Week 12 Strictly Come Dancing

It semifinals week on Strictly.

And

with just two dancer standing in the

wake of being in the final.

These

things will be the difference

between our bands being ordinary and

extraordinary.

Being focused.

Fearless.

Fast.

Flexible.

Dedicated.

Determined.

Disciplined.

Strong.

And

as the band strikes up...

And the

dancing shoes go on...

The most

important thing I've got to be is

ready.

Live from the BBC, this is Strictly

Come Dancing - The Semi Final!

Please welcome your hosts...

Tess Daly...

And Claudia Winkleman...

Hello and welcome to Strictly Come

Dancing - the Semi Final!

Last week was our Musicals

Special and all our

stars shone brightly

on the Strictly stage.

But sadly, there will be no

encore for Davood and Nadiya

after they lost

out in the dance off

to Alexandra and Gorka.

Tonight, the stakes

couldn't be higher.

Not only are we one week

away from the final, but

the pressure is really

on as our five remaining

couples will dance not

one, but two brand new

routines.

And watching their every dance

move will be these four.

Please welcome the judges.

Darcey Bussell.

Bruno Tonioli.

Craig Revel Horwood.

And Shirley Ballas.

The judges, everyone.

Remarkable.

Our couples are backstage

and with a place in

next week's final up

for grabs, they're more

determined than ever to impress.

So let's get them out here.

Please welcome...

Our Strictly Stars.

Pop star Mollie King,

and her partner AJ Pritchard.

Actress and radio

presenter, Gemma Atkinson

and her partner Aljaz Skorjanec.

Entertainer and radio broadcaster,

Debbie McGee and her

partner Giovanni Pernice.

From Holby City, Joe McFadden

and his partner Katya Jones.

Singer and theatre

star Alexandra Burke

and her partner Gorka Marquez.

There they are, our famous

five semi-finalists.

Congratulations

on making it this far.

We wish you the best of luck.

The judges' scores for both

dances will be added

together to decide where

the couples end up on

the leaderboard.

Those scores will be

combined with your votes

and the two couples

with the lowest overall

points will face the dance

off in tomorrow night's

results show.

Sadly, one of our five

couples will not make it

through to next week's final.

Dancing first tonight is Joe

and and his partner Katya.

Dancing first tonight is Joe

and his partner Katya.

Joe's been working hard this week

learning two new routines,

but he's had encouragement

from Katya and his army of

supporters up and down the country.

Saturday night went well! It felt

like everything came together at the

right time.

You're acting skills

were off the chart.

Could not have

been better.

Great marks, great

comments.

Incredible.

We are through

to our first semifinal. We are in it

together! This week, the first dance

we are doing is the American Smooth,

based on the foxtrot.

I'm pleased we

are doing the American Smooth this

week, because it gives us the chance

to shine.

There are a couple of big

lifts in there, which are quite

ambitious. But at this point, you

have to take risks.

I have a

surprise for Joe, a video to show

him how much surprised he has.

Good

luck, Joe, all of the Scots are

behind you. We have watched you from

day one.

Congratulations on

everything you have done so far.

Everyone is behind you, well done.

Good luck, Joe and Katya. I hope you

get through to the final and I hope

you win.

Katya and Joe, we love you.

Isn't that sweet? Giving us those

messages gives us the boost to

plough on and hopefully get through

to the final. Let's do it for 'em.

Dancing the American smooth,

Joe McFadden and Katya Jones.

MUSIC: Have You Met Miss Jones?

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE. How about

that? Joe and Katya. Listen to that!

That is quite a reception.

First dance of the semi-final

and what a dance!

Before we hear from the judges,

let's welcome our fabulous

live singers, Hayley, Jamie,

Andrea, Tommy and of

course, Dave Arch and his

brilliant orchestra.

That was the best of Joe's dances.

What a glorious way to open the

semifinal! We have four women and

one man, and I have to say that your

personality is exquisite. Your

timing was extraordinary. Your lifts

were great, and you had the most

glorious movements from foot to foot

today. Well done.

Bruno?

I think it

is good news for you, Joe. That

lift, I'm still palpitating. I

thought you were going to tie her

into a knot. How do you get out of

that one smoothly? It was

miraculous. It was so complicated.

But you did it with such ease. And I

particularly liked the side to side

sections. It was nicely in sync. It

had a lovely, jazzy swing. Very

nice.

Craig?

You lost a bit of

balance going into the second round

in hold. It could have been a bit

smoother if I'm honest. I thought

your posture was sometimes leaning a

bit towards Katya. But the lifts

were fantastic. Stylish, wonderful.

Was it smooth enough for you,

Darcey?

I enjoyed those lifts. They

could have been incredibly awkward.

But the dismount was smooth. And the

preparations into them as well, you

brought plenty of glamour, lovely

sweeping lines, just what I wanted.

Just what we wanted too. I can't

wait to see what you do with the

Argentine tango next. It is Joe and

Katya!

Well done. Can I just

officially say, you are the first

Scot to make it to the semifinal.

So

I hear, that's amazing.

I know you

love getting messages of support.

It

gives you the energy to keep going.

My mouth is dry now.

Just to be in the semifinal, I'm

overjoyed.

You are Mr positive.

If you enjoyed Joe and

Katya's American Smooth

and want to see them in next

week's final, please vote.

All the details are on the screen

now and voting won't open

until later on in the show.

Next week is the grand final, not

sure if we mentioned it. So who

better to help me out with the terms

and conditions than last year's

winner?

