Key events
Judges’ comments for Adam and Luba: Shirley says “you took it up two notches, just enough basics, no mistakes, hit the lift, you just put yourself in the running, mate”. Anton says “wonderful concept, well-danced”. Craig says “needed sharpness and retraction, stiff and stilted but infectious enthusiasm”. Motsi concludes “it came together, this is the right way”.
Judges’ scores: 5 (boo), 7, 7, 7 for a total of 26 points. Mid-table.
Adam and Luba’s jive
It’s-a me, Mario. Actor Adam Thomas got tearful after his tango last week. What he needs to cheer him up is… dressing up as Mario and Luigi. However, he’s been short of training time due to a busy week filming Waterloo Road. Mario Kart messin’ abaht to start, last-minute-ordered-from-Amazon costumes. Needs to get his body weight forward and be lighter on his feet but lots of energy and smiley entertainment. Sharpness lacking but a kiddie crowd-pleaser.
Song: Take On Me from the Super Mario Bros Movie. The 1985 synth-pop classic by Norwegian trio A-ha had a memorable video with pencil-sketch animation – filmed at a Turkish café in Wandsworth, trivia fans. It starred Hot Gossip’s Bunty Bailey, who became singer Morten Harket’s girlfriend. The dream.
Judges’ comments for Annabel and Jojo: Motsi says “I had to keep it together, you created a beautiful atmosphere, stillness and took your time, lovely message”. Shirley says “pure class, proud of you”. Anton says “exquisite lines but bend that standing leg and drive across the floor”. Craig concludes “needed more extension and drive but you reminded me of Darcey Bussell, you were regal, what an improvement”. Sevens and eights?
Judges’ scores: 8, 8, 7, 7 for a total of 30 points. Her best yet. Lovely.
Annabel and Jojo’s waltz
Team Johannabel dipped in form last week with a tense, tentative quickstep but a chance to play Audrey Hepburn’s classic character might help Ms Croft conquer with nerves. Slow, sweet and flowing. Smooth control and beautiful stride. Annabel looking fabulous in monochrome and pearls. A lovely spin in front of the judges. Footwork wobbles a little but that was charming and emotional. Both tearful at the end.
Song: Moon River from Breakfast At Tiffany’s. Compoer Henry Mancini and lyricist Johnny Mercer won an Oscar for the song in 1961 and it became easy listening crooner Andy Williams’ signature tune. One Paramount studio exec suggested cutting the song from the film, to which Hepburn replied: “Over my dead body!”
The first 10 of the series should be a big moment. That felt thrown away. Shame.
Judges’ comments for Eddie and Karen: Craig says “this is your strength, your jam, done your family proud”. Motsi says “music in your body, I loved your swag”. Shirley says “slick, stylish, edgy, entertaining”. Streetdance expert Anton concludes “magical, you were looking at Karen out of the corner of your eye but brilliant number”. “I was looking out for aliens,” quips Eddie with a grin. Scores for that? Anyone’s guess but probably eights.
Judges’ scores: 8, 8, it’s never too early for a 10 from Shirley (I think you’ll find it is), 8 for a total of 34 points. Nuts. Second so far.
Eddie and Karen’s cha cha cha
The first Couple’s Choice routine of the series goes to British-Congolese comic Eddie Kadi and his pro partner Karen Hauer. Suited and booted like true galaxy defenders. Streetdance style and he’s got the groove. Some lock and pop. Just slide, baby, take a walk. The much-maligned category is hard to judge and this is fun but technically not great and the timing’s off in patches. CGI alien on the dancefloor. He wields a “Neuralyzer” memory-wiping device to finish. Quick, use it on Craig.
Song: Men In Black Theme by Will Smith. The 1997 sci-fi comedy’s Grammy-winning theme was Smith’s first solo release without DJ Jazzy Jeff and the lead single from his album Big Willie Style. It featured a sample from Forget Me Nots by Patrice Rushen, also famously sampled on George Michael’s Fast Love.
Judges’ comments for Jody and Jowita: Anton says “wonderful storytelling, pick your elbows up but don’t lose the narrative”. Craig says “frame was jagged but great lifts”. Motsi says “careful of transitions, too stop-start and lost energy but keep going”. Shirley concludes “lovely footwork, beautioful number, thank you for coming”. That’s nice. Thank YOU for coming, Shirl.
