It Takes Two!

We've made it to the final! Ironically, it seems more of an achievement than last year, what with the revolving cast of celebs and judges and injury dramas all over the shop. We're also GUTTED that we're having to do this without AJ, who has been an absolute star all year. I hope she remains part of Strictly legend for years to come, wins the tour and the Christmas special, and maybe come back and do her showdance next series?

 

Now saddle up guys, even with one person down, we're in for a long night...

 

So here we have the judges' choices. We start with the frankly odd choice of Rose's quickstep, her least impressive and entertaining ballroom number. Saying that, she did it with such pep and charm that I can't really complain. Plus like Anton said, we got a chance to see her amazing topline. John's rumba was a better choice, as it really showed his lyricism and partnership with Johannes. A rumba in the final always deserves extra points, maybe one day we'll get that 40! Both of the couple's actual choices were great though, with Rose's iconic CC and John taking it up a notch with his pirate paso, they served us well and had a great time along the way.

Right, let's get down to business...bring on the showdances!

Rose and Giovanni

Not going to lie, I may have rolled my eyes when I heard Rose was dancing to The Rose, I apologise for my churlishness. This was lovely because it was sincere, like so much these two do, they transcend any form of cheesiness. I also liked that the routine had touches of ballroom in it and showed off Rose's great posture and poise rather than being all about the lifts. The only thing it was missing was actual Bette Midler, but I suppose the BBC budget doesn't stretch quite that far.

 

John and Johannes

I didn't know quite what to expect from this showdance, but I loved it! What a joyful number they put together, both of them really gave it that final-dance-lets-go-out-with-a-bang oomph you love to see. Plus it was quite a technical routine, the ones where you try and put in a bit of every dance can be a bit hit-or-miss, but this one definitely worked. Extra points for not inhaling any confetti.

 

Our final treat was the annual hot-mess of a group number...and what a treat it was this year! Fun and hysterical in equal measures, I was shrieking from start to finish. Pros hiding behind palm fronds, Sara in her big boat, Gorka giving us the gratuitous furry vibe, Ugo literally flipping his wig, an en masse lobster shuffle, Nancy being reconstructed out of tinsel - what more do you need?! Maybe I'm over-excited/emotional, but I think it was the best one yet!

...and so, the big moment finally came and our winner was ROSE! It might have been obvious from mid-series, but it's been amazing to go on the journey with her (yes, you can use that word in full in the final) and so wonderful to see Gio finally win it! Thanks all for joining us on the crazy Strictly adventure this year!

The Sensational Semi-Final!

It's time to load up on snacks and go to the loo, we've made it to the semi finals and everyone is doing two dances. It's going to get emotional, don't say we didn't warn you... 

Rhys and Nancy

It's so much nicer to see these two doing proper routines in nice outfits rather than having to raid the fancy dress shop, loving Nancy's leather and tulle look. Now, I went into this wanting to hate the song, but Rhys had apparently lobbied really hard for it and I think it paid off in the end, he was clearly channeling his performance through it. It didn't have the surprise or drama of his Argentine Tango, but he drove through the routine well. His frame was a bit loose, but he's come on in leaps and bounds in recent weeks.  

Now personally I'm not a fan of the song for a tango but there's something to be said for a celeb really loving what they're dancing to. I was impressed with Rhys' conviction about it because it certainly worked far better than I thought it was. This was sharp and bold and I liked it. Rhys has been the biggest surprise for me this year - John, AJ and Rose have been on my list for the final since nearly the beginning, but Rhys is really giving them a run for their money.

AJ and Kai

Was ever a more classic quickstep ever quickstepped? A joy from start to finish, they got straight into it and didn't let up for a moment, all whilst looking like they were having the most marvelous time. As ever with a quickstep, I was on Gap Watch, but no gapping could be seen. There isn't a huge amount more to say, they work so well together and I just wanted to sit back and enjoy it. A well-deserved 40!

Eeeep! Classic, classic costumes. Classic, classic choreography. And an absolute gem of a piece of music (now we have got past the fact that they re-use them...) What an absolute beauty to pull out on semi-final week. 

