It depends in what order they dance - hope Sophie gets the chance to perform her Charleston that would be a show stopper. Surprised the judges did not pick that

The showdances always fill me with dread; they're my hide behind the sofa moments in Strictly. I've only ever liked 2. I just can't imagine 3 of them working as showstopping. Sophie's been great in Ballroom but not so hot in the Latin, so why oh why choose that song and that style for her showdance? At least one of her best dances was chosen by the judges and she's dancing that 1st. I must lack imagination because "Sweet Child of Mine" is drawing a blank and "Your Song" is just a baffling choice. I hope Aljaz stuns me with dynamic and imaginative choreography. And "Your Song"? I have brain-freeze. As long as Artem knows what he's doing this time "Stepping Out With My Baby" could be the crucial vote winner for the people who only watch the final and vote on what they've seen... And we can hope he doesn't wear the cossack outfit again. It was a shame Susanna and Kevin's Quickstep to the feel good and nostalgically happy "Good Morning" didn't come off on the night, but it could on Saturday night if as was said it was just that one performance, or Kevin simplifies it somewhat. Abbey could be in the danger zone, going out 1st, which would leave Susanna and Sophie battling it out for public votes for their Charleston and the Paso; public taste... as long as they get thru the Showdance phase... I'll be watching it, but I'll also be recording it for if I have to hide behind the sofa.

Unfortunately I think Abbey may go out 1st. The winner? Depends on the Showdance but I think Sophie might just take it.

Tight final and detail should count I.E Kevin's left arm in ballroom is horizontal and as wrong technically as you can be
Interesting to see if Len picks up the detail

Had a look at the past scores per dance. If you look at what couples got first time out, Abbey and Natalie get early dances that leave them a need to improve considerably. Abbey on my reckoning gets 69 for the two she has done before. Natalie 67.

Sophie gets one early, but good, dance to redance, and a total of 72.

Susanna gets two, good, later, dancers - and 73 marks first time out.

Natalie and Abbey don't get to repeat their top scoring dance- perhaps because its the same for both, or came too late. Sophie gets two of her equal top scores. Susanna 1. The highest scoring dance they are redoing is their fifth best overall for Natalie and Abbey. Susanna and Sophie have not done anything better than the best dance they are redoing. Abbey and Susanna are both redoing the best scoring dance of that type of the series for one of their dances.

Abbey and Natalie have a hill to climb there. Sophie and Susanna close the gap on quality - unless Natalie and Abbey can really improve.


The marks seem to be
Abbey and Aljaz:
Judges’ Choice: The Waltz to “Kissing You” by Des’ree. 32
Couples’ Favourite: The Quickstep to “Walking On Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves 37

Natalie and Artem:
Judges’ Choice: The Cha Cha to Boney M’s “Rasputin” 31
Couples’ Favourite: American Smooth to Jennifer Hudson’s “And I’m Telling You, I’m Not Going” 36

Sophie and Brendan:
Judges’ Choice: Viennese Waltz to “My Favourite Things” by Julie Andrews 36
Couples’ Favourite: The Charleston to “Rock It For Me” by Caravan Palace 36

Susanna and Kevin:
Judges’ Choice: The Quickstep to Tommy Steele’s “Good Morning” 33
Couples’ Favourite: The Paso Doble to Carmen’s “Los Toreadors 39

I am very worried about Sophie's show dance. Why oh why a latin!?

He will, but it won't matter anyway because only the public vote counts.