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Judges scores: 3 (boo!), 4, 4, 4 for a total of 15 points. Bottom as it stands but early days.
Shirley even picked on Joshy’s posture there, the big meany.
Judges’ comments: Anton says “loved the styling, very uplifting but made a mistake and your posture needs more curve in the body”. Craig says “out of step but frame bothered me, shoulders raised, footwork turned in but loved your performance”. Motsi says “found your inner showgirl but could feel your nerves, trust your partner and engage your body”. Shirley concludes “repetition is the mother of skill, go round the house with a book on your head (demo time!), keep practising”.
Sarah and Julian’s quickstep
Sarah Storey, the decorated Paralympic and first ever Dame to compete in the ballroom, makes her dance debut with Australian pro Julian Caillon. She’s been worried about her facial expressions, since she normally has a competitive race-face on, but there’s little sign of it here. Red outfits and a hotel bell-hop theme. Left Julian’s mic on so it started with a deafening “Woah!” but then into a smooth, elegant and energetic number. Hopping and skipping across the floor. Charleston flicks and kicks. A few footwork fluffs, some gapping and bumpy moments but jazzy razzle-dazzle ahoy.
Song: C’est Magnifique by Kay Starr. The jazz singer’s 1960 version of Cole Porter’s song for his musical Can-Can. Fact for you wedding fans: Starr married an impressive six times in her 94 years. Attagirl.
Jojo seems to be on balcony duty and he’s doing it well.
Judges scores: 4 (what?), 6, 5, 7 for a total of 22 points. Mark is sweetly emotional about making his Strictly debut.
Judges comments: Shirley says “loved your posture, 90% happy, just need more artistry with the arms”. Anton says “terrific, it was welcome back Karen Carney stuff, exceptional flicks and kicks”. Craig says “a hiccup at the end, too upright but sharp, precise kicks and flicks”. Motsi concludes “like a Las Vegas showgirl, loaded with content, you have fire, I can’t wait to see more from you”. First sixes of the series incoming?
Tabby and Mark’s jive
Winter Olympic gold medallist Tabby Stoecker propels herself head-first at 80mph down an ice track for her day job, so doing the first jive of the series should hold little fear. She’s partnered with new Canadian pro Mark Karmalita. Body ripples and cartwheels to start. Bright, fast and bouncy with plenty of tassel-ography. Great flicks and kicks, twists and twirls. Lacking a little retraction and compactness at times but sychronised, sharply energetic, loads of attack. Fabby, Tabby!
Song: Animal by KATSEYE. The six-piece Californian girl group were formed on a US reality show. This is their summer 2026 single, co-written by a certain Ed Sheeran. Wonder what happened to him? Never see him in the news.
Judges scores: 4 (boo), 5, 4 (boo again), 5 for a total of 18 points. A passable first score of the series.
Judges comments: Craig says “I could’ve done without all that grinding, sloppy arms and forced hips but love your energy and you’ll go a long way”. Motsi says “business upstairs, party downstairs, let’s connect them, keep the enthusiasm”. Shirley says “great potential, timing and entertainment value but stroke the floor with your feet”. Anton concludes “other than that top, marvellous”.
Will and Dianne’s samba
Big Brother presenter Will Best and Australian pro Dianne Buswell looked like a promising pairing last week and they’re opening the series. Big job. Will confessed that he tends to do the white man’s overbite when dancing, so look out for that. Quite horrific, unforgiving black leather outfits and Will has nipples out. Bit early for that business. Sharp, slinky hip action and disco moves in a Brazilian bonanza of a samba. Craig might comment on his open mouth and sticky-out bottom, especially after that interlude on the judges’ desk, darling. Lacking bounce action and fluidity but rhythmical, raunchy and really rather fun. Knee slide and devil horns to finish.
Song: Rock DJ by Robbie Williams. Another literal song choice for the co-host of the Hits Radio breakfast show. Robbie’s 2000 hit samples both Barry White and A Tribe Called Quest. He joked at the time: “I was trying to write Karma Police but ended up writing Karma Chameleon.”
Josh checks that Dani “Sicknote” Dyer is still in one piece. Her father Danny glowers protectively from the front row.
#Strictly #Dancing #week #live #Strictly #Dancing
