Episode 56 Strictly - It Takes Two

Welcome to of a very festive It Takes Two. It's the last Monday

before the main event! Unfortunately the last man standing

was also the last one to fall before the final. Strictly's Mr Smooth,

Patrick and his partner, Anya, are here to say farewell. Go on, boy!

Amazing. Shut up, close the door and call me Mary! It's only head judge

Len Goodman. I curtsy... This is Strictly, It Takes Two.

Good evening! Live from London, this is Strictly

It Takes Two. Please welcome your host, Zoe Ball.

Welcome to It Takes Two five were whittled down to four. One will soon

be crowned Strictly champion, 2013. I can barely contain my excitement.

In case you missed any action, here are the headlines! Ve: Good evening.

Here is the news. Thank you, arm of Jonathan! Here, I can reveal that

the exclusive club gained two new members when Natalie and Artem were

awarded top marks for their sal sasmt it was Artem's first -- salsa.

It was Artem's first ever perfect score ever!

You are actually shaking, palpitating.

The first one in history. History. Thank you. Team Nartem seemed to

have started something. After that the tens kept coming. And the very

first one for Sophie and Brendan. For me, your best performance to

date. An elegant American smooth, Peter

Crouch had better watch out, there is a new man vying for Abbey's

perfections. Sex on legs!

Oh, my God! You can turn it on! I don't know... I am at boiling point!

I can't say anything, I'll be in trouble! I think Bruno's on the

turn, darling. While he may have been impressed with the standard at

the weekend head coach Len had a bone to pick about something else.

It Takes Two - you've annoyed me! The Drunken Sailor challenge - you

never got Len on it! He won it! I don't like to brag.

There we go! 57! 68!

81! And we go into a frenzy!

Like father and son, weren't they? Nice one, Len. He'll be here in a

minute. Those were the headlines. I thank you! For more backstage

gossip, for the last time this year, here is some exclusive footage from

behind the scenes on Saturday. There are the four girls and Patrick

and it is quite calm. It does feel a bit more empty here -

that's for sure. I can't believe I'm in the semi-final. That is amazing!

So, let's not waste it! Let's have fun.

Five couples. I tell you what, # Tomorrow

The sun will shine for four, but for one, the sun will set!

We are like the Desperate Housewives of Strictly!

That's good! Nervous! I was not nervous. That is

just the way of curtailing the word - how good the dance is and how

confident she is with the dance. It's just her.

I'm full of energy. The more you dance, the more energy you get. I'll

keep on dancing. The paso doblely. Anya had a skirt and there was a

mishap, that I trod on it. Hopefully it will not go badly in the real

thing! I have just sneaked in. I don't think I am allowed to do, but

tell no-one! That is amazing! I don't think anybody should leave!

Can you tell the bosses that? Soe can make that -- Zoe can make that

happen! That is the female pros' dressing

room. There's one - last woman standing!

Final touchups for the semi-final. It -- touch-ups for the accept

final. I'm not in the right outfit for the beginning of the show. The

thing is everyone is in the same boat and it's a nice boat to be in -

the Strictly boat! Five minutes until we're on air,

guys. We'll start to make our way to the staircase. All the best!

Semi-final time! Two dances per couple. Brilliant stuff! Make them

earn their money, I say, darling! Good luck to them all.

See that! Now I really need a wee!

It is obviously the most nerve-racking weeks... The first one

was bad. I think today will match that. All we can do is... Keep

dancing! This has to be the tightest

semi-final ever. Anything can happen. One thing is for sure -

you're going to get a fantastic show!

Their dreams of reaching the finals are maybe over, but they certainly

put over one great fight. Will you please welcome the latest Strictly

casualty, Patrick and his partner Anya.

Well done, darlings in getting so far. Commiserations. Leaving the

show is so hard. The week before the final - so frustrating. How

devastated were you, Patrick? Well, you can't argue with Artem and

Natalie in the dance-off. Really. I speak for everyone We know she's the

most accomplished dancer among the celebrities. How come she was in the

dance-off. This is what happens with the show. You never know how it

turns out. Were you pleased with him? Two incredible dances on

Saturday night. Absolutely. I couldn't have asked for more, to be

honest with you! Not the final? ! I am trying to give

a compliment! Let's talk about you - your great

comments from the judges and they commented on the improvement in your

posture. That must be wonderful to hear. You did improve on that. It

was fantastic and to get those marks for the waltz - it was fantastic.

