Key events
Thank you and a glittery goodnight
That concludes Saturday’s livebloggery-pokery but we’ll be back on the digital dancefloor tomorrow. Meet you back here for the results show, which airs at 7.20pm Sunday on BBC1. I’ll crank up the blog at 6.50pm for build-up, so I hope you’ll rejoin me then.
Thanks for watching along with me and all your ace comments, which I score at least a nine and in many cases, a perfect 10. Meet you here for the fourth elimination tomorrow. In the meantime, it almost goes without saying: keeeeeep dancing! Goodnight.
Some you Wynne, some you lose
Commenter opinion seems to be split on Wynne Evans, with just as much support as slating.
JWT1967 says: “Some great dances tonight, most notably Jamie and Montell. It wasn’t Wynne’s best but I still voted for him and shall continue to do so, as there’s no way he deserves to suffer death by social media.”
Change at the top, same down the bottom
An unpredictable set of scores tonight. Montell Douglas and Jamie Borthwick jointly top the standings, with Chris McCausland in third place.
Paul Merson is way down at the bottom, with Dr Punam Krishan and Pete Wicks just above.
As always, though, the viewer vote helps decide who’ll be consigned to tomorrow night’s dreaded dance-off. It could be a sweaty-palmed wait for Sam Quek and Shayne Ward, too.
Finally, on Montell Douglas and Jojo Radebe’s Couple’s Choice, SnailyWhaley says: “Just occasionally, Couple’s Choice is spectacular.”
VictoriasSecret says: “What a way to finish! I have mixed views about Couple’s Choice but that I loved. Just wished it lasted longer!”
loubylou99 says: “Love MoJo! Not normally fan of CC but this was the best I’ve ever seen.”
On dance-of survivor Shayne Ward, GreatIsMyNewt says: “I think Shayne’s ‘problem’ is that he’s normal. Many of the other slebs have big personalities.”
mcculloch29 says: “Lovely storytelling from Shayne and Nancy.”
jagadox adds: “It was a complete surprise to find Shayne in the dance-off last week. Surely that lovely romantic American Smoochie, sorry Smooth, will save him this week?”
On Pete Wicks’ rumba, paperview says: “To be fair, ever since Len schooled Craig about scoring in professional ballroom dancing during the very first series, Craig has always been a stickler for illegal steps.”
ReclinedPotato adds: “Pete reminds me of background pirate #6. Not as wooden as long John Silver’s leg but rough as a ship’s biscuit.”
On Sarah Hadland’s samba, MikeMoonlight says: “It’s really quite amazing that, at the start of the series, Toyah could barely dance at all, then she was actually voted off two weeks ago and yet she comes back with a performance like that! Oh, hang on a minute…”
Paul Merson continues to be a commenter favourite. Owbeck says: “Paul improves every week, just not at the same rate as others.”
styletraveller says: “When Merse is given some moves, he’s ok. I think Karen needs to trust him more.”
EmmyHarb says: “I love that Paul Merson started the series with quite a meh attitude but now Strictly is working its magic on him.”
emas2023 adds: “I shall be voting for Paul tonight as I really want him on Halloween week.”
On Tasha Ghrouri’s tango, FascinatingFlamenco says: “Too dark for Tasha and Aljaz’s dance. Was difficult to see properly. Loved the energy and intent. Some really great head placement.”
Somersetlass adds: “Hmm. A technically great dance from Tasha, but not enough drive and passion for a tango, I thought.”
On Sam’s Quekstep, Vicc says: “Oh I did love that quickstep, whether or not the judges like it. I think Sam’s joie de vivre shines through and that is what swung it for me.”
MarkRoche adds: “Keep waiting for the lovely Sam to have that breakthrough. She’s competent but seems to be holding back a bit.”
On Chris McCausland’s You’ll Never Walk Alone waltz, Somersetlass says: “While that wasn’t Chris’ best dance – he seemed a little tentative at first, and his posture wasn’t great – that bit at the end where he walked alone and then joined Dianne left me in tears. Rather beautiful.”
fihema says: “I kinda wish Chris could see Di in that frock. It felt like the third dancer and made it somehow all the more emotional. Sparkly shadows, serenity, flow. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed that song more. No wait. I have never enjoyed that song more.”
Jennifera030 says: “I thought that was beautiful. Reminds me of a passage from Terry Pratchett about how tragic it is that so many people never get the chance to find out what they could be good at. Amazing that a blind man has found out that he is a natural dancer.”
YodaknowsAll adds: “Chris just made me well up. The judges can go on all they like about technique, but you cannot beat feelings. Outstanding for me.”
On Jamie Borthwick’s paso doble, Pancake01 says: “Oh wow! One of the better pasos of recent years. Well done Jamie! Unusual choreography as well. Loved the music.”
dAsgoyne says: “Castanets? Generalised Spanishery? What happened? Did they not get the memo that they should have been dancing to Shang-a-lang dressed as an ocelot?”
ryfford adds: “FFS, no one gets a 10 for a Paso. NO ONE!!!”
On JB Gill’s jive, mimig says: “Lovely Welsh Amy and JB starting to be one of my favourite couples. I wonder if he might have the ‘journey’ we all love?”
Aine183 adds: “JB’s jive seemed very technical to me. I didn‘t see any joy in the dance, too much caution.”
Readers have spoken
Your verdicts are in from the comment section. On Dr Punam Krishan, jagadox says: “Punam tends to be hard on herself. Making a mistake as a doctor could have much worse results than the Strictly ones, eh?”
Spittal76 adds: “I thought it was harsh marking for Dr Punam. I suspect the public will like it more than the judges.”
