Sarah’s Charleston
Bouncy, spangly, goofy: a Wicked-themed Charleston was always likely to play to Sarah Hadland’s strengths, but this musicals-week outing was a proper treat. The lifts were, ahem, gravity defying – as was Hadland’s evident core of steel as she flipped 180 degrees – but the best moments were when her feet briefly touched the floor perfectly in unison with the professional troupe. You have got to love how their grins seemed to genuinely match her own, even if the judges were miserly with their award of 38 points.
Toyah’s jive
She was the second celebrity to be eliminated, but Toyah Willcox performed one of the most enjoyable routines of the whole series in week two, with her jive to Nutbush City Limits. In a stellar wig, tassels and cowboy boots, she crawled confidently across a bar before jumping into a routine of hard kicks and head tosses with her partner, Neil Jones. The vibe was Tina Turner meets Dolly Parton, the ragged energy recalling Willcox’s punk past. This is what 66 looks like – and thank goodness and Willcox for that.
Punam’s couple’s choice
It is wild that in 20 years, this was the first time a Strictly couple has performed to a traditional Bollywood song, and Dr Punam Krishan was clearly enjoying every minute of this dance to Bole Chudiyan from the hit film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Judge Motsi Mabuse has already named it her favourite moments of the series, and this life-affirming, high-energy piece of storytelling is a clear standout – not least for Krishan’s reflection that her four-year-old self would be proud. “That really moved me,” Motsi said. “I know so many people are watching you right now and feel so pleased to watch this on Strictly.”
Jamie’s paso
This was the dance that suggested the EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick would go all the way to the final. Performing a traditional paso doble with his partner, Michelle Tsiakkas, he brought a thrilling confidence to the dancefloor, his movements precise and passionate, his performance commanding. Was he robbed when he was voted out in week 10, only placing seventh in the series? On this evidence: absolutely yes.
Chris’s quickstep
Light, neat and quick – there has been so much to love about Chris McCausland’s Strictly performances including his very moving waltz – but this was a pure delight. As he whizzed across the floor to You’re the Top, you were left wondering whether even Dianne Buswell might struggle to keep up. It was as close to dancing on air as Strictly gets. (Not least because of that lovely comedy lift that had McCausland’s legs going like Road Runner.) The judges did not agree, droning on about his frame and his right arm. But how can you not enjoy such a joyous turn around the dancefloor?
Tasha’s American Smooth
It is not as though Tasha Ghouri has been slouching around the middle of the leaderboard – this is a woman who is having a bad day if she ducks below 37 – but her American Smooth, danced to Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi, scored the first perfect 40 of the series. We will get a second chance to bathe in its beauty on Saturday as Ghouri and her partner, Aljaž Škorjanec, reprise the dreamy number in the final.
JB’s salsa
His first perfect 40, two hugs, a high five and … a Hollywood handshake. The judge’s responses to JB Gill’s Basement Jaxx-flavoured salsa were unexpected but totally justified. Both of Gill’s semi-final dances were impressive – what a paso! – but the former JLS member built on his samba-thon success with an up-and-at-them salsa to make even the laziest viewer want to get moving – albeit much more stiffly and without that amazing mirrored back bend. Truly one of those dances where you would be pressed to say who was the professional in the pair.
Paul’s quickstep
Paul Merson initially seemed as though he might be this series’ comedy contestant: enthusiastic, but unwilling to take the show seriously. But as the weeks flew by, the former footballer became what Strictly is all about, a complete novice who clearly fell in love with dancing. His quickstep to I Won’t Dance opened with some neat top hat and cane business, before he and his partner, Karen Hauer, sped across the floor. He brought elegance, showmanship, verve, sincerity and joy to a dance that showed that even the most unlikely candidate can light up the ballroom.
Montell’s couple’s choice
The partnership between Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe has been one of the highlights of this series and rarely more so than in their couple’s dance to Skeleton Move by Master KG. A salute to the Caribbean and African diaspora, it started slowly and rhythmically before a costume reveal took them into full carnival mode. There were jaw-dropping lifts, magnificent cartwheels and some great use of the riff from Feeling Hot Hot Hot. Need some unbridled joy today? Watch this.
Pete’s cha cha
No one, probably least of all Pete Wicks himself, thought he would get to Blackpool, but his was the most eye-popping of that week’s performances – perhaps of the series. Was it for the right reasons? That’s arguable. Performing a cha cha to I’m Too Sexy by Right Said Fred, it was hard to say whether he was too constrained by his pink PVC trousers, or not nearly constrained enough. Either way, it wasn’t as fleet-footed as it should have been. But it was enough to get him and his partner, Jowita Przystał, through and all the way to the semi-final, propelled there by The Only Way is Essex star’s astonishingly ardent fanbase.
