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Big events
Karen and Carlos’ Argentine tango
After a masterclass from Motsi “Twinkle Winkle” Mabuse, former footballer Karen Carney and partner-in-crime Carlos Gu resume their Peaky Blinders routine from the Halloween special in week six. Not only did it get them their first 10 but it completely changed Kaz, who says he was stuck, not progressing and lost faith. Dancing to the title track from her favorite TV show and performing an ode to Birmingham made her determined not to let her hometown get her down and wave her off. Apparently he pulled a flat hat afterwards, in true Peaky fashion, and had to return it to costume designer Vicky Gill before it was over. Unpleasant. A war scene that begins slowly, then becomes a definitive, well-defined, tightly packed and focused story. Close contact, quick kicks and quick pivots. Challenging choreography and his first lift. A change in the middle of the scene has Kaz taking the lead. He scored 38 points the first time and now he has a better way. Sparkling like Cillian Murphy’s cheekbones and fun. He stayed in character with a tie-change at the end. High quality.
Music: Red Hand by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. The 1994 gothic blues group has been covered by, among others, PJ Harvey, Arctic Monkeys, Iggy Pop, Jarvis Cocker and Snoop Dogg. Fo’ shizzle.
Can’t Craig do a masterclass? Shame on you. I think he would have had a Charleston theme.
Judges’ scores: 9, 10, 10, 10 for a total of 39 points. Similar to Amber. Don’t change, Craig.
Judge’s Comments: Anton says, “I am a good teacher, you are beautiful, swept up, interesting, very passionate”. Craig says “a bit skippy at first but it was good to walk, shake and shake, you turned into a ballroom dancer”. Motsi says “you are Mr Ballroom dancing with ease, natural movement and strong connection”. Shirley concludes “flying clear, keeping your frame, unborrowed in my head for a thousand years, amazing”. Stay calm, our Shirl. Nines and 10s?
George and Alexis’ Viennese waltz
The judges’ choice of producer ™ George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr is the most traditional number of the night. Naturally, he gets a masterclass from Anton du Beak Of Tonyshire. It’s from the seventh week, in the middle of the competition and he got 34 points. George said it was the first time he really sat down to dance and it was a great moment for his confidence. Chief judge Shirley Ballas praised George’s footwork but Craig Revel Horwood wanted to climb and fall less, which he has tried to improve by driving more ground and wider steps. Geroge is in a traditional tail suit. The first stumble that would cost him his points, then catch him. Proper feet, full of air and movement as they rotate on the ground. It works with the whole body and gives sensation. Romantic and magical but it took a while to recover after that. A beautiful round finish.
Music: Somebody to Love by Queen. The 1976 rock song was heavily influenced by Aretha Franklin. Sound production techniques meant that the band was able to create the live sound of a 100-voice choir from just three musicians: frontman Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor.
“Tablet! My dear.” We will miss him.
Judges’ scores: 9 (bo0!), 10, 10, 10 for a total of 39 points. Raise one last point.
Claudia wrote “Keep dancing” on the back of her jacket. I want one.
Judge’s Comments: Shirley says “beautiful heel turns, good shape, it was beautiful”. Anton says “easy to comment on, everything was beautiful, full of energy and nothing was lost in the drama, you put the pen down”. Craig says “the focus, the passion, the structured, the most dedicated person I’ve ever met”. Motsi concluded that “he used the music beautifully to lift it up, everywhere it looked”. I feel a lot of early 40s coming on.
Amber and Nikita paso doble
After a masterclass from head judge Shirley Ballas, the group will decide on a paso for Amber Davies and fellow pro Nikita Kuzmin to sing again. He got two 10s in week eight and it was the first time he’d led – although I suspect he’ll also be remembered for Nikita’a topless S&M binman outfit. Messin’ abaht with a big picture to boot, then it kicks into gear. Bringing back interest in the drama but now he gets a chance to direct it. A tight and sharp moment with a straight skirt and resistance in her body. Good hands. Lots of fire, passion and purpose.
Music: Dream On by Aerosmith. The 1973 blues-rock song was recorded on a Steinway upright piano by lead singer Steven Tyler when he was just 14 years old.
Our Strictly finalists™
The two pairs come out to receive the received waves. Not the most elaborate costumes but their costumes give an insight to their original dances. Peaky Blinders for Kaz. Nikita currently has the upper hand but that could change *fat up*.
A major intervention by the judges
The venerable paddle boarding team will arrive in style at the end of the series. Move the Buses in glittering gold with a big bow (real sparkle). Shirley Ballas in a black dress with Bacofoil Christmas decorations. Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood they’ve been using their trusty Moss Bros cards and matching cream tuxedos.
Frockwatch
Here comes our host duo, so it’s time for one last comparison of all time. To smell. Tess Daly and rose-gold sequins on one shoulder. Asymmetric at both ends, obv. Claudia Winkleman in a black tuxedo suit. There are no winners or losers, only love.
This is fun, even though the song sounds like a Jive Bunny Eurodisco medley.
The the last three Make their entrance on the UFO-contraption, fire-fly, and join in the fun. Because what he needed this week was the fourth dance to learn.
Quality opens the show in style
The choreographic activities begin with spectacular group performances from our professional dancers. It’s a riot of pink and Johannes Radebe leading the way.
Save the custom VT to start the game. Shot moody! Sound bombs! Glitterball dreams!
Aaaaand we’re off!
Our last chance to enjoy this year’s headline series. What do you like? For me, it’s a dance-off Ellie Goldsteinit’s hard, Biography of Ross King Continue on Face with Words to push Aljaž Škorjanec outside of the gun. We’ll be seeing all but one of these couples again soon, of course.
