After last week’s race debate, and Will Young’s shock exit, did the Strictly dancers still have their sparkle? We followed every move
8.23pm BST
So that’s it for tonight’s dancing! Quite a heavy bingo score this evening, is everyone still standing? But what a great show.
I’ll be back here tomorrow night at 7.15pm for the Results Show, so join me then and we’ll see which couple of going home this week. In the meantime you can find me on Twitter @heidistephens, so feel free to swing by and give me a wave. Thanks for joining in, and I’ll see you tomorrow! Hx
8.22pm BST
Who do we reckon is going to be in the bottom two? It could be a Rumba-off between Anastacia and Brendan and Daisy and Aljaz, you know. Or possibly Naga and Pasha versus Laura and Giovanni?
The Stephens votes this week have gone to Ore and Joanne, Claudia and AJ and Louise and Kevin.
8.19pm BST
So Ore and Joanne are at the top of the leaderboard, and Ed and Katya are at the bottom. Time for an interminable recap!
8.18pm BST
Scores: 9,10,10,10 – an incredible 39 for Ore and Joanne. DRINK DRINK DRINK.
8.17pm BST
Darcey loved Ore’s stamina and the sharpness of his kicks – incredible attack and he’s set the bar. Len thought it was a show-stopping, jaw-dropping, eye-popping jive. Move over Jay, says Len (I CONCUR). Bruno thought it was a runaway hit of a Jive. You are the one to beat, says Craig – Danny has big competition. ORE IS CRYING. GIVE ME TENS. I WANT TENS.
8.14pm BST
Love Joanne’s 60s outfit, and Ore’s footwork is superb – great pace and timing and plenty of attitude. He also keeps the energy right to the energy up right to the end – FAB. U. LUSS.
I’d put that on a par with Jay and Aliona’s jive last year, but maybe that’s just me. Really want to watch that again.
8.10pm BST
And FINALLY, it’s Ore and Joanne! Tonight they’re dancing the Jive to ‘Runaway Baby’ by Bruno Mars. I loved their Gene Kelly American Smooth last week, had bags of joy and charm. If he can sustain that performance level, he could easily make the final this year, which would make me very happy. Kick and flick like you mean it, Ore.
8.09pm BST
Scores: 7,8,8,8 – a total of 31 for Lesley and Anton. Well-deserved.
8.08pm BST
Craig thought it was shockingly good – it was strong and vibrant even though it ran out of steam at the end. Darcey thought it was cheeky and fun, with amazing dance content. Len thought it was Lesley’s best dance, and Bruno thought he looked like a 20-year-old – great characterisation and her timing was right on it.
8.06pm BST
Lesley looks like a Christmas tree, but this Charleston has bags of charm. Lesley’s swivel is really very good, and she manages to keep the energy up from start to (almost) finish. Lots of fun, great character, brilliant. LOVED THAT.
8.03pm BST
Only two left! It’s time for Lesley and Anton! Tonight they will be dancing the Charleston to ‘Won’t You Charleston With Me’ from The Boy Friend. This is going to require every ounce of Lesley’s energy, plus several ounces borrowed from everyone else in the room. G’wan Leslie, give it both barrels.
“Lesley will be fine, I’m worried about Anton”. Sage words from the daughter there.
8.01pm BST
Scores: 6,7,7,7 – a total of 27 for Judge Rinder and Oksana.
8.01pm BST
Bruno thought it was unusually restrained with some good Viennese content, although too much arm swinging. Craig thought Rinder’s facial expressions were much better in the first half, and there is a delicious dancer hidden under all the madness. Darcey loved the sections in hold, but she doesn’t want Rinder to over-exaggerate. Len liked the rotation, and he thinks Rinder should keep doing what he’s doing.
I concur, he’s perfect just the way he is.
7.58pm BST
So Rinder is in Lederhosen, and Oksana is giving it full Heidi pigtails and stroking a massive cow. It’s entirely cutesy and ridiculous, but the actual Waltz is actually not bad at all, until Rinder stumbles a bit. Very little rise and fall, but fun and I love him.
