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Thank you and a glittery goodnight
That concludes Saturday’s semi-final liveblog but please feel free to continue the ballroom badinage in the comments below. Meet you back here tomorrow for this year’s last results show. It airs at 7.45pm Sunday on BBC1, featuring music from 5ive and Kylie. Not together. That would be weird.
I’ll spark up the blog at 7.15pm for build-up, so please rejoin me then. In the meantime, I’m @michaelhogan on Twitter/X and @michaelhogan100 pretty much everywhere else, so please feel free to say hi or something less savoury.
As always, thanks for watching along with me. See you tomorrow but in the meantime, you know the deal by now: keeeeeep dancing! Goodnight and take care.
A tear-sodden semi-final with too much padding but some great dancing.
And left intriguingly poised. Thoughts? Predictions? I predict a Balvinder vs Amber dance-off with only one result….
Updated at 16.05 EST
Finally, on Karen Carney, ladyglencora says: “Kaz’s best ballroom dance by a country mile. What a finish! Bit dusty in here.”
Poppieshen says: “That was gawjus from Kaz and Carlos. Graceful and the softness the judges wanted was there in spades. Beautiful dress, as well.”
LegTheory says: “Carlos is such a great partner for Karen. She looked really nervous and he made her smile and calmed her down.”
ReclinedPotato says: “Oh Karen. Yes, yes, yes, what an utter triumph that waltz was. Soft and fluid, full of grace, you are a woman transformed! Tears are being shed.”
joanieloves says: “Love Karen, she’s my winner no matter what. Have also warmed more to Carlos with her – she’s matched his energy and he’s been more engaging because of this. Fabulous.”
DochkiMateri says: “Can you imagine how many tears Carlos will shed if they win the glitterball? Flood warning will be necessary.”
G1adys says: “That’s both feet in the final for Karen. And one hand on the glitterball?”
fihema says: “Karen is so good. We’d seen a lot of those moves before from Karen, but the level of confidence, the professional polish, that felt new, that felt perfect. Ten years from now, if someone watches the clip on YouTube, I’m not sure they’ll know which one was the celeb. And Carlos has soooo grown on me this season. What a partnership.”
diamondcat says: “Carlos, you’re right. When Karen dances, we all feel delight and joy. What more could you ask for?”
IvanTiger says: “Karen is excellent on her own and what a fun. complex dance. Great stuff. Her hairy trews are distracting, though.”
EmmyHarb adds: “I think Karen’s trousers were Mr Tumnus’s work pair as they had that pinstripe down the side.”
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 16.06 EST
On George Clarke, indigoviolet says: “Oh dear god, I think George may have come a bit too far out of that shell of his now.”
diamondcat says: “The start of his samba was a bit stompy but the table top stuff was brill.”
ReclinedPotato says: “George dancing on top of that table like a constipated flamingo, proper entertainment!”
Jockette61 says: “That was so infectiously joyous. Lost all his inhibitions forever, hopefully.”
yorkshirecoast says: “Okay, George just made me smile for the first time this week! Might chuck him a vote. I have no idea what he does but that’s down to my age. Besides, I had a strop the first time they had a Youtuber on and it turned out to be lovely Joe Sugg so I soon got over it.”
Heartticker says: “George undermarked there, he deserved a ten for the entertainment value alone. It was better than Bal, but as usual the judges love to score everyone the same.”
Phoebe says: “I love a Charleston and that was great from George. He seems to have woken up this week and decided he actually does want to really take part in this competition. Shame he has left it so late to show us what he can do and how much he enjoys doing it.”
Somersetlass says: “George actually seemed to be in character for that! Wonderfully kooky stuff and some decent swivel, but a couple of the lifts looked a bit dodgy.”
Pancake01 says: “Oh, that could have been so good. I felt George was really let down by the choreography there. Too much messin’ abaht and too many lifts. He had good swivel and should have done some more proper Charleston steps. Alexis is suffering from inexperience as a pro.”
MikeMoonlight adds: “Apparently, George’s Inbetweeners dance will, of course, be discussed at length in tomorrow’s Dance Debriefcase W*nker segment.”
George Clarke and Alexis Warr. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 15.38 EST
On Amber Davies, Phoebe says: “Dark blue (very nice) costumes against a gloomy and navy blue background – yet again, so we cannot clearly see the dancing.”
Jennifera030 says: “That was pretty awesome but I still think Nikita might not be the best partner for her. No real connection.”
LegTheory says: “That tango felt like the top had been left off and the fizz had gone out of it.”
NanaNootka says: “Amber seems a better dancer than Nikita!”
styletraveller says: “Oh well, that’s Amber through to the final. The judges can’t row back from that now. She will be through on merit but it means the final loses à contestant who has been on the fabled journey. And Amber goes into it knowing she stands no chance of winning, which must be really difficult.”
VelvetinaB adds: “Well said, Nikita. She doesn’t deserve all the hate. Anyone can not love her, but the reported hate towards her is completely out of order. What a weight to carry every week.”
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 15.39 EST
On Balvinder Sopal, styletraveller says: “Love how Bal has grown into this series. She has learnt to dance in front of our eyes.”