MUSIC: Runaway Baby.

Ore, while you are here, do you mind

doing this?

It would be my pleasure.

Here we go.

Thank you, Ore.

Tess.

Our next couple is Alexandra

and her partner Gorka.

There's no denying last week

was a disappointment for Alexandra.

But she's kept busy learning two

new routines and she's kept smiling

thanks to some lovely messages

from her supporters.

How do you feel about Saturday?

To

make it to the quarterfinals was

insane. Being in the dance-off,

people see us as performers and go,

they can handle it, but actually,

it's the most scary feeling to be in

that position. It's so big for me to

do this. I have wanted to do it for

so long

do this. I have wanted to do it for

so long. And here we are, and I

don't want this journey to end. My

first dance this week is the

Viennese waltz. I just have to make

sure my feet are in the right place

at the right time, because

technically, it's quite difficult.

Today, I have a surprise for

Alexandra.

Alexandra, your

beautiful. Go, Alexandra and Gorka!

Good luck, Alexandra.

You're an

absolute inspiration.

I love you,

Alexandra and Gorka.

You make me

feel so much emotion when you dance.

Watching the video showed me how

much love there is out there.

Please

keep up the emotion in your dances.

I hope you win.

My family is rooting

for you 100%.

It has definitely

picked me up. I need to go out there

and give it my all. Do it for those

who support us and make them proud.

Dancing the Viennese Waltz,

Alexandra Burke and Gorka Marquez.

APPLAUSE.

MUSIC: Everybody Hurts

APPLAUSE

Yes, Alexandra and Gorka, just

breath taking. Listen to that.

Listen to that reception. Listen,

well done my darling. Breath taking.

Shirley is on her feet. So

emotional.

Excellent, classy. It had

a soft dreamy quality. Flowing like

there is no tomorrow. What you did,

the use of your arms tonight, it was

caressing the air, reaching through

space and at the same time emoating.

It felt like the softest, silk est

pashmina and you want to be wrarpd

around it all night. Brilliant.

So

are you, Bruno. Craig, what did you

think?

One place your feet didn't

come togethering in that routine.

Come on!

I can't get as mushy as

Bruno, darling. A good amount of

rotation, I thought. Not many

surprises, actually. We expected you

to do really well, and you did. It's

really surprising actually that you

are using your arms so well. So that

I totally agree with Bruno. It's

just beautiful. Really beautiful.

Arms and fingers. Darcey.

Thank you,

Bruno. There was this wonderful

ethereal quality. Like you are

coming off the clouds. You kept it

going, even when the music picked up

you could have over pushed it, you

didn't. You kept it incredibly

graceful and elegant. The control,

oh, my goodness. I really felt it.

It was right, how you used the music

until the very last beat, how you

finished off every line - exquisite.

Everything came together. I have to

congratulate wardrobe, that dress,

the outfit was stunning.

Stunning.

Everything happened, you know. So

sincere in your movement. Everything

about you is sincere. How you

finished in your space and how you

held your fingers as if you were

holding a porcelain egg. Everything

about it was stunning. You are

stunning.

Thank you.

Thank you

Judges, four out of four. We will

look forward to seeing what she will

do with the Salsa. Alexandra and

Gorka, beautiful.

APPLAUSE

So lovely for you to get comments

like that. I think we can officially

say you've had quite a week of it.

Yes. It's been a tough week. The

love and support completely over

powers anything else. I'm so happy.

So happy.

So. Hay. Two such

different dances.

Yes.

Do you feel

like - wait, I'm spinning, I'm doing

the Salsa or is it fine. Did you go

- brilliant.

I'm looking forward to

the Salsa, we both are.

All right. I

think he's delighted. OK - stop. The

scores are in.

Will the judges

please reveal their scores...

YES!

Look at me, no more caffeine

for you.

If you think Alexandra

and Gorka deserve a place

in next week's Final,

then please make sure

they get your vote.

All the details you need

to show your support

are on the screen now and remember,

voting won't open until each

couple has danced twice.

Let's hear it for Alexandra and

Gorka.

Still to come, Gemma

and Aljaz Rumba under a full moon.

Tess.

Look who I've found,

it's one of last year's

finalists, Danny Mac.

Danny, can you give us a sense

of what our ssemi-finalists

are going through tonight?

It's the scariest week of the entire

season and the hardest because you

have half the time to learn a dance,

and you do two of them. This is the

one out of them all that you don't

want to go out. The worse to go out

on because you are so close. I'm

feeling for them all.

Touching

distance. So close. They are doing

brilliantly so far.

Our next semi-finalists

are Mollie and her partner AJ.

APPLAUSE

Their first dance

tonight is the Samba.

It's got a real party vibe

and Mollie's hoping it'll

help her get an invite

to the biggest party

of the season - our Grand Final.

APPLAUSE

Saturday night was amazing.

Unbelievable, wasn't it?

You did so

well. You have improved so much. I'm

stunned.

Thank you.

I thought you

got it just right.

6.

7.

9.

To get a

9 from the Latin queen, Shirley,

does life get better than that?

Semi-final! My first dance this week

is the samba.

Mollie is struggling

with the different rhythms. There

are so many different rhythms in the

samba.

The samba rolls are the

hardest things ever. They look

effortless. They are so hard. You

have to look like you are really not

trying as well, which is the hardest

thing of everything.

I have a

surprise for you. Because you have

been working so hard, I've got a

treat.

Aw!

We love you Mollie and

AJ. We thought you were o good at

Blackpool.. They are so cute. Good

luck, Mollie. You are brill yanlt.

We loved your rumba.

You are the

best in the whole competition.

We

put so much into it, to see that

people are enjoying what we are

doing is the most amazing feeling in

the world. That's amazing... I can't

believe that. I wish I could go out

there and thank each of them. Their

support brought us to the

semi-finals, which I'm so grateful

for. I have to go out there and give

it everything I've got for each one

of those people.

I hope you win the

Finals.

You can do it!

APPLAUSE

Dancing the Samba,

Mollie King and AJ Pritchard.

APPLAUSE

MUSIC: Whenever, Wherever

APPLAUSE

Having a little chat. I don't know

what you're talking about. You

looked so happy when you were

dancing.

Loved every minute.

Do you

know how cold it is outside?

Nippy

out there.

It is a bit nippy. The

samba is of course one of the

toughest dances to make look good.

How did Mollie do, Craig?

The palm

trees had more bounce in them than

that. The rolls look awkward.

Difficulty going from one step to

the next. You were sometimes behind

with the music. You weren't actually

dancing on time with the music. It

wasn't your best. We have to hope

that your next dance is going to

lift, but that wasn't great,

darling. Sorry.

Moving on, Darcey.

Mollie you looked the part. You

looked like a gold goddess.

It's

notoriously difficult. I felt you

were chasing the music. It's

difficult. Because of that your

balance was in the wrong places. It

became very jerky. The transitions

from one rhythm to the next it

didn't connect at all.

Sadly, this

is not your dance.

OK, sorry.

Shirley.

I liked all the little bits

when your body was going and your

roll. You had some really good solo

pieces when you were separated. You

got that little bit lost when you

got together. You got stationary

samba walks and slow rhythm going on

there. Yes, there were one or two

little places. Overall, I thought

you were really going for it.

That's

all that matters.

Thank you,

Shirley. We are seeing positives.

Tonight you missed the flight to

Brazil. That's what happened. He was

in Rio, you were still stuck at the

airport. It's all-timing. Southern

Rail has better timing than you

tonight, come on. It's very

difficult. It's 's a rhythm cally

dance. If it doesn't happen through

your body it looks forced. You can

let your hair down, yeah. It's all

very well. It is the semi-final. It

wasn't your best dance. Then again,

as Craig said, you are back, you do

another, I'm sure you will do much

better.

Thank you very much judges.

It's not your best, we all loved it.

You have another chance to impress

with your waltz later on. I'm

looking forward to that. Well done,

darling.

Thank you.

It's Mollie and

AJ.

Thank you.

APPLAUSE

Don't say sorry.

Listen, can I tell you something.

Focus on Shirley. Shirley was

adorable. She was positive. She

loved your solo bits, her favourite

parts of the whole competition. You

always said to Zoe on It Takes Two

you tried to avoid the samba you

said there is no dance on earth less

suited to your character.

You need

to look natural. Like it comes

naturally to you. Oh, my goodness

I'm thinking about every step out

there. It doesn't suit me this

dance. I gave it everything.

You

went out there and gave 100%.

You

did. You gave it 100%. He loved it

and Shirley loved it. The scores are

in.

The judges' scores are in...

It is like they won the lottery!

Well done.

If you want to keep these

two in the competition,

all the information you need

is on your screen now.

You will be able to vote for Mollie

and AJ when voting opens later on.

Remember to wait until all our

couples have danced twice.

I'll tell you when.

Look, adorable!

Still to come, Debbie

and Giovanni perform a Jive.

Dancing next is Gemma

and her partner Aljaz.

APPLAUSE.

Last week, Gemma's Quickstep went

down a storm with the audience,

but it didn't really

impress the Judges.

Luckily, she gets two chances

to prove herself tonight,

starting with the Rumba.

APPLAUSE

Saturday, I thought it went well.

I

thought we delivered the best dance

we have so far.

You had a macular

frame. You did some fantastic,

beautiful footwork.

That was

something we had worked on. I was

disappointed with this cause this

week, but there is no point

wallowing. You have to take it on

the chin, bring it into the

rehearsal room and take it into the

next dance.

Our first dance is a

rumba. We are just working on making

sure the legs are straight, the

waiters on the right leg, your feet

are on the right counts.

Everything

I have done time in-wise over the

last 11 weeks goes out of the window

for rumba.

She is not picking it up

as fast as she normally does.

I have

struggled today. Aljaz sat me down

and said he had a surprise for me.

Gemma, you're my favourite dancer.

Do this for the north.

We love you,

Gemma and Aljaz!

Good luck, Gemma

and Aljaz.

Good luck, Gemma.

I love

the way you dance.

Good luck, Gemma

and Aljaz!

It means so much to know

that people believe in what we are

doing. I want to do everyone who is

supporting me proud.

Good luck,

Gemma and Aljaz, get a ten!

Dancing the Rumba, Gemma Atkinson

and Aljaz Skorjanec.

APPLAUSE

MUSIC: Beneath Your Beautiful

APPLAUSE

Absolutely beautiful.

Gemma and

Aljaz, yes! Beautiful routine. So

romantic. Did you fall in love,

Darcey?

There was a lovely or

between you. It was an intensely

romantic rumba. The eye contact, the

beautiful slow swivel that you were

able to control and just catch

Aljaz's eyes really took me. I could

see how hard you were working,

especially on the straight leg. You

were creating great resistance. I

would just love all that hard work

that you put into those legs and all

that control, I would love to see

you breathe into your body so that

we could see that emotion come

through the body. You had amazing

legs.

