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Judges’ scores: 9, 10, 10, 10 for a total of 39 points. Still no 40 for George but one more chance.
Oops. Apparently it’s Kaz Carney’s mum in the audience, not Judy Murray. My bad. Ma Kaz is probably a better dancer, though. Wonder who’d win at tennis?
Updated at 14.58 EST
Judges’ comments: Motsi says “dancing is about feeling and it was stunning, beautiful, showcased your connection, you looked so together”. Shirley says “zero to hero, seamless lifts, all of you laid out”. Anton says “this is what dancing is, celebratory, exquisite partnering, summed up your journey and growth, joyous”. Craig concludes “power, presence, fantastic lifts, true emotion”. Tens incoming, I suspect.
ShareGeorge and Alexis’ showdance
Another showdance designed to tell the celebrity’s Strictly story. Both in sporty, sparkly monochrome outfits. Alexis starts off upside down, like The Cube meets Gladiators. Playing to George’s strengths, while showcasing his improvement and versatility. It’s a whistle-stop tour of styles, with moments of contemporary, tango, lindyhop and foxtrot. Fast and slow sections, with transitions in both speed and style. Lifts and lovely connection. Crowd-pleasing nods to previous routines. A killer routine to The Killers.
Song: Human by The Killers. Frontman Brandon Flowers described their 2008 single as “‘Johnny Cash meets the Pet Shop Boys”. Can’t say fairer than that.
Judges’ scores: 9, 10, 10, 10 for a total of 39 points. The same as her first dance but overmarked for me.
Judy Murray is in the audience. Now there’s a dancer. Well, ish.
Judges’ comments: Craig says “felt like a series of tricks, lacked transitions and dancing in between but the lifts were out of this world, you make perfect pictures”. Motsi says “so special, made it look easy when it isn’t, sharp and shining like a crystal”. Shirley says “dynamic duo, flawless and beautiful”. Anton concludes with a series of noises and grunts, then says “brand new lifts were exciting, you seem to have slightly more time like an extraordinary dancer, magnificent showdance from a magnificent showgirl”. An eight from Craig, nines and 10s elsewhere, do we think?
ShareAmber and Nikita’s showdance
Amber Davies and her pro partner Nikita Kuzmin now show off what Amber can do now. It’s a full-on showstopper, celebrating how far she’s come and the culmination of her competition. Amber looking every inch the musical theatre siren in a claret frock with draped shoulders, with black evening gloves for extra Hollywood glamour – and then strips to a sparkly silver corset. Draws a heart shape on a steamy glass screen to start, like a school trip bus window. Lots of side-by-side synchronisation and intricate arm-ography. Difficult lifts and technically challenging tricks. They really are throwing everything at this. A little stilted and stop-start due to the lifts but spectacular nonetheless.
Song: Rain On Me by Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande. The Grammy-winning 2020 dance-pop banger was the first ever all-female collaboration to go straight in at number one of the US Billboard chart. The video, which saw Gaga and Grande dancing inside a giant arena during a rainstorm while daggers fell from the sky, was directed by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez of Desperado and Sin City fame.
Judges’ scores: 10 (after a long pause), 10, 10, 10 for a total of 40 points. Top after the first round of dances.
Judges’ comments: Motsi says “so proud of you both, I could see you intewnse work, hit every line, action-packed and stylish, absolutely amazing”. Shirley says “deadly on the dancefloor, focused and tuned in, one of my favourite numbers I’ve ever seen”. Anton says “dark, moody, serious, even more accomplished than first time, compact and balanced, detailed with real character, came alive, sensational”. Craig concludes “incredible concept, loved the concept and choreography, attack and reactive, remarkable acting”. Four 10s incoming, I suspect, by order of the Peaky fookin’ Blinders.
ShareKaren and Carlos’ Argentine tango
After a masterclass from Motsi “Twinkle Winkle” Mabuse, former footballer Karen Carney and partner-in-crime Carlos Gu reprise their Peaky Blinders routine from the Halloween special in week six. It not only scored their first 10s but was a turning point for Kaz, who says she was stuck, not progressing and had lost confidence. Dancing to the theme from her favourite TV show and performing an ode to Birmingham made her determined not to let her home city down and shook her out of her rut. She apparently nicked the flat cap afterwards, in true Peaky style, and had to return it to costume designer Vicky Gill ahead of this final. Awkward. A semi-fight scene to start, then into sure-footed, expressive storytelling, full of intensity and focus. Close contact, fast flicky kicks and fast pivots. Challenging choreography and her first lifts. A role reversal mid-routine sees Kaz take the lead. It scored 38 points first time around and now she has even better technique. Sharp as Cillian murphy’s cheekbones and mesmerising. Stayed in character with a tie-adjustment at the end. Superb.
Song: Red Right Hand by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. The 1994 gothic blues classic has been covered by, among others, PJ Harvey, Arctic Monkeys, Iggy Pop, Jarvis Cocker and even Snoop Dogg. Fo’ shizzle.
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PAShare
Does Craig not get to do a masterclass? Shame. I suppose he would have got the nod for a Charleston.
Judges’ scores: 9, 10, 10, 10 for a total of 39 points. Same as Amber. Don’t go changing, Craig.
Judges’ comments: Anton says “I am a great teacher, you are magnificent, swept around, impressive fleckerl, completely loved it”. Craig says “a bit skippy at the beginning but it had better flow, swing and sway, you’ve turned into quite the ballroom dancer”. Motsi says “you re Mr Ballroom dance with ease, natural movement and strong connection”. Shirley concludes “flew flat, kept your frame, rentfree in my head for a thousand years, marvellous”. Steady on, our Shirl. Nines and 10s?
ShareGeorge and Alexis’ Viennese waltz
The judges’ pick for content creator™ George Clarke and pro partner Alexis Warr is tonight’s most traditional ballroom number. Naturally, they get a masterclass from Anton du Beak Of Tonyshire. It’s from week seven, the midway mark of the contest and scored 34 points. George has said it was the first time he really lived the dance and was a breakthrough moment in his self-belief. Head judge Shirley Ballas praised George’s footwork but Craig Revel Horwood wanted less rise and fall, which they’ve tried to improve with more drive through the floor and wider side-steps. Geroge is in a traditional tail suit. A stumble early on which might lose him points, then into hold. Proper footwork, full of breath and flow as they twirl around the floor. Performing with the whole body and conveying the emotion. Romantic and magical but took a while to get back on time after that early whoopsie. Lovely spinning finish.
Song: Somebody to Love by Queen. The 1976 gospel rock hit was heavily influenced by Aretha Franklin. Vocal-layering techniques meant the band were able to create the soulful sound of a 100-voice choir from just three singers: frontman Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor.
“Tablet! My favourite.” We’ll miss her.
Judges’ scores: 9 (bo0!), 10, 10, 10 for a total of 39 points. Up one point on last time.
Claudia has “Keep dancing” written on the back of her jacket. Want one.