Next stop, Blackpool Tower
Thanks for watching along with me, glitterball gang. Sad to see Krishnan go but otherwise, a lovely Remembrance Sunday results show.
Our magnificent seven surviving couples now progress to the ninth live show. I don’t know if anyone mentioned this but it will broadcast from the hallowed Tower Ballroom.
The salty seaside special airs next Saturday at 6.40pm on BBC1. Meet you back here to take in the bracing air and prancing steps. In the meantime, you know the drill: keeeeep dancing! Sweet dreams and see you in Blackpool. Just to reiterate, that’s Blackpool.
Tonight’s TV tips
Viewers can now flip to Channel 4 for the quarter-final of Handmade: Britain’s Best Woodworker or to BBC2 for Antiques Roadshow from the grounds of Belmont House in Kent - complete with a cameo from Michael McIntyre in disguise. If that doesn’t tempt you, what will?
At 9pm, there’s a pair of drama finales with Time on BBC1 and Six Four on ITV1 - or a Strictly champion’s travelogue over on Channel 4, Bill Bailey’s Aussie Adventure. Wonder if he’ll have Rapper’s Delight as the theme tune? Altogether now: “The bang-bang boogie, say up jump the boogie, to the rhythm of the boogie, the beat…”
Film-wise: Romeo + Juliet is just starting on on BBC3. At 9pm, there’s 80s teen classic The Breakfast Club on Comedy Central. Does Barry Manilow know you raid his wardrobe? And at 11pm, don’t tell Deep Throat but classic conspiracy thriller All the President’s Men is on BBC2.
Finally, geordiehinny22 says: “What a gent. Credit to Lauren, excellent teacher.”
G1adys adds: “Since Krishnan’s doesn’t have a seat on the Blackpool bus, maybe Jay should go along to do the Ts&Cs?”
I second this idea, G1adys. Claud would explode with joy.
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Somersetlass says: “Well, he certainly pulled out all the stops. Krishnan really looked as if he was loving that. Sadly, it won’t be enough to save him, even with all the mistakes from Angela R.”
Lidoswimmer says: “This series has pretty much seen the weakest dancer going home in the right order, and much as adore Krishnan, he is in that spot this week. It’s been a real pleasure to watch his transformation and how much he’s taken from the experience.”
WeeSaInItaly adds: “So Shirley would have saved Krishnan. This is the first time she has differed from the other 3. Is it just a gesture?
Hopefully Angela R can retire gracefully after Blackpool.”
Phoebe says: “The dance-off choices so far this year have been very sensible and grown-up. No nasty surprises. Again, I think the two weakest couples are dancing again this week.”
emasl2023 says: “Well, whether you like it or not, Angela R is the better dancer. I was watching her feet very carefully this time around and her footwork is good”
neko99 adds: “Unless La Rippon falls over, gets pissed and slaps Craig around the face, she’s going through.”
Readers’ verdicts
A swift straw poll of your comments. On tonight’s musical performance, TollGate says: “Is that the worst version of Hallelujah ever? Set my teeth on edge. I’ve heard less painful attempts at a karaoke night.”
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Lauren dazzled on debut
Don your Oakleys because Lauren’s future looks bright. Birmingham-born Lauren Oakley joined the Strictly ensemble last year and this was her debut series with a celebrity partner. She’s certainly impressed at the first time of asking.
She studied broadcast journalism at university and has northern roots, so she had plenty in common with Krishnan Guru-Murthy. They formed an endearingly tight bond, with Shirey Ballas hailing their “heaven-sent partnership”.
They clearly had a hoot in training. He’d often bring his acoustic guitar into the rehearsal room, not only to strum along to the song they were dancing to each week but just to have singalongs in their breaks. A clip of their Billy Ocean duet went viral a few weeks ago. Their easy chemistry ensured their VTs together were some of the least cringey each Saturday.
Crucially, she taught Krishnan well, igniting his infectious love of dance, exploiting his showmanship and helping him exceed all expectations. If she can steer a 50something newsreader with a genetic heart condition past the midway mark, imagine what she could do with a more promising partner. Having also led tonight’s group dance, Lauren looks like a rising star of Strictly.
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We’ll miss Jay too
Krishnan’s 16-year-old son Jay became a recurring gag this series, thanks to mischief-maker-in-chief Claudia Winkleman. Back in Movie Week, she affectionately teased Jay as he looked sheepish in the studio audience in a “dad, you’re so embarrassing” way.
Cannily, this reluctant cult hero embraced his status and got in on the joke. There have been masks, signs and T-shirts. Last week, Winkleman referred to “Krishan - or Jay’s dad, as he’s known to me”. Last night, she was kept company in the Clauditorium by a cardboard cut-out of Jay. He might well be relieved that his weekly ordeal is now over but the running joke will be missed. Bye, Jay. Stay in touch.
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Krishnan was the epitome of Strictly
Lauren Oakley was spot-on when she said that Krishnan Guru-Murthy is what Strictly is all about. Nobody this series has embodied the spirit of the show more than the “physically decrepit” 53-year-old newsreader who found an unexpected love of dance.
Since Les Dennis departed in week two, novice hoofer Krishnan has been the oldest male in the contest. You wouldn’t know it. He’s had a truly transformational experience - losing two stone in weight, finding a “friend-for-life” in Lauren and rediscovering his sense of fun. He’s embraced guyliner, displayed genuine showmanship and realised the profound joy of self-expression.
