1/ Great to see Claudia dressed like an adult for a change.
2/ Misty Blue was indeed Misty Blue and a wonderful dance.
3/ Louise's samba was so awful it was good - I didn't stop laughing all the way through.
4/ Claudia's QS was great, but a tad boring. I preferred Ore's.
5/ Usually hate Tess&Claudia's antics but the fishing was funny

I actually think it was the best semi-final in a long while. They all coped with two dances very well.

1. Claudia did very well and I echo the thought that for once she wasn't dressed as a child.
2. Louise looked inhibited and gave performances more in keeping with week 3.
3. The AT bored me to tears, Ore did little, looked like an unstable prop.
4. Clearly in the minority but didn't like the AS, didn't like the lifts/jumps, didn't find it 'smooth' or original aside from the handstands and gimmicky lifts and jumps, I really thought it would be something special.
5. The silly marking, the judges bickering and no wow dances for me

1. Bias towards Ore was SO glaring.
2. Saying that, his Quickstep was great, AT not so much
3. Danny & Oti's AS was AMAZING, deserved 40.
4. Claudia & AJ's Quickstep was also worth a 40, imo.
5. Louise had a weak night.

Agree with everything except number 2.

I don't think Ore's dancing was that good - All he did in AT was support Joanne and wobble at one point.

Misty Blue - oh my, what a dance. Lump in throat.

If Darcey isn't careful she's going to lose her national treasure status, comments to Claudia bordered on the nasty. She's also lost credibility as a judge as inconsistent.

Louise continues to bore me to death with her routines. She looks faintly embarrassed and like she can't wait for it to be over. Weakest on the night.

Ore did really well and deserves a shot at the final, although slightly overmarked. Danny and Claudia to join him for me.

Feel sorry for the professionals without partners standing about in the Clauditorium with fixed rictus grins on their faces. Pasha and Anton particularly looked like waxworks.

Loved Claudia's quickstep, not keen on rumba
Louise drew the short straw on the outfits
Danny had the best music
Loved both of Ore's dances

LOVE how the celebs and pro's support and cheer each other on. Shame their fans are not so magnanimous

1. Louise delivered two performances that looked like something out of Week 1. I don't buy all this 'second best dancer' nonsense, she is incredibly weak and was well out of her depth last night.

2. Danny wowed me twice. That finish to the AS - WOW!!! I've not been a huge fan but that was exceptionally good!

3. Claudia's rumba was a tad disapointing, but the QS was incredible and more than made up for it. Some of the judges' comments about her were incredibly patronising and insulting sadly though.

4. Ore - brilliant QS but not so sure about his AT, I expected better.

5. Strange behaviour from the judges; I actually quite enjoyed Len having a go at Craig, but some of Darcy's comments in particular seemed rather nasty. I was pleasantly surprised Louise ended up low down though despite being overmarked.

Agree with all of these and..
1. I love the madness and humour of the Clauditorium, and laugh out loud
2. I loved how Tess finally allowed herself to go off script and laugh at Claudia's antics (which I loved)
3. (have to say this again!) I gasped when Oti jumped off the platform into Danny's arms - and to put that right at the end when we were being lulled into thinking it was all over!
4. I love how Ore stays in character throughout his dances - he has become such a showman
4. Danny and Claudia were superb

Agree with all this especially BIB!

1. Loved Claudia.
2. Didn't like Darcey's comments to her.
3. Ore's personality shone through even more.
4. Danny and Oti's chemistry getting stronger and stronger IMO.
5. What did Louise have on her head? Poor thing not good costumes.

1 - Darcy was bitchy! So nasty to Claudia!!

2 - Ore Overmarked & praised by judges bias & box ticking to get to the final...

3 - Louise gave her all, sharp staccato tango to a difficult song & good attempt at the Samba - WANT IN THE FINAL!

4 - Craig has spoken the truth - Ore's dances were an 8 & 9... no 10s should have been given!

5 - Claudia & the fishing line, just hilarious! Nice to see Tess actually smile, seemingly a genuine reaction from the tessbot

Cheeky six - Gorka's reaction to Ore's score tells me the producers might have a word in his ear, was great though!

1.Tess has grown on me, though her outfits haven't.
2. I liked Louise's samba outfit. The headwear was quite tasteful for a samba.
3. Ore is very good for someone with no performing/dance background.
4. I won't miss Len when he goes.
5. Claudia's quick step and Danny's american smooth were the stand out performances.

1. Mediocre show I thought on the whole, watched on delay & ff most of the guff in between dances
2. Louizzzzzzzzzzzz still fails to impress me
3. Nice to see the band & singers more prominently placed
4. Joanne's AT face scared me. That's the look I have when I'm trying to flick cat litter off my bare feet
5. Joodges scores were bonkers. Hope the public put Overmarked Ore in the DO but think we'll have a shocker tonight.

Claudia ridiculously undermarked.
Ore overmarked - we know where the judges are going.
Louise - a smiley tango?
Darcy's comments show how little she knows about ballroom/latin.
Could Len have made his bias any more obvious?

