Strictly Come Dancing 2018, Blackpool special: Ashley Roberts tops seaside scoreboard with first perfect 40 of series
Ashley Roberts tops Blackpool leaderboard with first perfect 40 of series
Joe Sugg, Faye Tozer and Charles Venn tied in second. Lauren Steadman at bottom
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Ashley Roberts hit professional perfection
She closed the show and raised the Tower Ballroom's ornate roof with her fish-and-chip shop-themed jive but is Ashley Roberts just a tad too good to win?
The former Pussycat Doll looked almost as good as professional partner Pasha Kovalev with kicks, flicks, retraction and spins which were astonishingly sharp. Perhaps not surprising with Ashley's pop-dance background but still superbly entertaining to watch.
Having topped the leaderboard with a near-perfect 39 points for the past three weeks, she finally managed to tempt Craig Revel Horwood's lesser-spotted 10 paddle out of retirement and notch the first 40 of the series.
Ashley has now topped the standings for six weeks out of nine and scored more 10s at this stage of the contest than anyone in Strictly history. Whether she's on enough of a journey™ is what could keep her hands off the glitterball trophy.
Pasha in his APRON!!
It was SO dynamic and fun and full of JOY— Marian Keyes (@MarianKeyes) November 17, 2018
Would like Ashley and Fay to be in the bottom two. Time for the non professional dancers to shine. Would much prefer Joe, Stacey and Charles to be in the final than the dancing clones #SCD
— Claire Austin (@claireaustin) November 17, 2018
This is going get at least 39 isn't it. Just not fair. Joe, Kate, Charles, Lauren, Graeme are complete novices. Ashley is anything but.
Divine routine, I loved watching it and could watch it again, but it's just not fair. At all. #scd#Strictly— Barberry (@Telibarb) November 17, 2018
Three-way tie for second spot
Clustered below pace-setter Ashley Robertswere Joe Sugg, Faye Tozer and Charles Venn, all level-pegging on 38 points. Such a score would normally have been enough to top the standings but Ashley is out of the ordinary.
The three second-placed dances contrasted starkly, showing just how eclectic Strictly Come Dancing can be.
Faye's fierce, fiery paso doble was the first routine of the night to properly fill the Tower Ballroom's expansive sprung floor. Full of drama and power, it had judge Bruno Tonioli purring that the Steps popstrel was "the paso dominatrix".
The resurgent Charles' pool party samba found him unbuttoning his shirt to flaunt his six-pack, distracting several of the judges from what was occurring in the footwork region. It flowed and undulated, was loads of celebratory fun and brought the flavour of Brazil to Blackpool. Head judge Shirley Ballas was so a-flutter, she could barely critique it. Pro partner Karen Clifton was sweetly jubilant to score her first ever 10s in seven Strictly series.
Then came vlogger Joe's Copacabana quickstep, which was jazzy, classy and shamelessly old-fashioned. With his 96-year-old Nanna Phyllis on the front row, the pressure was on but surprise package Sugg delivered in style. Who would have predicted that the yoof-friendly YouTuber would become the contest's ballroom king?
A scoreboard of two halves, then, with a five-point gap to the bottom four.
I did not expect Charles to have a mid-late series resurgence, but this series has been anything but predictable! #strictly
— Frankie and Clover (@strictlyblog) November 17, 2018
What does Faye need to do to get straight 10s from the judges? That dance was epic! #Strictly
— Liz Murray (@LizMurr80010377) November 17, 2018
Joe’s nan reading the autocue as Tess is talking is my tv highlight of the week #scdpic.twitter.com/usLLvFRtnv
— Andy Lycett (@AndyLycett) November 17, 2018
Could Paralympic curse strike Lauren Steadman?
She was cut adrift at the bottom of the scoreboard and if Lauren Steadman was to exit tomorrow, she would become the second successive Paralympian to bow out in Blackpool after sprinter Jonnie Peacock last year.