Poignantly, his wife Lisa has said it’s the happiest she’s seen him in 30 years. The self-confessed workaholic has said that the world now seems brighter. Well, it’s hard to take yourself too seriously while shaking your stuff in sparkly yellow trousers.
His highlights were his Cabaret Charleston and razzle-dazzle Hollywood quickstep but Krishnan had flatlined the last two weeks. Technically, he was the worst dancer left in the contest with the lowest average score. Yet viewers took to his sheer enthusiasm, with the public vote lifting him clear of the dreaded dance-off until now. He bowed out sportingly, insisting it was the right time to go, although as a Liverpudlian, he would surely have relished the trip to Blackpool.
Over the past two months, the rug-cutting Channel 4 journalist has transformed the public’s perception of him and newsreaders generally - rather like Angela Rippon did in the 1970s when she emerged from behind a desk to high-kick with Morecambe and Wise.
Shirley Ballas said she’ll never watch Channel 4 News in the same way again. Us neither, Shirl. Bravo, Krish, it’s been a blast. Can;t wait to see those yellow trousers, pink onesies and guyliner behind the newsdesk.
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Sighs of relief for senior women
There were narrow escapes for both the remaining mature female celebrities. Annabel Croft finished second from bottom on the leaderboard but was lifted clear of the dance-off by viewer votes. She’s done well and won fans but I don’t expect her to last more than another fortnight.
Meanwhile, Angela Rippon survived her second consecutive dance-off. Many viewers think she was fortunate to do so. Her paso doble last night was arguably overpraised and overmarked. Craig Revel Horwood awarded it an eight, for example - the same score he gave Nigel Harman and Ellie Leach. Really, Craig?
Once again in the dance-off, Angela made mistakes but still got the panel’s nod. This time, Shirley Ballas broke rank to say she would’ve saved Krishnan.
Nobody will begrudge her the trip north but did sentiment override common sense? La Rippon returning to Blackpool Tower Ballroom, from where she hosted mothership show Come Dancing back in the 80s, is a neatly circular story. She can count herself slightly lucky to be there.
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Krishnan and Lauren’s last dance
As the departing duo take a final spin around the floor to Didn’t We Almost Have It All? by Whitney Houston, the credits roll and their castmates descend for consolation cuddles.
Please stay with us for analysis and reaction.
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Leave Saint Lauren
Krishnan’s pro partner Lauren Oakley returns the compliment: “I couldn’t have asked for a better first dance partner. It has been an absolute dream. This guy is what Strictly is about, from not having danced a step eight weeks ago and you just danced that samba! I had an absolute ball every single week. You taught me so much as well. I’m so grateful. It will be in my memory forever and we will keep dancing.” Again, nicely said.
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Newsreader signs off
In his exit interview, Krishnan Guru-Murthy tells Tess with a lump in the throat: “This has been the most incredible experience. I said it’s been life-changing and it genuinely has. I’m incredibly grateful to the entire production team, judges and my incredible Strictly family up there.
“It’s right I am going out this week and I have got to get back to life. The thing that has made Strictly really special is Lauren. She is the most incredible teacher, partner, friend. She is the real Strictly star and I’m so delighted that I’m the first partnership she’s had. She is going to go a long, long way and I am very proud of her.”
Wise words, sir, well said.
Head judge Shirley Ballas disagrees
Well, well, well. It’s the first split decision of the series as the Queen Of Latin says she should have saved Krishnan, explaining: “Well, I picked the person that I felt was more grounded on their feet without any technical errors.”
We hear you, Twirly Shirley.
Krishnan Guru-Murthy is eliminated
There we have it. Krishnan becomes this year’s eighth celebrity to depart the Strictly dancefloor.
Anton Du Beke choose to save…
Angela and Kai, saying “it was a super dance-off, if there is such a thing, but just for the cleaner technique and more recognisable fundamental steps”.
Motsi Mabuse chooses to save…
Angela and Kai, saying “I’ve never been so undecided, I’ve been going back and forth but in the end, I’ve decided on fundamentals and technical level”.
Craig Revel Horwood chooses to save…
Angela and Kai, saying “Krishnan, you really upped your game in that dance-off, it was magnificent. Angela, you nearly lost your supporting leg in the kick, darling, but you saved it miraculously”.
Verdict time
I think Krishnan improved and Angela made some more whoopsies. This could be closer than we assumed. But let’s hear from the panel whose decision counts.
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Angela takes her turn
Angela Rippon and her pro partner Kai Widdrington now reprise their punky paso doble to Hung Up by Madonna.
The judges loved her leg extension last night but said she clung claw-like to Kai’s shoulder and made a small slip. She scored 32 points, a seven-point lead over Krishnan. Barring any big mistakes, she’s surely in the box seat.
Time goes by… tick tock… so slowly.
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Kishanan goes first in dance-off
Krishnan Guru-Murthy and his dance partner Lauren Oakley have another go at their samba to Bamboléo by Gipsy Kings.
The judges said last night that it was flat-footed, lacking focus, connection and bounce, but he made up for it with sheer personality and those batucadas. They awarded it just 25 points - a whopping seven fewer than Angela Rippon.
Can Krishnan dramatically improve to close that gap?
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Annabel Croft is thrilled to be heading north with “her tail wagging”.
Nigel Harman will be Katya Jones’ first Blackpool partner for six years - since she won with Joe McFadden, fact fans.
Bobby dances a Wham! jive next week
More relieved couples are quizzed in the Clauditorium. Bobby Brazier is looking forward to the Tower Ballroom’s sprung floor, which he thinks is like a bouncy castle. Does he have to remove his shoes first?
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Krishnan Guru-Murthy must dance for survival
As predicted by bookies, the Channel 4 newsreader is consigned to the dance-off and will face Angela Rippon.
He was last night’s lowest scorer by a six-point margin and hasn’t been rescued by viewer votes.
Nigel Harman is safely through
So is Annabel Croft. Which means it’s Bobby Brazier or Krishnan Guru-Murthy in the dance-off.
Crunch time again
The dreaded crimson spotlight is back to do its dastardly thing.
Anton Du Beke takes a break from making random noises to be delighted by Angela Scanlon’s ballroom improvement, which propelled her from joint bottom into the top half of the leaderboard.
Shirley Ballas enjoyed Annabel Croft unleashing her hips for that Bacofoil-skirted samba.
Motsi Mabuse praises Ellie Leach for being a model dance student.
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Dance debrief
The paddle-raising panel shimmy onto Claud’s banquette for a breakdown of last night’s dances. Craig gets roundly ribbed for denying Layton a 10 last night.
Say a little prayer
Musical performance now from Andrea and Virginia Bocelli with their own rendition of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. The blind Italian tenor and his 11-year-old daughter sang together at the Royal Albert Hall last year for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance and now return to UK shores for this year’s event.
Cohen’s 1984 folk-rock ballad was famously covered by John Cale, Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright, k.d. lang and, of course, former Strictly finalist Alexandra Burke. OK dot com.
Giovanni Pernice and Dianne Buswell provide classy choreographic accompaniment.
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Angela Scanlon will dance an Argentine tango in Blackpool
And to Amy Winehouse’s Back To Black, no less. Up in the Clauditorium, Ellie Leach shares her Pleasure Beach waltzer-based nausea memories. Halcyon days. Scream if you wanna go faster. Vito Coppola talks adorably quickly about not much as per.
Layton Williams hopes to see his mum in the Tower Ballroom audience. Nikita Kuzmin has made it there for the first time. They will dance a Couple’s Choice, so there could be fireworks.
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Angela Rippon in another dance-off
This year’s oldest contestant is consigned to the dance-off for the second week running. La Rippon was joint third from bottom on last night’s scoreboard, so slipped down a notch after the public vote. But who will she face? Krishnan? Annabel? Even Bobby?
Ellie Leach is Blackpool-bound
So are Angela Scanlon and Layton Williams.
Dreaded red lightbulb of doom
Scarlet spotlight incoming. Time to find out who’s booked their bargain seat on the Blackpool Megabus and who might be left at home with a serious case of fish-and-chip FOMO.
Always nice to hear Anton pronouncing “sarr-mba”.
Last night’s live show recapped
A whizz through Saturday’s action on-screen now. Bobby Brazier’s stairs-and-suitcase-ography! Angela Rippon’s imperious paso! Annabel Croft and Krishnan Guru-Murthy’s disco sambas! Angela Scanlon and Nigel Harman’s return to form! Ellie Leach’s romantic rumba! Layton Williams’ show-stopping Argentine tango to Eurovision-winning Loreen!
Douze points! Where’s Mel Giedroyc’s gurning, Polish butter-churning milkmaid when we need her?
Frockwatch
Here’s our hostly duo, so a quick frockular comparison. Tess Daly is in a mesh black bodice. Claudia Winkleman is in a black shoulder-padded jacket. Both have prominient poppies. Claud wins.
Back home, she receives a telegram - but is it good or bad news? Kai and Lauren are former dance partners, of course, so have great chemistry.
These VTs were shot back in August, then cleverly interwoven with the studio segment. Beautifully done. Bravo.
Remembrance routine pays respects
We open with a Remembrance Sunday routine from the pros, honouring service people past and present. It’s a tribute to the naval side of our military, with the story mixed between three locations, intercut with studio segments, soundtracked by a stripped-down version of Heaven Is A Place On Earth by Belinda Carlisle
Homegrown pros Kai Widdrington and Lauren Oakley take the lead, playing a couple who meet in the park and fall in love before he goes off to war as a naval officer. Choreographed by the ever-excellent Matt Flint, it’s simple, lyrical and contemporary in style, full of emotion.
We’re off!
Cue clap-along credits. Seven of these couples have already bitten the sparkly dust. Who’ll become the eighth in, ooh, approximately 35 minutes?
Prepare for more mentions of Blackpool than a guided open-top bus tour of Lancashire’s premier seaside resort.
We’re about to go back to the Elstree Studios ballroom…
Nature series Planet Earth III drawing to a close on BBC1 right now. Did those Sri Lankan crocodiles leaping out of waterholes to devour deer remind you of Craig Revel Horwood pouncing on a “spatulistic” hand? Or Shirley Ballas on a turned-in toe?
Mere minutes until we go from Attenborough to Anton…
Layton was one point from perfection
Last night saw the joint highest score of the series so far - 39 points for Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin’s passionate Argentine tango. Fast, furious and full of intricate footwork, it was only a Craig Revel Horwood point away from a maximum 40.
I suspect the big tease is saving his 10 paddle for Blackpool. It matched Layton’s own salsa and Ellie Leach’s American smooth as this year’s highest scoring dances.
Ten minutes until that ba-ba-da theme tune rings out again…
Tonight’s musical guests are father-and-daughter operatic duo Andrea and Virginia Bocelli. Think Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus but less mullet-y. Or indeed achey-breaky.
Just 20 minutes now until sequin o’clock…
Remembrance routine opens show
As is Strictly tradition at this time of year, tonight’s results show opens with a stirring Remembrance-themed number from the professional dancers.
