Showtime at 2pm. 
Strictly Come Dancing - Our Way (Series 14)
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I’m not going to lie, the number of dances going up again after two positively blissful weeks is not my favourite thing in the world, but here goes…
Last night Strictly Games Forum favourite Ore Oduba topped the leaderboard with Darcey basically throwing down her ‘Oray Oduba Fan Club’ credentials. At the other end of the leaderboard Louise Redknapp and Claudia Fragapane were tied for maximum DRAMA as we head into a tense wait for the results (I typed this up before the spoiler, for what it’s worth). Our judges for this round are…
Jamie (DingDong08)
Nicolas (NicPlays)
Ryan (Ryan_Brown)
Silarmy (Silarmy)
Opening the show were Louise and Kevin…
Last night Strictly Games Forum favourite Ore Oduba topped the leaderboard with Darcey basically throwing down her ‘Oray Oduba Fan Club’ credentials. At the other end of the leaderboard Louise Redknapp and Claudia Fragapane were tied for maximum DRAMA as we head into a tense wait for the results (I typed this up before the spoiler, for what it’s worth). Our judges for this round are…
Jamie (DingDong08)
Nicolas (NicPlays)
Ryan (Ryan_Brown)
Silarmy (Silarmy)
Opening the show were Louise and Kevin…
Louise Redknapp and Kevin Clifton dancing the Tango to ‘Glad All Over’ (The Dave Clark Five)
Craig – 9
Darcey – 9
Len – 9
Bruno – 10
Total: 37
I can’t say I was particularly ‘glad all over’ to see Kevin churn out another twee Tango, but let’s see what the judges made of it…
Craig – 9
Darcey – 9
Len – 9
Bruno – 10
Total: 37
I can’t say I was particularly ‘glad all over’ to see Kevin churn out another twee Tango, but let’s see what the judges made of it…
Jamie – 9
Nicolas – 8
Ryan – 9
Silarmy – 8
Total: 34
Ryan: I enjoyed your facial features and those legs were on fire! But there were trembles in there which had to limit my scoring to almost perfect.
Straight into the show with a score drop of…
THREE MARKS FEWER
With the next dance were Danny and Oti…
Nicolas – 8
Ryan – 9
Silarmy – 8
Total: 34
Ryan: I enjoyed your facial features and those legs were on fire! But there were trembles in there which had to limit my scoring to almost perfect.
Straight into the show with a score drop of…
THREE MARKS FEWER
With the next dance were Danny and Oti…
Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse dancing the Salsa to ‘Vivir Mi Vida’ (Marc Anthony)
Craig – 9
Darcey – 9
Len – 9
Bruno – 10
Total: 37
That song is giving me literally nothing to work with, which I’m sure is a welcome relief to you all.
Craig – 9
Darcey – 9
Len – 9
Bruno – 10
Total: 37
That song is giving me literally nothing to work with, which I’m sure is a welcome relief to you all.
Jamie – 9
Nicolas – 9
Ryan – 10
Silarmy – 9
Total: 37
Nicolas: Well, Danny, that was a great Salsa but still a bit of a let down. The lifts were impressive, but your hips were not. Still good though.
A solid start to the show for Danny and Oti as they…
MATCH THEIR SCORE
Claudia and AJ were the next to show off their moves…
Nicolas – 9
Ryan – 10
Silarmy – 9
Total: 37
Nicolas: Well, Danny, that was a great Salsa but still a bit of a let down. The lifts were impressive, but your hips were not. Still good though.
A solid start to the show for Danny and Oti as they…
MATCH THEIR SCORE
Claudia and AJ were the next to show off their moves…
Claudia Fragapane and AJ Pritchard dancing the Rumba to ‘Bleeding Love’ (Leona Lewis)
Craig – 8
Darcey – 9
Len – 9
Bruno – 9
Total: 35
Did our judges enjoy that or will Claudia be closed off from love?
Craig – 8
Darcey – 9
Len – 9
Bruno – 9
Total: 35
Did our judges enjoy that or will Claudia be closed off from love?
Jamie – 9
Nicolas – 10
Ryan – 10
Silarmy – 9
Total: 38
Ryan: You girl have made the rumba exciting which is hard to believe and you have the legs work to make this a WOW moment!
Yet again this couple make inroads with our judges that aren’t to be made with the Strictly judges…
THREE MARKS MORE
Will Ore and Joanne be having their own 'WOW' moment right now?