The Argentine tango is a firm fan favourite but a difficult dance and Lauren was exposed by it. She attacked each move but couldn't quite connect them, meaning it lacked fluidity and flow, looking jagged rather than sensuous.
Lauren needs a surge of viewer votes to haul her clear of the bottom two because barring a dramatic improvement second time around, she looks doomed to lose the dance-off.
Death Slot and not bad but fairly unmemorable and lacking in power Argentine Tango. I think Lauren may be in trouble tonight. #Strictly#scd
— Hayley �� (@fatherbananas) November 17, 2018
Glad other people agree #SCD has thrown Lauren under the Blackpool tram this week. Undermarked again, no tricks or backing dancers. And she has a day job. #strictlycomedancing
— Sean K (@kizzby) November 17, 2018
Joe really is like a little Fred Astaire. That routine was fabulous. He was so emotional after the scores too bless him. #Strictly#SCD#Blackpool
— Amy (@geordiegalg) November 17, 2018
Blackpool factor made for erratic show
The Victorian splendour of the Tower Ballroom and the venue's rich history mean that a trip up to Blackpool has become a Strictly series highlight. However, that doesn't always add up to high-quality hoofing.
Several couples seemed over-awed. The backing dancers that the production ropes in to help fill the huge floor were distracting at times - while at others, like during Lauren Steadman's Argentine tango, they were notable by their absence. Attempts to fill the vast space resulted in some routines lacking tightness, intensity and technical detail.
Blackpool also means extra travelling, group routines to rehearse and themed VTs to film, all of which eat into the couples' training time. In places, that showed.
Ugh. I hate Blackpool week. The dances are always messy as hell and everyone seems manic. #Strictly
— Andrea Mullaney (@Pandrea100) November 17, 2018
Obviously I’m a desiccated, crusty old grump but surely the time they spend filming these skits where they go scuba diving and wing-walking could be better spent actually rehearsing their dance #Strictly
— Scott Innes (@Flying_Inside) November 17, 2018
Stacey Dooley dipped but should be safe
Strictly has a way of biting you in the backside and it's currently having a gentle nibble at Stacey Dooley. Just as she became bookies' favourite to lift the glitterball trophy, theLuton lasshas suffered two wobbly weeks.
Last week's waltz and tonight's salsa both left her in mid-table, rather than the upper reaches where she'd previously become a fixture. Stacey opened the Blackpool show with a fun-but-flawed routine that was more Pleasure Beach hen party than Cuban nightclub.
Still, "Ace face Stace" is hugely likeable, her partner Kevin Clifton is one of the most popular pros and they'll surely escape the dance-off.
Lots of niggles, but Lauren just did a proper tango from start to finish. Stacey did maybe 10 seconds of half-hearted salsa
I'm sure that will be reflected in the judges' comments...#scd#strictly— Marianka Swain (@mkmswain) November 17, 2018
Stacey's just never started to look like she has control of her limbs, & that was v evident in the four seconds of salsa in that routine #scd
— Nathalie Kernot (@nolliepops) November 17, 2018
I swear Stacey is getting marked more harshly the last few weeks? Her or Joe are my outright winners #Strictly
— Daniel ��️�� (@harry_shumjr) November 17, 2018
Silverton and Swanny in dance-off danger
They've both been hovering around the bottom for a few weeks. He's survived two dance-offs. She's yet to be consigned to one. But both the newsreader and the cricketer will be sweating on their Strictly survival tonight.
Kate Silverton's American smooth was lovely in parts, lumpy in others. A choreographic curate's egg.
Graeme Swann's Couple's Choice was musical theatre: thoroughly charming yet lacking wow factor. It notched the ex-England spinner's highest score so far but still left him third from bottom.
If they're up against Lauren Steadman come Sunday night, they should be fine. If they're up against each other, though, it's anyone's guess.