It’s an ambitious blend of studio performance and on-location segments. And it should be a tear-jerker. It’s 25 minutes until we’re back beneath the mirrorball…
Samba duo in dance-off danger
Coming into this weekend, bookmakers’ favourites for elimination were Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Annabel Croft, who both tackled Strictly’s dance of doom. They duly finished as the bottom two on the leaderboard - Krishnan by a distance, Annabel only just.
Will it be these two be dancing for survival? Can viewer votes come to their rescue? Or might we see a dance-off surprise? Half an hour until we find out…
Who will be denied a seat on the Blackpool bus?
The coach to the pleasure beach is about to depart but one couple are going to miss the trip. Good evening and welcome to the latest results show of Strictly Come Dancing 2023. I’m Michael, your Sunday night cyber-dance partner. Please watch along with me as somebody’s seaside plans get cruelly cancelled.
Following last night’s live show, our eight remaining pro-celebrity pairs will be whittled down to a magnificent seven. The judges’ scores have been combined with viewer votes and tonight, the bottom two will duke it out in the dreaded dance-off. So whose Tower Ballroom dreams might be in tatters?
Krishnan Guru-Murthy was cut adrift at the foot of the leaderboard after his samba failed to sizzle, with Annabel Croft second from bottom. Will voting viewers agree with the judges? If not, it could be an edgy evening for last week’s dance-off survivor Angela Rippon and even Bobby Brazier, who also finished in the lower half.
It’s showtime at 7.20pm on BBC One. I’ll be liveblogging from 6.50pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, analysis, reaction and single-serving sachets of sarcasm. So creep the thermostat up a notch, snuggle down and see you on the sofa.
As always, I’d love to hear from you too. You can tweet me @michaelhogan, email me at michael.hogan.freelance@guardian.co.uk and the comments section below is open for pre-Blackpool business. I’ll kick and flick my way down there whenever I can to take the temperature and report on your opinions.
The bright lights of Blackpool are beckoning. Nearly time to staaaaaart seaside eliminating!
Thank you and goodnight
That completes Saturday night’s liveblog but meet you right back here for the results show, which airs at 7.20pm Sunday on BBC1. I’ll reboot the blog at 6.50pm for build-up, so please rejoin me then.
In the meantime, I’m @michaelhogan on Twitter, so feel free to wander past and give me a wave.
Cheers for watching along with me, liveblog lovelies. See you tomorrow but in the meantime, it’s the usual motto: keeeeeep dancing! Take care.
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What a way to make a living
TV viewers can now flip to BBC2 for Dolly Parton night. Enjoy the country doyenne but I’m begging of you, please don’t take my man.
At 9pm on BBC1, there’s the Royal British Legion Festival Of Remembrance from the Albert Hall. At 9.55pm on BBC Two, Later With Jools Holland is a Windrush special, plus guests Róisín Murphy, Nitin Sawhney and Suggs.
Film-wise, my picks of the night are French thriller Black Box (9pm on BBC4), Tarantino’s chop-socky revenge romp Kill Bill Vol 1 (9pm on Dave) and underrated Jack Nicholson/Helen Hunt romcom As Good As It Gets (11.25pm on Great Movies).
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Finally, some love for leaderboard-topping Layton Williams.
kalioon says: “I was quite against the ‘ringer’. That may have changed my mind.”
Gardener_Maidhc says: “Layton and Nikita’s Argentine tango was very good. Love Nikita in a purple suit! Tattoo by Loreen! Wasn’t the filthy, smut fest of an Argentine Tango I was hoping for but still INCREDIBLE! Really enjoyed that!”
elfwyn adds: “Wow. Frankly, I don’t care how much previous dance experience Layton has had. When he dances like that it’s just fabulous, what I watch Strictly for.”
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AtAmber says: “Annabel and Johannes - magnificent. I was grinning all the way through and shuffling in my seat. Which is the height of my dancing ability, to be honest. Fabulous!”
acanthe says: “Craig seems to be getting a bit fixated on some particular points - spatula-like hands or gapping. He seems unable to look beyond those things & see the good.”
shazza2704 adds: “Oh gosh, Angela S looks really crushed by Craig’s comments. I like Craig but I felt that was too blunt and did not follow up with constructive criticism. She did not deserve that at all.”
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Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola continue to be firm faves.
girlpanic says: “That was just so wonderful to watch from Ellie & Vito. Despite Vito’s chest, I actually watched Ellie. She was fabulous. I feel some possible 10’s coming.” I thought so too but foiled, we were, girlpanic.
AncientNurse says: “Ellie underscored! Same mark from Craig as for Angela R?”
Alan99999 says of Vito’s styling: “Where were you during The Great Button Shortage Of 2023?”
MikeMoonlight adds: “As it’s the time for Remembrance, I feel that we should hold a minute’s silence for every button that has fallen from Vito’s shirts. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we shall remember them...”
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Nigel Harman and Katya Jones’ Couples’ Choice number went down a storm.
fihema says: “I couldn’t take my eyes off Nigel and Katya. Mesmerising. And he had more of a ‘role’ in the dance this week. So he not only made his partner shine, but twinkled himself. Is that a thing? :)“. Yes it is, fihema.
kalioon says: “That was phenomenal. Unfortunately for Nigel, I can’t help but watch Katya. My word, she’s so good.”
avenueman adds: “Whilst disapproving of Couples Choice generally, I must admit that Annabel last week and Nigel this have used theirs to great effect. CC only really works when the dancers get to tell a story I think.”
