Key events<\/p>\n
Show key events only<\/p>\n
Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n
Thank you and a glittery goodnight<\/p>\n
That concludes Saturday\u2019s semi-final liveblog but please feel free to continue the ballroom badinage in the comments below. Meet you back here tomorrow for this year\u2019s last results show. It airs at 7.45pm Sunday on BBC1, featuring music from 5ive and Kylie. Not together. That would be weird.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll spark up the blog at 7.15pm for build-up, so please rejoin me then. In the meantime, I\u2019m @michaelhogan on Twitter\/X and @michaelhogan100 pretty much everywhere else, so please feel free to say hi or something less savoury.<\/p>\n
As always, thanks for watching along with me. See you tomorrow but in the meantime, you know the deal by now: keeeeeep dancing! Goodnight and take care.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n A tear-sodden semi-final with too much padding but some great dancing.<\/p>\n And left intriguingly poised. Thoughts? Predictions? I predict a Balvinder vs Amber dance-off with only one result\u2026.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.05 EST<\/p>\n Finally, on Karen Carney, ladyglencora says: \u201cKaz\u2019s best ballroom dance by a country mile. What a finish! Bit dusty in here.\u201d<\/p>\n Poppieshen says: \u201cThat was gawjus from Kaz and Carlos. Graceful and the softness the judges wanted was there in spades. Beautiful dress, as well.\u201d<\/p>\n LegTheory says: \u201cCarlos is such a great partner for Karen. She looked really nervous and he made her smile and calmed her down.\u201d<\/p>\n ReclinedPotato says: \u201cOh Karen. Yes, yes, yes, what an utter triumph that waltz was. Soft and fluid, full of grace, you are a woman transformed! Tears are being shed.\u201d<\/p>\n joanieloves says: \u201cLove Karen, she\u2019s my winner no matter what. Have also warmed more to Carlos with her – she\u2019s matched his energy and he\u2019s been more engaging because of this. Fabulous.\u201d<\/p>\n DochkiMateri says: \u201cCan you imagine how many tears Carlos will shed if they win the glitterball? Flood warning will be necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n G1adys says: \u201cThat\u2019s both feet in the final for Karen. And one hand on the glitterball?\u201d<\/p>\n fihema says: \u201cKaren is so good. We\u2019d seen a lot of those moves before from Karen, but the level of confidence, the professional polish, that felt new, that felt perfect. Ten years from now, if someone watches the clip on YouTube, I\u2019m not sure they\u2019ll know which one was the celeb. And Carlos has soooo grown on me this season. What a partnership.\u201d<\/p>\n diamondcat says: \u201cCarlos, you\u2019re right. When Karen dances, we all feel delight and joy. What more could you ask for?\u201d<\/p>\n IvanTiger says: \u201cKaren is excellent on her own and what a fun. complex dance. Great stuff. Her hairy trews are distracting, though.\u201d<\/p>\n EmmyHarb adds: \u201cI think Karen\u2019s trousers were Mr Tumnus\u2019s work pair as they had that pinstripe down the side.\u201d<\/p>\n Karen Carney and Carlos Gu. Photograph: Guy Levy\/BBC\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.06 EST<\/p>\n On George Clarke, indigoviolet says: \u201cOh dear god, I think George may have come a bit too far out of that shell of his now.\u201d<\/p>\n diamondcat says: \u201cThe start of his samba was a bit stompy but the table top stuff was brill.\u201d<\/p>\n ReclinedPotato says: \u201cGeorge dancing on top of that table like a constipated flamingo, proper entertainment!\u201d<\/p>\n Jockette61 says: \u201cThat was so infectiously joyous. Lost all his inhibitions forever, hopefully.\u201d<\/p>\n yorkshirecoast says: \u201cOkay, George just made me smile for the first time this week! Might chuck him a vote. I have no idea what he does but that\u2019s down to my age. Besides, I had a strop the first time they had a Youtuber on and it turned out to be lovely Joe Sugg so I soon got over it.\u201d<\/p>\n Heartticker says: \u201cGeorge undermarked there, he deserved a ten for the entertainment value alone. It was better than Bal, but as usual the judges love to score everyone the same.