This week’s ranking…
Flower and Vito – 40
Helen and Gorka – 39
Hamza and Jowita – 38
Molly and Carlos – 35 years old
Tyler and Diane – 35 years old
Will and Nancy – 35 years old
Kym and Graziano – 33
Ellie and Johannes – 31 years old
See you tomorrow! Hx
","elementId":"8e90b9e9-221a-4a77-9dab-981223b750f9"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1668884927000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"19.08 GMT","blockLastUpdated":1668892283000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"21.11 GMT","blockFirstPublished":1668892283000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"21.11 GMT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"21.11","title":"Don’t forget to come back tomorrow…","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Sat 19 Nov 2022 21.11 GMT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Sat 19 Nov 2022 19.08 GMT"},{"id":"6378d1408f0874ab9710d2e7","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"I’ve been using a pinned leaderboard at the top of the blog, having only discovered such a feature existed last week when Hollie used it. What else can this magic platform do that I don’t know about?
","elementId":"b680b4be-9398-4b18-8a06-d25764cf81dd"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"Anyway Fleur and Vito are at the top of the tower, and Ellie and Kym are at the end of the pier. Will they be in tomorrow’s bottom two? I’m not so sure – Tyler and Molly could be in trouble too.
","elementId":"dd30c604-d586-45f4-bbb2-ae50f9534d65"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1668884927000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"19.08 GMT","blockLastUpdated":1668892959000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"21.22 GMT","blockFirstPublished":1668892217000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"21.10 GMT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"21.10","title":"The dancing is done, and the voting is open!","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Sat 19 Nov 2022 21.11 GMT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Sat 19 Nov 2022 19.08 GMT"},{"id":"6378d1278f0874ab9710d2e4","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"Poor Will, having to follow that. This week he and Nancy are dancing the Samba to ‘I Go To Rio’ by Hugh Jackman. Technically this belongs in Musicals Week, but whatever. It’s been a good night, and I don’t care.
","elementId":"a5b3022c-3cde-42ec-99cc-f3b456eb22da"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"We’ve had a couple of very good Sambas this year, including Fleur and Vito absolutely smashing it last weekend. Can Will and Nancy follow in their footsteps, or is this a Samba walk to the nearest tram stop?
","elementId":"7e7aa82e-a8db-427a-894b-769739b86871"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1668884927000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"19.08 GMT","blockLastUpdated":1668891637000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"21.00 GMT","blockFirstPublished":1668891638000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"21.00 GMT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"21.00","title":"And finally, it's Will and Nancy!","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Sat 19 Nov 2022 21.11 GMT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Sat 19 Nov 2022 19.08 GMT"},{"id":"6378ceed8f0874ab9710d2c0","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"This week they’re dancing their Couple’s Choice to a Destiny’s Child Megamix. Will this be an unmissable banger-tastic celebration of everything we love about Fleur? Or a Michelle Visage Blackpool exit anthem? I’m banking on the former.
","elementId":"ecf8b62c-ef25-44cc-af20-ef93c4522250"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"Still can’t believe nobody has said ‘take to the Fleur’ on this show yet. Very disappointing.
","elementId":"8da612e2-18e8-4464-a6d6-cde0ba2c4327"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1668884927000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"19.08 GMT","blockLastUpdated":1668891094000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"20.51 GMT","blockFirstPublished":1668891094000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"20.51 GMT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"20.51","title":"Next up it's Fleur and Vito!","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Sat 19 Nov 2022 21.11 GMT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Sat 19 Nov 2022 19.08 GMT"},{"id":"6378cf3b8f088c5c88611ccf","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"This week they’re dancing the Quickstep to ‘Valerie’ by Mark Ronson ft Amy Winehouse. Peter Andre and Janette did a Quickstep to this in 2015, which is mostly a reminder for all of us that Peter Andre took part in Strictly. I’d entirely forgotten.
","elementId":"89742208-3b68-4097-adc8-630247a140b0"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"Keep your glass poised for when Helen or Gorka mention how big the floor is in this VT. Oh no wait, Tess has already done it.
","elementId":"809d5971-a42b-475d-9498-b0f10b4fee8d"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1668884927000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"19.08 GMT","blockLastUpdated":1668892519000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"21.15 GMT","blockFirstPublished":1668890482000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"20.41 GMT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"20.41","title":"Who's next? It's Helen and Gorka!","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Sat 19 Nov 2022 21.11 GMT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Sat 19 Nov 2022 19.08 GMT"},{"id":"6378ce988f0874ab9710d2be","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"This week they’re dancing an American Smooth to ‘You’re My World’ by Cilla Black. Hopefully whichever Dave Arch singer tackles this won’t actually sound like Cilla Black.
