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Key events
It’s this week’s Golden Glitterballs!
They’re the most coveted awards in, well, this liveblog. And also my mum’s house. Here are this week’s proud gong-getters…
Best dance: A dead heat for me between Alex Kingston’s samba and Balvinder Sopal’s Charleston. Midlife women for the win.
Worst dance: Thomas Skinner’s salsa was one long tinfoil-trousered cringe.
Best music choice: Sunshine On Leith by The Proclaimers. Never not moving.
Worst music choice: Bonkers was, you guessed it, bonkers.
Best outfit: Karen Carney, Amber Davies and Balvinder Sopal’s frocks were all winners. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s trouser-bulge was also a talking point. Ahem.
Worst outfit: Thomas Crapper the Christmas turkey.
Best VT: Ellie Goldstein in the butterfly house, followed by Ross’ trip to Scotland and Amber’s to Wales.
Worst VT: The cute kids and the gratuitous nans.
Best judges’ comment: “Alright, shut your facer, the rickets were free,” said Anton after a groan-inducing gag. Honourable mention for Craig’s demented Charleston demo.
Best Claudia quip: To Lewis, whose sibling was in the studio oaiudennce: “Which brother? There are 72 of them.”
Behold the combined leaderboard
When tonight’s scores are added to last week’s, Amber Davies tops the joint leaderboard, with Lewis Cope in second spot. Triumph of the super-subs with dance experience.
Ross King is way down at the bottom with Thomas Skinner just above. However, the viewer vote will play its part in who will dance-off for survival tomorrow night. Chris Robshaw could also be in for a nervous wait.
Credits roll
“Keeeeeep dancing,” chorus Tess and Claud, clasped in their usual pose. “Gather!” adds Claudia, making the judges join in. As the dancefloor dust settles, please stay with us for analysis, reaction and a round-up of your comments.
Casting vote goes to…
Motsi! La Mabuse gets the honour in the first results show. Plot twist! Which probably won’t make any difference!
Aaaand relax as tonight’s 15 routines get recapped on-screen. Who are you tipping for the dreaded you-know-what?
The voite is… open!
For the first time this series. Fancy-dressed mayhem in the studio. Ginger Neil grinding on a non-plussed Winkle.
Judges’ scores: 7, 8, 8, 7 for a total of 30 points. A 13-point improvement, highest rise of the night.
Judges’ comments: Craig says “Who knew, darling? Pick your feet up and more energy in the arms but fantastic lifts and swivel was gaw-jus”. Motsi says “fantastic”. Shirley says “I’m shocked, outstanding, spot-on”. Anton concludes “what a difference”. Eight on the way?
Balvinder and Julian’s Charleston
EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal and new Australian pro Julian Caillon looked good last week during their disco-style samba and were another couple who seemed harshly marked. Now they perform the first Charleston of series. Vintage car, flapper outfits, kooky energy, infectious excitement and bouncing on the balls of her feet. Natural swivel action which should satisfy Craig. Lifts, spins and tricks. Balvinder’s pigeon toes were criticised last week but are working in her favour here. A kittle lumpy in parts but bags of fun, stacks of style and a crowd-pleasing climax.
Song: Been Like This by Meghan Trainor and T-Pain. Last year’s jazz-tinged doo-wop duet was built to soundtrack a Charleston. “Ooh-wee, she got that booty…”
Judges’ scores: 7, 7, 8, 8 for a total of 30 points. Second highest score of the series, six up on last week.
Judges’ comments: Shirley says “outstanding, controlled and full of intent, strong narrative and breathing, continuous movement, no wobbles, a potential frontrunner”. Anton says “great timing, tell the story through the face but you kept the spell tonight”. Craig says “accentuate the lines and hyperextend, it had power, passion and Lewis better watch his back, darling”. Motsi concludes “more fluidity, join the steps and flow between movements but youre very special and could go far”. Sevens and eights?
George and Alexis’ paso doble
Only the second paso of the series and something tells me it will be an improvement on Thomas Skinner’s stomp-athon last week. Content creator George Clarke and new American pro Alexis Warr finished in the top five last week and duly rose up the glitterball betting. Now he’s switching into strong, serious mode. Bondage gear for a jam-packed, powerful paso. Knee walks and aggressive stamps. Smouldering attitude but enough curved line? Full of intensity and creatively choreographed. Olé, El George!
Song: Game of Survival by Ruelle. The sort of melodramatic electro pop that you’d hear on The Traitors.
Judges’ scores: 4, 4, 4, 5 for a total of 17 points. Five fewer than last week. Stefan almost falls up the stairs in sheer relief that it’s over.
Judges’ comments: Motsi says “brilliant partnership and sunshine energy but lots of mistakes”. Shirley says “good groove and timing but nerves got the better of you”. Anton says “good performance but too many mistakes”. Craig concludes “stiff and stompy but full of proper content”. Stefan admits he was “absolutely petrified”. Fours, do we reckon?
Stefan and Dianne’s cha cha cha
Stefan “Paul Robinson off of Neighbours” Dennis delivered a very decent foxtrot last week and now showcases off his fun side. A 1980s theme, complete with Top Of The Pops graphics and mullet wig worthy of early Ramsay Street. Colourful choreography by Aussie pro Dianne Buswell. Cheeky feel, fast and flirty with loose hips. Knee-slide, floor work and tricks up his neon sleeve. A distinct lack of Cuban feel and too much walking around but decent timing.
Song: Give It Up by KC & The Sunshine Band. The second week running that they’ve appeared on the Strictly playlist. Is Dave Arch on commission? This comeback hit topped the UK charts for three weeks in summer 1983.
Judges’ scores: 3, 4, 4, 5 for a total of 16 points. Two up on last week. Third from bottom overall.
