Strictly Results

[shallowness]

Queen Oti got another starring role in the pro dance, but she had to, really, given that it was an Aretha Franklin tribute. The choir were amazing, and I loved that they swopped leads, which the dancers couldn’t in the circs. Odd that the black new guy didn’t get more to do. I loved the pops of colour of the dreses and the dancing.

In the recap, Ranj got mixed reviews, Kate and Danny were slated and everyone else was given positive comments. The slo-mo did not flatter Kate’s Argentinian Tango.

But she was kept safe. I thought she would because of the low score from Craig, injury and crowd-pleasing choreography, but I’m starting to get irritated. I was happy to have two blocks of results. Faye’s laughing at Giovanni seems healthy, Joe and Dianne are cute, and Aljiaz’s description of next week’s quickstep seemed extra surreal, but I am looking forward to Ashley’s contemporary as choreographed by Pasha (remember Caroline Flack’s showdance?)

The judges’ bit did not mean Craig explaining what his problem was with Ashley’s foxtrot, although Shirley was informative about it.

I spend most of Jess Glynne’s performance bewailing the suit. Sure, wear a suit, but not that one. The pattern was the most egregious thing, but the fit was a bit dodgy. Grazziano and Nadiya wafted around, although it didn’t seem to have much to do with the song, but I imagine it would be hard to choreograph to.

They called the rest of them safe by score, which felt fair. Ranj and Danny waited…and it was Ranj, which made for a more interesting dance-off, because if Danny had got his quickstep right, he’d be safe as houses.

New feature for the show: Claudia suggests choreography to Jason the choreography. It’s got legs…

Not surprising that it went down to Shirley’s decision, because I thought both danced better. Although they’re through, Charles and Karen must be feeling gutted, because they’re the most unpopular, and short of camping it up on theme nights, what can they do? It was about the right time in the series for Ranj to leave, maybe, but not the right routine. Still, Janette can comfort herself with the thought that it wasn’t her fault, like it was with Aston.