So that’s IT for Strictly Movie week – we survived the chaos, and live to liveblog another day. Thank you ALL for joining in and being amazing; I’ll see you next week for another dance marathon, kicking off at 6.45pm. Have a brilliant week! Hx
Part of me really hopes Richard delivered a really bitter sermon at the Harvest Festival this morning – “Judge not…that ye be NOT JUDGED” *swishes cape, exits into vestry”
Richard and Dianne say lovely things about each other, then take to the floor for their final dance to ‘I’ve Had The Time Of My Life’, with bonus skipping.
Which means RICHARD and DIANNE are leaving the Strictly dancefloor, denying us the opportunity of watching him be terrible but hilarious for at least three more weeks. I was SO looking forward to him upsetting the Daily Mail Christians at Halloween.
Who will the judges choose? (RICHARD RICHARD RICHARD). Craig saves Simon and Karen (boo), and Darcey loves likewise (booooo). Bruno also saves Simon and Karen (BOOOO). Shirley would have done likewise, even though her opinion is irrelevant.
Dance off time! Simon and Karen’s Quickstep has more timing issues than last night, and it’s still on the skippy side. Richard is still magnificent, I really want to keep him for a couple more weeks.
Incidentally, I didn’t have time to comment last night on this rendition of the Flash Gordon theme tune. It sounds like the noise your house telephone makes if you forget to put the handset back properly.
Whenever I look at Ruth in that wig, all I can see is Kathleen Turner in Romancing The Stone (young people: ask your mum).
Incidentally, who is saving Ruth and Anton? Is it Eamonn’s Fan Club? On the upside, we don’t have to watch that Rumba ever again.
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Oh dear, I have a very bad feeling that the judges are going to let Richard go, despite him having far more entertainment potential in his Judy Finnigan wig than than Simon has in his entire Space Ranger getup. Prepare yourself for them reminding us that this is a dance competition. Do not want.
So who is joining Simon and Karen in tonight’s dance off? Mollie and AJ are safe, along with Jonnie and Oti, Debbie and Giovanni, Davood and Nadiya, Ruth and Anton (WHAT) and Susan and Kevin.
Which means RICHARD AND DIANNE in the dance off. Crikey, for a minute there I thought it was going to be Susan.
Are Shirley and Darcey having their own dance-off? It all feels quite…competitive.
Meanwhile Craig is banging the 10 second rule drum, which literally nobody has ever heard of before. It’s a made up rule.
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It’s time for Judge-Opinion-Interlude-That-Shall-Not-Be Named! Which also marks the moment I need to get my dinner out of the oven, so talk amongst yourselves.
Time for a musical interlude, courtesy of the splendid Sheridan Smith singing ‘My Man’ from the musical Funny Girl. She’s incredible, and she’s rocking that gold frock.
So who is in the dance-off tonight, and who lives to dance another day? Gemma and Aljaz are safe, along with Alexandra and Gorka, Charlotte and Brendan (no more beef this evening, sorry), Brian and Amy, Joe and Katya and Aston and Janette.
First couple in this week’s dance off: SIMON AND KAREN. So either Richard and Dianne or Ruth and Anton have been saved from the bottom two by the public – bye Ruth.
Last night on Strictly: very much a game of two halves.
Highlights: Joe and Katya’s Dr Zhivago Viennese, Gemma and Aljaz’s cuddly Charleston and Susan and Kevin’s Wonder Woman Samba.
Lowlights: Ruth and Anton’s frigid Rumba, Brendan getting all beefy with Shirley, and random application of rules by the judges that winds me up no end. But other than that, a really good show.
TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH: Tess in a one-shouldered bandage monstrosity, Clauds in rather fabulous hot pink strapless. What did Tess DO to her stylist?
Tonight’s opening pro dance is a Disney montage, and Aljaz as Aladdin is absolutely fine by me – he can rub my lamp any time etc. etc. All too quickly Aljaz is gone and we rattle through The Little Mermaid and Beauty and The Beast.
I love a montage, but could we not have just done ONE of these films justice? It all feels a bit thrown together.
And we’re off! BA BA BAH etc.
I also have no time for Matt Baker’s jumper. He looks like he works at Morrisons.
How many ties do you think Prince Charles owns? I’m trying to imagine him being presented with ALL his ties, and still selecting the one that looks like an Elastoplast.
Philip has uttered the words “Indian Summer”, then said he’s not actually promising one. THANKS PHILIP.
Tonight’s Countryfile Casual Weatherman is the stately Philip Avery, wearing a pink and blue plaid number with sleeves rolled up well beyond the elbow. I suspect he’s got an appointment with a Countryfile cow later.
Countryfile has got a bit gynaecological. Still, a nice clean uterus is something we can all aspire to.
Also, advance notice that I’m having my annual Saturday off on 28th October, which is the Halloween special. The lovely Alex Needham (who liveblogged the launch show) will be standing in, but I’ll be back for the Sunday results.
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Ah, there it is. Several of my day job colleagues read this blog, I bet I get a bloody Countryfile Calendar as my Secret Santa.
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On Countryfile, Matt Baker is feeding rare breed cows. So far they’ve managed ten whole minutes without mentioning the calendar.
SUNDAY NIGHT RESULTS SHOW UPDATE
Evening all, and welcome back for the Strictly Results Show! Another couple have to go this evening – my money’s on Ruth, Charlotte or Simon, although the public may have saved Charlotte for future Brendan/Shirley beef LOLs. “Your Tango had rise and fall” is going to be my spy password from now on.
Kick off is at 7.15pm, then we can safely put Movie Week behind us and look to a future free from hammy-acting VTs, comedy wigs and superfluous props. Ah, if only this were true. See you in a bit!
So that’s IT for Movie Week, bar the Results tomorrow. Thanks for joining in as ever - am off to read your comments, so do swing by Twitter @heidistephens if you fancy saying hello. See you back here at 7.15pm tomorrow! Hx
Hooray, the dancing has finished! By usual Movie Week standards, that was actually pretty good. Aston and Janette are at the top of the leaderboard, and Richard and Dianne are at the bottom. He won’t be in the dance-off, however – my money’s on Brendan and Charlotte v. Ruth and Anton, or maybe Simon and Karen?
If I was voting (which I’m not) - I’d vote for Susan, Joe and Gemma - definitely my favourites this evening.
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Scores: 4,7,7,7 - a total of 25 for Davood and Nadiya.
Bruno has a doctor on standby – Davood is a beast, but the Samba was a bit rough. Craig thought the hip thrusting was a crowd-pleaser, but not much to do with the Samba. Darcey loved the intention, but it needed more control. Shirley thought it was much better than last week and there was plenty of Samba content, but Davood’s posture was off.
Nadiya looks epic in red, and I actually really like the way they’ve woven the disco into the traditional Samba. Davood definitely has hips, and he’s not afraid to use them, and dear god those trousers are tight – I feel like we’ve all seen quite a lot of Davood this evening. Samba not all that, but who cares?
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And FINALLY, it’s Davood and Nadiya! This week they’re dancing the Samba to ‘Stayin’ Alive’ from Saturday Night Fever. Disco seems to be launching a hostile takeover of this year’s Strictly, and I suspect this Samba is going to be no exception. Please make it stop.
Scores: 8,8,8,9 - a total of 33 for Alexandra and Gorka.
Shirley thought the technique was very good, but her dancing out of hold needed to take up more space. Bruno loved the motivation and it was true performance. Craig thought Alexandra’s free arm needed more work, but the routine was beautiful and they danced it really well. Darcey loved the musicality, and Alexandra is one to watch.
Alexandra makes a beautiful flower girl, whilst Gorka is an unspecified cockney geezer. This is wonderful – bags of style and charm, and fabulous footwork from Alexandra. I know she’s a massive ringer, but I could happily watch these two for hours – just pure class.
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Next up it’s Alexandra and Gorka - this week they’re dancing the American Smooth to ‘Wouldn’t It Be Loverly’ from My Fair Lady. I’m fully expecting this to be all rather charming and delightful, albeit disappointing that they didn’t pick a movie that requires Gorka to wear an overly snug uniform. What happened to giving the public what they want?
Scores: 8,9,9,9 - a total of 35 for Aston and Janette.
Darcey loved the cleanness of the moves, and Aston had great control – she didn’t want the dance to stop. Shirley though Aston’s feet were much better, and the timing was fantastic. Bruno thought it was like watching HD – it was pin-sharp clear and had some great hip-hop touches. Craig thought it was very good. Are hips not a thing in the Cha Cha?
I haven’t seen Trolls, so I know idea what’s going on with costumes. The Cha Cha is a great opportunity to showcase Aston’s dance talents, but his hip action looks oddly frozen and not at all natural. Some great detailing though, Aston is an incredible dancer.
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OK I know I said I’d ignore the VTs, but taking Aston to Tower Bridge because trolls live under bridges is truly stretching it.
