Episode 51 Strictly - It Takes Two

This is Strictly It Takes Two!

Please welcome your host, Zoe Ball.

Hello and welcome to It Takes Two!

We have our semi-finalists, people.

Musicals Week certainly

delivered, didn't it?

Mollie and AJ came close

to a smooch on screen...

Darcey was purring with delight over

Debbie and Gio's American Smooth but

the biggest surprise came when...

EASTENDERS THEME: "Doof, doof, doof,

doof, doof-doof d-d-d-doof..."

Davood and Nadiya were eliminated

from the competition!

They might be bowing out

tonight, but there's always

room for an encore.

They're in the green room.

We love them, we do.

And stepping up to the Pro

Challenge this evening

it's Russia's finest export -

the mighty Pasha!

But before we chat to them,

let's take a behind the scenes look

at how Strictly's musicals

spectacular all came together.

MUSIC: Singin' In The Rain remix.

Coming down onto the floor being

flown in on the chandelier, you get

a very sweaty right side of the face

under that mask. I have just cleaned

myself up.

The Johnson requires much

stamina and I hope that I can pull

that later.

It is nice to start on

the stairs surrounded by the

dancers, but they are only there for

the beginning.

Grease is my

favourite physical. I am living my

childhood dream right now. I always

wanted to be regretted.

I'm allergic

to cats. I always start sneezing.

I'm getting all the make-up on.

We

are doing the musical Oliver! For

the big group number. I get to be

sentenced -- I get to be The Apple

Dodger. There's lots of

choreography, and they all have to

be on their game.

There's pressure

to get it right and live up to

expectations.

Everyone is working

hard, as the quarterfinals.

It is

going to be absolutely manic in

here.

Joe, have you got lipstick on?

Now.

-- No.

Close your eyes. Just waiting

for the last part of the puzzle,

which is the mask.

I don't need it

glued to my face.

This is the but

nobody knows about, this is where

all the costumes, the shoes hats,

where they come when they are not

being used any more. Look at that.

This is so exclusive, because nobody

knows it.

# The hills are alive... , on,

folks. -- come on, folks.

Musicals.

Oh, dear. It's Strictly.

I can't

wait to get on with the show.

Let's raise the curtain and welcome

our Strictly stars!

Time now to meet my first guest.

Over 11 weeks this powerhouse couple

have stormed it with some truly

thrilling routines. Before we say

our farewells, here are Davood and

Nadiya.

# Goodbye, farewell,

aufweidersehen...

# So long, farewell, aufweidersehen,

goodbye...

APPLAUSE

Just listen to that! Fuel that love

coming at you. The best looking

Phantom Of The Opera the world ever

saw. How do you feel the day after

the day before?

I don't know. I

suppose quite reflective at the

moment. But we ended it fine.

And it

was such a great dance.

And making

your entrance as only you do now,

one arm, coming from the ceiling.

I

want to enter every room now!

We can

see that in the Queen Vic on

Christmas Day, coming through the

ceiling. And an amazing Argentine

tango. It was so incredible. You had

not been in the dance off since week

four. It is getting so intense now,

it could be anyone. How did feel?

We

were always ready, every week we

said, prepare to do this on the

Sunday. You never know when it is

going to come up again. Having been

there before, you are kind of

prepared a little bit emotionally,

but you know that you have got to go

out there and impress the judges. We

got 29. She said, we got 29, and we

were in the dance off.

That is

spooky.

That is weird. That is my

new unlucky number!

We never want to

see that number again. You were up

against Alexandra and Gorka. What do

you thinking at that point?

It is a

horrible feeling, in the dance off,

one of you is going to have to go

home. Alexandra got a good score,

she did a really good dance and we

were bottom of the leaderboard so we

knew that it was going to be

difficult to change the judges'

mine.

What was it you said to Davood

before going out for that second

dance? What you say to him?

Was

amazing. We knew that we were going

against Alex and she was an amazing

dancer. We felt really relaxed.

We

had a little laugh, backstage. It

feels like all that we had been

through in the last few months have

led up to that moment. And it was

the first time I had danced without

fear, you know what I mean? There

was a freedom to it.

We felt that,

in the end. It was just a different

level. He never dance like this

before. It was just something

special. And there was no fear,

there are, at all. That flaw was

yours.

It was that feeling that this

might be our last time that the

dance together for a couple of these

peoples,, so just go for it and

enjoy it. It was something extra

special.

First time in the show that

you had done the Argentine tango.

Compared to the other dancers you're

done, how tricky it?

It is tricky,

but I've always enjoyed watching it.

The ones we have had this year, when

you watch them, you really take it

in, the relationship between the

dancers and everything. What is nice

about it, you don't get swept up in

the technical side of it. It is more

relaxed. But then let that fool you.

It is actually really tough. --

don't let that full year.

He

actually led through all of those

difficult steps, and the basic

stuff, which is the most difficult.

And we made sure that the basic

steps in the Argentine tango, he did

it, and it was so difficult.

CHEERING

She is an amazing woman. It wasn't

just us who were loving you.

Bonnie Langford your

telly mum wrote...

So sad @DavoodGhadami is out

@bbcstrictly but SO PROUD

of his amazing achievement.

Thanks for supporting him.

#proudtellymum

And legendary choreographer

Sir Matthew Bourne posted

that it was the best choreography

of the night.

APPLAUSE

That is my stay here.

That is so

nice. You want everyone to see that

you have really worked hard. I

always said, make it difficult, make

it hard.

And it was. I really sorry

that the judges didn't pick up on

all the advanced steps that he did.

It may be like some professional

male who never did this, and he did

it. That is how good he is.

This is

quite an amazing Strictly Story. You

have done so much. Enjoy this.

OK,

thank you. I don't really have a

signature dance move, the best I can

give you is a bit of clapping.

Your

partner will be...

Nadiya!

It is the

chatter jar. Do your first dance. --

it is the cha cha cha. I thought it

was amazing. The attack, the energy.

Any woman would feel safe in your

arms.

I love your passion, your

chemistry, the energy was absolutely

incredible.

Much better than last

week. You definitely don't hold

back.

You are such a beast, a beast

of fun, my darling!

Classic,

flowing, elegant dance, the walls,

well, it should be.

When you did a

lift, your foot came off the floor,

you could have kept your foot on the

floor when you did those spins.

And

you were going so well.

And on came

the red light. It is not a nice

experience. Davood and Nadiya...

This week we will focus on the kick

and flick and the jive and have a

lot of fun, because you never know

when it'll all be over.

This is what

you have, this amazing power and

energy that you give to the dance,

and it worked perfectly on the jive.

For a man to feel comfortable with

those fluid moves and have that

desire through the body, you did

very well.

I could sit and watch

that every day, darling. Well done.

He's such a great dancer. And he is

improving every week, more and more.

Nadiya is my parachute. Like you are

jumping out of a plane and she is

the one that stops you crashing.

I

think you just were totally awesome.

You really swept all of us off of

our feet.

Incredible, absolutely

loved it.

I'm going to enjoy this, I

think.

Your star is rising high.

Zing!

Bring on Blackpool!

This week

we are bouncing the paso doble. I

get to play James Bond as well.

Brilliant.

I give you, your licence

to thrill.

Powerful performance.

Incredible. Thank you, Blackpool.

Thank you.

It was absolutely

effortless. My kind of walls. --

waltz.

I am so proud of him.

He's

amazing. The idea of dancing doesn't

fill me with dread any more, it

fills me with joy, it is making me

smile and making me feel happy.

You

have some spectacular lifts, but you

had some stumbling problems this

evening.

It was a good effort,

but...

Judges, it's time to decide.

Alexandra...

She's a great teacher

and now she's a really good friend

and I am so privileged to have met

you.

I am such a lucky girl, to have

you as my partner.

I am so proud of

you. Thank you for teaching me to

dance.

We have all gone, he is down!

I am allergic to something, the

glitter!

What are the highlights are you?

From the Lord show, finding you were

my partner. Learning what you can

and can't do. Something happened

with the American Smooth, that

kick-started something. It is when I

started really enjoyed it, feeling

after being in the dance-off in the

Viennese, after that, you know why

you are here, to have fun. I am not

a dancer but I want to enjoy every

minute. That was amazing. The

Charleston... We got ten.

Squealing. A new noise to me. And

actually, even though it was our

last dance, the Argentina Tango,

there was something incredible, that

was a highlight as well.

Did you think you would come this

far in the competition?

I wasn't thinking about Fat -- How

far we would go.

I promised we would have fun. That I

would be strict. But we will have

fun.

You kept that promise in every way.

This was the most important thing.

The to fall in love with dancing.

I have. I look back at all that,

that me?

Look at what you did.

Incredible stuff.

You can watch it back.

Who would you like to win? I can't.

They are all good mates, whoever

wins is very deserving of it. They

are amazing, dancers and people.

We've loved having

you with us this year.

Everyone, please give it up

for Darvood and Nadiya!

CHEERING.

I am spent now.

Now, it might not be

Christmas just yet,

but seeing as you've all been such

good boys and girls, we thought

you deserved a special gift!

Here, with a guide on how

to dance the perfect samba,

it's Strictly's creative director

of choreographer, Jason Gilkison!

The samba is the most lively and fun

of that in American dancing.

It originated in South America and

was the first stars to come into the

western world into New York in a

musical in the 1920s.

When you watch the Sam Baird you

should feel like you are transported

to Rio in carnival time.

It is cheeky, bouncy and above all

very sexy.

The bounce action happens in the

knees and is like a spring being

pushed back and forward. It goes

from one leg to the other. You get a

nice lilt which makes you feel like

you are into the groove of the

dance. One of the first steps, to

travel around the floor, is the

promenade run. It is important to

connect with your partner on the

first step so you face each child,

and continue down the floor. A top

tip learning a promenade run is to

try and do it with your hands behind

your back to make sure you're not

pushing your partner along the

floor. It wouldn't be a samba

without a samba roll. You can do

them in hold, facing, all in shadow

where you actually are standing

behind the lady. The easiest samba

roll is a natural turn which is

where you are facing your partner

almost in ballroom position and the

guy goes up on his toes with his hip

forward and head back. Then you turn

and do the second-half keeping your

heads in the same place so your

heads towards the centre.

