Key events
Thank you and a glittery goodnight – for now
That concludes Saturday’s sequin-spangled, yellow-trousered liveblog but we’ll be back in ballroom hold tomorrow. Meet you right here for the results show, which airs at 7.20pm Sunday on BBC1.
I’ll press “go” on the blog at 6.50pm for build-up, so I very much hope you’ll rejoin me then. In the meantime, I’m @michaelhogan on Twitter, so do rumba-walk over and say hello.
Thanks for watching along with me and your ever-excellent company. Meet you here for the third elimination tomorrow. And in the meantime, as is traditional: keeeeeep dancing! Nighty night.
Overmarking and mercy for Merson
For me, Tasha Ghouri was overmarked. A near-perfect 39 points, before we’re even one-third of the way through the contest, is too much. Whither the improvement and the J-word (journey)?
Down the bottom, did Paul Merson save his skin by pulling that debonair quickstep out of the bag? Dr Punam vs Nick Knowles for the dance-off would be the just outcome on Sunday night.
A special shout-out to my sparkly sidekick tonight, 12-year-old Strictly superfan May, who has been helping me keep an eye on the messageboard and giggling away at all your comments.
The future of hoofing punditry is in safe hands. Indeed, Somersetlass says: “Can we have May as the new Strictly judge next year?”
Thanks for all your help, May! I owe you some extra pocket money, money, money.
Final comment round-up now. TeeDubyaBee says: “I love Paul Merson’s presence in the background upstairs – like a slightly confused uncle at a kid’s birthday party.
RegWhelk says: “A week that will be remembered for bonkers scoring, the first tens and Paul Merson’s quickstep that seemed to come out of nowhere. It’s anyone’s guess who will be in the dance-off but the good doctor must be worried.”
jagadox says: “Pete Wicks has been smiling and apparently enjoying his dancing. Has he ruined his brand as a miserable git?” TeeDubyaBee says: “I’m surprised at how much I’m liking Mr P Twix.”
diamondcat adds: “I do wish Craig would do something about the back of his hair. It looks like the rats have been nibbling at it.”
Some comments on tonight’s costumes now. Heartticker says: “What has happened to wardrobe? Always loved the gorgeous Strictly costumes but this week looks like they’ve been cobbled together from a child’s dressing-up box.”
MartGray says: “If you’re going to have Wyn Evans do a tango, at least paint him orange.”
GreatIsMyNewt says: “I’m just wondering if wardrobe recycled Anne Widdecombe’s demented canary outfit for Shayne. But glad to see that Gorka has run out of buttons again.”
whistledownthewind says: “I’m trying to work out whether Motsi’s hair is tied in a reef or granny knot.” MollyintheFolly adds: “Why has Motsi come out in her bathrobe?”
On Sarah Hadland, FloraBelle says: “Loved Sarah and Vito. Shaping up to be one of my favourites this season. Even though I keep half expecting Miranda to stage bomb every time she dances.”
Somersetlass says: “Sarah and Vito’s partnership is just lovely. Sarah seemed a little tentative dancing on her own at the start, but once she was in hold, it was beautiful.”
jagadox adds: “I enjoyed Vito and Sarah. A possible finalist combo?”
On Jamie Borthwick, EastofStratford says: “Poor Jamie, he suffers from ESDL (Englishman shorts disaster legs). It is incurable but a better cut of shorts can do a lot to divert the eye.”
On JB Gill, SparklingDormouse says: “Pretty good rumba from JB & Amy. Good movement and a good connection between them.”
On Punam’s jive, Heartticker says: “It didn’t really get going for me. A bit flat-footed and a few mistakes but an extra point for Gorka’s abs.”
FascinatingFlamenco adds: “Messy. Jive is meant to be sharp and incisive and that was soft and all over the place. Loved Punam’s dance last week, but this one just wasn’t her.”
On Paul Merson, Somersetlass says: “How lovely to see Paul doing a serious dance. I really enjoyed that – ballroom has brought out the best in him. Fairly light on his feet, and although he still looked rather terrified, he’s made such progress. This is what Strictly is all about.”
jagadox adds: “Paul and quickstep seemed like a contradiction. And turned out to be – if not quite Fred Astaire then not yomping over a muddy field in wellies. A decent and somewhat surprising effort.”
Sparkling Dormouse says: “Really classy from JoJo & Montell. Lovely from them. Best so far tonight and the first one deserving a nine!”
FloraBelle adds: “Montelle and JoJo were just gorgeous there. Such elegant lines and her smile was infectious. Beautiful dress, cute hair ribbon and loved the staging too.”
