SCD '23 #19: In which we're crowning our Strictly champion!

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

Previous thread here.

Video thread. Please post videos on that thread, then link across to here to avoid buffering issues with this thread.

Pretty sure that Nigel turned down the tour before his injury: I remember there were conspiracy theories about it from the more batshit Nigel fans.

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I had hoped it was Nogel's choice not to do the tour rather than a deliberate snub from producers or Craig. We'll never know.

He has also seem to have kept a low profile in comparison with the other contestants throughout the series too.

Am I going to hell if I suspect that Johannes might be quite pleased to be "unavailable" to do the tour? I'm sure his close emotional relationship with Annabel was sincere but it seemed a bit too intense to comfortably continue for another six weeks on the road

Well yes I thought the same. Thought he might be a bit drained and need a breather.

johannes went to see his family last year then went into his tour rehearsals so probably the same this year.

I still wonder what happened with Angela - why she pulled out. Was it something to do with her partnership with Giovanni or something else entirely .

Diane and Joe are not vlogging - expect they're on the plane to Australia ...

How was Ellie's last showdance move meant to go? She climbed on to Vito's shoulders and then???

Was what happened the actual move but if was a bit scrappy?
Was she meant to leap up and then come down in front of him and he caught her in his arms?

It's hard to see what is happening when you watch it due to the flashing lights.

This is a sweet article about Mr Darcy, the dog who was in the dance with Lauren & Graz.

The story behind the dog that stole hearts on Strictly Come Dancing - BBC News

Did you mean Amanda?

I wondered if it was meant to end with her standing on his shoulders but she slipped.

Yes sorry Amanda. Wonder what made her throw in the towel?

As she stepped onto his shoulder I remember thinking that it looked a hard manoeuvre and did they really need to do this. There had been enough great lifts - the dance could have ended quieter.

Well, that's a good result!
I still didn't love Ellie's paso (was agnostic first time round) but hey, she danced it well. Liked the showdance more than I thought I'd like a J-Lo medley. They pretty much saved the final lift with dignity intact, and Vito was so sweet immediately reassuring her and looking after her. The rest of the lifts I thought were slick as hell, and I enjoyed the routine. Their AS is my dance of the season – so glamorous, jazzy, classy, full of character. What a treat.

Layton's QS was one of my favourites of his dances and I love watching Nikita doing that style. But they were out of sync, Craig was quite right. His showdance was disappointing and, considering it was danced to a song about friendship, I didn't get any sense of partnership. But that was my main problem with them throughout. I think Layton is just a lead/solo dancer and that's the long and the short of it.
Same for their AT; a certain style, a certain sense of drama, but no proper connection.

Bobby's samba underwhelmed me just as much this time round. As did the showdance, which was really underpowered. And I can do without contempowaft, much as I believe they did put heart and soul into it.
My friend who's a medical professional says she thinks Bobby's hypermobile, which would explain why I find him slightly uncomfortable to watch. He just doesn't look secure.

Great to see Krishnan back and giving it laldy . Also nice to see Angela S, who I realised I'd missed. And Amy 💕

I'm sure Amanda's problem was with Giovanni. That IG post where she thanked everyone on Strictly and the dog, but not him

Weird season really.

I'm sure Amanda's problem was with Giovanni. That IG post where she thanked everyone on Strictly and the dog, but not him Hmm
I wonder if she had a another reason for leaving but he didn't take it well and he tried to pressure her to stay or they had a massive falling out about her leaving so the not thanking him was a result of her leaving rather than the reason for it.

For people who have been to the Strictly tour, what's the format please? How many dances does each couple do? Do the judges determine the winner, or does the audience vote?

@cordelia16 I can't remember how many dances each couple do. The judges score but the audience vote using their mobile phones.
I'd say it's quite pantomime like with lots of hissing and booing for Craig. Great fun for kids and adults.

well that was unexpected😥 What a lovely story.

The format of the live show is
Big group number
Host (Janette) does a bit of a dance/chat
Each celeb does a dance, followed by judges' comments
Another big musical number
Interval: phone voting opens
Group dance
Each celeb does another dance followed by judges comments
Voting closes
Group dance
Results
more group dance

At least one of the group numbers will place the live singers front and centre which is nice.

There's some jokey comedy bits as well - it's all quite panto. I'd put money on Craig coming out in a sparkly skirt trying to get his leg up as high as Angela R for example.

I think, but can't remember for certain, that the judge's scores are just for guidance,

thank you!

wow... amazing recap. thank you!

I agree with all of this.

It was obvious Ellie would win so it did lack tension. However, the right choice politically

I'd put money on Craig coming out in a sparkly skirt trying to get his leg up as high as Angela R for example.

Really test out those new hips.

Thanks for that summary of a live show @EvilRingahBitch I really want to see it now.

There's some jokey comedy bits as well - it's all quite panto.

Yes it's quite cringey. I took DD to the Glasgow show a couple of times, the celebrity contestants and pros will put on a "CU Jimmy" Scottish accent, Craig will wear a kilt and each and every one will say how they just love Scotland and how the Glasgow audience is the very best. (Just as they will for Liverpool, Newcastle or London). It does come across as quite patronising and insincere to be honest.

The size of the dancefloor is much bigger in the big arenas than in the studio and they use extra pro dancers to fill the space. Each couple gets marked by the judges as they would in the studio but it means nothing, they usually have a text number to vote for your favourite and at the end they "win" another glitterball.

Overall it's a slick show which is well put together and entertaining, but once you've seen it once, you've seen it and it will be exactly the same year on year.

I saw the live show a few years ago I think the year Stacey Dooley won. Dr ranj was there and Joe sugg.

It's great fun and the audience vote. No Craig at ours but Shirley did an amazing number with the male professionals and I think darcey bussel was there. The presenter was Ore Oduba.

I wouldn't go again because I imagine it's very samey

Do the couples get to choose their dances, or is it all down to the producers?