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Eyes down, it\u2019s the Golden Glitterballs<\/p>\n
Who\u2019s going home with this week\u2019s liveblog baubles? Here are this week\u2019s lucky gong-getters\u2026<\/p>\n
Best dance: Vicky Pattison\u2019s leaderboard-topping tango. I also loved Balvinder and George.<\/p>\n
Worst dance: The Latin disappointments from Nitro and Alex Kingston.<\/p>\n
Best music choice: Taylor Swift and Mama Cass sounded good<\/p>\n
Worst music choice: That Charleston to a Diana Ross\/Aretha Franklin mash-up was a dog\u2019s dinner.<\/p>\n
Best outfit: Vicky and Alex\u2019s frocks were both stunners.<\/p>\n
Worst outfit: Amber and Nikita\u2019s disco horrors were distinctly \u201cCarwash night at the student union\u201d.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a>Those week seven standings<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Credits roll<\/p>\n \u201cKeeeeeep dancing,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>The casting vote goes to\u2026<\/p>\n This week, the deciding vote in the dance-off goes to\u2026 Motsi Mabuse! It\u2019s not been the exciting innovation they thought but let\u2019s keep faith that this format tweak will pay dividends one Sunday.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Tonight\u2019s nifty nine routines get rewound on-screen. Which firecrackers are you voting for? Which damp squibs are you definitely not?<\/p>\n Share<\/a>And the vote is\u2026 open!<\/p>\n Online-only, of course. Phonelines are so last season. A fancy-dressed farrago erupts. Nikita lifts Claudia and nearly gives her a hernia.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 scores: 7, 8, 7, 8 for a total of 30 points. Joint second bottom. Dance-off danger?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 comments: Shirley says \u201ca crowd-pleaser, sensational hip rolls but work on the footwork and knee action\u201d. Anton says \u201cloved your energy, you brought everything and I enjoyed it\u201d. Craig says \u201chappy with the pecs, less so with the rise and fall, needed a softer knee, brought the carnival, intoxicating\u201d. Motsi concludes \u201cfelt the rhythm and bounce, you have an aura and bring joy but I want the details\u201d. Sevens and eights, do we think?<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Harry and Karen\u2019s samba<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Song: Samba by Gloria Estefan. The Latin pop-queen\u2019s Brazilian-flavoured 2020 remake of her classic hit Conga.<\/p>\n Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer. Photograph: Guy Levy\/BBC\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 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. \u201cIt felt like dancing with a professional,\u201d says Kai. Howay the lass.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 comments: Anton says \u201cabsolutely marvellous, loved it, compact hold, great line, immaculate, I\u2019m stunned it was so good\u201d. Craig says \u201cyour left hand bothered me, apart from that it was perfect\u201d. Motsi says \u201cit proves you\u2019re a contender for the final, dance of the night\u201d. Shirley concludes \u201cbelief, narrative, remarkable, I\u2019m with Motsi\u201d. Vicky can\u2019t believe those comment. Thrilled for her. Nines and even a 10 or two?<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Vicky and Kai\u2019s tango<\/p>\n Swifties assemble! Vicky Pattison\u2019s Strictly playlist has been heavy on the pop divas, with Madonna, Bonnie Tyler and Cheryl in recent weeks. Queens all. She\u2019s been the field\u2019s steadiest improver in terms of scores, with last week the first time that she didn\u2019t increase her total. But she\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s relationship with fianc\u00e9 Travis Kelce, portraying him as an honourable man who saved her from heartbreak and tragedy.<\/p>\n Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington. Photograph: Guy Levy\/BBC\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a014.42 EST<\/p>\n Judges\u2019 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 \u201cX Factor phone-hand\u201d on the balcony. Memories of Eoghan Quigg. Just me?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 comments: Shirley says \u201cfluid, flexible, lovely rotation and tricks, great chemistry, really enjoyed it\u201d. Anton makes a lot of noises. Craig says \u201ca-may-zing\u201d. Motsi concludes \u201cabsolutely spectacular\u201d. Wow. Nines and 10s en route?<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Amber and Nikita\u2019s salsa<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Amber Davies. Photograph: Guy Levy\/BBC\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Did I see the other George Clarke in the audience? Amazing (spaces).<\/p>\n