Key events
Show key events only
Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
Judges’ comments: Shirley says “fluid, flexible, lovely rotation and tricks, great chemistry, really enjoyed it”. Anton makes a lot of noises. Craig says “a-may-zing”. Motsi concludes “absolutely spectacular”. Wow. Nines and 10s en route?
ShareAmber and Nikita’s salsa
The salsa has led to two eliminations this series (Thomas Skinner and Chris Robshaw), so Amber Davies is bidding not to make it a third. All about connection with her partner Nikita Kuzmin. She needs to let herself go to nail the spicy Cuban vibe and energy. Started in a lift, which is unusual, then into a sparkly disco salsa with changes of rhythm. Fast and flirty. She’s been scoring consistently in the mid-30s. Can she start turning those eights and nines into her first 10? Spinning headbanger lift, lacks a little hip action and Latin spice but undoubtedly accomplished and another lift to finish.
Song: You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) by Sylvester. The 1978 disco classic and Hi-NRG gay anthem was later covered by Jimmy Somerville and Byron Stingily, whose versions charted in 1989 and 1997 respectively. Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice (remember him?) performed a Strictly salsa to it 10 years ago.
Amber Davies. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Judges’ scores: 8, 8, 9, 9 for a total of 34 points. His highest score. Joint third as it stands. His property presenter namesake will be pleased.
Did I see the other George Clarke in the audience? Amazing (spaces).
Judges’ comments: Motsi says “you’re back and I’m happy, beautiful atmosphere, used the entire floor, a tiny hop but I love seeing you do ballroom”. Shirley says “back with a bang, some of the best footwork I’ve seen”. Anton says “you shifted, proper dancing, that’s what we’re after, immaculate footwork, we felt the emotion”. Craig concludes “I disagree, footwork not perfect for me, too much rise and fall, got skippy and missed a beat but you’re a strong couple and dance with such ease”. A seven and some nines, are we saying?
ShareGeorge and Alexis’ Viennese waltz
YouTuber George Clarke and his pro partner Alexis Warr have definitely hit a plateau in the contest. He needs a breakthrough dance and could it be this romantic ballroom number? He needs to believe in himself, embrace the character and not hold back. George looking dapper in a tail suit, which is a welcome change from last week’s terrible Halloween hairpiece. Proper footwork. Breath and flow. Spinning rotation and buttery smooth as they twirl around the floor. This is more like it. Footwork falters in patches but romantic mood and lovely movement. Enjoyed that.
Song: Somebody to Love by Queen. The 1976, Aretha Franklin-inspired anthem layered the vocals of Freddie Mercury, Brian May and Roger Taylor to create the impression of a 100-strong gospel choir. It has sountracked two pervious Vienneses on Strictly: Simon Webbe and Kristina Rihanoff’s in 2014, and Chris Ramsey and Karen Hauer’s in 2019.
Judges’ scores: 7, 9, 9, 9 for a total of 34 points. “The most fun week of my entire dance career,” says Julian. Surely she’ll be safe this week?
Judges’ comments: Craig says “totally obsessed with this style of dance but it lacked definition, needed to be cleaner and sharper, but your shaping and timing was superb, you owned that”. Motsi says “your mum is watching and so proud of you, it was feminine and not too hard, controlled details”. Shirley says “your best dance so far, beautiful arms and hands, in your element, Julian killed it too, fantastic team”. Anton concludes “nailed that, more secure than before, a joy”. Always hard to judge a Couple’s Choice but eights and nines, do we reckon?
ShareBalvinder and Julian’s Couple’s Choice
EastEnders actor Balvinder Sopal and her pro partner Julian Caillon are now triple dance-off survivors but what better way to fight back than a commercial Couple’s Choice, paying homage to Bal’s Indian roots? They’re both barefoot for this fusion of Bhangra and Bollywood. Balvinder looking lovely in a golden traditional dress. Earthy, grounded, strong and powerful, then switching into some softer, more elegant moves. Vibrant and banging. Lovely side-by-side stuff. Great lifts and hankie-ography. Expressive with bags of energy. Genuinely uplifting. Confetti falls. Yes, Bal!
Song: Sapphire by Ed Sheeran & Arijit Singh. This summer’s multilingual, cross-cultural hit fusing pop with Punjabi music was recorded in Goa.
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?