SCD '23 #14: We're in Blackpool! So many tailsuits <does happy dance> NO SPOILERS

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

Let's not mention the corsets.

SPOILER-FREE THREAD PLEASE

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Spoiler thread.

I'd love to know if there has ever been any arguments from the pros about music and refusal to choreograph to the song chosen. I think there must have been over the years...

Oh I'd be very confident that the likes of Brendan Cole and James Jordan will have pushed back against music choices in the past!

Yes I agree re Nigel
makes you wonder why?

Maybe they had high hopes for him at first (hunk/soap recognition factor/some experience) but as he's turned out to be a bit of a bottler they've decided to get rid and focus attention on the ones doing really well?

I like Nigel. Even when he makes mistakes- which I mostly can't detect- I prefer watching him to Bobby or Layton's pole dancing. He shouldn't win, but I would like to see him in the final.

Is Nigel dead in the water or is he Glenn Close at the end of Fatal Attraction, waiting to spring up and stick it to those judges? On the one hand, he clearly has a vote; on the other hand, the maths makes it much harder for the ones at or near the bottom of the leaderboard to avoid the dance-off at this stage.

My three finalists of choice now would be Ellie, Annabel and Nigel. I think it unlikely that Annabel will get there, though.

I love Annabel as a person and find her very inspiring, but I am not that keen on her dancing.

Nigel seems to really enjoy the dances, he was full of joy when they danced his couples choice. I don't understand why there is no comment from the judges about this. Its like he has been given a narrative that they must not change. He is the one that gets things wrong, KGM is the one who is full of joy (which I agree with but he isnt alone in it), Annabelle is the one with the journey etc.

KFG said on ITT how underrated Annabel is, and I'm inclined to agree. She doesn't set the floor alight, but she's beautiful to watch and shows signs of improvement week after week. I can see her doing a great paso.

Definitely Glenn Close, but whether he'll stick it to the judges with a brilliant performance or achieve his aim by decking Craig remains to be seen.

Annabel is a lovely person and a much improved dancer, however the Paso is such an in your face dance that she may struggle with the intensity.

Did anyone watch ITT tonight - I was completely baffled with Bobby & Dianne's segment.. and just wanted to see if anyone else thought the same.

Firstly saying he'd chosen the song and there was so much he could say about it, and it being sung by the perfect man in the perfect tone..

Then the next part where Fleur asked him the theme behind the dance, to me he seemed like he was just making it up on the spot (which I'm sure he wasn't) then went on to say Dianne would be playing the role of his mother?

Bizarre to say the least! I really hope the producers haven't twisted his arm to try do an emotional tribute to his mum if he didn't want to.

Interested to know what others thought though.

Also just to add Dianne pointed out she was so emotional after the dance off as it's the only dance off she's won in 7 years on Strictly!

Blimey that’s an interesting stat!

*Firstly saying he'd chosen the song and there was so much he could say about it, and it being sung by the perfect man in the perfect tone..

Then the next part where Fleur asked him the theme behind the dance, to me he seemed like he was just making it up on the spot (which I'm sure he wasn't) then went on to say Dianne would be playing the role of his mother?

Bizarre to say the least! I really hope the producers haven't twisted his arm to try do an emotional tribute to his mum if he didn't want to.*

I think he did choose it - unless the Bobby Jack Brazier youtube channel isn't his - on there, he has two Strictly playlists and a Couple's Choice playlist. Maxwell (the Kate Bush cover) is among his choices. Sadly, he hasn't had his choices apart from Young hearts run free so far. Pre-series, whether he remembers her or not, he had said he wanted to do a dance to honour his mum.
Whatever you thought of her, she bloody adored her boys. Sadly, the money she earned for them to go to private school iirc accrued too much tax. I love the song and hope both get through it in one piece. It was used for contemporary on So You Think You Can Dance. Thematically, it dealt with cancer, which of course Jade died of (and cervical smears went up in the face of her plight).
I'll put it on the video thread.

Thanks for that @SequinsandStiIettos , that's reassuring that it does seem to be his choice. I'm sure it is.
Reflecting on it it was probably a difficult thing for them to be talking about and that's why it came across a bit awkward.

Dianne said it would be contemporary and ballroom so will be good to see what they do.

Hopefully they'll escape the DO this week!

I know what you mean, but I am quietly hopeful. I think her ballet experience will help with the port de bras and head carriage – she always has beautiful arms. And she's tapping into energy and emotion more every week IMO. Plus the paso doesn't have to be (isn't really meant to be) JUST fiery or aggressive; it's meant to have artistry and poetry too, which I think she can probably achieve.

@MarkWithaC I think she's got a very good teacher in Johannes so I'm hopeful it should be a good routine and they'll do well.

I'll

Anybody watching tonight's It Takes Two? The celeb reveals for the Christmas special were met with virtually no reaction from the people in the studio. It was really quite strange!

Are all the staff off sick today or something??

I wonder if they shouldn't do the Christmas one? It's very soon after the "proper" one, and although I see how it is less of a time-commitment, they could do with some "slebs I have heard of" in the main event.

I don't mind them doing a Christmas special, but I had hoped they might have used pros that didn't have celebs.. Neil.. Michelle??

Nigel just seems very joyless to me. Like he's going through the motions of enjoying it, but actually doesn't care.

Nadiya didn't have a partner this year on the main show. She is paired with Dan Snow for the Christmas special.

I don't mind the whole thing. It's very cheesy and contrived, but it gives the children something calm to do on Christmas Day.

I assume the other partner less pros will get Christmas celebs tomorrow