YodaknowsAll says: “Bal just needed a little more hip action in that salsa. The sass and performance were there, however. Good lifts too.”
LegTheory says: “Anton gave some good advice last week to focus on one dance more than the other, which could serve as the DO dance if needed. Balvinder maybe doing that.”
HelenaHandcart says: “Nobody mentions that you can see Bal counting out loud ALL the time. I remember Rob Rinder getting criticised for his face and Jennifer Gibney was criticised for singing along.”
TheMathDiva says: “Julian is quite right. Balvinder’s had the biggest journey and has demonstrated so much determination. She deserves a final place imo.”
Poppieshen adds: “A warm welcome for the Strictly Lamppost making possibly its final appearance this year.”
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 15.40 EST
Did Craig not get Carlos and Vito confused after all? MsChuffy says: “Was Craig’s Vito comment aimed at the balcony? They have been super present heckling during the judging this series!”
ShareReaders’ semi-final verdicts are in
Here’s a quickfire vox pop of your comments. G1adys says: “Eek, unnecessary padding. Still, plenty of glass-filling opportunities to look forward to.”
Gardener_Maidhc says: “I really dislike this ‘talk up the celeb to get into the final’ part. Just too icky, mawkish, over the top emoting.”
VelvetinaB says: “Utterly ridiculous for Shirley and Anton to give Amber and Bal the same score. I love Bal and her tenacity and I’ve been honest that I don’t wholly warm to Amber, but she deserved more than Bal in her scores.”
SnailyWhaley says: “Loved that, love Karen but those 10s are surely a score for the journey rather than the end product? However. if the judges want to indulge in overscoring. I’ll happily take it for Karen.”
TobiasElias adds: “The judges, bar Craig, are scoring this week like it’s the final when their votes don’t count. Ridiculous overmarking throughout.”
Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 15.41 EST
Your penultimate set of Golden Glitterballs
It’s the second-from-last time we’ll hand out our coveted liveblog prizes this year. Here are this week’s lucky gong-getters…
Best dance: Karen’s waltz for me.
Worst dance: Nothing scored below 35 points, so no obvious honkers but let’s say George’s samba.
Best music choice: Can’t resist a Gloria Estefan medley.
Worst music choice: Too much Bublé.
Best outfit: Both Balvinder’s frocks, Amber’s midnight blue velvet tango gown and Karen’s silver waltz dress. Loved her giving a shout-out to “costume team for making me feel beautiful”.
Worst outfit: Karen’s salsa trousers. Like Mr Tumnus (fake Christmas tree edition).
Best VT: Karen’s mum surprising her in training. Lip wobbles chez moi.
Worst VT: Amber’s description of Love Island as “a beautiful opportunity”.
Best judges’ comment: A couple of pearlers from Anton, harking back to Karen’s week two tango being “a bag of spanners” and: “To coin a phrase from my lovely friend Motsi, you’re impress-nable.”
Best Claudia quip: She was in sincere mood for this semi-final, preferring to let the couples shine.
The semi-finalists. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 15.56 EST
You knew this was coming but hey, it’s Christmas and a liveblogger’s got to make rent. Looking for a stocking-filler or Secret Santa present under a tenner? Perhaps for someone who likes dogs/cosy crime/seaside towns/jokes? May I humbly suggest my debut novel. I’m very happy to sign or personalise copies, too. Just get in touch.
ShareWaltz me up before you go-go
TV viewers can now stay on BBC1 for Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel, flip to Channel 4 for Sandi’s Great Riviera Rail Trip or head to BBC2 for Christmas Hits: The Videos that Sleighed on BBC2, which segues neatly into Wham! night. A crowded room, friends with tired eyes. I’m hiding from you and your soul of ice. Enduring image.
At 9.05pm, it’s the Wild Cherry finale on BBC1, I’m A Celebrity: Coming Out on ITV1 or The Queen’s Last Christmas Message: Farewell to the Nation on Channel 5. Gawd bless yer, ma’am.
Film-wise, take your pick from Elf (8.05pm on Sky Showcase), Scandal (9pm on Talking Pictures), Meet Joe Black (9pm on Great TV) or The Batman (10.25pm on ITV1). You sit on a throne of lies.
ShareSemi-final leaderboard in full
When the scores for both routines are added together, Karen Carney tops the leaderboard, with Amber Davies in second spot.
Down the bottom is Balvinder Sopal with George Clarke just two points above. But will the public vote turns that on its head again?
Tess and Claud tell us to “Keeeeeep dancing!” for one of the last times ever. Sniff. As the credits roll, please stay with us for analysis, reaction and a round-up of your comments.
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 15.42 EST
Casting vote goes to…
The last deciding dance-off vote of the series will be from… Craig! No safer hands for me. Wonder if they’ll keep this innovation next series? It’s hardly been a game-changer.
ShareDouble dances rewound
A recap of the night’s eight routines on-screen now. Which worthy finalists are you voting for? Which ballroom bridesmaids are you probz not?
ShareVoting is… pause for effect… open!
Online-only, of course. Sorry, Buzby, the British Telecom talking bird (showing my age there). Placard-waving, prop-laden chaos ensues.
Judges’ scores: 8, 9, 10, 10 for a total of 37 points. Third place out of the four semi-finalists.