","elementId":"30d815fe-65ae-440c-9c4d-dd3f0050c129"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"It’s risky, doing a low-key dance like the American Smooth for a big theme week, especially after Hamza has already done one. This needs to be really GOOD.
","elementId":"553cb924-6ae7-4c30-b990-5e34e2af5797"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1668884927000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"19.08 GMT","blockLastUpdated":1668892456000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"21.14 GMT","blockFirstPublished":1668889988000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"20.33 GMT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"20.33","title":"It's time for Ellie & Johannes!","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Sat 19 Nov 2022 21.11 GMT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Sat 19 Nov 2022 19.08 GMT"},{"id":"6378d1088f08958e0f818b66","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"This week they’re dancing the Salsa to a KC & The Sunshine Band Megamix. Did they even have enough hits for a megamix?
","elementId":"d09dc45e-113b-4e6a-b719-e1566f175664"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"More fairground rides! DRINK! I absolute hate rollercoasters, Tyler’s reaction is very much my vibe.
","elementId":"98e39b0e-2480-42af-82db-970d161cc619"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"*This is a rhetorical question, please don’t be sending me the entire KC/Sunshine Band discography. I don’t care.
","elementId":"24fde1b5-a776-450e-aacc-5520d628ccde"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1668884927000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"19.08 GMT","blockLastUpdated":1668889481000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"20.24 GMT","blockFirstPublished":1668889482000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"20.24 GMT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"20.24","title":"Next up - it's Tyler and Dianne!","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Sat 19 Nov 2022 21.11 GMT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Sat 19 Nov 2022 19.08 GMT"},{"id":"6378cf7e8f08958e0f818b4d","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"This week they’re dancing the Paso Doble to some kind of Rihanna/Calvin Harris mashup. I love a dance banger as much as the next woman experiencing a midlife crisis, but I’m struggling to imagine how one might use it to create Paso drama. We found love (and Spanish line) in a hopeless place? Actually that works.
","elementId":"1fa534ab-b079-4530-b571-062152e85c14"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"Consumption of chips! DRINK!
","elementId":"c86003d4-52a9-4ab5-918a-453cd8771f75"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1668884927000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"19.08 GMT","blockLastUpdated":1668888924000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"20.15 GMT","blockFirstPublished":1668888925000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"20.15 GMT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"20.15","title":"It's time for Kym and Graziano!","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Sat 19 Nov 2022 21.11 GMT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Sat 19 Nov 2022 19.08 GMT"},{"id":"6378cfd18f0874ab9710d2ca","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"This week they’re dancing the Jive to ‘Bandstand Boogie’ by Barry Manilow. It’s quite an old-fashioned Jive tune for Molly, who I expected to use a bouncy pop track to appeal to the yoof, but presumably Carlos knows what he’s doing. Has they brought precision kicks and flicks to Blackpool?
","elementId":"946b4022-1564-4b6e-bc55-ad91ba3d572a"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"Fairground rides! DRINK.
","elementId":"1e0b247b-12f4-4234-b632-4cebd76424ce"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1668884927000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"19.08 GMT","blockLastUpdated":1668888415000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"20.06 GMT","blockFirstPublished":1668888415000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"20.06 GMT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"20.06","title":"Next up it's Molly and Carlos!","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Sat 19 Nov 2022 21.11 GMT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Sat 19 Nov 2022 19.08 GMT"},{"id":"6378cecb8f088c5c88611ccc","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"Fleur and Vito – 40
","elementId":"f9225dec-a225-4f57-aad0-61ee4020ddb3"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"Helen and Gorka – 39
","elementId":"e2c73677-e093-4ce7-9b7d-b370d0e56a77"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"Hamza and Jowita – 38
","elementId":"01b40981-f1c0-413f-a62e-3cd43b581aa8"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"Molly and Carlos – 35
","elementId":"5357073b-1a6e-478c-b6fb-53c31b192ddb"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"Tyler and Dianne – 35
","elementId":"2e8e78e3-201b-4bff-8661-61acf0583de5"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"Will and Nancy – 35
","elementId":"14c004b3-37a8-4878-a912-befffa7e43b9"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"Kym and Graziano – 33
","elementId":"e6ca5153-db11-40c1-b515-65c97c3d6a1c"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"Ellie and Johannes – 31
","elementId":"8d73a645-a4ec-4121-b2fb-68430a07e417"}],"attributes":{"pinned":true,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1668884927000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"19.08 GMT","blockLastUpdated":1668892056000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"21.07 GMT","blockFirstPublished":1668888255000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"20.04 GMT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"20.04","title":"This week's leaderboard...","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Sat 19 Nov 2022 21.11 GMT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Sat 19 Nov 2022 19.08 GMT"},{"id":"6378d0088f08958e0f818b50","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"This week they’re dancing the American Smooth to ‘New York, New York’ by Frank Sinatra. I feel like we all expect this to be pretty epic, even by Hamza standards.
