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Judges’ comments: Motsi says “thank you for being vulnerable, you’re leaning in and I love that, love the lyrical parts, musicality a problem but full of feeling”. Shirley says “beautiful storytelling, coordination went off a little bit, you delivered the message and did wonderfully”. Anton says “liked it, you’re the loveliest partner in the competition, you lead sensitively”. Craig concludes “technically not great, not a rumba, it belonged in musical theatre but a beautiful story”. Well. A five and three eights? Anyone’s guess.
ShareGeorge and Alexis’ rumba
This was the one song that YouTuber George Clarke wanted to dance to, since it means a lot to family after his sister sang it at their grandfather’s funeral. Full of meaning for him, so he and pro partner Alexis Warr are telling a heartfelt emotional story, rather than a sensual and seductive one. Slightly awkward bench-ography to start, then into a spinning lift. Slinky fluidity and strong partnering skills. The only slow Latin dance can be exposing, especially for celebrity males, but he’s doing a decent job. Rhythmic, romantic and controlled. Perhaps lacking a little earthy hip action and continuous movement. Almost balletic and contempo-waft at times. Lyrical and lovely.
Song: Somewhere Only We Know by Lily Allen. Her cover of Keane’s alt-rock ballad topped the charts in 2013 after appearing in the John Lewis Christmas ad, “The Bear and the Hare”. It became Lily’s third number one after Smile and The Fear.
George Clarke and Alexis Warr. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Judges’ scores: 7, 8, 8, 8 for a total of 31 points. Mid-table. Carlos is weepy about Kaz overcoming her back problems. “I didnt expect this from my guy here,” says Karen sweetly. They created a fake “vegan vs meat” argument to get in the zone. Sound the Linda McCartney klaxon!
Judges’ comments: Anton says “I wanted it softer and more lyrical, it was brilliant but brittle”. Craig says “you dance everything at supersonic speed, it was spiky, need more expression in you’re arms and hands, but I love watching you and adore this partnership”. Motsi says “made it your own, need more reach but an out-of-this-world number”. Shirley concludes “I saw your hard work on your posture which has come along beautifully, be more consistent but boy, it was on the right track”. A mixed bag. Carlos emotional. Sevens and eights?
ShareKaren and Carlos’ American smooth
Former Lioness Karen Carney and her pro partner Carlos Gu are the only couple this year to have scored 10s for two weeks in a row. Can they make it three on the bounce? Table-ography to start, then into some lovely travel around the floor. Lifts, leaps and lovely storytelling. Transitions a little lumpy at times but musicality and clean footwork. Almost tango-like at times. Boldly choreographed, passionately performed and selling it brilliantly for a sportsperson. Tiny mistake at the end, I think, but terrific.
Song: You Don’t Own Me by Saygrace feat G-Eazy. The Australian singer’s Quincy Jones-produced 2015 cover version of the 1963 doo-wop hit which originally came out during the feminist movement. It’s been used in a House of Fraser Christmas advert and appeared on the Suicide Squad soundtrack.
Judges’ scores: 6, 7, 7, 7 for a total of 27 points. Joint bottom at the midway mark. “Drunken sailors? Chicken walks? You’re having us on, mate.”
Judges’ comments: Craig says “needed more retraction, a bit flat-footed and back-weighted but came out and played the character brilliantly”. Motsi says “tiny mistakes but recovered well, standing leg needs work, choreography has gone up a level in difficulty, you’re out sunshine”. Shirley says “weight got too far back in swing sections, use your legs better but very good”. Anton concludes “not your best but not your worst, wonderfully performed”. Sevens, are we saying?
Updated at 14.15 EST
Vicky and Kai’s jive
Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington are flying high after last week’s leaderboard-topping tango. Is she building momentum and timing her run perfectly? Vicky turns 38 tomorrow, so qualifying for Blackpool would be a perfect birthday present. Fast and high-energy with plenty of kicks and flicks. Vicky compared herself to Michael Flatley this week and you can see why as her legs pulse and pump away. Does she have the stamina to keep this high-energy to the end? Lacking a little bounce and retraction, needs to be more on her toes at times. Not keeping it compact enough and some mistakes early on. Misses the rhythm in places. The beat of the drum goes round and round indeed. Happy lindyhoppy birthday!
Song: Sound of the Underground by Girls Aloud. Their 2002 debut single was the winner’s single from talent contest Popstars: The Rivals and became Christmas number one. It’s the second time Vicky has danced to a Cheryl vocal after her Couple’s Choice to her solo debut Fight For This Love in Icons Week.
Vicky Pattison’s jive. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Judges’ scores: 8, 9, 9, 9 for a total of 35 points. Big girls pants on, apparently. Very Bridget Jones.
Judges’ comments: Shirley says “much more comfortable, classy and feminine, beautiful footwork, got a bit too forward but goosebump-inducing and fantastic”. Anton says “footwork in harmony, immaculate musicality”. Craig says “needed more float, head in bizarre position during pivots but footwork clean and elegant, loving this partnership”. Motsi concludes “took time, gave us atmosphere, we lived it with you, pure magic”. And no gapping! Eights and nines, do we think?
ShareAlex and Jojo’s waltz
“Fanilows” assemble. Alex Kingston had a wobble last week, struggling with the paso doble, but now she’s safely back in partner Johannes Radebe’s arms. She’s been taking motion sickness tablets for the spins in this woodland waltz. Some jetty-ography to start, then down into a classical waltz. They’ve been working hard on rise and fall, and eradicating that much-maligned gapping. Slow and smooth, regal and relaxed, moving as one. Elegant glide and sweetly romantic mood. Head position a little off at times and seems to lose balance towards the end but lovely. Leaves fall.
Song: Weekend in New England by Barry Manilow. The 1976 sweeping orchestral pop ballad has soundtracked several Strictly waltzes down the years, including those by Mark Wright, Jade Johnson, Rory Bremner and 2004 glitterball winner Jill Halfpenny.
Judges’ scores: 9, 10, 9, 10 for a total of 38 points. Same as last week. That’ll take some beating.
Judges’ comments: Motsi says “drama, presentation and timing, I put my pen down, a few troublesome turns but stunning”. Shirley says “needed more side-stretch but exquisite arms, sold the story, very good”. Anton makes some random noises and says “thrilling to watch, very exciting”. Craig concludes “wanted more shaping but clean, full of tone, fire and purpose, brilliant”. Nines ahoy?
ShareAmber and Nikita’s paso doble
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin scored their first 10s last week but haven’t topped the leaderboard since week two. Can a paso doble propel them back to the top? Nikita has his pecs out in what looks worrying like leather chaps. Amber said this is the toughest routine she’s learned so far but she’s delivering a powerhouse performance. She emerges from a drama as a sort of dark princess. Intense and dramatic, with skirt-swishing and plenty of resistance in her body. Committed character with strong walks and Spanish lines. Passion lacking but dancing on point and a strong finish. Olé!
Song: Dream On by Aerosmith. Frontman Steven Tyler wrote the 1973 power ballad while he was still in his teens. It was sampled by Eminem for his 2002 hit Sing For The Moment.