 

John and Johannes

Oh my cold, cynical, couple's choice-hating heart, I couldn't bring myself to hate this. It was full-on, unabashed contempo, which actually worked because it made for a fully realised routine that they both committed to. Particular shout-out to the amazing steps-in-the-air move. I do agree with Craig that it was the first time John felt like the lead of the routine, no criticism of Johannes because he is just so good, but John took a step up here like you need in the semi-final.

It's not their fault but I soooo do not like Couple's Choice. However, there was a cool piece of choreography I did like, and that was when Johannes was walking upside down whilst being held up by John. 

 

Rose and Giovanni

Ah, a classic waltz from Rose and Gio. They even overcame their song being wrestled into the right time frame and carried it off with effortless grace. The whole thing was so smooth and Rose's hold is now wonderful. I also appreciated how calm and peaceful the routine was, it's nice to have a quiet moment during these insanely intense semi-finals.  

There was no doubt this was going to be lovely, was there? I'm mightily thankful they did bother to re-arrange the piece of music, and given I'm hardly familiar with the original, it didn't jar with me at all. I was mostly just captivated by the beautiful dance. Rose is quite astonishing.

ALL CHANGE, LET'S GO ROUND AGAIN.... MAYBE WE'LL TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIIIIIIIIME...*

*showing my age there...

Rhys and Nancy

If you'd told me Rhys was doing a samba in week 2 I would have hidden behind the sofa, but I went into this quite excited...and they definitely delivered a party routine! Props to Nancy for this, she put together a routine with loads of samba content and let Rhys bounce to his heart's content. Oh it was as camp as knickers, but all the better for it. Some slightly manic shimmies, but massive fun.

This. Was. So. Much. Better. Than. I. Expected. Bravo, Rhys, Bravo. And I really liked the band's arrangement too. This semi-final is really strong. 

 

AJ and Kai

Oh a semi-final rumba, what a gamble. You're never going to blow the roof off with it, but you can get a lot of kudos for mastering what is genuinely the most difficult dance. If anyone was going to pull off a rumba with chemistry it was these two, but you could also see the hard work that had gone into it. Great synchronicity and fluidity about, it was a whole dance rather than a series of steps. I also really liked how Anton called it elegant and classy, thankfully they resisted the temptation to go for raunch. 

I really, really thought they were going to go for raunch - and whilst it had its intensity, it managed to stay on the polite side of rumba. It was elegant and AJ's lines were exquisite. I was not expecting her body movement to be great given her salsa was a little rigid but no, I was wrong. Basically loved it.

John and Johannes

This was the dance I was most worried about tonight; John's a big guy and the jive needs to be light-of-foot. Plus Coldplay. It turned out to be much more interesting than I expected! It wasn't a typical jive, quite swingy in places, and whilst there were jive steps I felt like I was watching something quite different. Which I suppose is better than the nine millionth Grease routine. John also gave it everything and pulled off the technique pretty well, so hopefully it stands him in good stead.

Unfortunately my WiFi went boo boo whilst John was dancing and I missed most of it. Having gone back and watched, I can't say I'm sold on the music. However, it was an excellent job with what they had - he really is a natural dancer. I know they've said it to AJ, but you do think if he'd started dancing as a kid, he'd be a pro. 

Rose and Giovanni

This looked good on ITT this week, my expectations were high, but ooft this surpassed them! The drama, the drama, from the opening seconds I knew they'd be delivering something awesome. I liked how Rose's natural fluidity wasn't lost among it, but she could do those jigsaw-legs with the best of them, she was like an electric whisk! Plus the lifts were beautiful, not over the top, but done with poise and transitioned wonderfully. What a final it's going to be next week!

Rose, you absolute BEAUTY. I haven't much to say other than reiterate what Frankie said. Expectations were high and expectations were surpassed.  

The lifts are gonna get you...

Well this was a short episode, but wow it was exciting! In a case very much of quality rather than
quantity, everyone raised their game and was really going for it. Also, quick shout-out to the early Christmas-themed number which was as camp as, well Christmas, and an absolute delight. Oti and Grazi hamming it up and even some actual ballroom, it was like an early present. 

