Episode 41 Strictly - It Takes Two

Live from London, this is Strictly:

It Takes Two. Here is your host, Zoe

Ball!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Hello and welcome to It Takes Two!

Some viewers may be surprised

to learn that Strictly went

to Blackpool at the weekend.

It's true.

We kept it very quiet this year!

On Saturday night, the class

of 2017 illuminated

the Tower Ballroom and produced

some real show-stoppers.

Alexandra and Gorka were right

on the money, climbing

to the top of the Leaderboard.

Gemma and Aljaz took

a tram to Ten-Town!

But one couple's light had to go

out, and sadly Jonnie

and Oti were eliminated

from the competition.

But it's OK, because the Blackpool

Fun Bus has brought them home to us.

And we can't let them go

without a big send-off.

Aw!

Joining them tonight,

it's Blackpool's favourite

ravers, Joe and Katya.

But first up, if there's one thing

we love here at It Takes Two,

it's a behind-the-scenes look-see.

So nothing could stop our film

crew from capturing all

the fun of the seaside.

Blackpool, baby!

When I walked in this morning I got

two goals, I got goose bumps, it was

unbelievable.

Everything is big

about Blackpool, the ballroom, the

performances...

And the scores!

Today... So cool.

I'm James Bond

this week and after that I'm feeling

a bit shaken and a bit stirred.

This

is where they dance with their

hearts rather than trying to get

points from the judges! That's

Blackpool!

Everyone is smashing it.

We've been watching rehearsals. I'm

proud of everyone.

There's so much to remember that

while my make up is being done by

watching my rehearsal from yesterday

and making sure the routine is

really in my head.

It definitely

feels like one big family holiday!

Everybody is just buzzing! Believe

it or not, this is my first time in

Blackpool. I've never been up the

tower.

Let's go up now.

'S do it!

This is really cool! Wow! Look at

this!

Can you see that? Nice to see

you, to see you nice!

Everyone is getting their final

touch-up. Looking sexy in a vest!

Thank you!

Like many of the boys on

the show, unlike Anton, I have hairs

on my chest!

Good timing!

I'm not here, I'm not

here!

Blackpool, are you ready?

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

This is Strictly Come Dancing!

The magic! Wasn't it amazing?

At the weekend, Jonnie

and Oti were transported

into the Tower Ballroom

for a futuristic techno

tango that sadly proved

to be ahead of its time.

Before we say our final farewells,

here's their last dance.

Jonnie and Oti! Oh! You two...

Millions and millions of people...

They love it! Millions are

absolutely gutted to say goodbye to

you. Such a joy. Prince Jonnie,

Queen Oti. How are you feeling after

the whole event?

Good. I've had a

great time and I've got so much

further than I expected. I remember

in week one or two, she could not

stop telling me off the same, I just

want to get to week six. She said,

no, week nine can be your goal! So I

more than happy.

I tell you what,

going out in the Tower Ballroom with

that crowd, those lights, that

performance. Bid if feel already

special?

Like I say, it was

incredible to get that far. Really

incredible. And to this person, who

has managed to give me some amazing

choreography...

Oti, she is one of

the best, isn't she? I have to say,

mixed comments from the judges

afterwards but let's just remember,

Craig said he loved, loved, loved

it, Jonnie! Never forget those

words. How much fun with it to put

that piece together?

It was so much

fun. My goal was to get to

Blackpool. He kept saying six, but I

said, listen, I am going to be on

that train to Blackpool and you are

going to be on it whether you like

it or not expect you will be with

me! And then we said, we are here,

it doesn't matter what anybody says,

let's just go out and enjoy it and

give the best we can. And that's

what we did. I was so proud of him

because he enjoyed it.

You could see

how thrilled you were. Also the joy

of dancing with your husband! Marius

was there.

Yeah!

How was it to dance

with the two men in your life? Lucky

you!

My husband is everything to me.

So amazing. I think he was there for

moral support, and also in the

dance-off, he said, you know what,

just giving you the best at --

anniversary present ever.

Wedding

anniversary as well! You could see

how proud he was of view. That was

beautiful. How did the dance field

this time? Did it feel easier,

different?

I think it was easier.

You know what you are in for. So you

just try to enjoy it, and Blackpool,

a great dance, I really enjoyed it.

Again, you just try to use what the

judges have said and try to improve.

And obviously going up against

somebody like Debbie, who is an

incredible dancer, I knew probably

what was going to happen! So I just

had to try to enjoy it as much as

possible.