1. A strange and disappointing semi final. At this stage of the game the routines should be of breathtaking quality. But they just didn't deliver.
2. Still the accusations of judge favouritism. But still no admission that the most consistently guilty party where favouritism is concerned are the public.
3. Still the accusations of a deliberate fix. Still no meaningful evidence to back it up. Intent has to be proven.
4. This whole series has been dogged by shocking allocation of music and costumes. The power needs to be given back to the pros imo.
5. Tired of all the Clifton bashing. Beyond mind numbing.

As Tess would say, in no particular order:-

1. Time for Darcy to go, dreadful comments (19 year olds and rhumba) and blatantly biased
2.Time to change name of show to Strictly Come Performing
3. The whole semi-final has left a bad taste in my mouth, something is not quite right
4. Feel like the whole thing has been manipulated by BBC producers
5. I will not be watching the final and I hope others who feel similarly disenchanted will follow suit. People can bleat on about manipulation etc until the cows come home. The only way to make BBC producers take any notice is through something they really care about and fear....ratings, ratings, ratings.

1. That semi final was a disgrace - blatant manipulation by the judges
2. Ore over-marked
3. Louise was back to her usual bland self but judges wax lyrical
4. Claudia & AJ should have had 40 for that QS! They were shafted.
5. Darcy can do one - lost every ounce of credibility as a Judge



Really nice to see AJ so emotional at the end, he did a great job with Claudia

1) Claudia yet again being undermarked!
2) The judges making it blatantly obvious who they want in the final and their ridiculous scoring.
3) I like Louise but her Samba was boring. She is consistent but has done nothing exceptional in my eyes to warrant being in the final.
4) Tess being patronising to the celebs, stop treating them like they are 5 years old, it's blo*dy annoying!
5) The judges clearly want Danny or Louise to win, so I'm routing for Ore!

1) Loved Louise's Tango. Sharp and polished which was a surprise because Louise is usually lyrical and gentle. Fact I liked it despite the theming and styling and song choice is a miracle. Samba was average at best.

2) Lovely QS from Claudia, her best dance. Not enamoured with her Rhumba.

3) Ore and Jo's AT, while maybe not an AT, was moody, dark and a beautiful piece of art.

4) Loved watching Danny but didn't think it was his best week. Salsa bit boring but AS quite lovely and that catch!

5) So pleased my three faves got through, not invested too much in who wins so can enjoy the show.

1) It's just a tv show.
2) It's just a tv show.
3) It's just a tv show.
4) It's just a tv show.
5) The three people who have delivered the best body of work over the series are in the final, and good luck to all three!

1. Joanne's AT dress and Oti's AS dress were divine
2. Danny's AS was one of my favourite dances ever on Strictly, but I can see where Darcey was coming from with her comment on the lift
3. I wouldn't have given Louise's Tango a 9, let alone a 10
4. Claudia's Quickstep was great, such a shame she was in the dance-off
5. Ore & Joanne and Danny & Oti won the night equally for me, I don't have any objection to them being top of the leaderboard with clear air after them.

Cheeky 6: this forum really is hilariously awful at times, the number of people who have time to come up with baseless conspiracy theories, criticisms of people for crying (or not crying) or vitriol against people because of who they're related to astounds me. It's really pathetic.

Thoughts on contestants for week 12 (in alphabetical order):


Danny & Oti - it was nice to see the unfolding romance develop alongside the lakeshore of the sleepy countryside. Liked how Danny used his body to brush a soft narrative to complement Oti's unique dance style/signature. Thought the first lift with Danny's assured arms came at the right time, how Oti must of enjoyed that ethereal moment off the ground (as she gently greeted the cool night air with her fingers) and that overall, Oti was inspired either by experience/music when imagining the routine. Though the high shoulders seemed a bit uncharacteristic of Danny, thought the leap of faith was a fitting end to the newfound lease on their lives, and a telling glimpse into the trust between the two as dancers.

Louise & Kevin - liked how Louise didn't shy away from the challenge of embracing the samba. Though it seemed she was slowly warming up in the first half, during the solo/after the promenade runs (maybe have the back leg stretched) thought she found the elusive character and the brilliance of the dance, and off she went. It was now easy to see the innocent walking tourist being drawn into the contagious occasion, and her vivacious smile succinctly capturing the fun vibe of the busy street carnival; so much entertaining noise around them, yet the spotlight always on the couple lost in their own lively bubble. The hint of flirt thar rubbed off her performance was just one of many reasons highlighting her versatility as a dancer.

Ore & Joanne - thought he had a natural affinity with the quickstep music, and that the all too familiar nonchalant demeanor on the stage (American Smooth and Viennese Waltz) only foreshadowed good things to come. Nice to see the feet and ankle doing all the work in the running steps, propelling them around and creating the skimming illusion across the floor. Maybe the bodies could've been held a bit tighter/ closer together, but thought the routine had enough material for Ore to sink his teeth into – an identifiable character, athleticism, and a quick tempo. Agree that his cool, calm and control were the three C's that aptly graded his semi-final quickstep performance.


Congrats to the winners of series 14 Strictly 2016 and wishing them the very best moving forward. Best of luck to all the celebs and looking forward to their dances.

1. Claudia and AJ should be very proud.
2. Wasn't moved by Ore's AT
3. That leap! I gasped.
4. Judges need a refresh and they need to be more specific and less waffly.
5. Damn Will Young who has robbed us of an extra dance every show and a four person final with four AMAZING showdances.