It’s the big one next time
As always, thanks for watching along with me, sequin-spangled community. Our awesome foursome now dance into the gala grand final. They will tackle not one, not two, but three full routines apiece in their bid to get their mitts on that gaudy glitterball trophy.
It airs next Saturday at the earlier time of 6pm on BBC1. Meet you back here to raise our cyber scoring paddles and salute our new Strictly champion. Until then, for the penultimate time this series: keeeeep dancing! Thank you and a glittery goodnight.
Finally, SparklingDormouse says: “My favourite dance by Tasha and Aljaz. Not too sickly sweet, just elegant and restrained. Very nice indeed!”
joanieloves says: “Glad we got to see that waltz again. Aljaz is so good at this. Always remember the waltz with Abbey Clancy being fab too. Pete knows he’s going and is quite glad.”
TeeDubyaBee adds: “Pete’s route now - the new Rylan. And good luck to him. Seems like a top fella.”
LazyMillennial says: “Laughed my bottom off at Jowita taking the time out to reference the tentpole dance from Blackpool.”
Dunntalkin says: “‘I didn’t want to do this in the first place, I did it because everyone else wanted me to’! Thank God Pete overcame his natural humbleness to grace us with his presence through the series.”
MaineC says: “Lovely reaction from the Strictly team. Pete obviously a well liked man.”
fihema adds: “What a great run he’s had. What a great season in general.
And please, Santa baby, can I have a partner - a ‘special person’ - who treats me like Vito treats and speaks to Sarah? I promise I’ve been good.”
JoMK73 says: “Adieu Pete! Did we all notice how studiously they avoided the old peck on the cheek? Was I the only one hoping for a big romantic reveal now that they’re done?”
paperview says: “Probably of all the contestants this year, Pete is the one I’ve enjoyed most ‘meeting’ (and learning - yet again - never to judge a book by its cover).”
diamondcat adds: “Well, we have the finalists that deserve it but I must give praise where praise is due and say that Pete really surpassed all my expectations. A complete non-dancer who has done so very well. All credit to Jowita who has been a great teacher for him.”
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Pancake01 says: “I think it’s a good mix for the final. All deserve to be there and offer something different. May the best dancer win!”
Cumberken says: “I think Aljaz has looked off form this series and has been breathless after more exuberant dances, which detracts from Tasha . I actually liked Pete and Jowita’s dance better for that reason. But what do I know?”
Pengolina123 adds: “I thought Pete’s big hug for Tasha was lovely.”
Readers’ verdicts are in
A swift round-up of your semi-final results thoughts. Somersetlass says: “So entirely the right people are in the final - what a result! Have a fab week and I’ll see you back here on Saturday for what promises to be a spectacular final.”
shazza2704 says: “What Chris and Dianne have achieved is truly groundbreaking. I hope the Beeb have a programme planned filled with outtakes, funny and serious, from their training sessions . It would be a ratings winner without a doubt.”
TheMathDiva adds: “Right result tonight. Although Pete’s AT was very stylish, he was the worst dancer left by a long way and has been for many weeks. His dancing was clunky and clumsy. While I appreciate his journey, I want to see a final of fabulous dancing. Now we shall. If we are judging ‘the journey’, I think the glitterball should go to Chris. Certainly Dianne has had the hardest job teaching her celeb partner to dance. What a fabulous job she has done, all credit to her!”
Jungle finale, films and assorted festiveness
TV viewers can now flip to ITV1 for An Evening with Dua Lipa, to Channel 4 for Jamie Cooks Christmas or BBC Four for Judi Dench Night.
At 9pm, it’s the I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! final on ITV1 (Rev Richard Coles for the win), Wolf Hall: The Mirror & The Light on BBC1 (Mark Ryalace for the win) or Alpine Hotel at Christmas on Channel 4.
10pm, darkly stylish six-part Italian crime drama Dostoevsky starts on Sky Atlantic.
If you fancy a Sunday night film, tonight’s picks are Diamonds Are Forever (8.05pm on ITV4), Anchorman (9pm on E4), Bonnie & Clyde (10pm on BBC Two) or Nightmare Alley (10pm on Channel 4). Stay classy, San Diego.
We’ve got the right four finalists
So now we know our final quartet. To my mind, they’re the correct couples. Tasha Ghouri has been the contest’s pace-setter, even if recent public votes suggest she won’t win. Sarah Hadland has formed one of the most consistent and entertaining couples this year with Vito Coppola.
JB Gill is hitting form at the right time and has overtaken Sarah to become the second highest scorer behind Tasha. Chris McCausland has been the feelgood story of the series and could well win.
Perhaps you could argue that Montell Douglas or even Jamie Borthwick deserved a place but we’ve got four worthy finalists. It has all the makings of a cracking climax to the contest next Saturday.
Pint-sized Jowita put in a huge shift
Pete’s exit means we also bid farewell to his pro partner, Polish pocket rocket Jowita Przystal. In only her third series, she did an astonishing job to steer Pete all the way to the semi-final. It’s testament to her teaching ability and the close bond they formed (complete with the obligatory showmance rumours in the tabloids).
Jowita has an impressive Strictly record. In her debut series with a celebrity partner, she lifted the glitterball trophy with wildlife presenter Hamza Yassin. She suffered an early exit with Paralympian Jody Cundy last year but exceeded all expectations this time.
It has surely established her as one of the premier female pros and put her in line for a promising partner in 2025. Just go easy on the cha-cha trousers in future, eh?
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Tasha is too good to win
She’s scored an incredible 22 perfect 10s across the series, including two of this year’s three maximum 40-pointers. She averages almost 37 points per dance. She’s topped the leaderboard more often than not. It frequently looks like Aljaž Škorjanec is dancing with a fellow professional, rather than a celebrity.
However, Tasha Ghouri has been consigned to two consecutive dance-offs, suggesting she doesn’t have sufficient public support to win the glitterball. It’s a fate that’s been suffered by several spectacular hoofers over the years. The likes of Ashley Roberts, Danny Mac, Frankie Bridge and Alexandra Burke spring to mind.
Seen as having too much prior dance experience and starting from too high a base, they lack what voting viewers truly adore: yep, a journey. It’s not just high scores which make a worthy champion. Tasha looks destined to be one of Strictly’s winners-that-never-was.
