So that’s IT for Blackpool Week! It’s been emotional, but I’ll be glad to get back to studio normality next week. Also it’s the last week before the move to two dances each week, so it’s a super-short show, which my fingers are always thankful for. Many thanks for joining in and being amazing as usual, do feel free to come and say hello on Twitter @heidistephens if you’re passing. Otherwise I’ll see you next week! Hx
Greg gets all weepy about his amazing experience, and Natalie starts sniffling too. Bit dusty in here.
They dance their final dance to Bye Bye Love by The Everly Brothers. BLUB.
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So what will the judges do? Craig votes to save Claudia and AJ for being “close to perfection” (EH?), and Darcey saves them too. Bruno does likewise, and Len would have done the same.
Oh Greg, I’m gutted for you. I really wanted to see you in the final, you’ve been amazing.
OK, Greg and Natalie’s turn to give their Quickstep another go. He’s definitely less bouncy, but the hand jiving bit goes a bit awry. The leap at the end is loads better, however. Have they done enough? I really hope so.
It’s Claudia and AJ’s Jive up first - I thought this was a bit of a mess last night, but the judges loved it. I’ll watch more closely this time, see if I missed something.
Nope, this is still a mess, and it looks like Claudia is struggling in too-high heels. Better than last night, though.
Time for an Olympic Dance Off - based on yesterday’s scores, Claudia and AJ will stay tonight. But I actually enjoyed Greg and Natalie’s dance FAR more, and feel like he’s made much bigger improvements than Claudia.
Incidentally, is anyone else finding that they fancy Ed Balls just a tiny bit? Anyone? Hello?
It’s time for more music! This time from 80s pop puppet Rick Astley. He has a new single out, which I heard on Radio 2 the other day and decided was a bit Christian rock for my liking. But I’m guessing some people like that kind of thing, otherwise how would you explain the popularity of Cliff Richard?
So who else is in tonight’s dance off? Louise and Kevin are safe (SO much guyliner and lace), along with Judge Rinder and Oksana and ED AND KATYA (YAAAAAAAAAS)
Which means GREG AND NATALIE in tonight’s dance off! Ed has the face of a man who would really like to go home now please.
That’s a real shame for Greg. I’m guessing doing a Quickstep to Jive music probably didn’t help.
OMG CRAIG HAS MONOGRAMMED SHOES.
Time for a musical interlude, courtesy of 80s purveyors of misery-rock, Simple Minds, singing a karaoke version of Don’t You Forget About Me. Jim Kerr appears to be wearing my nan’s curtains, which is nice.
So who is through to post-Blackpool, and who is in tonight’s Dance Off? Danny and Oti are safe (obv), along with Ore and Joanne.
First couple in tonight’s Dance Off – CLAUDIA AND AJ! Yup, that was always on the cards.
Last night on Strictly: a bumper Blackpool bonanza, with boozy Bingo to boot. I apologise if any of you have a sore head.
Highlights: Ore and Joanne’s Viennese (with endless fleckerl), Rinder calling out the show for tenuous VT fodder, Katya’s piano boobs, Oti’s Charleston (I believe Danny might also have been involved). Lowlights: overmarking, superfluous human props, Ed’s Jive (much as it pains me).
I love this picture of Judge Rinder’s bootylicious Salsa. So much technicolour madness.
TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH: Tess is dressed as a fringed Rambo, and Claudia has been walked over by giant muddy dogs. This look is vastly improved by a pink seagull hat and prizes won down the arcade.
And we’re off! Tonight’s pro dance is an eye-watering technicolour Hairspray Jive, with Ed Balls on the mic. I feel like I’ve had too many Haribos.
This week’s Countryfile Casual Weatherman is the dashing John Hammond, rocking a blue shirt/brown/belt jeans combo. I feel like someone needs to show him how to roll up his sleeves, however – fold, don’t crumple. Unless you need to examine a cow.
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Anyone else badly in need of some Yorkshire halloumi right now?
SUNDAY NIGHT RESULTS SHOW UPDATE!
Evening all, and welcome back to tonight’s Results Show! I took the daughter for a quick jaunt to Cardiff today to watch Fantastic Beasts with my son, who lives there. It’s brilliant, I highly recommend (the film, not Cardiff. Although Cardiff is also excellent).