","elementId":"5b0b5c98-4c1b-4aa5-866f-6780d82fe03b"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"I’ve watched their Afrobeat Couple’s Choice SO many times this week. On close inspection (quite hard when you’re in the studio) it was actually quite a bit untidy in places, but tens all round for sheer joy.
","elementId":"93ee7570-fad2-4ebf-934e-33d6b01fabb8"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1668884927000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"19.08 GMT","blockLastUpdated":1668892559000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"21.15 GMT","blockFirstPublished":1668887812000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"19.56 GMT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"19.56","title":"First up tonight it's Hamza and Jowita!","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Sat 19 Nov 2022 21.11 GMT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Sat 19 Nov 2022 19.08 GMT"},{"id":"6378ce618f0874ab9710d2bd","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"Tess as Kermit the frog, Claudia down at Fraggle Rock. LET THE MUSIC PLAY.
","elementId":"9b07a89c-ee5f-4b65-8c7d-43d614a77bbb"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"First sprung floor mention! DRINK!
","elementId":"598a7b4f-de03-48be-87be-7cbedee04c81"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1668884927000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"19.08 GMT","blockLastUpdated":1668887578000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"19.52 GMT","blockFirstPublished":1668887543000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"19.52 GMT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"19.52","title":"TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH!","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Sat 19 Nov 2022 21.11 GMT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Sat 19 Nov 2022 19.08 GMT"},{"id":"6378cdef8f0874ab9710d2ba","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"Have a swig of something delicious for any occurrence of the following
","elementId":"9dd6ce01-b4ac-47fa-8a9b-6d31319adb9a"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"- n
Anton getting nostalgic for Blackpool days of yore
n Anyone informing us how large the Tower Ballroom is
n Any mention of the sprung floor
n VT featuring fairground rides or consumption of chips
n Mentions of actual bingo
n
Now Tony has gone, it’s anyone’s game – with the exception of Hamza, I don’t think there are any nailed-down finalists this year. Everyone has had the odd bad week, and I can’t confidently say that any of our celebs are streets ahead of the rest in either ability or popularity. How exciting is that? That said, here are my predictions as we move into the final five weeks of the competition:
","elementId":"1f47ebc4-4f1d-48f3-8cfb-da7752e76c70"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"- n
Fighting for the Final: Will and Nancy, Hamza and Jowita, Helen and Gorka, Molly and Carlos
n Hot on their heel leads: Fleur and Vito, Kym and Graziano
n Dodging the dance-off: Tyler and Dianne, Ellie T and Johannes
n
Evening all, and welcome to this week’s Strictly liveblog! It’s week nine, which means packing our sparkly bags and heading north to the bright lights and bingo halls of Blackpool. Gird your loins for superfluous backing dancers, tens being tossed around like a seagull in a bag of chips, and our Strictly pro dances getting all nostalgic for that time they won their first competition in the legendary Tower Ballroom. See also: Anton.
","elementId":"0be7b9aa-537d-4f1f-ac64-688a9074352c"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"It’s our first time back in Blackpool since 2019, when Michelle and Giovanni Vogued their way out of the competition for good. Whose time is up this week? Grab seaside snacks and get ready for some joyful viewing – incidentally, in 2018 I wrote “Think of it as a warm blanket of predictability and comfort while the country burns around us”. Four years on and absolutely nothing has changed, so I suppose that’s one reassuring constant in our lives right now.
","elementId":"24355b18-dde5-4e3b-88c4-b520e45cf074"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"See you at 7.45!
","elementId":"a908481f-17ec-48fd-97df-b0ad90f9f85c"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1668884927000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"19.08 GMT","blockLastUpdated":1668884975000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"19.09 GMT","blockFirstPublished":1668884927000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"19.08 GMT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"19.08","title":"It's the Strictly Blackpool Special!","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Sat 19 Nov 2022 21.11 GMT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Sat 19 Nov 2022 19.08 GMT"}],"filterKeyEvents":false,"format":{"display":0,"theme":3,"design":11},"id":"key-events-carousel-mobile"}">Key events
Don’t forget to come back tomorrow…
Thanks for sticking around downstairs and being so funny and wise – I’ll be back here tomorrow from 7.20pm for the results show, possibly with a bit of Countryfile bonus in advance. In the meantime, I’m off to eat salty chips in a biting side wind, just to create the authentic Blackpool experience. I would sincerely like to be there, I can already taste them.