It’s time for Aston and Janette! This week they’re dancing the Cha Cha to ‘Can’t Stop The Feeling’ from Trolls. This song always reminds me of Justin Timberlake’s performance during the 2016 Eurovision interval, which was entirely amazing. My expectations of this Cha Cha are equally high – it’s Aston and Janette, after all.
Only three left! We can do this.
Scores: 8,8,8,8 - a total of 32 for Joe and Katya.
Craig loved it, and Darcey really enjoyed it too – beautifully traditional. Shirley though it was a great Viennese, and Bruno was swept away by a romantic blizzard.
So Joe is a quite handsome Cossack, and Katya glorious in fur trim (hat drink!). Joe has lovely footwork and timing, and this is a splendid Viennese with loads of charm and plenty of style and spin. Unexpectedly, one of my favourite dances of the night. Lovely.
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How on earth do you follow that? Apparently with Joe and Katya performing the Viennese Waltz to ‘Somewhere My Love’ from Doctor Zhivago. In a night of character-driven performances and big showbiz numbers, I fear this one is going to get a bit lost. Or maybe it’s the moment of wafty spinning the nation needs.
Scores: 4,5,5,6 - a total of 20 for Susan and Kevin. Loving Susan’s wife wearing a Wonder Woman crown in the audience.
Bruno loved it – Susan was a woman in charge. Craig has never seen anything quite like it – a lot of fun, but it lacked bounce. Darcey loved the Beyonce pumps, and it was 100% performance. Shirley loved the amount of content and it had great commitment.
Susan looks incredible as Wonder Woman, and is throwing herself into this with absolute gusto. It’s a slightly manic Samba (understatement klaxon), but all the elements are there with plenty of sass and shimmy. I’ve never been so happy, that was amazing.
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Next up it’s Susan and Kevin! This week they’re dancing the Samba to the Wonder Woman theme tune. Whilst my mind is boggling at the prospect of Wonder Woman Samba rolls, I’m hopeful that the next three minutes are going to be the stuff of Strictly legend.
Scores: 6,6,7,7 - a total of 26 for Oti and Jonnie. The judges are being very restrained with the scoring, is it because they know what’s coming?
Shirley was impressed with the routine, but Jonnie needs to work on his hip line. Nice butt, says Bruno, but Jonnie needs to keep it under. Craig didn’t like the body shaping, but a brilliant job. Darcey agrees – the shaping needed work but it was a full routine.
Jonnie is looking suitably rugged and beardy as Indiana Jones (whip and hat, double drink), whilst Oti is wearing an outfit that would, by anyone’s standards, be considered highly impractical for any kind of exploring. Goodness me Jonnie’s trousers are tight. It’s a commanding effort with plenty of drive, but his frame is all over the shop and his timing isn’t great. A hugely complex routine, however, so good work.
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It’s time for Jonnie and Oti! This week’s dance is the Paso Doble to ‘The Raiders March’ from Indiana Jones, presumably because the nation doesn’t quite fancy Jonnie enough yet. Their Jive last week has shown what a serious contender Jonnie is – they’re my fave couple this year, and my current tip for the win.
Score: 4,5,4,4 - a total of 17 for Charlotte and Brendan. Awks.
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Darcey liked the commitment and focus in hold, but the transitions needed smoothing out. Shirley though it was a bit better than last week, and it had too much rise and fall. Brendan isn’t happy, and calls Shirley “my dear”. She’s giving him daggers, and Bruno tells him to be more respectful. Craig smooths things over by saying it was much better than last week and it’s going in the right direction. Crikey, the temperature has dropped in there.
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Charlotte is looking deeply uncomfortable on Brendan’s motorbike, but once she’s off this is definitely a Tango of sorts. Charlotte footwork is much better in ballroom than Latin, but there’s zero passion or thrust, and it all just feels a bit awkward. My nether regions have pretty much frozen over.
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Next up it’s Charlotte and Brendan! Tonight they’re dancing the Tango to ‘Danger Zone’ from Top Gun.
Let’s consider the likelihood of this Tango being remotely dangerous. I’m not even going to bother putting out a wet floor sign, to be honest.
WE ARE HALF WAY THERE, PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME
Scores: 7,8,8,8 - a total of 31 for Gemma and Aljaz.
Craig thought it lacked basic swivel, but it was full of character and energy, and he thought it was brilliant. Darcey loved the timing and all the details, but the character needed to stay from beginning to end. Shirley loved the choreography and was surprised by Gemma’s energy – she loved it. Bruno wants to take both Aljaz and Gemma home. You’ll have to fight Gorka for one, and me for the other.