The only way is home for Pete Wicks
Judge Anton du Beke came over all flustered last night when he goofed by referring to Pete Wicks’ Argentine tango as “your last dance of the series”. “Do you know something I don’t?” quipped Pete. An embarrassing gaffe by Tony Beak but it proved spot-on. The lionine Essex boy’s fanbase couldn’t save him this time. Dance justice was done at last.
“In-for-a-penny Pete” has grafted hard, learned lots and improved steadily over the past three months. He’s discovered himself, falling in love with dance along the way - the textbook Strictly journey™ - but that only gets you so far. At some point, you need to deliver a breakthrough number. Pete never truly did. He found himself at the bottom of the leaderboard five times in six weeks but was repeatedly saved by the public vote.
Happily, Strictly viewers are a canny bunch with a firm sense of fairness. They tend to know when enough is enough and eventually make the right decision. Maybe Pete didn’t deserve to outlast the likes of Jamie Borthwick, Montell Douglas and Wynne Evans. He definitely didn’t deserve to deny one of his fellow semi-finalists a spot in the grand final. As soon as votes dried up and the red spotlight shone down, he was doomed. Tasha Ghouri averages nearly 10 points per dance more than the otter-haired bad boy from Harlow.
His highlights included swinging in on a vine for his George Of The Jungle samba, his 50s-styled quickstep, his Joker waltz on Halloween and his heartfelt contemporary Couple’s Choice. Not forgetting, of course, that Blackpool hen do cha-cha in pink PVC trousers which left little to the imagination.
Pete was in his element when he could play a character, embrace it and throw himself in. He certainly didn’t merit the online trolling he’s received in recent weeks for eliminating superior dancers. Pete can’t help it if he’s popular, even if he’d begun to look sheepish and shocked with each escape. Elimination was ultimately merciful.
He loved rescue dogs, his mum and his nan - an endearing combination. His dry, deadpan wit was also welcome amid all the glitterball gushing. The heavily tattooed TOWIE alumnus arguably should’ve gone in November but he’s done his career no harm at all with this extra primetime exposure. As Pete said with admirable honesty, he’s been on TV for a decade but never felt this vulnerable or lacking in confidence. Try telling that to the Tower Ballroom audience, Pete. Their eyes are still watering.
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Pete and Jowita’s last dance
As Team Petita take one last turn around the floor to You’re My Best Friend by Queen, the credits roll and their castmates gather around for damp-eyed hugs. Pete’s mum looks on proudly from the studio audience. Nice that she’s there for his final dance.
Please stay with us for analysis, reaction and a round-up of your comments.
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Jowita namechecks "those" pink PVC trousers
Well, obliquely, anyway. His pro partner Jowita Przystal returns the compliment, saying: “Thank you for the trust you have given me since day one. I know it wasn’t easy but with your hard work, your commitment and your heart, which is the most amazing thing, you were winning every week.
“For me, every dance was special - even the cha cha in Blackpool! Remember on day one you said ‘I’m not going to stay long in this competition because I cannot dance’ but now I can say to you, yes you can.” He can indeed.
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Pete pays tribute to partner
In his exit speech, a choked-up Pete Wicks tells Tess: “It’s been wild. I’ve been quite honest about the fact that I didn’t necessarily want to do Strictly in the first place but everyone else wanted me to do it - and I am so glad that I did! You don’t always have to be the best but if you enjoy something then why shouldn’t you have a go at it? I’ve tried my best from day one, I said I was in for a penny, in for a pound and I’ve done it, it’s been beautiful.
“There’s a lot of things I’m going to take away from this, but one of the most special things is Jowita. You’re one of the most incredible people - not just as a dancer but as a person. You’ve been a ray of sunshine for me. You’ve helped me through things in the past three months that I didn’t think I could do and you made me believe in myself and that means more to me than anything.” Well said, sir.
Head judge Shirley Ballas agrees
Her casting vote isn’t needed - she’s only needed it twice this series - but Twirly Shirley, the Queen of Latin, says she would have voted the same.
Pete Wicks is eliminated
There we have it. The majority vote means that Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal become the 11th duo to depart the Strictly 2024 dancefloor, while Tasha Ghouri and her pro partner Aljaž Škorjanec go through to the final.
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Anton Du Beke chooses to save…
Tasha and Aljaž, saying “an incredible semi-final, Pete’s development has been joyous but for technical quality”.
Motsi Mabuse chooses to save…
Tasha and Aljaž too.
Craig Revel Horwood chooses to save…
Tasha and Aljaž, saying “loved Pete’s showbiz splashiness but I’m going for quality”.
Verdict time
Tasha’s got this in the sparkly bag, surely? But let’s hear from the famous foursome who will decide on our fourth and last finalist.
Craig gave Tasha three points more than Pete last night and Motsi two points more. However, Anton and Shirley saw just a one-point difference, so you never know.
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Pete and Jowita take their turn
Pete Wicks and his dance partner Jowita Przystal now reprise their Argentine tango to Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve. The squabbling judges said last night that it lacked Argentine tango technique and was more of a showdance but it was full of feeling, on time and, in Motsi’s words, “hawt”.
It scored 33 points, seven fewer than Tasha’s waltz, so Pete is seriously up against it to close that gap. He needs to show considerable if not miraculous improvement.
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Tasha and Aljaž go first in dance-off
Tasha Ghouri and her pro partner Aljaž Škorjanec have another go at their waltz to (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin. The judges said last night that it had sensational flow and perfect natural turns with two bodies moving as one. Craig memorably concluded “sick”, while Motsi wants to give it more than a 10.
It scored a perfect 40, seven points more than Pete, so maintain the standard and you’d imagine Tasha will sail safely through to the final.
JB and Lauren will dance to a Motown medley for their showdance next Saturday. Can. Not. Wait.
JB is "speechless"
More balcony bantz with the newly minted Strictly finalists. JB Gill and Lauren Oakley got a fright but they’re thrilled. Shout-out to Amy Dowden who put all those “fundamentals” in place.
Pete Wicks faces Tasha in the dance-off
It shouldn’t be a surprise but somehow it still is. Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal are in the dreaded dance-off for the first time.
JB Gill becomes a finalist
Rightly so. He scored his first perfect 40 last night and topped the semi-final scoreboard, only dropping one point across two dances, so thoroughly deserves this. It truly is a “Mewwy Cwistmas” to all devotees of Harry Hill’s TV Burp. Which means…
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Here we go, crunch time again
That pesky crimson spotlight is back to reveal who’ll face Tasha in the climactic dance-off this year. Will it be JB or Pete?
