Chris Evans Says "Yes"

Chris Evans told Alex Jones on The One Show that he has said "yes" to Strictly, although it's not clear if they have actually asked him formally.

The Scotsman reports that he said: "I have said yes, I have said yes... I think what’s funny about it, everyone puts it off and tries and keep it a secret. No, announce now, we’re doing it now.”

Chris has talked about the show on his breakfast show a lot more than usual this year, and has had Anton on as a weekly guest. He revealed that he was invited to Saturday's wrap party.

The timing strikes me as odd. Evans will leave Radio 2 next week to join Virgin Radio. Why would he be suddenly offered Strictly when he is heading out of the door. Admittedly, being a BBC employee is not a requirement - Vick Hope works for Global's station Capital. But why wouldn't he have done it while at the BBC?

Sounds to me that he's just putting himself out there as 'available'.

Alan Carr: "I Would Do It"

Comedian Alan Carr has said that he would do Strictly, but is too busy next year.

The Evening Standard reports that Alan told the Loose Women panel: "I will do it but next year I have a busy year, I’m going on tour. They cornered me and said ‘would you do it?' I would do it but, listen, I hate those VTs where they’re like ‘hello, we’re doing salsa so we’re off to a dips factory’. Like, what? You know what I mean, they go to the zoo or a museum. And it’s like ‘no I need to be in a studio’.”

Sunday Service: Week 13 - The Final

The final. The time when the judges scores and comments mean nothing, and we finally find out which celebrity has the biggest support.

Round 1: Judges' Choice

Ashley & Pasha were given the salsa to dance again. To be fair, Ashley was so good from the beginning, there really wasn't the need to revisit anything. The lift was possibly a bit neater than the first time, but other than that there wasn't much to improve upon. As I said last week, I feel relaxed when Ashley takes to the floor, because I just know she's got this.

Stacey & Kevin were given the foxtrot by the judges. The performance was slicker than before, but I don't think Stacey's footwork was quite as good as the last time. They looked to be having fun. It was Stacey's best performance of the evening.

Faye & Giovanni's Viennese waltz was a pleasure to see again. Faye's confidence has improved since she last performed this number. It was so dramatic, so smoldering, so sexy. I loved it even more than last time. It had drive and command. Such good work.

I'm not sure I would have picked Joe & Dianne's paso again, but they did a good job. Aside from some dodgy arm lines (vol-au-vont, anyone?) it was a solid performance, and certainly shows how far Joe has come in the competition.

Round 2: Show Dances

Ah the show dance. There are no rules. Although these days, there are pretty much no rules anyway. Kevin's "mine wasn't as 'out of hold' as some of the others - my sister checked" defense is pretty pointless. But I digress...

Ashley & Pasha proved why they deserved to be in the final. Their show dance was similar was similar to their contemporary Couple's Choice routine, but so what? The show dance allows the couples to showcase what they are good at. And Ashley is good at lyrical. I loved it. It was clean and precise, had great musicality and passion. The lifts showed the trust between them. Brilliant stuff.

Kevin had stated that the show dance would show Stacey's journey. Apparently, her journey involved a lot of running around. Starting in different rooms and not seeing each other was quite brave, but perhaps they should have stuck to dancing in their bedrooms. The whole dance was untidy and frantic. I think it showed off more of Stacey's flaws than her accomplishments. 

By contrast, Faye & Giovanni's routine was a show dance masterclass. Pure Hollywood, which of course is Faye's strong suit. Great musciality, great side-by-side mirroring and the return of wings from two feet. A great showcase of ballroom dancing, too, which is what the show is all about.

I loved Joe & Dianne's show dance. It wasn't as slick and Faye & Giovanni's but it had the same wow factor. I loved the surprises of the trampoline and bursting though the speaker (although when Dianne did all the turns and the camera followed her, I actually thought he was getting into a harness for some sort of levitation). I liked that it included the Shoot at the start. The whole routine was very Joe. And it included proper quickstep as well.

Round 3: Couples' Favourite

I was surprised that Ashley & Pasha chose the Charleston, as I thought they would have chosen the jive. But it was lovely to see it again. It was a fun routine. Great swivvel. Great lifts. A good fun routine for them to end on.

The paso was probably one of Stacey & Kevin's strongest routines, although for me their street/commercial was their best performance. The paso had lots of running, so maybe the show dance really was about Stacey's journey. It was a strong performance, though. Stacey's shaping could have been better.

I wanted to see Faye & Giovanni's Charleston again, but their theatre/jazz routine was a good option too. Once again, it was sophisticated and synchronised. Wonderful.

I wasn't a fan of Joe & Dianne's Charleston, but I can see why they chose to do it again in the final. It was high energy and fun. But I think I would have preferred to see a ballroom routine again.

For me, on the night, Faye was the winner. She's been a bit behind Ashley all series, but last night Faye nailed everything. Her three routines were flawless.

Of the final four, Stacey was the one I least wanted to win. This was cemented by their mess of a show dance, which didn't stand up to the other three. I don't begrudge Stacey the title, she worked hard and came a long way. She is a lovely woman, and I love her documentaries. I just felt that she was out-danced by the other three on the night.

But worse than Stacey winning was how the whole thing immediately turned into the Kevin Show. Stacey was practically nonchalant about winning, while Kevin was suddenly the centre of attention. It was Kevin who knelt in front of the trophy, and it was Kevin who was lifted aloft. The whole point about Strictly is how it is a partnership, but this didn't feel that way.

It has been a brilliant series, and despite quite a 'who?' cast, it ended up being as good as ever. There were definitely some routines that will go down in Strictly folklore.

I am bereft again at the thought of no Strictly until September. With a change of executive producer next year, I suspect some things may be a little different...

Countdown To The Glitterball...

The final is only two days away, and after spending some time chatting to Chris Evans, the final four couples are in the BBC Radio Theatre to meet the nation's press.

All of them look relaxed and at ease, especially Stacey, who has one foot resting on the edge of the coffee table in front. She looks as though she is sitting in a six form common room, reclined and relaxed with her mates.

She tells Scott Mills that she feels calm. "I want [Saturday] to feel like a massive party, like we've had such an incredible couple of months, all of us. So I sort of want us to come together, collectively, and celebrate."

Many have wondered if Kevin Clifton might depart at the end of the series, especially if he and Stacey walk away with the glitterball, but that might not be the case: "I've fallen in love with dance, and fallen in love with Strictly all over again. I've really, really enjoyed this series."

Scott asks Ashley how she's managed to say motivated despite being in three dance-offs: "The first two times in the dance-off, I was like 'OK, that's a bit of a bummer', but Monday hits, it's a new week, it's a fresh start, and you get in and you get focused. By the third time I just looked at Pash and was like 'Alright, honey, shall we give them a little show, 'cause we here?' The amazing thing though is that we did have to battle up to get to the final, but I'm so grateful to be here. I can't wait to just go out there with these fabulous people and just enjoy it."

Stacey is happy to have skipped it: "I never wanted to be in a dance-off, absolutely not. There are so many people who would have thrown us out if we'd been dancing against them. The idea that people at home are on your team and are picking up the phone, you don't take that for granted. That's been a highlight for me."

Of the final four, Faye is the one who has suffered the most injures. She's fine now, but it's been a grueling series: "I don't know if it's because I am particularly clumsy, or because I bruise like a peach. Who knows?"

Joe is aware that his casting was a surprise to many, but now he gets stopped in the streets more by older people who have seen him in Strictly than people who have seen his YouTube videos. He's also proud of the reaction from his followers: "I've had so many messages from younger guys, saying 'I would never normally think about doing dance, but from watching you on Strictly I can see you're having so much fun, and you've kind of made it 'cool''". Joe claims he isn't actually 'cool', but hearing that guys have started going to dance lessons with their girlfriends because of him is pretty special.

Joe's followers are not the only ones who have been inspired by dance. Stacey admits to watching old Shirley Ballas videos on YouTube in breaks between rehearsals.

When asked about plans for next year, an at-ease Stacey is the one with a wisecrack: "I have to take into consideration that Strictly are probably going to ask me to be a professional next year, so from September until December I'll be wrapped up with that."

If Alesha can be a judge, why can't Stacey be a pro?

Find out who will raise the glitterball tonight at 6.30pm on BBC One.

Saturday Service: Week 12

It seems that the toll of two dances proved too much for some of the couples this week. It's wasn't the best week for anyone.

I'm not sure how you make a flappy bird look gangly, but Stacey managed it. Stacey is a lovely person, I adore her enthusiasm for Strictly, but she has always struggled to control her long limbs. While she didn't miss a step in her Charleston with Kevin, I found it difficult to watch. I know Charleston is a 'free' dance, but I wanted it to be a bit neater.

The Charleston was still better than their Viennese waltz. Choreographically, I hated it. It took 20 minutes to get into hold, they did a fleckerl and a couple of turns, and then they were out of hold again. Viennese waltz can be a beautiful dance, but this was dull. A wasted opportunity. On top of that, Stacey's technique wasn't great. She missed heel leads. 

