Strictly Come Dancing: the semi-final results – as it happened

Will and Nancy take to the floor for their final dance, to ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’ by Simple Minds. Already deleted from the Strictly WhatsApp group, I’m afraid. Hey, I don’t make the rules.

What happened to the Strictly pro dance this evening? Wasn’t Craig supposed to be doing a turn? I need more information.

So who’s joining Fleur and Vito in the bottom two? It’s…WILL AND NANCY, which means Helen and Gorka are safely through.

So it’s Fleur vs. Will in the dance-off. Fleur scored 39 for her Charleston and Will scored 38 for his Couple’s Choice, so it’s incredibly close. If Shirley gets the deciding vote, she may well decide to even up the male/female balance next week and plump for Will. WHO KNOWS.

Let the montages begin! Get used to it, everyone – there will be SCORES of them next Saturday.

I might make Strictly Standing an ongoing game next year, just for fun.

Time for some Rylan filler. Apparently It Takes Two with the evicted couple is on straight after this. I won’t be sticking around for that – it’s a school night and I’ve got to be in Bristol by 0730 tomorrow.

Time for a musical interlude, courtesy of the lovely Lewis Capaldi singing his latest single Pointless. Dance-wise, it’s Gio and Katya doing some lovely contempo-wafting in their jimjams.

So which two couples are going through to next Saturday’s GRAND FINAL? Molly and Carlos are safe (and understandably DELIGHTED), along with Hamza and Jowita.

First couple in the bottom two: FLEUR AND VITO.

Well, that’s tough for them. If she’s up against Helen, they’re probably out. But if it’s Will, they might be OK. TENSION.

If you feel around under Tess’s armpits, you might find 50p and the TV remote.

Last night on Strictly: TWO DANCES, most of them quite good considering that’s quite a lot of dances in not very many days and everyone seems quite knackered.

Highlights: Cable knit Bez, Tess and Claud in asymmetric fabulousness, Hayley on vocals.

Lowlights: Paso overload, wild overscoring, Couple’s Choice twisting Will’s Mellor, man.

And we’re off! TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH: Tess being throttled by a sofa, Claudia in who the hell knows I couldn’t stop looking AGHAST at Tess.

That was a very confusing beginning. Where’s the opening pro dance?

Much love to the Eastenders character (not sure who he is) who just threw a packet of fags onto Dot’s coffin. The perfect ending – enjoyed that very much.

Right, who’s for some Strictly?

There were Christmas decorations in Albert Square, but the trees at the funeral church are in full autumn colour. This is a whole new level of Eastenders time travel.

Lofty’s finally arrived (sans Michelle, sadly), and Kathy has a lovely hat.

Mary the punk! She looks amazing. Apparently Lofty is on his way, and Ian Beale is skulking in the bushes. Not sure why.

I love that they’re giving Dot the full horse and carriage East End funeral. Colin’s turned up, and Sharon is still there. I’ve just looked up whether Leonard Fenton, who played Dr. Legg, is still with us, but sadly he died earlier this year.

Of all the episodes of Eastenders that could have been shown in this pre-Strictly timeslot, this is the only one that could possibly make any sense to a lapsed viewer like me. I’m absolutely delighted.

OMG that’s RICKAAAAY. No Bianca though, she’s in Germany and Robbie’s in India. No news on Wellard at this time.

Kathy Beale/Mitchell is still there! And I think that’s Brian Conley, which is confusing.

I don’t know who this character is, but I’m pretty sure he’s Strictly’s James Bye. Am reasonably confident I will only recognise the Eastenders people who have been on Strictly, unless they’re pre-1990.

Right, haven’t watched Eastenders in about twenty years, but apparently this is some kind of tribute to Dot Cotton so might give it a watch.

Is that Sonia? I really hope she’s going to play her trumpet at Dot’s funeral.

Love that Bez from the Happy Mondays is in the Strictly audience, looking like John Craven in a cable knit sweater. I’ve never felt older, frankly.

Scores: 9,10,9,10 – a total of 38 for Will and Nancy.

