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Irreverentnurse says: “Harry’s got great posture and is light on his feet. I like him.”
02022020 says: “Harry’s got soul and a killer smile. There is hope. Come on, Karen.”
IvanTiger says: “Harry is fab and fun. Excellent quickstep to great music. Plus some Charleston swivels. Wonderful.”
Haigin88 adds: “Harry Aikines-Aryeetey seems like the nicest bloke in the world and looks like the kind who’ll work to improve every week.”
Karen Hauer and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
GreatIsMyNewt says: “I hope Tommy Bosh is on soon as I need to start serving tea.”
Aine183 says: “Oh. This is the first really dreadful dance of the night.”
girlpanic says: “Ooh, that reminds me, I need to order the Christmas turkey.”
dAsgoyne adds: “Amy! Hasn’t the poor girl suffered enough?”
Thomas Skinner. Don’t have nightmares. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
ReclinedPotato says: “As much as I like Alex and JoJo, I have to say that her face sold the dance more than her legs did. Solid effort but a bit lacking in va-va-voom for me!”
AndyPandy21 says: “I love the fact that Alex and Johannes dance from the heart as well as the feet. An inspiration to put them together.”
Heartticker says: “Didn’t think I could love Vito any more but watching his care with Ellie, they melted my heart.”
YodaknowsAll adds: “Ellie is treading on some people’s misconceptions with every beautiful step of that waltz. My favourite so far, even if it’s not the best.”
Phoebe says: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink tried so hard in that dance, it warmed the cockles of my heart.
G1adys says: “Jimmy and Lauren working well together. I see a long run for these two, fingers crossed.”
gliese says: “Omgosh, can’t unsee the Hasselhoff bulge!”
diamondcat adds: “Tess, no one was looking at Jimmy’s face!”
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
TheMathDiva says: “La Voix and Aljaž were very entertaining but the comic aspect will start to get tiring if decent dance doesn’t show up.”
MarkRoche says: “Love La Voix, adore Aljaz, hated the choice of music for a jive.”
girlpanic says: “I really enjoyed Karen Carney’s jive last week. I didn’t feel this dance suited her anywhere near as well, unfortunately. She was doing the moves but it didn’t flow.”
Vicc says: “Wow, that lighting and frock! What a tango! I don’t see all the mistakes that are being pointed and really hope that Karen and Carlos go far!”
MartGray adds: “Not keen on Motsi’s comment about seeing how far Karen can ‘challenge’ her spine condition. I imagine she knows.”
ShareReaders’ verdicts are in
A rapid-fire round-up of your wisest and wittiest words. Phoebe says: “Claudia’s fringe is the longest I’ve ever seen it. She’ll be tripping over it if she isn’t careful. She’s having to hold her head high and look down her nose so she can actually peer out.”
Somersetlass says: “Two things I’m finding refreshing so far this year: some useful instructive critiques from the judges and far more realistic scoring. Long may it last.”
EastofStratford says: “Neil has found his niche. Cake bearer. Though I note they don’t trust him with fire or sharp things so no candles, no knives.”
emilyscatnaps adds: “Lewis’s brother gets a ticket through the ballot? Yeah, right. SOME of us, love, have put in for that ballot for TEN FECKIN’ YEARS and still haven’t been granted the opportunity to sit on an uncomfortable chair for six hours, with the added thrill of a glimpse of Dave Arch and The Wunnerfuls! (Hi Dave! Hi Wunnerfuls!).”
ShareTwanging guitars or Timothée Chalamet? It’s a toss-up
TV viewers can stay on BBC1 for The Weakest Link’s Radio 2 special (c’mon, Rylan and Sally Traffic) or flip to BBC2 for Grand Ole Opry Live: 100 Years of Country Music.
Then there’s true crime with The Essex Murders: Who Killed Goldfinger? (9pm on Sky Documentaries) or made-up crime with Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue (9.30pm on BBC1). At midnight, Anthony Mackie action comedy Twisted Metal arrives on BBC1.
If you’re in the market for a film, try ace French drama Rosalie (9pm on BBC4), The Taking Of Pelham 123 (9pm on 5Action), Dune (9.15pm on ITV1), National Lampoon’s Animal House (10pm on Comedy Central|) or Scarface (11.55pm on Film4).
ShareIt’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.”
ShareBehold 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.
ShareCredits 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.
ShareCasting 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?
ShareThe voite is… open!
For the first time this series. Fancy-dressed mayhem in the studio. Ginger Neil grinding on a non-plussed Winkle.