WEEK 7
Tess looking quite nice, though that slit in her dress is rather long. Claudia in trousers again. Looking smart.
Darcey's dress is gorgeous!
LAUREN & AJ (Jive)
Looking ok. Perhaps could do with a bit more bounce.
Boyzone. Shouldn't they be Manzone now?
GRAEME & OTI (Waltz)
Loving Oti's dress - she looks stunning! A bit stiff, but nicely done.
KATE & ALJAZ (Argentine Tango)
A bit steppy. Seems a bit awkward in places.
DR RANJ & JANETTE (Samba)
Fun and bouncy, but needed more hip action and more fluidity.
STACEY & KEVIN (Couples' Choice - Street/Commercial)
A lot of pointing and reaching. Looks good, but I always find it dofficult to judge dances like this.
DANNY & AMY (Quickstep)
Bouncy and energetic. C****ography seemed overcomplicated.
ASHLEY & PASHA (Foxtrot)
Nicely done. Looks good.
FAYE & GIOVANNI (Tango)
Very good, but a bit mechanical for me. Lacks passion.
CHARLES & KAREN (Viennese Waltz)
Piano Man - this reminds me of Rob singing it on ADWD! Graceful and elegant. Well done.
JOE & DIANNE (Paso Doble)
Looks OK - good, strong paso moves.
Random thought to end on - I'd love to see Lee doing a paso!:heart_eyes:
WEEK 7 - RESULTS
Aretha Franklin themed pro dance. Fabulous! Special mention for the singers, who are excellent!
Tess' straps have shrunk, and Claudia's dress looks like it was made of Quality Street wrappers!
The recap!
RESULTS Pt 1 - First couple in the DO - CHARLES & KAREN
Blimey, Charles is the Lewis of Strictly (three DOs)!
Guest Performer - Jess Glynn. She has an unusual voice. Pro dancer Graziano forgot to fasten his shirt before walking onto the dancefloor!
DANCE DEBRIEF
Darcy on Danny's QS
Shirley on Ashley's Foxtrot
Craig on Lauren's jive
Bruno on Ranj's Samba
RESULTS Pt 2 - Second couple in the DO - DR RANJ & JANETTE
Not a complete surprise, it has to be said, though he was fun this week.
THE DANCE-OFF
DR RANJ & JANETTE
As fun and bouncy as the first time, and seems to be improved!
CHARLES & KAREN
Ooh, I didn't notice the pub was called the King CHARLES! Nicely done. This seems an improvement on the main show dance.
Couple leaving - DR RANJ & JANETTE
That was really close. Both couples improved in their DO dances and I liked both dances (and couples). I'm glad I didn't have to make that choice!
Dr Ranj is lovely - I'm going to miss his spark and sense of fun. It's all going to be a bit serious from now on, I think.
WEEK 8
'Everyone wants to go to Blackpool' VT.
Tess' dress would look gorgeous if it wasn't for the weird lop-sidedness of the top. Claudia's looking very sparkly!
Loving Shirley and Darcy's dresses!
Dancing in dungarees? Not sure about that. Graeme in blindingly bright 80s inspired fitness gear!
KATE & ALJAZ (Quick Step)
Wow, Kate's real wedding dress was gorgeous! Quite fast, but she seems to be keeping up so far. Good job.
Rylan doing the Ts & Cs this week.
DANNY & AMY (Samba)
Fun and lively. Looked OK from what I could see.
ASHLEY & PASHA (Couples' Choice - Contemporary)
Contemporary fills me with dread. It's so...overwrought! These 'Couples' Choice' VTs really grate as well! Looks very good, but there's a lot of lifting and posing.
GRAEME & OTI (Salsa)
Loads of fun, but seems more fitness class than Salsa.
FAYE & GIOVANNI (Jive)
Looking good. Lots of bounce. Did she go slightly wrong then? Not sure, but otherwise pretty sharp.
STACEY & KEVIN (Waltz)
Things looked a bit squashed on the 'pier' thing, but nicely done once they got onto the floor.
JOE & DIANNE (Samba)
Lots of bounce, suppleness and snake hips. Good job!
LAUREN & AJ (Viennese Waltz)
Graceful and elegant, but a bit 'steppy' on that first spin. Looked good, otherwise, though.
CHARLES & KAREN (Charleston)
Lots of bounce and lots of lifts! Great job.
WEEK 9 - BLACKPOOL WEEK
The "I can't believe I'm going to be dancing here!" VT!
Ooh, an opening pro number! Blimey, Gloria Estefan!
Both Tess and Claudia have come as Roses chocolates tonight!
Ooh, loving Darcy's dress! Craig and Bruno look like waiters!:laughing:
Charles has his chest out again! As does Giovanni (thanks to that see-through shirt!).