Shirley?

First of all, you

have a beautiful set of pins,

beautiful looking legs for this

dance. I want to commend you firstly

on your choreography. It was nice to

see half of it in basic and the

other half, you went into advanced

choreography. Some beautiful elbows,

wrists and hands in the beginning.

Just one small issue. I agree with

Darcey, I did feel you have some

connection with your partner, it

just lacks some musicality in the

middle, some continuous movement.

But there were other things I

enjoyed, so well done.

Very nice,

darling. Proper are correct, sends

you will, but not smutty. Very good

-- sensual, but not smutty. I could

see how much attention you put to

the placement of your leg to get the

right placement. The lead lines were

good. But you have to be careful. If

you are over thinking, it stops the

flow from the leg through the body,

and the continuous movement at the

rumba requires sometimes stops. Make

sure it happens all the time. There

are no pauses. It is continuous.

Otherwise, very nice.

Craig, last

week you scored Gemma ASICS. Better

tonight?

The upper body was a bit in

inanimate. Also a bit torpid. That

is what they are saying. The

straight legs were wonderful. The

hip action, you got, but the upper

body wasn't working as hard as the

lower body. If you could marry the

two, it would have been genius. But

I love the routine.

And you have

another dance later, which means

another chance. You have the time go

next. You are like a giddy child

tonight! Adorable. Gemma and Aljaz!

You smashed it! After you, my lady.

Well done. Most of the judges adored

it. And we should tell the group,

you do a radio show. You are about

4.30 every morning and you have to

learn two dances this week. This was

your first week of wobbling.

My

breakdown!

But they loved your

choreography. The scores are in.

Happy?

Yes.

If you enjoyed Gemma

and Aljaz's Rumba and would

like to see them dance in next

week's Final, you will need

to give them your vote.

All the details you need

are on your screen,

but you will not be able to vote

until all our couples

have performed twice.

Plus, if you want to know more

about Strictly, go to the website.

This week, Craig on the perfect

Christmas condiments.

Tess.

Our next couple is Debbie

and her partner Giovanni.

APPLAUSE.

Training for two new dances has

really put the pressure

on Debbie and, as always,

Giovanni's been there

offering support, but this

week he hasn't been

the only one.

APPLAUSE.

Saturday night, we had beautiful

comments from the judges.

Impressive.

The best one was Craig.

Leg!

Dancing to Memory was special

because I could feel the emotion

within the music. Our first dance

this week is the jive. I have always

struggled with the Latin dances, and

I don't think the jive will be any

different. It's so fast, so I have a

lot of hard work to do.

We have a

lovely message from the people

outside. Ready?

I love watching you

and Giovanni.

Last week was

incredible. I am sure whatever you

have got coming up will be awesome.

You have shown everyone that it

doesn't matter what age you are, you

can do anything. So go on and win!

Debbie and Giovanni, we watched you

every week.

Goal, Debbie, go!

Your

amazing!

Debbie and Giovanni, you're the

winner 's!

Makes us realise how many

people are enjoying what we are

doing. Can't believe it. It's just

so lovely.

Dancing the Jive, Debbie McGee

and Giovanni Pernice.

APPLAUSE

MUSIC: I'm So Excited.

APPLAUSE

Oh, yes, Debbie! Debbie and

Giovanni, a standing ovation in the

studio. Well done. I think he is

more out of breath than you are! It

was very fast. We are all excited

after that. Are you, Shirley?

I am

very excited because to be honest, I

was a bit nervous because of the

beautiful straight leg we talked

about in rumba. I was nervous about

whether you could get down, but you

were bending that standing leg. You

were really giving it. A beautiful

blend of swing. Nice straight legs

when you did the chicken walks. You

chose some nice choreography and

coupled together with the flicks and

kicks. You did a grand job, well

done.

Debbie always delivers on time

and in perfect condition. Your

timing is incredible. You're so

sharp, it crackles. You are crispier

than a kettle crisp. You don't miss

any detail. You managed to maintain

the energy. It was a sparkling jive.

Craig, hope you were impressed?

I

felt it lacked a little retraction.

I also felt your body could be more

over your feet. For me, it looked a

bit spiky and stiff. And your facial

expressions were bothering me

tonight. They reminded me of our

past contestant Judge Rinder! Who is

in the audience tonight. It did put

me off slightly, but your timing is

immaculate. Your energy is second to

none.

Darcey?

Eddie, that was fast

and sweet. Your agility, I am

shocked -- Debbie. That energy, how

neat, how crisp those kicks are, it

is extraordinary and you just don't

tire. What are you taking? I want to

know. I want some of that. It is

outstanding, what you give every

night. Amazing.

That is your first

dance done and we are all hoping for

a fabulous foxtrot later. Debbie and

Giovanni.

Well done.

You are like a unicorn. The stamina

you needed for that, it is favourite

dance. Did that put you under more

pressure?

It did. He's 27, I'm

heading for 60. Keeping up with him

was very, very difficult.

You didn't

slow it down. I believed Debbie said

in the training room, "I'm 59, go

slower."

It doesn't matter she did

better than me tonight. You can see.

Fantastic. The scores are in.

Will

the judges please reveal their

scores...

Happier with the 9s. When the 7 came

out they went, "what."

If you want to see Debbie

and Giovanni dancing in the Final,

then they will need your vote.

All the information

you need is on your

screen now and you will be able

to show your support very soon.

We are halfway through. Let's look

at the leared board.

-- leaderboard.

But with one more routine

to perform, that could change.

There is still all

of this left to come.

This Foxtrot is going to be pure

technique.

I know how important it is that I

get every little detail right.

I know how important it is that I

get every little detail right.

I've

always wanted to learn the waltz, is

it heel lead, ball flat. Where is my

head looking? Keeping pushing out.

So much to think about.

The around

Tyne Tango you have to feel the

music and let it get inside you and

express it.

The tango is quite

powerful and strong. It's all heels

and it's bent legs. It's quite

difficult to do at the minute.

There

is no time to think about what you

are doing. I have to be doing the

Salsa in my sleep because if you

think about the next step, you have

already missed a beat.

I cannot wait to see all of that.

And Mollie and AJ are

doing a romantic Waltz.

Now can we please just talk

about the elephant in the room?

You mean, are Mollie

and AJ a couple or not?

No.

That elephant in the room.

I'll get him.

It's time to welcome back Joe

and his partner Katya.

APPLAUSE

Over the series, Joe has

been seen as the dark

horse of the competition.

Can he gallop through to next week

or will he fall at the final hurdle?

Let's see what the judges think.

APPLAUSE

Let us talk about Joe.

He has been a

slow burner for me. It's taken him a

while to believe in himself. His

Viennese Waltz, suddenly leg became

the gentleman. He was leading Katya.

For me he brings all the small

nusiances to the dance. I remember

his Paso. His shaping. He landed it,

nailed. It I think he my may be the

surprise.

Joe's weakness is he looks

outside his body and judges himself.

That stops him from being musical.

Katya believes in him and he can

produce the goods. It comes

together.

When he gets the character

right, it chicked in on that

Charleston. He knew what he was

doing. From that point he never

looked back.

Joe's next dance,

Argentine tango. That fills me with

a little bit of secret excitement.

Oh, really. For me a little bit of

hesitation, actually. For the lifts,

especially.

When I saw his lines in

the paso doble I think it will be

outstanding.

Will he nail it or feet

fail it?

They are going OK 90% at

the time. We are clipping each other

in the ankle or the foot. The lifts

are ambitious. They expect us to

take risks. Hopefully, that's what

we're going to do.

Dancing the Argentine Tango,

Joe McFadden and Katya Jones.

APPLAUSE

MUSIC: Human

APPLAUSE

Joe, Joe, Joe!

Thank you.

Listen to

that. That was incredible.

Thank

you.

Oh, look around.

Oh, my goodness.

That was incredible. I've never seen

a lift like that before I don't

think in all these years in the

show.

You never will again.

I never

will again. Superhuman. That was the

last chance to prove yourself worthy

in the final?

Yes, it was.

What did

you think, Bruno?

Argentine Tango

from a different anning well a

modern twist, and yet it was very

true to the style and the feel of

the dance. The choreography, the way

you reflected the dramatic arch was

superb, darling. Fantastic job. That

ending was dramatic. I've never seen

it before. You lost balance! You

know what I mean. It was just a

little fly in the ointment.

Otherwise, I mean, excellent.

Really, really good.

Tiny

imperfection.

I'm only human!

You

are right, he's only human after

all.

Your walking steps were ploddy

and obvious. You weren't creating an

A frame I know you weren't going for

that type of around Tyne tango.

Could you have had a looser leg in

the ganchos. You took a risk, did it

pay off with its incentiveness? I

think it did, darling. So well done.

It did. It did. The audience

reaction is incredible.

This was

wonderfully daring. It is all about

taking the risks. You took them

with... Om, my goodness it was scary

and surprising just as we want an

Argentine tango. I love the

contemporary edgeto it. Very nice.

The control, how you took charge of

the dance, one balance, we were side

on to that. How you controlled and

directed Katya from the beginning to

the end, she reacted to every move

you did, it was perfect.

I know that

core would have made you very, very

happy, Darcey. Shirley.

Well, I said

halfway through the season that you

were the dark horse and detail Joe.

I think you've pushed the

boundaries.

I saw the mishap and off balance.

You pushed the boundaries. You

danced the Argentine tango. You

didn't stand there while she flicked

and kicked. You took part and were

involved. The pivots with the

gaunchos, did I say it right? I'm

learning that word. Fantastic

pivots, spectacular. I saw that

mishap, otherwise a great routine.

Thank you, cheers.

They have

commended you on your bravery. You

have done all you can. They have

done their all, will it be enough?

Let's hope so. Joe and Katya.

Thank

you, thank you.

APPLAUSE

Well done, Joe and Katya. The judges

so impressed.

Thank you.

You have

taken risks you two, especially

then, the semi-final, could you have

played it safe?

No room for safe.

She doesn't allow me to use the word

safe or fatigued. Those words don't

exist.

Really well done. Amazing.

The scores are in.

The judges have

their scores...

35, same score as last time. Well

done. Three lovely 9s.

If you want to see these humans

dancing again in next week's Final,

please make sure you vote

for Joe and Katya.

You will be able to do so when lines

open at the end of the show.

Tess.

Back for their second dance, it's

Alexandra and her partner Gorka.

APPLAUSE

Over the series, Alexandra

has experienced quite

a few highs and lows.

She's topped the leaderboard more

than anyone else, but she's also

been in the Dance Off twice.

Let's see what the Judges

have to say about her

Strictly experience.

Alexand this series has been

outstanding and brought her best to

the table.

From the first step it's

beautiful to watch. Her speed of

movement that she really shines.

I

totally fell in love with Alexandra

when she came out with her Paso, she

had the passion, the fire.

She seems

to get in touch with the character

of the music as much as she does the

technique. You see a total

performer.

Proud Merry.

I love ared

that. Her power. She unleashed

energy.

Her consistency is

extraordinary.

Week 8, the arrange

Argentine tango. She did a

quickstep.

Overall she has wowed us.

She set a standard that is so high.

How is she going to top it?

This

week she has the Salsa. It will be

interesting to see if she has the

rhythms, rotate her body joochl she

has the right energy to interpret

the Salsa. If she doesn't over

analyse she could be sensational.

We

were at the point where it's

serious, but you have to show you

are loving life with the Salsa. It's

fun, energetic. I need to not over

think it and just go with the flow.

1, 2, 3. Perfect.

If we can say we

are here at the final, that would

melt both of our hearts.

Dancing the Salsa,

Alexandra Burke and Gorka Marquez.

APPLAUSE

MUSIC: Finally

APPLAUSE

Oh, boy!

Yes, yes, yes! Three out of

four of the judges are on their

feet. So other studio audience.

Bruno is going crazy. Finally,

Alexandra dance is a salsa. That was

worth the wait. You have been

consistently brilliant throughout

the competition. How was it for you,

Craig?

The rotation in the hip,

isolation, body rolls, continuous

flow... Absolutely fabulous!

So glad

he spoke the truth. I love it when

that happens.

I love it too. I was

actually jealous. I wanted to be at

your private disco. What a routine.

The amount of detail in the

beginning with just your salsa basic

and then the nice little flick and

then the term, so many great

details. If you're not in that

final, I am going to get into his

speedos!

Shirley?

I'm still on the

speedos! Oh, my goodness, foot to

foot, super clear, lots of rhythm.

It was party time all the way.

Thank

you, Shirley!

They were partying

with you, especially Bruno.

# ooh, I wonder dance with somebody!

# I want to feel the heat with

somebody, with somebody just like

you. It might be December, but it

felt like a Midsummer in Puerto

Rico! Love you, honey.

Love you too,

darling.

I think they liked it, safe

to say. Amazing comments. Will they

be enough to get you through to the

final? Fingers crossed. Alexandra

and Gorka!

Well done. How extraordinary. The

judge is swapping swimwear. I don't

know what it means, but I think its

a good thing. You make it look

effortless. But it isn't. You

trained so hard. What did you think

of that reaction? I am so

overwhelmed. We are having the best

time. We are at the semifinals. This

is great. Let's just have some fun.

The scores are in.

Oh, my God!

I'm so happy for you.

You trained so hard. You had a

difficult week. We could not be

happier for you. If Alexandra and

Gorka's salsa was the one for you,

please vote.

All the details are on the screen

now and voting will open

later on in the show.

You OK?

Yeah.

Still to come, Gemma dances

a Tango to My Sharona,

which I believe is Italian

for My Sharon.

Happy?

Very happy!

Tess.

So excited about that 40, aren't we?

About to dance for the second

time tonight is Mollie

and her partner AJ.

APPLAUSE.

AJ has always believed

in Mollie, but it's only been

over these last few weeks

that Mollie's started

to believe in herself.

Can she make it through

to next week's final?

Let's find out what

the Judges think.

APPLAUSE.

Mollie and AJ. For me, they are the

epitome of chemistry. I can see

sparks flying between these two.

She

is wonderful in hold. The rotation

in the Viennese waltz was

outstanding.

The question is, can

she maintained that?

I understand

that she has a wobbly core. She gets

her shoulders a bit too high. But

with the quick step, beautiful

frame.

That is the way to get to the

final.

What I admire about Mollie,

she has been in the bottom two

twice. It's given her that fighting

spirit and she has come back

stronger.

For Mollie to be a

finalist, she needs to really up her

game.

She is utterly charming, a

beautiful girl to watch.

She could

surprise us.

There is always a

surprise.

Mollie is doing the waltz.

This could be good for her.

AJ will

have the ability to control her, and

that could be her chance to shine.

She could do quite well.

There are

so many different elements to the

waltz, the ball flat, the heel lead,

the pivots. There are so much going

on.

Because it is the semifinal, the

judges will be very picky about the

frame, the posture. Push away from

me.

The song is really slow. Every

step I take has to be done really

well. In the semifinals, I can't

afford to make a mistake.

Dancing the Waltz,

Mollie King and AJ Pritchard.

APPLAUSE

MUSIC: Angel

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.

Well done.

What a wonderful waltz

from Mollie and AJ. Such a lovely

connection between these two. You

looked like you were lost in

dancing. Were you, Darcey?

It had

all the elements of a truly serene,

romantic waltz. There were some

lovely, beautiful qualities at the

beginning, especially in your

posture. You held onto that all the

way through, only until the very

end. I know that is when it becomes

hard for you in terms if that left

shoulder comes up in those pivots.

But there was so much good in there,

and you really focused. I did love

the quality, I just felt there was

an edge of nerves. There was a bit

of that stiff right arm. But still a

very nice job.

There are a lot of

nerves tonight.

I think you are much

more comfortable in the waltz than

the samba. I will nickname you the

pivot queen. No matter what ballroom

dance you have got, you do your

pivots so beautifully, correct

footwork, right side of the body.

You looked really comfortable in

that. Was there a tiny hiccup?

Sorry.