The paso doble, you looked like you were having a good time. Your face

was a picture. Craig said it exposed his weaknesses a bit. What did you

make of it? Actually I normally always agree with him. I had to

disagree on this one. I watched it back and you did everything that I

asked you to do. For the short amount of time we had and with your

succeedual, I think you did an a-- schedule, I think you did an amazing

job. Thank you. A very intimate moment between

teacher and pupil. Did you think when there were not any tens, did

you think, hang on, we might be in trouble here? No. The first thing I

have to say is thank you to the Casualty Team. Oliver Kent and the

production team have been brilliant, allowing me to get there. In terms

of doing the dance - the paso doble, it didn't really grab me and the

music didn't either. It didn't give me anything. I am instinctive with

dancing. If the music is good, I kind of go for it. I had to work

harder doing the paso doble. So, I tried. I tried my utmost. Show me

your face! The arrogant thing... I can't do it!

You had an in ced incredible Journey - I have said the J word! You really

have - let's look at your Strictly story. It's awesome!

Helping you to scrub up - it's Anya. Patrick is a really great person to

work with. He can't wait to dance and learning.

That's good! You don't get this chance every day. I'm going to go

for it! That jive was alive! The rhythm and energy was absolutely

fantastic! I am chuffed! Yes! Quick, slow...

She is a hard task master. Cross in front and slow. You have to have

discipline but you must have fun as well.

I can't get up! I thought it had fantastic attack. Your timing is

impeccable. You are one to watch! I love dancing with Anya.

You brought class to this. Very nice. Dial with a smile. It went

well. I think so too! You You were smiling, I was beaming. That is your

best dance! I just heard from Patrick. That he

hurt his wrist last night. The injury to my hand has had a big

impact on the dance. Anya's had to change the routine drastically. I'll

be out there, Saturday night, trying to do it! You did a really good job

under terrible circumstances. Well done! I thought, I'm going to be

dancing again. I would like to save Patrick and Anya. I need to enjoy

every moment. It could have gone and it's still here. I am so excited to

be back in the training room with Patrick. He's lovely to work with.

Strictly's given me more appreciation of dancing. You get out

what you put in. Great work! Well done! Getting two nines is

fantastic. Hopefully it will go up and up and up. My goal is to still

be in Strictly on my 50th and I'm still here!

You are the best male celebrity in this competition.

It was incredible getting a ten. The samba is a party dance. Rhythm,

rhythm. I cannot wait to bring the carnival to the Blackpool Tower

ballroom. That is not a samba, that is a whamba! It was fantastic!

The next one will be better! I hope so! Patrick is a serious,

dramatic actor. Soft - what light through the window breaks? I crush

you! Pay attention 007! You were riding very well for a

while, then at the end you crash-landed! Being an actor, I am

used to playing a character. The charleston is a very Seiny

characterful dance. It was fantastic. Three tens! Whoa!

Strictly has almost taken over my whole world. You get it going down

the street - how is the training going? Good luck for next week! This

week will be tough. Every week is tough! For me... It is!

I'm chuffed to bits to have got more than three, four, five dances under

my belt and people have enjoyed it. I have loved it - every minute of

it. Patrick, look at you - the poise, the sense of distinction. You

really placed it so well. Judges, it is time to decide. I am going for

Natalie and Artem. Natalie and Artem.

Patrick, thank you so much for being you. You've been incredible. You are

a true artist. You inspired me. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank

you. I think you are incredible. I wish you the best of luck.

13 dances - incredible. Do you have a favourite. Anya has gone - the

glitter tissues you are out! Did you have a favourite moment? I loved

doing the American smooth. Foxtrot. It was proper Vegas - those lifts!

