Key events
Show key events only
Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
On Vicky Pattison, gladarvor says: “Not Vicky’s dance. It looked a bit heavy and she didn’t look comfortable with it. How that yellow samba dress finds its way to a jive with an 80s look to the décor is anyone’s guess.”
VelvetinaB says: “Great effort from Vicky, although she didn’t achieve the light high-kicking the judges like.”
fihema adds: “That was not what it could’ve been. Shame. Performers in yellow, isn’t it?”
On Alex Kingston, paperview says: “This waltz is probably Alex’s best dance. You can see all the work she has put in.”
Somersetlass says: “Watching Alex and Jojo with a thoroughly soppy smile on my face. Beautiful lines, impeccable footwork and properly romantic. Loved it.”
Lidoswimmer adds: “Well, that was lovely. Real heart, storytelling and proper dancing, not just a performance. Alex is so elegant, which is definitely enhanced by dancing with JoJo.”
MarkRoche says about Amber Davies’ paso doble: “Crikey, despite the singing and the ringer, what a bloody marvellous dance that was.”
diamondcat says: “I’m surprised Amber wasn’t seasick being thrown about like that!”
ReclinedPotato adds: “I must say I’m impressed at how Amber managed to be completely absent from my vision during that dance.”
ShareReaders’ verdicts are in
A swift straw poll of your comments. G1adys says: “Crikey, that’s everyone bewlow-the-line drunk already after that full-on Blackpool intro.”
ReclinedPotato says: “Is it just me or does the first dance of the night generally get lower scores?”
Lidoswimmer says: “Balvinder is lovely and it’s always good to see a genuine beginner come on so much, but I fear the combination of first spot and an OK-but-not-great dance may mean another dance-off.”
MartGray says: “That was GAW-GEOUS from Bal and Jul, lovely flighty choreography, especially enjoyed the brief change of tone towards the end.”
Strictlylounging adds: “That scoring felt quite mean, so I will definitely vote for her!”
ShareEmotional night in the ballroom
Don’t think I can remember such a tear-sodden show. The pros, the celebrities, the judges – they were all at it.
Thank goodness for La Voix telling Tess “a P45 and an MBE in one month, you’ve had a helluva autumn”. And then to Claudia “You got storm named after you this weekend, it’s all gone wrong.”
ShareFrom wiggly cha-chas to wild cherries
TV viewers can now stay on BBC1 for Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel on BBC1 or flip to ITV1 for The 1% Club. At 9pm, new drama Wild Cherry starts on BBC1 or Channel 4 has Hitler’s DNA: Blueprint of a Dictator on C4. Cue songs about singular orbs.
If you fancy a film, there’s The Bourne Supremacy (9pm on 5Star), Bridget Jones’ Diary (9.30pm on BBC3), Django Unchained (10pm on Channel 4) or Infinity Pool (11.35pm on Film4). Hello, wanton sex goddess with a very bad man between her thighs? Oh, Mum, hi.
ShareHold your calls, it’s the Golden Glitterballs
They’re golden and glittery. They’re spherical and totally imaginary. Here are this week’s lucky gong-getters…
Best dance: Lewis Cope’s tango for me. But for sheer entertainment, it’s hard to argue with that La Voix showstopper.
Worst dance: George’s rumba-that-wasn’t.
Best music choice: Barbra Streisand was a razzle-dazzle way to close the show.
Worst music choice: Even Nikita admitted that Aerosmith “wasn’t a paso song”.
Best outfit: Balvinder’s florals or Katya’s bodycon.
Worst outfit: Nikita’s soft porn binman get-up.
Best VT: A lot of emotional ones but I enjoyed Julian going to Albert Square, Jojo conquering his fear of the woods, and La Voix and her dad.
Worst VT: Amber saying “OK” to literally everything Nikita said.
Best judges’ comment: Craig after Anton’s interminable rambling: “Is there anything you’d like to add to that, Anton?”
Best Claudia quip: Telling Nikita to put a top on.
Updated at 15.09 EST
Those week eight standings again
Amber Davies tops the leaderboard, with Lewis Cope in second spot. Balvinder Sopal and Vicky Pattison are tied way down at the bottom.
As always, viewer votes help decide who’ll be illuminated by the scarlet spotlight of dance-off doom. George Clarke, La Voix and Karen Carney might be in for an anxious wait.
ShareCredits roll
“Keeeeeep dancing,” chorus Tess and Claud. As everyone starts packing their seaside Speedos in hope, please stay with us for analysis, reaction and a round-up of your comments.
ShareThe casting vote goes to…
This week, the deciding vote in the dance-off goes to… Craig! Could the format tweak cause some drama at last? Be nice, wouldn’t it? “Oh goody,” he says drily.
Tonight’s excellent eight routines get recapped on-screen. Which Blackpool-bound pair will get your vote? Which seaside spoilsports definitely don’t?
ShareAnd the vote is… open!
Online-only, of course. Phonelines are, like, totally over. Prop-heavy Clauditorium mayhem ensues.
Judges’ scores: 7, 8, 9, 9 for a total of 33 points. Mid-table.