Claud cues up a judgely highlights montage. Shining twins! Auntie Joan! Shirley’s tiny shoes! Slay, slay, slay!
Craig Revel Horwood’s best bit was the sambathon because he was in control. Shirley Ballas looks back fondly on Blackpool.
Anton du Beke ventures that this year’s cast is the best they’ve ever had. Even Paul Merson “gave it the full biffta”.
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The judges look back on their highlights of the series. Motsi Mabuse hails Dr Punam Krishan doing Strictly’s first Bollywood dance.
Dance debrief
For the last time this year, the judges perch onto Claudia’s banquette of badinage for a closer look at last night’s routines. Frugging their way in to a spot by Bye Bye Bye by N-Sync. Evocative.
Got to love Raye, right?
Well, that was a showstopper. Lovely to see Luba getting so much airtime tonight.
Raye of light
Second musical act of the night now. Brit and Grammy-award winner Raye takes to the stage with her track Genesis Pt III. It’a a seven-minute, state-of-the-nation song divided into three acts, often known to fans as Let There Be Light. This is the song’s climactic section with jazzy, big band instrumentation. If you’re enjoying it, Raye will return to the ballroom for next Saturday’s final.
Classy choreographic accompaniment comes Kai Widdrington and Luba Mushtuk.
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Vito feels “normal”
Sarah Hadland’s pro partner Vito Coppola is amusingly deadpan about his third final in a row. Claudia gets emotional about his and Sarah’s sweet bond. “You get good risotto and can sniff his shoes every day,” says Claud. The dream.
Showdance will be ballroom-heavy
Dianne teases next week’s showdance, which will be soundtracked by You Get What You Give by New Radicals. Total banger.
"It's been emotional"
Up in the Clauditorium, the two happy couples who are safely through to the final chat with La Winkle. An emotional Chris McCausland reflects on lasting 10 weeks longer than he predicted. He thanks the public for “getting on-board with what we’re doing” and says Strictly is the scariest thing he’s ever done.
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Tasha Ghouri in dance-off for second week running
She’s clearly not been getting viewer votes these past two weeks. Tasha Ghouri falls from second on the leaderboard into the bottom two, meaning she’ll dance for survival with pro partner Aljaž Škorjanec for the second weekend in a row.
Chris McCausland is a Strictly finalist
Jubilation and not a little emotion from the comedian’s dance partner Dianne Buswell. The fan favourites are going all the way.
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Sarah Hadland goes through to the final
The Miranda actor and her pro-partner Vito Coppola make it through. That’s three finals on the trot for Vito. They’ve been one of the most consistent couples in the contest and the third highest scorers overall, so the right result.
Red light of doom for one last time
The dreaded scarlet spotlight is having one last hurrah. Time to find out who’s a Strictly 2024 finalist and who must dance again for their spot.
Our Canadian correspondent writes
Another email just in from regular reader, Iain Crofts in Montreal. He writes:
If my favourite participant in this series, Sarah Hadland, ends up in the dance-off, I do urge her to choose the tango and not the jive. The befringed trousers were definitely not jive-friendly. This will matter if she faces someone other than Pete. It won’t really be a shock if he is spared the dance-off by his fans having their commitment to him boosted by Shirley’s “Mr Strictly” remark as much a by Anton’s “last dance” slip of the tongue.
Becky Hill in the ballroom
Musical interlude now as Becky Hill - who first found fame on spinny-chaired contest The Voice UK - belts out her powerful single Indestructible. This slow-build rave-pop banger is produced by pioneering drum and bass DJ Andy C, whose signatures are fast mixing across three turntables at once and the “double drop”, where he lines up two tunes so their heaviest basslines drop at the same time. I feel old just typing that.
Choreographic accompaniment comes the Strictly pros, including an all-female couple of Luba Mushtuk and Katya Jones. Fabulous to see.
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Our Strictly stars™
Our five semi-finalists nervously await the verdict in last night’s finery. Do their outfits provide a clue about what they’ll dance again if need be?
Semi-final action recapped
Last night’s highlights are rewound on-screen. Two perfect 40s! Judgely squabbles! Disco trousers! Spectacular lifts! Cheeky Charlestons! Paul Hollywood handshakes! That’s enough exclamation marks! Or is it? Yes it is!
Frockwatch
Here come our co-hosts, so time for our regular couture clash. Tess Daly is in a white suit with a cape. Claudia Winkleman is in black satin. Claud wins, making it a clean sweep for Lord Claud this weekend.
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And we’re off!
Cue clap-along credits. This is the penultimate time we’ll see these familiar faces, cheeky moves and cheesy grins. Will you miss them?
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Turn on the tree lights, crack open the Quality Street early and take your sofa seats. We’re about to be beamed back to the Elstree Studios ballroom…
Dance-off choice is down to the couples
Because they performed two routines apiece last night, the dance-off pairings can choose to reprise their favourite routine of Saturday night for the eliminator. It should be a fairly easy choice for four of them, who all scored more for their second dance.
However, Sarah Hadland scored 36 points for both her tango and her jive, so it might be a tougher call if she’s in the bottom two. Just five minutes to wait now…
Cannibal cormorants? Shudder. The penultimate episode of Sir David Attenborough’s Asia just drawing to a close on BBC1 now.
This instalment follows the wildlife of the continent’s arid deserts and dry grasslands, including the Gobi bear - one of the rarest beasts on Earth. It’s the ursine equivalent of a 10 from Craig.
It’s a mere 10 minutes until glittery go-time…
A festive date for your sparkly diaries
This series might have less than a week to run (sob) but we can also look forward to the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, which will see six celebrities sleighing their way to the Elstree Studios ballroom in a bid to be crowned Christmas Champion 2024.
It airs at 3.55pm on Christmas Day on BBC One. No liveblog, I’m afraid, but we will launch a special Strictly page with an open comments thread, so our lovely community can share some seasonal sparkliness. See you there, I hope. I’ll be the one wearing sequin-spangled reindeer antlers.
Fifteen minutes until the red spotlight of doom is switched on…
JB has hit form at right time
Towards the business end of the contest, JLS member-turned-farmer JB Gill has raised his game and gone up a level. Last night, JB notched his third near-perfect 39-pointer in a row for his paso doble, followed by his first perfect 40 for his salsa. Surely that’s finalist form?
