Episode 56 Strictly - It Takes Two

Live from London this is Strictly It

Takes Two. Please welcome your host,

Zoe Ball.

Hello and welcome to It Takes Two!

The countdown to the

Strictly Final is well

and truly on.

We have our Final Four, people!

In just five days' time,

Alexandra, Debbie, Gemma

and Joe will battle it out

for the coveted Glitterball Trophy.

There they are.

But sadly not everyone

could go the distance

and last night we had

to say

goodbye to love's young dream.

I'm trying to be

strong though, because

they are in my Green Room right now!

Show them so much love!

They're joined tonight

by Strictly 2017

finalists - Flexi

McGee and Giovanni!

And I dare you to name

a more iconic duo,

Shirley Ballas and

Darcey Bussell are here

to give us their overview

of the series.

But first up tonight,

they've made small

screen magic over

the last 12 weeks but

like any good Rom-com,

there was a Samba, a Waltz

and a dramatic Dance-Off

in the final act.

Before we say our

emotional goodbyes,

here is Mollie & AJ's last dance.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.

It's Mollie and AJ, everyone!

Feel that love.

Feel that love.

You were so, so close

to a place in the

Strictly Final - how

are you feeling 24 hours on?

Oh it's so sad. We're so sad and we

keep getting those moments of crying

and we had the most incredible

journey and we are so thankful to

everyone who voted us to the finals.

It us further than I dreamt.

I know

how you feel, because it, it comes

to the end and it is not just

getting to the final, but I'm not

going to dance.

Yes, we got so much

further than we thought. On Monday I

loved waking up and thinking I'm

going to dance with AJ and we get to

hang out and we're not going to

learn another dance.

You can still

do that. You should still learn a

show dance.

Learn a show dance.

I

know how nerve racking a semi final

is. With those two dances. It is so

strange it is almost more nerve

rack. How intense was it?

The nerves

were crazy. I think the nerves got

to me and yeah, I think everybody

obviously would love to be in the

final and I think that everyone's so

excited to be there and nervous. It

is just a real mix of emotions. But

being there was so exciting for us.

It was fantastic.

Were you nervous?

I just felt once we danced the

Samba, it was fantastic and I

thought Mollie was overcriticised.

You didn't deserve anything less

than a 7 or 8. That didn't help. You

did pick yourself up and came out

and did a fantastic waltz. You did

amazing for me.

You have been saved

from the dance-off for three weeks.

So did you you have a moment like

Whoopi goldberg in ghost, where she

goes, Mollie, you're in danger,

girl.

I know what you mean. The

standard was so high. It wasn't a

surprise for us. We thought there is

a strong chance and we knew we had

to give it our best shot. I'm so

pleased Gemma is in the final.

I

thought it was gorgeous when you

said that. Let's look at your waltz

again. It was your highest scoring

dance. Shirley called you the pivot

queen.

That song felt really

special.

And that dress. Your hair.

I loved it. And the pivot, queen,

I'm going to literally take that

nick name on board forever.

Also the

Samba, it was the dance you never

wanted to do. You did great and you

never have to do a Samba roll ever

again. If you choose not to.

Thank

goodness. I think I looked more like

a sushi roll. Oh no, look at me go.

Oh, Mollee know.

Don't dwell on

that, because we have loved watching

your partnership grow. And it is 13

dances you have done. This is quite

an epic strictly story. Enjoy.

There

is something so magical about

Strictly, I can't believe I'm here.

She is exactly who I wanted. I'm so

so happy.

I'm actually doing this.

It is real.

What dance are we doing?

A Latin dance. The jive.

We're going

to have the get sexy when you said

Latin.

It is a good looking team

with a lot of potential. I saw you

in character and the passion and the

intense. Very nice.

I'm falling in

love with dancing. You can't explain

how much it takes over your life.

Every week your chemistry gets

better and better.

You made my

night. It was lovely.

8.

Mollie is

the perfect partner for me, I want

perfection and we're always striving

for that.

For me, it lacked in the

quality in the dance content. I

loved all the lifts.

Oh my God, I'm

killing it. Nothing like a bit of

self-praise. It's the only praise

I'm getting!

Very impressive. You

were gliding around that like you

were on a Caro sell.

One of my

favourite performances of my life.

It couldn't have gone any better.

There is some issues.

The shoulders

you start to wear them as ear rings.

This week needs to be the week that

we go out there, people with like,

what a performance.

Oh, my darling,

there was an incident on a turn.

It

was impressive that you picked it

back up again.

When you to out and

make a mistake, you feel like you

have let them down. When that red

light came on us again. I was

heart-broken. I never thought in a

million years if we were in the

dance-off. That we would go through.

I'm scared now and I don't want it

to end.

Some shapes were very

awkward. You didn't quite happen

tonight.

I was so deflated. I

thought that Blackpool was just

gone.

Mollie and AJ.

Blackpool is so

important, we're going to give it

110%.

Always picks herself up at the

start of the week. That is strength.

What a way to open the show in

Blackpool.

Those lifts my darling

were a triumph.

My concern is

believing in myself and it is AJ who

is helping me with that. I feel like

the luckiest girl training with him.

Very impressive. Nice and clean and

crisp.

That is the way to get to the

final.

9.

9!

You have improved so

much. I'm stunned.

Your timing was

impeccable today.

9!

I'm so happy

for Mollie to see her progress. For

me as a teacher it is fantastic.

To

be in the final would mean

everything.

I did feel you were

chasing the music. Then it became

very jerky. You got that bit lost

when you got together.

You have

redeemed yourself from the last

round.

Much, much better. Oo

Thank

you.

Judges. It is time to decide.

Gemma and...

You have been my hero.

I couldn't have done it without you.

Thank you.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.

Don't look at me. Don't look at me.

Oh! All the 13 dances were so

incredible. So many moments.

Blackpool. What will you miss most

about train something

-- training?

Everybody. I have loved learning

from AJ. He has been so patient and

you guys, the whole team. Everyone's

been amazing. I never thought that,

I have loved dancing, I never

realised how much I would love it.

And how lucky to be with you and

Tess and Claudia and the judges,

everyone's been so amazing. I feel

so lucky to spent these months with

you.

Very important question, have

you fallen in love... With dancing!

With dancing! What are you

insinuating?

I have loved it. I

have. It is such an unbelievable

experience. I wish I could do it

again. Next year?

Get a big and call

yourself something else. Say you're

in Towie. We have adored watching

you. Stock

Well don, we're so proud

of you.

We love you.

Well done,

Mollie, we're so proud of you.

And... Thank you for all you have

done for us.

Well done, Mollie, well

done AJ, you have done fantastic. We

are looking forward to seeing you.

We're so proud of you and to us you

will always be a 10.

CHEERING AND

APPLAUSE. Oh... You're amazing

family. It has to be done. We have

fallen in love with you and the idea

that you two might fall in love one

day and if you do, I have a had for

the wedding. Thank you for bringing

sunshine on to the show. Mollie and

AJ!

Thank you.

I have some snow in

my eyes I think.

Right now, it's time

for our final Behind the

Scenes of the series.

And if it's not the greatest

backstage montage we've had

yet, I will present

Friday's show wearing

Bruno's speedos,

Darcey's tutu, Shirley's

Queen of Latin crown

and a mask of Craig's face.

In hindsight, I probably should

have watched it first.

Day of the semi-finals.

Tan is

looking a bit brown. Better wash it

off.

Still got the roller. Off we

go.

This week we are doing do

dances. One is the tango and I have

to bent legged, the rumba I have to

be straight-legged. So it is a big

all over the place. The hair

dressing department did my hair

before the rehearsal and put a here

piece on it, which flew off in the

middle and gave it another

dimension.

You don't know what will

happen and if it is going to be our

last time, I want to have the best

time.

Just when I thought Strictly

hair couldn't get bigger the. Here I

am.

It is nice and chilled, but it

is early. There is time for everyone

to get nervous.

AJ. Come here. All

right mate. You're on the brink of

the first final. Four finals I have

been in. I would give you some

advice. A quick power nap. All the

best, mate. These are my lucky

socks. I haven't washed them. You

can wear them if you want.

Not

really.

Corker. You're a final

physical specimen, but you have to

be ready. These are my scented

candles, smell them and meditate.

Good luck. Given out all my tips,

I'm sure they're all happy about it.

What are you doing? You're so last

year. Sorry.

Everyone wants to get to the final

and everyone is going to dance like

their life depends on it.

All the

couples to the stairs, everybody.

Live from the BBC. This is Strictly

Come Dancing, the semifinal.

I am thrilled now

to welcome two of the

greatest Strictly

judges on the planet.

Together on the It

Takes Two sofa for the

first time - it's Shirley Ballas

and Darcey Bussell!

I did not mention the antlers. Give

us a bit of a tingle.

Such a treat to have you both here.

It's the final week

and we have our finalists -

are you happy with the

last four standing?

We are very happy.

But not be

happier.

Perfect.

Twelve weeks in, I don't think any

of us can remember a time

you weren't on our screens.

How has it been stepping

in to Len Goodman's shoes?

Well they were big shoes to fill but

my little slippers fit right inside.

He is an icon but with the others

I've had an amazing time and

everyone has treated me so well.

She

fitted right in.

We were worried for your safety

at the start of the series.

Have you just about got used

to Bruno's arms flailing about now?

I go over to the side like this! He

has not been too bad. He has been

good.

You made an interesting

promise on Saturday that

you would - and I quote -

judge in Bruno's Speedos

if Alexandra didn't make the final.

Who do you think was more nervous

in the Results show, you or Alex?

I had no worries at all about saying

that. No, I was incredibly

confident. If I'd had to wear them

I'd just would have done it. I might

do it anyway. Maybe she already has.

I could happen under here, who

knows.

Would you have gone through with it?

Would you have made her go through

with it?

I had them in my purse!

Stat time - there have been seven

occasions this series where you've

all awarded 10s and Craig

has held out.

Have you tried to hold

an intervention with him

over his Ten paddle?

I think he is allergic to it.

I have

not beaten him enough into

submission. It is crazy. Because

they really deserved the ten. I have

tried to persuade him but he is

adamant. It has to come later,

later.

And when it comes it is

amazing.

You famously gave Debbie

your 'Queen of Latin'

crown back in Week Six -

tell me - do you ever miss it?

Will you be asking for it

back at the Wrap Party?

No, there were so many beautiful

dancers and I wanted to give

everyone a crown. We will have lots

of crowns at the wrap party.

It is

going to be messy!

The four of you picked a dance

for each of the finalists

to reprise in the Final -

will our couples be happy?

I hope so, I think they will. They

are dances that obviously they did

well but just very early in the

series. They have come so far and

just imagine what they could do with

those dances.

I think everyone will

be quite excited. Fingers crossed.

Right now, we have some

questions that have been sent

in by a few of your biggest fans.

Let's see who's up first.

My name is Kevin and I hope to be a

dancer one day. This is a question

for both of you.

Do you have any backstage

rituals that viewers

at home don't know about?

Very interesting shirt and chest

hair. Actually we do, will meet

outside our changing room and do our

little boomerang with each other

every week. You cannot help

yourself. It gets us in the spirit.

We have to do the boomerang. I love

that idea a few running at each

other.

Let's see who's next.

Hello I'm Anton.

Who is your favourite

male pro dancer?

Interesting. Ladies?

They all work

so hard, these guys. My hat goes off

to them, I watch them every weekend

and we just have the best

professionals in the world. They are

stunning. And to choose would be too

difficult.

They all have a great

work ethic and they're all so

gorgeous.

Very diplomatic!

Next up, we have a viewer called

Oti from South Africa.

My question is, it is too late for

me this season.

What is your biggest pet peeve

with the Strictly pros?

Do you dare answer?

Sometimes a

professional might not let you

finish your sentence and interrupt

you when you're only trying to help

so the celebrity can be the best

they can be.

OK. Maybe when some of

them get out of the Group Dance, I

like to see some of them, all of

them doing equal work. There may be

some that sky a little bit!

And we've got just one last question

from someone who was rather

desperate to get on the show.

Hello, what is your favourite thing

about judging, next to me on the

panel?

I just love his face and his

demeanour. But he is the sweetest

pussycat ever.

He is just a walk

over. It is all a front.

Thanks for joining me

tonight - enjoy yourself

at the Strictly final.

Shirley and Darcey, everyone!

Now, when I so much as think

about my next guests -

I get so excited.