For me, Joe & Dianne's Viennese waltz lacked drive. That level of dry ice makes me very suspicious! Joe could have had straighter legs. It was OK, but not a showstopper.

Sadly, their Argentine tango wasn't a showstopper either. I liked the atmosphere. But Joe's posture wasn't right. He seemed to be hunching over Dianne. And he wasn't leading. Both of them seemed to be anticipating the moves rather than leading and following. Not good.

I loved Ashley & Pasha's paso doble. I just love watching Ashley. She was dramatic and precise. I diagree with the judges that it lacked passion. I thought it was amazing.

Ashley is a safe pair of hands. I feel calm when she walks on to the dance floor, because you know it'll be good. Their American smooth was as solid as always. Beautiful lines, and I loved the attitude lift. Great footwork, too.

Nutbush City Limits has to be about the worst song choice for a tango, and one of the worst picks of the series. I'll take disco salsa over dodgy tango. So the odds were against Lauren & AJ from the start. Lauren started well, but seemed to disengage and lose focus about halfway through the dance. Bruno's point about her walks was spot on. She has such great poise in hold, and then walks like she's in the high street.

It was such a shame that Lauren made so many mistakes in the samba. It was a very sweet little routine. Her natural rolls were quite nice, but she lacked hip action on the voltres. It's not enough at this stage.

I was a little disappointed by Faye & Giovanni's samba. It had looked amazing in the training footage on It Takes Two, but Faye's hip action didn't seem as good on the night. Maybe it was the dropped waist on the dress. I'm not sure. Loved the routine, though. Graceful and traditional.

Their Argentine tango was also very traditional, and possibly the best we've seen this series. Faye followed Giovanni perfectly. There was light and shade in the routine. It had drama. I can see why it was saved for the end. I just wish that Faye hadn't lost her tango face. She slipped out of character and smiled.

I think the dances of the night were Ashley's paso and Faye's Argentine tango.

It's so hard to predict who will be in the bottom two. Joe has a legion of young fans, while Stacey & Kevin are the housewives' choice. I suspect both might go through. Which leaves Lauren in the dance-off with Ashley (probably) or Faye (unlikely).

Worst case scenario would be Ashley and Faye both in the dance-off. I think it's unlikely, and either of them would easily knock out any of the other three. I voted for both of them only tonight. I appreciate that few people want Ashley to win, but the final would be poorer without her in it. And we need to see Faye's Charleston again.

I can't wait for tomorrow's results show.

Monday Musings: Week 11

I still don't see the point of having a musicals and a movie week, since the two are interchangeable, but I guess they ran out of 'around the world' dances after one series.

Lauren & AJ's American smooth was delightful. It was well performed, well acted and very enjoyable. Lauren really is a ballroom girl. While I think she is one of the weaker dancers left in the competition, when she brings out a performance like Saturday's, it's clear she still deserves her place.

Faye & Giovanni's Charleston was amazing. It was so in time, so in sync, and well performed. Faye was just the right amount of cooky. I loved the choreography, and everything about it worked so well. And it had wings from two feet! Totally deserving of a perfect score.

Charles & Karen's rumba was quiet. It was intimate and romantic. Great acting from both of them. And some lovely choreography. I think it was a dance I enjoyed more on second viewing, though. It was difficult for them to follow Faye & Giovanni, but it was a good effort. The best male rumba in Strictly history? Perhaps.

Was Ashley & Pasha's quickstep a bit too busy? Perhaps it was. It was certainly relentless. But when Ashley is that good, I can see why Pasha would want to showcase what she can do. Ashley was on point, as always. I liked the routine, and I think she performed it well.

I wasn't as taken with Stacey & Kevin's American smooth as the judges were. Stacey performed the routine, and captured the mood. But she footwork wasn't that good, she was missing lots of heel leads. I didn't like it as much as the judges seemed to.

I wasn't overly keen on Joe & Dianne's salsa either. It was a bit campy, and a bit affected. It just didn't do it for me. I thought the lift in the middle was a bit unnecessary, and a bit awkward, too. I liked the cheerleader lift at the end, though. And there was some nice armography.

Faye was far and away my favourite this week. She was just brilliant.

My bottom two would be between Joe, Stacey and Charles. Charles was going to find it difficult to stand out among all those big routines. Joe's routine wasn't my favourite, and Stacey's technique wasn't tight enough for me.

But with Ashley in the dance-off, there was no was Charles was going anywhere other than home. He went out on a high, and that's all an eliminated celebrity can wish for.

One more celebrity has to leave before the final. This Saturday's show, and the following elimination, is going to be really tough. And with two dances this week, the couples have their work cut out.