It’s 20 minutes until curtain up…
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Wait ages for a pop star and two come along at once
We’re being treated to not one but two musical turns in the ballroom tonight. Dance-popper Becky Hill and chart-topping phenomenon Raye both perform.
Double dancing last night, double divas tonight. Strictly, you are spoiling us. It’s 25 minutes until sequin o’clock…
Pete and Chris in dance-off danger
They’re the two most sarky celebrities in the contest but the bottom two on the scoreboard will be praying for a miracle in the public vote. Chris McCausland in the dance-off would be a major shock, while Pete Wicks would surely be sent home, regardless of who he faced. Could we see one last shocker?
Half an hour until we get our first clues…
Who’ll reach the final and who’ll fall agonisingly short?
Strap in for the last results show of the series, Strictly fans. Nobody wants to miss out on the grand glitterball final but sadly one pair must. It’s a cruel ballroom business.
Good evening and welcome to the week 12 results show of Strictly Come Dancing 2024. I’m Michael, your virtual dance partner for semi-final decision time. Please watch along with me as we find out who’s foxtrotting straight through to the final and who’s doomed to face the last dreaded dance-off of the year.
Last night, our five surviving pro-celebrity pairs tackled two full routines for the first time in their bid to make it to the showpiece final. JB Gill topped the standings after scoring a whopping 79 points out of a possible 80. Tasha Ghouri was in second spot, Sarah Hadland came third and Chris McCausland finished fourth. Pete Wicks was left propping up the rest. But will voting viewers agree? They haven’t in recent weeks.
It’s showtime at 7.20pm on BBC One. I’ll be liveblogging from 6.50pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, analysis, reaction and lightly salted asides. So snuggle down on this wet ’n’ windy Sunday night and I’ll see you on the sofa.
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts too. You can tweet me @michaelhogan, email me at michael.hogan.freelance@guardian.co.uk and the comments section below is open for glitter-encrusted chat. I’ll paso knee-walk down there whenever possible to see what you’re all saying and report it up top.
It’s the highest-stakes results show of the series. One couple’s heart is about to be broken beneath the glitterball. Nearly time to staaaaaart dancing into the final!
Thank you and a glittery goodnight
That concludes Saturday’s semi-final liveblog but please feel free to continue the ballroom badinage in the comments section below. Meet you back here tomorrow for this year’s last results show. It airs at 7.20pm Sunday on BBC1, with musical guests Raye and Becky Hill.
I’ll reboot the blog at 6.50pm for build-up, so please rejoin me then. In the meantime, I’m @michaelhogan on Twitter and @michaelhogan100 on Bluesky/Threads, so feel free to give me a sparkly wave.
Thanks for watching along with me, as always. Hopefully see you tomorrow but in the meantime, as if you needed telling: keeeeeep dancing! Goodnight and stay safe.
Finally, Vicc says: “There is far too much emotional gubbins and family and so on in the VTs. I’m having to mute them all, regardless of contestant.”
Dunntalkin says: “Oh that’s interesting from Chris. ‘When you start the show. they ask you for a list of songs you like.’ So it’s not the production team we should be slagging off for some of the ridiculously inappropriate songs that are selected for some of the dances?”
Peter Gibbs adds: “Is Anton on that chaise longue trying to channel Jacob Rees-Mogg?”
stolencar says of the Ts&Cs reader: “WALLACE ! Oh that Wallace, the strange little plasticine bald one with the big mouth. Phew.”
MartGray adds: “Wallace and Gromit? Only Dave Arch himself could make Claud more excited.”
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On Sarah Hadland, ACSD1 says: “Very good from Sarah, accompanied by suitable music. I’m sure the footwork was perfect but camerawork, lighting and initial smoke doesn’t allow constant scrutiny!”
Helenhiwater says: “Do the judges mention all the contestants’ ages or just Sarah’s?”
SparklingDormouse says: “Good from Sarah and Vito but not amazing. Don’t think the trousers helped. Not much in the way of kicks and flicks.”
diamondcat says: “I feel exhausted just watching Sarah! I don’t know where she gets her energy from.”
MaineC adds: “Jive not Sarah’s dance. Mind you the music is too frantic so not helping.”
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On Pete Wicks, SparklingDormouse says: “Pete smiling in the middle of a number! Dance suited him, as do tails. Annoyed I can’t see his feet enough cos of the length of Jowita’s dress.”
JoMK73 says: “In fairness, I’d say well done Pete. He showed confidence for someone who finds it very difficult, and I was genuinely pleased at the end that he hadn’t made terrible mistakes. Good for him.”
emasl2023 adds: “Over the weeks. I have become a Pete fan - despite the fact that I still feel like giving his hair a good wash. I know Shirley has gushed and gone over the top but Pete is what the show is about and what I think it has lost over the years. Remember when Chris Hollins won it despite being a pretty ordinary dancer? It was his commitment and enjoyment that got him through.”
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On Chris McCausland, LekisP says: “I love Chris and Dianne but that wasn’t a great Charleston, too much faffing about, and not enough content.”
VelvetinaB says: “Loved the joke and the happy-go-lucky nature of the dance, but I think Chris was out of breath a lot (no wonder!). His timing is amazing and I still think he’s incredible.”
Clarissaharlowe1 says: “I’ve been fairly ambivalent about Chris up to now but after that Charleston I want him to win!”
irreverentnurse says: “Chris, fabulous, so light on your feet, good posture and tucked into your partner in hold.”
EastofStratford adds: “Good for that Dianne, a reminder of how much longer, rockier and more exhausting Chris’s Strictly Journey has been compared to anyone else’s. What they have achieved as a couple has been extraordinaryhat she has achieved as a teacher is beyond belief.”
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On JB Gill, MarkRoche says: “Lots of drama and mood, but I’m not sure whether or not I liked that paso. JB and Lauren are such a dynamic pairing, though.”
MikeMoonlight says: “Pure genius. JB has saved his ‘It’s My Birthday Tonight, Please don’t Vote Me Out’ card for the semi-final. We can only presume that Pete Wicks has lined up a ‘101-year-old D-Day Veteran Grandad Who’s Spending Christmas Volunteering At His Local Food Bank’ card for the occasion...”
