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Judges’ scores: 8, 8, 9, 9 for a total of 34 points.
Judges’ comments: Anton says “a bit of me, great musicality, I didn’t see any mistakes, clean and terrific”. Craig says “apart form that little mess-up it lacked a little drive and movement around the floor but full of style and class, you are joyous to watch”. Motsi says “you’re ready to take the next step up, well rehearsed and controlled, great energy”. Shirley concludes “one tiny hiccup but great footwork, impressed by your toes and knees, outstanding”. Seven from Craig, maybe eights and nines elsewhere, are we saying?
ShareGeorge and Alexis’ quickstep
Content creator™ George Clarke came out of his shell for his show-closing Blackpool salsa and duly scored his first 10s. Now he’s got a classic ballroom dance to a traditional tune. Red carpet theme. Fast footwork while keeping his frame calm and strong. Staying in sync with pro partner Alexis Warr as they fly across the floor. A bit of gapping in the promenades but elegant and energetic. Charleston flicks and kicks. A dose of jazzy Hollywood glamour from “Team Warke”. High kicks to finish. Big smiles, bags of style, splendid.
Song: I Get a Kick Out of You by Frank Sinatra. Cole Porter’s 1934 song for Broadway musical Anything Goes. The line “Some like the perfume from Spain” was a late change for the film version. It was originally “Some get a kick from cocaine” but this was banned under the Hollywood Production Code.
Judges’ scores: 4, 6, 6, 7 for a total of 23 points. Alex admits her 62-year-old body is suffering. At some length, bless her. Dance-off danger.
Judges’ comments: Motsi says “quite a few mistakes which I can’t overlook but loved your groove and leg action”. Shirley says “leg action exceptional but got off on the wrong foot and it carried on, not your night”. Anton says “good effort, you bring great quality, posture and leg action but mixed it up by doing different chore0graphy to your partner”. A freshly shorn Craig concludes “sadly it really was two dances, you lost it and got out of time, it got worse throughout the dance but I loved the posh cha-cha”. A five and three sixes, do we think?
ShareAlex and Jojo’s cha cha cha
Their theatre-jazz Couple’s Choice in Blackpool left them a surprise second from bottom on the leaderboard, so actor Alex Kingston and pro partner Johannes Radebe are aware they need a solid performance to increase their chances of safety. Way back in week four, she got the earliest ever 10s for a rumba. Now can she translate that leg action to the faster cha cha? She’s joked this week that she feels like a Christmas turkey in the bum-back-body-forward posture. She’s wearing half a glitterball on her head. Some hesitant footwork early on. A little safe and stilted. She’s concentrating so hard on the technique, she’s lacking her usual performance levels. Over the the judges’ table for some wiggling and things pick up. Suddenly she’s bringing the fun with flexible hips and plenty of disco strut. Too little too late?
Song: Ring My Bell by Anita Ward. The 1979 disco banger was originally written for child star Stacy Lattisaw as a teenybopper number about schoolgirls talking on the telephone. R&B diva Ward made it more flirty and suggestive.
ShareOur Strictly stars™
Our six pro-celebrity pairings come out for their staircase wave. Jojo’s working a 70s disco ‘fro.
SharePaddle-raising panel in the house
The judgely quartet sashay into view, having swapped their seaside finery for Elstree eveningwear. Motsi Mabuse looks fab-u-lous in red and Shirley Ballas has a massive Bacofoil ruffle thingy. Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood in the usual tuxedos.
ShareFrockwatch
Here come our autocue queens, so time for the traditional couture comparison. Tess Daly is in a white trouser suit. Claudia Winkleman is in a green velvet tuxedo suit. Sklifghtly matchy-matchy, slighty Traitors. *Marcus Bentley from Big Brother voice* Who wins? You decide!
ShareCue clap-along credits
Precisely 60 per cent of these pairs have now departed the dancefloor. Remember Ross King and Tommy Bosh? Seems like years ago.
ShareAaand we’re off!
Roll the customary dramatic pre-credits montage.