Who needs Oscar statuettes or BAFTA masks when they could win one of our coveted liveblog baubles? Here are this week’s celluloid-style gong-getters…
Best dance: Graeme’s Dogfather waltz for me, just edging out Cach’s samba.
Worst dance: Sorry, Melanie. Would an omelette make it better?
Best music choice: Beauty & The Beast was a lovely opening, setting the tone for a strong night from Team Wunnerful Day Varch.
Worst music choice: Baywatch doesn’t belong in Movie Week and Edelweiss was shrill.
So with their two dances combined, Delta Goodrem tops the joint leaderboard, with Lacey Turner and Graeme Hall in second spot.
Shaun Wright-Phillips climbed five places off the bottom after that “salsa”, whuch leaves Melanie Walters way down at the bottom, with Chris Appleton just above. But that could all change with the first public vote helping to decide tomorrow’s dreaded dance-off.
And the casting vote tomorrow goes to… Craig. Sanity will reign at least. “Keeeeeep dancing,” trill our hosting trio, clutched in that endearingly awkward embrace.
The clapperboard comes down and the night’s 15 routines get recapped on-screen. Fancy dress frenzy! More wigs than a Terry Wogan convention!
For the first time this year, viewers can now vote. Prop-laden pandemonium erupts on the balcony. Ginger Neil dons a shark head. Because of course he does.
Judges’ scores: 4, 7 (what?), 7 (what now?), 7 (what the what?) for a total of 25 points. A ten-point lift. Jojo had become rather rowdy on the balcony. Love to see it.
Judges’ comments: Anton says “we’ll expect this every week now, Alexis spent most of it in the air, unrecognisable”. Craig says “you’re no John Travolta, darling, ploddy, stuck to the floor and no hip action whatsoever, not for me, sorry”. Motsi says “no mistakes, good timing, musicality and tight connection, did well”. Shirley comes out to give him a hug and concludes “that pot-stirrer was great improvement off the charts”.
Former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips was joint bottom of the week one standings and is bookies’ odds-on favourite for the first elimination. Can he climb the scores and save his skin with the first salsa of the series? He needs to let loose, smile and perform with US pro Alexis Warr, not just concentrate on remembering the steps (with his tongue sticking out). Giant glitterball, disco moves and he’s got the groove. And also a sticky-out bum. Wobbly lift to start. He’s still a little flat-footed and edgy-looking but he’s singing along with gusto and giving it some welly. Whisk spin, a knee slide More disco than salsa but most entertaining.
Song: You Should Be Dancing from Saturday Night Fever. The 1976 song that launched the Bee Gees into disco and the group’s only track to top the Billboard dance chart.
Judges’ scores: 6, 7, 7, 8 for a total of 28 points. One up on last week and joint second on the combined scoreboard.
Judges’ comments: Motsi says “free and fun, you flew, loved it but top half got loose”. Shirley says “no mistakes, get your posture in order but you did exceptionally well”. Anton says “accomplished clean and polished, your level has shot up already”. Craig concludes “quieten your frame and think ahead of hr beat but brilliant, darling”.
EastEnders actor Lacey Turner and Italian pro Vito Coppola finished third on last week’s leaderboard with their cheeky cha-cha. She’s been nursing bandaged feet this week due to infected blisters on her toes. Sounds painful. Now they’re playing Woody and Jessie for their first ballroom number. Vito has been teaching Lacey the head position by comparing it to a dog leaning out of a car window. Woof. Cutesy start, then into hold, skipping across the floor. Charleston flicks and kicks. Some gapping and footwork faltering in places. Lovely choreography and storytelling, jazzy style and a fun finish. It was Vito’s 34th birthday this week, so a high score would be the perfect present.
Song: I Knew It, I Knew You from Toy Story 5. Taylor Swift’s country-pop banger from this summer’s Pixar hit. Swift said she’d wanted to write music for the franchise since watching the first film, aged just five.
Judges’ scores: 7, 7, 6, 7 for a total of 27 points. One more than lat week. A little undermarked for me.