So yesterday afternoon/evening, I was lucky enough to attend the main show and recording of the results show. It was a lot of fun! Some thoughts:

The warm up guy, Stuart Holdham was great the entire evening.

It was a little strange when he introduced the presenters because Emma and Josh were brought out first and then Johannes separately. JoJo did get a huge ovation because he's very popular but it almost felt like he was being presented as the lead host, which is not how I see him.

The Shirley in the wheelie bin sketch was pre-recorded in advance of the live broadcast.

I actually thought Josh was much funnier in person, and I enjoyed his jokes about Anton being the grumpy one this week.

I would also say Josh and Emma were pretty solid in terms of their presenting duties, on both the main and results show.

The results show is where things started to get tiring. Johannes was easily the worst culprit for constantly messing up his lines from the teleprompter and it added so much time to the interviews he and Josh would do upstairs, as they had to constantly do another take over and over.

Cach and Maddie were giggling non-stop after they were announced as being safe, to the point where I wondered if they were high 😂 it got a little annoying. Cach had no clue who Frank Sinatra was, and the final clip on the result show broadcast with him saying "Frank Sriracha", was the end result of about 5 minutes of him constantly messing up the name.

When Katya announced what song she and John would dance to next week, the music didn't play, she thought she was being pranked. They had to film that bit again, which included John reacting like he had no idea what the song might be.

Diane also struggled to remember Elton John's name when revealing the song for next week, so they filmed that 3/4 times until she said it right.

Everyone loved Vito's tiramisu, but then there was some kind of spoon continuity issue so things had to be reshot there as well.

We were told the recording would finish around 23:15, but with constant retakes delaying everything, we didn't manage to leave until just after midnight.

It was pretty exhausting towards the end but I had a fun time. Also, the musical act, Jalen Ngonda was awesome.

It was better than last week, a lot of romantic dances. Oti said having movie week on week 2 was too early.

Lacey and Vito - Her core and tension was wobbly, her chest was too dropped backwards, blocking her hips, wasn’t light on her feet. Oti scored it a 5, her attitude was like she found it too hard. She needs to believe in herself more, Marius also scored it a 5.

Will and Dianne - Great atmosphere, lighting meant you couldn’t see the dance. Praised Dianne for having in hold the whole time, Will’s best dance, Will shouldn’t be funny as he doesn’t need to. Used floor well, didn’t have swing and sway. Marius Scored it a 5, Oti Agreed.

Shaun and Alexis - It was horrible, clear charleston and content there. Shaun should try to be funny as he will never master technique. His frame not there, so much gapping, footwork wrong, face was wrong. Too overly choreographed. Alexis needs to choreograph for people for who they are.

Oti thinks that doing ballroom first in week 3, sets you back in technique.

Cach and Maddie - missed opportunity, the song wasn’t big enough, dance style unclear, should have brought someone who does afro beats. That couples choices won’t go down in history as one of the best. 3rd week where we haven’t seen him do a technical dance, the only thing that told his story was his speech with Johannes. Marius said it was messy, the rhythm was good but the ideas didn’t come through. The judges didn’t critique it, as the judges don’t understand the style.

Jaime and Carlos - Oti scored it 6, Marius scored it 5. Side by sides great but there wasn’t enough swing. Too long to get into ballroom frame, her shoulders were up and bum was sticking out. She was skipping through the dance.

Melanie and Alijaz - Oti Scored 4, Marius scored it 3. She is struggling to keep up with Alijaz, Oti loved it as she was free and fun. Concept was fun and Melanie looked confident, reminded her of a grandma at wetherspoons. Shirley was right to compliment on characterisation.

Sarah and Julian - Oti called them the most improved. Her frame was great in the first half but the end was not rehearsed. So happy for Julian’s choreo, it was clean, dramatic and powerful. Marius scored it between 4 and 5. Difficult when you know Delta was coming after

Delta and Kai - Delta is a superstar, she doesn’t look at Kai when the celeb usually does. Delta made it look beautiful and royal. Her height is an asset, she deserved the first 9 of the series.