I feel like I'm

about to lose control.

But thankfully, I think I like it.

Fresh from two smash hit routines -

it's the very lovely

Debbie and Giovanni.

Your agility, those pics are so neat

and crisp, it is extraordinary and

you just do not tire.

You do not

miss any detail and you managed to

maintain the energy. It really was

sparkling.

I think you are elegant,

you're gorgeous and you have some

beautiful sweeping moments.

That

flowed brilliantly, you maintained

body contact all the way through and

I loved it.

Please go wild for

finalists Debbie and Giovanni.

Congratulations. How does it feel?

It feels totally exhilarating. It is

like Christmas every day at the

moment.

So well-deserved.

Last week, you had two dances

to learn, and Panto rehearsals.

It was full on.

Where do you find the stamina to

pull off two performances like that?

I think it came from Paul because he

used to sleep for four hours a night

and I used to have to try to keep up

with him. So for years I've just led

a really busy life and always

thought I should be enjoying every

minute and that is what we have been

doing.

I love that his spirit is

still there, keeping you going.

Gorgeous man.

Let's talk about the Jive first.

Darcey said your energy is

incredible and what were you taking.

Is it prescribed on the NHS?

I am going to bring it out after

Christmas, the elixir of life! Did

you love this dance? I loved it, I

wish I had had another few days on

it to get better but I really

enjoyed it.

You looked even more exhausted

than Debbie after that routine,

have you managed to put your

feet up since?

It was a very fast routine even for

me with my Guinness world record!

But it was a really fast routine. A

lot of technique in that. I said we

just needed to keep the energy up to

please the judges. We just try to

keep that going and that is what we

did. By the end of the week she

managed it.

It was incredible.

Let's move on to your Foxtrot.

Which Bruno called "Strictly

Gorgeous" and Darcey said looked

"stunningly effortless".

How did it feel out

on the dance floor?

And possibly in the frock of the

night. It was like dancing the

dream. I just loved every second.

That music was so beautiful. And he

just smoothly took me around the

floor. I do not think we could

better bat.

We could always do it

better!

I do not mean the dance but

the feeling. That was unbelievably

good. Even in the training room as

soon as the music started with just

both smiled immediately. There was

not a second that I was not smiling

inside.

I think we could all feel

that.

But Craig got

the Strictly rule book out again.

You looked genuinely surprised

when he said that he would be

deducting a point for being out

of hold too long -

what's your take now?

Well the thing with Craig is, in the

same night someone else broke the

same rules as we did but it is

always as, the ten second rule. But

it must be for everyone, not just

for us. So I was a bit upset about

this.

We will all be watching it

back to find out who that was!

Congratulations.

Saturday night will be your second

Strictly Final in three years -

what does it mean to you to take

Debbie there?

I am super happy. She deserves every

second of the final. She has been

working really hard every day. So

I'm really glad that we're in the

final.

Looking ahead to the weekend,

you have three dances

to prepare for.

The Showdance, Judges'

Choice and your own

favourite dance of the series.

Your own pick will be kept

a secret until Saturday.

But tell me, how hard was it to pick

just one dance?

Did you have an obvious favourite? I

think one dance we loved from the

beginning. And it felt really good

to dance it again in the training

room today. You just want to do it

properly. So it was a really nice

feeling.

We did not have to argue

about which dance we were going to

do. We both just said that is the

one.

I'm so scared that I'm going to

say it!

I can reveal that the dance

the Judges have picked

for you is your

Opticians-themed salsa.

You scored 35 points

for this last time -

with Shirley saying

it was "on its way to being

a championship Salsa",

barring a few mistakes.

Can you perfect those now? Yes

because I was so annoyed with myself

that might, for whatever reason I

just was not on. We watched the

video today and I was so angry, you

did not do that in the rehearsal

room. So quite a lot I need to put

right but I know I can do it. And

what about the stumps, more to come

out of the bag?

We tried a lot of

lifts. We tried.

You will! We are

very excited. Good luck this week.

That is all for tonight.

Join us tomorrow where I'll be

chatting to Gemma and Aljaz.

Joanne Clifton is back

for Choreography Corner and former

champs Tom Chambers,

Chris Hollins and Ore

Oduba will be here.

Until then, goodnight!