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Funny skit about the ballroom boys’ club with cameo from a leopardskin-clad Ginger Neil. The dream.
Judges’ scores: 7, 7, 6 (boo), 8 for a total of 29 points. Same as last week. Harshly judged and undermarked for me.
Craig boos Shirley and her tiny haunted shoes of doom are suddenly in her mouth. Wonder what they taste like? Shattered dreams, probably.
Judges’ comments: Anton says “stone the crows, every step went into that dance at 4000mph, take my hat off, exceptional commitment” then he’s back to the random noises. Craig says “we’ve achieved the increased intent, it was manic to the detriment of the technique, my jaw was on the floor, loved it”. Motsi says “Vito, what are you doing to the woman? You have arrived, I love this Lacey, lady, Lacey”. Shirley concludes “it looked technically rough, like your commitment and power, the audience will love it but you need decent footwork”.
Lacey and Vito’s tango
EastEnders actor Lacey Turner didn’t like the samba last week but notched her highest score with 29 points. Can she now make the leap into the 30s? It’s a fast and feisty number. Powerful opening, then into low, close hold with pro partner Vito Coppola, flying flat across the floor. Slow, stalking promenades and sharp swivels. Spinning lifts and changes of gear. Gapping in the promenades and a few footwork wobbles but great intent and acting from Lacey. Floor spin to finish. Woof.
Song: Atomic by Blondie. This 1979 new-wave disco-rocker features 60s-inspired surf guitars and Spaghetti Western production. This very newspaper ranked it the second best Blondie song after Heart Of Glass. The video featured a cameo from artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Oh, your hair is beautiful.
This soundbath VT is reminding me of Alison Hammond getting the giggles when she and Dermot had one on This Morning. I watch too much television and can only apologise.
Judges’ scores: 7, 8, 8, 8 for a total of 31 points. Her highest score. Joint top with Graeme and Will but I suspect it won’t stay that way.
Judges’ comments: Motsi says “I would have left my dance partner over those lifts, great trust, a powerful comeback salsa”. Shirley says “cheeky, full of self-belief, work on your standing foot but well done you”. Anton says “that was the opposite of timid” and apologises to her husband, footballer Jarrod Bowen. Craig concludes “lost connection and could have sold it more, a display rather than an engaging dance but the hip rotation and lifts were in-cred-ible”.
Dani and Nikita’s salsa
Dani Dyer struggled with the tricky rumba last week, which I hope hasn’t knocked her confidence. She should suit the more upbeat party spirit of this faster, less moody Latin style. Slow start, then gets her hips going alongside pro partner Nikita Kuzmin. Lots of spectacular lifts. Hair-tossing and shimmying. Changes of rhythm. Transitions a bit stop-start but flirty, spicy and full of tricks.
Song: Despechá by Rosalía. The 2022 electro mamba banger, which mixes in elements of merengue and reggaeton, became the biggest Spanish-language song by a female artist in Spotify history. The video was inspired by the photography off our own Martin Parr.
Judges’ scores: 3, 5, 3, 6 for a total of 17 points. Bottom as it stands and dance-off danger. Anton a bit too mean there, I thought, but he makes up for it with an over-generous score. Shaun takes it well. Josh, Jojo and Alexis all give him a lovely pep talk.
Judges’ comments: Anton says “went a bit wrong but lots to like, as soon as you clear up the steps and timing”. Craig says “a complete jive dis-ah-ster, darling, timing was out, kicks were sloppy, no saving it”. Motsi says “great partnering, lots of potential and good in places, but the errors are a mental thing, don’t let your mind play games and stay positive”. Shirley concludes “coordinated and musical, love the hip bump but a lot of mistakes and there’s always next week”.
Shout out to Dave Arch. Give us a wavey, Davey.
Shaun and Alexis’ jive
Shaun Wright-Phillips delivered his best dance with last week’s Couple’s Choice and climbed the leaderboard. Has that transformed his confidence for this jive? The former footballer should feel at home with the kicks, at least. Has he got the stamina to keep up with pro partner Alexis Warr? A tad flat-footed and needs to get up on his toes more, but bright and energetic with bags of content. Twist-turns and drunken sailors. Plays keepy-uppies with Alexis, which is testament to her core of steel. Stilted, error-strewn and lacking in style but a plucky effort. He apologises to her at the end, bless him. Shauny Wright-Wright-Wright!
Song: Faith by Stevie Wonder feat Ariana Grande. The lead single from the soundtrack of 2016 animated film Sing. HRVY and Janette Manrara danced a week one jive to it during the 2020 series. He went on to reach the final but was beaten by Bill Bailey.
The mighty Ian Wright, Wright, Wright is on the front row of the studio audience. Always on the shoulder of the last defender.
Judges’ scores: 5, 7, 6, 7 for a total of 25 points. Hope they’re not in dance-off danger again. Nancy hopes somebody will see them challenging traditional roles and be inspired. Hear, hear.
#Strictly #Dancing #week #live #Strictly #Dancing