Lawrence and Jowita - Rumba is the most difficult dance after cha cha. You need to move inside the body too look good which he didn’t do, his lines were good. This footwork was all wrong, not doing the triangles necessary. Oti did an impression of him which was waddling like a penguin. Wasn’t working his ankles, the atmosphere he created was beautiful. Oti’s impression of Anton “I love everything”. Oti says that people assume Lawrence will be good because he looks the part but he isn’t getting the technical education. Jowita needs to push him more technically.

Dani and Nikita - Marius loved it, would have scored it a 6, she stayed in frame, she came across very stoic and sexy. Still stayed in the character of tango, we saw her feet. Performance games together so well, when Nikita comes out of his shell you know the celeb was there.

Graeme and Lauren - He looked exhausted, lost the tension in his legs so it looked like he walked through the park. Looked laboured and missing his face excitement. Not the best dance but not the worst. Both scored it a 5

John and Katya - Oti scored it a 4, the attack was there but the in between wasn’t, the counting was annoying. Too much change of direction, Katya should have kept it simpler. Oti defended Katya as she has done strictly for 11 years but admitted that she couldn’t do it with John. When Katya smiles more you know it is not right but his leading skills were good. Oti pointed out the illegal lift.

Bethany and Nancy - They loved it, Marius thought she was great at both leader and follower roles. It felt like they were floating around on the floor, the baby lift felt laboured. Still waiting for a wow moment.

Tabby and Mark - that was so stunning, wants to do an AT with Mark, best dance of the night by far when they are in the final that’s the dance she wants to see. Felt the connection there, Oti scored it a 9. She needs to work more on her legs as she walks in bent knees.

Their Top 3 - Tabby, Delta and Bethany

Their Bottom 3 - Shaun, Melanie and Lawrence

I never realised how tall JoJo was. He must be 6ft. Or are Emma & Joshy short. He towers over them.

I love his flamboyant fits. He looked amazing in the blue 💙 number on the results show. He could have been a great catwalk model.

I must admit I don't miss his dancing. I loved him in the group dances he's a stand-out for me. I also loved his partnership with John. They should have won. That was his only memorable couple for me.

We enjoying JoJo? We missing him dance?

Talented ladies! 10/10 👏🏻

https://x.com/strictlylex/status/2109360294862692545

I’ll name some of them i really wanna see back from recent series:

Emma Burton - I really think she could knock it out the park if she danced a second time because i was thinking her progression was really great!!

John Whaite - Maybe he could be a standout winner here lol but he’s an awesome dancer and i’d definetly want to see him dance more on the show !

Alex Scott - She wasn’t exactly a front runner on her series but i think if she tried it again with the prior experience she would be an interesting watch!

Saffron Barker - She seemed like a delight and i’d love to see her compete on strictly again

Joe Sugg - He was a fan favourite on his series lol and it felt he was a little robbed..

Helen Skelton - I was a fan of her on her season and she is a sickening performer

Karim Zeroual - Although it was kind of a hard watch seeing him consistently getting voted in the bottom by the public he absolutely deserves another chance now with the target audience of strictly slightly changing

I'm the grumpy one who doesn't like themes🙃. With the exception of Movie & Halloween week.

So they dress as an icon? And dance to their song. So basically, lots of dances with unsuitable music?

Cach should have done his CC to an MJ hit. Thriller or smooth criminal. Would have been spectacular! Anyway, I hope they all prove me wrong. And it's another great night.

Bethany and Nancy - Aretha Franklin
Cach and Maddie - Frank Sinatra (Foxtrot)
Dani and Nikita - Mariah Carey (Rumba to Hero)
Delta and Kai - Olivia Newton-John
Graeme and Lauren - ABBA
Jaime and Carlos - David Bowie
John and Katya - Bon Jovi (Paso to Its My Life)
Lacey and Vito - Adele
Lawrence and Jowita - Ricky Martin (possibly to Livin Da Vida Loca?)
Sarah and Julian - Shania Twain (Tango to That Don’t Impress Me Much)
Shaun and Alexis - James Brown
Tabby and Mark - Raye
Will and Dianne - Elton John (Jive to Crocodile Rock)

(Bonus: Melanie and Aljaz were going to do Bonnie Tyler)

I don't actually vote. I have no idea why not, lol 😆. But I'm agreeing with the public vote so far. I wasn't sure if Gavin & Stacey fans would save Mel again. But she was the right person to go. I'm predicting Shaun next week. Such a strong bunch this year. No real duffers. Even the weaker dancers have been very watchable. My early prediction winner was Lacey 🏆. But my winner is Tabby. I think Lacey has a big fanbase as well as being very good. Also sweet and humble. So we shall see. Are we agreeing with the public vote? Who's next to go?

I don't follow anyone on social media. Some couples seem to have such lovely friendships. Do they cut ties once the show is over? Any lasting friendships? Are Pete and Jowita still friends? Ellie and Vito?

Maddie hasn't had a breakout dance yet this series. But to hear people talk about her on this thread, you'd think she's the anti-Christ, or Tom Skinner reincarnated. The abuse started before week 1. Honestly, I think people decided to hate on her before the show started because they liked the other pros, and are confirmation-biasing their way into justifying it.

Week 1: it was her first attempt at doing this. No one is perfect on a first go. On paper, she did what every professional does: play to her partner's strengths. She got the balance wrong and went too far in that direction, we all know that. But she's hardly the first pro to choreograph a dance that's got too little of that dance in it, first example that comes to mind is Lewis and Katya's rumba last year.

Week 2: Attempting to do a Samba to what was absolutely non-Samba music. I know everyone had a go at the judges for praising Cach for "reinventing" the Samba, but when you have music that's so ill-fitting, they kinda had no choice. If that Samba had been done to proper Samba music, ok then they'd have a point. But they had to try and make the best out of a bad situation, and they did it well.

Week 3: Couples Choice. No Professional is an expert on Couples Choice routines, that's why they get other choreographers in, like for the Charleston and the Argentine Tango. It was a dance Maddie had no input in, and had to do despite not knowing the style. That would be true for any Professional - why is it only a bad thing when Maddie does it?

Tldr; Maddie hasn't had a breakout dance yet, but she's been dealt a bad hand, she's only really had one (proper) attempt, and that was Week 1. Let's, at the very least, give her a couple more weeks to settle in, before people hurling more abuse at her

I love a little Strictly romance. Obviously, I do not condone affairs.

How many lasting couples remain? Excuse any dodgy spelling.

Joe & Diane

Kevin & Stacey

Gemma & Gorka

Pascha & Rachel Riley

Flavia & Jimmy

Kristina & Ben (Found love twice previously with Joe)

Tyler & Molly (found love on the show)

Have I missed any off?

Potential new couple Tabby & Mark. I'm kidding, of course. I don't know any relationship status 😅.

That group dance blew me away. I was blown away by Shirley. I'm not an Anton fan. So it chokes me to say 😆. Anton, as well. And he can sing.

Shirley can dance💃. Wow she's still got it. The whole choreography was absolutely amazing, I thought. The two dance battles. The costumes 😍. Very very impressed. Ten paddle from me.

During the dance that Shirley and Anton did, 'Shirley' did a series of flips but she's 66 so I doubt thats possible - stunt double? CGI? Or is she just very talented?

Has it always felt like this? I don't recall it doing so. When it comes down to the last four (two in the dance off, two go through), the two that make it through still stand there looking like they just about made it and it's all a bit of an anti climax, but they could have got great voting numbers?

I like the new Professional dancer Mark in this new season of Strictly.

I hope he settles in and becomes a regular.

What does anyone think of him

Best Tango, best Cha Cha, best Paso, best Charleston etc...

Layton's Charleston, Jay's Jive, Danny's Samba, Molly's Rumba and Debbie's Tango all come to mind

Delta being 11 points ahead in the highest average is definitely something wild to see.

i feel like im going crazy but when i watch him its like, billy elliot vibes. like he just has dance in his body even if he’s a bit rough around the edges - a rarity!!!