Nicolas – 10
Ryan – 10
Silarmy – 9
Total: 38
Ryan: You girl have made the rumba exciting which is hard to believe and you have the legs work to make this a WOW moment!
Yet again this couple make inroads with our judges that aren’t to be made with the Strictly judges…
THREE MARKS MORE
Will Ore and Joanne be having their own 'WOW' moment right now?
Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton dancing the Quickstep to ‘Are You Gonna Be My Girl?’ (Jet)
Craig – 8
Darcey – 10
Len – 10
Bruno – 10
Total: 38
But he didn’t do a cartwheel in heels, did he?
Craig – 8
Darcey – 10
Len – 10
Bruno – 10
Total: 38
But he didn’t do a cartwheel in heels, did he?
Jamie – 9
Nicolas – 9
Ryan – 8
Silarmy – 9
Total: 35
Nicolas: Eh, it was OK. I didn't really like the rocky style, and you were a bit off a times, but at least you managed not to cry.
Losing marks is becoming something of a habit for this couple…
THREE MARKS FEWER
Back to the beginning and it’s Louise and Kevin once more…
Nicolas – 9
Ryan – 8
Silarmy – 9
Total: 35
Nicolas: Eh, it was OK. I didn't really like the rocky style, and you were a bit off a times, but at least you managed not to cry.
Losing marks is becoming something of a habit for this couple…
THREE MARKS FEWER
Back to the beginning and it’s Louise and Kevin once more…
Louise Redknapp and Kevin Clifton dancing the Samba to ‘Aquarelo do Brasil’ (Thiago Thomé)
Craig – 9
Darcey – 9
Len – 9
Bruno – 9
Total: 36
It’s been a long time since Louise last took on party Latin, did her return to it impress our judges?
Craig – 9
Darcey – 9
Len – 9
Bruno – 9
Total: 36
It’s been a long time since Louise last took on party Latin, did her return to it impress our judges?
Jamie – 8
Nicolas – 7
Ryan – 7
Silarmy – 7
Total: 29
Silarmy: Unfortunately, this wasn't one of your best dances. You seemed quite awkward out there and, although your technique wasn't actually that bad, you looked like you were holding back and it made the performance seem quite weak. I think, especially when you're dancing with a dancer like Kevin, who gives it 100% every time, you need to give it your all or else it looks like you aren't trying hard enough. However, I can tell that these party Latin dances aren't really your forté so well done for going out there and really trying to let loose and have a good time.
As a lowest semi-final score, it’s still a big improvement on last year’s equivalent (26)…
FIVE MARKS FEWER
Taking on the second lift-centred dance, Danny and Oti…
Nicolas – 7
Ryan – 7
Silarmy – 7
Total: 29
Silarmy: Unfortunately, this wasn't one of your best dances. You seemed quite awkward out there and, although your technique wasn't actually that bad, you looked like you were holding back and it made the performance seem quite weak. I think, especially when you're dancing with a dancer like Kevin, who gives it 100% every time, you need to give it your all or else it looks like you aren't trying hard enough. However, I can tell that these party Latin dances aren't really your forté so well done for going out there and really trying to let loose and have a good time.
As a lowest semi-final score, it’s still a big improvement on last year’s equivalent (26)…
FIVE MARKS FEWER
Taking on the second lift-centred dance, Danny and Oti…
Originally Posted by IzzieStar:
“Jamie – 9
Nicolas – 10
Ryan – 10
Silarmy – 9
Total: 38
Ryan: You girl have made the rumba exciting which is hard to believe and you have the legs work to make this a WOW moment!
Yet again this couple make inroads with our judges that aren’t to be made with the Strictly judges…
THREE MARKS MORE
Will Ore and Joanne be having their own 'WOW' moment right now?”
“Jamie – 9
Nicolas – 10
Ryan – 10
Silarmy – 9
Total: 38
Ryan: You girl have made the rumba exciting which is hard to believe and you have the legs work to make this a WOW moment!
Yet again this couple make inroads with our judges that aren’t to be made with the Strictly judges…
THREE MARKS MORE
Will Ore and Joanne be having their own 'WOW' moment right now?”
I can't believe I'm saying this... I DIDN'T like Claudia's Rumba that much!
Her Quickstep though is a TOTALLY different matter.
Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse dancing the American Smooth to ‘Misty Blue’ (Dorothy Moore)
Craig – 10
Darcey – 9
Len – 10
Bruno – 10
Total: 39
Did that American Smooth leave our judges feeling blue?