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Mixed reviews of Angela Rippon from commenters. MartGray says: “Wow, I did not know I needed Spanish cyberpunk Angela Rippon in my life!”
nettepet, however, says: “The Angela R adoration by the judges is getting bit silly now. Yes, she can throw her leg up in the air, has practiced that for years and years. But this dance was not worth the marking she got. Stiff, bad posture, huge mistake, not much dancing going on. I’ll stop now.”
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Readers’ verdicts
A swift vox pop of your comments. Lots of fondness but fears for Krishnan Guru-Murthy below the line.
girlpanic says: “That was a great from KGM. Given the talent remaining it may not be enough to keep him out of the dance off but it was fun and he exudes enthusiasm.”
MarkRoche says: “Krishnan just radiates joy, hopefully that will translate into votes as it wasn’t brilliant and it’s too early for him to depart the show.”
styletraveller adds: “Love this period in Strictly. Getting towards the business end. Maybe time for Krishnan to make way for better dancers this week?”
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Krishnan and Annabel in dance-off danger
So Layton Williams returns to the top of the leaderboard, swapping positions with Ellie Leach. Those two are currently dancing in a different zip code to the rest.
The judges’ scores will now be combined with the public vote and the bottom two will hoof for survival tomorrow evening. Krishnan Guru-Murthy will surely be dreading that red light of doom but who could he face?
Annabel Croft was second from bottom. It might also be an anxious wait for Bobby Brazier and the two Angelas.
Behold the Golden Glitterballs
They’re golden, glittery, spherical and totally imaginary. Here are this week’s gong recipients…
Best dance: Layton’s Argentine tango by a stretch. He and Ellie really are a class above the rest.
Worst dance: Krishnan Guru-Murthy, sadly. Annabel Croft and Angela Rippon’s were overmarked and not much better.
Best music choice: A cracking night musically. Best for a long time. Madonna, Loreen and Cyndi Lauper were particular hits.
Worst music choice: Not a duff note struck. Well played, Dave Arch and co.
Best outfit: Katya’s poppy-coloured, beautifully fitted 50s frock.
Worst outfit: Why was Nigel was in a polo shirt and not a suit? After that black T-shirt last week, they’re dressing him a as a bar tender, not a leading man.
Best judges’ comment: Anton had one of those irritating nights where he made noises instead of coherent critiques. Which is, you know, his actual job. But he partially redeemed himself with “I got cramp in my left buttock just looking at your leg lift” to Angela Rippon.
Worst VT: I enjoyed Jack Whitehall visiting Layton, unlike some of you lot. So the totally spontaneous supper at Jeff Brazier’s house takes the prize. Nice kitchen, mind you.
Best Claudia quip: When Bobby Brazier referred to “the person I share a bed with”, bless him, she snapped back: “Who wants to pull on that string?”
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Credits roll
Come on in, Claud. Our co-hosts tell us to “Keeeeeep dancing!” It’d be frankly frightening if they didn’t.
As everyone starts packing their wheely suitcases for Blackpool in hope, please stay with us for analysis, reaction and a round-up of your comments.
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Voting lines are... open!
Anton’s running a Du Beke Bus to Blackpool. Craig is the grim-faced conductor. Complete Clauditorium mayhem erupts.
Judges’ comments for Layton and Nikita: Tess is shook. Audience go wild. Motsi says “speechless for once, epic, iconic, special, the bomb, end of”. Shirley says “beyond perfection, breathtaking, lost in the Layton magic”. Anton says “you’d pay good money to see that performance, extraordinary”. Craig concludes “a-may-zing”. Are we about to get a pre-Blackpool perfect 40?
Judges’ scores: 9 (you tease), 10, 10, 10 for a total of 39 points. Not too shabby for Nikita’s first Argentine tango on Strictly. Top of the pops.
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Layton and Nikita’s Argentine tango
Last dance already. He’s got the contest’s highest average score of 34 points. Is there anywhere for him to go as the series enters its business end? Will there be more Lay-tens here? It’s the stripped-back story of a break-up. We’re on a darkening purple ink set. They’re wearing matchy-matchy purple tailored suits. Passion, drama, love and lust. Sharp silhouettes, small precise steps, push-and-pull storytelling. Emotional and intense. Cracking chemistry and connection. A couple of tiny whoopsies early on, I thought, but the leaps, lifts and legs have serious wow factor. Storytelling has oomph and wallop. Sudden ending. Brilliant.
Song: Tattoo by Loreen, the electro-pop ballad which provided the Swedish diva’s second Eurovision win just six months ago. Loreen became the only two-time winner after Ireland’s legendary Johnny Logan and the song was streamed 4.3m times the day after the contest - a record for both a Eurovision song and a Swedish artist.
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Judges’ comments for Angela S and Carlos: Craig says “grace, style, story but unforgivable gapping”. Motsi says “I disagree, your best dance yet”. Shirley says “beautiful feet, some of the best footwork I’ve seen in the waltz, so much to like, you’re on a great track”. Anton concludes “you’re still on an upward climb and are becoming an exquisite ballroom dancer”. Well, pick the bones out of that. Six from Craig and eights from the rest?
Judges’ scores: 7, 9, 8, 9 for a total of 33 points. She’s back, baby.
