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Thank you and take a bow
That concludes Saturday’s greasepaint-scented liveblog but please feel free to continue the backstage gossip. Meet you back here tomorrow for this year’s penultimate (!) results show. It airs at the slightly later time of 7.45pm Sunday on BBC1, featuring a Chicago-inspired pro dance and a performance from hit comedy musical Titanique.
I’ll spark up the blog at 7.15pm for build-up, so please rejoin me then. In the meantime, I’m @michaelhogan on Twitter/X and @michaelhogan100 pretty much everywhere else, so please feel free to drop in for a luvvie-ish airkiss. Also, of course, feel free to order my debut novel for cosy December reading or ideal Christmas gifting. (Well, I couldn’t go a week without mentioning it).
Thanks again for watching along with me, my triple threat friends. See you tomorrow but in the meantime, it’s the traditional thespian motto: keeeeeep dancing! Goodnight.
Finally, on a certain furry VIP, MikeMoonlight says: “The Daily Mail is apparently absolutely furious that an undocumented Peruvian has been given a prime time spot on the BBC.”
wtrukus adds: “Wow. Paddington sounded way better than some of the musical guests they’ve had.”
Paddington and Tom Fletcher. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 15.39 EST
Lewis Cope and Katya Jones. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PA
On Lewis Cope, EmmyHarb says: “I found that too stop-start and it felt like a group dance much more than the two of them.”
ReclinedPotato says: “Oh, I love that manly athletic style of dance that Lewis just gave us. Reminds me of Gene Kelly. Absolute magic. Didn’t like the music or the staging but it’s a dancing show, no?”
DougandDinsdale says: “Lewis’ ‘salsa’ wasn’t very salsa, more running around and doing stuff he does every week.”
SnailyWhaley says: “Love West Side Story but I don’t think Lewis had the best music for that dance. The track makes so much difference. Amber and Bal had music perfectly suited to their dances, which helps so much.”
Gardener_Maidhc says: “Feel like they decided to do the original West Side Story level of intensity choreo for this dance but forgot that it’s so famously extremely difficult and high energy that even the pros have to spend weeks learning.”
JoMK73 adds: “Lewis did some amazing things in that dance but to me, it didn’t seem like a natural fit for him, which Shirley explained better in terms of his breathing. Amazing lift and wonderful spins. Was I the only one who was reminded of Patrick Swayze sweating in a vest?”
Lewis Cope and Katya Jones during the Dance Relay. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 15.52 EST
On Amber Davies, Poppieshen says: “Well, that Charleston felt like a proper musical theatre routine and to a song I love. Sadly, despite how good Amber is, I just can’t get interested in her.”
Lushattic says: “Blimey, that’s ripped the roof off the joint. It’s a 10 for me.”
SnailyWhaley says: “Spectacular from Amber. As it should be. She lucked out getting a Charleston on Musicals Week.”
MsChuffy adds: “Honestly, if I’d paid to see Guys n Dolls and seen that, I’d be EXTREMELY happy.”
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 15.41 EST
On Balvinder Sopal, MarkRoche says: “Balvinder looks gorgeous tonight. I’m a sucker for a Viennese and by golly, that was exquisite.”
MarianneRow says: “Loved the dress, loved the music, loved the sway and total immersion in the dance.”
Toesturnedin says: “I’ve been very fond of Balvinder since the series started and that dance just made me fall in love with her a bit. She has an elegance that you can’t teach. Beautiful.”
ladyglencora says: “Bal has come so far. She has such a connection with Julian and that was a beautiful, moving performance.”
Startingfromnow adds: “Bal has come from five dance-offs, no dance training and working on EastEnders at the same time as training. She is the hardest working woman I know and deserves your votes tonight. And thank you for being so kind on here. Her friends and family follow along!”
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 15.42 EST
On Karen Carney, Ireeverentnurse says: “Well done, Karen, you gave it some welly, even if there was what looked like a small mishap. You recovered it so well.”
Heartticker says: “I didn’t hate that samba as much as I thought I was going to. Would have liked to have seen her dance a proper samba, though.”
Swalk77 says: “Oh, I love Carlos so much. He’s definitely the Keith Brymer Jones of Strictly. Him and Karen are fantastic.”
Gardener_Maidhc says: “This is psychedelic in all the wrong ways. Karen is trying bless her but seems like a mess to me. Can we just pretend that didn’t happen?”
Jockette61 says: “Well, that was horrible. Can’t comment on the dancing but the WORST ever costumes in 23 series.”