I love Kate but...you don't actually have to do lifts if your celeb can't do them without holding themselves like an actual roll of carpet. They aren't mandatory. I think. #scd
— Chris Rubery (@Chrisrubery) November 17, 2018
How? How did Swanny get those scores for prancing about with a brolly? It looked like summat me dad would do on his way home from the boozer ffs! #scd#strictly
— Mossbird (@Mossbird) November 17, 2018
This pile of tosh is going to score higher that Lauren. I like Swanny and I love Oti, but come on, it wasn't very good #scd
— ailsa (@ailsa_xx) November 17, 2018
Inconsistent judges raised eyebrows
It wasn't just the pro-celebrity couples who seemed to get the Blackpool jitters. The grand occasion and change of venue seemed to get to the judging panel too.
For the first half of the show, the quartet's comments seemed overly harsh. They then over-compensated by praising the later couples more fulsomely.
Scoring was also all over the place. Did Graeme Swann's routine really merit a nine from Bruno Tonioli? Did Lauren Steaman deserve a five from Craig Revel Horwood? And how come Craig rated Joe Sugg's quickstep as an eight, yet his three colleagues gave it perfect 10s? Perhaps the sea air went to their heads.
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Well the judges are very harsh this evening, I know it's Blackpool and all that but no-one's there to win the World Championship you know @bbcstrictly#Strictly
— Bella (@ziabell) November 17, 2018
Apart from Lauren there's quite a lot of special Blackpool scoring here... #Strictly#scd M
— Fezzy TV (@FezzyTV) November 17, 2018
Gloria Estefan opened show in style
If Shirley Ballas is the Queen Of Latin, then we met the Empress tonight. Surprise musical guest Gloria Estefan got the seaside party started with a medley of her hits, while the pro troupe strutted their stuff in white tuxedos and pink feathered head-dresses.
The Cuban-American dance diva might be 61 nowadays but she's still got it. Her hip-shaking performance was a suitably spicy way to warm up a chilly autumnal Saturday night. And with Take That guesting tomorrow, there are more poptastic treats to come.
The results show airs at 7.20pm Sunday on BBC One. Meet you back on the liveblog to see who illuminates the Blackpool ballroom and who's a plodding donkey. In the meantime, you know your job description: keeep dancing!
Ooh Strictly in Blackpool, breathtaking opening number, but I realise I still can’t tell good from bad, which is tricky for a vicar. pic.twitter.com/bXQcM4l3cZ
— Richard Coles (@RevRichardColes) November 17, 2018
Bloody love Gloria Estefan.
Dancing around the living room when she wore THAT green catsuit to the Smash Hits Pollwinners Party, is one of my vivid childhood memories. #scd— Andie (@AndieDelicacy) November 17, 2018
Get Gloria on next year. Pay her whatever she likes. Give her Neil. #strictly#scd
— Kitty Gallagher (@KittyLovesDucks) November 17, 2018
Seaside special in full
Here's your Blackpool routine-by-routine recap...
Credits roll
Keeeeeeeeeep seaside dancing!
Voting lines are open
Phew. Recap on-screen now. Please stay with us for seaside analysis and social media reaction. Anyone else peckish for fish and chips?
Ashley and Pasha's jive
She’s topped the leaderboard with 39 points for the past three weeks. Can Ashley finally lure Craig’s perfect 10 paddle out of retirement? Fish-and-chip shop setting and some salt-and-vinegar-ography to start. Flicks and kicks are on fire. Sharp retraction, twinkle steps and a tollgate move for Twirly Shirley. Hard to tell who's the professional here. High-octane, high-energy, copious lifts and tricks. Breathless just watching it. Pass the small wooden fork, I'm done.
Music: 'Shake Ya Tail Feather' from The Blues Brothers
Judges’ verdict: Darcey says "fast, fantastic, floating". Shirley says "pushed the envelope in the middle, on-form and fantastic", Bruno says "Remember Jill Halfpenny here? You became part of Strictly history too". Craig concludes "Fab-ew-lous". Could Ashley be about to get the first perfect 40 of the series?