That and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Who would you like to see of your

friends - of the girls now - to go on and lift the glitterball trophy,

Patrick? Maybe Sophie. I enjoyed her charleston that she did with

Brendan. I think they've been doing very smooth stuff. Yeah, I mean...

Anybody deserves to win. You have been awesome, the two of you, and on

a crazy schedule. Thank you so much. Thank you.

Patrick and Anya! Thank you.

It's been a great series, full of outstanding performances. I think we

all agree. It is time to see Iveta in professional's choice.

My professional of choice is Natalie and Artem - it was one of the most

magical numbers I have ever seen. What I liked was the beginning. You

couldn't see Natalie and when she appeared out of smoke - the

connection they had from the very beginning of the dance is as soon as

they touch they start dancing. The extensions they had were so

beautiful. Every line was extended to its maximum. How they were using

each other's body weights - it was so balanced.

They go side by side. The section where they both spin. They were so

synchronised. One of the other favourite moments was the Natalie -

when she went down on the floor, which was very graceful, and fluid.

She did a little roll and they finished together, head to head,

back to back. It was beautiful and emotional. I think Artem took a big

chance on doing such a difficult and such ex express sieve one. The

challenge in the Viennese waltz is so stay in that hold. It is supposed

to have more in the hold in dancing, but in order to tell a better story,

you had to have a little bit more performance to tick over. I

understand both sides. I don't think there's a person in the country

who's not screaming now - this is magic! Magic!

The reason I really liked the dance is because it had a big story. It

had a great entrance. Showed a great technique and it touched everyone by

the end of the dance. That is why I loved it.

Thank you Iveta. Soon Len Goodman will join us to about the weekend.

It is very exciting! With the final imminent who better to give our

celebs top tips than last year's champion!

Hello. You seem to have caught me getting all Christmassy. Now I am

feeling festive, I might give you my top tips on how to become the

champion. Tip number one - in order to gain maximum attention during

training be sure to perform a few diva chops. Leave me alone, flavia!

I can't do that! It's horrific. So's that top. Tell me when you are

ready? Thursday. I don't care. I'll dance with Danni - she's better than

you any way! The professionals go on about this all the time - footwork,

posture, face expressions. For me, there's only one thing that needs to

be right if you are going to win Strictly and that's the hairdo!

I've got to make sure my hair is up to scratch.

How does my hair look? Looking good! Any gymnast, any sportsman or dancer

will know, a good meal is vital to success. There's no better diet than

baked beans on toast. More importantly it has to be delivered

by your mum. I can't stop thinking about beans on toast. My mum's got

me beans on toast! Thanks, mum! I just needed to have it! Look at

what mums do! Honestly! So my next tip - not everything on Strictly is

handed to you on a plate. You have to be creative, use your imagination

and oh, a bit of sticky-backed plastic helps too! Place the socks

on three bits of tape. Press down firmly. Place the contraption on the

knee and wrap around. Here's one we made earlier. Here's one we prepared

earlier. Made... You don't know nothing! I know some things!

Tell you what, to win Strictly you need to impress the ladies.

Obviously dancing with your top off isn't a bad place to start. It helps

to flash a bit of flesh. Finally to become the Strictly

champion, you need to have great natural rhythm. You need to be

extremely good looking and you node to be a marvellous dancer. In fact,

a marvellous dancer! Now, this year, there's been one

judge who has been putting the strict into Strictly, with his

no-nonsense attitude. We are so excited to have him here - please go

full on and flat out for top cat, Len Goodman!

Wiggle and a wiggle! Hello, my darling. Was that a Drunken Sailor?

What I wanted to do, but they... I wanted to start at the top of the

stairs and do a Brendan down the banister! How much have you been

enjoying this series, Len? It's been fabulous. You have the full mix.

We've had Dave in there. You know, we've had some comedy couples. We've

had wonderful dancing. It's been terrific. Here we are! One to go.

Are you happy - are the right four in the final? It is always the right

four in the final. OK, maybe not always what the judges would have

picked. It's a combination we say our bit and the viewers have theirs.