And you did and it was

glorious. An interesting fact for

you all, you might be surprised or

comforted to know week nine is

notorious for sporting heroes. It is

when they all go. These guys have

all fallen at the week nine hurdle,

so you are in great company.

Gorgeous Kenny Logan, way back in

series five. Phil Tuffnell went out

in series seven. Michael Vaughan,

say week -- same week. Ben Cohen.

And another one, Greg Rutherford,

whose bottom they loved! Does that

help a bit?

I read a story saying I

was really worried about the

sportsman's curse. I didn't know

what it was but maybe I should have!

It has been such an epic journey, to

use that word. I think you are going

to be really pleased when you see

this put together. Here is your

story.

Strictly is busy so far

removed from my athletics. I'm just

going to try to finish as close to

that finish line as I can get.

Being

partnered with the first Paralympian

on Strictly is such an honour. Are

you excited?

Scared!

Jonnie and I

will be dancing a waltz.

Right now

it is putting one foot in front of

the other and not falling!

That

continuous pivoting, that is an

incredibly difficult turn to do.

Week one!

That's it!

This is a way

for me to help them come forward and

show what fun he is because he is

quite shy.

I just want to put on a

good show.

You are fabulous out

there!

The paso, it is just a whole-body

thing. I'm quite nervous about it.

He's a lot hard on himself than he

needs to be.

Jonnie can take me

anywhere!

A brilliant job!

He's

gaining a bit more confidence. He's

starting to believe in himself a bit

more.

There was so much going right

there.

I really loved it. It was a

wonderful, wonderful routine.

Progress, progress! We are getting

there!

Gosh, you make that look

easy!

All the elements of dance are

coming together.

I thought you were

outstanding.

We got our first nine!

I think secretly he loves shaking

his hips. I can see a smile in the

corner of his face!

I think it's

fair to say Oti has been the most

important person in my journey. She

sees potential and she will

challenge you and it always pays off

on Saturday night.

There are some

dances that suit you and some don't.

It was very stumpy and flat-footed

throughout.

Not your best dance but

I know you are a fighter and it will

come back -- you will come back next

week.

I thought the lifts were

spectacular!

You have no fear and

that attitude is fabulous. Keep it

up.

This week we have the foxtrot.

We're back to ballroom, which is

great.

Is more his thing.

This

stance requires an incredible amount

of control. You are trying hard to

get it right.

Having to go into the

dance-off was not a nice feeling. I

choose to save Jonnie and Oti. We've

just got to try to do this weekend

as best as possible.

Your focus -

thank you so much!

I loved routine.

I'm going to save Debbie and

Giovanni.

I want to thank each and

every of you for judge me as I

equal.

Jonnie is an inspiration. If

you put your mind to it you can

achieve it.

Oh! Thing you thank the judges for

judging you as an equal, that was so

important.

Yes, one of the things

that made me anxious about coming on

the show was that they always looked

at me like everyone else, and they

saw problems and called me up on

those problems. I didn't have any

excuses because I try not to have

any for myself. Even Oti, she will

try to make me point that toe, even

if I can't!

LAUGHTER

The thing is, your posture has been

so critiqued on the show. Lots of

talk about your bum!

It's got its

own Twitter account!

So many people

had an awful lot to say about that,

especially this weekend. What's your

take on it?

I think we knew the

tango would be a difficult dance

when it came to posture. I think

being in a slightly sunken position,

you know, it is a challenge in the

gym anyway, to squat down, so we get

around it in different exercises, so

we all knew the tango would be

slightly different. We just try to

look at the bigger picture to try to

fix everything else. I think it was

probably better in the dance-off

than it was for the first one.

It

was amazing in the dance-off! I was

just sitting there, like, yes! He's

doing this! Keep going!

And, Oti,

you were saying Jonnie has been just

such an inspiration. How has he

inspired you?

Well, he's to be

patience. I'll start there! But

we've worked hard and I think with

every season you get different

partners and I've had to learn and

get to know him and just... I think

I'm going to cry now. I've had to

adjust and learned him and his

personality and how he works, and he

such a lovely person, you really

feel like you have somebody taking

care of you, and he worked hard, he

really wanted to work hard. I

remember we were talking about the

legs especially and there were

things we were going to sacrifice

but it was the bigger picture and

what he stood for and who he was on

the show, and I think that came

across, and we went out in

Blackpool, and that was the goal.

I'm so happy and I'm so happy I got

to meet you! Isil you're my best

friend now for ever!

