Key events
Two sex worker-themed films in a row, note several commenters. Weird Science or Anora next?
Judges’ scores: 5, 5, 5, 6 for a total of 21 points. Same as last week.
Updated at 14.53 EDT
Judges’ comments: Motsi says “sass, style and courage, your eyes light up when you dance, you have potential but too many mistakes”. Shirley says “you’re an amazing dancer, good narrative but balance needs work”. Anton says “I was going to gie you my top mark o the night, loved the lines and leg action, a bit flingy and mistakes but you’re a pocket rocked”. Craig concludes “shoulders up, lost connection and messy at time but there a future for you, darling”.
ShareJaime and Carlos’ cha cha cha
“Big mistake. Huge!”. Jaime Winstone’s tango was fun but technically flawed last week. The Cuban party dance might be more up her street. An outfit change to open and leaning into character alongside reigning pro champion Carlos Gu. A cheeky, flirty and feline feel, slinky movements with her feet brushing the floor. Great leg and hip action. Lots of solo content, which can be exposing, but Jaime is handling it confidently. Lacks flow at times but loads of fast and fun with style and swagger.
Song: Oh, Pretty Woman from Pretty Woman. Rob Orbison’s 60s chart-topper won a posthumous Grammy Award after being used as a title son for the 1990 romcom starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. Miami rap band 2 Live Crew were later sued for copyright over their parody version about two-timing women.
Carlos Gu and Jaime Winstone. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Judges’ scores: 4, 5, 5, 5 for a total of 19 points, one more than last week. “Ever have that dream where you’re doing Strictly without your trousers on?” says Will.
Judges’ comments: Anton says “great open work but all the energy dropped out of it in hold and went wrong in the end, loved half of it”. Craig says “bottom sticking out, could be more graceful but love you personality”. Motsi says “light, freedom, don’t rush the music but it had life”. Shirley concludes “A-star performer but no trousers meant I could see the flat feet”. And the ghost child’s shoes come out, much to Craig’s exasperation. “I think that’s my size,” says Josh.
ShareWill and Dianne’s foxtrot
Big Brother presenter Will Best had his chest out, distractingly, for last week’s leather-trousered, series-opening samba. Happily he’s put his nipples away for the foxtrot with Australian pro Dianne Buswell – but he is doing it in his tighty-whiteys like Tom Cruise. The number does open with the famous slide, though. Brave solo start, then into hold and gliding elegantly around the floor with decent posture. Footwork flat and could be cleaner. Too much sofa convulsing but lots of fun. Plays air-lamp to finish.
Song: Old Time Rock & Roll from Risky Business. Bob Seger’s raucous, rough-edged rocker from the 1983 high school comedy. It’s been covered by Status Quo, Steve “The Hair” Harrington in Stranger Things and, ahem Alvin and the Chipmunks.
Judges’ scores: 8, 8, 8, 7 for a total of 31 points. Joint highest score of the series so far and second on the combined board as it stands. Jojo quicksteps around the balcony with the Beast to celebrate.
Judges’ comments: Craig smiles and says “I absolutely loved it”. The audience go nuts. Mosti says “mesmerising, led Lauen well, stayed in character the whole way, long strides, musicality, great job”. Shirley says “technically tested him but executed beautifully”. Anton concludes “highly commended footwork, liked it a lot but you’ve got more, straighten out your wonky frame and you could be one of the best ballroom dancers we’ve ever had”. Sevens, even eights?
ShareGraeme and Lauren’s waltz
Canine expert Graeme Hall was a sunrise package last week, finishing in fifth spot for his cheeky cha-cha. He even made Craig smile. Well, every dog has its day. Now the Dogfather has become the Godfather, channelling his more serious side for this Mafia waltz. Graeme has even grown a moustache for the occasion. Pro partner Lauren Oakley has put in plenty of proper waltz content. A little timing falter and some balance issues in parts but posture, frame and footwork looking OK. Better than the wobbly camerawork anyway. Slow and smooth. Rise and fall. Lovely mood, mystery and storytelling.
Song: The Love Theme from The Godfather. The 1972 instrumental was lyricised as “Speak Softly, Love” and became an easy listening hit for Andy Williams. Slash from Guns N’ Roses also does a mean instrumental guitar versions.
Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 14.31 EDT
Judges’ scores: 6, 6, 6, 6 for a total of 24 points – nine more than last week. Has it lifted the Dame out of dance-off danger?
Judges’ comments: Motsi says “biggest improvement of the night, you opened up, neat swivel, got better as it went on”. Shirley says “enjoyed the changes of pace, pleased with it, let yourself go, a job well done”. Anton says “clean as a whistle”. Craig concludes “too tame and careful, lacked wild abandon but parts were gaw-jus”.
ShareSarah and Julian’s Charleston
The sporting Dame gets the honour of this year’s first Charleston, alongside Australian pro Julian Caillon. Having finished joint bottom last week, she’s now bookie’s second favourite for the first elimination. Fun fact: the wardrobe department initially ordered Sarah’s Mary Poppins brolly online but got their measurements wrong so when it turned up, it was tiny like a cocktail umbrella. Cute opening, then into a high-energy Charleston which Julian has called “a cardio killer”. Slightly flat-footed but staying in sync pretty well in the side-by-side sections. Fast and full of character. The couple’s first lifts are executed well. She’s singing along and it’s kooky fun. Lacking a little bounce and showmanship, while Craig will be scrutinising that swivel. Super or atrocious?
Song: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (try typing that at speed) from Mary Poppins. The compound word first appeared in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1931 (“it implies all that is grand, great, glorious, splendid, superb or wonderful”) but was popularised by the 1964 musical, which defined it as “something to say when you don’t know what to say”.
Julian Caillon and Dame Sarah Storey. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Josh flies off on Mary Poppins’ umbrella. Maybe he’s heading to the balcony as many viewers seem to want?
Judges’ scores: 4, 5, 4, 6 for a total of 19 points, one fewer than last time. Lawrence admits he struggled this week but Jowita insists she’s proud of his efforts.
Judges’ comments: Anton says “compliment to the chef, wonderful open work, needs work in hold, arms are twisted but you are magic”. Craig says “posture and frame need work, splayed and spatulistic hands”. Motsi says “charming storytelling but weight too far back”. Shirley concludes “far too much rise and fall, need to lower heel and fly flat but for personality, you’re one of the best”.
ShareLaurence and Jowita’s Viennese waltz
Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb was praised for his “competition standard” arm-shaping while performing this year’s first pao doble last week and was under-marked in my book. Now he’s embracing ballroom for this gimmicky culinary number. He’s the behatted Parisian chef while pocket rocket pro Jowita Przystal makes for a cute rat. Too much messin’ abaht to start but once they start dancing, there’s lots of rotation around the floor. He looks a little stiff and rictus of face. Lacks softness and romance. Not terribly tasty.
Song: Le Festin from Ratatouille. Chanson crooner Camille’s number from the 2007 Pixar movie. She also dubbed the voice of Janeane Garofalo’s character Colette in the film’s French version.
Judges’ scores: 4, 4, 4, 5 for a total of 17 points, one up on last week. A hug for Jojo because “we’re both new to this”, which is sweet.
Judges’ comments: Craig says “a little bit disconnected, some awkward moments, need a straighter leg and hip action was more of a salsa wiggle but played it cheekily and I stopped watching the footwork towards the end”. Motsi says “I saw breath and a smile, more present but I need impact”. Shirley says “nervous and got out of sync but good vertical line, decent timing but needs flow”. Anton concludes “huge improvement on last week, well done”.