Key events
The moustache is real, allegedly. Well, it is Movember.
Judges’ comments for Pete and Jowita: Shirley aka Cher says “embraced the character well, made a lot of mistakes but carried on like a trooper”. Anton aka Bet Lynch says “started strongly but plateaued and went wrong in the partner work”. Craig aka Barry Gibb says “terrible shame, lacked rotation and fluidity, timing was out, stompy but loved the lifts”. Motsi aka Tina Turner concludes “Jowita is the bravest on Strictly, threw yourself around, great job”. Sixes, do we think?
Pete apologises for mistakes and Jowita reassures him it’s OK.
Pete and Jowita’s salsa
The king of TOWIE is dancing to Queen and hoping not to bite the dust. After last week’s Joker number, taking on a character should help him again. He’s got the Freddie Mercury moustache and yellow biker jacket but has he got his showmanship? Opens wirh some Live Aid ey-ohs. Jowita Przystal has incorporated so many spectacular lifts that Pete dubbed it “Cirque De Salsa” in training. Lots of tricks and intricate arm movements. Lacking a little coordination for the constant motion required and makes some mistakes but heaps of fun with cracking lifts. It was Pete’s 36th birthday yesterday and that wasn’t a bad way to celebrate.
Song: Another One Bites The Dust by Queen. The 1980 funk-rock number is credited as Queen’s best-selling single, shifting over 7m copies. John Deacon’s bassline was inspired by hanging out with Chic and he played virtually all the instruments on the track. It was Michael Jackson who suggested they release it as a single, during a backstage conversation with Freddie Mercury after a Queen concert. It was used in early cuts of Rocky III before later being replaced by Survivor’s Eye Of The Tiger.
Montell Douglas looking fab-ew-lous as Whitney Houston and Pete Wicks rather suits being Freddie Mercury. And he’s first out too.
Our Strictly stars™
Our 10 couples come out to wave hello. All manner of fancy dress up on that staircase. KISS face-paint! Freddie Mercury’s moustache! George Michael’s Ray-Bans! It’s a little like a primary school dress-up day.
Behold the judges
The paddle-raising quartet make their grand entrance and they’ve full embraced the Icons theme. Motsi Mabuse is Tina Turner, Shirley Ballas is Cher, Craig Revel Horwood is resplendent as a Bee Gee and Anton Du Beke is Claudia’s Auntie Joan.
Frockwatch
Here come our presenting pair, so time for the traditional sartorial smackdown. Tess Daly is in a midnight blue tuxedo suit. Claudia Winkleman is in black sparkly dress. Claud wins.
Roll title sequence
Clap along! Wave goodbye to the five couples we’ve lost! Bet you’ve forgotten at least one of them. Probably Nick or Tom.
Aaaaand we’re off!
Cue the traditional tension-building VT package. At least it’s not Halloween horror-themed this time. First of several squillion mentions of the word “icon” instead.
Plump cushions, fill nibbles bowls and charge glasses. We’re about to go over live to Elstree Studios…