7.55pm BST
Judge Rinder and Oksana! Tonight they’re dancing the Viennese Waltz to Lulu’s Eurovision classic from 1969, ‘Boom Bang a Bang’. I suspect this is going to be very much in the vein of Kelly and Kevin’s Viennese to ‘Oom Pah Pah’ last year, which I seem to remember involved Kelly swigging beer and giving it the full Nancy.
I love it when Strictly and Eurovision come together. I live in hope that one day Bake Off Nadiya will dance the Samba to Loreen’s ‘Euphoria’. I suspect I might die of happiness.
7.53pm BST
Scores: 7,8,8,8 – a total of 31 for Daisy and Aljaz.
7.53pm BST
Len loved some of the Rumba detailing, and she did a terrific job of a difficult dance. Bruno is panting to the point of turning (oh Bruno) – Daisy’s intent was superb and she only lost the flow on one occasion. Craig thought Daisy’s free arm was a bit wafty, and the dance lacked chemistry. I agree with Craig, but Darcey doesn’t – it had great balance and was hugely difficult.
7.49pm BST
Daisy’s dress is basically a massive tubi-grip, she might as well not bother. Great hip action and shaping, but entirely dead-eyed and sexless. Someone pass the wine.
7.47pm BST
It’s time for Daisy and Aljaz! This week they’re dancing the Rumba to ‘Careless Whisper’ by George Michael. Technically this should be opposite of last week’s wholesome Mary Poppins Quickstep, but let’s see how gritty Daisy is prepared to get, Rumba-wise.
If you want some advice, Daisy, I’d suggest not feeling too unsure as Aljaz takes your hand and leads you to the dance floor. You’re welcome.
7.45pm BST
Only four couples left! Hold tight, we’re nearly there.
7.44pm BST
Scores: 9,9,9,9 – a total of 36 for Danny and Oti. They’re holding off on the tens.
7.43pm BST
Darcey thought it was pure class, and Danny sailed through it – one of the best classic Quicksteps Darcey has seen. Len though it had great sway and it took too long to get started, but it was worth the wait. Bruno thought it was old school but exciting, and Danny performed it with zest and pizzazz. Craig thought Danny was on fire, and gives him a round of applause. Tens, anyone?
7.41pm BST
Danny is a conductor, and Oti is a Hollywood screen goddess. It starts off as a Charleston and takes forever to get into hold, but once it does it’s a stunning Quickstep with bags of pace and style. Outstanding.
7.37pm BST
Next up it’s Danny and Oti! This week they’re dancing the Quickstep to ‘I Won’t Dance’ by Fred Astaire, and I predict it will be excellent. This the couple I’m struggling most with this year – Oti is my favourite pro dancer of the current batch, I adore her and she’s entirely fabulous. But Danny leaves me colder than a penguin’s chuff. Just me?
7.36pm BST
Scores: 8,8,8,9 – a total of 33 for Louise and Kevin.
7.35pm BST
Craig really enjoyed it – great rhythm and musicality and entirely GAWJUS. Darcey loved the narrative and Louise’s extension, she wants Kevin to push Louise further (subtext: you’ve got dance experience, try harder). Len loved the footwork, but Louise got a bit far off on Kevin’s right side (I have no idea what this means). Bruno thought it was a delicious soap opera set to music, with grace and ease.
7.33pm BST
Louise’s red dress is entirely fabulous, and I love the storytelling in this dance. It’s a gorgeous Foxtrot, great footwork from Louise and her top line is spot on. Great fun from start to finish, my favourite dance of the night so far.
7.30pm BST
Who’s next? It’s Louise and Kevin! Tonight they’re dancing the Foxtrot to ‘Tears Dry On Their Own’ by Amy Winehouse. Was great to see Louise letting her (poodle) hair down in their Flashdance Cha Cha last week, hopefully that will have given her a confidence boost.
Training footage! DRINK.
7.28pm BST
Scores: 5,6,7,6 – a total of 24 for Naga and Pasha.
7.28pm BST
Bruno thought it was fun, but a bit slippery in places. Craig thought the timing was off and it wasn’t clean enough – Naga put her body into it but it didn’t make it to her feet. Darcey thought it was quirky and fun, but Naga lost her timing after the lift. Len loved the confidence and Naga totally sold it – well done.
7.26pm BST
So Naga is a mermaid, and Pasha is a deep sea diver. It’s entirely bonkers and packed with slapstick, but some nice swivel from Naga and she’s definitely give it her all. Her footwork and timing goes a bit awry towards the end, but great fun. Enjoyed very much.
7.23pm BST
It’s time for Naga and Pasha! This week they’re dancing the Charleston to ‘Minnie the Mermaid’ by Firehouse Five Plus Two. Last week’s Mission Impossible Tango was a bit of a shambles, and Naga is very much in the bottom half of the field right now, dance-wise. She definitely has the legs for a Charleston, however, so hopefully this will be swivel-tastic.
7.22pm BST
2,5,5,4 –a paltry 16 for Ed and Katya. We clearly all need to vote, we need him for Halloween.
7.20pm BST
Len was holding out for a Paso, but Ed is definitely a trier. Bruno thought the shaping was a tragedy, and Ed got tangled in the cape. Oddly, Bruno still liked it. Craig thought Ed was mincing about, he made Frank Spencer look butch. Darcey thought there was plenty of performance and gusto, and Ed was going for it, but the armography was upsetting.
7.17pm BST
So Ed is a knight and Katya is a damsel in distress, because it’s 2016 and clearly we haven’t moved on yet. Ed tosses off his helmet (I’m sorry) and leaps about a bit, then mostly it’s the campest Paso I’ve ever seen. There is some fairly decent dance content in there, but mostly it disappears in Ed prancing around like a Lidl Chippendale.
I’m not going to lie, I Ioved everything about that.
7.14pm BST
Next up it’s Ed and Katya! Tonight they’re dancing the Paso Doble to ‘Holding Out For a Hero’ by Bonnie Tyler. You can hold out all you like, Katya, but I suspect Ed may not be the heroic type.
I loved their ridiculous Charleston last week, despite Ed getting way too far into character, to the point of being really annoying. We know he can gurn and yell “SMOKIN’”, but can he deliver a commanding Paso?
7.11pm BST
Scores: 6,8,8,8 – a total of 30 for Claudia and AJ. Go home, Craig.
7.11pm BST
Darcey loved the story they told of young love, and she loved Claudia’s top line. Len thought their modern take was a bit American Smooth in places (DRINK), but it had a nice heel lead and was first rate. Bruno loved the enthusiasm, and the footwork was fabulous. Craig thought there was a bit of gapping and it lacked grace and elegance, and the out of hold sections mis-represented the Foxtrot – not his cup of tea at all.
7.08pm BST
See this is why I love Strictly. They’ve taken a traditional Foxtrot and given it a modern twist with a bit of a banging tune, and it’s fun and fabulous – exactly right for these two. No idea if that’s actually a Foxtrot, but LOVED that.
7.06pm BST
Next up it’s Claudia and AJ! This week they’re dancing the Foxtrot to ‘I Really Like You’ by Carly Rae Jepsen. These two are rapidly shaping up to be one of the favourites to lift the Glitterball – their Charleston last week was amazing. But can they deliver the technicalities of a Foxtrot? Look at me pretending to know what I’m talking about (I know nothing).
7.04pm BST
God, we’ve got another hour and twenty minutes to go. I need fluids.
Scores: 6,7,7,7 – a total of 27 for Anastacia and Brendan.
7.02pm BST
Craig thought it was exquisite in parts, but a bit shonky in others. Darcey loved Anastacia’s arms and shaping, but she wanted more undulation in her body. Len didn’t mind it – there was a lot of lines and wiggling, and he would have liked a tad more Rumba content (DRINK). Bruno thought it was glamorous and subtle, but it lacked flow in the transitions and he wanted more sex appeal.
6.59pm BST
Anastacia looks incredible, and Brendan’s not so bad either. It’s a rather beautiful and romantic Rumba, with some lovely lines from Anastacia, although her legs go a bit weird and it all fizzles out at the end. Definitely drink.
6.57pm BST
It’s time for Anastacia and Brendan! Apparently Brendan had to go to hospital earlier with a lung infection.
This week they’re dancing the Rumba to ‘The Way We Were’ by Barbra Streisand. Of course the Rumba is the Dance of Love (or sometimes Filth, depending on who is doing it), but right now I can’t imagine anything less arousing than Brendan’s congested lungs. The dance of phlegm, perhaps?
