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From Tony and Maria to Tony Montana
TV viewers can now stay on BBC1 for Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel or flip to Channel 4 for Sandi’s Great Riviera Rail Trip.
At 9pm, it’s The Veiled World of Nick Cave on Sky Arts or I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! on ITV1. At 9.05pm, there’s Wild Cherry on BBC1 or Christmas TV We Loved & Lost on Channel 5.
If all those musicals-which-are-films-really has put you in a movie mood, tonight’s picks are About Time (9pm on Comedy Central), Knives Out (10.05pm on Channel 4), The Northman (11.15pm on Film4), King Richard (11.30pm on BBC2) and Scarface (12.35am on Channel 4). Say hello to my little friend…
ShareMusicals Week leaderboard in full
Amber Davies takes top billing on the quarter-final scoreboard with her perfect 40.
Lewis Cope, Balvinder Sopal and George Clarke are all tied in second spot. Down the bottom is Karen Carney, albeit just one point behind that cluster.
ShareSafety curtain comes down
Chorus line leaders Tess and Claud instruct us to “Keeeeeep dancing!”. As the end credits roll, 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… Motsi Mabuse! This plot twist will be interesting one week, probably.
ShareTonight’s action recapped
An encore for the night’s five routines on-screen now. Which West End wendies are you voting for? Which Broadway berties are you definitely not?
ShareVoting is… drum roll please, Dave Arch… open!
Online-only, naturally. What do you think we are? Savages? The now traditional prop-waving chaos erupts.
My favourite Strictly-meets-Paddington factoid: the prison dance by Hugh Grant’s villainous character Phoenix Buchanan at the end of Paddington 2 was choreographed by no less than Craig Revel Horwood. Pad-u-lous!
The ursine hero joins us in the ballroom. Let’s have a look at his furry footwork. The song is The Explorer & The Bear from the new Paddington musical. Oh, Padders.
ShareMusic and marmalade sandwiches
An exclusive performance now from former Strictly contestant Tom Fletcher – the McFly frontman was paired with Amy Dowden in 2021 and eliminated in week nine. Vito Coppola and Nadiya Bychkova provide choreographic accompaniment.
Judges’ scores: 8, 9, 9, 9 for a total of 35 points, the same as Balvinder and George. A video message from Lewis’ niece and nephews. Cute as buttons.
Judges’ comments: Motsi says “wow, pushed it physically, so much content and always the star amid the ensemble, great job”. Shirley says “not your best by far, missed connection and lost timing, looked a little bit tight and needed breathing but still a lot to like”. Anton says “incredible physicality and strong characterisation but partnering stuff needed subtlety”. Craig concludes “basic salsa a bit square, footwork turned in at times, things weren’t finished, you’ve danced better but it had power and punch”. Eights and nines?
ShareLewis and Katya’s salsa
Actor Lewis Cope didn’t score a perfect 40 last week like Amber and Karen but he did win the Instant Dance challenge and top the combined leaderboard, so remains the contest’s highest scorer. After last week’s rumba, it’s time for a much faster Latin dance. Loads of energy. Upbeat and action-packed with lifts and leaps. A variety of rhythms and tempos. Tiny awkward timing issues early on, I thought, but a proper big number with storytelling, drama and style. Great connection with pro partner Katya Jones, who’s put together sizzling choreography. Shoulder shimmies. Saucy, spicy, a run of spins. Fluid and bags of fun.
Song: The Dance at the Gym from West Side Story. It soundtracks the dance-off challenge scene between the Sharks and the Jets, during which star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria locks eyes and fall for each other.
Judges’ scores: 10, 10, 10, 10 for a total of 40 points. Her second maximum in a row and top of the standings, obv. She gets cute video from her old school.
Judges’ comments: Craig says “too clean and neat but swivel and timing were perfect, an absolute sen-say-tion”. Motsi says “one word, perfection”. Shirley says “destined for the West End (ahem), you’re an absolute star”. Anton concludes “so brilliant, very difficult to find a dance better than this, ever, I’d give you 25”. Another perfect 40 incoming, I suspect.
ShareAmber and Nikita’s Charleston
This is her dream week but expect further grumbling about Amber Davies’ prior dance experience and day job as a stage musical star. Understandable. The Charleston should suit her down o the glittery ground, although it’s her third fast dance in a row after the quickstep and jive, so fatigue might be an issue. Throwing everything at it, while still telling a story with partner Nikita Kuzmin. Sparkly flapper girl styling. Complex, colourful and characterful. Precise and sharp, with the requisite kicks, flicks and tricks. Prop work and lifts. Flagged a little towards the end but wow. A proper showstopper.
Song: Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat from Guys & Dolls. Frank Loesser’s 1950 number, sung by gambler Nicely-Nicely Johnson, was performed in the pilot episode of Glee and soundtracked a group dance by the Strictly pros in 2022.
Bal and George get a joint birthday cake. Presented by Ginger Neil, naturally. Eat it! Workplace bullying if you ask me. (Kidding.)