Yes Bill, he can boogie!

We made it! Welcome to our final blog of the series in the weirdest year of all (apart from maybe series 7), so glad you could join us. It's been emotional, it's been crazy, it's been covid-compliant, but most of all it's been Strictly and we should thank our lucky stars for that.

There may have been some questionable music choices, way too much theme-age and the hell-on-earth that is Couple's Choice*, but I AM SO GLAD that BBC managed to make Strictly happen this year. The sheer normality of this show being on has been a joy for millions.

*I actually make an exception for Bill's which, against my better judgement, I found myself loving.

 

As ever, we're not going to discuss dances that have already been done. A whistle-stop tour tells us that Harvey brought some extra sharpness to his jive despite his twiglet legs, Jamie brought his infectious fun to the Charleston, Bill tripped the light fantastic in his improved quickstep, but Maisie definitely brought the house down with her rip-roaring samba!

Harvey and Janette

I was expecting this to be a disco-showdance with extra lifts, and that's pretty much what we got! It was Harvey in a nutshell, fast and precise and modern. However, it didn't blow me away, the lifts broke up the flow of the routine in a few places and it just didn't seem like anything new. As ever, it was technically achieved, but whether it connected with people is another matter.

The best Strictly winners have the perfect balance of technique, performance and heart. Harvey's natural dance talent shone through from the start, and - perhaps tied with Maisie - was the best dancer of the series. Perhaps. But for me, he didn't quite improve enough from beginning to end, and I didn't connect to his showdance . 

Jamie and Karen

This was also Jamie in a nutshell; over-excited, bonkers, but still dancing away like your life depends on it. The flying interlude at the start was unnecessary but hilarious and they managed to keep up the energy levels throughout the whole thing. Jamie and Karen work so well as team and this was their joyous goodbye to the series - thanks for so much fun along the way!

While many think Jamie shouldn't have been in the final, I do not feel that strongly about it. What Jamie exemplified this year was pluck, springing back and working hard. He came out week after week and put on a show, with a smile on his face and a bounce in his step. I can't knock that. This dance was very.... him. I think they will have known that a win would be unlikely and they just had fun. 

Bill and Oti

I was genuinely nervous about this dance, as I expected the to take a fair few risks, but this totally fell into the 'bonkers-awesome' category! There was plenty of content and classic dancing, but also the excitement and daring that makes us whoop for a showdance. The pyrotechnics and Oti flying was just the icing on the cake, it was so ambitious but they certainly pulled it off!

Bill's showdance - out of all of them - was the one that stood out as being different from the other two dances he was down to do, yet it showcased skills he had learned throughout the series. Bill's other standout dance was the paso so it was perfect to bring that in here. This dance made me feel in a way the others didn't, and in a final, that can be what leads me vote...

Maisie and Gorka

I was so happy when I discovered they were doing a Christmas routine, it's just what we needed to top off the final this year. The whole routine was ridiculously charming from start to finish, it was light and fun and sparkly. The fact that this was ballroom-based was also impressive and shows how much she's come along in the competition, plus that glorious dress made her look stunning. 

This was peppy, cute and perfectly danced. I love that Maisie took to the ballroom and showcased her skills in that area, having previously felt it wasn't really her thing. I would have been absolutely happy with a Maisie or a Bill win ...

Slogging towards the final dances, Harvey razzmatazzed his heart out in the American Smooth, Karen and Jamie made a daft choice with the Couple's Choice but I still laughed, Bill and Oti did the only couples choice ever worth talking about, while Maisie and Gorka took things out with a bang with that perfect quickstep. Who else is totally exhausted now?

Special shout-out to Nicola and Katya for coming back with a showdance that was much better than it needed to be, I feel like we really missed out on something there. Bloody Covid. But of course, we still had the customary car-crash group number for the year! It was as brilliant as ever, even with social distancing, we had highlights including Caroline's pussy, Jason standing still, JJ on a bike, I loved every second.

Just want to chip in here to say how much I loved that Nicola and Katya were allowed a final dance. I really loved it too. 

But of course, series have to end, we came to the big moment and the winner was.... BILL! Congratulations to the two of them for always delivering something different and bringing us such joy all series. Plus Oti is now a record-breaker! You love to see it. Also congratulations to everyone at the BBC who made this series happen, it's definitely been worth it.

One is the Loneliest Rumba

Well how about that, we're at the semi-finals and Strictly 2020 is almost over. In a way it feels too soon, but as ever, everyone seems pretty tired and slightly overwrought, meaning it's pretty normal for a semifinal! This was an interesting mixed bag of stuff and highlighted to us that the reduced schedule has meant not everyone has done a range of dances this year. The biggest casualty has been the rumba with only one this year; if you'd told us 10 years ago we'd have wanted more rumba we'd have laughed, but here we are! 

