Week 9 Strictly Come Dancing

Last week Strictly brought a ballroom blitz to Blackpool.

Everybody rose to the occasion. Fantastic! Spectacular. Mark

survived the dance-off for a second time. But Bond girl Fiona lost her

licence to thrill. This week, the competition is taking its toll.

Everybody is prepared to do anything to get ahead.

Will the celebrities' scheming pay off on the dance floor tonight?

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING Live from the Strictly ballroom,

this is Strictly Come Dancing! Please welcome your hosts, Sir Bruce

Forsyth and Tess Daly. A new routine! Look at that. Did you

see that? Well done, darling. Lovely. And in white, what a vision

you are. A vision! Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and children,

welcome to Strictly Come Dancing. It's nice to see you, to see you...

Nice! They're good. Nice to see you, Bruce. I have warmed this lot up.

You have indeed. Warmed up and ready. You are looking pleased with

yourself. I am pleased with myself. I have been asked to be the new

voice on a sat-nav. Why did they ask you? What do you mean? Because I am

perfect for it, that's why. When the driver gets in the car they hear me

say, nice to see you, to see you... Nice! Not as many as that in the

car! And if the speed is too low I say, higher. If the speed is too

high I say... Lower! You see, if they reach their final destination

without getting lost I say, didn't you do well!

APPLAUSE They were good! We will keep you. I

didn't rehearse. Did I? No! Last week we took the Strictly ballroom

to Blackpool for our most spectacular show yet. But we had to

leave one couple behind in the Tower Ballroom. Yes, poor Fiona and Anton

lost out to Mark and Iveta in the dance-off. That still leaves eight

couples fighting to get one step closer to the final. That's right.

With four weeks to go it's all to dance for. Shall we get them out,

Bruce? I can't see anything against it. I am feeling very strong

tonight. I can see that. Clearly! It's time to meet the stars of our

show. Pop star Sophie Ellis-Bextor and her

partner Brendan Cole. Star of stage and screen Mark Benton and his

partner Iveta Lukosiute. BBC Breakfast presenter Susanna Reid

and her partner Kevin Clifton. England rugby hero Ben Cohen and his

partner Kristina Rihanoff. Coronation Street star Natalie

Gumede and her partner Artem Chigvintsev.

Model and TV presenter Abbey Clancy and her partner Aljaz Skornajec.

From Hollyoaks, Ashley Taylor Dawson and his partner Ola Jordan.

And Casualty star Patrick Robinson and his partner Anya Garnis.

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING There's going to be a few spaces

now. But there they all are. Celebrities and dancers, we know how

hard you work on the show, but be honest, it's better than being in

the jungle eating insects. That's true. Good luck, Vincent! Yes. Very

good luck to Vincent. APPLAUSE

For this lot it's no time to take things easy. If they want to make it

through to next week's musical special they're going to have to

dance their little hearts out. They're dancing for our judges'

points and your votes at home. They'll meet plenty... Did I say

that? Clearly. Oh, good. Did anybody hear it? They'll need plenty of

votes to avoid the dance-off... LAUGHTER

Shut up! APPLAUSE.

Sues's done that a few times. To avoid the dance-off in tomorrow's

results show. The stakes are high but so is the standard of dancing.

Who has the pleasure of going first tonight? First couple tonight is

Susanna Reid and her partner, Kevin. They're hot to trot tonight, Bruce.

Susanna told me she's the first Breakfast television presenter to

have ever scored 39 points. I said, actually, that's not true. Fiona

Phillips got 39 points, you see, if you add up all the points for the

four weeks she was here, that's 39 points. It's a funny joke! I thought

they'd all gone. Here they are in training. Good luck.

Saturday night that paso on the Blackpool Tower floor I don't think

I will have a moment like that again. I have said to Kevin I am not

a 10 sort of person, so I can't really believe it. It was like an

out of body experience. I will never forget that. Thank you. Lying on the

floor at the end of the dance I just felt people's reaction. My heart was

fit to burst. It was incredible. This week we are dancing

cha-cha-cha. I can't do it. You have to nail the walks. I can't do it!

Who invented cha-cha walks? I want to see them now. I can run more than

26 miles in one go. That's impressive. I find walking so

challenging. I have noticed that. I have a plan. We are here for this.

