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Judges’ comments: Anton says “right, yes, a lot of marching but we need more next week”. Craig says “square, flat and stompy, more tin soldier than matador”. Motsi says “you had direction but needed more shaping and body dynamism”. Shirley concludes “great oval shape, no footwork mistakes, could add more twist, pleasantly surprised, well done”. Fours and fives?
ShareThomas and Amy’s paso doble
Puce-faced scandal magnet Thomas Skinner looked like a lumpen hoofer in last week’s group dance. Let’s see if long-suffering Welsh pro Amy Dowden has managed to work any miracles. The paso is a challenging first dance and this badly lacks drama, attitude and Spanish line. Dodgy knee walks, too much strolling around and a pout that recalls Donald Trump’s. Amy working her socks off but the Essex geezer isn’t doing the bullfight business. Will El Bosh get the elbow?
Song: Battle Without Honor or Humanity by Hotei. This rock guitar instrumental was written for a Japanese yakuza film and introduced to Western audiences when it appeared on the soundtrack to Kill Bill Vol 1.
Thomas Skinner. Photograph: PAShare
Judges’ scores: 6, 6, 6, 6 for a total of 24 points. Joint third as it stands. Richard, her proud dad, is in the studio. Lovely scenes.
Judges’ comments: Motsi says “needs to be more dynamic but the queen was queening”. Shirley says “a true diva, just listen to Aljaz more with your body”. Anton says “lovely number, good luck, Aljazmy love”. Craig concludes “a whole new leve of camp, I loved it”. Fives and sixes for the two divas?
Updated at 15.57 EDT
La Voix and Aljaž’s American smooth
The drag queen looked pretty promising in last week’s group dance, despite her jokey reaction to being paired with Aljaž Škorjanec: “He’s the one I didn’t want!” Slow start on a carousel horse which should have descended, then into a trad ballroom number with a dash of Hollywood glamour. Solo sections and lifts but is it smooth enough? The judges will be looking for good posture, clean footwork and musicality. Comedy touches and characterisation are superb. Rousing reception in the studio. Fabulous. “Love the ruff, I’ve got a bath mat that matches,” he tells Tess.
Song: Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan. The 2020 power-pop banger tells the story of a woman leaving Tennessee, moving to LA and taking a job as a go-go dancer in a gay club against her mother’s wishes. A liberating gay anthem which became Roan’s first hit – and the video featured drag queens, as a further La Voix link.
La Voix and Aljaz Skorjanec. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Judges’ scores: 4, 4, 4, 5 for a total of 17 points. Harsh?
Judges’ comments: Anton says “loved the 70s disco vibe, excellent from the waist up but issues under the water line”. Craig says “feet stuck to the floor, no bounce at all and messy but you threw everything at it”. Motsi says “you’re natural mover, just build the foundations downstairs”. Shirley concludes “personality off the charts, great arms but work on those feet”. I thought she was going to get her little ghost shoes out for a glorious moment.
ShareBalvinder and Julian’s samba
Not just our first look at EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal but also her partner, new Australian pro Julian Caillon. The rhythmical Rio carnival dance isn’t an easy one to get first up. Pink fur coat removed to reveal a gold tasselled dress and giant mirrorball. Confident if a little flat-footed and off the timing. Fluid hips and shimmies but lacking bounce action and musicality in patches. Plenty of fun and a strong finish. Doof-doofs all round.
Song: (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty by KC & The Sunshine Band. The 1976 disco classic’s B-side was the even better Boogie Shoes, which appeared on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack and later became a hit in its own right.
Balvinder and Julian. Photograph: PHOTOGRAPHER:/CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray BurmistonShare
Judges’ scores: 6, 7, 7, 7 for a total of 27 points. Second place as it stands. What a lovely guy, too.
Judges’ comments: Shirley says “great quality and control, frame and footwork, recovered from mistake well, setting the bar”. Anton says “moved with wonderful flow, went a bit wrong but excellent performance”. Craig says “picked feet up and lost frame but light, bright and confident”. Motsi concludes “worked hard on technique, sell it and enjoy it more but what a start”. Sixes, do we reckon?
ShareJimmy and Lauren’s quickstep
Former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink signed up to please his Strictly-mad daughters but can he do them proud? This is the dance that did for Dani Dyer’s ankle, so let’s hope Jimmy’s not stretchered off too. His vast kitchen in the VT is a scene stealer. Fast, bright, energetic and elegant. He lacks a little lightness on his feet but hopping, skipping and gliding across the floor well. Charleston flicks and kicks. Bottom sticking out and face frozen in concentration but a nice footbally gimmick and much better than I feared.
Song: Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis. See what they did with the song choice for the ex-Chelsea striker? The Scottish indie band’s 2006 hit has become something of a sports anthem, although it was named after frontman Jon Fratelli’s wife – a burlesque dancer whose name is apparently a play on Britney Spears.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare