Key events
Thank you and a ghoulish goodnight
That concludes Saturday’s spooktacular liveblog but we’ll be rising from the dead tomorrow. The results show airs at 7.10pm Sunday on BBC1. I’ll reanimate the blog at 6.40pm for build-up. Rejoin me then to scream at the triple dance-off and see who’s sent to their glittery grave.
In the meantime, I’m @michaelhogan on Twitter and @michaelhogan100 elsewhere, so please do zombie-lurch past and say hi.
Thanks for watching along with me, Halloween homies, and for all your howling at the moon. Hopefully see you back here tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of fright night and as is traditional: keeeeeep spooky dancing!
Finally, on Lacey Turner, paperview says: “I saw one of the lifts in this Charleston that Vito posted on his socials. I must have watched it seven times and still can’t see how they did it successfully.”
ReclinedPotato says: “Aren’t Lacey and Vito just the loveliest coupling? They always look to be having the best time. Mind you, being flung around by a hunky Italian for a few weeks should be on the NHS. Certainly would cure my SAD.”
SparklingDormouse says: “Great Charleston! Would have preferred a few less lifts as her dancing was so good. Lacey is great and I watch her instead of Vito, which is saying something!”
YodaknowsAll says: “A superb Charleston from Lacey and Vito. Her entrances and exits into the lifts were seamless. Saved the best til last.”
Tanya92 adds: “Martin Fowler! All Hallows Eve is a good time for him to come back from the dead.”
On Delta Goodrem, Jockette61 says: “So much to love about that Viennese. Delta was sexy and smooth, Kai never looked hotter (so much better than Curly Kai), Tommy’s vocals… Gorgeous!”
acanthe says: “That was a lovely Viennese waltz from Morticia and Gomez. though our white witch/ice queen is being very picky tonight.”
MikeMoonlight adds: “Oh dear, Kai seems to have inherited Brendan Cole’s habit of referring to his partner as ‘This girl here…’”
On Bethany Antonia, SparklingDormouse says: “Strangely slow song for the jive. Enjoyed that, though, and thought Bettany much better.”
YodaknowsAll says: “Really enjoyed that jive. I just wanted a tiny bit more pep from Bethany. I think she just needs to believe a bit more.”
CasLass says: “I’m here for dancing cats but didn’t like that jive at all. Felt like dance-off material to me.”
Somersetlass says “Great synchronisation and terrific flicks and kicks from Bethany. Her partnership with Nancy brings me joy. But I wasn’t keen on Shirley’s ‘if you’re fortunate enough to stay’ comment.”
ReclinedPotato adds: “Bethancy – you go, girls! Super cute, a nice palate-cleanser after the sweat-fest tango!”
On Tabby Stoecker, Lidoswimmer says: “A few things to improve but Tabby keeping her place as my favourite for the win, so far.”
IvanTiger says: “Mark’s too fast for her in this quickstep, but enjoyable from Tabby.”
Tanya92 says: “Well, contrary to the judges, I thought that was pretty fab from Tabby! I wasn’t paying attention when the dance was announced, looked up, didn’t recognise either of them in those wigs, and couldn’t work out which of them was the professional and which was the celeb!”
ReclinedPotato adds: “Slightly distracted by Mark’s very well-defined arms and 80s dinnerlady hair. Did notice a fluff but Tabby is one of the most capable dancers this year and hopefully will get the votes to avoid the triple dance-off.”
On Cach Mercer, VelvetinaB says: “Loved that from Maddie and Cach! Some amazing lifts and Cach did well to contain his exuberance and channel it into the dance.”
G1adys says: “When Cach gets given the choreography, he can avoid his day job moves. Take note please, Maddie. It’s down to you to make sure he dances the right way.”
ladyglencora says: “Power and passion from Cach and Maddie. Loved it. I think it probably helped to have specialist choreographers so no going off-piste.”
Somersetlass says: “Now that was a proper Argentine tango! Full of intensity and passion. Cach really seems to have cracked it.”
acanthe adds: “Phwoar, that Argentine tango was fantastic.”
On Jaime Winstone, ladyglencora says: “Was that supposed to be a salsa? Sorry, Jaime, way too static for me and a fair amount of messin’ abaht.”
LekisP says: “I really like Jaime but that didn’t do her any favours. Not her best dance. Bottom two beckons again.
Gardener_Maidhc says: “Great song for this. Awful fog and lighting design. Love how much Carlos is just having fun camping it up and Jaime is doing rather damned well too. That was proper naff ridiculous Strictly Halloween week fodder and I liked it.”
Limbolaurie says: “I am missing the salsa steps in Jaime’s salsa. Too much acting, spinning and lifting. Not enough dancing.”
ReclinedPotato adds: “You go, Jaime, more welly than an episode of Countryfile. And in that wig and make-up, she’s sure thing for the lead in The Shirley Ballas Story (or how I learned to stop worrying and love the little haunted shoes).”
On Will Best, Gardener_Maidhc says: “Couple’s Choice. Boo. And a sob story from Will too. Extra boo. At least no new dad mentions yet. But they are talking family now soo….”
ReclinedPotato says: “Will’s movement to me is reminiscent of Muffin the Mule, so this dance suits him. Less of the weepy VTs for next week, though please.”
Phoebe says: “Wow, great fun and clever choreography, especially the knee wires. Put a smile on my face.”
paperview says: “I note that Will didn’t mention that in the time he ‘had no work’, he actually helped set up a drinks company and made a small fortune – probably more than he did in his entire TV career.”
whistledownthewind adds: “We’ve had Will’s newborn baby, his mum and a Zoom call with family in Australia. Probably a long lost cousin in Mongolia next week. Is he going for Strictly full family bingo?”
On Graeme Hall, Lidoswimmer says: “Oh no, Graeme! The green body paint kiss of death?”
Strictlylounging says: “Feel like Graeme’s legs were moving well but his upper body wasn’t matching.”
YodaknowsAll says: “I’m unsure whether Graeme technically danced a samba, but he gave it a go. Completely not helped by the music or the shoes which were very distracting.”
whistledownthewind adds: “Graeme acquitted himself, despite coping with an odd song choice, terrible costume and make-up, and opening the show with a dance which is not easy.”
On Lawrence Robb, Somersetlass says: “Sorry, Lawrence, that tango didn’t do it for me. It felt stiff and hesitant. I may be biased, though, as I prefer the more intense tangos.”
diamondcat says: “Lawrence and Jowita’s tango seemed oddly stilted and underpowered. Given that Jowita’s got enough zip to power a whole fleet of Duracell bunnies, I was very surprised.”
Aine183 adds: “I’m finding it hard to take a tango seriously that’s danced in Ghostbuster costumes. No idea if I would have liked it in normal clothes.”
On John Nellis, yorkshirecoast says: “Not loving the latex but the world would be a duller place without Katya’s choreography.”
whistledownthewind says: “Watching John tonight has reminded me to send my full rubber suit into the dry cleaners. The gusset has gone and a sponge clean just won’t do.”
Phoebe says: “John is improving week-by-week and I enjoyed that tango. Katya was extraordinary as usual and she’s so clever with her choreography. Brings out the best in her partners with her teaching. I adore John’s gentle, cheerful sense of humour.”
ladyglencora adds: “Latex sweat-fest for John there. Someone give the man a packet of salt and vinegar to replenish his sodium.”
LekisP says: “She’s back! Well done, Dani Dyer, I absolutely loved that. Fabulous costumes, dancing and storytelling.”
SparklingDormouse says: “I think Nikita does romantic dances really well and Dani was much better in that. Bit clunky getting back on stage but otherwise really good.”
MartGray says: “Dani had a lot of concept to deal with in a dance that’s basically a lot of spinning, and she was great. Clever arrangement of a classic song, too.”
ReclinedPotato says: “My favourite thing that Dani has done on the show. Really atmospheric. A true Halloween treat and no tricks!”
Somersetlass adds: “LOVED that VW from Dani and Nikita. Loads of content, terrific footwork and amazing characterisation. Their best dance so far.”
shazza2704 says: “Anton and Craig are always hilarious on Halloween. That Ghost skit was up there with their Shining twins!”
Readers’ verdicts are in
Let’s round up your fright night thoughts. MikeMoonlight says: “I can’t help but feel that Dani Dyer turning up at Will Best’s dressing room with three kids that she’s actually given birth to was a massive f**k you to Will and his constant ‘I’ve just had a baby’ comments.”
whistledownthewind says: “I’m beginning to see the seeds of a Strictly hosts sitcom where comedy straight man Joshy disappoints JoJo and Emma weekly, through a series of hilarious blunders and misunderstandings.”
stolencar says: “Truly terrifying, Anton dressed as David Van Day.”
Lidoswimmer says: “I thought he’d come as Halloween Ken.”
Sarumgardener adds: “Anton’s surely channelling ‘Blades of Glory’.”
From foxtrots to fogs and phantoms
TV viewers can now flip to ITV1 for The Voice UK final. At 9pm, there’s a pair of new dramas: crime story Yaga on Sky Atlantic or medical saga The F Ward on Channel 4. Both a bit middling and meh if you ask moi.
At 9.15pm, choose from Marble Hall Murders on BBC One or Ghostwatch: The Night That Terrified Britain on Channel 5. Pipes, is that you?
If you’re in a movie mood, tonight’s picks are The Fog (9pm on Sky Arts), Lethal Weapon (9pm on Comedy Central), Shaun Of The Dead (9pm on Sky One), Fanny & Alexander (9.20pm on BBC Four), Talk to Me (10pm on Film4) and Evil Dead (11pm on Sky Mix).
Let’s go to the Winchester, have a nice cold pint and wait for all of this to blow over.
Garlic and crucifixes ready, it’s the Golden Glitterballs
Let’s go apple-bobbing for liveblog baubles. Who’s taking home the skull-shaped prizes this week?
Best dance: Lacey’s show-stopping Charleston was… good.
Worst dance: Lawrence’s tango for me, even though he scored a point more than Tabby and Graeme.
Best music choice: Cach’s and Lacey’s tunes both worked well.
Worst music choice: Not sure Ghostbusters or Slayyyter were tango music. Also that spelling is annoyyying.
Best outfit: An undead heat between Delta, Dani, Motsi and Jaime’s frocks.
Worst outfit: John and Katya’s pleather S&M ensembles.
Best VT: Dani Dyer’s kids trick-or-treating, if only for the tiny chocolate Shirley shoes of doom.
Worst VT: Everyone trying to make each other jump wore thin.
Best judges’ comment: Craig drawling about bewigged Anton: “I can’t agree with old Dusty Springfield down there.”
Best Widdicombe witticism: Describing Anton and Craig’s erotic Ghost pottery skit as “disturbing” or acting upset about pumpkingate.
Horrifying Halloween leaderboard
Show-closer Lacey Turner tops the spooky standings, with John Nellis in second spot. Graeme Hall and Tabby Stoecker are joint bottom, with Lawrence Robb just above.
That could all change before tomorrow’s extra-dreaded three-way dance-off, of course. As Emma pointed out, there are three different ties on the scoreboard.