Judges' scores: 10 (Craig's first of the year), 10, 10, 10 for a total of 40 points. Top of the pops, obviously.
Joe and Dianne's quickstep
Lots of Suggs in the audience, including Joe's much-mentioned 96-year-old Nanna Phyllis, who looks proud but endearingly nonplussed by her pre-dance chat with Tess. Joe the showman in top hat and tails is commanding the Tower Ballroom space. There's some gapping and hesitant footwork but they're well in-sync. Cute section on a giant light-up piano keyboard like in the film Big. Side-by-side Charleston action, great song, bags of style. Bravo.
Music: 'Dancin’ Fool' from Copacabana, the Barry Manilow musical
Judges’ verdict: Craig says "broaden your lines out of hold but in hold, you're a dark horse, full of surprises, fan-tas-tic". Darcey says "a grand, classic quickstep, effortless and light, images of Fred Astaire throughout, your frame was perfection, stunning". Shirley says "I'm all of a-bother, you did Nanna Phyllis proud, stayed in time and were outstanding". Bruno concludes "Blackpool goes to Hollywood - the style, gloss, glitz, glamour, was pure Hollywood golden era, you hit the professional angles, that takes a lot of skill".
Judges' scores: 8, 10 (his first), 10, 10 for a total of 38 points. His highest. Joint top with Charles and Faye.
Charles and Karen's samba
He's bringing a taste of Brazil to Blackpool. Pool party setting, celebratory feel and he's shaking it with his six-pack out. Not nailing all the bounce action in the hips and knees. Misses his timing mid-routine but sky-high performance levels and spot-on musicality. Filling the space like nobody except Faye has managed. Swaggeringly spicy. Party time and he ends the routine draped in streamers.
Music: 'La Bamba' by Connie Francis.
Judges’ verdict: Bruno says "King Charles the First of samba, indistinguishable from the professionals, you're born to do it". Craig says "reminds me of my pool parties in Hampshire, I was distracted by the plethora of abdominals so didn't notice the footwork". Darcey says "confident, flow, masculinity, undulating body, I am impressed". Shirley says "you owned it, it was real and I felt like I was in Rio".
Judges' scores: 9, 9, for Charles Venn it's a 10, 10 for a total of 38 points. His best and joint top with Faye.
Kate and Aljaž's American smooth
The newsreader suits ballroom and an American smooth seems a smart choice for Blackpool. Indeed, Alijaz scored 38 here last year for the same dance with Gemma Atkinson. They arrive in a heart-shaped hot air balloon. Cute pink outfits and foxtrot steps, harking back to their Movie Week Roger Rabbit routine. Great tune but the dance isn't quite up to it. Kate looks clunky in the lifts. Footwork faltering. But better back in hold and it picked up considerably towards the end.
Music: 'Everlasting Love' by Love Affair
Judges’ verdict: Shirley says "Kate the consistent, stride out and move more, otherwise very good". Bruno says "blissful, wonderful lightness", Craig says "lacked energy in the slow bits, graceless lifts but you warmed up, loved the choreography and content". Darcey concludes "classy, sustained, beautiful but don't grab him in the lifts".
Judges' scores: 7, 7, 8, 8 for a total of 30 points. Same as last week.
Faye and Giovanni's paso doble
The Steps popstrel gets her serious face on and they're setting the dancefloor alight - quite literally. Gio's in a black see-through top "for the laydeez". Too much messin' abaht to start, then into a paso full of stalking intent. sharp footwork and swishy skirt-ography. Epic feel to match the music. High drama, great lifts and impressive core strength from Faye. Flamenco moves. Flagged a little towards the end but dance of the night so far.