Anton thought it was brilliant and Will smashed the place up. Craig was nervous it was going to be dad dancing but it went very well. Motsi thought it was a great comeback, and Shirley thought it was a ‘daddy cool’ dance. OK, NOT what I expected. It’s been a weird night.

I never went to the Hacienda in the early 90s because I was a) too square and b) living in Wiltshire.

This has Midlife Crisis Dad at a Festival energy but you can’t fault Will’s commitment to authentic Madchester moves. The synchronicity is fabulous, but I fear the judges are going to hate that with the force of a thousand suns.

Scores: 9,10,10,10 – a total of 39 for Molly and Carlos. Craig cracks me up, he gives even fewer hoots than Motsi.

Shirley thought Molly got the temperature exactly right – one of the best Paso Dobles she seen. Anton didn’t think Molly would be able to pull that off, but she did. Craig agrees – absolutely fantastic. Motsi just goes with ‘perfection – thank you’ – TENS ALL ROUND?

Well, this has ALL the drama, and Molly’s dress is spectacular. If you can earn a place in the Final with pure attitude, Molly is right there. LOVED that.

Shirley’s on her feet. As are all of you, right?

Scores: 9,10,9,9 – a total of 37 for Hamza and Jowita. Motsi doesn’t give a HOOT anymore.

Motsi thought that was definitely enough – beautiful, soft, pure and authentic. Shirley loved how musical and highly tuned Hamza’s body is, but today he was a bit twisted and there were some footwork errors she has never seen him make. Anton thought it was a joy, but a bit lumpy in places. Craig thought Hamza dances the music rather than the steps – he loved it.

This is as lovely as expected, I’m mostly just watching Hamza’s feet to see if he’s sorted out his pigeon toes. Lovely connection between these two – a few lumps and bumps but this has to get Hamza through to the final, surely? Was that ever in doubt?

Scores: 9,10,8,10 – a total of 37 for Helen and Gorka.

Craig wanted more from a few of the details, but otherwise it was amazing. Motsi thought it was intense to watch – that’s the dance to take her into the Final. Shirley loved the timing and the footwork, but Helen’s frame kept collapsing. Anton felt a frisson – it had everything he wanted, and he loved the clarity of the dance.

Helen looks spectacular in that dress, and she is NOT here to play. This Argentine is wants to be pure filth and Helen’s legwork is gorgeous, but this couple is far too platonic for it to feel sexy, and now it all feels a bit Flowers In The Attic. Probably just me.

Scores: 9,10,10,10 – a total of 39 for Fleur and Vito. A VERY good night for them.

Anton was really impressed – Fleur is having exactly the night she wants for a semi final. Craig wanted less control, but otherwise it was A-MAY-ZING. Motsi loved how authentic it was, and Fleur gave it everything. Shirley loved how free the performance was – this kind of dance really suits Fleur.

I love Fleur, but that outfit is ghastly, not helped by a pair of 80s plimsolls (or daps, if you’re from the west country). Enjoying the energy of this, but it’s a bit frantic in places, which makes it feel a bit untidy. Fabulous characterisation though.

We’re half way through! This show feels VERY long this evening, possibly because it’s Sunday and I’m tired and grumpy. Ready for round two?

Scores: 7,9,7,9 – a total of 32 for Will and Nancy.

There were lots of things missing for Shirley – he had the arrogance, but he didn’t have the oval shape in the arms and he needed to extend the cape more. Anton loved the flamenco section and the way Will partnered Nancy, and his storytelling is very strong – although it needed to breadth, and he felt like Will was trying too hard. Craig agreed with Shirley – the capework needed air and the dance lacked flow, not Will’s dance. Motsi believes that Will was fighting for his place – she could feel the drive and intention, and he was committed.

Oh hello, this is right up my Paso street. Will’s caping like he’s trying to put out a chip pan fire, and his footwork is sublime. I’d like even more of a Spanish line, but the flamenco section was fab. Enjoyed that.