Judges’ scores: 4, 5, 5, 6 for a total of 20 points. Bottom by just a point.
Jody and Jowita’s American smooth
The decorated Paralympian has been struggling with his leg all week. It got badly infected and so swollen that he couldn’t get his prosthetic leg on, causing him to miss two training days. He was already rattling around the bottom of the scoreboard, so could be up against it here. Then again, dancing could be carthartic after a painful week and viewres might well root for the underdog. He’s dressed like John Shuttleworth, for some reason. Posture looks awkward but lovely lifts and sweet storytelling. He floats up on a bunch of balloons at the end. Cute.
Song: Married Life from Up. The Oscar-winning song that soundtracked the famous house-floating opening sequence from the 2009 Pixar film. Composer Michael Giacchino based it on his grandmtoher’s music box/
Judges’ comments for Bobby and Dianne: Shirley says “you brought the party, rhythm in that pelvis was fantastic, you sold it on me”. Anton says “you’ve got a double-jointed trick pelvis, remarkable”. Craig says “it’s an unnatural dance for men but you made it look natural, a-may-zing”. Motsi concludes “you enjoyed it so much and gave everything”. Eights again? Surely he’ll beat his 29 point record?
Judges’ scores: 8, 8, 8, 8 for a total of 32 points. His highest yet and third so far.
Bobby and Dianne’s samba
The EastEnder has scored 29 points in both weeks so far. Can he improve with his first Latin number? He’s been talking up his hip action and practising his shimmies in the kitchen at home, so hopes are high. In fair Verona we set our scene. It’s the Capulet party scene, sans fishtank meet-cute. Bobboy goes a bit disco in the opening solo section but improves once they;re into the samba content. Hips, bounce, body ripples, those kitchen shimmies. Goes down a storm in the studio.
Song: Young Hearts Run Free from Romeo + Juliet. Candi Staton’s soaring disco-funk classic was covered by house diva Kym Mazelle for the 1996 film and produced by Bristolian DJ Nellee Hooper. Mazelle grew up on the same street as the Jackson family in Gary, Indiana. What a musical thoroughfare.
They’ve rather front-loaded the female celebrities in the running order. Only Annabel Croft and five males to go.
Judges’ comments for Ellie and Vito: Motsi says “you bought the magic, third brilliant week in a row, great detail and connection, love, love, love that”. Shirley says “nice soft knees and footwork, frame improving, I was blown away, you’re Miss Fluidity”. Anton says “a delightful package and you delivered it”. Craig concludes “your free arm needs to speak but I loved that”. Eights ahoy?
Judges’ scores: 8, 9, 8, 8 for a total of 33 points. Second so far.
Ellie and Vito’s Viennese waltz
Coronation Street actor Ellie Leach has been a pleasant surprise so far this series and the third highest scorer so far. Following last week’s sweet ice cream quickstep, she’s sticking to ballroom for a spinning Viennese. She’s been worrying about her rounded shoulders and trying hard to keep them down. She’s also had painful blisters on her feet and lost a toenail in training. Softness and smoothness. Magical mood, sways and spins. Great Mirabel Madrigal costume and sparkly lighting effects. She’s a lovely dancer. That was Disney fairytale stuff.
Song: Waiting on a Miracle from Disney’s Encanto. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Colombian bambuco song isn’t to be confused with We Don’t Talk About Bruno (Tonioli).
Ginger pro Neil Jones gets congratulated on the Clauditorium for his new baby daughter. “It’s like getting a 10 from Craig,” he says, going full Tom Cruise.
Judges’ comments for Nikita and Gorka: Craig says “flat-footed and heavy, no retraction, the criticism isn’t here to break you, it’s here to make you, the energy was definitely better”. Motsi says “you’re getting stronger but your weight as too far back”. Shirley says “slow and steady improvement, zero mistakes, keep growing in confidence”. Anton concludes “immeasurably better performance-wise, keep going”. Fives or sixes?
Judges’ scores: 4, 6, 5, 6 for a total of 21 points. Her highest yet but the dance-off looms again, I fear.
