Key events
Montell and Jojo’s Couple’s Choice
Last week, Shirley said they were “creeping up there, you’re becoming dangerous for the rest”. Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe duly notched their first nine. Can they score more with this groundbreaking number? It’s an Afro-Caribbean fusion between both their backgrounds. Homely opening in robes and gradually expands, with Montell changing into a colourful feathered carnival dress. Jamaican flag and South African flags tucked in their waistbands. Sass, smiles and a real sense of freedom. Lifts and tricks. Confetti falls. Bringing it home and leaving their hearts on the dancefloor.
Song: Skeleton Move by KG feat Zanda Zakuza. A 2018 hit from the South African DJ and producer, real name Kgaogelo Moagi, with vocals from house diva Zanda Zakuza.
Judges’ scores for Wynne and Katya: 7, 9, 9, 8 for a total of 33 points. Fourth as it stands. Hands, what hands?
Judges’ comments for Wynne and Katya: Shirley says “loved it, joyous, you moved beautifully, fantastic”. Anton says “great energy and showmanship but right arm too far back”. Craig says “dishevelled in places”, then cheekily changes his tune when Wynne says he’s reviewing Craig’s album next week. Motsi concludes “fun, rhythmical, exquisite timing, well done”. Eights and nines?
Wynne and Katya’s quickstep
Opera singer Wynne Evans got two nines for his tango last week and reached the dizzy heights of joint second on the leaderboard but it was throughly overshadowed by “the hand incident”, aka “Grope Compare”. Now he’s sticking with ballroom. A frothy routine with a fun concept to help shake off the lingering aroma of scandal. Decent frame and plenty of character with farcical comedy flourishes. Slightly lacks the stamina to maintain the style throughout, gets heavy-footed and fluffs a jump.
Song: Mr Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra. This Beatles-esque 1977 classic featured in both the opening and closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympics. It also very nearly became the theme tune to The US Office.
Judges’ scores for Shayne and Nancy: 7, 8, 8 (too early from Shirley), 8 for a total of 31 points. Top half.
Judges’ comments for Shayne and Nancy: Anton says “lovely to see another 40-year-old, spectacular lifts and fabulous partnering, lots to like but keep the focus when you’re apart”. Craig says “wonderful flow and sentiment”. Motsi says “you’re clearer and more subtle in ballroom than Latin, good direction, keep going”. Shirley concludes “great footwork, beautiful flow, a remarkable comeback, you’re a great student and dancer but search for your authentic self”. Eights, do we reckon?
Shayne and Nancy’s American smooth
The shock dance-off survivors bid to bounce back. Shayne Ward turned 40 this week, so could get a cake in the Clauditorium after this, just in case he needed extra motivation. It’s foxtrot style. Emotional song, romantic connection and smooth technique. This is all all about the flow and he’s pulling that off with aplomb. Maybe lacking wow factor and Hollywood glamour but divine mood and beautiful lifts, albeit with some lumpy transitions.
Song: Get Here by Sam Smith. A cover of Oleta Adams’ 1990 hit which was co-produced by Roland Orzabal from Tears For Fears – returning the favour after Adams provided guest vocals on their hit Woman In Chains.
Judges’ scores for Sarah and Vito: 8, 8, 8, 8 for a total of 32 points. Top half.
Judges’ comments for Sarah and Vito: Motsi says “you gave 110 per cent, soften your arms but you are a force”. Shirley says “difficult choreography and you didn’t miss a beat, concentrate on foot positions but a charm to watch”. Anton says “a bit stiff but for personality and performance, your best dance”. Craig concludes “arms flung without a destination in mind but a party I want to be at, the campest thing, loved it”. Eights? Maybe a nine from Tony Beak?
Sarah and Vito’s samba
Her foxtrot flopped last week and Sarah Hadland’s scores dipped, falling out of the 30s for the first time. Can she party her way back up the leaderboard? The fast, bouncy samba should suit her high energy levels but she needs to control it, maintain timing and finish the moves. Riviera theme. A kitsch and camp song. Signature bending-back move and challenging steps. She looks like Toyah but its twice as good. Colourful, carnival feeling. Great legs and spins. Heaps of fun. Fab-ew-lous. Ciao, ciao!
Song: Do It Do It Again by Rafaella Carrà. This mid-70s Eurodisco hit reached the top 10 in the UK. The late Italian diva was once pursued by Frank Sinatra but repeatedly rejected his advances. Attagirl.
Judges’ scores for Pete and Jowita: 4, 5, 6, 7 (surge scoring!) for a total of 22 points.
Judges’ comments for Pete and Jowita: Pete says he’s “wet like an otter” and cannily flirts with Shirley. She says “love the lifts and attentiveness to your partner, not a lot of body action, I was mesmerised by one hip isolation but needed more”. Anton does another demo time and says “really good effort at a difficult dance”. Craig says “illegal lifts, a little bit unco (uncoordinated) but you’re committed and I can see you’ve been studying”. Motsi concludes “you sold the story but your bottom half was a problem”. The judges start bickering. Unseemly, darlings.
Pete and Jowita’s rumba
Anton said last week that if Pete Wicks can keep improving and raise his performance levels, he could become a contender. If last week’s quickstep was all about fast feet, now it’s all about slow hips. The Oasis anthem is an interesting choice, shall we say, for a rumba. Lots of push and pull with partner Jowita Przystal. There are showmance rumours between the pair, so the sensual mood is present and correct. Plenty of focus and intensity, not much continuous hip motion and he’s throwing the arm movements away when he should extend. It’s just lacking rhythm, which Pete admits he struggles with.
Song: Don’t Look Back In Anger by Oasis. The 1996 Britpop hit was the first Oasis single with lead vocals by Noel Gallagher, rather than his brother Liam. Noel described it as a cross between John Lennon and All The Young Dudes. Of the “so Sally can wait” refrain, he admits: “I don’t actually know anybody called Sally. I thought I might as well throw a girl’s name in there and it fitted.”