EmmyHarb adds: “Forget Andrew Lloyd Webber, Ian Wright is an actual legend.”
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 15.43 EST
On George Clarke, emilyscatnaps says: “Aaaaarrrggghhhh. I already hate this Argentine tango to a completely inappropriate song. No! How can you simmer with passion in an Argentine to this nonsense?”
Heartticker says: “Well, well, well, George. A bit of a slow start and rather strange music for an AT but I really liked that.”
Lidoswimmer says: “Well done, George, that was a performance. And it takes some skill and strength to be able to lift and swing her so cleanly.”
jagadox says: “I didn’t think George was the Argentine tango type of bloke. Brooding, sexual and commanding. And I’m not sure I did, although Alexis was on fire.”
diamondcat adds: “Loved that AT. Very dramatic and wonderful lifts. I was rather put off by the singing, though, which sounded like it was coming from the bottom of a drain. Appropriate, I suppose, as it all takes place underground.”
George Clarke and Alexis Warr. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 15.44 EST
Readers’ reviews are in
The notices are here, darlings. Here’s a rapid-fire round-up of your comments. Somersetlass says: “Wow! Loved, loved, loved that Dance Relay. It was all mildly chaotic but utterly joyous! What a way to start the show.”
YodaknowsAll says: “The standard is so high this year that the celebs are part of the opening number. I really enjoyed that.”
yorkshirecoast adds: “Just had to take a Benadryl as I suffer from an allergy to all things Cockernee.”
Dance Relay. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Updated at 15.45 EST
Golden Glitterballs (theatrical edition)
Who needs standing ovations or Olivier Awards? Not us, no siree. Here are this week’s lucky liveblog gong-getters…
Best dance: Amber’s Charleston just eclipses that Dance Relay and Paddington Bear busting a move.
Worst dance: Karen’s samba finished bottom of the scoreboard, which seems harsh but here we are. It’s week 11, innit. Standards are high.
Best music choice: A tie between Never Enough and Rhythm Of Life. Both bangers, brilliantly performed by Dave Arch and his merry band.
Worst music choice: That Phantom of the Opera dirge.
Best outfit: A tie between Balvinder and Katya’s dresses. Also liked Nadiya’s green frock for the bear bit (as opposed to bearpit)
Worst outfit: George’s phantom mask somehow looked rather medical. Karen’s hippy get-up didn’t do her any favours either.
Best VT: After all the visits to West End productions, I enjoyed the stripped-back simplicity of Lewis and Katya watching West Side Story on a projector, while she explained the dancing to him. Comfy-looking beanbags, too.
Worst VT: Andrew Lloyd Webber was awkz. Sorry, m’lord. Apols, Andy.
Best judges’ comment: “Your partner, who is called Julian,” said Motsi to Bal. “Just reminding my perimenopausal brain.”
Best Claudia quip: “I almost prefer it when you cry,” to an overexcited Carlos. Honourable mention to “My mum is here!” when Nikita lifted her up.
Updated at 15.16 EST
From Tony and Maria to Tony Montana
TV viewers can now stay on BBC1 for Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel or flip to Channel 4 for Sandi’s Great Riviera Rail Trip.
At 9pm, it’s The Veiled World of Nick Cave on Sky Arts or I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! on ITV1. At 9.05pm, there’s Wild Cherry on BBC1 or Christmas TV We Loved & Lost on Channel 5.
If all those musicals-which-are-films-really has put you in a movie mood, tonight’s picks are About Time (9pm on Comedy Central), Knives Out (10.05pm on Channel 4), The Northman (11.15pm on Film4), King Richard (11.30pm on BBC2) and Scarface (12.35am on Channel 4). Say hello to my little friend…
ShareMusicals Week leaderboard in full
Amber Davies takes top billing on the quarter-final scoreboard with her perfect 40.
Lewis Cope, Balvinder Sopal and George Clarke are all tied in second spot. Down the bottom is Karen Carney, albeit just one point behind that cluster.
ShareSafety curtain comes down
Chorus line leaders Tess and Claud instruct us to “Keeeeeep dancing!”. As the end credits roll, 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! This plot twist will be interesting one week, probably.
ShareTonight’s action recapped
An encore for the night’s five routines on-screen now. Which West End wendies are you voting for? Which Broadway berties are you definitely not?
ShareVoting is… drum roll please, Dave Arch… open!
Online-only, naturally. What do you think we are? Savages? The now traditional prop-waving chaos erupts.