The remaining Strictly couples are dancing to stay in the competition. So who will impress ? and who will get the boot? Join me from 6.55pm on Saturday
Good evening, and welcome to tonight's Strictly Come Dancing liveblog! Our eight remaining couples have decamped all the way to Wembley this week, to perform in this iconic ballroom venue (eh?) in front of an audience of over six thousand people. These are of course taken from the ten million people who usually watch on TV every week, but it's not the same as having them all in the room, apparently. Either way, we can expect lots of gushing excitement about the size of the arena, the crowd, the atmosphere, the occasion and so forth. If anyone fancies embarking on a drinking game for every time anyone says "Wembley", I cannot be responsible for the outcome.
I'll be here from 6.55pm to liveblog the Wembley extravaganza, so do join me here and add your comments and musings below. Or, you know, just shout "WEM-BER-LEY!" every now and then. It's what people do, apparently.
In the meantime do read Vicky's marvellous interview with Russell Grant - rumour has it that he may be doing some flying this evening, and that could be worth the licence fee ALONE.
See you at 6.55! Wembley!
Is ANYTHING we see this evening going to be as good as Gok Wan giving it a bit of Razzle Dazzle? I predict him for Strictly next year.
IT'S STARTING! WEMBLEY WEMBLEY WEMBLEY!
Cue lots of pictures of Wembley stadium, which the bus is driving past on the way to Wembley arena up the road. Someone who I think is Graham Taylor rocks up for a rubbish football skit, followed by endless football analogies. As far as I know, football has never been played at Wembley arena. It's going to be a very, very long night.
The professionals are doing a Queen medley, with someone in a Brian May wig dangling from the ceiling. Maybe it's actually Brian May? If so, he's been at the Just For Men. The judges are doing a bit of Bohemian Rhapsody, and mostly this is festival of campness, over-tight trousers, cheerleaders, gymnastics and budget-blowing. I'm EXHAUSTED.
I'm obviously intrigued to see what fancy dress horrors Tess will unleash on us this evening, but the last couple of weeks have been fairly benign, frock-wise, which suggests that eventually he might wear something nice.
See? That's actually alright. I mean, it's overtight up top and makes her boobs look like they're heading south for winter, but I've definitely seen worse.
Here come the contestants - Russell is dressed as a banana, whereas Holly doesn't appear to have a top on at all. Oh HELLO, Harry.
It's a bit echo-ey in there, isn't it? I'm having to listen to Bruce in stereo.
Martine McCutcheon is on the red button. My daughter just said "ooh, the yoghurt lady!". Poor Martine. A whole career reduced to tummy-loving bacteria and dairy goodness.
Right, let's get on with the dancing, shall we? First up is ROBBIE AND OLA! This week they are dancing the Salsa, so we can expect much hip-thrusting and latin crotch-grabbing. What joy.
Out the come, to 'Let Me Entertain You' by Robbie Williams. Ola is wearing an awful blue lace bodystocking that makes her look like she's just been fished out of the river after several days.
It's action-filled for sure, with much strutting from Robbie and a couple of half-decent lifts. His footwork is a bit all over the place and there isn't much actual salsa-ing, but he gets 10/10 for energy. To distract us, he's got his chest out. The crowd go wild. Clearly they haven't seen Harry yet.
Is there rule that say they have to use the ENTIRE arena floor? If so, let us hope St John's Ambulance are on hand.
Len thought it was "wild and savage", but wonderful entertainment. It was supposed to be the dance of courtship, but Robbie went at it, throwing Ola into all kinds of positions. But what it lacked in technique he made up for in enthusiasm *shudder*
Scores: 5,7,7,7 - a total of 26.
Next up is ALEX AND JAMES! This week they are dancing the Tango ? Alex's dancing has come on leaps and bounds over the past few weeks, but can she do passion and drama?
Bruce, just STOP IT with the tap dancing. Just STOP.
Out they come, to the (oh dear god) strains of 'Relax' by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Well, it's definitely about passion. Of a sort.
I mean, it's nice and everything, and Alex looks rather fabulous, it just lacks drama. It's not sexy, at all. Her footwork is fine, they make a nice couple. It's..nice.
Alesha thought it was full of drama and seduction. Just me, then? Bruno agrees, and even Alex looks surprised. According to the judges, it was a proper tango and fabulous. How can he SAY that, after saying Harry's Paso last week lacked passion?
Oh dear, I think I'm starting to take this all a bit seriously. Who knew THAT would ever happen?
Scores - 8,9,9,9 - a total of 35 for Alex.
Who's next? It's HOLLY AND ARTEM! Artem is back! Yay! This week they are dancing the Quickstep ? way to ease him back in gently, eh? I still have no idea what she is wearing. It's ghastly, I'll say that much.
They're dancing to the Amy Winehouse version of 'Valerie', who is no doubt spinning in her grave at this ear-bleeding horror.
I love the quickstep, and Holly actually looks like she's having fun, which is a bonus. Her feet drag in places and it lacks precision (from where I'm sitting at least), but it's got loads of skipping about, which is always a bonus in a quickstep. Again, nice, but not blowing my mind, you know?
