Key events
Judges’ scores: 4, 5, 5, 5 for a total of 19 points. Realistic scoring, which is refreshing to see.
Judges’ comments: Harry gets weepy about having a bad injury this time last year, bless him. Craig says “timing was out and need more freedom in hips, all strut and disco, haphazard footwork, push-ups are not in the cha cha cha”. Motsi says “felt the nerves, clean it up but you gave us spice and flavour”. Shirley says “never seen a cha cha cha like that but you’ve got natural bop and recovered well from mistakes, grand job”. Anton says the word “thing” a lot and does some pish-ups. And then stands on Harry’s back. That’s judging for you. Fours and fives incoming?
Harry and Karen’s cha cha cha
His pectorals can dance but can their owner? Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro from Gladiators, goes on the first whistle, paired with Strictly’s longest-serving pro Karen Hauer. Gym theme, biceps a-bulging. Hips, swagger and confident. Better in side-by-side than partnering and he’s singing along. Cheeky and flirty with plenty of hip-wiggling. Decent synchronisation and steps. Does press-ups with Karen standing on his back. We don’t see that often. Ouch in those heels.
Song: Push It by Salt-N-Pepa. The 1987 hip-hop smash quotes lines from both The Kinks and James Brown. It helped the New York duo become the first ever female rap act to go gold or platinum in the US.
Judges’ scores: 4, 6, 5, 6 for a total of 21 points. Don’t sit on the loo. EVER. Could get painful and/or messy.
Judges’ comments: Shirley says “great start, beautiful movement, I loved the passion and intensity but don’t hang on his arm with your left hand”. Anton says “Johannes is clever but not quite enough in hold, lots to like, atmosphere, new feel to old-fashioned dance, super duper”. Craig says “shoulders raised, lumpy, fly flat, loved the drama and intent”. Motsi concludes “moved like a sleek fox, technique lacking but you were into it emotionally”. Sixes, are we saying?
Alex and Jojo’s Viennese waltz
Dogs are the new nans, as Alex’s pooch appears in the training VT. Actor Alex Kingston and much-loved pro Johannes Radebe – a classy and loveable pairing if ever there was one – take to the floor for the first Viennese waltz of the year. Dramatic, almost Bond-like. Excellent characterisation from such a fine actor. Spinning around romantically. Floating and twirling, The judges will have be looking out for fleckerls and classic contra checks. Swishy skirt-ography, plenty of pizzazz, major drama. Strong finish. She’s loving it. So am I.
Song: Cry Me a River by Michael Bublé. See what they did there? One of Alex’s best-known roles was River Song in Doctor Who. Mickey Bubbles’ version of the 1950s jazz ballad charted in 2009 but not as high as Denise Welch’s rendition, weirdly.
Ginger Neil gets his moment
Benched pro Neil Jones gets to read out the voting Ts and Cs, like a competition winner. Aww, look at his little face.
Judges’ scores: 3, 4, 3, 4 for a total of 14 points. He needs to “be more duck”. “A week one score,” says Claudia sweetly.
Judges’ comments: Motsi says “intention like a captain, recognisable steps but work on the fundamentals”. Shirley says “you’ve got the frame of a ballroom dancer but there were timing issues, no heel leads, weight too far back and flat-footed but you show promise”. Anton says “good effort and focus, you’ve got the samba out of the wat, hooray”. Craig concludes “lacked fluidity, bounce and hip action, quite disconnected m sort your arms out, heavy and stiff”. Fours and fives, do we think?
First “They’re on their feet!” of the year from Tess.
Chris and Nadiya’s samba
On a big day for England’s rugby union teams, can former men’s captain Chris Robshaw loosen up his hips and travel from Twickenham to Brazil? High pressure to open the series. Rugby ball-graphy to start. Partner Nadiya Bychkova is doing her best, dancing around him gamely, but he lacks rhythm, bounce and fluidity. Better in partner work than solo. Not quite a dance-dis-ah-ster but definite dad-at-a-disco vibes.
Song: Unbelievable by EMF. Not what you’d call a traditional samba tune but certainly an early 90s indie-dance banger.