Anyway, back to business. Last night’s Blackpool was a bit pick ‘n’ mix, not helped by ridiculous scoring and distracting backing dancers. But Blackpool has always been thus, and we’ll be back to normal next week.
So here’s how I think tonight is going to pan out. The dance-off will most likely be two of Greg, Ore and Claudia, at which point 2016’s Strictly Backlash against Ed Balls will begin. Ed will go home next week, then it’s a battle to the final between the Ringers (Louise, Danny) and the Improvers (whoever is left of Greg, Ore, Claudia and Rinder). I’ve made this sound all quite Shakespearean, what’s the betting Ed goes tonight and spoils my plot?
All will be revealed from 7.15pm, so I’ll see you then!
So that’s it for Blackpool Week! Thank you so much for adding your own brand of joy to this evening’s blog, it makes it a good deal more entertaining than my ramblings. I’m off to read all your comments, but I’ll be back here at 7.15pm tomorrow for the Results Show - enjoy the rest of your Saturday, and I’ll see you then! Hx
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Performing on Stricty tomorrow – Simple Minds and Rick Astley. Literally every other act from the last 30 years was unavailable.
The voting is open! It’s time for a recap – the daughter is voting for Ore and Joanne, Ed and Katya and Greg and Natalie.
Some great dances tonight, but I reckon it could be Claudia/Greg for the Dance Off tonight, which means Greg’s time might finally be up. Or is it Ed’s turn to leave the dancefloor? NOOOO.
Look at him. Look at this little face.
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Scores: 8,9,8,8 – a total of 33 for Judge Rinder and Oksana. The scoring tonight has been even more bonkers than usual.
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Craig thought it was hip-tastic, and wants to call him Judge Grindr from now on. Pah, the comment box has been doing that for WEEKS. Darcey loved the Oksana dead lift, and Len thought it was a sweet-smelling Salsa, but Rinder’s timing went awry. Bruno thought it was bootylicious, and it was a fantastic way to end the show.
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HE ILLUMINATED BLACKPOOL! THAT’S A FULL HOUSE! DRINK DRINK DRINK!
Already this is amazing, if a little offensive on the eyeballs. Rinder has epic Salsa hips, and some great footwork, although his Salsa Sex Face is making me a bit queasy. He looks a bit lost after the lift, so just does a bit of sideways twerking and a cartwheel to finish. Bit of a shambles, but great fun.
And FINALLY, it’s Judge Rinder and Oksana! This week they’re dancing the Salsa to ‘Spice Up Your Life’ by Spice Girls, and I fully expect this to be an entirely brilliant and camptastic finale to tonight’s special. Love Rinder, love this song, not that fussed about the Salsa - we’ve seen so many pimped-up versions this series I’m no longer sure what a Salsa is supposed to look like.
Scores: 8,8,8,8 – a total of 32 for Greg and Natalie.
Bruno thought it was bubbly and bouncy, and he loved seeing Greg having a good time, but his footwork needs a little refinement. Craig thought there was too much height and it was all a bit bouncy, and his thumb was sticking out, but otherwise brilliant. Darcey loved Greg’s bounce on the sprung floor (DRINK), and Len loved how Greg maintained his frame, but he mucked up the leap.
So Greg is doing the hand jive from Grease, with bonus Quickstep. His footwork is great, but the transitions between in and out of hold are a bit laboured and he’s still got a touch of the pigeon toes. That said, Greg is the most improved dancer this year, and I’d love to see him make the final.
It’s time for Greg and Natalie! This week they’re dancing the Quickstep to ‘Hand Jive’ by Sha Na Na. After a dance-off close shave last week, I think Greg’s in danger of going home this week, so this needs to be pretty special. Also that dancefloor is massive compared to the studio, so he’s got some travelling to do. JUMP, Greg.
BINGO BONUS: down the contents of your glass if any of the judges describe this as a “kiss-me-Quickstep”.
Scores: 4,6,7,6 – a total of 23 for Ed and Katya. Boo. I’m not sure Claudia and AJ’s Jive was much better than that.