So Aljaz is adorable as Baloo the bear, and Gemma is Bagheera, if Bagheera hung out in Anne Summers. This is fabulous fun, with some nice footwork from Gemma and bags of personality. My favourite Charleston of the series so far, absolutely LOVED that.
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It’s time for Gemma and Aljaz! This week they’re dancing the Charleston to ‘The Bare Necessities’ from The Jungle Book. I love a Charleston, and have high hopes that this one is going to be bags of fun.
TABLOID GOSSIP INTERLUDE: apparently Gemma and Gorka are an item, based on very spurious evidence and the hearsay of various “friends”. If this is true, all I can say is “very well done Gemma you’ve totally scored”.
Scores: 5,5,6,6 - a total of 22 for Brian and Amy. Both are screaming and need to stop.
Bruno loved the characterisation, but the dancing lacked vitality. Craig wanted to see more ballroom in that routine, but an improvement from last week. Darcey loved the musicality and timing, but it felt very safe. Shirley liked the footwork, a great effort.
So Brian is a scarecrow, and Amy is Dorothy. The footwork isn’t hugely challenging, and Brian is able to cover his lack of frame by stumbling around as a scarecrow. This is oddly charming, and Brian’s best dance by far. Actually kind of enjoyed that.
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Next up its Brian and Amy! This week they’re dancing the American Smooth to ‘If I Only Had A Brain’ from The Wizard of Oz. Look, at least there won’t be disco.
Somehow Brian survived the dance off last week, and needs to seriously up his game if he isn’t going to end up there again. Just saying.
Scores: 6,8,7,8 - a total of 29 for Debbie and Giovanni.
Shirley wanted them to get on with it quicker, and her frame needed to be more still, but otherwise an amazing performance. Bruno loved the details, but Craig points out that there was more than ten seconds out of the hold, which is not allowed. Darcey loved the quality, and Debbie is surprising us every week.
Debbie looks glorious in gold, and gives this Quickstep both barrels. Great frame and timing, and some nice bits out of hold too. It loses steam towards the end, but a brilliant effort from Debbie in a really fast and complicated routine.
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It’s time for Debbie and Giovanni! Tonight they’re dancing the Quickstep to ‘Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off’ from Shall We Dance? I have my fingers crossed for a proper old school Hollywood Fred & Ginger dance extravaganza. In the absence of Debovanni showmance news, I’ll take this.
Scores: 2 (drink), 4,4,4 – a total of 14 for Richard and Dianne.
Darcey thought it was strangely powerful, but the shaping was a bit spiky. There was also a climax, apparently (not in my house). Shirley can’t fault Richard’s commitment, and it was a good try. Bruno thought it was out of this world – as far removed from Spain as the rings of Saturn. Craig thought Richard was stamping around like a 3-year-old having a tantrum, and the hand shaping was a bit peculiar. No.
Richard emerges from a rocket wearing a Theresa May wig. It wins an Aplodamy Award for stompy Paso, and a very intense Richard doesn’t even appear to be playing it for laughs. I have no idea what just happened, but it was really weird and I need a lie down.
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Next up it’s Richard and Dianne! (I’m sacking off the Rev from here on, right now he’s about as far away from being a man of the cloth as it’s possible to be). Tonight they’re dancing the Paso Doble to ‘Flash’s Theme’ from Flash Gordon, which I’m fully expecting to the campest thing we’ve seen since Ed Balls felt himself up on Halloween Week last year. FLASH! AHH-AHHHHH.
Scores: 7,7,8,8 - a total of 30 for Mollie and AJ.
Craig loved the lifts, but the landings could have been smoother. Darcey loved the control and Mollie has great potential. It made Shirley’s night, and Bruno is smiling – they are getting better and better.
Wait, this is a nun song. Why isn’t Mollie dressed as a nun? Maria was halfway up a mountain when the nuns were singing this, she wasn’t even in the abbey. Meanwhile AJ is dressed as one of the Von Trapp children, probably.
Well this is lovely - great control from Mollie, and some not-very-nunlike wavy legs. Felt like AJ did most of the work, but the best we’ve seen so far (not hard).
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It’s time for Mollie and AJ! This week they’re dancing the American Smooth to ‘Climb Every Mountain’ from The Sound of Music. My teeth are already aching from the impending sweetness.
Scores: 3 (drink),5,3,4 - a total of 15 for Ruth and Anton.
And there it is, thanks Tess. Drink!
