Strictly Come Dancing: the semi-final – live

5 days ago 19

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On Balvinder Sopal, styletraveller says: “Love how Bal has grown into this series. She has learnt to dance in front of our eyes.”

YodaknowsAll says: “Bal just needed a little more hip action in that salsa. The sass and performance were there, however. Good lifts too.”

LegTheory says: “Anton gave some good advice last week to focus on one dance more than the other, which could serve as the DO dance if needed. Balvinder maybe doing that.”

HelenaHandcart says: “Nobody mentions that you can see Bal counting out loud ALL the time. I remember Rob Rinder getting criticised for his face and Jennifer Gibney was criticised for singing along.”

TheMathDiva says: “Julian is quite right. Balvinder’s had the biggest journey and has demonstrated so much determination. She deserves a final place imo.”

Poppieshen adds: “A warm welcome for the Strictly Lamppost making possibly its final appearance this year.”

Did Craig not get Carlos and Vito confused after all? MsChuffy says: “Was Craig’s Vito comment aimed at the balcony? They have been super present heckling during the judging this series!”

Readers’ semi-final verdicts are in

Here’s a quickfire vox pop of your comments. G1adys says: “Eek, unnecessary padding. Still, plenty of glass-filling opportunities to look forward to.”

Gardener_Maidhc says: “I really dislike this ‘talk up the celeb to get into the final’ part. Just too icky, mawkish, over the top emoting.”

VelvetinaB says: “Utterly ridiculous for Shirley and Anton to give Amber and Bal the same score. I love Bal and her tenacity and I’ve been honest that I don’t wholly warm to Amber, but she deserved more than Bal in her scores.”

SnailyWhaley says: “Loved that, love Karen but those 10s are surely a score for the journey rather than the end product? However. if the judges want to indulge in overscoring. I’ll happily take it for Karen.”

TobiasElias adds: “The judges, bar Craig, are scoring this week like it’s the final when their votes don’t count. Ridiculous overmarking throughout.”

Your penultimate set of Golden Glitterballs

It’s the second-from-last time we’ll hand out our coveted liveblog prizes this year. Here are this week’s lucky gong-getters…

Best dance: Karen’s waltz for me.

Worst dance: Nothing scored below 35 points, so no obvious honkers but let’s say George’s samba.

Best music choice: Can’t resist a Gloria Estefan medley.

Worst music choice: Too much Bublé.

Best outfit: Both Balvinder’s frocks, Amber’s midnight blue velvet tango gown and Karen’s silver waltz dress. Loved her giving a shout-out to “costume team for making me feel beautiful”.

Worst outfit: Karen’s salsa trousers. Like Mr Tumnus (fake Christmas tree edition).

Best VT: Karen’s mum surprising her in training. Lip wobbles chez moi.

Worst VT: Amber’s description of Love Island as “a beautiful opportunity”.

Best judges’ comment: A couple of pearlers from Anton, harking back to Karen’s week two tango being “a bag of spanners” and: “To coin a phrase from my lovely friend Motsi, you’re impress-nable.”

Best Claudia quip: She was in sincere mood for this semi-final, preferring to let the couples shine.

You knew this was coming but hey, it’s Christmas and a liveblogger’s got to make rent. Looking for a stocking-filler or Secret Santa present under a tenner? Perhaps for someone who likes dogs/cosy crime/seaside towns/jokes? May I humbly suggest my debut novel. I’m very happy to sign or personalise copies, too. Just get in touch.

Waltz me up before you go-go

TV viewers can now stay on BBC1 for Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel, flip to Channel 4 for Sandi’s Great Riviera Rail Trip or head to BBC2 for Christmas Hits: The Videos that Sleighed on BBC2, which segues neatly into Wham! night. A crowded room, friends with tired eyes. I’m hiding from you and your soul of ice. Enduring image.

At 9.05pm, it’s the Wild Cherry finale on BBC1, I’m A Celebrity: Coming Out on ITV1 or The Queen’s Last Christmas Message: Farewell to the Nation on Channel 5. Gawd bless yer, ma’am.

Film-wise, take your pick from Elf (8.05pm on Sky Showcase), Scandal (9pm on Talking Pictures), Meet Joe Black (9pm on Great TV) or The Batman (10.25pm on ITV1). You sit on a throne of lies.

Semi-final leaderboard in full

When the scores for both routines are added together, Karen Carney tops the leaderboard, with Amber Davies in second spot.

Down the bottom is Balvinder Sopal with George Clarke just two points above. But will the public vote turns that on its head again?

Tess and Claud tell us to “Keeeeeep dancing!” for one of the last times ever. Sniff. As the credits roll, please stay with us for analysis, reaction and a round-up of your comments.

Casting vote goes to…

The last deciding dance-off vote of the series will be from… Craig! No safer hands for me. Wonder if they’ll keep this innovation next series? It’s hardly been a game-changer.