Key events
Judges’ comments for Montell and Jojo: Anton says “strong tango, you have the makings of a wonderful ballroom dancer but you got a little tight around the shoulders”. Craig says “iffy head placement but good frame”. Motsi says “started off well, then hesitated, fire not fear, let go”. Shirley Poppins concludes “didn’t disappoint, beautiful frame but got locked up”. Sixes and sevens?
Montell and Jojo’s tango
Powerhouse couple Team Mojo are proving one of the surprise contenders this year. Can they maintain their top five form for a Tinseltown tango? Ex-Olympian Montell Douglas is going for gold in a glittery gown. She’s playing Beyoncé’s role as Deena the diva, based on Diana Ross, with Johannes Radebe donning a moustache for the Eddie Murphy role. It’s a dapper, dramatic tango, telling a story through dance. Can she stay connected to Johannes and close her feet nicely? Lacking some fire and snapping staccato. Footwork hesitant and some gapping. Not her best for me.
Song: One Night Only from Dreamgirls. A disco version of the soul ballad from the Broadway musical-turned-film. Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse also tangoed to it in the 2016 quarter-final, scoring a whopping 38 points.
Our Strictly stars™
Our couples emerge on the staircase. It’s fancy dress a-go-go. Barbie and Ken! Harry Potter people! Hats! Loincloths! Elderly Scottish housekeepers! Hello, dear!
Judges raid the drsssing-up box
Here come our paddle-raising panel of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas. They’ve embraced the Movie Week theme and raised the BBC costume box. It’s like some sort of sex panto out there.
Finally, Shirley descends from the ceiling as Mary Poppins. Fundamentals, Shirl.
Frockwatch
Here come our Hollywood hosts with the mosts, so time for our weekly frock-off. Tess Daly is in a midnight blue sparkly jumpsuit. Claudia Winkleman is in a red lacy jumpsuit. Both look lovely but Tess wins.
Gru eventually succumbs to the happiness and joins in with his little yellow pals. Despicably good fun, firmly targeted at younger viewers.
It’s wacky, it’s colourful, it’s hyperactive. And frankly, it’s a bit cruise ship.
The pros go bananas
We open with the professional dancers performing the first of two filmic group numbers this weekend. This one’s a Minions–themed affair, choreographed by Lizzie Gough and Kieran Donovan.
Kai Widdrington has donned a bald cap to play grumpy Gru.
Roll clapalong title sequence
Aww, look, it’s poor Tom Dean. Remember him? Tall swimmer fella? No? Hey, that’s showbiz.
Ah, textbook Claudia-and-Dave Arch punchline to finish.