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Angela S and Carlos’ waltz
Penultimate dance now. Irish TV presenter Ms Scanlon has been in the danger zone lately but managed to evade the dance-off thus far. Can going back to ballroom propel her up the table? She’s wearing a traditional floaty, soft frock in cream with pearls and feathers. She needs soft knees, rise and fall, smooth glide and that classical flower-in-a-vase shape. Starts in a kneel, then into hold and swirling well but the judges will be eagle-eyed on those feet. Romantic, spinning, one-legged ending. Rather magical.
Song: With You I’m Born Again by Billy Preston & Syreeta. The soulful 1979 Motown duet was written in 22 minutes apart from one line - which came to writer Carol Connors at an ice cream parlour, where she requested the waiter’s pen and paper to scribble down “Come show me your kindness, in your arms I know I’ll find this”. Label boss Berry Gordy later grumbled they would have sold many more singles if they’d titled the song “Come Bring Me Your Softness”, as that’s what customers went into record stores and asked for.
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Judges’ comments for Annabel and Jojo: Anton, momentarily lost for words says “you had speed for the first time, terrific, hypnotised by your hip rotation, hint of uncertainty but wow”. Craig says “I was nervous but you pulled it off and have finally given yourself permission to go wild, place and lumpy moments but bounce and rhythm”. Motsi says “foot positions and arms lovely, you went ahead of music but got back on time”. Shirley concludes “full of samba spirit, great line and isolations, I was so excited to see you let yourself go”. Slightly generous eights a-coming?
Judges’ scores: 7, 8, 8, 8 for a total of 31 points. Enough to see her safe?
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Annabel and Jojo’s samba
After last week’s ethereal and emotional Couple’s Choice, here comes a massive grinding gear change. It’s four weeks since Annabel’s last Latin. Channelling Shakira, will her hips lie? She needs to let go and enjoy herself for this flamboyant party dance. Brilliantly camp hotel reception desk segment to start. Elegant promenades, more like a disco dance than a Rio carnival. She’s making mistakes and struggling to keep up but kicks into gear for the side-by-side section. He’s talking her though it. That was patchy but oddly fun.
Song: Whenever, Wherever by Shakira. The Colombian popstrel’s debut English-language hit had additional lyrics written by no less than Gloria Estefan. No word on whether she penned the line “lucky that my breasts are small and humble so you don’t confuse them with mountains”.
Judges’ comments for Ellie and Vito: Shirley says “beautiful core, great leg action, poise and balance, covered all seven walks, spectacular with stunning basics”. Anton says “loved the rope spin, couldn’t see anything wrong”. Craig says “a bit stiff in the upper body but a difficult routine, executed spectacularly”. Motsi concludes “you are the perfect student, your centre was strong, I wanted more Cuban rotation but pure quality”. Nines?
Judges’ scores: 8, 9, 9, 9 for a total of 35 points. Top so far, one point ahead of Nigel. From turtle feet to penguin feet, apparently. Adorable.
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Ellie and Vito’s rumba
They’ve topped the leaderboard for the last two weeks. Can they make it a hat-trick? This week’s showmance rumours might lend this rumba extra spice. No pressure but their scores have been rising incrementally for the past three weeks - 37, 38 and 39. Can they continue the sequence and notch a 40? This is only the fourth rumba of the series after Amanda’s, Angela R’s and Adam’s. It’s slow and technically exposing, so she needs straight legs figure-of-eight hip action and undulating movement right to her fingertips. Stripped-back moonlit staging. The trust they’ve built is helping their body weight and balance. A bit stop-start in spots but she’s so elegant and expressive. Passionate. Lovely lift. Stars fall. Gaw-jus.
Song: True Colours by Cyndi Lauper. The 1986 synth-pop ballad has become something of a gay community anthem. Lauper said the song resonated with her because of her friend’s recent death from AIDS and she later co-founded the True Colors Fund, an LGBT youth homelessness charity. Last year, she sang it at the ceremony where US President Joe Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act into law.
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Judges’ comments for Nigel and Katya: Motsi says “beautiful story, stylish movement, loved everything about it”. Shirley says “I’m having an emotional moment, mistake-free, marvellous leg extensions, you really are amazing”. Anton says “leading man quality, back to week one form, clean and beautiful, Gene Kelly quality to your upper body, my favourite thing you’ve done”. Craig concludes “La La Land-esque which I liked but understated and didn’t blow me away”. Eights and nines?
Judges’ scores: 8, 8, 9, 9 for a total of 34 points. Top so far.
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Nigel and Katya’s Couple’s Choice
Halfway mark now. After topping the leaderboard way back in week one, Nigel “Mini-Den” Harman has made mistakes and never quite fulfilled his potential. Can his Couple’s Choice become a breakthrough moment? It’s jazz/theatre style, inspired by An American In Paris and golden age Hollywood in feel. Red colour pop costumes against a grayscale backdrop. Nigel giving Gene Kelly vibes. He took a while to get off his chair but romantic mood, great connection, freedom out of hold, risky lifts and joyous, leaping choreography. Katya is so good at this. He’s not bad either. Red poppy petals fall. That was lovely.
Song: Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars. The Hawaiian’s 2010 debut solo single was inspired by Eric Clapton’s Wonderful Tonight, Joe Cocker’s You Are So Beautiful and the late, great Sinéad O’Connor’s Nothing Compares 2U. It was offered to CeeLo Green before Mars decided to keep it for himself. X Factor viewers might remember Matt Cardle’s cover version but nobody could blame you for suppressing that memory.