MartGray says: “Good Lord, that was outstanding from JB and Lauren. If they get to the final they should make this their repeat dance. It deserved the Horwood handshake.”
Poppieshen says: |Nice hips from JB there! And that is what a salsa should be like, my friends.”
fihema adds: “Gosh. JB was just a champion. That was so good, so watchable, fun, competent. I’ll have to give up a Sarah vote, I think. I really hope JB is in the final. He certainly deserves to. Another one who has ‘been on a journey’ - reasonably good to start with, mesmerising for the last few weeks.”
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Readers’ semi-final verdicts are in
Here’s a rapid-fire round-up of your comments. On Tasha Ghouri, YodaknowsAll says: “Loved Tasha’s salsa. Still not quite enough sass.”
gliese says: “Go Tash, all bubble and glitz and gritty - loved it! Though her legs sometimes stray as they are, I dunno, too long?!”
Somersetlass says: “Oh, that waltz was just beautiful. Tasha floated across the dancefloor, and the whole thing seemed effortless.”
dancingbears adds: “Beautiful. The best dancer rarely wins Strictly, but Tasha is the best dancer and, even though Chris is my favourite, I hope she wins. Ballroom for me is all about elegance and class, and that lass has it in spades.”
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Prepare the puppies, it’s Mariah Carey
TV viewers can now stay tuned to BBC One for Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel, flip to BBC Two for Mariah Meets Rylan or go to ITV1 for gameshow revival You Bet!. At 9.30pm, it’s the penultimate episode of I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! on ITV1. Come on, Oti Mabuse!
If you’re in a filmic frame of mind, tonight’s picks are Die Hard (9pm on Film4), Mermaids (9pm on ITVBe) or the brilliant Everything Everywhere All At Once (10.15pm on Channel 4). Yippee-ki-yay indeed.
The Golden Glitterballs: semi-final edition
It’s the penultimate round of shiny envelope-opening this series. Here are this week’s gong-getters…
Best dance: JB Gill’s salsa, with Tasha Ghouri’s waltz a very close second.
Worst dance: Pete Wicks’ faltering foxtrot.
Best music choice: From Basement Jaxx to Metallica is quite a range but Dave Arch’s band nailed them both.
Worst music choice: The Verve, oddly, lacked verve.
Best outfit: Both of Dianne Buswell’s were lovely – a rainbow playsuit and a grey swirly waltz frock. Honourable mentions for Lauren Oakley’s deep green paso frock and Tasha Ghouri’s burgundy velvety number.
Worst outfit: What was going on with Carlos Gu in the Clauditorium? Like Miss Havisham had become entangled in my nan’s net curtains.
Best VT: Chris McCausland’s mates visiting him in training and coming over all emotional.
Worst VT: Too many nans and cute kids but the school gates mums were really overplayed.
Best judges’ comment: Craig’s one-word verdict of “Sick” to Tasha and channelling Paul Hollywood to shake JB’s hand.
Best Claudia quip: Her endearing over-excitement about Wallace and Gromit.
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JB tops leaderboard, Pete at bottom
After dropping just one point across dances, JB Gill sits at the summit of the semi-final scoreboard, with Tasha Ghouri in second spot and Sarah Hadland in third. Down the bottom is Pete Wicks with Chris McCausland just above.
Could Pete pull off one of the biggest shocks in Strictly history by being voted into the final? Stranger things have happened. Although not many, admittedly.
Credits roll
As Tess and Claud get in their traditional clinch and tell us to “Keeeeeep dancing!”, please stay with us for analysis, reaction and a round-up of your comments.
Tonight’s action recapped
A reminder of the night’s routines on-screen now. Double dancing! Sore feet! Get that Epsom salts bath running!
Voting is… pregnant pause… open!
Claudia flings open the voting lines for the penultimate time this year and it all kicks right off. Which semi-final fillies are you voting for? Which clapped-out nags are you definitely not?
Judges’ scores for Pete and Jowita: 7, 8, 9, 9 for a total of 33 points. Bottom of the scoreboard for the fifth time.
Judges’ comments for Pete and Jowita: Craig says “lacked any Argentine tango technique, just step and lift, more of a showdance”. Motsi says “full of feeling, led well, on-time and hot”. Shirley says “no mistakes but I’m so excited for your mum, Argentine tango with a twist, went to town, your best yet”. Anton concludes “proud of you, stuck at it, kept going and trying, improved enormously on your last dance of the series”. Oops! “Who can say?” backtracks Anton. Seven from Craig and a random 10 from Shirley, do we reckon?
Pete and Jowita’s Argentine tango
Last dance now. Pete Wicks has been bottom of the leaderboard four times but still hasn’t faced the dreaded red light of the dance-off. Voting viewers clearly adore him and are paying no attention to the judges. He’s been getting criticism online but says he’s “just a bloke having a go at something”. “In-for-a-penny Pete” is best when he’s playing a character and can throw himself into the storytelling, so the expressive Argentine tango might just suit him. Pro partner Jowita Przystal thinks this might be Pete’s best dance yet. Full of passion and power, but he’s off the beat at times and balance wobbles. Dominant with clear intention, lots of accents and changes of rhythm. Sensuous with bodies in complete contact but he’s often standing stock still or walking around while Jowita flicks and pivots around him. Lots of drama, not enough dancing for me.
Song: Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve. The 1997 Britpop classic, which samples The Last Time by the Rolling Stones, became the subject of a right dispute until five years ago, when Jagger and Richards agreed to return the royalties and songwriting credits to Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft. He called it a “kind, magnanimous and life-affirming” development.
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Judges’ scores for Sarah and Vito: 9, 9, 9, 9 for a total of 36 points. Same as her first dance. Mid-table. Is that enough?
Judges’ comments for Sarah and Vito: Anton says “clean and accomplished but a little hard in the legs, so the timing slipped, nearly there but not quite”. Craig says “absolute rubbish, full of energy, stamina, excitement, and fantastic”. Motsi says “nice, tight and compact but a tiny bit hard”. Shirley concludes “got slightly ahead of the music but tricks, highlights, lifts, legs, lights, camera, action”. Just a sequence of words by Shirl there. Nines all round?
Sarah and Vito’s jive
After that controlled tango, Sarah Hadland can unleash her full-on dynamism and bounce for this one. However, she still needs to channel her energy and nail the technique. Spectacular white feathery trousers, like Liberace on Seasame Street. Or a disco Mr Tumnus. A fast and furious number, with lorryloads of kicks, flicks and rotation. Keeping it compact and precise, with no flailing or flapping limbs. Light and bright, up on the balls of feet, maybe lacking a little bounce and retraction in place but huge fun. A bit like those trousers.
Song: I’m So Excited by The Pointer Sisters. The 80s dance-pop hit also soundtracked a semi-final jive by Debbie McGee and Giovanni Pernice in 2017, which scored 34 points. Sarah and Vito will hope to do better.
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Judges’ scores for Chris and Dianne: 9, 9, 9, 9 for a total of 36 points. His highest score yet. Totes emosh.
Judges’ comments for Chris and Dianne: They’re both emotional. Shirley says “beautiful footwork and spatial awareness, seamless and stunning”. Anton says “super-duper, exemplary movement and timing, you’re an inspiration”. Craig says “my pen went down, magical, darling”. Motsi concludes “loved the atmosphere, smooth and covered the floor”. Nines? A 10 or two?
Chris and Dianne’s Viennese waltz
A unique blend of heavy metal and classic ballroom for this Viennese. It could be a stunner if it works. Chris McCausland is a huge fan of the song, which is beautiful with a dark edge. He also loves his ballroom and relishes being in hold, so it’s all pretty promising. Floating and twirling across the floor with a strong frame. Romantic and rotational. Great partnering. Posture not perfect but pretty wonderful otherwise.
Song: Nothing Else Matters by Metallica. Chris is a huge fan of the 1999 power ballad. It’s Metallica’s second appearance on Strictly after Billy Bailey performed a tango to Enter Sandman en route to the 2020 glitterball trophy. An omen?
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First perfect score for a salsa for six years, since Ashley Roberts and Pasha Kovalev in the 2018 final.
Judges’ scores for JB and Lauren: 10, 10, 10, 10 for a total of 40 points. The second perfect score tonight, only the third of the series and the first for anyone other than Tasha. He’s top of the scoreboard, dropping only a single point across two dances.
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Judges’ comments for JB and Lauren: Craig says “come to daddy” and gives him a Paul Hollywood handshake. Motsi says “nice and tight, one of best Cuban motions I’ve ever seen”. Shirley says “every sinew of your body was in the groove”. Anton makes some noises and concludes “just brilliant, love it”. Could JB be about to get hi first 40?
JB and Lauren’s salsa
Let’s hope the birthday party isn’t pooped by a pesky dance-off. Having topped the leaderboard five times and been a point away from perfection for the past three dances, JB Gill certainly deserves a spot in the final. His samba was a stunner and he won the samba-thon a fortnight ago, so he’s letting loose those Latin hips again. A big, expressive, upbeat number. Tricks and lifts, with partner Lauren Oakley flipped upside down at one point. Colourful and rhythmic with spice and energy. Big smiles. Slo-mo back bends. Body rolls and ripples. Some wow-factor lifts and joyful party vibes. Hips and happiness galore.
Song: Red Alert by Basement Jaxx. The electro duo’s Do Your Thing has soundtracked previous Strictly Charlestons, by Peter Andre and Bobby Brazier. This 1999 funky club favourite reached number five in the UK chart.
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Judges’ scores for Tasha and Aljaž: 10 (yay), 10, 10, 10 for a total of 40 points. Only the second perfect score of the series, both for Tasha. Dad weeping with pride in the audience.
Judges’ comments for Tasha and Aljaž: Motsi says “wow, I want to score it higher than a 10”. Shirley says “on another level, sensational flow”. Anton says “perfect natural turns, two bodies moving as one”. Craig concludes “sick”. Another perfect 40 incoming?
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Storm Darragh has clearly reached Elstree.
Tasha and Aljaž’s waltz
Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec have had a rollercoaster couple of weeks, going from this year’s first perfect 40 to the dance-off. They’ve notched 18 perfect 10s and topped the leaderboard seven times, so let’s hope last week’s surprise appearance in the bottom two hasn’t dented Tasha’s confidence. She said her Viennese waltz way back in week two is a dance that she holds dear, so she’s been looking forward to this one. This is the last ballroom dance they’ll learn from scratch, so Aljaž is keen to end on something special. Slow, smooth and beautiful. Romantic opening, then eventually into hold. Gliding elegantly around the floor, with lovely footwork providing rise and fall. One little falter, I though, but oozing class. Snow falls to finish. Swoon-inducing.
Song: (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin. The Queen of Soul’s 1967 hit, composed and later recorded by Carole King, has soundtracked two Strictly waltzes before - by Jennifer Gibney and Tristan MacManus in 2014, and Alexandra Burke and Gorka Márquez in 2017.
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Judges’ scores for Pete and Jowita: 7, 8, 9 (really?), 8 for a total of 32 points. His highest ballroom score but bottom at the midway mark.
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Judges’ comments for Pete and Jowita: Anton says “my old teacher is in the audience tonight, impressive topline and posture, less impressed by what went on below the waterline, love the open work”. Craig says “lacked dynamic style, a bit robotic but a confident performance”. Motsi says “you’ve improved at your own pace, showed class and sparkle, be proud of yourself”. Shirley concludes “you’re what this show’s all about, you shone, grand job, you’re Mr Strictly”. Steady on, Shirl. Sevens and eights?
Pete and Jowita’s foxtrot
Later will come the Latin fire of the Argentine tango. First it’s time for Pete Wicks to show us some ballroom class. If Sarah Hadland has statistically the weakest combo of semi-final dances, Pete has the strongest. Can he make that count? Dancing underwater, so let’s hope he doesn’t drown. He’s holding a cane throughout the routine, presumably aiming for Gene Kelly but actually rather reminiscent of Lucius Malfoy. He’s struggled with softness, heel leads and hold in the past, so the judges will be looking for improvement downstairs. Nice jazzy opening. A dollop of Hollywood glamour and decent topline but lacking glide across the floor. Hesitant steps and better out of hold than in it. Frame OK, feet not so much.
Song: Beyond the Sea by Bobby Darin. The 1959 swing classic was used in the closing credits of Finding Nemo and has popped up on Strictly before. Ashley Taylor Dawson and Ola Jordan performed an American smooth to it in 2013.
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Judges’ scores for Sarah and Vito: 9, 9, 9, 9 for a total of 36 points. Second place as it stands.
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Judges’ comments for Sarah and Vito: Motsi says “there was no stopping you, sharpness and focus never flagged, power all the way, although a little bit of softness might have helped”. Shirley says “stayed flat well, lovely footwork and drive, neckline tight, did very well”. Anton says “got tense in your shoulders, otherwise top marks, brilliant with beautiful lines”. Craig concludes “loved it, full of fire, passion, purpose and intent, amazing”. Nines all round?
Sarah and Vito’s tango
Can actor Sarah Hadland help her pro partner Vito Coppola reach his third final in a row? Strictly history suggests that she’s got statistically the worst combo of semi-final dances. Gulp. Nobody tell her. She needs to rein in her trademark effervescent energy for this tango, keeping it controlled and horizontal. Sarah looking fiercely glamorous in a sapphire blue fringed frock. It’s intense, moody and theatrical, almost Argentine in places. Sharp moves, fast feet and changes of rhythm. Vito’s choreography is a creative blend of modern and traditional. Plenty of staccato action. All it’s lacking is a little passion. High kicks and head-snaps amid the red strobe lights. Strong finish. Superb.
Song: Big Love by Fleetwood Mac. The rock-band’s 1987 banger, written by Lindsey Buckingham. When they do a live acoustic version, drops of blood can sometimes be seen on Buckingham’s guitar due to the intensity of his playing.
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Judges’ scores for Chris and Dianne: 7 (boo!), 8, 9, 9 for a total of 33 points. Bottom after three dances.
Judges’ comments for Chris and Dianne: He gives Di a piggyback over to the judges – and gives Craig some lip to boot. Craig says “it wasn’t messy but slightly under-energised and hesitant but full of character and you had swivel”. Motsi says “swag and chill, great personality and rhythm, loved the funny gags”. Shirley says “perfectly synchronised, springs in your shoes, instinct for awareness, I can’t imagine how you do those lifts”. Anton concludes “extraordinary timing, phrasing is controlled, not perfect but pretty close”. Eights and nines ahoy?
Chris and Dianne’s Charleston
Chris McCausland never expected to make it past week three but here is, nine weeks later, in the semi-final. Could he struggle to learn two dances in a week? He’s always at ease with evocative vintage tunes and this Charleston has an old-style jazzy feel. Goofy opening section to set up the story. He’s dancing with Dianne Buswell in the clouds, floating in a hot air balloon, aiming high and proving anything is possible. Cute, kooky and comedic. His timing and musicality is always uncanny but how they’re nailing the side-by-side synchronisation is miraculous. Fast and furious, with bags of character. Lifts, kicks and tricks. Enough ankle action for Craig Swivel Horwood? Lacking a little bounce, perhaps, and stamina seemed to sag but certainly bringing the joy.
Song: When You’re Smiling by The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn. The 1920s jazz standard, most famously recorded by Louis Armstrong, is the unofficial anthem of Leicester City FC. It’s normally a Strictly quickstep tune. Claudia Fragapane and Maisie Smith both quickstepped to it in previous series. This version is by the New York swing band.
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Judges’ scores for JB and Lauren: 9, 10, 10, 10 for a total of 39 points for the third week in a row. It’s his 38th birthday, so JB gets a singalong and a cake on the Clauditorium. An extra point might have been nice too.
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Judges’ comments for JB and Lauren: Motsi says “amazing, loved the momentum and strength, clean lines. you led well and delivered”. Shirley says “you brought everything to that and executed the risky cape work perfectly”. Anton says “I got emotional, beautiful, a constant pulse but you embodied the narrative, epic”. Craig concludes “need to point your foot, over-strode but full of content, powerful, dramatic, brilliant”. Another 39-pointer for JB, do we reckon?
JB and Lauren’s paso doble
A classical tune and a starkly contrasting mood to his second dance, which will be a salsa. JB Gill hasn’t done a tango or an Argentine (why not, producers?) so this is the first time we’ve seen his serious side. Medieval-styled with castles and flames. Moody stalking to open. He’s powerful and masterful, swirling a green-lined cape. Moody, mysterious choreography. The paso requires plenty of technique, so he needs to keep the footwork, frame and posture on-point. Dramatic and intense. JB committing to the matadorial attitude with strong walks, imperious expressions and aggressive stamps. Enough Spanish line? Lacking a little resistance? Otherwise, wow. Wonderful.
Song: Requiem for a Tower by Clint Mansell. This orchestral orchestral composition by Mansell - the Pop Will Eat Itself frontman turned film score composer - was originally titled Lux Aeterna and performed by the Kronos Quartet for the film Requiem For A Dream.
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Wallace and Gromit on the Ts & Cs
Not Gregg Wallace, luckily. The claymation duo are this week’s VIP guests, reading out the voting smallprint. “The best thing that’s ever happened to me,” says Claudia. More cheese?
Judges’ scores for Tasha and Aljaž: 8, 9, 9, 9 for a total of 35 points. Strong start but by no means unbeatable.
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Judges’ comments for Tasha and Aljaž: Shirley says “you came out with fire in your belly but transitions suffered”. Anton says “brilliant technical quality and expression but not quite seamless”. Craig says “dance in and out of every transition but the lifts were phenomenal”. Motsi concludes “insane beginning, loved the movement and power”. Nines all-round, do we reckon?
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Tasha and Aljaž’s salsa
A classic waltz later but first they’re unleashing the Latin party. Two starkly contrasting dances to showcase her versatility. Curly Tasha looking leggy in a fringed, embellished silver lilac dress. Some messin’ abaht on a platform with purple smoke to start, then into an all-action number. They’ve packed this routine with loads of steps and lifts but she needs to make it look free-spirited. High energy and fast-paced so it requires serious stamina. She’s keen to show the judges she’s worked on her groove. Body rolls and tricks. Hot and spicy. Fun and flirty. Lacking a little earthy hip action, maybe, but excellent lifts. Did they slightly fluff the last one? Otherwise spectacular.
Song: Something New by Girls Aloud. The official Comic Relief single from 2012, it was performed by the group on Strictly’s own Wembley special (remember that? Echoey).
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Our Strictly stars™
Our first sight of the five semi-finalists. Relatively restrained on the fancy dress front but Tasha Ghouri’s got a curly perm for the occasion.