Scores: 8,9,9,10 – a total of 36 for Molly and Carlos.

Motsi thought it gave quality, class and technical skill – everything you would love to see, Molly gives. Shirley thought it had inner magic and it was beautiful to watch. Anton thought it was super performance, this style of dancing really suits Molly. Craig thought it was a bit in and out of character – there were too many stops and that cooled it down emotionally. He was a bit disappointed, even though her hand shaping was exquisite.

Molly really is a gorgeous dancer, but she’s been great since Week One and that’s no way to win Strictly, I’m afraid – the people need a journey. That said, this American Smooth is stunning – it’s got drama, style and class, and some lovely changes of pace. Loved that.

Scores: 9,10,10,10 – a total of 39 for Hamza and Jowita.

Craig loved the detail and the lifts were crazy spectacular, but Hamza has a lazy left foot swivel. Motsi thought everything was on point – exceptional. Shirley wasn’t expecting it to have so much movement, and she loved the swivel turns and the timing of the lifts. Anton thought Hamza brought everything to the semi final – well done.

As ever, Hamza’s timing is impeccable and he has lovely energy – just a joy to watch. His footwork goes a bit wild on occasion but the lifts are great and these two are clearly having a BALL. One of my favourite Charlestons of the series.

Scores: 8,9,9,9 – a total of 35 for Helen and Gorka.

Anton thought it was beautiful – soft and romantic. Craig thought there was quite a bit of gapping (SEE?), and it was a bit rigid in places, but Helen is a lovely dancer. Motsi thought it was magic, one of those moments that makes Strictly Come Dancing. Shirley thought it was a dreamy performance and their bond really came throught, but it lacked a bit of swing and sway.

Well, this is dreamy. Helen looks gorgeous, and I love this partnership – I feel like there’s a lovely connection between these two, and Gorka really gets Helen. Some gappy bits in this Waltz, but a nice bit of storytelling.

Scores: 8,9,8,10 – a total of 35 for Fleur and Vito.

Shirley liked the powerful message and she liked the flamenco arms, but she wanted more rounded shape and detail in the footwork. Anton thought it was an exceptional performance – Fleur’s best dance of the season. Craig thought she lost the footwork in places, but she did provide power and aggression. Motsi loved how Fleur channels her power into the storytelling, she loved it.

Does anyone else want to talk about Fleur’s power, and recommend what she should do with it? You do you, babe.

Excellent skirt caping to open, and Fleur is giving it ALL the drama. Some nice upper body shaping too, if you can drag your eyes away from Vito for a moment. He does a very good job of making this dance all about Fleur – enjoyed that very much.

Out come the stars! Feels weird that there are only five couples left – for weeks it felt like one of those dinner parties where nobody wants to leave. Hamza’s one set of bagpipes short of a picnic blanket.

And we’re off! We started to fifteen couples, but now we’re down to five. Tonight it’s TWO DANCES – cue wispy version of Europe’s ‘The Final Countdown’.

Enjoy these credits…in six days it’s all over!

If you watched the Masterchef Final, can you not spoil the result down below? Means Strictly people can follow along and watch Masterchef later. Ta!

Evening all, and welcome to this week’s Strictly Come Dancing liveblog! It’s a Surprise Sunday Semi on a School Night– this time next week we’ll be gearing up for the Grand Final, which means it’s nearly Christmas. In the past two days I’ve done Bath Christmas Market with my mum, ice skating with my daughter, and a snowy Wiltshire dog walk this morning, so I feel like I’ve been mulled and wrapped in tinsel.

This week we’ll address the big questions – can Molly survive another dance-off? What WILL Will do in his Couple’s Choice? Will the extra two days of rehearsals this week make any difference to the quality of this week’s TWO DANCES? It doesn’t really matter, because traditionally this week is where wild over-scoring reaches a glittery climax. Although other than Craig, I’m not really sure where the judges can go from here.

I’ll be keeping a beady eye on proceedings up here from 7.15pm, and would be delighted if you could scatter a few sequins in the comment box below. See you in a bit!