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Judges’ comments for Angela R and Kai: Craig says “can’t see enough of your leg extension but you clawed Kai’s shoulder with all your life, timing wonderful”. Motsi says “daring, dramatic, you went all the way and gave it everything, this paso’s going to Blackpool”. Shirley says “bounced back from dance-off well, a little slip but you collected your core and didn’t give in, you’re all about content and did the job”. Anton concludes “full of stuff, wham, have some of that, hold the leg, more noises”. All very positive. Eights, do we reckon?
Judges’ scores: 8, 8, 8, 8 for a total of 32 points. Tied with Bobby. Blackpool bound?
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Angela R and Kai’s paso doble
She got her highest score yet for her Argentine tango and this might tick a similar box mood-wise. However, there have been social media grumblings that La Rippon’s routines have been “strategically picked” to avoid upbeat, fast-paced dances. Still no jive, samba or salsa. There’s a lot of goodwill for Angela to reach Blackpool where she used to host Come Dancing back in the 80s. Clockwork visuals. Drink! She’s looking regally haughty and thoselegs have been unleashed again. Fancy footwork, flamenco flourishes, fierce passion, swishy skirt. Beautiful shapes but footwork and frame wobbles. Picked up as it went but a bit walky-aroundy and lacked Spanish line. More tango than paso at times. Decent but not her best.
Song: Hung Up by Madonna. The queen of pop’s 2005 dancefloor banger got permission from Benny and Björn to sample Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight). They don’t grant clearance often. Madge’s brief to co-writer Stuart Price was a disco song that sounded like “Abba on drugs”. The video paid tribute to John Travolta’s celluloid dancing and the New York club scene but was actually filmed at London’s Trocadero centre and Pineapple Dance Studio (Louis Spence alert!).
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Judges’ comments for Bobby and Dianne: Went down well in the studio. Anton says “This is what me and Tess are going to do at the Blackpool after party, it was exquisite, your nicest yet, footwork immaculate, lifts divine, loved it”. Craig says “long arms, big spatulistic hands look robotic and need shaping, they ruined it”. Motsi says “you were so engaged, storytelling, smooth flow, amazing partnering but keep working on your upper body expression”. Shirley concludes “proud of you, covered the floor space well, lovely footwork and leading skills, you did more than enough to get to Blackpool”. Eights from the girls, six from Craig, nine from Anton – that’s my weirdly specific prediction.
Judges’ scores: 7, 8, 8, 9 for a total of 32 points. Right in his scoring area. I was one pesky point out.
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Bobby and Dianne’s American smooth
This year’s youngest contestant has scored between 29 and 32 points every week. Has he hit a plateau or can he raise his game? It’s a Viennese-style smooth and he only danced the Viennese waltz three weeks ago, notching his joint highest score, so Bobby should’ve had a head-start in training. Ethereal feel, set in an attic for some reason. Wonder if it’s Alisha’s or Virgina Andrews’? Nice partnering, into hold early, dreamy feel. Nice lifts, some stair-ography and drama when it cranks up a gear mid-routine. A little safe and sedate but terribly sweet.
Song: Ghost of You by 5 Seconds of Summer. The Australian boyband are clearly a favourite of Aussie pro Dianne Buswell’s. She and now-boyfriend Joe Sugg foxtrotted to their hit Youngblood five years ago.
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Alex Scott on the Ts & Cs
The Football Focus host and Strictly alumna is this week’s guest to recite the voting smallprint. Still love her.
Judges’ comments for Krishnan and Lauren: Shirley says “opened with a bang, missed connection but you had a go”. Bit patronising. Anton says “you bring joy and it’s infectious, less of a samba roll than a lasso but you drew us in”. Craig says “flat-footed and struggled to keep up but what it lacked in bounce, it made up for in personality”. Motsi concludes “lost focus, want more intention, let’s keep going”. Seveeeeeens, are we saying? There’s a cardboard cut-out of his son Jay on Claud’s balcony. Because of course there is.
Judges’ scores: 5 (boo!), 7, 6, 7 for a total of 25 points. Dance-off danger. Public votes required, I fear.
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Krishnan and Lauren’s samba
The lowest average scorer left in the contest tackles the dance of death, so let’s see if Krish can defy the odds. He needs to relax, maintain the flowing energy and keep that bounce going. It’s four weeks since his last Latin, so his hip-shaking alter ego “Juan” is back. Cocktail-shaking and statement yellow trousers, which you don’t get behind the Channel 4 newsdesk. Slow start and hips aren’t great but high performance value as ever. He’s counting like mad but there’s some wiggle there. Maybe a bit low-energy for a samba but not bad at all and a strong finish,
Song: Bamboléo by Gypsy Kings. The 1987 mega-hit’s refrain translates as “Swaying, swaying, because I prefer to live my life this way.” It’s something of a Strictly favourite, with Jamie “Biscuits” Laing, Natalie “Should’ve won the glitterball” Gumede and Laura “Love Island” Whitmore samba-ing to it in previous series.
Our Strictly stars™
The eight couples are here. Vito is hairy, barey-chested. Drink!
Bonjour le judges
The paddle-raising panel arrive. Motsi Mabuse is in mocha sparkles, Shirley Ballas is in a red maribou-trimmed minidress and the boys are in sparkly tuxes as is tradish.
Frockwatch
We welcome our two-headed hosting hydra, so let’s do a swift sartorial size-up.
Tess Daly is ina red trouser suits with wide-legged trouser. Claudia Winkleman is in black tight trousers, white flouncy-sleeved shirt and black waistcoat. Tess wins.
Cue clap-along credits
Seven of these 15 celebrities have already danced their last. Bet you’d clean forgotten about Nikita Kanda or Jody Cundy.