Friends for

life!

Now I'm not going to get hold

off!

Very quickly, who July to win,

Jonnie?

Aston!

-- who would you like

to win?

The remaining couples, I love

Davood, he is a non-dancer and he

has improved.

You've been such an

inspiration, amazing partnership, we

adore the two of you, Jonnie and

Oti.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE. Big, big

love!

Now, for this weekend's opening

number, Strictly went to the Circus.

And I'm sure you'll agree

it was a Cirque de Triumph.

As one of the series'

most ambitious routines,

we followed Jason Gilkison every

step of the creative process.

We love you, Jonnie!

The opening dance at Blackpool is

one of the biggest production

numbers of the Strictly season and

it is one of the most exciting shows

and we try to make it bigger and

better each year than the one

before. This week, we saw the

celebrities and professionals pull

off a spectacular circus routine but

it was a long road and it all began

six weeks ago. The first thing me

and my choreography do is sit down

and brainstorm ideas. I have got a

lot of ideas about what I think we

could do. I would love it to be a

ballroom number. Eight couples to

work with which looks like this many

people. In our planning meetings, we

use sweets to represent the dances

and plot out the routine.

That is what we are dealing with, we

need to work out something the

celebrities can learn in two hours.

We don't know who is going to be in

Blackpool, it could be any of these

guys, to be honest. The next

fingers, what does this number look

like? What is big in Blackpool?

Pleasure Beach, illuminations.

Candy

floss. Is that a circus?

In the

Tower?

Think it is. We have never

done that at Blackpool, a circus,

the celebs can be the main

attraction, that our thing. It is

going to be amazing.

With the circus be decided, it's

time to start putting the routine

together.

Week later, I gather the pro and we

put together some ideas. That is

working out, you three continue to

go around again and you run into the

line and he does a lift with you in

the centre. Yes, that is the

direction it has to go.

I want one female celebrity to play

the role of the tightrope walker.

Katya and the boys devise how to

make this happen.

That is really good, one more time.

The number is starting to come

together but the week before

Blackpool, they've the extra

challenge of incorporating the

celebrities into the routine and

right now, we do not know who is

going to get through.

It is not just the choreography that

has to be planned in advance, the

set design team works out how to

turn the Blackpool Tower into a big

top and I meet with the costume team

to discuss ideas.

We start in white, gold and black.

Yes, the fabric and the texture is

going to be important.

It is the week of Blackpool, we

finally can get started on this

because we know who the celebrities.

They are catching up and learning

the choreography. And you throw it

to Debbie and you give it a bit

of...

There is a lot of pressure being in

the House macro opening number, you

have to really give it your best

shot.

I have butterflies already.

It is

incredible, there is always lots of

dancers and you are in the middle of

it.

It is really scary, they say to

do it gracefully, I'm just trying to

do it at all!

It somehow works and

it all comes together.

The next time

we are together will be in the tower

so fingers crossed they remember it,

I hope! It is the day before the big

show and the first we time get to

try the routine out in the ballroom.

There is a massive difference

between the rehearsal room and

getting to come to this beautiful

ballroom in Blackpool, it ups the

anti-.

As well as our dancers, we have

circus performers to factor into the

routine today for the very first

time.

When you are at the side, take a bit

of space because it feels like

everybody is a bit cramped.

It is really different to put this

on to the floor because everything

is coming together for the first

time, the circus performers, the

pros, the celebrities, the props.

And the props to make the number if

we can make them work. All these

things that have to be so

choreographed within an inch so

nobody gets injured. A tiny bit

worried this has been a little over

ambitious but it would not be

Strictly if we didn't push the

boundaries so let's see what

happens!

It is finally show day, Strictly

does Blackpool tonight.

There is nothing else we can do but

watch from backstage.

Welcome to the greater show on

Earth!

Sit back and enjoy it!

Starting positions, please!

Five,

four, three, two, one, cue the band!

Ready.

Good! Good!

That is it, perfect!

I loved it! That could not have gone

better. It is something very

special, six weeks of hard work, I'm

so proud of them all! That was a

great moment.

Jason, an absolute wonder. So good

to see it all come together.

So good to see it all come together.

Now, my next guests have a habit

of making a grand entrance,

but I've got to admit I was a bit

worried about their

time-keeping today.

Luckily, it turns out they were...

Ride on Time!

Ride on Time!

It's Joe and Katya!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

What a routine that was!

