So that’s IT for a highly entertaining Halloween weekend, thank you all for joining in and being brilliant as always.
It’s my annual jaunt to Strictly next week, so someone else will be in the hotseat for next Saturday night’s show (not sure who, sorry). I’ll be back for the Results Show on Sunday (no spoilers, obv), so I’ll see you then – in the meantime you can find me on Twitter/Insta @heidistephens and I’ll try to post a few pics. Have a brilliant week! Hx
Tess asks Anastacia what her favourite moment of Strictly was, and she misses the opportunity to say “dancing with Gorka”. It’s a tearful goodbye (including some random guff about “finding her female”), and then she starts singing and Brendan is practically out of the door. But he comes back to twirl Anastacia round the dancefloor to Mike Oldfield’s Moonlight Shadow, as sung by Kate Bush. Fin.
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So who will the judges save? Craig saves Daisy and Aljaz, as does Darcey. Bruno does likewise, and Len agrees. Another clean sweep for Daisy and Aljaz, and they live to fight another day.
So ANASTACIA AND BRENDAN are leaving the Strictly dancefloor. I’m sorry to see Anastacia go – she’s had a rocky road on Strictly since Week 1, but it clearly wasn’t meant to be. Strictly is outta love, and it’s time to set her free.
Time for another go at Daisy and Aljaz’s “Am I bovvered though?” Paso. She’s beautiful and a great dancer, there’s just no…passion. How can you dance with Aljaz EVERY WEEK and not have passion? Is Daisy MADE OF STONE?
They’ve cranked up the dry ice so we don’t have to watch Anastacia’s feet. This jive definitely has considerably more welly than last night, but she still looks like she’s treading grapes.
Nice work Anastacia, you gave that everything you’ve got, and then some.
Time for the dance off! This one feels a bit pointless, but let’s go with it. Brendan can clearly see the finish line, and Aljaz knows he isn’t going anywhere.
We’re definitely getting better at this prediction business, no?
So who is up against Daisy and Aljaz in the bottom two? Louise and Kevin are safe, along with Ore and Joanne, Laura and Giovanni and Danny and Oti!
Which means ANASTACIA AND BRENDAN are in the Dance Off again. And I think they’re probably going home tonight.
Time for Len’s Lens! Chances are they’re going to show Ed’s body fondle in slow motion, so you might want to grab a cushion.
Time for a musical interlude! It’s Laura Mvula, who is impossibly beautiful and I could watch her all night. She appears to have bought her own barefoot dancers, and is doing a cover of the Fugees classic “Ready or Not”. Let’s just be grateful it’s not Katherine Jenkins.
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So which couple is first in tonight’s bottom two? The first couple safely through to next week is Judge Rinder and Oksana (loved his moth-eaten Paso), along with Greg and Natalie, Ed and Katya (yaaaaas British public) and Claudia and AJ!
First couple in the dance-off: DAISY AND ALJAZ!
See? Being in the top half of the leaderboard means nothing these days. Why is Daisy panting?
Last night on Strictly: a bonkers and great fun Halloween Special. Highlights: Ore and Joanne’s homage to binge eating, Laura and Giovanni’s filthy Tango, and possibly the finest Cha Cha ever danced on Strictly, courtesy of Ed Balls.
Lowlights: Craig making Natalie cry, Anastacia and Brendan’s rigor mortis jive, Danny getting caught in Oti’s dog lead.
Tess and Claudia Dress Watch! Tess in a black off-the-shoulder number and Claudia in crushed black velvet and a killer fringe. They both look fabulous. No, really.
There’s a bonus pro dance tonight, featuring Karen in a deeply unattractive nightie, and Kevin as a Dickensian schoolboy. Vampire Brendan steals her, and it all gets a bit Twilight.
The music is a John Lewis Christmas version of Phil Collins’ ‘In The Air Tonight’. God I miss the Samba.
And we’re off! It’s the second night of Halloween in Strictly World, even though it isn’t actual Halloween anywhere this side of Uzbekistan.
“I’ve got a full load” “It’s a porridge-y consistency”. I swear Matt Baker is playing innuendo bingo.
Bless Anita pretending the blue clogs aren’t the ugliest shoes she’s ever worn.
