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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.)
Judges’ scores: 8, 9, 9, 9 for a total of 35 points. Her highest score and joint top with George as it stands. “I have waited for that feeling,” says Bal. “You’re such an incredible woman,” says Jules, who is also emotional. “You’re going to get us all going,” says Claud, before going into an adorable video from Bal’s nieces. Aww.
Judges’ comments: Anton says “epic and exquisite, swept across the floor, danced with a freedom that I’ve only seen in your Instant Dance performance, magnificent”. Craig says “extend your arms, shoulder raised up, still a little bit turned in but it had flow and feeling, you are a fighter”. Motsi says “I was holding Shirley’s hand throughout, you channelled everything you’ve been through in the last few weeks”. She comes out to give Bal a proud hug. Shirley concludes “I had chills, you’re a hero, beauty and charm”. Eights and nines?
Rousing reception for a tearful Balvinder. “So proud of you,” says Julian sweetly. “You deserve that.”
ShareBalvinder and Julian’s Viennese waltz
EastEnders actor Balvinder Sopal and her partner Julian Caillon’s has made Strictly history by surviving five dance-offs and could do it again by competing in an unprecedented sixth. It was her 47th birthday this week and dodging the bottom two would be the perfect gift. Julian channelling fellow Aussie “Huge” Jackman as the ringmaster. She’s worked hard on refining her footwork and is taking her time with a slow opening section, then into pivots and turns to travel around the floor. Soft spins and gentle flow but with moments of power and rotation. Lovely hands and arms. Romantic and tender but among the flashier Latin and specialist dances elsewhere, could such a traditional number get overshadowed?
Song: Never Enough from The Greatest Showman. The empowering ballad about being yourself and following your dreams has been covered by Kelly Clarkson. It’s never appeared on Strictly before but on BBC contest The Greatest Dancer (remember that?), teenage winner Ellie Fergusson danced to it alongside her mentor Oti Mabuse.
Judges’ scores: 8, 8, 9, 9 for a total of 34 points, one fewer than George. “I was trying to shake what my mama gave me,” says Kaz. Gets a good luck video from Ian Wright, Wright, Wright.
Updated at 14.33 EST
Judges’ comments: Shirley says “loved the whole production, off-the-chart sense of balance, spins and chemistry great, had the bounce, quite the force to be reckoned with”. Anton says “threw everything at it, you missed his hand on the spin but spun anyway, small footwork error but execution bang-on and energy great”. Craig says “that will relieve everyone of their winter blues but too frenetic and busy, a bit stiff in the body but fantastic”. Motsi concludes “sensational spins, strong solo spins, you really attacked it, wanted the hips moving more but so convincing”. Eights and nines ahoy?
ShareKaren and Carlos’ samba
The momentum is with former Lioness Karen Carney after scores of 39 and 40 in the past two weeks. She’s not the biggest fan of musicals and the samba technique is notoriously tricky but she’s determined to nail it. Working a hippy chic look in a flared, tasselled trouser suit, with partner Carlos Gu resplendent in John Lennon specs and gold slacks. Finding her hips and shaking her stuff. Slightly awkward marriage of theme and dance. More Carwarsh disco than Rio carnival. Bounce and rotation is there. So are the fast feet you’d expect from a footballer but perhaps a little stiff and lacking in fluidity. Needs to loosen up but she’s bringing the party vibe and selling it hard. Changes of rhythm and fun choreography. Cracking chorus line to finish and streamers fall.
Song: The Rhythm of Life from Sweet Charity. The funk-soul banger is performed by hippy cult leader Big Daddy, played by Sammy David Jr in the 1969 film version. It’s been covered by The Temptations and Diana Ross & The Supremes.
Judges’ scores: 8, 9, 9, 9 for a total of 35 points. They get a mildly awkward video message from Lord Lloyd Webber. “Thanks, Andy,” says George.
Judges’ comments: Motsi says “opened the show with conviction, Alexis was flying in the air, strong partnering skills and characterisation”. Shirley says “liked the seriousness, controlled and leading, seamless, enjoyed it”. Anton says “taken aback by your intensity, loved it, transferred well into the dance and quality partnering, more of this please”. Craig concludes “footwork untidy and sticky, difficult music but excellent lifts”. An eight and three nines incoming?
ShareGeorge and Alexis’ Argentine tango
Content creator™ George Clarke has admitted to disliking musicals. However, he does enjoy embracing and embodying characters. He’s had playful numbers for the past couple of weeks but now needs to tap into his serious side. Dry ice overload. Let’s hope it doesn’t conceal the footwork. Very intricate with controlled power and close hold. Fast legs and feet. Plenty of intensity and he’s leading partner Alexis Warr pretty well. Takes off in the third act. Lacking a little passion and fire, perhaps, but his performance levels and theatricality have certainly improved. It was George’s 26th birthday this week and what a way to celebrate.
Song: The Point of No Return from The Phantom of the Opera. This romantic duet between the Phantom and heroine Christine appears towards the end of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical.