It was a Strictly Come Dancing Blackpool special that was brighter than the city’s illuminations - and no more so than when Georgia May Foote glided around the Tower Ballroom floor in an American Smooth that was “brilliant”, “fantastic” “graceful” and “heavenly” said the judges.
Lowered to the dancefloor on a glittering sliver of a moon, former Coronation Street actress Georgia danced to Whitney Houston’s power ballad “I Have Nothing” with Giovanni Pernice, and scored 38/40. It was one less point that her score last week but still put her top of the leader board.
“What with yesterday’s stormy weather and your dance tonight… I’ve been blown away twice in Blackpool,” Len Goodman said. “Brilliant, brilliant dance.”
Georgia and Giovanni glided to the top of the leader board
“You have come into your own,” Craig Revel Horwood told Georgia. “There was a slight hiccup with a lift when you got your dress caught but I’m going to wash over that.”
“Pure ballroom bliss,” said Bruno Tonioli. “It was fantastic, you heavenly creature.”
“You’re gliding through this competition,” added Darcey Bussell. “So graceful.”
Joint second on the leaderboard were Kellie Bright and Anita Rani.
Anita danced a Paso Doble with Gleb Savchenko that Craig said was “magnificent”.
Anita and Gleb scored their first 10 of the competition
“It’s very difficult to shine with four powerful torsos around you,” said Darcey, referring to the professional dancers who joined Gleb. “But you did. You blew me away. It was beautifully classy.”
And Darcey scored Anita her first 10.
Anita was thrilled, especially as her parents were in the audience. They had gone to Blackpool for their honeymoon and being back for this special show “is my mum’s dream”, said Anita.
Kellie and Kevin Clifton’s Quickstep to Dolly Parton’s ’Nine to Five’ could be filed under “B for Brilliant”, said Len.
“You made that look like an easy day at work,” said Darcey.
“Another outstanding performance,” added Bruno.
Fourth on the leader board was Jay McGuiness, scoring 36 for his Salsa with Aliona Vilani.
“You warmed up the ballroom - and me,” said Darcey.
“And, finally, some facial expression!” added Craig who, last week, had told Jay his face goes dead when he starts to dance.
Katie Derham and Anton Du Beke had “the wow factor” in their American Smooth, said Darcey… And they scored 35, their highest scores of the series.
“Stylistically it was impeccable,” added Bruno.
“A fitting dance for this wonderful ballroom and your best dance,” said Len.
Helen George and Aljaz Skorjanec scored 34 for their Charleston, that Craig felt “lacked quirk”.
“It was too controlled,” he added. “This dance should go mad.”
“I disagree,” said Darcey. “It was one classy Charleston.”
“Sassy, glam, glitzy. But you went a bit wrong,” added Bruno.
“There was not one mistake” in Jamelia’s Quickstep with Tristan MacManus, said Darcey.
But can Jamelia avoid being in the dance-off for a fifth time?
“No,” said Craig. “I don’t think you can avoid it,” he told Jamelia. “But your ballroom has come a long way and you should be proud.”
Tearful is what Jamelia was, though, as she waited for her score, which was 31.
It was a tearful night for Jamelia, who's desperate to avoid a fifth dance-off
And she wasn’t bottom of the leader board.
That place went to Peter Andre and Janette Manrara, who scored 29 for their Jive.
“It wasn’t your finest,” Len told Peter. “Your sashays could have been crisper.”
“It falls at the bottom of the pack of Jives this series,” added Craig. “It was flat-footed.”
“But full of energy,” said Bruno. “Because of your energy, though, you lose the style of the dance.”
Will Peter also lose his place in the contest?
Check out our photo special of all the dances here.
Find out in the Strictly Come Dancing results show on BBC1, Sunday, November 22, 7.15pm
