Episode 44 Strictly - It Takes Two

Hello and welcome to It Takes Two!

With only 48 hours to go

before the next live show,

Hello and welcome to It Takes Two!

With only 48 hours to go

before the next live show,

there is no time for faffing about.

Getting ready for the weekend

are these beauties.

They are always bang on the money -

it's Alexandra and Gorka!

Plus, the toughest dance competition

on TV continues with the second

instalment of the

Strictly Pro Challenge.

But first up, the costume

department may have gone

into overdrive at the weekend -

but one woman takes it all

in her stride.

It's time to put on the glitz -

Vicky Gill, everyone!

Corker Gorka the Corker Gorka the

Corker Gorka the Corker Gorka

the Corker Gorka the Corker mystery

Vicky Gill, everyone!

Well done. Millions of you working

in very small spaces. Let's talk

about Mollie's incredible outfit.

Look how she dazzled. Amazing. How

much did it change from sketch to

the floor?

It didn't change too

much. This was pretty solid as we

went to Blackpool. You can see on

the sides, we put some more weight

on the skirt. Costumes like this we

have distinct everybody in. They

have to be patient. Sometimes it is

hard.

They are nervous. The heart

rate is going. I must ask you as

well, how do you protect one's

modesty when you are being thrown

around in the air?

Lots of tiny

stitches around the knicker line.

Deadpans. This weekend, a little

challenge. The paso doble. Seven

couples on the floor at the same

time. They all want to stand out.

Judges, look at me! How do you do

that with the outfits?

Quite

difficult. Everybody is on a level

playing field. The girls have got

the same shade costume. I don't know

if they are all using a cape.

Seven

capes! The boys are looking dapper.

They have a more traditional paso

doble jacket. The guys wanted that

this year. That has grown to be a

lot of chest. We're going to look at

this weekend's costumes. Davood is

doing a waltz. Look at that. It

looks stunning. I know! What can you

tell us?

This is one for the little

girls. It is pretty. A typical

ballroom dress. It will look lovely

on set. There is an eight panel

underneath and over skirt. Lots of

Crystal on a rose pink base.

Georgette -- Georgia... Is Crinan

expensive? Probably not for a meter

but when you need about 30 metres.

Asking for a friend! Davood going

traditional?

Yes, tails.

Joe and

Katya are being construction

workers. Of course they are! How do

you make a construction worker on

Strictly?

I am scared of heights. We

have all these images of them on

steel. That is what she is this

week, supposedly. We are using acre

lot Pat Finnigan. We have use of a

couple of times this series. --

we're using a true lot Pat Hearn

again. Detail running down through

the belt. There will be a little bit

of dumbed down workwear feel.

Katty

always looks great. Debbie McGee

will do an Argentine tango this

weekend in this little number. This

is incredible.

We chose Black for

the Argentine tango. We need a

traditional colour for the number.

Giovanni is going to be in a tuxedo.

It will feel through a traditional.

I thought a solid black dress would

be too much for Debbie because she

is tiny. We have got a lace and

crystals. Black embellishment. When

we have fitted it tomorrow, we will

fade the stone through the neck. It

may shape around to the left side. A

little tip for the Argentine tango

dresses, because they are doing lots

of flecks they get their heel

caught. We try to put a non-straight

in.

These are the tips you need,

people! And this delightful purple

cloth can only mean one thing, the

mystery mannequin. Alexander's

outfit for the number. Let's welcome

the girl herself. Alexandra!

What are you hoping for?

Everything

that I've won so far has been

absolutely amazing. They do such an

amazing job. I have loved every

single one. I want to keep them all!

You have to give them back.

Drum

roll, please...

It is not finished.

Bowl yes! -- oh yes! It is

beautiful. This must have taken

ages. So neat as well.

How much

might it change?

It is the hem. We

have a fringe home at the moment. It

will be more sheer. You will see a

lot more of you. Gorka will have the

same. We may have softer floats on

the hem.

And a deep V. She wears it well.

Alexandra and Vicki!

Right, now it's time to dive head

first into the training rooms

to see how Davood, Gemma and Susan's

routines are shaping up.

As a dance the walls can be

exposing. Your weight has to be in

the right position, you need to be

aware of your alignment.

It is such

a difficult dance, especially for a

man. It is very smooth and really

nice and elegant.

It will be

challenging for me to be beautiful

and elegant. I am not finding it

easy. When I get it right it will be

beautiful.

A lot of hips, action.

I can't get

the movement, I can't get the

rhythm.

Gemma's dances coming along

really nicely.

It is like the whole

Cuban women Vibe and I ain't got

anything like that about me.

Just

leave -- breeze through the whole

dance.

I've got to sort my hips out

and go and do it.

Here we go.

This week we're doing

the American Smooth. This is a

lovely kind of gentle Fred and

Ginger style. It is much more fun

and more joyous, which I think is

how we started the competition. Are

we courting?

Yes, we are courting.

Earlier in the series we were

criticised for a lack of grace, and

this is all about Grace. We are

going to do our first left.

These

are graceful and elegant American

Smooth lefts. Graceful and elegant,

Darcey!

Is that what you want?

That lift

looks quite incredible. Courting is

a good term.

The competition may

be heating up in the

ballroom, but our pros' minds

are now focused on something

much more important.

Yesterday, the Pro Challenge

returned to your screens to critical

acclaim, as AJ's swivelling skills

were put to the ultimate test.

Before we meet our next brave

contender, here's a reminder of just

what they're up against.

This year's challenges heading back

to the roaring 20s where we were

said to -- attempt to set a Guinness

world record for the most steps. In

order for the swivel stabbed to

qualify, our pros will have to

complete one forward and one

backward step. If there is no swivel

in the feet or ankles, the step will

be disqualified. This year's

challenge will be the hardest the

pros have ever faced. Only one

person can claim the title. It is

the Strictly Pro Challenge 2017.

Time to welcome our next contender.

Born in the city of Bilbao, Espana,

he began dancing at the age of 12,

and despite representing Spain

in the World Latin Championships,

he has spent the last 27 years

without a single world record

to his name.

These are about to change? -- is

that about to change?

Give it up for G to the C -

Gorka the Corker!

Hello, darling! Lovely to see you.

This is only your second Pro

Challenge, Gorka. Last year you were

two steps behind the champion, your

dear dancing rival Giovanni.

I've

been practising.

Have you gotten

over that?

I did let it go.

Just how

hard did you train for the

charleston swivel?

Not much. I

didn't remember it was that day.

A

disaster! You have to take this

seriously. Eagle eyed viewers may

have spotted you spending some time

in the gym. Can that pumping iron

help?

I fell down on the treadmill,

so no!

AJ showed us his swivel

yesterday. Quite impressive. Have

you got what it takes to beat his

great score of 17?

I think so.

OK. I

like your confidence. Brace

yourself. This is how you got on.

Giovanni won last year but I was

only two points away. So this year I

will try my best will stop --.

Hello Gorka and welcome to the

Strictly Pro Challenge. How are you

feeling?

A little bit nervous. I

have the energy. I don't know if I

will hold the 32nd swivel but I have

the energy.

Ill will scrutinise all

of your swivels. Make sure you get

it right.

No pressure.

That your

position.

Thank you.

For your

official attempt beginning in three,

two, one... Go.

15 seconds.

Thank you.

Keep going.

Five, four, three, two, one.

Stop.

A lovely little turn on the

end. Well done.

My God!

It looked

very accurate.

There were a couple

you missed out on. You would have

helped yourself if you lifted your

arms. When you drop, the wait goes

on to your feet. If you pull up, it

keeps it lighter. Well done.

A great

attempt. We will have to wait and

see how you got on.

Thank you,

judges. I think it went where it --

very well. The last 15 seconds was

quite hard. I understand how the

celebs feel after doing something

you have never done before.

I love how you think the judges. You

were pretty exhausted. You think you

underestimate of that challenge?

I

was. It is very hard. Your ankles,

your calves, very tight. Like the

celebs doing the charleston.

After

each of the professionals admit

their attempt, the footage was

watched back by adjudicators in slow

motion to verify every single

swivel. Watching that back, Gorka,

any a legal swivel is?

Maybe a

couple. Yeah, I remember maybe one

or two died at the end.

OK, I can

tell you that you actually had two

steps disqualified. Ready for this?

I can't keep you in suspense any

longer.

Snow You completed...

LAUGHTER 14 charleston swivels which

makes you second on the leaderboard.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Oh, baby, I'm so sorry. I'm so

sorry.

Give me a hug, please.

Come

to mama if you need a hug. It's a

nightmare this job. AJ up there with

17. Who out of other pros could take

the title?

I think the title, I

think it could be Anton.

Anton?

I

don't know why.

Anton du Beke.

He's

keen on the charleston.

Watch this

space. Give it up for Gorka the

Corker.

Next up, a timely reminder

that our Strictly pros are so much

more than just dancers -

they're also incredibly

committed Bingo players.

Take a look at this.

Good evening Strictly fans. Eyes

down, it is time for ballroom binger

owe. -- bingo.

Get me a cup of tea. It's number 3.

Which pro makes the best cuppa?

Anton,

Anton.

Anton.

Become a true

British gentleman, he always has a

tea in his hand.

Has to be my Kevin.

Etc specially when he adds a little

bit of honey and lemon. Oh, he's so

seat. AJ.

AJ

AJ.

Tea is heaven.

Always with a cup of tea in his

hand.

He is agencies always drinking

tea.

He has about 20 a day. Rid you

can louse.

He's always in charge of

tea making.

He's made me one this

year. It was pretty good.

He never

made me one, AJ, where's my tea?

In

a state, it's 2 and 8. 28.

Obviously, I'm always the perfect

picture but which pro looks the

worst in the morning?

Ooh! Ooh.

Some

of the girls with no make-up. It's

too early. They will scare you. Just

joking!

I can't say that. Ooh, no.

I

think it's Kevin. Messy hair.

I'm

awful in the morning. Really

scruffy.

Hard to believe, I'm saying

Giovanni. Until he gets coffee in

him, he doesn't look good. Aljaz.

Karen, when she's hungry, she really

doesn't like morning.

If I haven't

had my coffee or bacon, I'm

definitely a witch.

Me, me, me.

That's your lot, folks. Remember,

keep spinning. Never approach hot

lips when she's not had her coffee.

Time now for an exclusive look

at the weekend's group number,

which is set in the high-stakes

world of...

MUSIC: "Fashion" by David Bowie.

Yes, the Strictly pros will be

strutting their stuff as models

on the catwalk.

But who has the very

best Blue Steel?

Let's find out.

Welcome to this week's pro group

rehearsals.

This week, it's all

about fashion. Strike a pose...

In this number, we're all supermad

else.

The moment they came in this

morning, the first thing they did

was up on the catwalk going up and

down it. I thought, this is going to

be a great day. I have told the pros

they have to give me their inner

diva.

I'm channelling my inner

Beyonce and Naomi Campbell in one.

I'm going to fake it until I make

it.

I love playing a model. It is

very much positioning, posturing.

Most is just looking at the camera

and pretending that we're blooming

gorgeous.

I like to strut. To some

people it might feel like I'm

modelling but I'm just being me!

I

love this routine. We've never done

anything like this on Strictly.

Each

different section has its own style.

The first part is very commercial.

Then we go into paso. Lots of Latin

influences.

I have to be careful

where I'm stepping. If I miss a

step, I might fall off the stage.

Dangerous.

It is keeping your

balance and performing and

convincing the audience that you are

a super model.

That's all you get to

see for now. Tune in this weekend to

see us strut our stuff. Neil, what

are you doing?

At the weekend, our

next guests delivered

a showstopper of a quickstep,

which saw them showered with gold

coins, critical acclaim

and most importantly, tens!

It's Alexandra and Gorka!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

The detail, the style, the accuracy,

I mean, it was magic.

It was full of

life. It was light, it was bright.

Well done.

Is there nothing you

can't do? I mean, this is just

incredible!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Alexandra and Gorka. Welcome,

babies. Can I just say you both

looked a million dollars. How much

did you enjoy the performance in the

Tower Ballroom?

I loved. We had the

best time. It was so much fun.

It

was.

Just a privilege to be able to

dance on that ballroom floor.

Everything, the dancers with us,

they really made the routine.

Gorka's choreography was

outstanding. He's always pushing the

bar when it comes to us. Just taking

risks and stuff. It was great. I

loved it.

Incredible. Bruno said it

was like something out of a

Hollywood movie. That got you

emotional?

It did. Receiving

comments like that when I wasn't

really confident with it in the

dressing room. I put a wrong foot in

place. I had a bit of a complex

about it. Gorka was telling me

before the show, just calm, breathe,

don't overthink it. I just feel like

sometimes I put too much pressure on

myself. When we get good feedback,

it's great. We're really grateful.

Just incredible. At dress when it

goes wrong it plays with your mind.

Definitely me.

Staging was

spectacular. There's a giant coin

with your head on it.

I mean!

Were

you tempted to take any of the props

home with you?

It's coming home next

week, no word of a lie. I asked if I

could keep that. I only live ten

minutes around the corner from

Elstree.

Gorka's going to roll it

all the way home for you. High

praise for your choreography. You

must have in so pleased by how it

went?

So grateful for the comments.

But from day unwe loved it. She was

so happy with the routine. This was

so much fun. We get to Blackpool and

to dance on that floor with that

audience, it was unbelievable.

The

floor is so bouncy.

It gives you

something back which I've never felt

before. When you watch it in slow

motion, you see the floor lift with

us. It was amazing when we watched

it back. . Get up there and try it

now.

She was you need water?

No, no,

this doesn't need water.

It is like

a professional floor. 39 points

again. Incredible. But, top of the

leaderboard, lots of people were

furious that you didn't get more

than a 9 from Craig. Paul Benjamin

was amongst them. He said:

39 is an incredible mark, isn't it?

But we were like, come on, Craig,

it's Blackpool. What do you think?

I

don't know, if someone has the

answer, send me by e-mail?

You're

handing out your e-mail address. Oh,

dear. The last celebrity to get 39

for the quickstep was Harry Judd in

2011 also in week 9. Craig would not

get his 10 paddle out for Harry. But

went on to score perfect 40 for his

routine in the final and they won.

Just saying that. Just put that can

out. There

That makes sense now.

Thank you for that.

Maybe that's

what's happening. Craig did say

though, is there nothing that you

can't do. Gorka knows you quite well

now. Have you found Alexandra's

weaknesses?

Yeah, she cannot roll

her res.

Do that again!

It's really

unfair that you make me...

Rs.

I

love that, so cruel. Bless you. Most

other things she can do. It is a

rumba for you two this weekend. An

amazing piece of music. Let's hear

it. Hail low by Beyonce. This is the

perfect hymn for a rumba?

The lyrics

are so emotional. The slow rumba

gives you the chance to walk on your

steps, use your body. It's very

good. A good song.

We've worked

really hard on this one. It is

definitely a challenge.

Hopefully we

can put tears in someone's eyes.

No,

already the song makes me feel all

kind of different emotions. It is an

honour to do a rumba to it.

It's

Beyonce after all. Of course, back

in 2008, you did famously duet with

Beyonce on the MOUTHS X FACTOR You

say it makes you quite emotional

dancing to it?

When I danced with

Beyonce, it was such a highlight of

my career. Every time I watch it

back, it gives me goose bumps. When

we decided to do it, it just felt

right. I love her. Love the song. I

hope, I really hope we do it

justice.

Hi!

Evening, Bey, if she's

watching. Hi, J Zee too. How are you

feeling about the rumba? Is it your

friend, Alexandra?

It is. Not on

Monday. I'm not going to lie. It is

now. I'm loving it. Look, that was

yesterday. Yes! I'm now.

Understanding what it's about. It's

a very passionate dance. I was quite

scared. I was really nervous on

Monday. Here we are back to the

point of face-to-face again, really

intimate. Now I'm like, you know

what, let's just go for it. Whatever

happens, happens.

It must be really

difficult for you to get that close

and intimate?

It is a tough ask.

Sometimes it's really tough. Most of

the time, it's great.

When you're

apart you can't be close.

I can only

imagine! It's the paso-dobl-athon

this weekend. All seven couples out

on the floor. You remember all the

rules about paso? A fee weeks ago

for you?

It's been a long time. When

we rehearsed it, it was the wrong

foot again. It has been six or seven

weeks. It was week two. A long time

ago. We've refreshed it and I'm

really excited. You know, on the

day, it will be two very different

dances. One really soft and one

really grr in your face.

You have to

take other people down on the floor.

We can't touch anyone, right? We

can't knock 'em over?

You can't push

but if you lets leg go like that.

How will you make sure you stand out

on the floor?

You want me to show

you?

Wow! Yes.

Encouragement,

please.

No, no, it is birthday time!

Away!

# Happy birthday to you.

# Happy birthday to you

# Happy birthday dear Zoe

# Happy birthday to you. #

.

CHEERING

I love you. Thank you so much. Happy

birthday, darling. We love you.

Happy birthday.

I'm going to get my

face in that cake.al, Andhra and

Gorka. Good luck at the weekend.

That's all we have time for tonight.

A huge thank you to

all of our guests.

We're back tomorrow at the

earlier time of six o'clock,

with Susan and Kevin

and Gemma and Aljaz.

And on the Friday panel,

Russell Grant, Cherry Healey

and actual Clare Balding.

Plus, live music from Jessie Ware.

Goodnight.

Happy birthday to me.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE