Key events
Chris and Dianne’s Couple’s Choice
The Judges’ Pick is their Couple’s Choice from week eight. Dianne was ill with a stomach bug but soldiered through brilliantly. Now she can enjoy it more. All-white outfits. Starts off standing on a table and chair, then hops down onto the floor for a euphoric mix of jazz and musical theatre. Slight mistake with top hats, maybe? Joy and showmanship, really selling it hard. He’s improved his shapes and is giving it plenty of pizzazz. That blackout moment to represent his blindness and immerse us in his sightless world hasn’t lost any of its power, followed by a spinning lift and a euphoric finish. You’re a superstar, Chris, that’s what you are. It got 33 points last time. Higher, higher!
Song: Instant Karma (We All Shine On) by John Lennon. In 1970, this Phil Spector-produced track became the first solo single by a Beatle to sell a million copies in the US. It’s one of the fastest-released songs in pop history, arriving in record stores just 10 days after it was written. As Lennon said: “I wrote it for breakfast, recorded it for lunch and we’re putting it out for dinner.”
Judges’ scores for Tasha and Aljaž: 9, 10, 10, 10 for a total of 39 points. Same as last time.
Judges’ comments for Tasha and Aljaž: Motsi says “beautiful, all about the emotions, your grace and freedom made it look easy, you have star quality”. Shirley says “you have a magical musical body, improved and in the zone”. Anton says “spectacular and exceptional, you’re quite possibly the best dancer we’ve ever had”. Craig concludes “needed a little bit more earth but stunning”. Another 40 incoming? Or will Craig make it a 39?
Tasha and Aljaž’s Couple’s Choice
Their Judges’ Pick is their contempo-waft Couple’s Choice from Icons Week. Because P!nk totally counts as an icon, as does Bruno Mars. Ahem. The song means a lot to Tasha Ghouri as an empowerment anthem. Choreographed by Lukas McFarlane, who has worked with P!nk herself, it’s contemporary and lyrical in style. Barefoot and beautiful with lovely lifts and full of feeling. Exquisite elevation and extensions. Aljaž Škorjanec said it was his favourite story he’s ever told on Strictly. It scored 39 points last time, so there’s room for improvement *glares at Craig*. Tasha just needs to let herself go, feel the lyrics and show that extra layer of emotion. I think she has, although a few of the transitions looked a tiny bit lumpy to me.
Song: What About Us by P!nk. The 2017 electro-pop chart-topper has politically charged lyrics about Trump’s government failing the American people. Happy New Year, voters!
Craig’s century of 10s
He gets a special pair of commemorative deeley boppers from Claudia.
Judges’ scores for JB and Lauren: 10, 10, 10, 10 for a total of 40 points. A (kite) flying start.
Judges’ comments for JB and Lauren: Anton says “amazing, I’m delighted, loved it, better than before, I’m an amazing teacher, more sway and your head line had improved”. Craig says “not happy, I couldn’t find anything wrong with it, elegance and quality”. Motsi says “elevated and improved it, light footwork, beautiful partnering, shone like a star in the solo sections”. Shirley concludes “a grand start to a finale”. Are we about to see our first perfect 40 of the final?
JB and Lauren’s Viennese waltz
First up is the Judges’ Pick. This one’s from Musicals Week, just a fortnight ago, but nobody will mind seeing this Mary Poppins-themed showstopper again. JB Gill and Lauren Oakley spin and twirl romantically around the floor in an immaculate routine, full of flair and fun. No extra backing dancers this time, so we can focus on their nostalgic characterisation and all the technical details. Swing, sway and flow. Bags of style. Practically perfect in every possible way. They scored 39 points last time, only a oivot and a sticky-up thumb away from perfection. Surely he’s fixed that and Craig will give JB the thumbs-up this time?
Song: Let’s Go Fly a Kite from Mary Poppins. The breezy song from the 1964 musical was written by the Sherman brothers, inspired by their father Al, who was a keen amateur kite-maker.
Our Strictly stars™
We get our first sighting of the four finalists. Not much fancy dress but their outfits do provide clues to their first dances. Cor blimey, Mary Poppins, up the apples and stairs.
Grand entrance by the judges
The esteemed paddle-raising panel arrive in all their finery for the last time this series. Motsi Mabuse is zebra print, Shirley Ballas ina gold ballgown. Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood in tuxedos. Tess and Claud join in the welcome dance – and don’t mess it up this time. Attagirls.
Frockwatch
Here come our hostly duo, so time for the last couture comparison of the series. Tess Daly is in red bodycon. Claudia Winkleman is monochrome. Claud goes out on a win.
Our finalists dance into view, all in blue. For Ipswich Town FC, I imagine.
Capes akimbo. They might need them in this nippy weather.
Dancing gets started straight away
We open with a group number from the Strictly pros. It’s set to Dreamer by Livin’ Joy (tune) with sparkly gold outfits and spicy Latin moves. And here come our finalists as part of the action.
Roll VT to ratchet up the tension. How many times will we hear the J-word (journey) tonight? More or less than the B-word in Blackpool, do we reckon?
And we’re off!
Cue clap-along credits. Our last chance to enjoy this year’s title sequence. What’s your favourite bit? For me, it’s a dance-off between Pete Wicks’ hair toss, Paul Merson’s bum-bump and Sarah Hadland booping Vito’s snoot.
Last chance for a drink refill and some light limbering up from a seated position. We’re about to go live to the Elstree Studios ballroom for the last time this series…
Will we get our first two-time male pro champ?
A male professional has never lifted the glitterball trophy twice but both Aljaž Škorjanec and Vito Coppola are bidding to do just that tonight, having previously triumphed with Abbey Clancy and Ellie Leach respectively.
Meanwhile, Lauren Oakley or Dianne Buswell would become first-time winners. Who’ll get pro bragging rights? Five minutes and counting down…