Craig – 10
Darcey – 9
Len – 10
Bruno – 10
Total: 39
Did that American Smooth leave our judges feeling blue?
Jamie – 10
Nicolas – 9
Ryan – 9
Silarmy – 10
Total: 38
Silarmy: WOW! That was stunning. Nothing more, nothing less - just stunning. I loved it!
Just the smallest drop in score for this pairing…
ONE MARK LESS
Taking on the Quickstep were Claudia and AJ…
Nicolas – 9
Ryan – 9
Silarmy – 10
Total: 38
Silarmy: WOW! That was stunning. Nothing more, nothing less - just stunning. I loved it!
Just the smallest drop in score for this pairing…
ONE MARK LESS
Taking on the Quickstep were Claudia and AJ…
Claudia Fragapane and AJ Pritchard dancing the Quickstep to ‘When You’re Smiling’ (Andy Williams)
Craig – 9
Darcey – 9
Len – 10
Bruno – 10
Total: 38
I do love it when the song leads itself easily into this bit…did that dance leave our judges smiling?
Craig – 9
Darcey – 9
Len – 10
Bruno – 10
Total: 38
I do love it when the song leads itself easily into this bit…did that dance leave our judges smiling?
Jamie – 10
Nicolas – 10
Ryan – 10
Silarmy – 10
Total: 40
Jamie: That is a performance to be proud of. Fast, intricate choreography executed with energy, pizzazz and wonderful technique - it was just absolutely brilliant.
Once more, this is the couple to watch when it comes to the Our Way panel…
TWO MARKS MORE
Finally, with the last dance of the round, Ore and Joanne…
Nicolas – 10
Ryan – 10
Silarmy – 10
Total: 40
Jamie: That is a performance to be proud of. Fast, intricate choreography executed with energy, pizzazz and wonderful technique - it was just absolutely brilliant.
Once more, this is the couple to watch when it comes to the Our Way panel…
TWO MARKS MORE
Finally, with the last dance of the round, Ore and Joanne…
Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton dancing the Argentine Tango to ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’ (Kylie Minogue)
Craig – 9
Darcey – 10
Len – 10
Bruno – 10
Total: 39
Do our judges wish that they could, in fact, get Ore out of their heads?
Craig – 9
Darcey – 10
Len – 10
Bruno – 10
Total: 39
Do our judges wish that they could, in fact, get Ore out of their heads?
Originally Posted by IzzieStar:
“Jamie – 10
Nicolas – 10
Ryan – 10
Silarmy – 10
Total: 40
Jamie: That is a performance to be proud of. Fast, intricate choreography executed with energy, pizzazz and wonderful technique - it was just absolutely brilliant.
Once more, this is the couple to watch when it comes to the Our Way panel…
TWO MARKS MORE
Finally, with the last dance of the round, Ore and Joanne…”
“Jamie – 10
Nicolas – 10
Ryan – 10
Silarmy – 10
Total: 40
Jamie: That is a performance to be proud of. Fast, intricate choreography executed with energy, pizzazz and wonderful technique - it was just absolutely brilliant.
Once more, this is the couple to watch when it comes to the Our Way panel…
TWO MARKS MORE
Finally, with the last dance of the round, Ore and Joanne…”
YES, YES, YES, YES, YES........................................................................... YES!
This is what should have happened last night.
Originally Posted by IzzieStar:
“Jamie – 8
Nicolas – 7
Ryan – 7
Silarmy – 7
Total: 31
Silarmy: Unfortunately, this wasn't one of your best dances. You seemed quite awkward out there and, although your technique wasn't actually that bad, you looked like you were holding back and it made the performance seem quite weak. I think, especially when you're dancing with a dancer like Kevin, who gives it 100% every time, you need to give it your all or else it looks like you aren't trying hard enough. However, I can tell that these party Latin dances aren't really your forté so well done for going out their and really trying to let loose and have a good time.
As a lowest semi-final score, it’s still a big improvement on last year’s equivalent (26)…
FIVE MARKS FEWER
Taking on the second lift-centred dance, Danny and Oti…”
“Jamie – 8
Nicolas – 7
Ryan – 7
Silarmy – 7
Total: 31
Silarmy: Unfortunately, this wasn't one of your best dances. You seemed quite awkward out there and, although your technique wasn't actually that bad, you looked like you were holding back and it made the performance seem quite weak. I think, especially when you're dancing with a dancer like Kevin, who gives it 100% every time, you need to give it your all or else it looks like you aren't trying hard enough. However, I can tell that these party Latin dances aren't really your forté so well done for going out their and really trying to let loose and have a good time.