Ooh, it’s the Countryfile Casual Weatherwoman! It’s the lovely Sarah in a white top that would be delightful were it not for the slight foofing in the shoulders, which makes it look like she’s left the hanger in.
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I love Anita Rani’s Dennis The Menace fleece, am adding to my Christmas list. Clogs, not so much.
WHY AREN’T THOSE SHEEP WEARING POPPIES?
An urban hipster with a spectacular moustache is selling the benefits of pear cider on Countryfile. For me pear cider will always be synonymous with getting off with unsuitable boys from the fairground, who knew it was such an important part of the ecosystem?
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Hopefully everyone has made a full recovery after an epic night of Strictly Come Bingo – I don’t think we’ve ever had a full house before. May I suggest a cup of tea for this evening? Maybe a Rich Tea if you’re feeling daring?
SUNDAY NIGHT RESULTS SHOW UPDATE!
Evening all, and welcome back for tonight’s Strictly Results Show! Another couple has to go home tonight, and I can’t work out any combination of dance-off that doesn’t send Anastacia and Brendan home – I reckon the judges would even choose Ed and Katya over them based on last night’s performance. So the only hope for Brendastacia is that the public has saved them from the bottom two, and I can’t quite imagine that scenario either. My money’s on Daisy and Aljaz to be up against them, but we shall see.
Don’t know about you, but I used my extra hour today to watch Ed’s Cha Cha on a YouTube loop. It improves with time, like a fine cheese. You should watch it now. See you at 7.15!
So that’s it for this year’s Halloween Special! That was entirely bonkers, but I actually really enjoyed it; nice work Team Strictly. Sorry about bingo, can I recommend you all have a lie down?
I’ll be back tomorrow at 7.15pm for the results show, so join me then for more pumpkin-based larks. Thank you all for joining in, and enjoy the rest of your weekend! *spooky cackle*
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Time for an interminable recap! The daughter’s vote has gone to Laura and Giovanni, Claudia and AJ and Ore and Joanne. I think Anastacia and Brendan and Daisy and Aljaz are going to be in the bottom two tonight, Anastacia could be in trouble.
4,7,7,8 – a total of 26 for Ed and Katya. I LOVE that Bruno gave that the same score as Danny and Oti’s Foxtrot. Never change, Bruno.
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Say what you like about Ed Balls, he’s throwing himself into the VTs.
Bruno thought it was horribly fabulous, with hip thrusts like a jackhammer – it was a triumph. Craig thought Ed’s hips were moving convulsively and he’s never seen anything so bizarre, but it was on time. Darcey absolutely loved it – it was on the time, it was confident, and it had loads of Cha Cha. Len thought it wasn’t super and it wasn’t natural, but it was so much fun and it was right on time – Ed’s best dance.
Does anyone else think Katya looks like a drunk Myleene Klass?
So Ed is a mad scientist, and as love potions go, this one is quite special. It’s a mix of really camp and jiggly Cha-cha, with a hip action that’s part waddle, part shimmy. There is hip thrusting and it’s stomp-tastic, but genuinely one of the most brilliant Cha Chas I have EVER seen on Strictly. I’m crying with laughter. That was INCREDIBLE.
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And FINALLY, it’s Ed and Katya! Always a worry when they’re on last – is it because this Cha Cha is amazing, or so terrible it’s amazing, or they really want the voting public to keep Ed in for another week?
Tonight they’re dancing the Cha Cha to the Hansel Martinez version of ‘Love Potion No. 9’. I mean, all the ingredients are there. What could possibly go wrong?
Scores: 8,8,8,9 – a total of 33 for Daisy and Aljaz.
Len thought it was a bit hit and miss – some bits had attack and aggression, and other times it was a bit loose. Bruno loved the Flamenco detail, and the choreography and make up are incredible. Craig loved the detail in Daisy’s hands and arms, and Darcey loved the drama and strength, but she wanted more exaggeration in the body shapes.
Daisy’s outfit is all kinds of amazing, and Aljaz doesn’t look so bad either. Daisy’s main problem is that she loses her top line and the timing can be a little shaky, but otherwise this is a very decent Paso with some great Flamenco content. I’d have liked a bit more passion, however; feels like she’s phoning it in sometimes.