You sort of walk like you just got off your horse. It's a little, you

know, tricky to get on. Can you get on now? Yeah. One in front of the

other. That's called walking. So much better. Actually genuinely

good. These are the best cha-cha walks you have done all day. All

right, let's see you get off then. I thought I would try something like

this. There we go. Time to get back to training, I think. My feet have

barely touched the ground. But I am hoping that my new technique will

leave the judges beaming on Saturday.

Dancing the cha-cha-cha, Susanna Reid and Kevin Clifton.

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING What about that!

Oh, Susanna! I never knew you could shimmy like that. You like it, as

well. I don't usually require that on the Breakfast sofa. By the way,

let's welcome our judges. APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

They all had a few drinks after the show in Blackpool. Bruno went out

with the professional dancers because he gets on well with them.

Len went out with the male celebrities because he gets on well

with them. Darcey went out with the female celebrities because she gets

on with them. And Craig had room service. And he saw Match of the

Day! Can you imagine that? Len, what did you think of that? May I just

say before that, not only to you Susanna, but all our couples, that

we are getting down now to the nitty gritty, not far to go. The standard

is high and the competition close. Things that we overlooked a little

bit in the past, we are going to be really picking up on. We want to see

the best get through to the final and move on. Having said that,

that's what I am looking for. I am really going to be picking up

everything. I thought the timing was good. I like the mix of steps. Your

problem in this dance was your leg action. You didn't get that

straightening leg. It wasn't sharp and crisp and because of that you

lost hip action. It was acceptable, but... BOOING It wasn't exceptional,

it was good enough, I guess. But got to be much crisper in future. I

think we have a message there. Bruno. Susanna, you house trained -

I wouldn't expect anything else. Your performances fly off the shelf

like mince pies at Christmas. Tonight, Len was right. There is a

distinctive hip action that has to happen in the cha-cha. It wasn't as

pronounced as it could have been. The performances are always up there

but next time really get the hips going because it's so important.

Otherwise, great fun. You were never keen on doing the cha-cha, were you?

I have to say, cha-cha and I have found it hard to make friends. It's

been a difficult one for you. Craig. I liked the vampy beginning, that

got off to a great start. Timing as Len said very good. Always you

supply personality which I love. For me it did not pop, it did not zing

and you need to think about almost hyperextending your body, you have

to go a lot further. I could see you were trying hard to straighten your

legs and get hip action but for me it was all a little bit mumsy,

darling. Stop it, Bruno, behave! Darcey, finish us off. The boys are

right, it's a shame. It's that technique and getting a quicker

straighter leg as much as you can. You know, it's a difficult dance and

it wasn't yours tonight. It's a shame that the glamour of Blackpool

Ballroom is over and we have to get, as the boys said, more picky. But

you still give 100%. It's lovely. Straighten your legs, that's what

they all said. But don't do it going up the stairs! It was lovely. Don't

worry about it. Come here you. I have a bone to pick

with Craig, he said you were mumsy. As a mother, I would say anything

but mumsy. There's nothing wrong with being mumsy when you have three

boys. Nothing at all. I would say one sassy hot mamma tonight. I

didn't know that about the 39 points, Breakfast presenters. Well

you are on a high after last week. I don't think so today. I get the

impression! After that it must be a confidence boost after the high last

week. It was. Last weekend was phenomenal. Yeah, brilliant. With

the cha-cha I knew there was no chance of matching that. I am glad I

have gone out and done it and it was great fun. It was. The scores are

in. Sassy 31 points. It's not all bad

news. You know what I am really happy with 31. That's amazing. What

do you think? If you want to throw these Hound Dogs a bone, then vote

for them: Voting won't open until all our

couples have danced. Please don't call now, if you do, your vote won't

count and you may be charged. All our couples need your votes, nobody

is safe without you. Back to you, Bruce.

Now our next couple, Ashley and his partner Ola. Very popular couple.

His name is Ashley Taylor Dawson. It's one of those celebrities with

three names. Ashley told me it sounds dignified and sophisticated

to have three names. I said who told you that? He said, Anton Du Beke.

Poor Anton. I do miss him, I don't know why, but I do miss him. Here

they are in training. Performing at Blackpool was

something very special. The standing ovation was incredible. It was like

wow! I could not take my eyes off you. It was a great score but I need

to break into 10, everybody else is doing it. I am very proud, very

happy. This week I am dancing the waltz. Why are you not looking at

me? You put me off. He has to be gliding across the floor this week.

Stop it! What are the key parts of the waltz? Rise and fall. Heel

leads. Lovely posture. You have got to be light on your feet. I have got

a little plan. Are we here to watch sharks swimming? No, we are here to

do it with them. What? Looking good. Zip me up. We are going to go in

that water and I want you to feel how to be weightless. I am thinking

I am going to leave him in there by himself.

It was incredible doing down there dancing with Ola. The arms were

really good. Craig will be proud. Thank you. Being under the water did

help me feel weightless and I understand now what Ola is on about.

I like it in there, can't hear a word you say! Can I get one for

dance training? Dancing the waltz, Ashley Taylor

Dawson and Ola Jordan. APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. That was great. Well done. And what

a routine and the rise and fall and the feel, I don't know what they're

going to say, but I thought it was great. Bruno. Beautifully handled. I

am so impressed. The music and the timing in that song was so

difficult. The phrasing was incredibly difficult. You could

hardly have a down beat and yet you glided through with incredible

poise, ease of movement, elegant. You set the mood so well. I thought

it was a wonderful, wonderful waltz. Great. You danced with the music.

And your posture, oh! Craig. You coped well as Bruno said with the

cross phrasing because it's difficult music. Your expression

throughout was very, very good. However, your head is driving me

absolutely mad, darling. It keeps inclining to the right. It's

particularly noticeable, darling, through the sounding spin. You have

to sort that out. Oh, really? I never noticed that. I was away in

the emotion of the whole thing. Darcey, darling. It was so slick,

ashy. -- Ashley. The control, and you really rose to the occasion. It

wasn't easy. You glided effortlessly across that dance floor. Well done.

For me, I think it was one of your best dances. Craig's right, when you

tense up on a turn you do a little tilt. When you are going to turn,

just relax. You just get a little tense. Ashley, well done. Really

good. The rise and fall, I have never seen it better on this show.

Len. Well, you are like your initials ATD - attention to detail.

Footwork was good. I loved that chassis you did early on. It had

light and shade. As the music built you went into it. I thought you did

a terrific job. The waltz is not an easy dance. It's a big dance. Big

flowing movement. The head thing is a little thing you have to work on a

tad. But, overall, I am telling you, that was terrific. What did I tell

you? Go on, off you go. It was wonderful!

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING Ashley! Craig hates your head. I

know, I hate my head now, as well. I am sick of my head! It's a lovely

head. It is lovely. I will shop for a new one, see what happens. Darcey

thinks it's one of your best dances. That's high praise. Are you gagging

for your first 10? It would be rude to say I wasn't, I am. Four weeks

from the final, it's getting closer. Would you say the atmosphere back

stage has changed? There's been a lot of time today you are told to be

here and there, there's too much time to think. It's getting more

competitive. Bring on the competition. The scores are in.

No 10 but a great score. I am very happy. Teacher is happy. A wonderful

waltz. The number to call when lines open is:

Or you can vote online. He is keeping this head! Loads more to

come, Sophie and Brendan are giving us a romantic rumba and can our

Latin King Patrick pull off the perfect Viennese waltz? Time will

tell. Next up is Natalie and her partner

Artem. Such good couples. This week in training they visited a local

school. Because of the war I didn't go to school very much at all. It

really was. Most of my time was spent entertaining the troops. They

used to drop me behind enemy lines to tell jokes to the Germans. I did

my bit, don't you worry! Here they are in training.

The audience in Blackpool gave us so much energy. It was spine-chilling.

Spectacular. Wasn't expecting to get 39. I cannot be more happy. I have

been humbled by people's response to what we have done and for people

to... Appreciate it... This week we are dancing the tango.

We do a lot of this. Blackpool was awesome. One of the special moments

was the massive group number we did. You see the little kids dancing and

it was quite special. They showed up all the contestants. I thought we

could go to a school and show them what we have been up to. It's a

chance to give back and show how brilliant dancing can be. Looking

forward to meeting the kids. Maybe some of them are going to be

futurely Strictly professionals. Somebody might show you up. Let's

hope not! Hi! Does anybody want to see some dancing? I was blown away.

I couldn't believe it, I thought it was a dream. She looked so

beautiful. I wish I could be her. I am going to grab you here. And lift

you up! We give them a 10! Today has been a joy and just seeing the way

the kids engage with dancing will give me that extra boost for

Saturday night. Dancing the tango, Natalie Gumede

and Artem Chigvintsev. APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

Oh, wonderful. Are you all right? Oh, dear. Good job that didn't

happen when you were doing it. I was trying to be a lady. A standing

occasion from a few here. While you get your breath back. , it's a good

time to welcome our singers and Dave Arch and his wonderful, wonderful

orchestra! And our wonderful singers and orchestra. Great. I think we

start off with you, Craig. I am going to be really picky. Your left

hand, my darling, was facing up, instead of palm to the floor.

Sometimes got into the correct position but mainly it was in the

wrong position. You need to sort that out. You hopped around in one

of those pivot steps, I don't know whether it was to do with the dress

or something, but that was a bit of a disaster. The whole thing lacked a

little bit of drama. What? Are you out of your mind? Lacked a bit of

drama? Sorry, it's getting crazy. Darcey. Ignore Craig. I love that

classic tango. The intensity when you were fixed in that hold was

beautiful. There was only one thing for me, if you could overexaggerate

and push away further from the waist in your top line from Artem, that

would be the only thing and it would be perfection. It was beautiful. It

was very dramatic. Len. You look like my favourite Quality Street,

and I have to say that was a quality performance. My only criticism in

the links sometimes you lowered your head a little bit but again that's

being... He has told me already. Told me every day. But fabulous,

well done. Bruno. For me you set off like the tango express! Destination,

the final! We are going to take you there with great style. For me it

was fabulous! There we are. Say no more. Get off before he changes his

mind. Off you go. Well done, Natalie. Good luck. Artem, that was

wonderful. Up the stairs you go! APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

Yes, truly a quality performance. Nothing to do with the dress. The

dress was... The quality's a bit downhill. You always get the most

amazing response from the audience. First standing ovation of the

evening. How does it feel to get that reaction from them? It's

absolutely mind-blowing. You cannot really take it in when the dance is

finished but we are so grateful for the support. Thank you. Feels good I

bet. The scores are in. A 10. Well, do you agree with our

judges? They might be riding high with the

judges but they still need your votes like everybody else. Time now

for more dancing. Back to my main man, Bruce.

Our next couple is Mark and Iveta. Last week Mark wanted to get his

palm read by a fortune teller. I went to one, as well. She looked at

my right hand and looked up here. And right here, around the back of

me and right down the other arm. I said, what are you doing? She said,

looking at your lifeline. APPLAUSE

She said, it goes on forever. I said, I do hope so! Here they are in

training. Before the show last week I was really excited. It's such a

wonderful place that ballroom that I was really looking forward to the

dance. Big, brash and fabulous to watch. Len gets what I am about,

which is trying to entertain people. We got 8s, which was brilliant. I

had a feeling we were going to be in the dance-off. It was the second

time in the bottom it wasn't as scary as the first one. The dance

went well. I thought it was the end when Craig saved Fiona. As the

results went on Len decided to save us, I thought it was our last dance

so I was thrilled. This week we are going to do a foxtrot. Mark has been

criticised for his lack of technique. Don't you think that...

Don't give up on me now. I won't. Mark is working so hard even when he

is not in the training room. Here I am trying to brush up on a bit of

ballroom. Foxtrot, here we come. He hardly gets to spend any time with

his family. I had a brilliant surprise today. My amazing wife

Sarah came to see us. I am here to support Mark and show him how proud

we are of him. We have been together nearly 23 years and he has always

been a shy person. For him it was always about letting people see the

real him. What you see with Mark is what you get, which is joy and just

pure genuine character and that's what I love about him. Our foxtrot

is a happy dance. I want to dedicate it to Sarah because she's been there

for us every step of the way. Dancing the foxtrot, Mark Benton and

Iveta Lukosiute. APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

Well, you made it a beautiful night! That was so joyful. So lovely. Well

done. Right, Darcey, what do you think? Mark, you always make me

smile in everything, I love it. You were charming. You obviously got out

of bed on the right side today, it was beautiful. Your top line has

improved so much. You create a beautiful shape there. It's only

technical, I would have loved to have seen more flow and more travel

across the dance floor. But I loved that performance. OK. Len. For me

you have been trained, but never tamed. There's always little chey

moments I like, little touches. It makes me smile. You were like a

Dalek really, you moved smoothly but there was no - you got to get swing.

It's Dr Who tonight. You got that! You got to get more swing. But

always fun to watch. It was joyful. Bruno. Rise and shine, you bring the

sun on Strictly really. Side to side it was theatrical. It stopped a

little bit on hold. It's hard to lead a foxtrot, it's difficult. But

always jolly and pleasant. A lovely move. OK, Craig. All the main points

were missing, the flow, movement, swing, sway. And too much side by

side. Is that all you have to say! I got off lightly! Yeah, he ran out of

breath. It was beautiful. We all loved it. Off you go up the stairs.

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING Come here, Mark. Up to safety. Craig

wasn't keen. He wasn't. But Len said always fun to watch. You have been

in the dance-off now twice in a row. Yeah. What would it mean to avoid it

this week? To? Avoid it. I am looking forward to it! Don't say

that, Mark. You really want to be there again? No, we don't. OK, good.

Definitely not. I am glad we cleared that up. Iveta, mark's come a long

way and improved a lot. Has he got more to give? He does. He has a lot

more to give. A lot more. Right? Listen to the lady. The scores are

in. 28 from the judges. Yes. Well, it's

a beautiful day, but did you think that was a beautiful foxtrot? Then

get out of bed and call: Or you can vote online later.

Still to dance, Abbey and Aljaz prove they've got the love in their

powerful paso and will Big Ben bring out the big guns for the Charleston?

Check out Kristina, never mind Ben! Who is next, Bruce?

Our next couple is Sophie and her partner, Brendan. Now they will be

doing the rumba and it's going to be set in the most romantic city in the

world, Venice. My wife said it's the most romantic city she's ever been

to. I will have to go with her next time. What's wrong with that? Oh, I

see, yes. Here they are in training. Blackpool was a really special thing

for me. Before I came out I thought this is once in a lifetime, so I

want to get out there and have a lovely quickstep around that floor.

I kind of feel Sophie really stepped up on the performance level and I

think Sophie danced marvellously. Len was the person I really hoped

would like it because Len knows his ballroom. Shut up, close the door!

It was spot on. If he is picking up on that, that's brilliant. It's not

the easiest thing, but it is a lovely thing. If they are getting a

sense of how much I love it, then that's great.

This week I am dancing the rumba. Rumba is kind of the one is like on

the horizon as a potential dance that you are slightly intimidated by

because it's the sexy one. People generally think of rumba as a sexy

dance but for me it's more about the emotion. Your day job is singing and

that's what we need. You are trying to tell a story so the emotion is

important. We are taking a trip to the studio. With rumba probably more

than any of the other dances you do it's very emowingal -- emotional,

it's romantic. I normally have words to help articulate that, it will be

nice to remind myself of how I connect with what I am doing. Sophie

is singing and the passion and love for what she's doing is sensational.

It's been lovely showing Brendan what I do for a change. I hope it

works for me on Saturday night and helps me to do an even more

passionate rumba. Dancing the rumba, sroe fee Ellis

Becks -- Sophie Ellis Bextor and Brendan Cole.

MUSIC: Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING A standing ovation, a big one! A big

standing ovation. Well done. Oh, Sophie! You are so thrilled. That

was so... It was beautiful. I was expecting you to melt into the

floor. Oh, dear. Control yourself. Right, Len. Well, it was a very,

very pretty dance. Good lines. I love some of the shapes, the

transitions were pretty good. It's what I have said before, it just

lacked a little bit of flair here and there. Didn't have enough

chemistry for me. BOOING. Brendan, your choreography gave it the flair.

OK. I totally agree with Len. I think it was so pretty. It was

almost balletic. It has a wonderful classical feel to it. I like my

rumba a bit raunchier People think rumba is about sex, let's say. This

is about... It's about intimacy and a beautiful story. It was upmarket.

I did like the double spin. You handled that very nicely. But I have

to agree, I found it a bit cold. Rubbish! Moments you smiled and that

came away from your face as soon as you did a turn without spotting. It

was in and out for me. It's difficult, because I think maybe

with you you have to overexaggerate. Your eyes are down quite a lot. I

missed the intensity and sensuality between you. I just wanted that

intense eye focus within you both. It looks a little shy, that's all.

But you create beautiful lines with your body and shape. The lines were

lovely. And you are beautiful. What about the standing ovation? Don't

forget that. Thank you. APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

We could feel the chemistry up here. OK. It was beautiful. Well, it felt

intimate to me. I only really saw Brendan in the room which is what I

was hoping for with that. Bruno wanted a raunchier rumba. Your

husband was on his feet cheering you on. He was. It was good enough for

him. I saw him and it was brilliant. I don't know, it's confusing. You

are great mates, aren't you? We tell stories out there. It's about

creating a piece of choreography that you can touch with and I don't

know, I don't want to give filthy dirty rumbas. I just want to do a

lovely clean beautiful classic rumba. This girl delivered that.

Sorry if I have offended anybody. Bad boy Brendan might be making a

re-appearance! When my husband said it in training he said it was the

sort of rumba he felt happy with me doing. The scores are in, we loved

it! 31 for that rumba. Brendan is not

impressed I am a little over the whole, we need more performance,

that was a performance and a proper rumba performance. We are in your

corner, Brendan! We agree. If you want this pair to still love you

tomorrow, then you need to vote for them.

Or you can vote online. The vote won't start until the dancing stops.

Hold your horses for now. Because we have three more couples ready to

burn up the dance floor. Who is next?

Next couple is... Oh, get ready, especially ladies. It's Big Ben

time! Of course with his lovely partner, Kristina. For their routine

Ben will be a weightlifter. I tried to be a weightlifter once, I grabbed

the bar and I lifted it up with all my might and I finally got it above

my head and then I dropped it. The instructor said, that was very good.

Now let's see what you can do with some weights on. So I walked away

and left him lying there! Right, here they are in training.

Arriving in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom was spectacular. I loved

every moment and I have to say I loved it and it was an honour and

probably something I will only do once in my lifetime. Ben did his

best, the lifts were incredible. It was a magical night. Big Ben is

back. It was lovely to get recognition for what you do from the

judges. I am improving every week. Kick, kick. This week is the

Charleston. The toughest thing for Ben will be to be animated. I will

find it difficult to do these faces and be an actor. I will embrace it

as much as I can. Show me some facial expresses. We have to get

help on that one. We have Richard, a mime artist, come in today to do

help. Picking an apple, eating it, being hungry, beg pregnant at one --

being pregnant at one stage. Sometimes you need to be bigger to

tell a story, exaggerate the motions. You get a 10 from Len. And

a three from Craig. I really enjoyed working with Richard today. It puts

a perspective on things. Hopefully I can get this face and the footwork

right for this weekend's dance. Dancing the Charleston, Ben Cohen

and Kristina Rihanoff. APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

A standing ovation! All right, Ben. Are you happy? Thank

you very much everybody. When you think back all those weeks, oh, you

are a dancer, you really are. Bruno. The strongest man on earth! Imagine

Charles Atlas doing the Charleston or was it Arnold? I am not sure. The

Charleston is quite hard because you have to be light on your feet. It

has to be extremely sharp and tight, especially on the feet. Your timing

was good. The feet and the swivel action could be a little bit

sharper. I think for a guy of your size it is wonderful what you are

doing. Incredible. I take my hat off to

you. Craig. It wasn't the most electrifying Charleston I think I

have ever seen, that's for sure. It's been incredibly hard for me and

I really did enjoy it. My heart bleeds for you, darling! A good

amount of swivel but no cross whatsoever. You lacked any sort of

freedom of movement and that's what this is about, quirkiness. Darcey.

Well, I have to say all that story-telling really worked. And you

are always upping the dance content each week, you are putting more in

there which is brilliant. It's strange, it looks careful on you,

that's the only thing. I think it's your concentration. You are really

concentrating and it's the only thing you have to try and hide. And

the attack into those lifts was brilliant. The improvement over all

these weeks is amazing. Len. You are a Time Lord, it was on time

throughout that dance. I liked the swivel action in that bit of

Charleston. The lifts were great, it did lack a bit of freedom in the

movement as Craig said, I never agree with Craig, but there you are!

It needed more going on, but very good. No mistakes. You did a good

job. Well done. Off you go.

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING Strong man Ben, show us your guns!

Look at Kristina's. They were real weights by the way. Very heavy. The

audience went wild for your performance. Did you enjoy it? I

loved it. It's been a good week. It was a dance you could really let go.

It was out of my comfort zone completely. I enjoyed it. Every

woman watching is wondering how it feels to be lifted that high by Ben,

impressive. The scores are in. Well, those scores certainly do not

reflect the audience reaction in here tonight. What do you think? Did

our strongman Ben's Charleston lift your spirits?

It's been an incredible night. There's even more going on behind

the scenes. You can get all the gossip on Facebook or Twitter or

head to the website. Two more couples left. You wowed us all. Who

is next? Our next couple is Abbey and her

partner Aljaz. That quickstep they did last week was fantastic. Abbey

is, let me remind you, is married to the footballer Peter Crouch. He is

6'7". He was at Blackpool with her last week and he went for a paddle

in the sea. But only up to his knees. I said, how far did he get?

She said, Ireland. Silly joke! But I hope funny. Here they nr training.

-- here they are in training. Dancing in Blackpool was

breath-takingly beautiful. To perform there was amazing. I was so

proud, proudest teacher ever. To get three 10s, I was just over the moon.

Just could not believe it. I am actually shocked at how much I am

loving Strictly. I am obsessed. I am so excited that my journey on

Strictly can continue. This week we have the paso doble. I am really

struggling and it's starting to frustrate me. Paso walk. I have been

doing it in the kitchen, the bathroom before bed. He erce if I do

my homework he is going to give me a surprise. That was much better. I

can see you have been doing your homework. I am really happy. The

surprise was a message from her nana. She's 96, the Queen of our

family. This is nana. I am over the moon the way everything has gone

with you. You are A1 in my heart. It's given me more determination to

go out on Saturday and do an amazing paso. Dancing the paso doble, Abbey

Clancy and Aljaz Skornajec. APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

Oh, yes, here we go again. That was lovely. Don't look like that, your

nana loved it. Look at them all! That was great. Really good. OK.

Nana loved it, I am sure. Craig. Your free arm was a little loose at

times and just overshooting the lines, that's only on occasion. A

little bit more body tension and resistance would have been great. A

little bit cutesy, but I loved the dance. Good. Happy ending. Darcey.

Well, that was a very difficult paso. Aljaz, you gave her a lot to

think about. I would have liked a harder, stronger woman from you.

There was drama in your face and I did see that. You did create some

very nice shapes, one very impressive back bend over Aljaz's

arm. It was beautiful. I just wanted a bit more. I wanted to see

something different from you. Something more dramatic. Oh, dear.

OK. Len. I love the shapes, I like the choreography, twist, turns,

things I like to see. More me, on occasions, you lost a bit of

control. I was slipping everywhere. There you are, it is what it is. I

enjoyed the dance, I would have liked to have seen it a little bit

cleaner. All right. Abbey, you should be proud of yourself. I tell

you, some of the things you did tonight from a non-dancer were

incredibly beautiful. You played it in a wonderful seductive way. It

ended with a kiss, instead of a kill. You were working incredibly

hard and I think what happened is because of the few slips you lost

control, but you shouldn't put yourself down, Abbey. Really, you

have achieved a lot in this competition. Don't put yourself

down. And nana loved it! Give her my love. Off you go then.

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING Bruno pointed out you have achieved

a lot in the nine weeks of the competition. Four weeks away from

the final, how much do you want to stay and thereby? I just -- and be

there? I don't want it to end, I am having the time of my life. She

doesn't want to leave. Aljaz, there are no words. The scores.

32. Not your highest score, not bad. The judges are getting tougher. Are

you happy? I am happy. I loved that dance. Did my best. You have been

practising the walk all night, the fierce walk. If you got the love and

want to see them through to next week then call:

Or you can vote online. It's nearly time to cast your votes, but not

until our final couple has performed. Who is last to take to

the floor, Bruce? Right, our final couple this evening

is Patrick and his partner, Anya. They were so wonderful last week.

The dance last week was beautiful. Dr Who will be starting soon. I have

been told to hurry up a bit. It's a great show tonight. Evidently it

features all the doctors, I wish I had been in it, just think of all

the doctor, doctor jokes, I could have done. I have a few here. Doctor

it hurts when I do this. Don't do it. Doctor, when I drink a cup of

tea I get a stabbing pain in the eye. Well, take the spoon out.