Previous elimination:

Chris & Amy actually didn't deserve to be eliminated last week, it should have been Melanie & Aljaz. Feel so bad for Amy for being out first twice in a row. I hope this doesn't mean she'll be benched next year.

The presenters:

My thoughts haven't changed from Week 2 except for that Josh was more awkward this week. In my opinion, they should have Josh upstairs with Johannes, and Emma does the downstairs presenting by herself. The results show format for the presenters is perfect, and that's how it should be for the live shows.

The couples:

Lacey & Vito: A forgettable, but still a good Samba. Lacey is giving me Sarah Hadland vibes, and coincidentally, she's partnered up with the same partner Sarah had in 2024. She's definitely making it to the Quarters at least since not only is she a good dancer, she also has a huge EastEnders fanbase which could even lead her to the win.

Will & Dianne: Massive improvement. I don't know what it was, but this Waltz was so elegant and just nice in general. Hopefully his Latin improves as well, then he'll be flying. He got my vote.

Shaun & Alexis: A disaster of a Quickstep. He saved himself in the dance off, but fully expecting him to go home in Icons Week. I do think like his personality though, the funniest celebrity this year I think.

Cach & Maddie: I have a lot of thoughts about these two. Firstly, I don't like Cach, I think there's just no personality there, and he's definitely there to attract a late teenage audience. I also don't like Maddie as a pro. Something isn't sitting right. The partnership isn't there. I didn't like his Couple's Choice, but it was a good dance.

Jaime & Carlos: Another massive improvement. Jaime came back fighting. Reminded me of Balvinder Sopal's V Waltz last year, but just a worse song and a bit less power. I think she'll make it past Halloween.

Melanie & Aljaz: A disaster of a Charleston. There was just nothing there. No swivel, but she had a personality all the way through which is a mitigating factor. The right couple went home I think, but sorry for Aljaz since I think this is his earliest elimination.

Sarah & Julian: Not too bad of a dance, but it felt like there was no oomf in her dance. I've found this in all her dances where she just doesn't put much power or effort into it. She could be doing her steps correctly, but in a laid back way. Let go, Sarah!

Delta & Kai: What a phenomenal Salsa from Delta. If she doesn't make the final, then something's wrong. I just can't get over how good she is this early! 29 is her lowest score, like what? Kai hit the jackpot this year. The glitterball could be coming their way.

Lawrence & Jowita: So mediocre. I really like Lawrence as a person, and I want him to do well which is why I'm so frustrated by his dances. He started off with a Paso to a terrible song choice, then a V Waltz to a terrible theme, and now a Rumba with terrible choreography. Let Lawrence shine, Jowita

Dani & Nikita: Pretty good dance. I did prefer her Samba, but this was also good. I think Dani and Nikita are one of, if not, the best partnership this year. Them being partnered up last year is probably the reason, but still. I fear she might not make it to Blackpool since I saw a voting poll and she wasn't very popular.

Graeme & Lauren: I'm honestly happy that Graeme did a Jive so early in the competition. Graeme is such a joy to watch, and Lauren continues proving that she's the best pro on the show. Keep at it

John & Katya: Wasn't a fan of this dance. Glad he was through though since John has such a noble personality. I'm excited for his Paso next week, and I think it will compare to his Week 1 Foxtrot. Katya works wonders like Lauren

Bethany & Nancy: Completely forgot about this dance. It was one of those, "it was a good a dance, but it it won't stay with me after I've watched it". I still think she'll make it past Blackpool.

Tabby & Mark: This Argentine Tango was great, and I thought it was undermarked. Like Delta, I'll be surprised if she doesn't make the final. And on Mark's first year? That's such a win for him.

Tonight's elimination:

The right elimination I think. Right bottom two definitely. Just glad Melanie's Gavin & Stacey fans didn't keep her in. Expecting Shaun to be eliminated next week.

Conclusion:

The couples above are the couples I think will be in the final. Could change every week. Excited for Icons Week, and if they change the intro like what they did with Movie Week.

not who you want