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Do some light stretching from your seated sofa position. We’re about to go over live to the Elstree Studios ballroom…
Alan Carr’s Picturewang just drawing to a close on BBC1. I am, and have always been… a Traitor *bursts into tears, steals all the money, pops open another bottle of rosé*.
A mere five minutes to wait now…
Updated at 13.30 EST
Justice for Ginger Neil
Cheering news from sister show Strictly: It Takes Two this week when Neil Jones not only won this year’s Pro Challenge but set a new world record in the process. He performed an impressive 58 samba whisks in 30 seconds to take the crown.
After twice finishing runner-up in the annual contest, our strawberry blond cult hero was endearingly thrilled to finally claim the trophy. As host Janette Manrara said: “The bridesmaid has become the bride.”
Now everyone’s got to keep up with the Jones. It’s a mere 10 minutes until the clock strikes sequins…
ShareOn your dance cards tonight
Of this evening’s eight routines, there are two overlaps, with Karen and Balvinder both performing a waltz and a salsa. A strange quirk of the dance roster.
There are also not one but two appearances on Dave Arch’s playlist from Michael Bublé, aka Mickey Bubbles. Well, I suppose it is nearly Christmas. Fifteen minutes until semi-final o’clock…
ShareEyes down for Strictly semi-final bingo
Tick them off when you spot them on screen! Take a drink for each! End up stoving into the Christmas Bailey’s and Babychams too early! Here’s your 10-point spotter’s guide for tonight’s proceedings…
Claudia gets everyone on the balcony to say the word “tablets” during the voting details
Mention of Lewis Cope’s departure last week gets sorrowful “awws” from the crowd
Celebrity insists “I never dreamt I’d make it this far in the competition”
Craig is roundly booed for raising his “nine” paddle
Mention of blister plasters/Epsom salts due to hard week’s training
Celebrity is told they have “turned-in toes” or “sickled feet”
Male pro refers to his partner as “this girl” or “this woman”
Tess Daly’s frock has some kind of superfluous asymmetry or strange neck detail
A pro is thrilled when one of their celebrity partner’s ballroom steps was appreciated by Anton
The glitterball trophy is in the studio and greeted with audience “oohs”
ShareTight at the top and bottom
It probably won’t surprise you to learn that Balvinder Sopal is bookies’ hot tip for elimination this week, with Amber Davies as second favourite.
Meanwhile, Karen Carney and George Clarke have drawn level as favourites to win the glitterball. It’s 25 minutes until ballroom blast-off…
ShareTwice the workload, twice the pressure
A hectic week in the training studios this week, with our couples dividing their time between two routines. They’re wisely mixing up the pace with one slower ballroom dance and one Latin or speciality number – except for George Clarke, who has two fast, full-on styles. As the youngest semi-finalist, though, he should have the energy and stamina.
Half an hour until semi showtime…
ShareWhose double dancing will earn them a place in the final?
Two more routines, one more public vote and you’re a finalist. It’s choreographic crunch time and the glitterball trophy is tantalisingly within grasp. Good evening and welcome to the semi-final weekend of Strictly Come Dancing 2025. I’m Michael, your cyber dance partner. I’d love you to watch along with me as our four remaining couples bid to reach this year’s grand final.
For the first time tonight, our pro-celebrity pairings tackle two full routines apiece, so it’s been a hectic week in the training rooms. Faced with this extra challenge, who will thrive and who will wilt? The judges have their last chance to influence proceedings this weekend. In next Saturday’s final, their scores will be for guidance only and it’s all down to viewer votes.
People’s favourite Karen Carney and the strongly supported George Clarke, neither of whom have ever been in the bottom two, look likely tips for the final. Amber Davies prevailed in last week’s dance-off, her second, and Balvinder Sopal has survived a record-breaking five, so they seem most in danger. However, Lewis Cope’s shock exit last week was a reminder that anything could happen.
It’s showtime at 6.35pm on BBC One. I’ll be liveblogging from 6.05pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, analysis, reaction and semi-sarky asides. So get cosy under the festive fairylights and I’ll see you on the sofa.
As always, I’d love to hear from you too. You can tweet me @michaelhogan, contact me on Bluesky or Threads @michaelhogan100, email me michael.hogan.freelance@guardian.co.uk and the comments section below is open for dance discourse. I’ll waltz and waft down there to see what you’re all saying and report some of your comments up top.
We’re into the last week and it’s time to peak. Nearly time to staaaaart double-dancing!