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Judges\u2019 scores: 8, 9, 9, 9 for a total of 35 points, the same as Balvinder and George. A video message from Lewis\u2019 niece and nephews. Cute as buttons.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 comments: Motsi says \u201cwow, pushed it physically, so much content and always the star amid the ensemble, great job\u201d. Shirley says \u201cnot your best by far, missed connection and lost timing, looked a little bit tight and needed breathing but still a lot to like\u201d. Anton says \u201cincredible physicality and strong characterisation but partnering stuff needed subtlety\u201d. Craig concludes \u201cbasic salsa a bit square, footwork turned in at times, things weren\u2019t finished, you\u2019ve danced better but it had power and punch\u201d. Eights and nines?<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Lewis and Katya\u2019s salsa<\/p>\n Actor Lewis Cope didn\u2019t 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\u2019s highest scorer. After last week\u2019s rumba, it\u2019s 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\u2019s put together sizzling choreography. Shoulder shimmies. Saucy, spicy, a run of spins. Fluid and bags of fun.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 comments: Craig says \u201ctoo clean and neat but swivel and timing were perfect, an absolute sen-say-tion\u201d. Motsi says \u201cone word, perfection\u201d. Shirley says \u201cdestined for the West End (ahem), you\u2019re an absolute star\u201d. Anton concludes \u201cso brilliant, very difficult to find a dance better than this, ever, I\u2019d give you 25\u201d. Another perfect 40 incoming, I suspect.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Amber and Nikita\u2019s Charleston<\/p>\n This is her dream week but expect further grumbling about Amber Davies\u2019 prior dance experience and day job as a stage musical star. Understandable. The Charleston should suit her down o the glittery ground, although it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Song: Sit Down, You\u2019re Rockin\u2019 the Boat from Guys & Dolls. Frank Loesser\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Bal and George get a joint birthday cake. Presented by Ginger Neil, naturally. Eat it! Workplace bullying if you ask me. (Kidding.)<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 scores: 8, 9, 9, 9 for a total of 35 points. Her highest score and joint top with George as it stands. \u201cI have waited for that feeling,\u201d says Bal. \u201cYou\u2019re such an incredible woman,\u201d says Jules, who is also emotional. \u201cYou\u2019re going to get us all going,\u201d says Claud, before going into an adorable video from Bal\u2019s nieces. Aww.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 comments: Anton says \u201cepic and exquisite, swept across the floor, danced with a freedom that I\u2019ve only seen in your Instant Dance performance, magnificent\u201d. Craig says \u201cextend your arms, shoulder raised up, still a little bit turned in but it had flow and feeling, you are a fighter\u201d. Motsi says \u201cI was holding Shirley\u2019s hand throughout, you channelled everything you\u2019ve been through in the last few weeks\u201d. She comes out to give Bal a proud hug. Shirley concludes \u201cI had chills, you\u2019re a hero, beauty and charm\u201d. Eights and nines?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Rousing reception for a tearful Balvinder. \u201cSo proud of you,\u201d says Julian sweetly. \u201cYou deserve that.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Balvinder and Julian\u2019s Viennese waltz<\/p>\n EastEnders actor Balvinder Sopal and her partner Julian Caillon\u2019s 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 \u201cHuge\u201d Jackman as the ringmaster. She\u2019s 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?<\/p>\n Song: Never Enough from The Greatest Showman. The empowering ballad about being yourself and following your dreams has been covered by Kelly Clarkson. It\u2019s never appeared on Strictly before but on BBC<\/a> contest The Greatest Dancer (remember that?), teenage winner Ellie Fergusson danced to it alongside her mentor Oti Mabuse.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 scores: 8, 8, 9, 9 for a total of 34 points, one fewer than George. \u201cI was trying to shake what my mama gave me,\u201d says Kaz. Gets a good luck video from Ian Wright, Wright, Wright.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a014.33 EST<\/p>\n Judges\u2019 comments: Shirley says \u201cloved the whole production, off-the-chart sense of balance, spins and chemistry great, had the bounce, quite the force to be reckoned with\u201d. Anton says \u201cthrew everything at it, you missed his hand on the spin but spun anyway, small footwork error but execution bang-on and energy great\u201d. Craig says \u201cthat will relieve everyone of their winter blues but too frenetic and busy, a bit stiff in the body but fantastic\u201d. Motsi concludes \u201csensational spins, strong solo spins, you really attacked it, wanted the hips moving more but so convincing\u201d. Eights and nines ahoy?<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Karen and Carlos\u2019 samba<\/p>\n The momentum is with former Lioness Karen Carney after scores of 39 and 40 in the past two weeks. She\u2019s not the biggest fan of musicals and the samba technique is notoriously tricky but she\u2019s 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\u2019d expect from a footballer but perhaps a little stiff and lacking in fluidity. Needs to loosen up but she\u2019s bringing the party vibe and selling it hard. Changes of rhythm and fun choreography. Cracking chorus line to finish and streamers fall.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s been covered by The Temptations and Diana Ross & The Supremes.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 scores: 8, 9, 9, 9 for a total of 35 points. They get a mildly awkward video message from Lord Lloyd Webber. \u201cThanks, Andy,\u201d says George.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 comments: Motsi says \u201copened the show with conviction, Alexis was flying in the air, strong partnering skills and characterisation\u201d. Shirley says \u201cliked the seriousness, controlled and leading, seamless, enjoyed it\u201d. Anton says \u201ctaken aback by your intensity, loved it, transferred well into the dance and quality partnering, more of this please\u201d. Craig concludes \u201cfootwork untidy and sticky, difficult music but excellent lifts\u201d. An eight and three nines incoming?<\/p>\n