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Eyes down, it’s the Golden Glitterballs
Who’s going home with this week’s liveblog baubles? Here are this week’s lucky gong-getters…
Best dance: Vicky Pattison’s leaderboard-topping tango. I also loved Balvinder and George.
Worst dance: The Latin disappointments from Nitro and Alex Kingston.
Best music choice: Taylor Swift and Mama Cass sounded good
Worst music choice: That Charleston to a Diana Ross/Aretha Franklin mash-up was a dog’s dinner.
Best outfit: Vicky and Alex’s frocks were both stunners.
Worst outfit: Amber and Nikita’s disco horrors were distinctly “Carwash night at the student union”.
ShareThose week seven standings
Vicky Pattison tops the scoreboard for the first time, with Amber Davies in second spot. La Voix is way down at the bottom, with Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Alex Kingston tied just above.
As always, though, the public vote plays its part in deciding which two pairs will dance again for survival tomorrow night. It could also be a nervy wait for George Clarke and Balvinder Sopal.
ShareCredits roll
“Keeeeeep dancing,” trill Tess and Claud. As the sparkly confetti is swept up by an unassuming janitor who might well be a kung fu-fighting crime-fighter in his spare time, please stay with us for analysis, reaction and a round-up of your comments.
ShareThe casting vote goes to…
This week, the deciding vote in the dance-off goes to… Motsi Mabuse! It’s not been the exciting innovation they thought but let’s keep faith that this format tweak will pay dividends one Sunday.
Tonight’s nifty nine routines get rewound on-screen. Which firecrackers are you voting for? Which damp squibs are you definitely not?
ShareAnd the vote is… open!
Online-only, of course. Phonelines are so last season. A fancy-dressed farrago erupts. Nikita lifts Claudia and nearly gives her a hernia.
Judges’ scores: 7, 8, 7, 8 for a total of 30 points. Joint second bottom. Dance-off danger?
Judges’ comments: Shirley says “a crowd-pleaser, sensational hip rolls but work on the footwork and knee action”. Anton says “loved your energy, you brought everything and I enjoyed it”. Craig says “happy with the pecs, less so with the rise and fall, needed a softer knee, brought the carnival, intoxicating”. Motsi concludes “felt the rhythm and bounce, you have an aura and bring joy but I want the details”. Sevens and eights, do we think?
ShareHarry and Karen’s samba
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey – aka Nitro from Gladiators – finished bottom of the leaderboard last week and was relieved to be lifted clear of the dance-off by viewer votes. Now he’s forgetting such worries and letting loose with a Rio carnival dance. Some dancing pecs to start and then into a rhythmical race-up with hip rotation and bounce action. Controlling his energy, just about, in a bid to nail the samba technique. Harry and pro partner Karen Hauer are bringing the party. A whisk move and plenty of joy. Flagged a bit towards the end and lacking a little musicality maybe, but fluid, supple and fun.
Song: Samba by Gloria Estefan. The Latin pop-queen’s Brazilian-flavoured 2020 remake of her classic hit Conga.
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Judges’ scores: 9, 10, 10, 10 for a total of 39 points. Top of the leaderboard with one dance to go. Airpunches and leaps of celebration. “It felt like dancing with a professional,” says Kai. Howay the lass.
Judges’ comments: Anton says “absolutely marvellous, loved it, compact hold, great line, immaculate, I’m stunned it was so good”. Craig says “your left hand bothered me, apart from that it was perfect”. Motsi says “it proves you’re a contender for the final, dance of the night”. Shirley concludes “belief, narrative, remarkable, I’m with Motsi”. Vicky can’t believe those comment. Thrilled for her. Nines and even a 10 or two?
ShareVicky and Kai’s tango
Swifties assemble! Vicky Pattison’s Strictly playlist has been heavy on the pop divas, with Madonna, Bonnie Tyler and Cheryl in recent weeks. Queens all. She’s been the field’s steadiest improver in terms of scores, with last week the first time that she didn’t increase her total. But she’s consistently getting eights now and has become a fixture in mid-table. Kai Widdrington said this week that he thought the tango was her best ballroom dance yet and he might just be right. Flat and fierce in close hold. Regal mood. Slow, stalking promenades with sharp swivels and and clipped staccato. Footwork a little hurried in a couple of places but excellent characterisation and real fire. Loved that.
Song: The Fate of Ophelia by Taylor Swift. The lead single from her recent album, The Life Of A Showgirl, is a synth-pop banger inspired by the doomed, drowned Hamlet character. It broke global records for the most-streamed song on Spotify. The lyrics include references to Swift’s relationship with fiancé Travis Kelce, portraying him as an honourable man who saved her from heartbreak and tragedy.
Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 14.42 EST
Judges’ scores: 9, 10, 9, 10 for a total of 38 points. Her highest score and first 10s, top of the leaderboard as it stands. Amber does some “X Factor phone-hand” on the balcony. Memories of Eoghan Quigg. Just me?
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).