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George and Alexis\u2019 rumba<\/p>\n
This was the one song that YouTuber George Clarke wanted to dance to, since it means a lot to family after his sister sang it at their grandfather\u2019s funeral. Full of meaning for him, so he and pro partner Alexis Warr are telling a heartfelt emotional story, rather than a sensual and seductive one. Slightly awkward bench-ography to start, then into a spinning lift. Slinky fluidity and strong partnering skills. The only slow Latin dance can be exposing, especially for celebrity males, but he\u2019s doing a decent job. Rhythmic, romantic and controlled. Perhaps lacking a little earthy hip action and continuous movement. Almost balletic and contempo-waft at times. Lyrical and lovely.<\/p>\n
Song: Somewhere Only We Know by Lily Allen. Her cover of Keane\u2019s alt-rock ballad topped the charts in 2013 after appearing in the John Lewis Christmas ad, \u201cThe Bear and the Hare\u201d. It became Lily\u2019s third number one after Smile and The Fear.<\/p>\n
George Clarke and Alexis Warr. Photograph: Guy Levy\/BBC\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 scores: 7, 8, 8, 8 for a total of 31 points. Mid-table. Carlos is weepy about Kaz overcoming her back problems. \u201cI didnt expect this from my guy here,\u201d says Karen sweetly. They created a fake \u201cvegan vs meat\u201d argument to get in the zone. Sound the Linda McCartney klaxon!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 comments: Anton says \u201cI wanted it softer and more lyrical, it was brilliant but brittle\u201d. Craig says \u201cyou dance everything at supersonic speed, it was spiky, need more expression in you\u2019re arms and hands, but I love watching you and adore this partnership\u201d. Motsi says \u201cmade it your own, need more reach but an out-of-this-world number\u201d. Shirley concludes \u201cI saw your hard work on your posture which has come along beautifully, be more consistent but boy, it was on the right track\u201d. A mixed bag. Carlos emotional. Sevens and eights?<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Karen and Carlos\u2019 American smooth<\/p>\n Former Lioness Karen Carney and her pro partner Carlos Gu are the only couple this year to have scored 10s for two weeks in a row. Can they make it three on the bounce? Table-ography to start, then into some lovely travel around the floor. Lifts, leaps and lovely storytelling. Transitions a little lumpy at times but musicality and clean footwork. Almost tango-like at times. Boldly choreographed, passionately performed and selling it brilliantly for a sportsperson. Tiny mistake at the end, I think, but terrific.<\/p>\n Song: You Don\u2019t Own Me by Saygrace feat G-Eazy. The Australian singer\u2019s Quincy Jones-produced 2015 cover version of the 1963 doo-wop hit which originally came out during the feminist movement. It\u2019s been used in a House of Fraser Christmas advert and appeared on the Suicide Squad soundtrack.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 scores: 6, 7, 7, 7 for a total of 27 points. Joint bottom at the midway mark. \u201cDrunken sailors? Chicken walks? You\u2019re having us on, mate.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 comments: Craig says \u201cneeded more retraction, a bit flat-footed and back-weighted but came out and played the character brilliantly\u201d. Motsi says \u201ctiny mistakes but recovered well, standing leg needs work, choreography has gone up a level in difficulty, you\u2019re out sunshine\u201d. Shirley says \u201cweight got too far back in swing sections, use your legs better but very good\u201d. Anton concludes \u201cnot your best but not your worst, wonderfully performed\u201d. Sevens, are we saying?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a014.15 EST<\/p>\n Vicky and Kai\u2019s jive<\/p>\n Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington are flying high after last week\u2019s leaderboard-topping tango. Is she building momentum and timing her run perfectly? Vicky turns 38 tomorrow, so qualifying for Blackpool would be a perfect birthday present. Fast and high-energy with plenty of kicks and flicks. Vicky compared herself to Michael Flatley this week and you can see why as her legs pulse and pump away. Does she have the stamina to keep this high-energy to the end? Lacking a little bounce and retraction, needs to be more on her toes at times. Not keeping it compact enough and some mistakes early on. Misses the rhythm in places. The beat of the drum goes round and round indeed. Happy lindyhoppy birthday!<\/p>\n Song: Sound of the Underground by Girls Aloud. Their 2002 debut single was the winner\u2019s single from talent contest Popstars: The Rivals and became Christmas number one. It\u2019s the second time Vicky has danced to a Cheryl vocal after her Couple\u2019s Choice to her solo debut Fight For This Love in Icons Week.<\/p>\n Vicky Pattison\u2019s jive. Photograph: Guy Levy\/BBC\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 scores: 8, 9, 9, 9 for a total of 35 points. Big girls pants on, apparently. Very Bridget Jones.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 comments: Shirley says \u201cmuch more comfortable, classy and feminine, beautiful footwork, got a bit too forward but goosebump-inducing and fantastic\u201d. Anton says \u201cfootwork in harmony, immaculate musicality\u201d. Craig says \u201cneeded more float, head in bizarre position during pivots but footwork clean and elegant, loving this partnership\u201d. Motsi concludes \u201ctook time, gave us atmosphere, we lived it with you, pure magic\u201d. And no gapping! Eights and nines, do we think?<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Alex and Jojo\u2019s waltz<\/p>\n \u201cFanilows\u201d assemble. Alex Kingston had a wobble last week, struggling with the paso doble, but now she\u2019s safely back in partner Johannes Radebe\u2019s arms. She\u2019s been taking motion sickness tablets for the spins in this woodland waltz. Some jetty-ography to start, then down into a classical waltz. They\u2019ve been working hard on rise and fall, and eradicating that much-maligned gapping. Slow and smooth, regal and relaxed, moving as one. Elegant glide and sweetly romantic mood. Head position a little off at times and seems to lose balance towards the end but lovely. Leaves fall.<\/p>\n Song: Weekend in New England by Barry Manilow. The 1976 sweeping orchestral pop ballad has soundtracked several Strictly waltzes down the years, including those by Mark Wright, Jade Johnson, Rory Bremner and 2004 glitterball winner Jill Halfpenny.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 scores: 9, 10, 9, 10 for a total of 38 points. Same as last week. That\u2019ll take some beating.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Judges\u2019 comments: Motsi says \u201cdrama, presentation and timing, I put my pen down, a few troublesome turns but stunning\u201d. Shirley says \u201cneeded more side-stretch but exquisite arms, sold the story, very good\u201d. Anton makes some random noises and says \u201cthrilling to watch, very exciting\u201d. Craig concludes \u201cwanted more shaping but clean, full of tone, fire and purpose, brilliant\u201d. Nines ahoy?<\/p>\n