By jove, it’s the judges
A rare chance to see their legs as we welcome the paddle-raising panel. Motsi Mabuse is in a gorgeous green dress, Shirley Ballas in red. Festive. They bust out some disco moves to The Final Countdown. See what they did there?
Frockwatch
Here come our presenting duo, so time for the regular frockular face-off. Tess Daly is in a black-and-silver sparkly minidress. Claudia Winkleman is in a sequinned tuxedo. Claud wins.
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Cue clap-along credits
Tom! Nick! Punam! Other people we’d kinda forgotten existed!
And we’re off!
Roll moody monochrome VT to ratchet up the tension. Nobody wants to fall agonisingly short of the grand final. Squeaky bum time.
Do some light limbering up exercise from your seated sofa position. We’re about to go live to the Elstree Studios ballroom…
The Hit List on BBC1 now. Better or worse than Alan Carr’s Numberwang, do we reckon? Because it’s a Strictly special, I’m saying better.
Just a couple of minutes to wait…
Kai’s a record breaker
News this week that Kai Widdrington won Strictly: It Takes Two’s annual Pro Challenge and earned himself a Guinness World Record in the process. Kai successfully performed 15 cha cha cha time steps in 30 seconds. Congrats, Kai. No, we don’t know why you didn’t get a partner this year either.
It’s just five minutes until the clock strikes sequins…
It’s raining 10s, hallelujah
This series has been such a high standard that all our semi-finalists have been scored a perfect 10 at some point - yes, even Pete Wicks (from Shirley Ballas for his Couple’s Choice, of course).
We saw our first 10s way back in week four (for Tasha Ghouri’s Charleston) but Craig Revel Horwood waited another six weeks to dust off his own maximum paddle. Gawd love him. Not long now, semi-final spectators…
Magnificent seven sign up for live tour
The line-up has been confirmed for the upcoming Strictly Live Tour, which kicks off on 17 January 2025. The seven celebrities taking part are Jamie Borthwick, Wynne Evans, JB Gill, Tasha Ghouri, Montell Douglas, Sarah Hadland and Shayne Ward.
No Chris McCausland or Pete Wicks, sadly, but Motsi Mabuse will join the judging panel for the first time as compensation.
Hold tight, it’s a mere 10 minutes until semi-final o’clock…
On your dance cards tonight
There’s a nice mix of nine different dance styles among tonight’s 10 routines. Two salsas is the only overlap. We can also look forward to crowd-pleasers like a paso doble, a jive, a Charleston and, yes, an Argentine tango.
Appetites whetted? It’s just 15 minutes until ballroom blast-off…
Let’s play Strictly semi-final bingo!
Tick them off when you spot them on screen! Take a drink for each! End up stoving into the Christmas Bailey’s early! Here’s your 10-point spotter’s guide for this year’s penultimate live show…
Claudia deliberately prompts one of Vito’s animal/food analogies or rambles about obscure steps
Pete Wicks pretends to have never heard of his song or dance
Craig is roundly booed for raising his “nine” paddle
Dianne tells Chris she’s proud of him and he looks nonplussed
Tess Daly’s frock has involves superfluous asymmetry or a strange neck detail
Aljaž is thrilled that one of Tasha’s ballroom steps was appreciated by Anton
Claudia ropes in token “young person” from the cast to plug Strictly’s social media channels
The glitterball trophy is in the studio and greeted with audience “oohs”
JB Gill mentions that he’s “looking forward to showing his serious side” in the paso doble
Tess tells a post-dance couple “they’re on their feet!”
Twice the twinkle-toed workload
It’s been a busy old week in the training rooms, with our couples dividing their time between rehearsing two routines. Most of them are wisely varying the pace with one slower ballroom dance and one Latin or speciality number.
Sarah Hadland faces a challenge by taking on a tango and a jive. JB Gill will feel the heat with a paso doble and a salsa. It’s 20 minutes until glittery go-time…
Montell took her bow in Musicals Week
In last weekend’s musicals-themed quarter-final, we saw a dance-off shocker as pace-setter Tasha Ghouri was consigned to the dance-off for the first time. However, it was Montell Douglas and her pro partner Jojo Radebe who sadly departed the dancefloor. Miss them already.
Who’s next for the sparkly scrapheap? It’s 25 minutes until the sparkly curtain comes up…
Who’s at risk of semi-final heartbreak?
According to bookies, Pete Wicks is favourite to bid farewell for the third week running, with the shortest odds he’s faced since the series began. JB Gill is second favourite, followed by Tasha Ghouri just behind.
According to the betting, Chris McCausland and Sarah Hadland should be quietly confident of a place in the final, barring dance dis-ah-sters or public vote shockers. Will there be an upset? We’ll get our first clues in half-an-hour…
Places in the grand final are up for grabs
One more live show, two more dances and you’re in the final. No pressure, everyone. Good evening and welcome to the semi-final weekend of Strictly Come Dancing 2024.
I’m Michael, your cyber dance partner for tonight’s high-stakes live show. I’d love you to watch along with me as our five remaining couples bid to reach this year’s showpiece finale and get a shot at the fabled glitterball trophy.
Yes, it’s do-or-dance time for the ballroom class of 2024. For the first time tonight, our pro-celebrity pairings tackle two full routines apiece, so it’s been a busy week in the training rooms. Will this extra challenge sort the waltzing wheat from the cha-cha-chaff? The judges have their last chance to influence proceedings this weekend. In next Saturday’s final, their scores will be for guidance only and it’s all down to the public vote.
Feelgood favourite Chris McCausland and the consistent Sarah Hadland are surely shoo-ins for the grand final. As for the rest, it could be any two from three. Tasha Ghouri and JB Gill have survived a dance-off apiece, while Pete Wicks is by far the lowest scorer of the four semi-finalists.
It’s showtime at 6.30pm on BBC One. I’ll be liveblogging from 6pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, analysis, reaction and semi-sarky asides. So close the curtains against Storm Darragh, pour yourself a warming libation and I’ll see you on the sofa.
As always, I’d love to hear from you too. You can tweet me @michaelhogan, email me michael.hogan.freelance@guardian.co.uk and the comments section below is open for dance discourse. I’ll flick and kick my way down there to see what you’re all saying and report some of your comments up top.
Who will take a great leap towards the glitterball? Who will fall at the last hurdle? It’s nearly time to staaaaart double-dancing!