Jamie and Karen

We were promised a Studio 54 salsa and we certainly got one! Props to Karen for bringing this one out first and not having their last dance to...Last Dance. So it wasn't salsa canon obviously, but I thought it was Jamie's journey in a nutshell, thinking about his lumpy cha cha in week one this was a real progression. His timing, musicality and just ability to do a routine have all improved. Not too bad on the lifts too, plus the unprecedented male floor spin. A fun way to start the show!

It wasn't salsa.

Ranvir and Giovanni

Ranvir continuing with her run of lovely delicate ballroom and what a frock! This was an old-school delight, full of proper moves and only a couple of tiny breaks in hold for dramatic effect. As Shirley said, great frame and hold. They may have even overcome the issue of having a staid (translation: boring) dance in the semifinals when everyone else gets showstoppers.

This was lovely but somewhat underwhelming for the semi-finals. Ranvir is a naturally-talented dancer, particularly with the more elegant styles, but she hasn't shown all that much improvement in terms of technique. Her improvement in confidence and performance should be noted though.

Bill and Oti

Ah, the quirky Charleston was always going to be a good one for Bill and he carried it off with his regular aplomb. I agreed with the judges it could have had a bit more oomph, but that might be because they're doing two dances this week. It was charming and confident, which is 90% of the work with a Charleston, with his customary great timing. Plus Oti's dress should've looked like a pair of curtains but, being Oti Mabuse, she made it look fabulous.

Throughout this process it has been evident just how much time Bill spends perfecting each dance. This was slightly less polished than some of his others, which I think it down to having to squeeze two dances into the same amount of time. He is an absolute joy to watch however, and I hope he inspires lots of different people up and down the country to have a go.

Maisie and Gorka

So. I don't want to see Couple's Choice or hip hop on Strictly, but I cannot take away the fact that Maisie had this down from the first second and was always going to walk it. She's had a rough ride during the show, so it was worth it just to see her having an awesome time. Plus anyone who can slide onto the floor and then get up without looking like a sack of potatoes is impressive in my book.

It was great. But it was Couple's Choice and therefore I don't care.

Harvey and Janette

Only rumba of the series klaxon! I quite liked this, they took out the sexiness and went for sweetness, which probably made sense to avoid the traditional cringe you can get with this dance. A bit stop-starty and not a huge amount of hip, but it was a good effort from Harvey. If only we could have seen some more rumbas this year!

I thought it was pretty harsh to give him a rumba when no one else has had to suffer it. Yes, as a viewer I would have liked to see more of them but if there's only going to be one... and then he gets a wee bit slated for it (I'm sorry, I don't think it deserved less than Jamie's marks) it seems a little off. I understood the judges' comments but it wasn't terrible. HVRY is naturally a very talented dancer and I don't think there's any doubt he's already one of this year's finalists.

*DING DING DING* LET'S GO ROUND AGAIN!

Jamie and Karen

Quickstep, yay, cowboy theme, boo! This was movie-week levels of theming and for no discernible reason. I'm a Jamie fan and I think this routine did him a disservice, he has enough bounce to do a normal quickstep in an entertaining way. The quickstep parts were good enough, but I could have done with more though. Karen in a Pipi Longstocking wig was an interesting diversion.

BOO THEMING. It was jolly and peppy and would have been so much better with a top hat, white tie and tails vibe, but hey we're 16 years into this and I don't think we'll be getting away from CGI animals any time soon. The thing is with Jamie is that he really does sell it to us. Do I think he's one of the best dancers? No. Do I think he has shown more improvement than most in the semi-final? Most definitely. He is NOT a natural at this so the fact he comes out and presents something so... presentable... is a huge credit to him, and to Karen.

Ranvir and Giovanni

It always felt like the jive would be a sticky one for Ranvir and that certainly came to pass. They could have gotten away with it in week 2 or 3, but this was a very bad choice for her. A rumba would have been better! She was in time, but didn't have the right energy or picked her feet up enough. Hilariously camp sailor outfits though, give the people at home what they want!

Oh poor Ranvir. This wasn't her dance and it was damned bad luck to get it at this stage. But she's been very lucky with her selections most weeks, favouring the elegant (or dark and moody) styles. The ones that are a bit...slower. I get it. In my 20s I could dance about my living room making easy attempts at the jive without collapsing into a heap. Now, well into my thirties with a little added weight, I run the risk of my knees giving way under me. NOT EASY. 