\u201d<\/p>\n Phoebe says: \u201cI love a Charleston and that was great from George. He seems to have woken up this week and decided he actually does want to really take part in this competition. Shame he has left it so late to show us what he can do and how much he enjoys doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n Somersetlass says: \u201cGeorge actually seemed to be in character for that! Wonderfully kooky stuff and some decent swivel, but a couple of the lifts looked a bit dodgy.\u201d<\/p>\n Pancake01 says: \u201cOh, that could have been so good. I felt George was really let down by the choreography there. Too much messin\u2019 abaht and too many lifts. He had good swivel and should have done some more proper Charleston steps. Alexis is suffering from inexperience as a pro.\u201d<\/p>\n MikeMoonlight adds: \u201cApparently, George\u2019s Inbetweeners dance will, of course, be discussed at length in tomorrow\u2019s Dance Debriefcase W*nker segment.\u201d<\/p>\n George Clarke and Alexis Warr. Photograph: Guy Levy\/BBC\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.38 EST<\/p>\n On Amber Davies, Phoebe says: \u201cDark blue (very nice) costumes against a gloomy and navy blue background – yet again, so we cannot clearly see the dancing.\u201d<\/p>\n Jennifera030 says: \u201cThat was pretty awesome but I still think Nikita might not be the best partner for her. No real connection.\u201d<\/p>\n LegTheory says: \u201cThat tango felt like the top had been left off and the fizz had gone out of it.\u201d<\/p>\n NanaNootka says: \u201cAmber seems a better dancer than Nikita!\u201d<\/p>\n styletraveller says: \u201cOh well, that\u2019s Amber through to the final. The judges can\u2019t row back from that now. She will be through on merit but it means the final loses \u00e0 contestant who has been on the fabled journey. And Amber goes into it knowing she stands no chance of winning, which must be really difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n VelvetinaB adds: \u201cWell said, Nikita. She doesn\u2019t deserve all the hate. Anyone can not love her, but the reported hate towards her is completely out of order. What a weight to carry every week.\u201d<\/p>\n Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin. Photograph: Guy Levy\/BBC\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.39 EST<\/p>\n On Balvinder Sopal, styletraveller says: \u201cLove how Bal has grown into this series. She has learnt to dance in front of our eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n YodaknowsAll says: \u201cBal just needed a little more hip action in that salsa. The sass and performance were there, however. Good lifts too.\u201d<\/p>\n LegTheory says: \u201cAnton gave some good advice last week to focus on one dance more than the other, which could serve as the DO dance if needed. Balvinder maybe doing that.\u201d<\/p>\n HelenaHandcart says: \u201cNobody mentions that you can see Bal counting out loud ALL the time. I remember Rob Rinder getting criticised for his face and Jennifer Gibney was criticised for singing along.\u201d<\/p>\n TheMathDiva says: \u201cJulian is quite right. Balvinder\u2019s had the biggest journey and has demonstrated so much determination. She deserves a final place imo.\u201d<\/p>\n Poppieshen adds: \u201cA warm welcome for the Strictly Lamppost making possibly its final appearance this year.\u201d<\/p>\n Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon. Photograph: Guy Levy\/BBC\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.40 EST<\/p>\n Did Craig not get Carlos and Vito confused after all? MsChuffy says: \u201cWas Craig\u2019s Vito comment aimed at the balcony? They have been super present heckling during the judging this series!\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Readers\u2019 semi-final verdicts are in<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a quickfire vox pop of your comments. G1adys says: \u201cEek, unnecessary padding. Still, plenty of glass-filling opportunities to look forward to.\u201d<\/p>\n Gardener_Maidhc says: \u201cI really dislike this \u2018talk up the celeb to get into the final\u2019 part. Just too icky, mawkish, over the top emoting.\u201d<\/p>\n VelvetinaB says: \u201cUtterly ridiculous for Shirley and Anton to give Amber and Bal the same score. I love Bal and her tenacity and I\u2019ve been honest that I don\u2019t wholly warm to Amber, but she deserved more than Bal in her scores.\u201d<\/p>\n SnailyWhaley says: \u201cLoved that, love Karen but those 10s are surely a score for the journey rather than the end product? However. if the judges want to indulge in overscoring. I\u2019ll happily take it for Karen.