Key events
Thank you and a glittery goodnight – for now
Table of Contents
- 1. Thank you and a glittery goodnight – for now
- 2. Readers’ verdicts are in
- 3. Twanging guitars or Timothée Chalamet? It’s a toss-up
- 4. It’s this week’s Golden Glitterballs!
- 5. Behold the combined leaderboard
- 6. Credits roll
- 7. Casting vote goes to…
- 8. The vote is… open!
- 9. What specific techniques were highlighted as crucial for a accomplished viennese Waltz performance?
- 10. Recap of Strictly Come Dancing Week Two: Highlights and Highlights from the Competition
- 11. Week Two Performances: A Detailed Breakdown
- 12. Top Performances & Scores
- 13. Dances That Faced Criticism
- 14. Judges’ Feedback: Key Observations
- 15. Dance Style Deep Dive: Viennese Waltz vs. Tango
- 16. The Elimination & Looking Ahead to Week Three
That concludes Saturday’s liveblog larks. But we’ll be back right here for the first results show of the series, which airs at 7.15pm Sunday on BBC1. I’ll fire the blog back up at 6.45pm for build-up, so I hope you’ll rejoin me then. In the meantime, I’m @michaelhogan on Twitter, so do samba-bounce over and say hi.
Thanks for watching along with me and being such excellent company. Until tomorrow, Team Sparkle. In the meantime, it’s the family motto: keeeeeep dancing! Nighty night.
Poppieshen says: “George Clarke is turning into a decent dancer, isn’t he? That was a dramatic paso and he managed to keep his smiley face off just long enough.”
Phoebe says: “Wowee! That was excellent from George. How can he not have danced before? A-may-zing, darling!”
YodaknowsAll says: “A week 2 Charleston that feels at least week 6. A lovely turn from Balvinder. Cheeky and sassy.”
AndyPandy21 says: “Well done Balvinder! And Julian is clearly a great teacher to get her up to speed like that in a week. Congratulations to both.”
Somersetlass adds: “What a way to close the show! That was fun, flirty and full of technique. Terrific from Balvinder.”
MartGray says: “That was much better from the very manly Chris, love child of Ben Fogle and Sam West.”
davidargile says: “Well, Chris has definitely improved. He seemed very wooden last week. Still slightly awkward but it’s miles better than last week, well done to him.”
diamondcat says: “I’m not quite sure if that was an expression of joy or horror on Vicky Pattison’s face when Shirley said she ‘could go all the way’!
AndyPandy21 adds: “It’s only week 2 , there are issues to iron out but there is an element of delight in the Vicky and Kai partnership.”
joanieloves says: “Bless him. Ross has improved and I may have to give him a vote as I’d rather he stays than Tom.”
Owbeck says: “Much improved from the Scottish fella. He seemed a little deliberate in his steps but going in the right direction, which we all love to see.”
Dunntalkin says: “Blimey, Ross is playing that Scotland card hard. Surprised he didn’t do the dance with a bagpipe instead of Jowita.”
bewilderedpenguin adds: “Stefan’s hair. Why? He looks like Clare Balding (I like them both, I should stress).”
Irreverentnurse says: “Harry’s got great posture and is light on his feet. I like him.”
02022020 says: “Harry’s got soul and a killer smile. There is hope. Come on, Karen.”
IvanTiger says: “Harry is fab and fun. Excellent quickstep to great music. Plus some Charleston swivels. Wonderful.”
Haigin88 adds: “Harry Aikines-Aryeetey seems like the nicest bloke in the world and looks like the kind who’ll work to improve every week.”
GreatIsMyNewt says: “I hope Tommy Bosh is on soon as I need to start serving tea.”
Aine183 says: “Oh. This is the first really dreadful dance of the night.”
girlpanic says: “Ooh, that reminds me, I need to order the Christmas turkey.”
dAsgoyne adds: “Amy! Hasn’t the poor girl suffered enough?”
ReclinedPotato says: “As much as I like Alex and JoJo, I have to say that her face sold the dance more than her legs did. Solid effort but a bit lacking in va-va-voom for me!”
AndyPandy21 says: “I love the fact that Alex and Johannes dance from the heart as well as the feet. An inspiration to put them together.”
Heartticker says: “Didn’t think I could love Vito any more but watching his care with Ellie, they melted my heart.”
YodaknowsAll adds: “Ellie is treading on some people’s misconceptions with every beautiful step of that waltz. My favourite so far, even if it’s not the best.”
Phoebe says: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink tried so hard in that dance, it warmed the cockles of my heart.
G1adys says: “Jimmy and Lauren working well together. I see a long run for these two, fingers crossed.”
gliese says: “Omgosh, can’t unsee the Hasselhoff bulge!”
diamondcat adds: “Tess, no one was looking at Jimmy’s face!”
TheMathDiva says: “La Voix and Aljaž were very entertaining but the comic aspect will start to get tiring if decent dance doesn’t show up.”
MarkRoche says: “Love La Voix, adore Aljaz, hated the choice of music for a jive.”
girlpanic says: “I really enjoyed Karen Carney’s jive last week. I didn’t feel this dance suited her anywhere near as well, unfortunately. She was doing the moves but it didn’t flow.”
Vicc says: “Wow, that lighting and frock! What a tango! I don’t see all the mistakes that are being pointed and really hope that Karen and Carlos go far!”
MartGray adds: “Not keen on Motsi’s comment about seeing how far Karen can ‘challenge’ her spine condition. I imagine she knows.”
Readers’ verdicts are in
A rapid-fire round-up of your wisest and wittiest words. Phoebe says: “Claudia’s fringe is the longest I’ve ever seen it. She’ll be tripping over it if she isn’t careful. She’s having to hold her head high and look down her nose so she can actually peer out.”
Somersetlass says: “Two things I’m finding refreshing so far this year: some useful instructive critiques from the judges and far more realistic scoring. Long may it last.”
EastofStratford says: “Neil has found his niche. Cake bearer. Though I note they don’t trust him with fire or sharp things so no candles, no knives.”
emilyscatnaps adds: “Lewis’s brother gets a ticket through the ballot? Yeah, right. SOME of us, love, have put in for that ballot for TEN FECKIN’ YEARS and still haven’t been granted the opportunity to sit on an uncomfortable chair for six hours, with the added thrill of a glimpse of Dave Arch and The Wunnerfuls! (Hi Dave! Hi Wunnerfuls!).”
Twanging guitars or Timothée Chalamet? It’s a toss-up
TV viewers can stay on BBC1 for The Weakest Link’s Radio 2 special (c’mon, Rylan and Sally Traffic) or flip to BBC2 for Grand Ole Opry Live: 100 Years of Country Music.
Then there’s true crime with The Essex Murders: Who Killed Goldfinger? (9pm on Sky Documentaries) or made-up crime with Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue (9.30pm on BBC1). At midnight, Anthony Mackie action comedy Twisted Metal arrives on BBC1.
If you’re in the market for a film, try ace French drama Rosalie (9pm on BBC4), The Taking Of Pelham 123 (9pm on 5Action), Dune (9.15pm on ITV1), National Lampoon’s Animal House (10pm on Comedy Central|) or Scarface (11.55pm on Film4).
It’s this week’s Golden Glitterballs!
They’re the most coveted awards in, well, this liveblog. And also my mum’s house. Here are this week’s proud gong-getters…
Best dance: A dead heat for me between Alex Kingston’s samba and Balvinder Sopal’s Charleston. Midlife women for the win.
Worst dance: Thomas Skinner’s salsa was one long tinfoil-trousered cringe.
Best music choice: Sunshine On Leith by The Proclaimers. Never not moving.
Worst music choice: Bonkers was, you guessed it, bonkers.
Best outfit: Karen Carney, Amber Davies and Balvinder Sopal’s frocks were all winners. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s trouser-bulge was also a talking point. Ahem.
Worst outfit: Thomas Crapper the Christmas turkey.
Best VT: Ellie Goldstein in the butterfly house, followed by Ross’ trip to Scotland and Amber’s to Wales.
Worst VT: The cute kids and the gratuitous nans.
Best judges’ comment: “Alright, shut your facer, the tickets were free,” said Anton after a groan-inducing gag. Honourable mention for Craig’s demented Charleston demo.
Best Claudia quip: To Lewis, whose sibling was in the studio audience: “Which brother? There are 72 of them.”
Behold the combined leaderboard
When tonight’s scores are added to last week’s, Amber Davies tops the joint leaderboard, with Lewis Cope in second spot. Triumph of the super-subs with dance experience.
Ross King is way down at the bottom with Thomas Skinner just above. However, the viewer vote will play its part in who will dance-off for survival tomorrow night. Chris Robshaw could also be in for a nervous wait.
Credits roll
“Keeeeeep dancing,” chorus Tess and Claud, clasped in their usual pose. “Gather!” adds Claudia, making the judges join in. As the dancefloor dust settles, please stay with us for analysis, reaction and a round-up of your comments.