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Len thought Ed made Blackpool ROCK! DRINK! Bruno thought Ed was strangely addictive, and most of it looked like a Jive. Craig thought it looked like Ed was playing hopscotch in a girls’ school, but he loves his commitment. Darcey loved the energy, although Ed needed more retraction in his kicks.
Ed descends from the rafters on a burning piano, and does as little dancing as possible. Once it finally gets started, it’s a joyously dad-dancing clunky Jive, with some nice air piano-playing and general silliness. As a Jive, it’s mostly terrible. As an antidote to the hell of 2016, it’s the tonic in my gin. VOTE ED.
So how do you follow that? OMG It’s Ed and Katya! I’m so excited I can barely type. This week they’re dancing the Jive to ‘Great Balls of Fire’ by Jerry Lee Lewis. It’s hard to imagine how Ed could possibly follow last week’s Gangnam Salsa, but we’ve said that every week. Ed Balls is basically the saviour of 2016, which is not a sentence I ever expected to type.
Scores: 10,10,10,10 – a full house for Danny and Oti!
Darcey loved the speed and the one-handed cartwheel, it’s impossible to distinguish who is the professional dancer. Len thought it was almost choreography overload, but Danny held it all the way through. Bruno thought it was a showstopper, like watching a Broadway show. Craig thought it was FAB.U.LUSS.
I smell four tens.
I think Danny is supposed to be a waiter, but appears to be dressed as a lion tamer. His Charleston footwork is pretty impressive, and the lifts aren’t bad either. He loses energy in the middle, but you can’t deny that Danny has style.
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God, I miss the training videos from last week. Also CHIPS! Drink!
Next up it’s Danny and Oti! This week they’re dancing the Charleston to ‘Puttin’ On The Ritz’ by Gregory Porter. I’m anticipating yet another dance from Danny that is highly proficient, because he’s been highly proficient since Week One. Of course this journey-free strategy means Danny won’t win, but then Strictly ringers never learn.
Scores: 9,9,10,10 - a total of 38 for Louise and Kevin.
Goodness, it’s busy at the top of that leader board.
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Here’s Kevin’s 2013 Blackpool Paso. Compare and contrast.
Craig was not disappointed, it had loads of drama and he loved it. Darcey loved the control and how strong and dynamic it was. Len was blown away, both on the seafront earlier and by Louise and Kevin’s Paso. Bruno thought it was commanding and powerful – fabulous.
Goodness, this is all a bizarre, with far too much fabric and flossing about for my liking. Louise did do a slut drop though, so I’d give her bonus points for that.
I think this is probably a brilliant Paso and the judges will love it, but I’m overwhelmed.
ROCK! DRINK! Only soggy chips and shonky metaphors to go, and that’s a bingo full house.
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Time for Louise and Kevin! Tonight they’re dancing the Paso Doble to ‘Explosive’ by Bond. On a night full of upbeat crowd-pleasers, a Paso that is anything less than drop-dead fabulous is a risky strategy. That said, Kevin has form with Blackpool Pasos – remember the one he did with Susanna Reid in 2013? I think that got three tens.
Highly tenuous shell reference! DRINK!
Scores: 8,10,10,10 – a total of 38 for Ore and Joanne. Ore’s crying, because that’s what Ore does. I’m available to comfort him at any time.
Bruno thought Ore was the ace in the pack, he loved the jazz-style Viennese waltz. Craig thought Ore’s top line was on the wonk and it was a bit skippy at the end, but Ore is an amazing showman. Darcey loved the endless fleckerl, and it had great flair. Len thought it was a mix of flair and care, and a terrific performance.
Loving Joanne’s hot pink dress, and Ore looks gorgeous. He’s giving this both barrels, with plenty of swagger and charm. There’s a spin that goes on for about a week, and a showstopping finish. LOVED that, my favourite Viennese of the series.
Next up it’s Ore and Joanne! Tonight they’re dancing the Viennese Waltz to ‘That’s Life’ by Frank Sinatra. I’m very much hoping this is going to capture some of the same charm we saw in their Singin’ In The Rain American Smooth from Week 3 – if not, Ore could be in trouble, as this is the Blackpool slot of death.
Tess just described Blackpool as “the Vegas of the North”. What’s the Vegas of the south? Minehead?
PETER KAY is reading the Terms & Conditions, and it’s all gone to hell. Claudia’s lost it, Peter’s gone rogue, this is amazing.