For the hundredth week running, the judges implore Holly to go for it. Look, let's just assume she's not going to, shall we? Great use of space, but she lacked precision and control.
Scores - 7,8,8,8 - a total of 31 for Holly.
Next up it's ANITA AND ROBIN! They are dancing the Samba. Last week Anita was in the bottom two, prompting me to seriously consider actually voting. I WON'T, obviously, but the sentiment is there.
it's "Come on Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners! Am having horrible dungaree and neckerchief flashbacks. Anita looks fabulous as always (apart from the Marigolds), am just hoping they might stop clapping soon and start dancing.
Oh, there we go. Anita is giving it her all, but latin isn't really her thing, is it? A bit clumpy, and she keeps looking at her feet. Robin hauls her around like a sack of potatoes, but she keeps smiling. Still love her.
The judges verdict - could have been a bit sharper and crisper and she lacked "fire down below", but her timing was good and she had bags of spirit, enthusiasm and energy.
Whatever. I love the dress and still think she's amazing. GO ANITA.
Scores: 6,7,7,7 - a total of 27 for Anita.
It's time for HARRY AND ALIONA! This week they are dancing a Salsa - be still my beating heart.
In training, he doesn't have the hips - cue a VT focussing entirely on Harry's hips. I love these little videos, don't you?
Out they come, with Harry's arms looking as splendid as ever. The shirt is a token gesture, to be honest, as is Aliona's unravelling dress. The music is 'I'm Still Standing ' by Elton John. To be honest, I need to sit down *fans self*
He doesn't have the hips, but he's got EVERYTHING else. Great footwork, fab lifts, amazing chemistry with Aliona, and he's really a superb dancer. Who needs hips? Hips are SO last year.
Judges' verdict - Len wanted more hip action, but it was a great routine with lots of great footwork. However it lacked groove and hips. I concur, but I don't care.
As Harry comes offstage, Brendan takes Harry's shirt off. Much as I'm enjoying it, I'm not sure pulling Aliona's top off would get quite the same reaction.
Scores - 8,8,9,9 - a total of 34 for Harry.
It's time for RUSSELL AND FLAVIA!. This week they are doing the jive. It's hard to imagine what new levels of brilliantly demented Russell might explore, but part of me thinks the past few works may have been merely a warm-up.
Oh, AMAZING. They're dancing to Reach For The Starts by S Club 7. I can't WAIT.
Out they come, with Russell being shot out of a cannon and Flavia dancing with sparklers. Several weeks later, Russell starts dancing. It's not a jive in the technical sense, but there's much kicking and skipping about, and that's in time at least. It's insane, but who cares, right? It's Russell. He can do whatever he likes.
The verdict from the judges - what he lacked in jiving ability he made up for in entertainment. Craig compares him to Dumbo, but Len thought it was an iconic number that will always be remembered. How can you not love Russell? He is the epitomy of sheer, demented joy.
Scores - 5,6,6,7 - total of 24 for Russell.
How do you follow that? It's CHELSEE AND PASHA! , who are dancing the Samba. It's a party dance, and Chelsee is usually brilliant, so I have high hopes.
Sometimes I feel quite sorry for Pasha - every one of the VTs he's done with Chelsee has involved him making a total arse of himself. Poor love.
Out they come, to 'Spice Up Your Life' as sung by a bunch of drunk girls at karaoke.
Chelsee is giving it both barrels, considering it's quite a complex routine and she's wearing a dress at least two sizes two small. She's got great energy, rhythm and footwork, and even though she loses her way at one point, I love watching her dance. Great work.
Judges verdict - a near perfect dance - full of energy and a proper samba that really captured the spirit of the dance. I agree - LOVED THAT.
Scores - 8,9,9,9 - 35 for Chelsee, and the highest score of the evening so far.
Last up, it's JASON AND KRISTINA! This week they are dancing the Jive - Jason's non-ballroom outings haven't previously been his strongest, but I'm quite looking forward to this. Judging by his outfit, there may be some Wham! involved. What's not to love?
I can't talk about the VTs any more. They're just awful. Ditto the band.
Out they come, with Jason dressed as Andrew Ridgeley during his geography teacher years, and Olay wearing an entire 80s wardrobe. He's grinning like a loon and his timing is fab, but the kicks and flicks are a bit lacking. Oh, and there goes the timing. Sorry, I may have jinxed that. Oops.
Still, great fun to watch. Nice work.
The judges thought it was a great routine, and disappointed for him that it all fell apart at the end. Loads of energy, and clearly he's worked really hard. Len threatens to put everyone on a warning for illegal lifts. *scared face*
Scores - 8,8,9,9 - a very decent 34 for Jason.
So that's IT for this week - Chelsee and Alex are currently at the top of the leader board, and the lines are now open!
I'll be back here tomorrow for the results at 7.25pm, so do join me then to find out who's heading home from Wembley on the Jubilee Line of rejection, and who survives to twirl another day. Thanks for joining in with all your brilliant comments ? you can find me on Twitter @heidistephens should you feel so inclined, and I'll see you tomorrow! Keeeeeeeep dancing!
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2011/nov/19/strictly-come-dancing-television
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