Episode 30 Strictly - It Takes Two

$:/STARTFEED. Hello, it's the Friday before the big one. Coming

up on tonight's show, Mr Anton Du Beke is bringing us all the gossip.

And last weekend, this man bowled a maiden over, with Natalie. And what

a clever Dick, with the Charleston. Richard and Erin are here. And the

Friday panel are the Pointless Quiz Masters, Richard and Alexander, and

Christopher Biggins is here. Just a minute. Pudsey, you should be next

door. Are you a fan of the show. Would you want to do it? Show us

some moves. A nice swivel. This is Hello and welcome to Friday's It

Takes Two. The Wembley Weekend starts right here. In 24 hours, 58

minutes and 33 seconds our dancers will be performing live, in front

of over 6,000 people in the arena, plus all of you at home. Over the

last few days our couples and the crew have been getting ready for

the spectacle. We sent our roving reporter, Mr Anton Du Beke to catch

up on all the backstage gossip. Shshh. It's Nancy. She's having a

bit of a sleep. Don't wake her. We're here backstage in the props

hear. All these things here, the skittles and the booths and

everything. This is all going to be for a massive group dance with the

pros and the remaining celebrities. But I wonder who is using the car

wash? The car wash! Who is using..... Ah. That's what I love.

Timing! How are you? Are you all right? I

need an eye wash. I've got an infection today. That's nice, with

his dodgy tummy the other day. How are you feeling? Much better, thank

you. Did you have the dreaded Strictly virus? We're not sure

because there were lots of other things involved. It could have been

food poisoning. Let's not go there. And are you all right? It feels

like I'm crying all the time, but hopefully it will be all right.

your dance...Car Wash. We're doing the samba, which is very exciting.

They say it is the most difficult of the Latin dances, how is she

doing? Like a duck to water. bound to. Come on, Anton. If ever I

was built for a number. Yes, the bouncy one. Any surprises? We have

a couple of props that move. they are stunning. Also Lisa had a

little play with Artem this week, due to my illness. Oh, you. I

understand you would have rather I came in. But you were busy.

Artem all right? He did, but nothing like you. Did he have any

clothes on? He did, but then I had to work harder. No wonder your eyes

are sore! I can't wait to see your number. Thank you. I can't wait to

see yours. I love you, Anton Du Beke. Our mythic animals are on

overdrive. This week, Wiggle the pig has decided she wants to give

So Wiggle the pig thinks that Victoria and Brendan are going to

be top of the leader board this weekend. Let's hope she is not

telling porkies. Last week, Michael and Natalie dance a wonderful salsa

to I Want You Back. And I want them here. Let's go back first of all,

you've had some memorable moments in your Latin dancing, Michael, how

was the salsa? It was OK. I got it a little bit wrong in the middle.

But I was proud of the lifts. My timing was a little better than the

cha-cha-cha. So that's an improvement. But I enjoyed it. It

was fun and a great song. We had a bit of fun. Just one mistake in

that first part. It's OK. We don't need to be reminded of that. No,

it's good. He showed a lot of leadership. That's what we want!

And you did have to dance all of that in front of the salsa king,

Mark Ramprakash. Did that add pressure or has he given you tips?

He hasn't give me any tips. But my other mates have done a lot. But I

walked on on Saturday and saw Mark Ramprakash, and thought, "Thanks a

lot for that." You got a lot of praise for the lifts, when did you

realise Michael was going to be so good at them? Well, you have to do

them in the salsa so I threw myself in there and I realised once I was

up there I felt really safe so I could do risky lifts, so we have

more this week. He's going to be the lift king. And Darcey was

saying it shows strength, strengths in the thighs. But we've spotted

some other superpowers, oh, yes. SUPERMAN MUSIC

Michael is incredibly strong. A very strong upper body. You don't

realise his strength. Miss muscles are so worked. I want

all your power. It threw me for about three seconds.

