SCD '23 #18: Our three Strictly Stars, and the MN Glitterball Gang, prepare for the final! (NO SPOILERS)

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

SPOILER-FREE THREAD PLEASE

Previous thread here.

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Spoiler thread.

I'm not majorly invested in this years outcome. Ultimately would like an Ellie win but won't be calling for someone's head if she loses.

I think I'd have been more invested had Nigel stayed

@Romeiswheretheheartis I'm so pleased to read that, they do both seem lovely in all the interviews they've done.. so I'd have been surprised if they were any other way but nice to hear.

I like all three finalists for different reasons, and will be happy with any winner.

Will be good to see the eliminated contestants again for their group dance.

Can’t believe how quickly the time has gone since Sept. It doesn’t seem like more than a few weeks since we were having to differentiate between the two Nikitas!

No- I'm here voting relentlessly too!

I hope the judges choose Ellie's PasoDoble, Layton's Quickstep and Bobby's Samba - they were all great dances in their own way

I could really do without Bobby's couples choice, it was so mawkish.

It is depressing re the nastiness Layton is getting on social media, I remember John and Johannes getting horrible comments too, especially about how two men dancing together didn't look 'right' etc but I'm not sure it got quite as vicious. Maybe the extra element of femmephobia is involved as a lot of the comments circle Layton's campness and dress-wearing. I'm imagining their showdance to be a bit of a eff you to that attitude and very much a wild, Latin, feminine outfit type of number.

Those are the three dances I'd choose too- all great but also potential to be even better.

For me the samba was Bobby's best dance until the QS, he was like a young Mick Jagger. I loved Ellie's Paso but would also like to see her Jive now she's much fitter and more experienced.

I also love Layton's CCC but think he needs to do ballroom.

I think it was fair enough to feel at first same sex couples didn’t ’look right’ in Strictly- The brain likes patterns and the pattern had been men and women, man taller than woman, one suit one floaty skirt.

I imagine modern dress cuts without canary feathers upset people at first, too.

We had an ideal image of a couple spinning around the floor, and deviating from that can be challenging. Strictly has properly refreshed all that now though.

You're not ... I've been Team Lakita from week one.

That's wonderful to hear. I love them both.

Nikita seems like such a lovely guy. On IG, Ellie Simmonds likes almost all of his posts -he was so sweet with her last year. But he also has that crazy/fun side, which is extremely entertaining to watch. I'm so happy he made the final. I think he really loves dancing/being friends with Layton, and I love watching them.

No particular point to this post. Just some rainy Tuesday morning ramblings :)

Layton for the win! (Although feel like he has a major unfair advantage so hmmm). I also thought two men dancing together wouldn’t look so pretty. Well Layton’s blown that idea out of the water!

Ellie’s my second favourite. Bobby isn’t going to win imo. Not quite got the other two’s skills.

I'm going to decide on the night but it will probably be between Layton and Ellie as I cant be doing with Bobby's CC. I really loved Ellies AS so may lean her way but will see how they both dance.

I've enjoyed seeing more of what Nikita is capable of. He was very sweet with Ellie last year, and it's been great seeing a different attitude and flair from him.

I have surprised my self for wanting a ringer to win.
even more so if bobby does the sob story again.

Can not believe how quickly these threads fill !!

Almost from the beginning I have wanted Ellie to win but now I can't decide if I want her or Layton.

I will hopefully decide on Saturday when I watch their dances.

I have never wanted Bobby to win and definitely do not now when he is doing that awful dance in the final. If he and/or Dianne think it is going to win them sympathy votes I think they are most likely mistaken.

I want the final to be fun and happy not sad and I will not be watching his CC

I doubt Bobby's responsible for the sob story CC to be fair; certainly no more than any other contestant who alludes to something in their personal life. It happens every year.

Is it a spoiler to say the music for the show dances?

I think Bobby's tactic should have been old school traditional dances, top hat and tails style.

I wouldn't mind seeing Layton's CC again.

I worked with Layton's nana when he was little & his mum used to bring him in when she was meeting her. He was always dancing & singing nursery rhymes even then. And he was also very cute ☺️.

I'd have supported Layton if he'd been gay but find the queer, dress-wearing offensive in view of the current trans culture. Putting a pink dress on doesn't bring out your feminine side; don't insult your female audience.
He's a brilliant dancer and his partnership with Nikita is fabulous, but it's not Strictly.
He's got too great an advantage.

I wanted Annabel and Johannes to win, so I don't really have a favourite now.

They've announced the judges' picks and show dance music on Insta:

Judges picks:
Bobby and Dianne - Samba
Ellie and Vito - Paso Doble
Layton and Nikita - Quickstep

Showdance:
Bobby and Dianne - La La Land Medley
Ellie and Vito - Jennifer Lopez Megamix
Layton and Nikita - Friend Like Me by Ne-Yo

( credit to Digital Spy )

that is true. but its boring who ever it is. we know his story, yep its sad. but the dance was still awful. but because of the ott sob story (shirley cried i think) it gets over marked,

thank you for posting these.

I think Layton &Nikita's showdance to Ne-Yo's Friend Like Me is going to be amazing. It has a very jazzy theatre vibe. Can't wait.