Music: 'Unstoppable' by E. S. Posthumus
Judges’ verdict: Darcey says "beautiful delivery, dramatic attack but you kept the femininity too, extraordinary flip lift, well controlled". Shirley says "musically and choreographically powerful, kept in character, brilliant". Bruno says "superb dynamics and structure, you were the paso dominatrix". Craig concludes "loved the drama, theatre, story, burr-illiant". Nines and tens en route?
Judges' scores: 9 (still no 10 from Craig), 9, 10, 10 for a total of 38 points. Top at the halfway point.
Graeme and Oti's Couples’ Choice
After last week's day-glo salsa, it's a classier affair for the former cricketer - and the first ever Couples' Choice in Blackpool. They've chosen the Theatre and Jazz style, channeling Judy Garland from the classic 1944 film. Swanny bringing out his inner showman. Tram, bowler hat, brolly-ography. Charleston and quickstep moves. Swanny looks like he's rushing through the lines at times yet it's also lacking energy somehow. The feel of an afternoon movie is there, if the wow factor isn't quite. Best reception in the Tower Ballroom so far, though.
Music: 'The Trolley Song' from Meet Me in St. Louis
Judges’ verdict: Craig says "I can't see you having a career in musical theatre, darling, you didn't lead and hit child-like naive lines, lacked style - but you commit to the dances and do character-driven well". Darcey says "charming, cheeky, could have been stronger and sharper but timing was immaculate". Shirley says "Tugged at my heartstrings and I enjoyed every minute, you did great". Bruno concludes "Carry on like this and the West End will be calling, a Dick Van Dyke/My Fair Lady cheeky chappy mish-mash with stagecraft, you've improved so much".
Judges' scores: 7, 8, 8, 9 (really?) for a total of 32 points . His highest score yet. A little generous, especially from Bruno.
Lauren and AJ's Argentine tango
They had a breakthrough dance last week and are now performing only the second Argentine tango of the series. Under-the-sea theme with a huge rippling cloth across the floor, then the couple emerge in red outfits. It's kicky and flicky, with Lauren looking leggy but lacking a little sensuality and connection. Strange song choice. Nice changes of pace, even if she's not extending her lines at times. Spinning lift to finish. Solid but unspectacular.
Music: 'River' by Bishop Briggs
Judges’ verdict: Bruno says "You're all grown up, dark, moody and scary, it had determination and intent but lacked fluidity and intimacy". Craig says "you got stuck between each step, didn't flow, loosen the legs, shortened the lines and made it stompy, a shame - you'll get it in another three weeks, dah-ling". Darcey says "You pushed everything into the technique and we missed the narrative". Shirley concludes, "Complex number, the mood was samey but you'll be back next week". Will she, though?
Judges' scores: 5, 6, 7, 7 for a total of 25 points. Nine down on last week. Dance-off danger?
Paddy McGuinness on the Ts & Cs
The Take Me Out and new Top Gear host arrives to read the smallprint. A short-ish cab ride from Bolton.
Stacey and Kevin's salsa
Stacey used to dance to this hi-energy hit, the UK’s 1996 Eurovision entry, at school discos. She's making a big entrance with even bigger hair. Carrie Bradshaw curls and a tiny red tasselled dress. They've gone Blackpol bonkers with the props: Stacey arrives on a giant stick of rock, there are postcard graphics and backdrop, buckets, spades and donkeys on the dancefloor. Lots of hip-wiggles, spectacular lifts and disco moves from Stacey but not sure she's nailing the spicy Cuban hip action. A little wild and lacking control. Not finishing off her lines but loads of fun.
Music: 'Ooh Ahh (Just A Little Bit)' by Gina G
Judges’ verdict: Shirley says: "Those lifts and rhythm in your body, you brought it today but get your feet closed." Bruno says, "Wild and wonderful like a ride on The Big One, the ensemble pieces were like Kylie in concert". Craig says, "You need to be aware of your legs in the lifts, they were haphazard, otherwise fan-tas-tic." Darcey concludes, "Fun, exciting but keep the dismounts clean." Eights a-coming?
