Strictly Movie Night results show

[shallowness]

TessnClaud were also doing slightly different versions of the same brief outfitwise for the results show. It looks as though this year’s recaps will all involve a judges’ confab at their desks in what they wore for the first show. Much was made of the fact that nine couples had improved their judges’ scores. I hadn’t realised there was a three-way tie for second.

Punam and Gorka got called safe first, and Pete was relieved to be in the first bunch. Paul and Karen being under the red light was suggestive as to who he’d be facing. Nikita accidentally caused the moment of peak cringe/hysteria in the Clauditorium by singing the wrong Shakira song.

The group pro number was a tribute to romcoms, which started with Neil (in beige) on a sofa, Amy and Carlos dancing into his ‘living room’ and Kai referencing Love Actually (and later Say Anything.) Beige!Neil was not interested, but couples were dancing romantically all around him until he bumped into Dianne in an ill-fitting cardigan (there was a dress underneath.) Sadly, they did not break out into commercial style, but at some point Neil changed into a pink suit, which was better than the beige one, in part because it was a better fit. And, yeah, that was fine, I guess.

Judges debrief where Motsi lead off on ‘O Happy Day’ having spent too long in Whitney Houston fancy-dress. Second lot of couples to learn their fate, and they tortured Jamie longest, but it was, as suspected, Toyah and Neil under the red lights. (Which is fair!)

The highpoint of the show was probably Kai and Lauren dancing to Alexis Ffrench’s piano playing (with an assist from strings.) It was that piece form 'The Piano.' They pretty much danced it all the way through, and it was gorgeous and emotive, in autumnal hues.

The dance-off didn’t make me change my mind much, and the judges unanimously voted that it was time for Toyah to leave (which is fair as she scored three fewer points, has redeemed herself from the nadir of the tango, but not enough to pick up viewer votes.) Poor Neil. Question is: who will Paul face next week? Much depends on where Nick is at, because even if he is cleared to dance again, he's had less training and showtime than everyone else.