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Chris and Nadiya\u2019s paso doble<\/p>\n
Dance-off survivors Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova come out fighting and the paso\u2019s a good dance to do it. His hammer-wielding alter ego should help Chris get into mean and moody character. Can he bring the thunder? Capes, mullets, biceps. Suitably powerful but lacking drama, attack and curve. Walking through it, throwing away his moves.<\/p>\n
Song: Sweet Child O\u2019Mine from Thor: Love and Thunder. The Guns N\u2019 Roses anthem was composed during a jam session on Sunset Strip. Singer Axl Rose (anag, ahem) wrote the lyrics about his girlfriend Erin \u201cdaughter of Don\u201d Everly.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a>Claudia on the Ts & Cs<\/p>\n No surprise guest in the Clauditorium to read out the voting smallprint. Somebody pulled out, do we reckon? Online-only, remember. Something about QR codes. I\u2019m with Claud, no idea.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 scores: 8, 9, 9, 9 for a total of 35 points. Highest score of the series so far. Too much, too soon, too good?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 comments: Craig says \u201cvery good, my darling, clean and fluid, coped well with the benches, Oscar-winning\u201d. Motsi mistakenly thinks it\u2019s Musicals Week (and in many ways it is) says \u201cstunning and super-light\u201d. Cynthia says \u201cI feel like a proud parent, beautiful\u201d. Shirley says \u201cbeautiful footwork and timing, exquisite\u201d. Are we about to get our first nine of the series?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.32 EDT<\/p>\n Amber and Nikita\u2019s American smooth<\/p>\n Late arrival Amber Davies has hit the ground running and topped the combined scoreboard last week, which made the perfect birthday present. Pro partner Nikita Kuzmin has choreographed a packed foxtrot-style routine, with park benches and bike-o-graphy. Sweet mood, swinging and swaying. Lots going on and lovely lifts. The judges told Amber to build from the foundations of footwork and I\u2019d say she has. Splendid start to the show.<\/p>\n Song: Sixteen Going on Seventeen from The Sound of Music. The Rodgers and Hammerstein song was memorably spoofed by Dawn and Jennifer as \u201cI am French\/And you are Saunders\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Cynthia will be commenting but not scoring. Shame or wise? I err towards the latter.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Our Strictly stars\u2122<\/p>\n Our couples come out for welcome waves and it\u2019s a fancy dress frenzy. Lion King African prints! Pigeons on hats! Mullet wigs and massive Thor mallets! Preposterous Thunderbirds costumes are go!<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Judges get a plus-one<\/p>\n Here come our paddle-raising panel of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas. They\u2019re in best black tie for the occasion. Motsi looking fabulous. Their ranks are swelled by, you guessed it, Cynthia Erivo, who gets the middle chair.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Cynthia Erivo introduced<\/p>\n They sure are holding a lot of space for her tonight. Donny Osmond and Carlton from The Fresh Prince didn\u2019t get this treatment.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Frockwatch<\/p>\n Here come our Hollywood hosts, so time for the weekly couture clash. Tess Daly is pink tassels. Claudia Winkleman is in a chic black V-neck number. Claudia wins.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n More suited to Halloween Week, arguably. A tale of broomstick-riding, pointy-hatted, green-faced forbidden love with all the pros getting to play both roles. Lovely storytelling and a big spinning lift sequence to finish.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>The pros cast a spell<\/p>\n Something wicked this way comes. We open with the professional dancers performing the first of two filmic group numbers this weekend. This one, choreographed by Jason Gilkison, is based on upcoming fantasy film Wicked For Good \u2013 sequel to one of the highest grossing movie musicals of all time and starring, of course, a certain Cynthia Erivo.<\/p>\n