And I'm down. There are moments when I just think, "That's

amazing." Let's get him some little pants

over the top of his trousers. let Richard wear those! Are you

loving Wembley? We've been and had a look and it's massive. The

rehearsals have gone nicely. It's such a big arena. Oh, look at that.

That's round the back. It is going to be an amazing show. We're

looking forward to it, but I've just got to get the three lifts

right. And tell me about the lifts? We had a run through this morning.

It was perfect. The atmosphere is great and there's not even a crowd

in there yet. When you played cricket you played at Old Trafford,

25,000, how are you going to be with the massive crowds at Wembley?

Will you cope with it well and will they drive you on? I don't think

any of us know how we'll react when we're on the stairs. But 6,000

cheering people, you've just got to go for it. It could be your last

dance, so you have to nail it and go for it. And has Nicky taken you

to see his hands? Yes, West satisfy life hands are on the floor just

outside the entrance. He's next to Kylie. He's doing all right. Who is

looking good from your fellow contestants? I think they all look

good. Everyone is really good. The competition is strong. And girls

Aloud are really good as well. you meet them? We're like that.

Enjoy your American Smooth and good luck.

I'm so overexcited I may need to be restrained. Back to Anton and his

backstage antics and it looks like he might have caught up with

somebody we haven't seen in a while. This is the real corridor of power.

This is Lady Tess's dressing room. And my dad, Sir Bruce. Oh, one of

the guests. Dressing room five, Kylie! And really, the most

important room in the house.... Look who I've found. It's only

Aliona. Hi. How are you? Good, how are you? How are the pins? Getting

there. Recovering fast. Are you still having a little bit of physio.

Yes, almost every other day. It's lovely to see you again. Are you

excited about being at Wembley. You picked a good one to come back on.

I'm extremely excited. It's going to be a massive, massive show.

you doing a group dance with us? With you, yes. Have you missed us.

Ahhhh....What Do you mean? course I've missed you guys and the

whole Strictly. Who did you miss the most? Come on. Everyone apart

from you! That's nice. Come on. Come on! Zoe,

back to you. Thank you very much. Each week, our

couples have danced their socks off to win a place in the next live

show. For many of them, they never excepted to make it through the

first week, let alone this far. -- expected.

It's flown by. I don't know where the weeks have gone, but I'm so

happy I'm still here. Now that I'm half way I really want to try and

go as far as I can. I never expected to make half way, so to

make it this far is fantastic. I'm just going to make the most of

every dance. At the beginning I would have said week two, tops. And

now I'm dance number seven. I'm a really, really happy girl. I've

felt the greatest sense of achievement than I've felt in a

very long time. It's amazing. I'm very privileged and I'm chuffed to

bits that our efforts have paid off. I'm delighted to be here, half way

and proud. I'm just pausing. I'm genuinely buzzing.

I'm very honoured to be sat here half way through it.

It's been emotional. We've had to say goodbye to a lot of people.

To think that I'm still in the biggest show on television, dancing

away on a Saturday night. I have to say I've worked hard but I couldn't

have done it without my partner. feel I've achieved such a lot. I've

jived and tangoed with the king himself. And now to dance at

Wembley. To dance in front of 6,000 people. There's nothing better than

that. I cannot white. Jay it's extraordinary. It's wild. I'm very

excited. It's going to be a fantastic crowd. Amazing. A dream

come true. I'm sure we'll put on a good show. Performing at Wembley?

Life doesn't get any better than that. It's owe motionial stuff.

This week, for my Friday panel, I asked for three big men. It just

goes to show that dreams can come true. Please welcome Alexander

Armstrong, Richard Osman and Christopher Biggins. Welcome!