Judges' scores: 7, 8, 9, 9 for a total of 33 points - one more than last week.
Our Strictly stars
No fancy dress this week but lots of red, pink, sparkle and bow ties. Oh and Pasha seems to be working in Greggs.
Male judges in matching tuxes
White with black lapels. The classy choice. Ahem.
Frockwatch
Time for a special seaside edition of our weekly fashion face-off between the co-presenters. Claudia Winkleman's in a red sparkly sequinned number, Tess Daly's in a gold full-length Grecian draped gown. A rare win for Tess.
Here come the celebrities
Our eight surviving contestants join the fun. The rhythm is going to get you. And if it doesn't, Craig Revel Horwood will.
Gloria Estefan in the house
Surprise star guest klaxon! The Latina diva emerges from the crowd of pro dancers to launch into a medley of her hits. Shake your body and do that conga, Doctor Beat.
Anton Du Beke beside the seaside
A scene-setting skit to start, before the king of ballroom leads a spectacular Latin group dance, complete with feather head-dresses and white tuxedos.
Roll clapalong credits
Seven of these couples didn't make it to Blackpool. Sob.
And we're off!
Roll pre-credits Blackpool VT with the locals welcoming us (and the Strictly charabanc) to town.
See you, Celebrity Pointless
Last knockings of the gameshow on BBC One right now. Last chance to marvel at Alexander Armstrong's ears. Nearly kiss-me-quick o'clock...
Whose Strictly journey will end in Blackpool?
Bookies' favourites for elimination are Kate Silverton and Graeme Swann. But Charles Venn and Lauren Steadman might not be safe either.
Just five minutes until we head live to the seaside...
Last week's show in summary
Last weekend saw Ashley Roberts top the leaderboard yet again - making it five times out of eight shows.
Down the bottom was Danny John-Jules for the second week running and he was duly eliminated after losing the dance-off to Graeme Swann.
Ten minutes until we go live to the Tower Ballroom...
Tonight's Tower Ballroom bill of fare
Who's dancing what tonight? Well, after topping the leaderboard with 39 points for the past three weeks, Ashley Roberts is flicking and kicking her way through a jive in a bid to lure out Craig Revel Horwood’s perfect “10” paddle.
Faye Tozer gets serious for a fiery paso doble, while Joe Sugg will skip across the famed sprung floor for a classic quickstep in front of his 96-year-old grandmother.
We’ll see only the second Argentine tango of the series, this one from Lauren Steadman. Dance-off survivors Graeme Swann and Oti Mabuse perform this week’s Couples’ Choice, opting for the Theatre/Jazz style.
And now she’s made it this far, will newsreader Kate Silverton keep her promise and jump into the chilly Irish sea? Fifteen minutes until seaside showtime...
Blackpool bonanza beckons
First live show. Movie Week. Halloween Special. Yes, the milestones along the road to glitterball glory have been zooming past but now we’ve reached the big one: the 518ft tall masterpiece of Victorian engineering that is Blackpool Tower.
This weekend, the eight surviving pro-celebrity couples are packing their buckets and spades, knotting hankies on their heads and heading north to make their dance debuts in the prestigious surroundings of Tower Ballroom.
As this year’s contest enters its crunch month, expect even camper costumes, more elaborate sets and risk-taking routines that push the performers to their limits.
Following Danny John-Jules’ controversial exit last week in the wake of bullying allegations, Strictly needs a shameless entertainment spectacular - and Tower Ballroom is the perfect place.
The Blackpool special airs at 6.45pm Saturday on BBC One. We'll be liveblogging from 6.20pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, recaps, analysis and wry smartarsery.
Please join us - and join in too. You can email me on michael.hogan@ telegraph.co.uk, tweet me on @michaelhogan or leave comments at the bottom of this blog. I'll keep an eye on them all and report the highlights here.
Nearly time to staaaaart seaside dancing…