And we’re off!
Roll the industry standard tension-building VT with a Blackpool twist.
Put on your OOO, we’re about to go over live to Elstree Studios…
No Alan Carr’s Numberwang as our ballroom amuse-bouche this week. News and weather instead. What no Tommy Schafernaker? Maybe he’s washing his lovely hair.
Mere minutes to wait now…
Running time tonight is a tight 80 minutes. The show finishes at 7.25pm, leaving a lot of evening ahead. Dinner, dancing, a movie? The world is your lobster (subject to availability, shares can go up as well as down, terms and conditions apply).
Less than 10 minutes until we get the glittery green light…
Nothing but a number
Here’s a juicy stat. There might be 59 years between Angela Rippon and Bobby Brazier but there’s also only one point.
So far this series, Bobby has scored 212 points to Angela’s 211. Not much of a generation gap when it comes to dance, it seems.
Last weekend in summary
Ellie Leach’s Hollywood-worthy American smooth fell just one Craig point short of perfection last Saturday, topping the leaderboard with a series-high 39 points. Are she and Layton Williams pulling ahead of the pack? Can anyone close the gap and catch them?
Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Annabel Croft both performed a Couple’s Choice, Angela Scanlon struggled with the samba but it was Adam Thomas and Angela Rippon who were consigned to the dance-off. Slightly controversially, Angela prevailed and Adam rumba-walked home.
Now we’ve ticked that off our revision timetable, it’s nearly choreographic kick-off time….
Have we got a 2023 showmance?
There have been tabloid reports this week of a budding romance between Ellie Leach and her pro partner Vito Coppola. He promptly referred to her as “my baby” on Instagram, which some have taken as confirmation.
They’ve got undeniable chemistry on the dancefloor and would make rather a cute couple if it’s true. Gossip fiends will doubtless be watching their their romantic rumba extra-carefully tonight. Just 15 minutes to wait now…
A 50/50 gender split was restored last weekend, with Adam Thomas’ exit leaving us with four female celebrities and four males.
Now that pleasingly symmetrical parity is about to be upset again. Who’ll prevail in the ballroom battle of the sexes tonight? Sequin o’clock is approaching….
Shut the fridge door, it’s Strictly bingo
Tick ‘em off when they happen on-screen! Take a drink for each! Peak too early and nod off before 9pm! Here’s your 10-point spotter’s guide for tonight:
Vito Coppola bares his chest for the rumba
Motsi or Shirley hails someone as a finalist-in-waiting
Contractual obligation to plug BBC stablemate Survivor which nobody seems to be watching/talking about
Anton says of a classic ballroom routine “That’s the sort of dance I’d like to do”
Overly literal clock projections on dancefloor for the “Time goes by so slowly” section of Madonna’s Hung Up
Claudia interrupts a rambling post-dance interview with a brisk “Good luck, the scores are in”
Comedy deployment of fruit/maracas during a samba
Judges admit they’re being picky by criticising Layton Williams for his foot positioning again
Someone wears a kiss-me-quick hat when the voting lines are opened
Deadpan Craig Revel Horwood with a knotted hankie on his head/feather boa around his neck/glittery stetson
On your dance cards tonight
As well as that pair of sambas, tonight’s routines include Angela Rippon’s paso doble, Layton Williams’ Argentine tango, Ellie Leach’s rumba and a Couple’s Choice number by Nigel Harman.
Lots to look forward to – and some banging song choices to boot. Not long now until that familiar ba-ba-da theme tune…
Who might miss out on Strictly's seaside jolly?
Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Annabel Croft are bookies’ favourites to leave this weekend, partly because they’re both dancing a samba - the “dance of doom” which accounts for 21.6% of eliminations and which has already claimed two victims this series in Les Dennis and Eddie Kadi.
However, the two Angelas, Rippon and Scanlon, have also been flirting with the bottom of the scoreboard and could potentially be in dance-off danger. It’s 25 minutes until the glittery curtain comes up…
Everybody is desperate to reach Blackpool
We’re past the contest’s halfway mark and now the next milestone looms. Strictly’s annual jaunt up the M6 to the fabled Blackpool Tower Ballroom, the spiritual home of the show, is a trip that every couple wants to take.
With more at stake, will that ratchet up the pressure, increase the nerves and lead to more mistakes in tonight’s routines? We’ll get our first clues in half an hour…
The bright lights of Blackpool beckon
You can almost smell the sea air and hear the hen dos. Hello and welcome to week eight of Strictly Come Dancing 2023. I’m Michael, your promenade partner for tonight’s live show. I’d love you to watch along with me as our pro-celebrities pairings bid to make it to next weekend’s seaside special.
Last weekend saw contrasting fortunes for two soap alumni as Ellie Leach topped the scoreboard for the second week running and Adam Thomas departed at the contest’s midway mark. Now our eight surviving couples take to the Elstree Studios dancefloor again with the annual jaunt north in their sights.
It’s showtime at the earlier time of 6.05pm on BBC One (moved forward due to the Festival of Remembrance later this evening). I’ll be liveblogging from 5.35pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, analysis, reaction and medium-spiced sarcasm. So take your seats nice and early and I’ll see you on the sofa.
As ever, I’d love to hear from you too. You can tweet me @michaelhogan, email me michael.hogan.freelance@guardian.co.uk and the comments section below is yours to enjoy. I’ll samba-shimmy down there every now and then to spy on what you’re saying.
Saddle up your donkey and liberally salt your chips. It’s nearly time to staaaaaart seaside qualifying!