Next up it’s Daisy and Aljaz! This week they’re dancing the Paso Doble to Santa Esmeralda version of ‘Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’. No idea what that has to do with Halloween, unless being misunderstood is now considered in some way terrifying. I blame emojis.
Last week Daisy and Aljaz survived the dance-off – they’re in the middle of the pack right now, so they really need to do something brilliant with this Paso if they’re not going to end up there again. Just saying.
Scores: 4,7,7,8 – a total of 26 for Greg and Natalie. Natalie is upset, but there’s no denying that it wasn’t a Rumba.
Darcey loved the confidence BUT THE RUMBA IS HARD FOR A MAN. DRINK DRINK DRINK until you can drink no more, it’s A FULL HOUSE.
Ahem, anyway. Darcey wanted more Rumba content and hip action, and Len agrees, but loved how Greg has lost his pigeon toes. Bruno loved how Greg came out of his shell, but he needed WD-40 on his hips. Craig thought Natalie was protecting Greg with this dance, and he can’t really judge it as a Rumba - it would have made a lovely Showdance, however.
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Good lord, Greg is ridiculously handsome. There is lantern waving and plenty of drama, and passion and attack by the bagful. As expected, rigor mortis has set in to Greg’s hips and there’s no Rumba shaping as such, but a lovely piece of dramatic contempo-wafting.
Next up it’s Greg and Natalie! Tonight they’re dancing the Rumba to ‘Bring Me To Life’ by Evanescence. Whilst this is an excellent Halloween song, I fully expect Greg’s Rumba hips to show no signs of life whatsoever. Still, the Rumba is hard for a man.
Incidentally, we’re currently 4 out of 5 on Strictly Come Bingo. All we need is for the Rumba to be hard for a man, and we’ve got a full house.
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Scores: 6,8,9,9 - a total of 32 for Ore and Joanne. Bonkers dance, bonkers dancing.
Craig didn’t like Ore’s supporting leg, and his right foot doesn’t swivel. Timing was terrible, but characterisation was brilliant. Darcey thought it was sweet, cheeky, crisp and sweet, but there was one moment when they got out of synch. LEN SAW PLENTY OF TRICKS AND PLENTY OF TREATS – DRINK DRINK DRINK, and it was a terrific routine. Bruno thought Ore was a werewolf on a sugar high – there was a mishap with the lift, but Ore is a fantastic dancer.
So I think Ore is a sweet-loving werewolf, and this is already amazing. It’s great fun and packed with fabulous storytelling, despite being entirely bonkers and lacking swivel. I suspect the judges are going to hate this, but I loved it. Entirely crackers.
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Ore said SPOOKTACULAR. DRINK DRINK DRINK.
It’s time for Ore and Joanne! This week they’re dancing the Charleston to the Bow Wow Wow version of ‘I Want Candy’. I love that they’ve embraced the true meaning of Halloween, which is stuffing your face with sweets. I’m so high on drumstick lollies right now.
After the precision of Ore’s jive a couple of weeks ago, you’d like to think that he’ll deliver an amazing Charleston. I have everything crossed, because I’m going to Strictly next Saturday and really want to meet him. Selfish I know, but COME ON ORE.
Scores: 9,9,9,9 – a total of 36 for Laura and Giovanni.
Bruno thought they were the sexiest ghouls he’s ever seen. It has precision and musicality, and Laura and Giovanni were on fire. Craig didn’t like Laura’s left hand, but it was otherwise UH-MAZE-ING. Darcey loved the attack and determination (stop saying ‘babe’, Darcey), and it was their best dance. Len thought it had plenty of zip and hardly any doo-dah – full of passion and chemistry.
Now THIS is a Tango. Bags of fire and passion, great kicks from Laura, a few balance issues but mostly total Tango filth. Really enjoyed that, also excellent hair crimping from Laura there.
“These two are definitely doing it”. The daughter has spoken, who am I to argue?
