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Judges’ scores: 6, 8, 7, 8 for a total of 29 points. Bottom as it stands.
Judges’ comments: Anton says “uplifting, enjoyed it enormously, heel turns a little home-made and stride pattern got short, try to elongate the backward steps but lovely feel and musicality”. Craig says “left shoulder raised, free arm needs attention and it lacked togetherness but love your exuberant presentation”. Motsi says “I see your new-found love of dance, translate that sunshine into your body, keep on shining”. Shirley concludes “sunshine upstairs, raining downstairs, a bit flat-footed and out of sync but always a joy to watch”. Sevens and eights?
ShareLa Voix and Aljaž’s foxtrot
Drag queen La Voix joined the 30s club with last week’s Queen Of Hearts paso doble, by far her best dance. Can she maintain momentum while going from power to softness? She hasn’t done ballroom for four weeks but the foxtrot is partner Aljaž Škorjanec’s favourite dance. Lying down on the dancefloor to start. Woodstock hippy vibes in a shimmery rainbow frock. Gliding, flowing and fluid. Topline wobbles and posture not perfect with the odd bit of gapping. Lacks a little smoothness but petals fall and high performance value as always. Lovely.
Song: Make Your Own Kind of Music by Cass Elliot. The 1969 bubblegum pop anthem by Mama Cass featured prominently in plane crash drama Lost. It was later covered by Paloma Faith of “murdered in plain sight by Alan Carr on The Celebrity Traitors” fame *touches face with poison pollen*.
La Voix and Aljaz Skorjanec. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Judges’ scores: 7, 8, 7, 8 for a total of 30 points. Alex is weepy but gets a group hug on the Clauditorium.
Judges’ comments: Motsi says “the first time I’ve felt insecurity from you but you move like a queen, come back and show us your fire”. Shirley says “stumbled on a few steps but technicalities were fantastic elsewhere, lacked passion, fire and spatial awareness”. Anton says “regal, well-schooled and studious but looked a little nervous”. Craig concludes “tense shoulders, lacked shaping, too placed and careful, lacked showbiz pizzazz, too middle-of-the-road”. Sevens incoming?
ShareAlex and Jojo’s paso doble
Alex Kingston has excelled at Latin so far, with her rumba, salsa and samba all scoring highly. Now she and pro partner Johannes Radebe are telling the story of the bullfight, clad in black lacy outfits. Imperious characterisation. Packed with content and traditional steps. Great chemistry. Fiery and passionate, as you’d expect from an actor who always brings the drama. She’s been working hard in training on that contorted banana shape but those curved Spanish lines are a little lacking. Flat-footed at times but powerful and punchy. A high-class paso, if not a spicy one.
Song: Amparito Roca by Jaime Teixidor. The famous 1925 piece, named after one of the composer’s 12-year-old piano students. McFly’s Tom Fletcher and Amy Dowden also performed a paso to it during the 2021 series.
Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Judges’ scores: 8, 10 (woah!), 8, 9 for a total of 35 points. Same as Lewis. Carlos says it’s the most difficult routine he’s ever done on Strictly.
Judges’ comments: Craig says “a right little bobby-dazzler, incredible, could’ve done more swivel and lifts got sticky but your energy was amazing”. Motsi says “dynamic and on-top, naturally expressive, I love you”. Shirley says “fast-paced and difficult but swivelling was a little missing and off-balance in places but lots to like”. Anton concludes “congratulations to Carlos for keeping up, lindhop part tremendous”. Eights and nines?
ShareKaren and Carlos’ Charleston
I’ve been looking forward to this. Former Lioness Karen Carney, riding high after scorting her first 10s for last week’s Peaky Blinders-capped Argentine tango, should have the sporty stamina and fast feet required here. Her pro partner Carlos Gu’s previous Charlestons have scored 35 and 38 points. No pressure. Gimmicky upside-down opening, then into a quirky, happy dance packed with lifts, tricks, flicks and kicks. Loads of steps and bounce. Cute outfits, with Karen in “skorts”, braces and blouse. Craig “Swivel” Horwood will have a beady eye on those ankles. Out of sync at times and a little messy in the upper body. Giving it welly, fast as hell but not quite gellling for me.
Song: Upside Down/Think by Diana Ross/Aretha Franklin. A funky mash-up of the Niles Rodgers-produced 1980 disco classic and the 1968 soul anthem which was famously featured on The Blues Brothers soundtrack.
Updated at 13.55 EST
Judges’ scores: 8, 9, 9, 9 for a total of 35 points. Setting a high bar for the next eight couples.
Judges’ comments: Shirley says “I like it like that, well-balanced, did a grand job”. Anton says “he’s barely out of breath and barely dressed, timing and fluidity brilliant, a little bit hard in the base”. Craig says “a little try-hard and hit the shapes too hard but insane rhythm and hips on fire”. Motsi concludes “I loved it like that, cool Cuban vibe”. Nines ahoy?
ShareLewis and Katya’s cha cha cha
Vest-clad actor Lewis Cope goes from Hartlepool to Havana. Last week’s triumphant Couple’ Choice scored a perfect 40 (only the second ever maximum for pro partner Katya Jones) and was hailed as one of the best dances in Strictly history. A lot to live up to, so the technically tricky Cuban party dance could see Lewis come crashing back to earth – or perhaps not. Lots of exposing solo work which he handles with style. Low, deep and grounded down below. More fluid and free in the upper body. Cheeky, flirty feel with wiggling hip action. A large helping of Cuban sauce. Man, he’s good. Katya clearly loving having a great partner. Phew, a spicy start to the show.
Song: I Like It Like That by Pete Rodriguez. The 1967 boogaloo hit was covered in the 90s by Latin supergroup The Blackout All-Stars version. Its use in a Burger King ad also contributed to its resurgence in popularity, More recently, it was sampled by rapper Cardi B (full name: Cardigan Buttons).
Lewis Cope and Katya Jones. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 13.37 EST
Our Strictly stars™
Our couples come out for a staircase welcome wave. Nitro’s got his pecs out. So has Aussie Julian. Some singalong air-punching to Bon Jovi, oddly.
ShareJudges ahoy
We welcome the paddle-raisibng panel of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke. All in black, with Shirley’s frock oddly matronly. They raised six 10s last week. Will we see any maximums tonight?
ShareFrockwatch
Here’s our presentational dream duo, so let’s do the traditional frock-off. Tess Daly is a sparkly black halterneck frock. Claudia Winkleman is in a black sequinned shirt and trousers with white stilettoes. Claud wins, like a sort of couture Alan Carr.
Updated at 13.29 EST