6.55pm BST
Scores: 8,8,8,9 - a total of 33 for Laura and Giovanni.
6.54pm BST
Bruno loved how fast and complicated it was, and Craig loved the Charleston section, although it felt like they were fighting each other in hold. Darcey thought it was “busy down below”, but Laura’s right shoulder was rolling in during the travelling sections. Len thought Laura’s head was over-exaggerated, but it had plenty of action. If Laura is in the bottom two tonight (tomorrow, surely?), he’ll pickle his walnuts.
6.51pm BST
Laura appears to dressed as Ballroom Barbie. This is a super-fast Quickstep and Laura’s top line isn’t really keeping up. Footwork is nice though, with bags of energy and attack. Nice.
6.49pm BST
Training footage of a sort, but mostly featuring a random dog. DRINK.
6.48pm BST
Next up it’s Laura and Giovanni! This week they’re dancing the Quickstep to ‘Ballroom Blitz’ by The Sweet. These two ending up in last week’s dance-off was a bit of a shocker; I rather enjoyed their bonkers feathery Salsa. They can’t go home yet, there are so many showmance tabloid inches yet to be written, and they’re starting to grow on me.
6.47pm BST
This week’s Terms & Conditions are sung by a Barbers Shop Quartet. I love Claudia, she’s amazing.
6.46pm BST
Scores: 7,7,7,7 - a total of 28 for Greg and Natalie.
6.45pm BST
Scores: Len thought it was mostly tasty, but a bit sticky in the footwork and Greg’s toes turn in. Bruno couldn’t take his eyes of Greg’s bum – he had bags of energy but he lost control and timing. Craig wanted more rotation in the hip action but Greg’s shimmy was good and he loved the enthusiasm and energy. Darcey thought the lifts were perfect and Greg was totally in control. Hmm, would we say that?
6.41pm BST
Greg’s shirt is horrible, but also oddly attractive. Natalie looks like candyfloss. It’s a bit stompy from Greg and he’s still pigeon-toed, but there are some impressive lifts and dress-ruffling. Bit shambolic, but fun.
6.39pm BST
Definitely some training footage, albeit featuring Olly Murs. Drink everything you can find.
6.39pm BST
Right, let’s kick off some dancing. First up it’s Greg and Natalie! This week they’re dancing the Salsa to ‘Wrapped Up’ by Olly Murs, which I thought was a Christmas song, but whatever. Greg really needs to get his hip action in gear this evening, because he’s definitely one of the weaker dancers in this year’s competition (albeit making good progress) and going first won’t help his cause. Just saying.
6.37pm BST
Darcey’s gone for the one shoulder option this week, don’t ANY of these women need a proper bra?
Christ, what on earth is Oksana wearing? Is Rinder in LEDERHOSEN?
6.35pm BST
Tess and Claudia Dress Watch – Tess as an oven-ready salmon, Claudia in funereal black lace. 4/10.
6.33pm BST
And we’re off! Last week was Movie Week, and Tameka went home (boo, she was ace). Ooh, training footage in the opening VT! DRINK, it may be our only chance.
6.19pm BST
It’s time for tonight’s Strictly Come Bingo – a swig of your favourite tipple (I’m getting stuck into Fentiman’s Bloom Gin and Rose Lemonade this evening) for any occurrence of the following:
6.17pm BST
For anyone wondering what will happen now Will and Karen have gone, my understanding is that the show will carry on as normal and there will just be three couples in the final instead of the usual four. Anyone heard otherwise?
5.25pm BST
Evening all, and welcome to this week’s Strictly liveblog! We’re theme-free tonight, unless “Will has left and we’re all a bit discombobulated” counts as a theme. Like everyone else I’m really sad to see Will leave (right now) – he was a great dancer and seemed like a lovely chap. Since his reasons are clearly personal I’m not going to speculate, other than to say that I hope he’s OK, and that his brief Strictly journey was a happy one. I miss his BollySalsa loon pants already.
The good news, however, is that tonight’s show is a whole ten minutes shorter than last week, so make sure you use it wisely. As usual I’ll be following the action one wobbly step at a time up here, while you are positively encouraged to spread a little joy and sparkle in the comment box below. It all kicks off at 6.30pm, so I’ll see you then!
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