Welcome! Moves from Biggins. Alexander, I

thought you were going to do some nice dad dancing on your way in.

were you? Alexander. Yes, hello. You and Richard obviouslyably

present Pointless. Yes. And I believe you have a Strictly version

coming out. Yes, I believe it is next Saturday. How driven and

competitive were the professional dancers off the dance floor? Let me

tell you, Brendan and James were at each other so much, the quiz was

very much second or third on their priorities. Did they take their

tops off? And the rest. If only just the tops. And Ola did to.

wish! Are you a huge fan? I'm very excited to be here. Are you going

to give us some incredible facts about Botofogos? That is the second

largest city in...That's Why you are here. Christopher, what do you

think of 2012 this year? It's an incredibly high standard. And I've

done Pointless, by the way. We were out the first round.. Very

embarrassing. Do you get a clock? No, nothing. Not even a smile from

these two! Let's got on. This weekend, our dancers have all gone

to Wembley and there is a theme, which is dance through the decades.

Let's discuss at length, gentlemen. Kicking off, Victoria and Brendan

who are doss a pass dough dob lay this weekend, to -- paso doble, to

Queen's Bicycle Race. Victoria has had a lot of action in

the velodrome this year. You're not kidding. How do you think she will

do at Wembley? I'm amazed it has taken this long to bring bicycles

into the music. Maybe this week will be big for her. What do you

think? Will she cope with the bull and the cape? If she can cope with

a bicycle I think she can cope with most things. It's a difficult prop.

Yes, because....I Can't say anything, but it is very exciting.

But I think she will ecope. If she doesn't dismount there could be a

problem. I think the bicycle is the least of her problems, surely?

the way this one runs. Watch tomorrow night. How do you know so

much? Oh, I really keep my eye on this show! Lisa and Robin are doing

the samba to Car Wash. Let's observe her, Richard. Is Lisa

showing the skills you need for a samba? Well she's wonderful. And

I'm glad he's back. Yes, Bobby both ends. He's back and well and

they're at Wembley. Samba-style- wise, what do you think, Alexander?

I think she's got it. She has such rhythm and such groove it's a

pleasure to watch. And she's lost so much weight. It's hearing you

say" groove." Oh, shows' got groove. I'm looking forward to the bit on

the bicycle. Louis and Flavia are doing the American Smooth to Ray

Charles. Let's listen. # I've got a woman. # Do you think he can crack

the tens this weekend? The thing about Louis is he's a professional

athlete so he'll time himself perfectly and the tens will come

when they need to, with him. But he's brilliant. And that's not

scary for him, being at Wembley. And Flavia always gets such a lot

out of her dancers? She does. But I think it's tough for her partner

this year. He's not making it easy for her. You heard this? Yes.

do you know more than me? I did Day break with Richard this morning!

And a bit of Elvis for Nicky. He seems to divide the judges a bit.

This is a big surprise. I think week after week he's doing

fantastic stuff. I agree. Look at that. Assured and such poise and

yet he's not getting the recognition. I think they're

jealous of him. And he's no stranger to Wembley. He's played

there 27 times. He's going to love the crowd. But I think there are so

many good people in this year he has been overshadowed a little bit.

But on Saturday he might shine. Denise and James are doing the

Charleston to Walk Like An Egyptian. I love Denise. I think she's

fantastic and got an awful lot of stick at the beginning about being

a professional. It doesn't matter. What she does each week is

brilliant, brilliant. She's a great dancer. And she is being carried on

by adonises this week. Is that the prurl of Adonis? Do you think she

can get high scores this week? Are you a fan? She is brilliant. And

people do have a go because she is semi professional. But she is not a

dancer. She is just brilliant. James is so competitive it's lovely

to see him struggle. Dani and ven cent are doing a quickstep to the

Supremes, You Can't Hurry Love. Here she is practising in her Ruby

slippers. She has never got to the top of the leader board, could this

be her week? I am not a fan, I have to say. Oh, you are not! I find

that she is - I don't know, there is something missing somewhere

along the line. If I'm totally honest and that's why I'm here. I'm

sure she is a lovely girl. she's a brilliant dancer? Yes. But

not quite Lisa. Lirks look at her foot work, it's fantastic.

