Strictly Come Dancing: week four – live
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Judges’ comments: Anton says “intense, good timing and beautifully choreographed but needed more hip movement”. Craig says “lacked fluidity, dance the whole dance but you presented Karen well”. Motsi says “partnering skills were great, energy in the body, full of chemistry but needed more body motion”. Shirley concludes “challenging routine, storytelling good but seamless fluidity from foot to foot is your next project”. Sixes and sevens again?
Harry and Karen’s rumba
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro from Gladiators, and partner Karen Hauer notched their highest score with last week’s pec-tacular Lion King salsa. The only slow Latin dance might be more of a challenge. It’s notoriously tricky for celebrity males but Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink did a decent one last week. Harry needs to put his power and energy aside to tap into his musicality. Blue lighting. Pecs and six-pack out again. Sensual, rhythmic and romantic nuty enough sizzle. Oozing and undulating. Lacking a little control at times and too stop-start, needing more continuous flow rather than pose-striking. Harry seems a little too upright to me, should be more earthy.
Song: It Must Have Been Love by Roxette. The power ballad (just belted out karaoke-style by the judges) memorably soundtracked the climactic scene of Richard Gere/Julia Roberts romcom Pretty Woman. Big mistake. Huge.
Claudia on smallprint duties
They seem to have retired the surprise Clauditorium guests and the woman herself reads out the voting Ts & Cs. Online-only, remember. Don’t come around here with your old-fashioned “phone vote”, you dance dinosaurs.
Judges’ scores: 6, 7, 7, 7 for a total of 27 points. Up on last week.
Judges’ comments: Motsi says “sassy and elegant, shining bright with a beautiful ending, I forgive the slip on the dress”. Shirley says “an improvement on your tango, outstanding energy but a little bit of gapping”. Anton says “grace, focus, tuck your legs under but clearer footwork, enjoyed it”. Craig concludes “slipping happens to the best of us, darling, quieten the topline and turn out your feet but I can’t wait to see you do a Charlestons”. Sevens, are we saying?
Karen and Carlos’ quickstep
Former Lioness Karen Carney has dipped in the past two weeks and been nervous about going back to ballroom. The judges told her that she’s power-packed but needs refinement and finesse, so let’s see if she and partner Carlos Gu has taken note. She needs to nail the details, show quality and be “Karen Classy”. Swingtime storytelling, then into hold. Fast, frothy, smooth and elegant. Bright and light on her feet as she flies around the floor but the odd heavy, hesitant step. Bouncy Charleston steps. Bags of fun, classic styling and a floor spin to finish.
Song: Marvellous Party by Beverley Knight. The soul diva’s interpretation of the Noël Coward standard originally featured on the soundtrack to ITV wartime hotel drama The Halcyon. Remember that?
Our Strictly stars™
First sighting of our couples as they come out for a welcome wave. Outfits are pleasingly restrained compared to last week’s Movie Week fancy dress. Harry Aikines-Aryeetey has put his shirt back on but forgotten to button it up. Chris Robshaw has removed his Thor wig. La Voix in some sort of novelty boxing rig-out.
Here come the hoofing inspectors,
Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas make their big entrance. Synchronised sit-down as per.
Frockwatch
Our presentational pair arrive, so time for our weekly couture comparison. Tess Daly is in one-shouldered trouser suit. Claudia Winkleman is in a white tuxedo. La Winkle wins.
Cue clapalong credits
Two males have left so far, with Tom Skinner and Ross King becoming the first two celebrities to depart the dancefloor. Who’s next for the choreographic chop?
