Key events
Tasha tangos next week
After Aljaz teases fellow pro Nikita over his Shakira faux-pas, he reveals that they’ll be performing to Florence & The Machine’s Dog Days Are Over. Tune.
Chris McCausland says of Jamie Borthwick’s family: “It must be nice for them to see you on the telly without having to watch EastEnders.”
Chris is delighted to be doing a slow ballroom dance next week after two fast Latin numbers.
Montell and Jojo dances a Couple’s Choice next week
Up on the balcony banquette with the happy couples who are safely through to next week, Montell Douglas reveals that they’re “bringing it back home” with a party dance.
Paul Merson and Karen Hauer are shocked to have dodged the dance-off. “H0nestly, when Tess called our names, I was thinking, who are Paul and Karen?” he says. Bless that man.
Shayne Ward in dreaded dance-off
Well, that’s a shocker. He’s tumbled from mid-table into the bottom two. Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu must dance again for survival. Perhaps the fashion police intervened.
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones are safely through, despite hand-around-waistgate.
Paul Merson is safe
Also returns to the dancefloor are Montell Douglas, Jamie Borthwick and Tasha Ghouri. Well, obv.
Red spotlight of doom
Strap in, it’s time for loooong pauses, relieved embraces and ostentatious thanks yous down the camera.
Our Strictly stars™
Our 13 couples await their fates. Shayne Ward’s custard couture, Paul Merson’s tailcoat and Gorka Marquez’s waxed chest still present and correct.
They’ve also repaired Sarah Hadland’s corsage, which she tore in her post-dance excitement last night. We’ve all done it.
Last night’s live show rewound
A recap of Saturday night’s action on-screen now. Paul Merson channels Fred Astaire! Pete Wicks channels Danny Zuko! Montell Douglas’ gracefully gaw-jus Viennese waltz! Chris McCausland performs more miracles! Perfect 10s for Tasha Ghouri!
Frockwatch
Behold our two-headed hosting hydra, so a quick frockular face-off. Tess Daly is in a one-shouldered black jumpsuit. Claudia Winkleman is in a black sparkly minidress. Claud wins, making it a clean sweep for La Winkle this weekend.
Aaaaand we’re off!
Roll clap-along credits. One of these smiley duos will be damp-eyed in approximately 35 minutes. But which, I beseech thee?
Call any stragglers in from the kitchen. Wake up any post-roast nappers. We’re about to head over to Elstree Studios…
Snow Patrol perform tonight
Musical guests on the results show are Dundee indie rockers Snow Patrol. Not to drop names but frontman Gary Lightbody is an old mate of mine. Clang!
Light up, light up the dancefloor, as if you have a choice. Just five minutes now until the glittery curtain comes up…
First 10s of the series
Last night saw the first maximum scores of Strictly 2024, with Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec notching three perfect marks for their Charleston.
No prizes for guessing which judge declined not to raise his maximum paddle. Frankly, I was with Craig. Not perfect, too soon – and that Coachella/selfie stick theme deserved to knock off a point.
Talking of 10s, that’s how many minutes are left to wait…
On BBC1 right now is Antiques Roadshow from the Ulster Folk Museum near Belfast. Glasses for hens! Sounds like something Bob Mortimer would make up on Would I Lie To You?
I wonder if one day, people will find a dusty old “10” paddle in Craig Revel Horwood’s loft? Fifteen minutes until the red spotlight of doom gets switched on…
From opera to soap opera
A fleeting incident caused a right kerfuffle online last night. Eagle-eyed viewers noticed that on the balcony, Wynne Evans slipped his arm around partner Katya Jones’ waist but she pushed it down onto her hip. She also apparently ignoring his attempt at a high-five.
As speculation grew about the significance of these awkward interactions, Evans has since said they were “messing around” and apologised for any confusion. Jones insisted it was a “silly joke”. All rather strange.
I wonder if The Great Unpleasantness this summer means everyone is on high alert for the merest sign of tension between celebrities and professionals? Is Katya deliberately distancing herself from male partners since Seann Walsh-gate? Or do we reckon something is rotten in the House of GoCompare?
The glitterball will soon start spinning again…
Swifties come dancing
Tay Tay fans assemble! Tonight’s group routine is a Taylor Swift number, choreographed by no less than Mandy Moore, who worked on the Eras tour.
Not long to wait now, Swift superfans…
