Strictly 2025 : The Final Countdown. Week 12. 18.35. NO SPOILERS ON THIS THREAD PLEASE!

[EineReiseDurchDieZeit]

Afternoon all, extra spoiler warning in place!

I think Zoe would do the Tess parts really well but I'd like someone more comedic for the Clauditorium.

I can't see Zoe Ball in posh frocks and with her hair done every week.
She's a bit of a mess, usually.

I would like to see Zoe presenting.

Very happy with Zoe.

I also read something this afternoon about Ian Waite saying watch this space, but I can't remember where.

Oh that would be a fabulous combination.

I would be happy with Zoe doing Strictly, but agree with a pp - why would she have to give up her radio show now when the new series of Strictly doesn’t start until September? That doesn’t make sense.

Maybe the two things are unrelated… or maybe she’s negotiated a nice long break from her other commitments before starting on Strictly next summer? In her shoes, I’d be happy to be on extended unpaid leave anyway. If only.
And maybe there’s no truth in the rumours, which is a shame. Zoe would be great with Ian Waite, Alan Carr, or just about anyone really.

Really missed Lewis tonight and was fed up with all the crying so over dramatic.

There's always crying at this point. They're tired, the end is in sight, the stakes feel high...it gets emotional and overwhelming.

She doesn't have to be a Tess clone though. She used to look great on ITT wearing smart trouser suits.

Carlos has really shined as a partner this year; there's been that customised feel that he's really met Karen's needs to bring out her best. Jullian and Balvinder have that connection too.

The Alexis/ George and Nikita/ Amber combinations have felt more generic although Nikita/ Amber were thrown together by circumstances rather than specifically matched. Nikita's an interesting enough pro to have stretched the choreography to meet her skill, and I don't think it's been a major disadvantage.

Strangely, I'm struggling to remember Carlos' previous partners although I am getting flashbacks to rubber gloves.
I am glad that fashion has passed.

Wardrobe has been more sensible this year.

Ooo ! That would be great Zoe and Ian.

Mollie from Race across the world and Angela Irish lady with no spray tan are two of Carlos’ previous partners.

I feel like maybe this was his third year?

I think it is his 3rd year with a partner yes did he come with Michelle and Vito ?

Angela. Irish lady is Scanlon.

Wiki is telling me Carlos started in 2022 with Michelle, Vito AND Lauren who I thought had been there longer.

Thank You So Much” - Amber’s catchphrase.
It’s ridiculous having a trained dancer / musical theatre star on Strictly. As brilliant as Amber is, it’s not fair on the other contestants who don’t have her level of dance experience. For me personally, if I wanted to see a west end star, I would go to a west end show. If I wanted to see professional dancer, I watch the professional dancers on the show. I lost interest watching Strictly this year because it’s obvious Amber is the best dancer on the show - no surprises there.

Don’t forget, @LydiaFunnyGums , being a professional dancer in West End is very different from learning Latin and Ballroom! 😁

Whereas Karen, Bal and George haven’t had any pesky previous experience to unlearn! They’ve had the advantage of being Absolute Beginners!

Karen is not an absolute beginner. She had dance lessons and entered dance competitions as a teenager before football took over. Not in the same league as Amber/Lewis obviously, but she is not on the same beginner level as George.

I thought Bal’s waltz was lovely. She gave the salsa some welly but it wasn’t really her dance. Still love her and Julian though.
Amber’s tango was flashy but not that good technically. And I’m REALLY cross that her CC got those comments and scores. It was safe and middle-of-the-road and the choreography was dull. She is nowhere near comparable to Cyd Charisse (Cyd will be rolling in her grave).
Karen’s waltz was beautiful and very moving. She and Carlos are a fabulous team. The salsa was a bit sticky in places and slightly overmarked, but it had loads of character.
George’s samba was fun but also overmarked, I thought. I didn’t see much samba content and the voltas he did do looked poor. He gave it personality though.
Charleston I thought was a bit subpar; the robotic styling was an odd choice and he’s not technically good enough to carry it off. He is routinely over praised IMO.
Not a vintage semifinal, overall.
I think it’s Bal and Amber in the DO, although part of me thinks it’s that point in the series when something weird could happen and it might be George and Amber.
I’m still getting winner vibes from Karen and Carlos.

Strictly is going to look very different next season and it’s probably not a bad thing.
I think a few of the pros will go and the producers should really consider whether to have obvious ringers. I think Johannes, Karen, Gorka and possibly Katya, won’t return.

Karen has had plenty of dance experience. She’s said it and it’s clear from certain moves that the muscle memory is working for her.

George and Balvinder are the only ones without dance experience. I prefer George’s personality.

Exactly!! 😂

Was going to mention it was his first year, so likely more tentative (except for his final danceoff samba lol).

I really loved his partnership with Molly Rainford, which was in 2022 (his first year). Their rumba is fantastic, and I also loved their Quickstep.

@LydiaFunnyGums and @PrizedPickledPopcorn

It has been mentioned several times already that Karen has significant dance background as this article shows. She credits her dance experience for her football performance too.

We're not just talking about a lesson a week in ballet, but 3/4 lessons per week and competing at big events until she had to give it up for football.

I don't care that she's had dance experience, but I wish they wouldn't push the "never danced before" narrative to justify her inevitable(?) victory.

womenscompetitions.thefa.com/Article/karen-carney-lionesses-football-dancing-background-271117

I didn’t see all of Strictly last night so haven’t seen Nadiya’s new hairstyle. I thought Nadiya was in the audience with her hair up but it was in fact George’s girlfriend, Yasmin.