Scores: 9,9,9,9 – a total of 36 for Claudia and AJ. No idea what just happened there.
Nope, still no idea.
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Len thought Claudia was little miss dynamite, although there was a moment early on where it went a bit awry. Bruno loved how Claudia took the lead with the professional dancers, and it was a brilliant performance. Craig thought it could have scored a ten, apart from the mistake. Darcey thought it was a spectacular performance.
Were the judges watching a different dance from me, or am I just getting jaded in my old age?
Also I’d forgotten about the acoustics in the Tower Ballroom. Everyone sounds like they’re in the bottom of a well.
Well this is a fast and furious Jive, but Claudia’s footwork is way too tentative and she doesn’t have the retraction. Also SO MANY SUPERFLUOUS DANCERS. I’m not sure if AJ has overstretched Claudia with this routine (again), or it’s just not her thing. Lovely one-handed cartwheel, though. She should definitely consider a career in gymnastics.
In their VT, AJ is taking Claudia for a tour of Blackpool and making it all about him.
Up first this week it’s Claudia and AJ! This week they’re dancing the Jive to ‘Hey Mickey’ by Toni Basil. This song was a hit in 1981, and Claudia wasn’t born until 1997. Basically this song is old enough to be Claudia’s grandmother. If you want me, I’ll be hanging out down the museum with the other ancient artefacts.
Goodness, Kevin is looking a bit New Romantic, whilst Katya is dressed as an actual piano. Is Ed going to play her boobs?
TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH: Tess in a scarlet frock that looks like it’s been mauled by sharks, Claudia in a navy blue polyester frumpfest. 6/10.
Meanwhile, Darcey’s been upholstered.
Bonus pro dance! Some actual proper ballroom fabulousness from A Chorus Line, featuring tailcoats, top hats and dead swans. Ed Balls has his own throne, and Rinder descends from the rafters on a twinkly star. Well that was lovely.
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And we’re off! It’s Blackpool Week, so we need to start the comedy VTs early. Everyone in Blackpool is excited about Strictly coming. Seriously guys, it happens every year.
Our remaining seven couples are on the world’s tackiest train, and already enjoying the bouncy floor. DRINK DRINK DRINK.
I’m loving this bromance, although they are both indecently handsome.
Have they got a #Strictly lined up for you 😁😁😁 Goosebumps just thinking about! Special night, special bday weekend 🎉 https://t.co/LS7yQrZCtw pic.twitter.com/aq5b526gOa
— Ore Oduba (@OreOduba) November 19, 2016
Chris the lovely BBC Strictly PR man has just sent me this photo. I can’t decide if I love Seagull Rinder or Donkey Balls more.
This week’s Strictly Come Bingo (Blackpool Seaside Special Edition) – a swig of something you were saving for a special occasion for any occurrence of the following:
- Any reference to shellfish – whelks, cockles, mussels, winkles etc – two swigs if Len is pickling any of them
- Laboured metaphors involving illuminations, piers or amusements
- Celebrities eating soggy chips in the rain and pretending it’s fun
- Any mention of the Tower Ballroom’s famously sprung dancefloor
- The word “rock” in any context whatsoever.
Thanks to all who made suggestions in last week’s comments, much appreciated. You’ll notice I’ve left superfluous backing dancers out of this week’s bingo, I’m not a monster.
Evening all, and welcome to this week’s Strictly Come Dancing liveblog! It’s time for the annual outing to Blackpool, so gird your sparkly loins for the following: comedy VTs featuring confused pro dancers pretending Blackpool in November is the height of fun, a glittering army of superfluous backing dancers, judges dishing out tens like nuts at a cocktail party, and a general air of over-excitement that you usually only see on a bouncy castle full of jelly-fuelled toddlers. I can’t WAIT.
That said, Strictly wouldn’t be the same without the annual trip north, and it seems only right and fair that the final seven Strictly couples should get the chance to take a turn around the famous Tower Ballroom dancefloor. As usual I’ll be cranking out some end-of-the-pier commentary on the frocks and footwork up here, while you are very much encouraged to add your own glittering illuminations down below. Let’s get ready to Rumba, and I’ll see you at 6.55pm!
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