 

John and Johannes

One of two salsas this week, we've been really light on the salsa routines this year (other dips are available). Yes, it was more disco than salsa, but oh it was fun! John's more laid back style worked here and I really felt like he and Jojo were bringing a nightclub to our living rooms. The hips were good but I thought the knees were a bit too bent at times (is that a thing, Clover?) The lifts were indeed a bit ropey, but Jojo styled out his not-a-fall at the end like a charm.  

Adorably styled, I must say. Also, completely demonstrated the reason why, as a social salsa dancer, I always refused to be dipped or lifted. But it's live TV and these things happen. Knees, Frankie? Nothing wrong with his knees - as a non-codified latin dance, we're not looking for the snappy straight legs you'd expect in a cha cha or rumba, so all's good there. In fact, his salsa motion wasn't too bad at all. It's just a damned shame it was mostly a disco routine. 

Rhys and Nancy

I really wasn't sure how an Argentine Tango would work for Rhys, it's all about controlled energy. However, he certainly pulled it off, he's come on in leaps and bounds in the last few weeks. Not just in technical skill, but much-needed performance, I genuinely forgot that was Tigger-ish Rhys in this number. I personally think there were too many lifts and the floor spin was superfluous, but what an amazing step up after so many trips to the bottom two. Plus Nancy, what an absolute star!  

YEEEEES. Have I been on Team Rhys up until now? Nope, not really. But wow. I was not expecting this and I do love a positive surprise. This was by far my favourite dance of the night. Now, I chucked all my votes at AJ but then felt so guilty that Rhys deserved some, I cast my first. phone. vote. in. YEARS. I think it was the beautifully syncopated footwork that made it for me. If he swoops in now and steals the glitterball, with dances like this, good on him! 

Rose and Giovanni

What a delight of a ballroom routine. The song, the moves, the dress, it was all one pretty package and exactly what Rose needed after a couple of weeks in the doldrums. I was also watching it thinking, ooh these lifts are good and Rose does the transitions really well... and then THAT lift came along! Wow, can Rose actually fly? Was Gio levitating her? I was also impressed it wasn't gimmicky and the whole routine continued to flow after we all had our collective gasp. Top work guys, well done!

Lovely, lovely, lovely. As we have come to expect from these two. I think they might be one of the most adorable partnerships in all of Strictly history. And I do wonder whether they've already got this in the bag. In typical Rose fashion, this was charming, beautifully performed and she made it look so... easy. 

Dan and Nadiya 

Oh Dan, you've come so far and stayed so wholesome. I never would have expected he could do something resembling a proper tango and the start of this. Craig was right that there were balance issues and I think that affected his posture at times, but this week was still another improvement. Perfectly respectable, but everyone else is on fire tonight...

I've defended Dan's right to be in the competition up until now. His improvement has been astonishing, his attitude is an utter delight and he's genuinely a pleasure to watch. People who have been making out he's bad know nothing about dance. But there comes a point with the Dans of the world that the remaining contestants are just better, and that it is time to go. The other four could make the semi-final one of the best for years, and Dan's just that bit behind. If he makes the semis, I'll be happy for him, but I would be feeling genuinely sad this time that he's taking the place of someone extraordinary. 

AJ and Kai

This was the one dance I was nervous for tonight, since AJ hasn't had an amazing time with the party latin so far. And yeah...it turned into a bit of a hot mess. She gave it everything and performed to the max throughout, plus even with the dodgy lift at the end she and Kai just giggled away rather than falling flat. Good rhythm and synchronicity too, there were great things here, let's not just talk about the lifts!

Eeek, poor AJ and Kai! What a disaster! Let's just call this a loss. What we saw was clearly not what it was meant to look like. I'm hoping enough votes were cast to keep her out of the dance off, but if she's there, she does have a chance to pick it up and show us what we were meant to see! Whilst not salsa music, I can get always get on board with a party latin pop song - it has the right flavour and feel. This was all set up to be pretty decent - what as shame!