Strictly '22 Thread 5 — Grab your popcorn and snuggle up with Neil in the back row of the cinema...

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

Previous thread here

As always, a reminder that this is a SPOILER-FREE THREAD, so please don't comment on the result before the result show.

Fleur must be due something upbeat next week anyway? Hopefully tonight acts as a bit of a wake-up for the voting public

I’d far rather Shirl was honest.

glad Hamza made it through. I like the idea of a painted pinkie. A 1/10th of the effort. Lovely.

Who wants to bet on Will, Tyler, Molly and Helen being in the final? Will will win despite Molly being better because she is a ringer.

I thought the judges had to register their votes so they couldn’t change their minds. They do with the scoring, which happened this series as Shirley registered one number and raised a different paddle.

She really does c9me across as down voting young pretty women.

Sad Richie went, but fleur was way better
think Shirley is on glue

It's never too early for a balls up from Shirley. Bring back Arlene (hell bring back Alisha even).

I agree Shirley has had her day.

I'm going to be a lone voice - I thought Richie did well, he was certainly not the worst, and he had a good partnership with Gio. Gio did not look relieved - he's a pro, he wants to do well.
Richie left with good grace. No tears or ridiculous emoting. I also like the way that he never clung on to Gio or clawed at him the way that some of the contestants do.
He left too early, and that's a shame.
(ducks down under the parapet...)

I'd bring back Darcey.

Although I'd like Karen Hardy.

I agree

You are not a lone voice. I would have liked to see more of him over some of the others.But this particular samba was horrific.

He didn’t even dance for the first minute. I could do that in a onesie without a week’s training.

All that ridiculous marking caused that dance off. If Richie and Gio had got the low marks they should have, more people would have voted to save them. Richie wasn't great this week, but last week he was, and he's a better dancer than Ellie T, Matt, Tony and Jayde.

Richie was great last week - that was a good dance!

Fleur was so much better than Richie, what on earth was Shirley thinking?

Footwork?

Me too

I didn't watch the very end as I assumed Fleur would get through easy. From your comments looks like Shirley didn't vote for her. God what a pain.

Totally agree wtf was anyone thinking with those costumes, do the dancers get no say? Strictly has lost its way and the judges credibility is down the pan where the voting is concerned.

I thought Ritchie's quickstep, and even that unhinged Wham! cha cha showed he had more to give. But that samba was so awful. He has taken an unfair amount of personal abuse I think, for someone who's only crime is to be a bit excitable and OTT on a shiny floor show.

Sad for Fleur to be in the DO so early, but other young ringahs have had an early dance-off and still made the final. That AS left me cold for some reason but I loved her first two.

Gobsmacked (though pleased) that Hamza and Ellie T are shipping in the votes. I'd have thought they'd both be a niche taste, and their dances weren't barnstorming crowd-pleasers.

I was sure it was going to be Ellie T vs James.

I confess I threw Tony three votes because he sold it and I always admire that.

Especially since few would have got away with it. Mike Bushell in his Magic Mike routine agreed to the pole and confetti but no nudity, bless him.

But I liked Richie and am sorry he is going, as he had more to give.

Shirley either wanted to justify her mark or wanted to make him feel better.

Ah well, as I said last week, 25k is bloody good for a month's work and a stan's dream. He would have been better with Graz though <gavel>

Shirley is a horror, although a couple of the judges made big noises about the wrong people being in the dance off (did they mean Fleur and Richie, or just one of them, I dunno) so there's clearly others out there they don't rate/dislike more.

I' like an extra judge and then that system where you remove the lowest and the highest scores - does that happen in ice dancing or something? Of course wouldn't happen...most of Craig's scores would be wiped off!

My dream ex-pro as a judge would be Erin Boag. She wouldn't be afraid to be critical and it would really work with her sitting next to Anton.

I think some of the criticism of Shirley can be horribly sexist (old bag, old witch, etc.) but she's far too random with her meaner comments. My main issue with her is she just comes across as unsuited to primetime live television. She hasn't managed to find a persona that 'pops' on screen.

Just have to share with people that will understand - I’ve just spoilt the results show for myself 😭

Always record sat and sun as bush with kids bedtimes then enjoy a glass of wine (and peace!) once they asleep to watch both. Often read the thread along side watching but as I’m behind schedule don’t often post as it’s out of date. Well tonight was on DS he’s trying to sleep but doesn’t want me to leave room so quietly scrolling phone and I stupidly stupidly went on DM site and right there is who is in dance off and out tonight 😭😭😭 of course it is as it’s been shown on tv and isn’t spoiler anymore but why did I do that 🤦‍♀️ Especially as such shock results. Oh well I’ll still watch but will be kicking myself whole time for being that daft.

ps thanks for thread always adds something to my strictly experience to read alongside

Aww poor Ritchie, he was annoying but sweet and so enthusiastic.