On Chris McCausland, FloraBelle says: “Never mind Men At Work. Chris works like a Trojan. As someone who is visually impaired myself, I am in awe of both him and Diane. Just wow.”
Vicc says: “Chris and Dianne are amazing. Those lifts. The fact that he doesn’t miss a cue which would normally be a visual one. Impressive to put it mildly!”
Heartticker adds: “Chris and Dianne impressed once again. Diane is an amazing teacher. I think she’s fabulous and has been a little underrated in the past.”
On Tasha’s Charleston, SparklingDormouse says: “Points off for the selfie stick and Aljaz over-emoting. Apart from that, amazing. Can’t tell who the professional is. Just not getting the improvement element as she’s too good to start with!”
Gardener_Maidhc says of Pete Wicks’ quickstep: “Faux quiff short hair really suits Pete. The leading arm elbow drops a bit in hold which throws his posture off but great styling and a good dance. Not my favourite but my favourite of his so far.”
On Nick Knowles’ miraculous rise from the physio’s table, Heartticker says: “Nick Knowles just danced a very strange Charleston, I thought. I know he’s had an injury or two but a bit boring in my opinion.”
whistledownthewind says: “Good to see that Nick Knowles WILL dance tonight. Mind you with his current luck, he’ll possibly sprain his ankle on his way down the stairs during the intro.”
IvanTiger says: “Nick needs more swivel, though he’s in time and has arm elegance.”
jagadox adds: “Glad to see Nick back. Enjoyed the dance too, although perhaps not the greatest Charleston we’ve ever seen.”
Readers’ verdicts are in
Time to take the temperature of your comments. Lots of talk of overmarking. ryfford says “Week 4 and 10s, FFS. PERLEASZE!!!!” VirgilHilts says: “It’s week 4 on Strictly and the theme is Insane Overmarking!”
irreverentnurse says: “Ridiculous scores for Jamie.” Petebail says: “Overmarking won’t do Jamie any favours in the public vote.”
fernzette adds: “What’s going on with the scoring? Overmarked for the dances I’ve seen so far. Oh and Tess looks like a pack of Parma violets unraveling.”
A Strictly leg-raiser on TV tonight
Viewers can now flip to BBC2 for 40 Hidden Music Treasures At The BBC or it’s Angela Rippon Night on BBC4 to celebrate her 80th birthday – and right now, she’s looking back at her Come Dancing days.
At 10.30pm, TV’s Greatest: Black on the Box on Channel 5 pays tribute to the likes of Lenny Henry, Floella Benjamin and Trevor McDonald.
If you fancy a film, choose at 9pm between Heat on Legend, Face/Off on Great Movies, 300 on 5Star or Last of the Mohicans on Film4. At 10pm, The Sixth Sense is on MTV. At 10.30pm, Jordan Peele’s Us is on BBC1. As Nick Ross used to say, don’t have nightmares.
Roll up, roll up, it’s the Golden Glitterballs
They’re the most coveted made-up awards this side of Coachella festival. Here are this week’s gong-grabbers…
Best dance: Tasha and Alijaž’s three 10s have to clinch it but Montell Douglas’ dreamy waltz and Paul Merson’s first sevens run her close.
Worst dance: Nick and Luba’s lumpen Charleston. Dr Punam’s jive scored one fewer point but had more to offer.
Best music choice: Pop divas Shakira and Lizzo. A good week overall for Dave Arch and his band. Their version of I Won’t Dance by Fred Astaire had serious swing, too.
Worst music choice: Men At Work. Sorry, Dianne’s dad.
Best outfit: A three-way tie between Sam’s samba dress, Karen’s pink beaded quickstep frock and those 50s outfits for “Petita”.
Worst outfit: Shayne and Nancy’s sickly yellow monstrosities. To add insult to injury, they reused the fabric for Chris McCausland’s trousers.
Best judges’ comment: Craig was on top form, from imitating Shirley (“You might learn something”) to mocking Anton’s grunts (“The espresso’s kicked in, I see”).
Worst VT: Jamie and Michelle dahn the old East End snooker hall. Awkz.
Best Claudia quip: I enjoyed “Pete gets a tattoo – his first” but the prize goes to Claud holding up her hand to Vito: “It wasn’t a high-five, it was a halt.”
Tasha tops leaderboard, Punam props it up
Unsurprisingly after the first 10s of the series, Tasha Ghouri tops the scoreboard by a distance, with Jamie Borthwick and Wynne Evans in joint second spot.
Dr Punam Krishan is way down at the bottom, with Nick Knowles just above. As always, though the viewer vote helps decide which two couples are consigned to tomorrow night’s dance-off. It could be a nervy wait for Paul Merson, Sarah Hadland and Sam Quek too.