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Who’s next? It’s Laura and Giovanni! This week they’re dancing the Tango to ‘Paint It Black’ by The Rolling Stones, which is definitely Halloween-appropriate. I have high hopes for this dance, I think Laura might be a secret Tango Queen. Also Angry Tango Giovanni is my favourite kind of Giovanni.
Scores: 7,8,7,8 – a total of 30 for Danny and Oti. Well they’re not going anywhere any time soon. That said would love to see that dance done properly, can we put them in the dance off please?
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Len was bewitched by the performance, bothered by the mistakes and bewildered by the elastic appendage. Bruno loved the haunting drama, and how they pushed the boundaries of the concept. Craig thought it could have been a ten, and it was a real shame that it went horribly wrong. Darcey thought the choreography was really interesting, but it got off balance.
Incidentally, Oti’s makeup is INCREDIBLE.
So this is a Halloween wedding, or something. They are tied together with some kind of red cord, which is actually really clever. A bit gappy in places and Danny loses his balance and makes some mistakes, but a captivating Foxtrot that really captures some Halloween darkness. LOVED THAT.
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Next up it’s Danny and Oti! This week they’re dancing the Foxtrot to ‘Take Me To Church’ by Hozier. Wait, isn’t Halloween a pagan thing? Or does this song qualify on the basis that it has the word “funeral” in the second line?
The daughter tells me this song is about drug addiction, so maybe that’s considered sufficiently dark for a Halloween special. DRINK ANYWAY.
Scores: 4,7,7,7 – a total of 25 for Anastacia and Brendan. Go home, everyone but Craig, you’re drunk.
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Darcey thought it has plenty of energy, but it was flat-footed and her technique was lacking. Len thought it was a great performance, but the flicks needed to come from the knee and it was a bit loose. Bruno thought it was batty and bonkers, but it lacked sharpness. Craig thought it was laboured, flat-footed and sluggish.
I agree with Craig, but we can take another look when we watch it again tomorrow.
Anastacia looks AMAZING, despite the weird dragging bit at the beginning. You can’t really see Anastacia’s feet due to the dry ice, but what I can see is a bit clompy and flat-footed and the timing isn’t brilliant. Crikey, this is an absolute mess – not Anastacia’s dance at all.
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Who’s next? It’s Anastacia and Brendan! This week they’re dancing the Jive to ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ by Meat Loaf. Excellent Halloween music choice, not sure whether it’s Jive-appropriate, shame she didn’t get to keep Gorka. Oh, don’t get uppity, we’re all thinking it.
Scores: 9,9,9,9 - a total of 36 for Claudia and AJ. It’s going to be a high scoring night.
Craig thought the footwork was very good, and the whole thing was dynamic – well done. Darcey loved the smooth dismounts from the lifts, but Claudia needs to keep her eye level up when she’s out of hold. Len thought it was spellbinding with a lovely flow, and the lifts really complemented the dance. Bruno thought Claudia’s posture was lyrical and rounded and beautiful, with great fluidity and extension in her arms.
So Claudia is a witch (but quite a demure one, no drinking), and AJ is a frog who looks weirdly like Leonardo De Caprio in Titanic.
It’s a nicely American Smooth, with lovely footwork from Claudia and some nice lifts and spins. Ooh, that’s a fabulous lift at the end, nice work. Really charming, enjoyed that very much.
In this VT, AJ and Claudia are acting. Imagine Pasha’s acting, but twenty times worse.
It’s time for Claudia and AJ! Tonight they’re dancing the American Smooth to ‘Black Magic’ by Little Mix. Hooray, a Halloween song, and an absolutely sold gold pop banger at that.
I wonder if this will be the week that AJ realises that this partnership isn’t in any way about him, and starts showcasing Claudia’s talents a little better. We can but hope.
Scores: 8,8,8,8 - a total of 32 for Judge Rinder and Oksana.
Bruno thought there was lot of Paso content, but Rinder lost his shaping sometimes. Craig thought it was a bit Silence of the Lambs, but in a good way, and the shaping was really good – he liked it very much. Darcey loved the aggression and power, and she’ll never get bored watching him. Len loved Rinder’s posture, and he came out strong, powerful and meaningful.