STACEY & KEVIN (Salsa)
Blimey, I forgot about the extra dancers. A messy start with the giant props and extra bodies. Hard to see waht's going on, but seems bouncy and energetic.
A glimpse of Ranj in the audience.
Ooh,a glimpse of the band and singers - they're normally kept under wraps!
Paddy McGuinness doing the Ts & Cs!
LAUREN & AJ (Argentine Tango)
This aquarium VT reminds me of the one Ben did in the London aquarium on ADWD! Making some nice steps, but needs to be sharper and more sizzling.
GRAEME & OTI (Couples' Choice - Theatre Jazz)
A bit heavy footed from Graeme. It needed more bounce and character. A fun dance, though.
FAYE & GIOVANNI (Paso Doble)
Blimey, this is overdoing it a bit - fire and drums. As with Stacey's a bit too busy! Looks good, though.
KATE & ALJAZ (American Smooth)
Looks OK. Some nice, graceful moves there.
CHARLES & KAREN (Samba)
Looking good! Full of energy and bounce!
JOE & DIANNE (Quickstep)
Joe's brought his nan with him! Looks OK - quick and bouncy.
ASHLEY & PASHA (Jive)
Really good! It was genuienly hard to tell who was the celeb and who was the pro!
With three couples tied on 38, the result could be interesting!
Aquarium? I'm suddenly glad I fell asleep and missed the show after all!
WEEK 9 - BLACKPOOL RESULTS
Pro dance. Liking this. A bit 1940s/50s in flavour. Ooh, you can see the floor bouncing! Blimey, two men nearly kissed! I bet 'Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells' is emailing as I type!:laughing:
Tess is wrapped in tinfoil and Claudia is wearing an animal print throw!
Recap!
RESULTS Pt 1 - First couple in the DO - GRAEME & OTI
I'd say that's about right. Incidentally, is it me, or are the announcements taking ages tonight? It's like the ADWD final all over again!:laughing:
Guest performers - Take That. Quite a catchy song. The sound seems a bit tinny on my TV.
DANCE DEBRIEF
Darcy on Joe - like Fred Astaire.
Shirley on Charles in slo mo!
Craig on getting out his 10 paddle.
Bruno on next week's Lindy Hop-a-thon.
RESULTS Pt 2 - Second couple in the DO - KATE & ALJAZ
Again, about right.
DANCE-OFF
GRAEME & OTI
Pretty much the same standard as in the main show.
KATE & ALJAZ
Again, on a par with the main show dance.
COUPLE LEAVING - KATE & ALJAZ
It could have gone either way, both dances were much of a muchness.
WEEK 10
Tess and Claudia's dresses seem to be made from the same material!
GRAEME & OTI (Quickstep)
That's a yacht? Blimey! A lively start to the show. Lots of energy and bounce. Good effort.
Ooh, Countess of Wessex and her daughter in the audience!
Catherine Tylsley (from Corrie) doing the Ts & Cs this week.
ASHLEY & PASHA (Samba)
Once again, it's difficult to tell the celeb from the pro. Very good. Is Ashley the Lee of this competition?
FAYE & GIOVANNI (Waltz)
Moving nicely. Elegant and graceful.
JOE & DIANNE (Couples' Choice - Street/Commercial)
Mad, bouncy and loads of fun!
CHARLES & KAREN (Tango)
Moody and some strong moves. Could have done with being a bit tighter in places.
LAUREN & AJ (Salsa)
Looking good. Could do with being a bit faster.
STACEY & KEVIN (PASO DOBLE)
Took a while to get started. Looking good now, though.
LINDY HOP-A-THON
I'm not overly keen on these -a-thons. It's hard to tell what's going on with all the couples on the floor at the same time, plus the poor camerawork!
Blimey, judges making a mess of the marking there! Bonkers!
WEEK 10 - RESULTS
Pro Dance to 'Life On Mars'! Ooh, disabled dancers. They're very good, as is the singer!
Tess looking like a lipstick, and Claudia is looking like a rug!
A reminder of the result of the Lindyhop-a-thon!:laughing:
Darcy looks like she's been covered in that alien goo from tonight's 'Doctor Who'!:laughing:
Recap!
RESULTS Pt1 - First couple in the DO - GRAEME & OTI
Not a surprise.
Guest Performer - Rod Stewart. Voice not what it was, but still better than a lot of much younger singers.
DANCE DEBRIEF
Darcy on Stacey & Kevin's Paso.
Shirley on Faye & Giovanni's Waltz
Craig on his marking of Joe & Dianne's CC
Bruno on Ashley's Samba
Results Pt 2 - Second couple in the DO - ASHLEY & PASHA
Now that is a surprise! Though saying that, they were third (out of seven) on the judges' leaderboard. I think I cursed them by saying that Ashley was the Lee of this competition!