\u201d<\/p>\n TobiasElias adds: \u201cThe judges, bar Craig, are scoring this week like it\u2019s the final when their votes don\u2019t count. Ridiculous overmarking throughout.\u201d<\/p>\n Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke. Photograph: Guy Levy\/BBC\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.41 EST<\/p>\n Your penultimate set of Golden Glitterballs<\/p>\n It\u2019s the second-from-last time we\u2019ll hand out our coveted liveblog prizes this year. Here are this week\u2019s lucky gong-getters\u2026<\/p>\n Best dance: Karen\u2019s waltz for me.<\/p>\n Worst dance: Nothing scored below 35 points, so no obvious honkers but let\u2019s say George\u2019s samba.<\/p>\n Best music choice: Can\u2019t resist a Gloria Estefan medley.<\/p>\n Worst music choice: Too much Bubl\u00e9.<\/p>\n Best outfit: Both Balvinder\u2019s frocks, Amber\u2019s midnight blue velvet tango gown and Karen\u2019s silver waltz dress. Loved her giving a shout-out to \u201ccostume team for making me feel beautiful\u201d.<\/p>\n Worst outfit: Karen\u2019s salsa trousers. Like Mr Tumnus (fake Christmas tree edition).<\/p>\n Best VT: Karen\u2019s mum surprising her in training. Lip wobbles chez moi.<\/p>\n Worst VT: Amber\u2019s description of Love Island as \u201ca beautiful opportunity\u201d.<\/p>\n Best judges\u2019 comment: A couple of pearlers from Anton, harking back to Karen\u2019s week two tango being \u201ca bag of spanners\u201d and: \u201cTo coin a phrase from my lovely friend Motsi, you\u2019re impress-nable.\u201d<\/p>\n Best Claudia quip: She was in sincere mood for this semi-final, preferring to let the couples shine.<\/p>\n The semi-finalists. Photograph: Guy Levy\/BBC\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.56 EST<\/p>\n You knew this was coming but hey, it\u2019s Christmas and a liveblogger\u2019s got to make rent. Looking for a stocking-filler or Secret Santa present under a tenner? Perhaps for someone who likes dogs\/cosy crime\/seaside towns\/jokes? May I humbly suggest my debut novel<\/a>. I\u2019m very happy to sign or personalise copies, too. Just get in touch.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Waltz me up before you go-go<\/p>\n TV viewers can now stay on BBC1 for Michael McIntyre\u2019s The Wheel, flip to Channel 4 for Sandi\u2019s Great Riviera Rail Trip or head to BBC2 for Christmas Hits: The Videos that Sleighed on BBC2, which segues neatly into Wham! night. A crowded room, friends with tired eyes. I\u2019m hiding from you and your soul of ice. Enduring image.<\/p>\n At 9.05pm, it\u2019s the Wild Cherry finale on BBC1, I\u2019m A Celebrity: Coming Out on ITV1 or The Queen\u2019s Last Christmas Message: Farewell to the Nation on Channel 5. Gawd bless yer, ma\u2019am.<\/p>\n Film-wise, take your pick from Elf (8.05pm on Sky Showcase), Scandal (9pm on Talking Pictures), Meet Joe Black (9pm on Great TV) or The Batman (10.25pm on ITV1). You sit on a throne of lies.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Semi-final leaderboard in full<\/p>\n When the scores for both routines are added together, Karen Carney tops the leaderboard, with Amber Davies in second spot.<\/p>\n Down the bottom is Balvinder Sopal with George Clarke just two points above. But will the public vote turns that on its head again?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Tess and Claud tell us to \u201cKeeeeeep dancing!\u201d for one of the last times ever. Sniff. As the credits roll, please stay with us for analysis, reaction and a round-up of your comments.<\/p>\n Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly. Photograph: Guy Levy\/BBC\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.42 EST<\/p>\n Casting vote goes to\u2026<\/p>\n The last deciding dance-off vote of the series will be from\u2026 Craig! No safer hands for me. Wonder if they\u2019ll keep this innovation next series? It\u2019s hardly been a game-changer.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Double dances rewound<\/p>\n A recap of the night\u2019s eight routines on-screen now. Which worthy finalists are you voting for? Which ballroom bridesmaids are you probz not?<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Voting is\u2026 pause for effect\u2026 open!<\/p>\n Online-only, of course. Sorry, Buzby, the British Telecom talking bird (showing my age there). Placard-waving, prop-laden chaos ensues.<\/p>\n