So Rinder is an evil moth, or something, and Oksana is caught in some kind of chrysalis. Despite it being camper than Christmas, it’s a reminder of what a great dancer Judge Rinder is – it he didn’t have the ridiculous chiffon wings this would be a pretty commanding Paso. Really enjoyed that.
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Next up it’s Judge Rinder and Oksana! This week they’re dancing the Paso Doble to ‘Born This Way’ by Lady Gaga. Absolutely nothing to do with Halloween, unless “put your paws up” is an oblique werewolf reference. DRINK.
Things I’m not looking forward to about this dance: Rinder’s Paso Face, Oksana using Rinder for pole dancing, everything else.
In the VT, Oksana takes Judge Rinder to a butterfly and moth sanctuary. What the hell is this.
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Scores: 8,9,9,9 - a total of 35 for Louise and Kevin. Good start.
Len thought it was a comic book Charleston, absolutely spot on. Bruno thought it was unusual and daring, and done wonderfully well. Craig thought it was too controlled, but it had great detail and clean lines, and it was full of personality. Darcey (BIG NO TO THAT WIG), thought they really pulled it off. I’m clearly not drunk enough.
So the outfits are a Batman reference, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Batman film so this means nothing to me. It’s a slightly surreal Charleston, with some nice footwork from Louise and not a huge amount that makes it recognisable as a Charleston from where I’m sitting. Bit random, but OK.
See, Kevin’s Halloween jokes are FAR worse than mine.
Right, let’s get this spooky show on the road. First up it’s Louise and Kevin! Tonight they’re dancing the Charleston to the Emeli Sande version of ‘Crazy In Love’. Because Crazy = Halloween, apparently. Start drinking now, it’s going to be a very long night.
TESS AND CLAUDIA HALLOWEEN DRESS WATCH: Tess in overstretched black and one eyebrow, Claudia in a chevron-tastic flapper dress-cum-sack. I’ve definitely seen worse.
I don’t know where to start with the celebs, it’s such a shambles. We’ll get to them all later.
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So Craig and Len are in a flying dodgem, and all the celebs/pros have raided the fancy dress shop. There is a random Waltzer, and some slutty witches, so DRINK. This is the worst fairground ever, and I’ve been to some shockers.
And we’re off! It’s a theme week, so we open with a group dance to Dead Or Alive’s You Spin Me Round. Apparently this has been planned for weeks, and of course they couldn’t have anticipated that Pete Burns would pass away this week. They’ve decided to keep it in as a tribute to this 80s pop masterpiece and a brilliant performer. Couldn’t be a better choice, if you ask me. RIP Pete.
Last week – bit of a damp squib after weeks of brilliant dancing, and Mystic Lesley went home. Oh look, it’s the first of the rubbish VTs! Just be glad I didn’t include these in Strictly Come Bingo. I very nearly included ‘fangs’ though.
While we’re waiting, who wants a Halloween joke?
What do birds say on Halloween?
Trick or Tweet!
HAHA, TRICK OR TWEET.
Wow, tough crowd.
Tonight’s Strictly Come Halloween Bingo – a slug of something evil for any occurrence of the following:
- The word “spooktacular”
- Len describing a dancing as having “plenny of tricks and plenny of treats”
- Random non-halloween music choices
- The Rumba being hard for a man
- Slutty witch costumes
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Evening all, and welcome to this week’s Strictly Come Dancing Halloween spooktacular! Brace yourselves for an evening of chilling Cha Chas, terrible Tangos, spooky Sambas and frightful Foxtrots, plus plenty of cackle-free VTs and other Halloween horrors.
Now traditionally the Strictly Halloween Special is an overblown shambles that trades any kind of dance quality for a mass raid on the prop cupboard and cringe-inducing VTs. But I said that about Movie Week a few weeks back, and it was brilliant, so I’m endeavouring to remain optimistic. The bag of Trick or Treat sweets I’m tucking into is helping – by Monday all that will be left is the Parma Violets and Blackjacks, which no child wants to eat, ever.
I’ll be here from 6.45pm to add a little graveyard atmosphere to tonight’s proceedings, whilst you are invited to be deeply creepy and unnerving in the comment box below. Gather your zombie friends and relatives, find a cushion to hide behind, and I’ll see you at 6.45!
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