Bruno thought Ruth’s hips needed defrosting, and it needed more heat. Craig though it was stilted and lacked hip action, and the acting was somewhat lacking. Darcey thought it had balance issues and it needed more eye contact. Shirley agrees – bent legs and lack of body action.
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So this is technically a Rumba, albeit one so wooden you could carve it into a woodpecker and call it a bookend. There’s an attempt at hip action, but Ruth looks really dead-eyed and nervous and not like this is sexy time. I’ve had more sauce in a Happy Meal.
I am neither shaken, nor stirred (bonus drink when Tess steals this reference).
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Is Eamonn Holmes on a fee for this show? He’s spent more time on my telly than Ruth has. We’ll pop him in the bingo next week.
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Next up (in the Slot of Death, BYE) it’s Ruth and Anton! This week they’re dancing the Rumba to ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ from the eponymous James Bond film. The words ‘Anton’ and ‘Rumba’ are usually a cue to take cover behind some cushions, so prepare yourself.
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Scores: 3 (drink), 5, 6,5 - a total o 19 for Simon and Karen. 3 was a bit mean, Craig.
Shirley’s Pat Butcher earrings are back (DRINK), and she thinks Simon has one of the best frames in the competition (EH?) – overall she was impressed. Bruno thought it ran out of rocket fuel at times, and it was too much wobble and not enough glide. Craig doesn’t agree with Shirley – Simon’s frame was loose and it lacked swing and sway, and he looked like he was jogging. Darcey (EARRINGS DRINK) agrees that his heels were a bit kicky, but she can see how hard Simon has worked.
I’m going to pretend the VTs aren’t happening. It’s the only way we’ll get through this.
In highly unlikely pairing, Simon is Buzz Lightyear (in a purple snood, could props not knock up a helmet?), and Karen is Jessie from Toy Story 2. Loving the cow print skirt.
It’s a bit skippy and not very controlled, but Simon’s timing is much better than last week, particularly in the section out of hold. Quite a lot of jogging from Simon, before some flying at the end. All good fun.
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Right, let’s get on with some dancing. First up it’s Simon and Karen! Tonight they’re dancing the Quickstep to ‘You’ve Got A Friend In Me’ from Toy Story. So many Woody jokes, so little time.
Last week Simon’s ponderous Waltz was saved from the dance-off by some tears from Shirley. It was that kind of show, to be fair.
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Out come the stars! So many bad wigs. And many hats, so get drinking. Jonnie is getting another week out of last week’s, because recycling.
Aljaz in a bear suit though. Glorious (also DRINK).
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TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH: Tess in a cracked Christmas bauble, Tess in black frills. Three shoulders between then.
Out come the judges! Shirley has succumbed to the course of the random shoulder strap. Can we not?
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God, how long does this go on for? Titanic lasted less time than this.
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It’s a Feem Week, so there’s a bonus pro dance to kick us off. Gorka is wearing mustard trousers, and I have never fancied him more. I could do without the Blair Witch camerawork, however – making me feel a bit queasy.
Already the VTs are killing me, and we’re only one minute in.
And we’re off! Last week on Strictly: standard Week 2 shambles, with a couple of notable exceptions. Dragged on for several years, and ended in Chizzy’s somewhat controversial early exit.
This week it’s MOVIE WEEK, because god knows what Strictly really needs in week three is additional prop complications and the requirement to act and dance at the same time.
Inbox, Hangry, Selfie, Onesie, Photobomb. I am SO down with the Pointless kids.
This week’s Strictly Come Bingo (Movie Week prop special) – a slug of your favourite tipple whenever you spot one of the following:
- Hats or umbrellas
- Animal costumes
- Oversized food items
- Bedroom furniture
- Swords, whips and general weaponry
Don’t forget that this year’s bingo is a rollover, so all bingo items from previous episodes are still included. If you can’t remember them, look them up. I’m not your mum.
Evening all, and welcome to this week’s Strictly Come Dancing Liveblog! It’s Movie Week, which means two hours of ridiculous costumes, terrible VTs, bonkers choreography and a Generation Game-style conveyor belt featuring every single item in the BBC Strictly prop store. But where else would we be getting our movie fix if not here? Blade Runner 2049 is nearly three hours long and there’s very little dancing.
I’ll be busy keeping an eye on all the footwork and fancy frocks up here from 6.35pm, whilst you are cordially invited to add your amusement, delight, despair, horror and bellows of outrage in the comment box below. In the meantime why not pop on some ruby slippers, or fashion an outfit from the drawing room curtains? See you in a bit!
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