Once you have mastered the natural

samba roll, it gets difficult, the

reverse samba roll.

If you are doing them in shadow, it

is important your partner is on the

right side of your body. Both heads

are together during a giant circle

in the sky. The judges are looking

for a smooth action. A popular step

to be edged used in the samba is

this one.

It is a step in Brazil and a rhythm.

It is really important to get the

feet right, a tiny slip backwards, a

rock forward through the ball off

the foot, and a replace, then repeat

on the other leg. The key is to keep

your body soft. If you tighten up it

will go stiff. Judges are looking

for a strong rhythm. Whilst that

percussion must be vibrating below

it is smooth as silk on top.

The samba is a really sexy, vibrant,

energetic dance.

It is all about the rhythm it is a

celebration.

It is important to have fun. I mean,

who knows, you might even get a ten

from Craig!

One of my favourites, thank you to

Jason and Pasha.

So we've just seen how

to do the perfect samba,

but will we see perfect swivels

in tonight's Pro Challenge?

It's time to find out!

This year the Pro Challenge is

heading back to the Roaring 20s

where our pros will attempt to set a

record for the most Charleston

swivel steps in 30 seconds. Judging

alongside me bb choreographer Bill

demur, and official adjudicator

Sophie. The swivel step is essential

in the Charleston and as the Justice

-- judges stressed, if it hasn't got

swivel, it isn't a Charleston. To

qualify, our pros have two complete

one forward and one backward step.

If there is no swivel in the feet or

ankles or if they fail to complete

the forward and backward steps, it

will be disqualified. The challenge

will be the hardest and most

technical our pros have faced but

only one person can claim the title.

Welcome to the Strictly Pro

Challenge 2017.

Thank you.

Let's welcome our next contender.

He once said if he wasn't

a dancer he would have liked

to have been a scientist.

He also loves computer

games, and even

built his own computer!

So, let the games begin.

It's Pasha Kovalev!

CHEERING.

Look at those hips!

Yes! Hello, darling!

Such a gentleman.

It's been a while

since we've seen you.

What have you been up to?

Welcome back. Exciting news.

You're part of this year's

Strictly Christmas Special.

What's it been like reuniting

with Kimberly Walsh?

You know what? I was wondering

myself before we actually started

dancing how will it be? And it felt

like we never left.

You've both still got it.

It is the connection we had and how

easy it was to practice and do the

dancing choreography.

When it come to swivels,

you look pretty good

on paper, young man.

Your Charleston with both Kimberly

and Caroline achieved top scores!

You feeling confident?

On paper, yes!

OK. Let us look at the Leader Board.

Cathkin is at the top, does that

intimidate you?

-- catchier. She is a fast girl.

Possibly.

Let's take a look at how you got on.

I have to make sure my swivel is

perfect so the judges are happy.

Hello.

Welcome to the Strictly Pro

Challenge.

I like this box.

It is lovely.

Quite serious. You have done more

Pro Challenger and anyone else.

You mean I never won?

You have been second quite a lot

times.

Have you been doing anything

special?

Stretching, willing my shoes,

practising my smile.

Good luck, take your position on the

dance floor.

For your official attempt beginning

now.

Keep it up, Pasha, come on.

Keep swivelling. 15 seconds.

Don't lose it.

Pick it up.

Five, four, three...

Stop. Well done. Well done.

Thank you. You started off really

strongly. It looked like an Irish

jig towards the end.

I think those answers are very

related.

If you go into the history!

You lost rhythm towards the end.

When your legs are tired to get back

into that Charleston bid is

difficult.

The first part was good.

Congratulations, you did a good job,

fingers crossed, we will see how you

get on.

Started well, got stuck in the

middle. Hopefully that won't affect

my school much.

CHEERING.

Ian compared it to an Irish jig.

How do you think you did?

Good that you ask. I've been

conducting DNA tests and I found out

actually being born in Siberia far

away from here I have 6% of Irish

blood.

Which explains everything!

Well, after each

of the professionals

had made their attempt,

the footage was watched back

by adjudicators in slow motion

to verify every single swivel

to make sure they

were all accurate.

Pasha Kovalev, it's time

for your moment of truth.

In 30 seconds, you completed...

26 Charleston swivels!

Which means you're top

of the Leader Board!

For now, at least, anyway.

However, so crawl...

Do you think you made any mistakes?

Plenty, but today is the closing

day.

Well, I can now reveal

for the number of steps

disqualified, you scored...

13.

That's the most so far!

That, my friend, puts

you here on the Leader Board!

I'm so sorry but we love him anyway.

So close.

Give it up for Pasha!

CHEERING.

That's it for tonight.

Huge thanks to all my guests.

Join us tomorrow at 6.30 where I'll

be chatting to dance-off survivors

Alexandra and Gorka.

Plus, Natalie Lowe returns

for Choreography Corner,

and Brendan Cole takes on the Pro

Challenge!

Until then, goodnight!