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Thank you and a glittery goodnight – for now
That concludes Saturday’s Cher-impersonating liveblog but we’ll be making an iconic comeback tomorrow. The results show airs at 7.15pm Sunday on BBC1. I’ll reboot the blog at 6.45pm for build-up, so I hope you’ll rejoin me then. In the meantime, I’m @michaelhogan on Twitter/X/the dark place, so please do rumba-walk over and give me a wave.
Thanks for watching along with me and your excellent company. You’re the real icons around here. Meet you here tomorrow to see 11 become 10.
In the meantime, therusual applies: keeeeeep dancing! Take care and don’t forget to put your clocks back. An extra hour’s sleep. Now that’s iconic. Night!
Before I take my leave, another quick mention of my debut novel The Dogwalkers’ Detective Agency, just published by Penguin Michael Joseph. If you like cosy crime, cute canines and jokes, you might just think it’s wag-u-lous. They’ve got a lot of leads. But can they collar a killer?
Lushattic says: “Well, that was a million times better than last week from La Voix. Such fun.”
IvanTiger says: “That was nice and peppy with great singing at the start. Good comeback, La Voix!”
Pancake01 says: “Loved it but mainly for the Cher-ography. Not much salsa going on, I thought.”
Outolokowski adds: “So much better. Could do with more extension and snap but otherwise, different dancer to last week. Good stuff.”
La Voix and Aljaz Skorjanec. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 16.12 EDT
Strictlylounging says: “Sometimes Mr Lounging has to pull my boots off and it looks totally like the opening to Amber Davies and Nikita’s routine.”
Somersetlass says: “Wow, Amber is so light on her feet. That was such a difficult routine and she didn’t put a foot wrong, as far as I could see.”
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PA
mutterful says: “Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is this year’s Krishnan, isn’t he?
Never going to win but totally embracing the whole thing.”
BoadiceaOverall adds: “Jimmy in a plum Plumbs stretch cover.”
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 16.13 EDT
LekisP says: “That was great from Harry Aikines-Aryeetey. Usher attitude and Argentine tango moves, loved it.”
SaintJulieOfAndrews says: “How wonderful to see Karen dancing the AT at last.”
Phoebe says: “The lifts were rather laboured at times. It looked like Harry was bracing to heave a sack of potatoes onto his back.”
LazyMillennial adds: “Forgive me, but I am deeply suspect of an Argentine tango to Usher.”
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 16.16 EDT
Pengonlina123 says: “Anton described Balvinder Sopal as being hesitant, but if you’d been in the dance-off for two weeks running, you might not be able to help yourself being hesitant!”
PodgytheBear says: “Wondering why Balvinder is not getting votes and that dance maybe answers it. It was OK but didn’t thrill me. Maybe it’s Julian’s choreography.”
YodaknowsAll says: “I loved that quickstep from Balvinder. A few mistakes, and the posture needs work, but the energy was fantastic.”
joanieloves adds: “Feel sorry for Balvinder. She’s good, has potential but newbie for partner and maybe her character on EastEnders isn’t liked. so she’s not getting the votes her dancing deserves?”
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 16.17 EDT
Somersetlass says: “Some great synchronicity from Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrongton, and very sharp, but what an odd Couple’s Choice. It somehow left me cold.”
IvanTiger says: “Another weird Couples Choice. At least they’re in time.”
pubbore adds: “Is this not just the routine that Cheryl Cole did to this song on X Factor?”
Kai Widdrington and Vicky Pattison. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 16.17 EDT
YodaknowsAll says: “Alex Kingston is turning into a really classy dancer. Her shoulders were a little raised at times, but the footwork and performance were superb.”
Haigin88 says: ‘Alex and Jojo might be the favourites for the whole thing. Alex looks very versatile and seems to enjoy everything in front of her.”
Pancake01 adds: “I love Alex. She is confident, knows her own worth, intelligent enough to know what she needs to learn and who to learn from. Obvious dedication to everything she does and commitment to getting it right. I’d like to be her when I grow up.”
Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 16.18 EDT
Strictlylounging says: “I think George is great but that jive was a bit ‘meh’ for me. Maybe the costumes and music, because he is good.”
Poppieshen says: “This feels less Harry Styles and more demented CBBC presenter. I couldn’t concentrate on the dance for the clashing background and outfits. Sorry. George.”
MartGray says: “Oh, Harry Styles? I was thinking Geoffrey from Rainbow.”
Audreyshandbag adds: “Been watching this bloke for weeks now and still haven’t seen any of his amazing spaces!”
George Clarke and Alexis Warr. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 16.19 EDT
VictoriasSecret says: “I love Ellie Goldstein! And so impressed by her sense of rhythm. The synchronicity between Ellie and Vito is great. And I love how the judges encourage and yet still point out where she needs to improve. This couple bring me joy.”
SparklingDormouse says: “Brilliant from Ellie and Vito! Her dancing is improving so much. I think her styling in her top half is really good and her footwork so much better, although still a way to go. Plus I think they might be her first lifts which were great. Well done, both!”
jagadox adds: “Ellie’s best yet, I think. Bags of fun.”
Vito Coppola and Ellie Goldstein. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 16.20 EDT
irreverentnurse says: “Lewis Cope manages to get his star jump into every dance. Has he done the waltz yet?”
Molly001 says: “Karen Carney, what a dark horse. Amazing rumba leg action, even if not perfect.”
SparklingDormouse says: Love Karen Carney, not her best but hopefully that’s the rumba out the way! Wonder if she needs a bit of acting guidance – tricky for a sportsperson – to help her get to the final?”
Somersetlass adds: “Karen Hauer looking gaw-jus with that wind machine. Floaty and elegant, with superb posture and legs.”
Katya Jones and Lewis Cope. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 16.21 EDT
Canterbury345 says: “Not seen this suggested anywhere but I think Mel Giedroyc would be good for Claudia’s role. She’s got a fun, cheeky side, but also a sense of curiosity to ask the right questions of the judges.”
AndyPandy21 says: “While we are about our Strictly business. Please could we have Hannah Waddingham as one of the new presenters, production team? Hannah is as iconic as Strictly, so a good match.”
RossWilliamQuinn adds: “For me, the next hosts have to be Zoe Ball and Anton DuBeke. And I don’t think it’s a coincidence we’ve started getting guests more frequently. Can see a rotating guest judge on the panel for the next series at least to replace AdB.”
ReclinedPotato says: “I can’t remember a series when so many celebs had to withdraw and now Tess ‘n’ Claude too. Who at the BBC went on mirror-smashing frenzy?”
emilyscatnaps adds: “Let us celebrate their fabulousness while we still have them: to Claud and Tessbot, our very own Riot Women! *raises a pint of gin. Sod the tonic, these are desperate times*”
Belette says: “Voting could be crucial this week as it looks very tight. Lots of similar marks being given out. La Voix is getting a vote from me for that one-word audition for Claudia’s job alone!”
Jennyloo says: “Don’t know if I’m just being grumpy but I’m not really feeling the Strictly magic this week. I think it’s the icons theme – akin to a jukebox musical where they try to shoehorn songs into a story and it doesn’t quite fit.”
Paperview adds: “Given that Anton has the casting vote this week, the way he’s been tossing out silly scores suggests that if the vote is split, he is going to make the wrong decision.”
ShareReaders’ verdicts are in
Time for a rapidfire round-up of your thoughts. shazza2704 says “Shirley looks great as Shakin’ Stevens.”
Tanya92 says: “I thought Shirley had come as Danny Zuko!”
Aine183 says: “At first I thought she’d come as a very young Madonna.”
TeeDubyaBee adds “Shirley’s Alvin Stardust is missing the gloves with rings on top.”
Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 16.23 EDT