It was not as smooth as it could

have been, but throughout, your

excitement and your attitude didn't

fail.

The lifts were well done, you

have the most amazing energy, good

job today, Joe.

Joe and Katya! CHEERING AND

APPLAUSE. Did you enjoyed your trip?

It is as it is -- as spectacular as

these guys say and it is mind

blowing, it takes your breath away.

And not in a scary way, it was

brilliant just being there and

thinking of the other people who had

been there over the years and how

lucky I was to still be here and

dancing in Blackpool.

And the

comment of the Tower Ballroom

writing a giant clock. In front of

Graham Norton, Lenny Henry, JK

Rowling. Is it living up to

expectations?

It really is. I knew

that things would be bigger and

better in Blackpool and they were.

I'm really terrified of heights. And

they told me how I was entering and

I was like, OK!

They said, did you

ask about the heights? I said, no,

he will be fine.

I told you and you

are terrified! I thought, I'm not

going to say no because it was such

a brilliant concept. It is fine and

I got it out of the way quickly.

You

would never have known! I would be

more terrified about what was to

come.

The last thing I shouted,

smile!

So much love for you both

online, incredible.

Kitty Gallagher said: 'Now shimmying

around my kitchen going, 'Whoa!

at the utensils thanks to Joe

and I regret nothing.

Ride on Time for Xmas Number One'.

Why with utensils involved? Yes,

dance like nobody is watching!

Is that the sort

of reaction you were hoping

for when you dreamt this up?

In Blackpool, we wanted a party

everybody wants to join. The first

time we close the show and I wanted

to make it spectacular. And when I

was putting together the show, I

wanted it to be better and bigger. I

said, we are going to throw

everything at it and it that feel.

It was amazing!

Neon lights. The

costumes! My daughter Nellie wants

me to teach her that.

That was the

hardest, taking the balance.

That

looked scary.

The judges were very impressed too,

awarding you your second-highest

scores so far, 34 points.

Darcey was raving about

the armography and legography.

How challenging was

the routine to master?

It's sort of was, but I enjoyed it.

We were looking at one of the early

dancers, Poland macro, look at my

feet, is it like I have flippers on!

-- jive. You pick up bits along the

way, hopefully, and we sort of just

enjoyed it.

From start to finish,

the arms, the ripples.

It felt nice.

It's not often we see our male

celebs getting lifted themselves.

Did you like that moment when they

flipped you over?

Yes, that was

brilliant. I was surprised, I said,

you are going to be flipped. He

said, yes, OK.

Expected a different

reaction. Yes, it was amazing. And

one of the moves we loved and we

can't stop doing, it is the Chest

Pump.

And it seems neither could you.

Take a look at this.

Shake. That is it, that is better.

It is this. Shake it, shake it!

That

looks OK, doesn't it?

It is not

exactly what it is meant to be.

That

really hurts!

My insides were jiggling around,

don't do that after lunge. That is

the one move I thought I could do,

but she said, no, you are doing it

wrong, I have been doing it for 20

years!

You were doing it right there

in the audience last week.

It is not

circular, it is forward!

And we

loved when you dropped her!

Which

was supposed to happen, that was not

a mistake.

Thank you, judges, that

was supposed to happen and it was

spectacular! Back to the ballroom in

four weeks after the Foxtrot, how do

you feel about the quickstep?

It is

good. We have done most of the

routine on day one and that was

unheard of before, it would take

three days to even get my head

around it. It feels good and being

back in hold is nice, it is nice to

be free because it is not so obvious

when you go wrong.

There is somebody

to push you around! It's a nice

feeling. We have done quite if you

ballroom dances by now and things

are improving, naturally. And

sometimes, I looked at him and he

goes, I know, I know. He is fixing

himself now.

Just one look and he

knows. I still make mistakes, but

least I know it!

Amazing!

And also, you have the

Paso-Dobla-Thon. Last time, you had

your first ten, excited?

Yes, I

really am, it was fun to do, it felt

nice, and I'm going to barge them

out of the way, that is the plan.

Claim! Said, keep that shape

throughout and do not let anybody in

our space!

Good luck, I can't wait

to see you doing the paso again. You

are brilliant.

Joe and Katya, everyone!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

That's it for tonight.

A big thank you to all my guests.

Join us tomorrow at 6:30,

where we'll chatting

to Davood and Nadiya,

and survivors of the Dance-Off,

Debbie and Giovanni!

Plus, Strictly favourite

Vincent Simone will be taking over