Blimey, that was a bit of a pretentious VT for Musicals Week!
DANCE-OFF
GRAEME & OTI
Good effort.
ASHLEY & PASHA
Very good - an improvement on their main show dance.
Couple leaving - GRAEME & OTI
Yep, agree with that!
I've just seen the song/dance list for this weekend (Musicals week). Joe will be doing the salsa to the Joseph Megamix!:laughing:
WEEK 11 - MUSICALS WEEK
Joe - "Any moment I get, I try to get into the zone!" Would that be the Joseph Zone by any chance?:laughing:
Pro dance to songs from 'Mamma Mia'! Cheesetastic!:grin:
Tess is wearing a chesterfield sofa cover, while Claudia has come as a stick of licquorice!
Faye & Giovanni!:laughing: Joe is wearing a technicolour dreamcoat! Though it's clashing horribly with his technicolour shirt!:laughing:
LAUREN & AJ (American Smooth)
Lauren's Great Grandma is fab!:relaxed: Oh blimey, extra dancers! Nicely done - loving the spins. Incidentally, Lauren looks lovely - she suits that hairstyle! Ooh, I like that projection of a sandy beach on the floor!
Ooh, Trevor Dion Nicholas (genie from Aladdin) doing the Ts & Cs tonight - and doing them well!
FAYE & GIOVANNI (Charleston)
Blimey, yodelling woman! Lots of bounce and looking well executed. Not keen on the extra dancers and the repetitive bit at the beginning.
CHARLES & KAREN (Rumba)
Not keen on the Rumba. Could do with a bit more fluidity. Looks nicely done, though, and the acting was good.
ASHLEY & PASHA (Quickstep)
Ooh, that train looks lovely! Very good. Polished, elegant and bouncy.
STACEY & KEVIN (American Smooth)
Ooh, Carley Stensen! Sorry, but this seems a really odd song for an AS! Took a while to get started, but graceful and elegant. I wish they wouldn't smile, though. It's not a happy song!
JOE & DIANNE (Salsa)
I was excited for a minute then, when the voice-over mentioned a former Joseph! Hmmm, not sure about the Joseph Megamix as a Salsa...it actually seems a bit slow! Joe gave 100% there, though. I have to say, that coat looks like a cheap version of Lee's! Incidentally, am I the only one now thinking of Lee in a Loincloth?:heart_eyes:
I would have loved Lee to have made an appearance as just for once I sta*** awake and watched the whole thing live. Didn't like the Joseph salsa. I would have loved it if Faye and Giovanni had had a real goat on stage. I would love Lauren to win.
When the voice-over mentioned a former Joseph, I was thinking "Oooooh!"...then Jason Donovan appeared!:laughing:
I remember one year, there were two live Dalmations incorporated in someone's '101 Dalmations' themed dance (I'm assuming for either Movie Week or Halloween). Anton was the pro, but I can't remember the celeb.
WEEK 11 - MUSICALS WEEK - RESULTS
Pro Dance to 'The Rhythm Of Life' - sung by Trevor Dion Nicholas (Genie in 'Aladdin'). Great stuff!
Blimey, Tess and Claudia looking nice. What's going on?:laughing:
Ooh, Darcy's dress is lovely!
Recap.
Results Pt 1 - First couple in the DO - CHARLES & KAREN
I can think of at least one other couple I'd rather be there.
Guest Performer - Adam Lambert. Fabulous voice!
Dance De-Brief
Darcy on Faye & Giovanni's Charleston
Shirley on Ashley & Pasha's QS
Craig on Lauren & AJ's AS
Bruno on Stacey & Kevin's AS
Results Pt 2 - Second couple in the DO - ASHLEY & PASHA
Blimey, not again!
DANCE-OFF
CHARLES & KAREN
As good as the main show performance - possibly a bit better.
ASHLEY & PASHA
Very good, as in the main show.
Couple leaving - CHARLES & KAREN
I don't think either couple should have been in the DO, but of those two, A & P were clearly the ones to save.
WEEK 12 - SEMI-FINAL
Tess is wearing a curtain and Claudia is dressed as a tassle!
Giovanni has his chest out!
Two dances from each couple tonight!
DANCE ONE
STACEY & KEVIN (Charleston)
Looking good. Loads of energy.
Huw Edwards doing the Ts & Cs this week.
JOE & DIANNE (Viennese Waltz)
Blimey, the smoke machine is fairly belching the smoke out! Looking nice and elegant.
ASHLEY & PASHA (Paso Doble)
Very good, as always.
LAUREN & AJ (Tango)
Looks OK, but a bit 'stompy' in places.
FAYE & GIOVANNI (Samba)
Fast and fluid, but was there a mistake near the beginning?
DANCE TWO
STACEY & KEVIN (Viennese Waltz)
Lovely - elegant and graceful. Pity they cut the song to ribbons.
JOE & DIANNE (Argentine Tango)
Some nice shapes. Sharp and strong.
ASHLEY & PASHA (American Smooth)
Again, looking very good. Polished and elegant.
LAUREN & AJ (Samba)
Quite slow and stiff. Could do with more speed and fluidity. Messed up a bit with a couple of steps.
FAYE & GIOVANNI (Argentine Tango)
Very good.
WEEK 12 - SEMI-FINAL - RESULTS
Pro dance, starting with Graziano with his chest out. Other than that, not sure what's going on. Lots of red lighting and writhing around on furniture.
Tess looking elegant and Claudia wearing bacofoil!
Shirley dressed as the purple Roses choc!
Recap!
RESULTS Pt 1 - First couple in the DO - ASHLEY & PASHA
Ashley is now the Lewis of Strictly!
Guest Performers - Little Mix. That first girl's voice sounded shaky! I don't think I've ever seen them wearing so many clothes before!:laughing:
DANCE DE-BRIEF
Darcy on Stacey's Charleston
Craig on Joe's VW
Bruno on Faye's AT
Judges' best bits
RESULTS Pt 2 - Second couple in the DO - LAUREN & AJ
Not a shock. They were one of the weaker two couples on the night.
DANCE-OFF
ASHLEY & PASHA
Very good, again. She's very consistant.
LAUREN & AJ
A good, strong effort from them.
Couple leaving LAUREN & AJ
A pretty predictable result, really.
So, our finalists are:-
ASHLEY & PASHA
FAYE & GIOVANNI
STACEY & KEVIN
JOE & DIANNE
WEEK 13 - THE FINAL!!!
Where has the time gone? We're here now...for two and a half bum numbing hours!
Starting off with a very serious VT, followed by the Pro (and Strictly Finalist celebs) dance.
Tess is wearing a bed sheet and Claudia is dressed as the blue roses chocolate!
Ooh, Mary Berry in the audience! A contestant for next year?
Blimey, Darcy's dress is low cut!
The Glitterball Trophy!
JUDGES' CHOICE
ASHLEY & PASHA (Salsa)
Fast, full of energy and well executed.
STACEY & KEVIN (Foxtrot)
Nicely done. Looking good, no obvious mistakes.
FAYE & GIOVANNI (Viennese Waltz)
I remember this from last time. Well executed, but felt more like a tango. Same again. The spins are lovely and graceful, though.
JOE & DIANNE (Paso Doble)
Some nice, sharp moves. Good job.
Ts & Cs done this week by Alan Carr.
Vote is now OPEN!!!
SHOWDANCES
ASHLEY & PASHA
Well executed (though she did look like she almost fell out of that first lift). Not overly keen on contemporary, as it always seems to be the same series of moves. Good job, though.
STACEY & KEVIN
Lots of energy and lots of fun. Might not have been as polished as Ashley's dance, but was more enjoyable to watch.
FAYE & GIOVANNI
Classy, elegant and polished. Oh, that's a top hat she's standing on. I thought it was one of those Alexa things!:laughing: Well done, but I wished they could have had a simpler arrangement of the song instead of the repetative bit.
JOE & DIANNE
Loads of energy and a bit rough round the edges. Another good effort.
COUPLES' CHOICE DANCES
ASHLEY & PASHA (charleston)
Fun and bouncy. Well done.
STACEY & KEVIN (Paso Doble)
Lots of passion and attitude. Good job.
FAYE & GIOVANNI (Couples' Choice - Jazz/Musical Theatre)
Very good, as always with Faye. Seems a bit 'by numbers' though.
JOE & DIANNE (Charleston)
Joe appears to be wearing a technicoloured dreamshirt!:laughing: As with Ashley's, fun and energetic.
'Comments from the public' VT.
Guest performer - Michael Buble. Nice chilled performance.
VOTING HAS NOW CLOSED!!!
'Class of 2018' VT
'Class of 2018' group dance. Lots of fun and some nice excerpts of dances from the series!
RESULTS! The Winner of Strictly 2018 is........................STACEY & KEVIN
Craig's face!:laughing: He is a bit of a prat, though! If he has issues with Kevin, he should take themup with him backstage, not on the show.
Happy for Stacey and Kevin.:blush:
Aaah, a 'Meady Winning Moment' - Stacey and Kevin being hoisted onto the other pros' and celebs' shoulders!