It doesn't matter, because

you had your beautiful frame. You

are a gorgeous girl and executed it

well. Congratulations.

Don't get

upset. Bruno?

It was good, you

regain your control and you went

down the route of a classic, proper

ballroom waltz, which is harder to

do because you don't have all these

adornments. So you really have to

control it and you did that

beautifully. You have a wonderful

purity of lines. Yes, you got a bit

tight and you did a slight mistake,

but much, much better.

Thank you.

Do

you agree, Craig?

Aside from the

mistakes, your left shoulder does

tend to rise. But my darling, you

have redeemed yourself. Thank

goodness!

We all loved it. It was

beautiful, as are you. You have a

little tear, darling! Don't cry, you

were gorgeous.

I was so nervous.

You

loved it -- we loved it, didn't we,

ladies and gentlemen? Mollie and AJ!

Mollie! Mollie!

Please, don't be

sad. You worked so hard on this.

They much preferred it to the other

dance. It was gorgeous.

Your

improvement is unbelievable.

Thank

you. The nerves are just getting to

me. I feel like it's all crumbling

away. No. There is no crumble other

than apple, and I will bring it to

your room.

Well done, baby. That is no

crumbling. This is your highest

score so far in the competition.

Really?

Mollie! Mollie!

They love

her.

If you want Mollie and AJ to Waltz

through to next week's final,

please vote for them.

All the details you need

are on your screen, so you can vote

for them towards the end

of the show.

They are saying, please!

Tess.

Our next couple to take to the floor

for the second time tonight is Gemma

and her partner Aljaz.

APPLAUSE

Gemma's had an up and down series,

she's scored 4, she's scored 10

and everything in between.

Does she have what it takes

to make it to the Final?

Let's see what the judges think.

APPLAUSE

Gemma, you never know what's going

to happen. Great at ballroom, and

then the next week, she has a Latin

and just collapses. Don't overthink

it. These thoughts cannot be seen in

a performance.

The fear when she

attends Latin is so revealing. That

is what she has got to change.

Bush

she surprised me with her American

Smooth, amazing. The lines you had

were great.

She had glimpses of

absolute pure brilliance. She flowed

across the floor seamlessly. She

will have to bring that if she wants

to get into the final.

This week,

Gemma, tango. The Big Questions I'm

optimistic for her tango.

I think

she can produce the goods.

The

finalists in Strictly Come Dancing

have to be extraordinary. We want to

see perfection. Can Gemma deliver?

The first thing that makes a good

tango is keeping your posture

perfect.

I'm nervous about

everything in the tango. The only

thing that makes me feel safe in the

dance is that I'm doing it with

Aljaz.

Gemma is a bit scared of the

tango the moment.

I can't remember

what I was going to ask you. I can't

remember the steps and I feel like I

am letting Aljaz down. I am still

thinking about what's coming next.

This tango could make or break our

semifinal. I've got to do it right.

Dancing the Tango, Gemma Atkinson

and Aljaz Skorjanec.

APPLAUSE

MUSIC: My Sharona

APPLAUSE

It is make-or-break time now in the

competition, in the semi-finals.

Come on over. So much determination,

Gemma. We can see how much it means

to you. Well done, darling. Superb

routine. Lots of pressure on our

stars tonight. Did Gemma deliver

when it counts? I thought she did

very well. Delivered two different

dances this week. You came out, you

have done the rumba and attacked

your tango. When you were facing us

you looked at us like - I'm going to

give you that surly look. It was

lovely.

I thought you did really well today

in your tango. Bruno.

You were

giving the judges the marching

orders. I'm going to do this if it

kills me. Lovely figures, lovely

lineses. Be careful, when you over

push a tango it gets steppy. It only

happened a couple of times.

Otherwise it really had a beautiful,

beautiful quality. Very nice indeed.

Well done. Craig.

I would like to

have seen more V shaping in the

upper body. Your left hand also the

palms should be facing the floor,

not attached to Aljaz' back. I loved

it. I thought it was great. It had

attack. It was good.

He said loved

twice. Darcey. And he's smiling,

look.

Yes. Gemma, the determination,

the passion. You were going for. It

I loved that facial expression. That

followed right down your core. Very

nice work, very happy.

Very happy.

That is your last dance done. It's

out of your hands now. Best of luck.

Go upstairs and chill out with

Claudia. Gemma and Aljaz.

YES!

APPLAUSE.

You must be so happy those comments.

I can't believe it.

Shirley loved.

It they were full of positivity. We

mentioned it earlier, you had a hard

week?

It's been difficult. The

dances are different, rumba straying

legs on your toe. Tango bent legs.

It's hard work. Never done it

before. Not one single dance step in

her life. Very good job doing two in

one week. Good job.

The scores are

in.

The judges' scores are in...

Thank you very much.

32, well done.

If you want to see Gemma

and Aljaz in the Final, then

all the information you need to vote

for them is on your screen now.

You don't have long to wait.

Voting will open in a few moments,

as we only have one

couple left to dance.

I so love supportive wife in the

back going - do it, write down the

number. Tess.

Our final couple to dance tonight

is Debbie and her partner Giovanni.

APPLAUSE

Debbie and Giovanni

have performed some

amazing routines over the series

and are just one more dance away

from a place in the Final.

Can they do it?

Let's ask the judges.

Can we just talk about the

fab-u-lous Debbie McGee. We did not

know she was going toibl a do what

she has.

She works hard. She has put

the energy in of a 20-year-old. That

endear dears letter to my house.

