and AJ! This week they’re dancing the Quickstep to The Baseballs’ version of ‘Umbrella’ by Rihanna. If you’ve never heard of The Baseballs, they’re a German trio who do Rockabilly covers of pop songs, presumably so the likes of Mollie and AJ can Quickstep to them and the rest of us can yell “what the bloody hell is THIS?” at the telly.
ALSO, with only seven couples left, do we have to have two Quicksteps?
Scores: 6,6,6,7 - a total of 25 for Gemma and Aljaz. They could be in trouble this evening - they need an epic Paso.
Craig thought it highlighted Gemma’s weaknesses, and Darcey agrees that the dance never really woke up, and Gemma’s free arm wasn’t great. Shirley liked the bedroom scene (not how I imagined a bedroom scene with Aljaz, but OK), but it looked a bit lumpish. Nice Volta though. Bruno thought it was a perfect Samba with a hangover, but it lost the sense of rhythm on occasion.
Gemma and Aljaz start their dance in bed, and this is already a bit clunky, sadly. Nice hip action from Gemma, but she still struggles with transitions between sections, her hands are a mess and the Samba walks feel a bit lacklustre. Bags of fun, but somewhat sub-Samba for me.
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It’s time for Gemma and Aljaž! Tonight they’re dancing the Samba to ‘The River of Dreams’ by Billy Joel. This song has got a slower pace than the usual Samba madness, which will hopefully give us a dance that focuses on technique rather than being all a bit hectic and scruffy. I am definitely here for this.
Incidentally, it was this week last year that Danny and Oti danced their drum-heavy Samba, which was possibly my favourite dance of the whole season. No pressure whatsoever, Gemma and Aljaz.
Scores: 7,8,8,9 - a total of 32 for Alexandra and Gorka.
Bruno loved the drama and torment, but it needed more stretch through the body, particularly through the hips. Craig agrees, it needed more extension in the Rumba walks, and he also felt it lacked chemistry and connection. But still a beautiful Rumba. Darcey felt Alexandra didn’t express herself through the music, and expected more. Shirley liked the emotion, but it was too busy without enough hold.
Shirley demo - DRINK!
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This all rather angsty, but there’s some lovely shaping from Alexandra and it had bags and style and drama, albeit not enough Rumba filth for my liking. Her foot pressure looks great to me, but I couldn’t recognise a decent Rumba if it had bells on.
Am really impressed that singer Hayley managed to get through this without substituting the word ‘halo’ for ‘Hayley’. I don’t think I could resist.
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Next up it’s Alexandra and Gorka! This week they’re dancing the Rumba to ‘Halo’ by Beyoncé. If any couple this year can make me get all goosebumpy over the Rumba, it’s these two. If it contains even a fraction of the heat from their Argentine Tango, we’re in business.
In training, Alexandra’s boyfriend! DRINK.
Scores: 9,9,10,10 - 38 for Joe and Katya, which is a very solid start.
Shirley was super-impressed with the torso-touching, and Bruno agrees that it had solid technique and beautiful detail – everything was spot on. Craig thought Joe had too much tension in his top line, but otherwise stupendous. Darcey (dead crow shoulder klaxon) thought his elbow was bobbing, but it had wonderful moves.
Their Quickstep this week has a skyscraper theme (just BECAUSE, OK?), so Katya has taken Joe up The Shard.
Joe looks much more comfortable in hold, and this is very much his kind of dance. It’s a bit pigeon-toed, however, even though his timing is pretty decent. Health and Safety implications of Quickstepping on a skyscraper aside, this has bags of character and charm, and I love this side of Joe. Enjoyed.
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Right, let’s kick off some dancing. First up tonight it’s Joe and Katya! Tonight they’re dancing the Quickstep to ‘Jumpin’ Jack’ by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, which is quite a jazzy affair.
I had Joe tagged as an early contender for the win this year, but I feel like he’s taken his foot off the gas over the last couple of weeks. Come on Joe, it’s not too late to saddle up your dark horse.
TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH: Tess as a fuschsia superhero, Claudia in oil slick-black sequins. I have nothing left to give.
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Ooh, I forgot bingo! A shot of contestant tears for any occurrence of the following:
- Mentions of upcoming quarter-finals/random theme week (usually musicals)
- Dry ice obscuring shoddy footwork
- VTs featuring nans/kids/random celebrity friends
- Shirley providing a demo
- Crying
And we’re off! Last week we went to Blackpool, and it was one of those rollercoasters that look more exciting when you’re in the queue. Jonnie and Oti went home, which we were all a bit sad about. What a gent.
I’d go China In Your Hand by T’Pau.
More Strictly questions on Pointless! I’m pretty sure they do this just for us.
- Dancing With the Stars
- Clifton
- Glitterball
- Jay McGuinness
- Zoe Ball
I’d go Jay for the lowest answer maybe?
Hooray! After 20 minutes of no-TV mild peril, my telly is back. Armenia was a very good shout for Eurovision. I’d go Croatia.
Evening all, and welcome to this week’s Strictly Come Dancing Liveblog! We’ve left the EU-compliant bright lights of Blackpool behind for another year, with seven couples still in the game, only three weeks to go to the final, and everything still to play for.
The competition is hotting up now, and there are a few Strictly couples who are definitely in danger of heading home this week. Will Mollie and AJ up their game, or head for the door? Has being in the bottom two knocked Debbie’s confidence, or will she get back in the saddle in style? Has the public love for Susan and Kevin run its course? Strictly history tells us this could be their final week, so there’s a lot hinging on their American Smooth tonight.
Tonight our couples dance twice – first their usual dance, and then the snappily-named Pasodoblathon. For those who’ve never witnessed the group dance before, it’s a largely pointless exercise for the TV viewers, but a good opportunity for the judges to boost the points of anyone who’s had a patchy night but needs to be kept out of the bottom two. Never change, Strictly.
Kick off is at 6.50pm, so grab your loved ones, line up some drinks and snacks, and settle in for some dancing. I’ll witter on up here, you sprinkle glitter down there – you know the drill. See you in a bit!
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