What we get is what we get and that is how it should be. Two dances to

discuss. I start with Abbey and Aljaz and their samba. You loved her

cortejaca. And then some quick flare and here we go! I'm a cup of tea and

a world of lattes. I like to see the traditional moves coming in. I used

to dance cortejaca when I was in my 20s. I like to see that basic stuff

as well as all the razzmatazz. Sophie and Brendan and their

American smooth - breathtaking. She was well within her comfort zone

here - that lovely start coming down the banister... Three beautiful

lifts. The secret to lifts is not just the lift - it is how you get

into it, how you get out to it. She did that beautifully. She's such an

elegant girl. The foxtrot is an elegant dance. It suited her so much

I was lovely! Stunning. Susanna and Kevin and their foxtrot - you simply

said terrific. Why was it a ten for this one? Let me say, sometimes on

the show, you know, they are running a little bit over and it is live.

One of the ways they get the time back is to say to the judges, we've

got to be really brief. Sometimes you have to say one word or just

very quickly. So, I didn't get really a chance to fully critique

it. It was lovely. It was not the American smooth version where you

can do lifts, you can come out of hold. Basically once you get into

hold - it is a proper dance. To do it to that standard I thought was

wonderful. Well done. Natalie and Artem and their salsa - top marks.

What made it the perfect salsa? Look at her going there! The thing is

sometimes everything comes together. The music, the technique, the

rhythm, the performance and it all comes together! That was one of

those moments. It was just smooshing. We have other dances as

well. Abbey and Aljaz and their American smooth. After this, you

said you were convinced she would be in the final. Why... Why does she do

this so well? This girl's ballroom. Look at the distance between her

head and Aljaz's head. That is one of the secrets, to get that distance

- the girl has to shape off to the left. She maintains that posture and

hold throughout the dance. I tell you what, she's, she really is a

revelation. Norm Normally tall... Tall girls usually have trouble

co-ordinating. You know, she's come out from... No, you were in that

league - I promise you! Don't! I'll take that. The thing is, it was so

long ago no-one will remember! It was before the Blitz!

Sophie and Brendan - you said she interpreted it through her body. It

was not a traditional b boom-ditty-boom... She did that

dance - the musical interpretation was wonderful. Brendan has excelled

himself with his choreography. He's come out with a stonking dance.

Susanna and Kevin, you said a little bit messy. Dances are balanced.

Sometimes, if you go too much at ate then you lose the technique and --

too much at it then you lose the control. You have to get the

technique - plus the wow. I know salsa is a wow dance, it went

over-the-top. She lost some of the control of the dance. Still good

scores. Am I talking too long? I like it! I am a virgin on this! We

are doing some moving. I tell you, smooth operator. The Argentine tango

- this was an incredible moment, wasn't it? I thought this was

everything... To be honest, I not always a punter for the Argentine

tango. Sometimes I think it is a bit silly, all that up and down. I must

say, from the beginning it just held me the whole time. You know. I think

I said something about dance is a fire and sometimes it should warm

like a fot trot. Others should -- foxtrot. Others should burn -

paso... That was just right on... It was... The right temperature. Thank

you. Shame the hair biker wasn't here! To stick his meat gauge in.

Anyone could be knocked out. They do the first half and then someone

goes. To be honest, anyone could be the one that went. Also, any one of

them could be the one that ends up winning the whole thing. That is how

close it is. I really have no and I think - that is what makes it

exciting. I have no idea who will go and who will... I tell you - that

mirror ball! We get to see the show dance. Everyone gets excited. What

are the rules for the show dance? Absolutely no rules. They pick their

own music. They can do lifts. They can - it's their show dance. It is

their opportunity to come out and show us what they have learnt over

all those weeks and just come out and wow us! We'll have to hold tight

on Saturday, aren't we? I usually wear a thong, but I think it will be

too exciting for that. I'll have to put my sloggis on! I can't stand it!

It's been a pleasure to see you. Thank you so much. Len Goodman,

everybody. And you can catch Len 9pm on BBC Four for Len Goodman's

programme. It will be amazing. That's all we have time for.

Tomorrow I will be joined by Natalie and Artem and Abbey and Aljaz and

Karen Hardy for Choreography Corner. See