That tango was beautifully precise.

I couldn't find one thing wrong with

it. 10, 10, 10, 10 - amazing.

It's

slightly too over placed and I don't

see the character and the

personality come through the dance.

But she had a turn in the Charleston

when she came alive.

The lady, for

me, is fantastic. She is doing the

Foxtrot. Excellent dance. Her poise

is going to chien shine. It will be

her bubble. She will love this

dance.

I really struggle with

getting the feet right and getting

the head right.

This routine is just

all about pure technique. 1, 2, 3.

1, 2, 3. Head.

Hopefully within the

next few day it is will all come

together like a jigsaw puzzle.

There, nice.

There are only five

couples left. So I know the Foxtrot

has to be the best it possibly can

be to get us through to the final.

Dancing the Foxtrot,

Debbie McGee and Giovanni Pernice.

APPLAUSE

MUSIC: Isn't She Lovely

APPLAUSE

Debbie and Giovanni. Isn't she

lovely - yes, she is. How was it

Bruno?

Strictly gorgeous. If you

don't make it to the final necks

week I will dance with your tutu, no

knickers and a tiara.

The mind truly

boggles. He shocked himself now,

look. Don't keep promises you can't

keep. Craig.

We can only hope and

pray that doesn't happen, darling.

You were too long out of hold. I

think Giovanni you know that, don't

you, darling. I have deducted one

point for that.

He didn't hear you.

Repeat yourself.

The whole last bit

completely was miles long. We don't

need to discuss that. You know the

rules. You used the floor completely

well. It flowed brilliantly. You

maintained body contact all the way

through and I loved it.

Thank you.

He loved that. Darcey.

Stunningly

effortless. I've said it before. The

freedom you gave to that dance, for

something that was incredibly

technical. How you constantly

changed directions. All those

transitions were so smooth, so

elegant. That was nice. Wow.

Thank

you.

Shirley.

Well, I truly do think

you are heaven sent. I think you are

the most beautiful lady. I think you

are elegant, I think you are

gorgeous. I think you had beautiful

sweeping moments. You both looked

involved. The music was lovely. The

atmosphere was lovely. Thank you for

closing our show like that. It was

amazing.

No higher praise than that

from Shirley. Let's see where that

leaves you on the leaderboard. Let's

hear it for Debbie and Giovanni,

ladies and gentlemen.

Well done, darling. What a week, two

such different dances. Everybody has

had them, you loved the Foxtrot? I

love doing it with Giovanni.

Beautiful dance.

To hear Shirley say

thank you for closing our semi-final

must fill you with joy. It's been

hard?

It's been really hard. I have

butterflies in my stomach. That is

incredible.

Isn't she lovely?

She is

lovely. Nicely done, Giovanni.

The

scores are in.

Would the judges'

please reveal their scores...

APPLAUSE

Beautiful, beautiful.

If you think it would be lovely

to see Debbie and Giovanni dancing

in next week's Final,

then they will need your vote.

All the details you need

are on screen, but please don't call

yet as you won't be able

to show your support

until the vote opens later.

So, all of our couples have

performed two routines,

but where does that leave them

on the semi-final leaderboard?

That is their combined scores.

But you can change all of that.

If you want to see your favourite

couple dancing one more time

in next week's Final,

you know what to do because...

The vote is now - OPEN.

Calls to the short number

from a mobile cost 15p.

Calls to the long number cost

15p plus your network's

access charge and, please,

ask the bill payers permission.

You can vote online by visiting

bbc.co.uk/strictly where you will

also find terms and conditions.

The vote closes at 8.50pm.

Please don't try to vote

if you're watching On Demand.

To help you decide, here's

a reminder of tonight's performances

and the all important vote

information.

To vote:

All five of our remaining couples

have done all they can

in the ballroom tonight,

but only four can it make it

to next week's final.

No one wants to fall

at the final hurdle.

Here is why Joe, Alexandra,

Gemma, Mollie and Debbie

all want to make it.

There is a sense of achievement from

having got this far.

It's the

greatest feeling to have got through

to the semifinals. It's been an

amazing experience.

This is the

final hurdle for us.

This is it.

In

the back of your mind, there is

always that feeling, it might be you

that kicked off this week.

There is

no thinking it's in the bag, because

it's not. Do one wrong thing, you

are gone.

When you are waiting for

your name to be called out, it's

horrible.

The feeling when the red

light hits you, it's so difficult.

If we go this week, that will really

got me down to earth.

Making it to

the final would be incredible.

It is

just there in front of me.

I would

love to see this journey through to

the end.

It would make my dreams

come true to get through to the

final.

Our couples have given it their all

in tonight's semi-final,

delivering ten tremendous routines.

They all want to be in next week's

Grand Final, but now

they can do no more.

They're all relying on your

support to get there.

Voting closes at 8.50pm tonight,

so you don't have much

longer to vote for your

favourite couples.

Your votes could help them avoid

the last Dance Off of the series

in tomorrow night's Results Show

at 7.15pm, when sadly, one more

couple will be eliminated

from Strictly Come Dancing,

just one week before the final.

Also on tomorrow's show,

our professional dancers

will perform a brilliant

Lindy Hop themed routine.

And we have a very special

performance from Craig David

featuring Bastille.

So for all of that and to find out

which of our stars will be

dancing in the Final,

please join us tomorrow at 7.15pm.

Stay tuned to BBC One for Michael

McIntyre's big show.

And in the meantime...

BOTH: Keep dancing!