Until tomorrow! Hx
The dance is over and the voting is open!
I use a pinned leaderboard at the top of the blog, having only found out such a feature existed last week when Hollie used it. What else can this magic platform do that I don’t know?
Either way, Fleur and Vito are at the top of the tower, and Ellie and Kym are at the end of the pier. Will they be in the bottom two tomorrow? I’m not so sure – Tyler and Molly could be in trouble too.
Scores: 8,9,9,9 – a total of 35 for Will and Nancy.
Why give it an eight, Craig? What was the problem?
Motsi could see the full body action and the samba beat, and Shirley could see how much Will was enjoying it – he’s a very well oiled machine. Anton had Samba nightmares over the years (really, Anton? You never mentioned that), but Will was amazing. Craig is still reeling from all the hip content, the whole night was absolutely outstanding. AGREED.
It’s exactly the kind of scalloped Technicolor feather camping I want from a Samba, and Will gives it all. He has great musicality and you can see that hip action from space. Maybe actually my favorite dance of the night.
And finally, it’s Will and Nancy!
Poor Will, forced to follow this. This week, he and Nancy are samba dancing to Hugh Jackman’s “I Go To Rio.” Technically, this belongs in the week of musicals, but whatever. It’s been a good night, and I don’t care.
We’ve had some really great Sambas this year including Fleur and Vito who absolutely blew him away last weekend. Can Will and Nancy follow in their footsteps, or is it a samba ride to the nearest streetcar stop?
“I always wanted to be a member of Destiny’s Child, and Vito had to be Michelle,” Fleur says. I love him so much.
Scores: 10,10,10,10 – a perfect 40 for Fleur and Vito.
FAB-U-LUSS says Craig. Motsi is VERY excited and thought it was amazing. Shirley thought it was an iconic routine that will go down in history – it was absolutely phenomenal. Anton was waiting for this number from Fleur, but now she has learned to channel her control.
Come on Craig, get out your ten.
Can we just take a moment to recognize how fierce Fleur is? It’s the pure attitude of Beyonce and I’m all for it. Fleur owns this dance, and Vito is just making up the numbers. Absolutely loved this.
Then it’s Fleur and Vito!
This week they are dancing their Couple’s Choice to a Destiny’s Child Megamix. Will this be an unmissable celebration of everything we love about Fleur? Or a Michelle Visage Blackpool coming out anthem? I bet on the first.
I still can’t believe no one has said “take the Flower” on this show yet. Very disappointing.
Scores: 9,10,10,10 – a total of 39 for Helen and Gorka.
“I need a pee now,” said Helen, after hopping back and forth. So many moms across the country are feeling you right now, Helen.
Anton, it was amazing – especially from the neck down, which I’m not sure is a compliment. Craig had a problem with Helen’s frame but his footwork was outstanding. He scored tens in each of Motsi’s categories, and Shirley is speechless. Not literally, though – it was absolutely stunning. More than tens, anyone?
That leather bodice is truly terrible, I hope Helen got her dose right or there’s going to be terrible chafing. Still, if Strictly doesn’t work out, there’s a career waiting as a Clare Grogan impersonator.
Helen is truly a brilliant dancer, and this Quickstep is FAST. I don’t see much wrong with that – FAB-U-LUSS.
Who’s next? It’s Helen and Gorka!
This week they’re dancing the Quickstep to Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse’s ‘Valerie’. Peter Andre and Janette did a Quickstep at this in 2015, which is mostly a reminder to all of us that Peter Andre was on Strictly. I had completely forgotten.
Keep your glass ready for when Helen or Gorka mentions floor size in this VT. Oh no wait, Tess already did that.
Scores: 7,8,8,8 – a total of 31 for Ellie and Johannes.
Shirley loved the music, which is the ultimate nuance, since it’s the only part Ellie wasn’t involved in. She wanted more heart and soul. Anton didn’t like the position of Ellie’s head, but otherwise beautiful. Meanwhile, Craig didn’t like Ellie’s arms – a bit Barbie doll, and a bit clumsy in and out of elevators. Motsi likes the partnership, but it needed to be more intense.
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