Episode 40 Strictly - It Takes Two

Hello and welcome to It Takes Two. We have got the Friday feeling! They

brought Dodge City to Blackpool with their paso doble, Ashley and Ola are

here. I will be heading toel tree to catch up with Susanna and Kevin,

Mark and Iveta - give them a wave - and a wonderful Friday Panel line-up

for you. Jenny Eclair, Gabrielle and he's sick of Tess get k the Strictly

action, Mr Vernon Kay! This is Strictly: It Takes Two. It is going

to be fun. From London, this is Strictly: It

Takes Two. Please welcome your host, Zoe Ball.

Hi. Welcome to It Takes Two. It is Friday. In just over 23 hours and 57

minutes and 38 seconds, our next Strictly fix will take place. Ashley

and Ola will be tackling a waltz. I will be chatting to them in a

moment. Here is a reminder of their Western themed paso. You had that

attack, you created some strong lines, the shaping in the arms. By

the end, it went a little bit for me. I'm surprised how powerfully you

danced that paso. Well done! The Lone Ranger is back! That was

powerful. Plenty of thrust! I'm into the bizarre and extraordinary and I

thought that was extraordinary! 8. 9. 9. 9! Yes! We brought the Wild

West to the ballroom! Oh yes. Please welcome Ashley and Ola. APPLAUSE

How good were you two last weekend? It was amazing. Our PA was

commenting on your chest. Was that all you? I was all man! That was the

spraying! It was very nice. I loved your outfits. What an incredible

performance. Did you have a great time? It was incredible. The

atmosphere was - we did the first group dance and it was like being at

a footie match. The whole night, there was such an energy in there.

We had a standing ovation. It was magical. I know. You could really

feel that through the telly. Your Karen was there, looking beautiful.

Yes, she was. She only had a baby ten minutes ago! The week before,

you got 35 for your quickstep. You got quite a bit of critique from the

judges. This week, praise and still only 35. Would you have liked a

couple of more points? Yeah, maybe a few more points would be nice. I

mean, the comments were great. Ashley's improving every week. That

is the most important thing for me. You know, the comments from the

judges were really good. And I'm a bit disappointed with Craig's

comment about the style of the cowboy theme because he's sort of

not sometimes our choice of what we do. When the producers and the team

tells us we would like you to do a cowboy theme, we go with it and I do

the best I can with the music and song. OK. I was a little bit

disappointed with that. Apart from that, it was perfect. You did so

brilliantly. That cape work was amazing. Phillippa said online that

her husband, who is a fan, said you should have had a Clint poncho! The

dastardly cowboy that you played so brilliantly, as Hollyoaks Darren,

has he helped with creating some of these characters? I don't think

about Darren when I'm dancing Strictly Come Dancing at all,

funnily enough! Inside, I'm dying. On the outside, I'm a cowboy! It is

working. Let's talk about Darcey. She was saying, she wanted a bit

more dramatic kill. I know! What did you make of that? He wasn't supposed

to kill me. I wanted to deaden her a little and then drag her off! Numb

her! Drag her, but it didn't look good. The thing is, right, 35, a

great score, but still mid-table. Everybody is getting so good. I

know. Can you feel the competition hotting up around you? The

competition is so hot. They are so good. There's a lot of pressure in

training. We really want to improve every week. Yes. The good thing is,

I haven't gone backwards. This is good. If I can keep improving or

stay where I am, I will be happy, I think. He is doing well. You are

doing SO well! Back to ballroom tomorrow. It is a waltz for you. How

has the training gone this week? It's - the first training session

was a relief because after doing the Viennese waltz, I felt like I knew

some of the steps and in some ways, I thought this is alright. Then,

because it's such a slow dance, it is the detail. The one thing I have

not had time to do in the past is polish the dance. This week, I have

had to do that. It sends you a bit mental. It is such a slow dance and

slow song, very romantic. Every single hiccup, it is magnified so

you really have to make sure that the technique is beautiful and

perfect. Yes, we should mention the whole romantic idea of the waltz. It

does seem that that has been a bit of a struggle for Ashley in training

this week. This is very funny. It is not very romantic! You are

dancing with an angel! Cuddle. Cuddle. Cuddle. LAUGHTER I'm an

angel. You just pushed an angel! No! Ow! Stop it! This is still about ME!

It is always about YOU! When is it going to be about ME? It wasn't me.

I didn't do it. Romantic, I say! OK, I have to go because he is messing

up his steps, bye. Love you! James Jordan always on the line! He is.

Bless him. Brilliant, well done to him for last Friday on our show. He

did a great job. This week, we saw in your training VT yesterday that

the posture nightmare is back a little bit. Yes. It is back to get

you. It won't be back on Saturday. Of course not(!) We have really

worked on it. We are working on the posture, the technique and I really

hope he is not going to be doing that on Saturday. I realised I was

sat there like THAT. This is your music. You will be dancing to

Claudia Streza's version of this song - I have no idea who she is.

# And I... # Supersized song, you are dancing with an angel, big

movements... What more do you want? I have it all! You are such a lucky

boy. I am. Always smiling, happy. Sorry? How much are you looking

forward to it tomorrow? I can't wait. I really can't. This week is

sort of everything. Everything I have learnt so far, I have to put on

show and prove that I am learning and I'm taking it in and the

pressure is on. So, I can only do my best. Enjoy it. You are doing

brilliantly. Ashley and Ola, have a great time tomorrow night. Love to

James as well. Thank you. APPLAUSE Now, when it comes to predicting who

will top the leaderboard each week, our predictive pup's psychic powers

have been off. She just smacked him! This week, will Lucky get lucky? You

know what I mean! So Lucky the Predictive Pup thinks

Natalie and Artem will top the leaderboard. Could be right. Tune in

tomorrow. Earlier on today, I gatecrashed the last-minute

rehearsals in the Strictly studio. Here is what happened. Over to you,

Zoe Two. I know it is in here somewhere!

Where is it? Ah! I knew it. Craig's 10! I will give it a dust and I will

leave it on the top for Saturday. How are you? Come over here and you

will find a lady who has put the sparkle into Breakfast News and the

man who has put Grimsby on the map, Susanna and Kevin. How are you?

Hello, sparkly lady. You weren't loving the cha cha cha the last time

I saw you. Have you falling in love with it at last? Have you grasped

it? We are still not friends. Are you ever going to be friends? You

know what? I hope by Saturday night we are lovers. I do, too! I have

fallen in love with every dance I've donees with -- done with Kevin. It's

never taken quite so long. It's an unrequainted love on cha cha's

behalf. I'm not giving it at the moment. Wait for tomorrow and the

band and the music and the hip action... Exactly. Also, when you

come into the studio and you get to try it out for the first time on a

Friday, are there any last-minute mishaps, things that you need to

adapt or change? How honest do you want to be? Friday is always like -

the first three days of our week are messy and difficult. Thursday goes

well. We go right, we are ready. Friday, it takes about ten steps

backwards every single week. I know. Then we have to practice a bit more

and bring it back for Saturday. Friday is the mishap itself! I

remember that. When Ian used to bring me into the studio, and the

nerves go and the legs go and it starts to drop from your mind. Who

is the naughtest when you come in on Friday? You get to see Mark and

Abbey and all the pros. Who mucks about the most, who is the

naughtiest? Probably, for me, Patrick's quite naughty. Is he? Even

now, he is just doing naughty steps behind you! Look at him, we know

your game! LAUGHTER You can pretend you are practising. What have you

got to do for the rest of the day? What have we got to do? We have to

rehearse the walking down the stairs and stuff. Walking? Have you got

that yet? It is difficult for Susanna to walk. We know. It takes a

lot of time for tanning. How many dips do you have? About 11! In order

to look like a matador! Listen, good luck with the cha cha cha. I know by

tomorrow night, it will be one of your favourites. Kevin and Susanna!

Thank you. If we tiptoe along here, would you believe it, it is Mark and

Iveta. Hello. How are you? Good. Is there a bit of facial hair there? I

got covered in a cream pie - it is my rugged look! Iveta, be honest,

have you been gobbling Mark's grapes all week? Stop it! Well, grapes are

mine! I knew it. I knew this would happen. Friday, you come into the

studio for the first time - it is quite scary when you take the dance

to the floor. You were talking about the rise and fall of your foxtrot

and how you hadn't quite mastered it. Have you got it? Are you rising

when you should rise and falling when you should fall? I am doing my

best, yes. As with all these dances, there are so many things to

remember. I did get a good job from Iveta the other day, so that must

mean I was alright. We will have to make one of those machines with the

Iveta speech on! Ringtones! When you come down, is there anything you

have to change? Usually, no. I know the size of the floor. I try to

choreograph the routine according to the dancefloor. I don't want to make

it any more stressful for Mark by changing things. We work through it

to make sure everything fits. Usually, where we rehearse is

smaller. I pre-plan the routine so we don't have to make changes. No

changes. I have left the backflip in! Good. Have you spoken to your

mate, Dave? We miss him. You used to talk every week. He rang me this

morning. I need to call him back. He is in good form. Good, less. Any

gossip backstage? Anyone misbehaving? You said you have been

covered in custard pies. Anything else happening this morning? No,

it's been really boring this morning. Nothing I can tell you. I

think Patrick tried to kick me in the lead early on. He is vicious,

naughty boy. Everybody has been voting and watching and paying

attention and even doing some dancing at home. Would you be so

kind and give our viewers and exclusive peek of your foxtrot? We

will have a go. Could we have a round of applause? Especially for

He has got the rise and you, here they are. Enjoy.

He has got the rise and show. Now it's back

He has got the rise and everyone has been hard to say

He has got the rise and goodbye to because, even at the

beginning, goodbye to because, even at the

most of us and that's a hard thing. He hasn't had the chance to

most of us and that's a hard thing. goodbye to would have to be James

and Vanessa. goodbye to would have to be James

other so it's hard every week when somebody goes home. Saying goodbye

to Deborah Meaden was very tough. I felt she was brilliant, doing

fantastically well. A real shame. Robin is my best friend on the show.

Whenever he left, it was very difficult for them it was quite an

unexpected exit, as well. I lost a really good friend, Rachel, so it's

definitely a bittersweet moment when you are so happy you got through,

but also really sad you have lost one of your friends. For somebody to

not get to finish the process, you feel very sad for them, because you

know how it would affect you if you went out. A moment which gets me

every time is when a couple of choreographed dance to the leading

music. That makes me feel really heartbreaking and weepy. I was

absolutely gutted I wasn't the two say goodbye to Dave, actually. Oh

dear. I miss Dave terribly. It's a more boring place without him, shall

we say, because he is just something else. To say goodbye is hard. You

have got to bond with everyone in that competition. We all get on very

well. Fiona sparkled with her love of Strictly Come Dancing. She is the

biggest fan, it's such a shame she is no longer part of the show. I

don't like it. The worst part is saying goodbye to people every week.

I'm going to miss everybody. I'm already missing all of them. It's

very hard to say goodbye to each couple every week because everyone

is like one big family. I would hope so we would stay in touch, you know.

This is what this experience is about, making friends and staying in

touch. Gird your loins. So almost Friday panel time and this week

we're joined by one of Britain's greatest soul voices. After a few

years out of the spotlight, Gabrielle's back with a new album.

Here's a little snippet. Wake up in the morning # On the way

back... I think that could be a Rumba. Please welcome tonight's

glittering Friday panel line up of Gabrielle, Vernon Kay and Jenny

Eclair! MUSIC: "Everybody Dance" by Chic.

Let's see what our celebs have in store for us tomorrow. Hello, my

lovelies. Watch that, the step. Welcome. You are back with a new

album, Gabrielle. It's a collection of songs from the last 20 years.

I've also been remixing seven songs, a remake featuring Naughty Boy. He

is the loveliest man. I love him. Officially, very naughty. And

officially, lovely. OK, Vernon, you are a very loyal fan of Strictly and

have lived through every moment with Tess. Who has impressed you this

series so far? It's a tough one because generally the standard is

very high this year. I think we have got some good boys but there's a

couple of girls who might just nip it and pick up the butterball. Any

names? The two we will see today, the girls do the Latin. A little

clue for you at home. Jenny, hello, gorgeous. That is a beautiful top,

you are wearing. I know. Did you steal it? I borrowed it. Half the

couples are gone, do you think the right people are still in the

competition? Yes, you can't Samba any more. The proper dancing people

are left. That you can't muck around any more. The terrific standard for

them we see Susanna Reid first thing in the morning doing the news.

You're getting very dramatic on the sofa. First up we have Sophie and

Brendan's Rumba. The dance of love. Lastly, the quickstep saw her back

to their best. She had a couple of dodgy weeks. Can she keep the

momentum up with this dance? Yes, especially at she dances like she

did last week. She was gracious and just floated. I wish I could be like

that. Certainly, I think she's lovely, and Brendan got a good one

there. The judges want more welly from their sometimes for the last

week she gave it everything at Blackpool. Is she giving it enough

for this dance? I know whether judges are coming from. We are at

the stage in Strictly where you have to be sharp and there's no blimp

that in the dance. Sophie's Halloween performance was

disappointing. It wasn't sharp and crisp and on point. I've delay Craig

Revel Horwood! That I feel like. I think she needs to step up her game

and she knows what to do. She's not stupid. This is what they are

dancing to. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow by Amy Winehouse. Would you

like to run but with Brendan? I don't that he would want to dance

with me. I'm like a fridge freezer and can barely walk along the room.

Let's talk about Abbey and Aljaz. They have got the Paso Doble this

week. Can she do it again? I think she is one of the girls I was

referring to have a real chance. She could pick up a trophy at the end of

the season. I like the way they danced around that column there.

That takes great skill. I think Abbey just gets better and better.

It's amazing how she's quite a quiet person but so good. I think she's

using dance as a way of expression. I love the way he talks. This is the

music they are dancing to. # You've got the love to see me through. #.

She slipped down to fourth of issues than contender for you? I think so.

I wonder if this is a career move because she looks lovely dancing

around. She's very quiet but she expresses herself. The fact she

knows the heat is on, I think she will bring it. Now Natalie and

Artem's Tango. Vernon, Natalie has topped the leaderboard on six

occasions. She is so good. You can't take that away from her. You know

she's never going to flop halfway through and start cantering around.

She did a couple of weeks ago on the dance floor! I would like to see

somebody actually loses halfway through. And just start cantering.

Freestyle. It could happen. Mum at a wedding dance. They are dancing to

Rhianna. I walked into their dressing room early on and I found

Jenny McClair twerking. It was quite a sight. I was trying to do my

shoelace up. Would you like to see her dancing to Rhianna? Is that

twerking? Twerking in plants. -- pants. Now Patrick and Anya's

Viennese Waltz. 37 for his American Smooth. Kindly match it with this

Viennese Waltz? -- canny match it? Most definitely. She is lost. He

does it for me in every which way, I have got to say that. He has got the

moves, the body. My kids are watching. He is definitely one to

watch. When Craig mentions him, and says something nice, which he really

said anything nice, I think he is my personal winner for the it's

interesting Craig called him his favourite male dancer. I don't think

he's ever done that, said specifically, saying you are my male

dancer of the season. He's never done that. This is "A New Day Has

Come" by Celine Dion. My producer's favourite Celine track. It is

beautiful. Two under few weeks with wardrobe malfunctions. Can they get

it right this week? He sailed through them, what a professional.

She got it stuck on her high heel. Like a bird getting stuck in the

nest. More of that. Now Ben and Kristina's Charleston. There is a

strong man feel to this dance. Does that excite you? It looks like he

could pick up a truck. The Charleston, that's very fast, isn't

it? And comedy. I will look forward to that and I will watch with

interest. What do you reckon to his lifts? Is that enough to keep going?

It's definitely not enough. He has got to have good footwork. Len and

Craig will be looking at that, how quickly can give up the dance. He

has got a great teacher. She is very good. Karen Hardy called it the year

at the Charleston with amazing numbers. Do you think this could

rank with the girls? I don't want to sit on the fence but maybe I will.

You know, they need to pull up their socks, most definitely, but they

have done a few amazing things. Yeah, really. Sophie, as well. He is

a big lump. Now Ashley and Ola's Waltz. Patrick has started to

eclipse him in the last couple of weeks. How is his posture? It looks

good. Both the boys are doing well. Ashley is doing the ballroom as

well. We saw Patrick as well. And the two favourite girls are doing

Latin so it will be a great comparison. I like it when you can

see how they are full to very quickly, Suzanne and the Cha Cha

Cha. What do you reckon? She is so equipped, isn't she? She will put

her mind to it and work hard and nail it. The winner for you? I think

Ashley. One of the girls. It's hard but I would say Sophie. Thank you so

much. You have been absolutely gorgeous. Let's hear it for Vernon

Kay, Jenny Eclair and Gabrielle! That's all for this week. Don't

forget to tune in to Strictly Come Dancing tomorrow on BBC One at 6.30.

I'm back on Monday when I'll