As a lowest semi-final score, it’s still a big improvement on last year’s equivalent (26)…
FIVE MARKS FEWER
Taking on the second lift-centred dance, Danny and Oti…”
BIB - I've just realised that I've made a small spelling mistake!
Sorry about that!
Jamie – 9
Nicolas – 8
Ryan – 9
Silarmy – 8
Total: 34
Jamie: Your footwork could've been sharper, and there was a slight wobble in the middle, but I really loved this routine for some reason! The lifts were controlled very well, your timing was superb and the attitude of the dance was captured with ease. A very enjoyable dance to a very enjoyable semi-final.
Not too surprisingly…
FIVE MARKS FEWER
Nicolas – 8
Ryan – 9
Silarmy – 8
Total: 34
Jamie: Your footwork could've been sharper, and there was a slight wobble in the middle, but I really loved this routine for some reason! The lifts were controlled very well, your timing was superb and the attitude of the dance was captured with ease. A very enjoyable dance to a very enjoyable semi-final.
Not too surprisingly…
FIVE MARKS FEWER
Originally Posted by Silarmy:
“BIB - I've just realised that I've made a small spelling mistake! Sorry about that!”
“BIB - I've just realised that I've made a small spelling mistake!
Sorry about that!”
No worries! I should have picked it up when putting the show together. I've edited it for you.
Originally Posted by IzzieStar:
“Jamie – 8
Nicolas – 7
Ryan – 7
Silarmy – 7
Total: 31
Silarmy: Unfortunately, this wasn't one of your best dances. You seemed quite awkward out there and, although your technique wasn't actually that bad, you looked like you were holding back and it made the performance seem quite weak. I think, especially when you're dancing with a dancer like Kevin, who gives it 100% every time, you need to give it your all or else it looks like you aren't trying hard enough. However, I can tell that these party Latin dances aren't really your forté so well done for going out there and really trying to let loose and have a good time.
As a lowest semi-final score, it’s still a big improvement on last year’s equivalent (26)…
FIVE MARKS FEWER
Taking on the second lift-centred dance, Danny and Oti…”
“Jamie – 8
Nicolas – 7
Ryan – 7
Silarmy – 7
Total: 31
Silarmy: Unfortunately, this wasn't one of your best dances. You seemed quite awkward out there and, although your technique wasn't actually that bad, you looked like you were holding back and it made the performance seem quite weak. I think, especially when you're dancing with a dancer like Kevin, who gives it 100% every time, you need to give it your all or else it looks like you aren't trying hard enough. However, I can tell that these party Latin dances aren't really your forté so well done for going out there and really trying to let loose and have a good time.
As a lowest semi-final score, it’s still a big improvement on last year’s equivalent (26)…
FIVE MARKS FEWER
Taking on the second lift-centred dance, Danny and Oti…”
The score should be 29.
Originally Posted by StrictlyEastend:
“The score should be 29.”
“The score should be 29.
”
Spotted when I was writing up the leaderboard.
Strictly Leaderboard
1st - Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton - 77
2nd - Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse - 76
3rd - Louise Redknapp and Kevin Clifton - 73
=3rd - Claudia Fragapane and AJ Pritchard - 73
Our Way Leaderboard
1st - Claudia Fragapane and AJ Pritchard - 78
2nd - Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse - 75
3rd - Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton - 69
4th - Louise Redknapp and Kevin Clifton - 65
1st - Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton - 77
2nd - Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse - 76
3rd - Louise Redknapp and Kevin Clifton - 73
=3rd - Claudia Fragapane and AJ Pritchard - 73
Our Way Leaderboard
1st - Claudia Fragapane and AJ Pritchard - 78
2nd - Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse - 75
3rd - Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton - 69
4th - Louise Redknapp and Kevin Clifton - 65
Despite the Strictly judges’ protestations, it is Claudia and AJ who the place at the top of the leaderboard in our semi final, while Louise and Kevin remain at the bottom of the leaderboard. The two men are sandwiched between them. Oo-er.
LINES ARE NOW OPEN!
Please rank the semi finalists from 1-4 (1 for least favourite, 4 for favourite) and PM those votes to me before 8pm Monday. I will return then to reveal which two couples would have been in the bottom had we had our way, and which one of those two will be leaving. See you then.
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