Kimberly and Pasha are doing the samba. She is wearing the biggest

dress you have ever seen. It takes up half the floor. The music is

Ricky Martin. It's a big week for Kimberly, which was a shocker. But

that's not going to happen again. That was surely because people

assumed she was safe at the top. Wasn't it? People this week will

have to vote for her. I think it was people thinking, "Oh, they're

bound to get through. So we won't vote." I need a name? Louis. Lisa.

Lisa. Thank you so, so much for joining me, Alexander, Richard and

Christopher. Tomorrow night the Wembley show

will be the biggest extravaganza Strictly has ever seen. Will you be

watching? ALL: Yes. Do you want to come round? It would be lovely.

now we go a little bit deeper behind the scenes. I've never been

more excited about a little piece of information I got only earlier

today. Apparently in your number - do you want to tell them? You tell

them. I'm embarrassed. There's a bicycle. It's going to fly through

the air. A flying bicycle. It could be fun. I don't know what it has to

do with the paso doble, but it could be fun. Do you have the cape.

Yes, that's mandatory. And the mandatory bicycle. It's amusing.

The difficulty has been - this is exclusive - Anton, if she doesn't

get out of her harness in time, it's a long time to stand filling

in front of 6,000 people. Do an Artem. I haven't got the top.

You've been working out! Zoe, exclusive! Back to you.

They have raced back from rehearsals at Wembley, please

welcome Richard and Erin. I'm so excited. Top Charleston last

weekend, it was glorious and up 12 points on the foxtrot, you must

have been historical. I was, when I sat and watched this show earlier

in the week and Karen Hardy said the foot work was terrible. That's

nothing to do with me? I loved it. Madam is in a fringed frock to die

for. Where is the bad news? Oh, there it was. I loved every minute

of it, and we both did. We did. I thought how ever people chose to

vote and we ended up in another dance-off at least it would be on

the Charleston. And this week, the salsa. We'll get on to that in a

bit, but last week, Craig said it was your best yet and Darcey gave

you an eight. And your reaction to getting through was glorious.

eight for Darcey. Had she been drinking? Craig loves the

Charleston, so to get a compliment from him was great. But the second

scream was not necessary! It's so humbling when you get voted for and

you are put through by everyone voting. It really genuinely is.

They love me, the Oscar speech. It genuinely is and I think I probably

underestimated that and when you've put in all the hard work. And

especially on the long and winding road that I've put you through. And

Michael and I were totally thinking that we were going to be in the

dance-off together. So it was extraordinary. How much has he

grown as a dancer? Incredibly. We were in the dance-off on the first

week and that was a worry and every week he gets better and better.

Hits enthusiasm grows. You bring a smile to my face every Monday, and

I know they are hard because you're learning a new dance but I smile

and he's getting better and hopefully it will keep going.

come on. This week, you are doing the salsa I said" we" but I like to

be there with you. We feel it. look at that. Those gentlemen

behind you, tomorrow night will be in swimming trunks. That is

disgusting! No, they're in Speedos. Canary well yellow and they're

going to look wet as they've just got out of the sea. This is news to

me. Are you teelg me that those budgie smugglers are going to put

me off my dancing. And this is what Anton was doing off screen.

look at that. And he's got a rubber ring on. He has to get in there

somehow. It's because we're on an island and that's the sea, with

sharks in it. It is extraordinary. Obviously there are many people on

this show who have lots of people to cope with. If I have four people

to dinner that's big to deal with, but 6,000 people. You know, Denise

walked in and said, "Where is my dressing room?" and Nick was like,

"It's home." And the rest of us were......we stumbled over all the

props. You're getting such a tight- knit family now. Is it hard to say

goodbye to some of the contestants? It genuinely has and again, I

underestimated that. It's been a spectacular line-up and to be part

of that Strictly family is an incredible feeling and the jeopardy

of one going each week is terrible. Wembley was a benchmark. # We're on

our way to Wembley #. Lots of luck to Richard and Erin.