Bill and Oti

There had been so much chat about this one that expectations were so high! They just about pulled it off for me, it wasn't a tango for the ages but it was jolly good fun and had plenty of attack. I agree there were some mistakes, but the momentum of the routine carried it along fine. Extra points for Oti's gorgeous Game of Thrones goth look too, she looked like she was about to ride into battle!

I was so looking forward to this. Perhaps I'd hyped it up in my head too much. And it was good, but that's it, it was good. I really wanted Bill to have another big explosive dance moment but it just didn't come.The best thing about this was the clip of Dave Arch living his best life.

Maisie and Gorka

Even with the rather odd Taylor Swift floaty guitar opening, this was lovely. They built a story in a way that I don't think I've seen before, so along with improved footwork this was a treat. I could have done with more in hold but all bets seem to be off with this. Well done to Maisie for proving she can do both ballroom and latin, I have my fingers and toes crossed for her.

I would have liked more actual Viennese Waltz, but what there was, was lovely. I think Maisie being in the bottom two surprisingly set her up as a bit of a series underdog. And we love an underdog. If you'd asked me several weeks ago could she win it, I'd have said no. Ask me now, I think she could. I have no doubt she will be in the final and if she pulls out the same level of dance ability she has shown in the semis, then my votes she will get.

Harvey and Janette

This was sunshine and light and Harvey totally nailed it. It felt like a lost Musicals Week routine, but one of the better ones as there wasn't too much theming and a lot of content, the boy sure can swivel. It was predictably good, the Charleston was always going to be his dance, but it didn't offer us anything new like Bill or Maisie. Saying that, I can't deny his talent or work ethic, it's just that I still haven't connected with him as a contestant yet. 

I really liked it. It was charming, well-performed and the technique was good (as much as you need for Charleston, anyway) Another almost dead-cert for the final, but much like Ranvir (and Bill to some extent), what I haven't seen from HRVY is a great deal of improvement. I think it's a while that we have gone into a final without having a clue who might come out victorious. Next week is going to be EXCITING.

Little Shop of Showstoppers

It's the quarter finals, it's Musicals Week, where the hell has the year gone?! Actually, this year's Musicals Week actually proved to be quite good, what with mostly-appropriate theming and no extra dancers, it meant the majority of dances looked like what they're supposed to. We also got a pretty awesome opener with the tribute to Priscilla Queen of the Desert, with even more camp and sequins than even Strictly usually manages. Curtain up, let's get on with this...

JJ and Amy 

This was pretty much the perfect choice for these two, family-friendly and cute with pretty outfits. Amy could easily be Truly Scrumptious, I wanted a more poofy dress! This, like last week, was FINE, but not much more. There needed to be more performance and Charleston zing. But it was all in time and JJ can swivel. Is this uneventful performance enough to save him for another week? 

Ranvir and Giovanni

I wasn't sure what to expect from this as I haven't seen Waitresses, but this was beautiful. The song brought a real sense of the dramatic to it, which is what Musicals Week should do without interfering. But it still needed their great partnership to lift what could have been a more subdued performance. And it wasn't just the performance, there was great hold and footwork, plus a fleckerl - hurrah!

 

Maisie and Gorka

I loved that they got Little Shop of Horrors, might as well give them something a bit bonkers to have fun with. The jive was always going to suit Maisie and she really pulled it off; I liked all the swing-jive bits in it that gave her more stuff to work with. Hilarious facial expressions too. It was sharp, funny and funky and it was also great to see them having such a rollocking good time! 

Bill and Oti

This felt like the one dance that was negatively impacted by the theme, but I think these two just about managed to pull it off! Bill is committed to technical detail and sharp footwork and that is what the Argentine Tango is about. They were never going to do a...sexy AT, so giving him the Phantom character meant he had something to work with. Not vintage Bill, but definitely showing he can do the technical stuff.

 

Harvey and Janette

Someone had to get the jazz-hands all-star spectacular rolled in glitter and it was these two! I think this was my favourite dance of Harvey's, he took on a massive routine but delivered it with musicality and great teamwork. A couple of slips and a never-ending-Janette lift meant it wasn't perfect, but they can definitely be proud of that performance. 

 

Jamie and Karen

This was very much the unknown quantity for the evening and when they were in the pimp slot I thought we were in for something spectacular. Alas, it was essentially a normal jive, which I wouldn't normally complain about but it didn't seem much after a Broadway showstopper. Jamie's timing has really improved and there's no way he could have done that dance in week one, but this wasn't particularly memorable, he could be in trouble this week.