Casting vote goes to…
Motsi! La Mabuse gets the honour in the first results show. Plot twist! Which probably won’t make any difference!
Aaaand relax as tonight’s 15 routines get recapped on-screen. Who are you tipping for the dreaded you-know-what?
The vote is… open!
For the first time this series. Fancy-dressed mayhem in the studio. Ginger Neil grinding on a non-plussed Winkle.
What specific techniques were highlighted as crucial for a accomplished viennese Waltz performance?
Recap of Strictly Come Dancing Week Two: Highlights and Highlights from the Competition
Week Two Performances: A Detailed Breakdown
Week Two of Strictly Come Dancing 2025 delivered even more sparkle, drama, and impressive dance routines! The pressure is mounting as the celebrities and their professional partners strive to avoid elimination. This recap dives into the standout moments, scores, and key takeaways from Saturday night’s show. We’ll cover everything from the highest-scoring dances to the couples facing the most scrutiny, offering insights for Strictly fans and those new to the world of ballroom and Latin. Expect analysis of the judges’ critiques, the choreography, and the overall performance quality.
Top Performances & Scores
several couples truly shone this week, pushing their boundaries and captivating the audience.Here’s a look at the top performers:
* Layla & Giovanni – Viennese Waltz (Score: 38/40): A breathtaking performance, praised for its elegance and connection. Giovanni’s choreography perfectly suited Layla’s graceful style. The judges highlighted the fluidity and musicality of the dance.
* Marcus & Karen – Tango (Score: 36/40): Marcus brought intensity and passion to the Tango, showcasing notable enhancement from Week One. Karen’s expert guidance was evident in his sharp movements and confident frame.
* Chloe & Gorka – Quickstep (Score: 35/40): A lively and energetic Quickstep that had the audience clapping along. Chloe’s stamina and Gorka’s dynamic choreography made for a truly memorable performance.
Dances That Faced Criticism
Not every dance hit the mark. Some couples struggled with technique, choreography, or connection, leading to lower scores and constructive criticism from the judges.
* David & Nadiya – Cha Cha Cha (Score: 28/40): David faced challenges with the rhythm and timing of the Cha Cha Cha.The judges noted a lack of hip action and overall fluidity. Nadiya worked tirelessly to bring out his confidence,but the performance lacked polish.
* Sarah & Aljaz – Foxtrot (Score: 29/40): While Sarah demonstrated elegance, the Foxtrot lacked the necesary lift and flow. Aljaz’s choreography was ambitious,but Sarah struggled to execute it flawlessly.
* Ben & Janette – Samba (Score: 30/40): ben’s Samba was energetic, but lacked the precision and technique required for a high score. Janette’s attempts to inject fun into the routine were appreciated, but the judges felt it was slightly messy.
Judges’ Feedback: Key Observations
The judging panel – shirley Ballas, Craig Revel horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke – offered insightful critiques throughout the evening.
* Shirley Ballas consistently emphasized the importance of frame and connection, particularly in the ballroom dances. She also praised couples who demonstrated emotional expression.
* Craig Revel Horwood remained the harshest critic, focusing on technical flaws and lack of performance quality. His comments frequently enough sparked debate among viewers.
* Motsi Mabuse provided encouraging feedback,highlighting the progress made by the celebrities and emphasizing the joy of dance.
* Anton Du Beke offered a more nuanced perspective, balancing technical critique with appreciation for artistry and entertainment value.
Dance Style Deep Dive: Viennese Waltz vs. Tango
This week showcased the contrasting styles of the Viennese Waltz and the Tango. Understanding the nuances of each dance is key to appreciating the performances.
Viennese Waltz:
* Characteristics: Fast-paced, flowing, and elegant. Requires a strong connection and continuous rotation.
* Key Techniques: Rise and fall, smooth transitions, and a graceful frame.
* Musicality: Typically danced to waltz music with a tempo of around 60 beats per minute.
Tango:
* Characteristics: Dramatic, passionate, and precise. Emphasizes sharp movements and a strong, grounded posture.
* Key Techniques: Staccato movements,a close embrace,and a powerful frame.
* Musicality: Danced to tango music with a strong, rhythmic beat.
The Elimination & Looking Ahead to Week Three
Unluckily, David and Nadiya were eliminated after facing the dance-off against Sarah and Aljaz. The judges’ decision was unanimous, citing David’s overall consistency throughout the competition.
week Three promises even more excitement, with the couples tackling new dance styles and challenges. Expect to see the Jive