Doctor, I have a strawberry in my ear. Don't worry, I have a cream for

that. Forget it, mustn't keep the doctor waiting! Here is Patrick and

Anya in their training. Dancing on the Blackpool floor was

quite incredible. The pressure was on, it was an amazing show. The

audience were really up for it. There was a slight hiccup. I got

caught in my skirt. It's disappointing. I felt I was letting

him down. Thank you for being there. We are a team! You came out and

whammed it! It was great. It was an unbelievable feeling. It was a

moment to remember. Next one is going to be even better.

Viennese waltz has to be soft, flowing, elegant and romantic. In my

opinion it's one of the most romantic dances. Patrick needs to

reflect on all his romantic roles hey -- he has done in the past and

bring that to our Viennese waltz. You need to bring that leading man.

There's been many leading roles I have played which have been

romantic. But the one that encapsulates this piece is Romeo. He

is passionate and romantic. Going back on stage to get a little taste

of that will help me in terms of the Viennese waltz. If you want more, go

up to that first balcony. I get to be Juliet? See how she leans her

cheek up on her hand. Oh, that I might touch that cheek. That's what

we need for our Viennese waltz. Got the steps, got the role. Hopefully I

can bring everything together on Saturday night.

Dancing the Viennese waltz, Patrick Robinson and Anya Garnis.

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.

What grace and form you have there. Well done both of you. Darcey, start

us off, dear. The Viennese waltz is such a hard dance. Constantly

rotating and that was very difficult. Especially with those

drags and that swivel at the end. You put a lot in there. It's a shame

you don't look as comfortable and the shoulders went up on that

standing spin in the top line. For me I expect so much from you now,

and I am going to be picky because I want to see you here in four weeks'

time. OK, pull it out next time, please. Len. The bad and the ugly I

am going to say. Good movement, nice sway. Bad standing spins, both of

them, I thought. I didn't like the ending thing. That was ugly. On the

floor and then the splits. It was all rushed. Listen, it's not your

best, but it's certainly not your worst. It's somewhere in the middle.

Well, don't feel bad about that. Bruno. You were rising very well for

a while and then the shame is at the end you crash landed. You actually

put a lot into it. You were very, very - hold your shape and your

frame. But I am with Len, that ending really, it was such a shame.

It messed up the whole effect. I wasn't in a dream any more. But I am

sure you will come back and will redeem yourself. Otherwise, it was

good. Craig. You never disappoint rhythmically. Your head position is

bothering me. Unfortunately, Anya's feet came off the floor and it

became a lift at the end, sadly. I think all our judges - you are being

more critical now because we are facing the fatal four weeks. OK, but

it was great. We loved it. Off you go then.

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING Well done. The professionals were

shouting at the judges. I didn't hear Craig's last comment there.

What came off... Your feet, apparently. Ola was disagreeing with

that. Anya's feet, just to clear it up. Craig, come up and talk to us!

The judges are tough across the board tonight. Craig said in the

past you are the best male dancer in the competition. Is that a lot to

live up to? I don't think about that. You are the King of Latin,

safe to say. It depends on different opinions, if Anya is happy and the

crowd, I have done a good job. It was beautiful. Darcey says she wants

to see you in four weeks' time in the final. Can Patrick take you

there? Absolutely. I am looking forward to it. She said it. The

scores are in. Happy with that? Yeah. OK, you can

ca or vote online if you want to see what Patrick and Anya can pull out

of the hat for the musicals special. Voting will open in a few moments.

First, let's look at the leaderboard.

Remember, you can change all of that. You can pick up the phone or

go online and vote for your favourite. Why wait? The voting is

now open! They're easily pleased.

You can vote online for free. You will also find full terms and

continues. Lines will close at 8.15pm tonight. It's getting tougher

to choose. They're all so good. Here is a reminder of their performances

and those numbers you will need. Gorgeous dancing tonight, Bruce.

Voting closes at 8.15pm this evening. Didn't they all do well?

It's been another incredible night of ballroom, but unfortunately one

of these eight couples will not be treading the boards in our special

show featuring musicals next week. Sad, but true. Your votes are going

to be added to the scores to determine which two couples will be

in the dance-off in tomorrow night's results show. We will also have an

incredible performance from Il Divo. We don't want to miss that! That's

7.25pm tomorrow night. Stay tonight for The Day of The Doctor. It's on

straight after us If they're short of time, I have plenty left! In the

meantime,