UK Edition
Strictly Come Dancing 2020, week six: HRVY notches perfect score, Maisie Smith a single point behind
- HRVY tops scoreboard with perfect 30 points, Maisie Smith in second
- Clara Amfo at bottom after error-strewn jive
- Bill Bailey's Strictly Diary: ‘First Janet, now Joan – this show amazes me’
- Who will win Strictly Come Dancing? Predict the winner
A returning judge, a perfect score and bunching in the middle of the scoreboard.
Here are all the talking points and social media reaction from Strictly 2020’s sixth live show…
HRVY notched year's first perfect score - but did he merit it?
The lead has been changing hands on a weekly basis, with someone different topping the scoreboard every Saturday so far. Now HRVY returned to the summit for the first time since week one. His Couple's Choice routine, clever choreographed by partner Janette Manrara, combined streetdance with commercial and contemporary. The side-by-side synchronisation was impressive, as were the lifts.
Did it truly deserve a clean sweep of 10s - the earliest ever in a Strictly series? That's the trouble with the Couple's Choice category, especially now the pairs don't have to specify a dance style. The judges have no criteria and nothing to compare them against. However, HRVY was sweetly emotional over his message from his family and it was difficult to begrudge him his triumphant moment.
Maisie Smith came blazing back to form
EastEnders starlet Maisie Smith was bidding to avoid a consecutive hat-trick of dance-offs, which often spells doom. Bearing in mind the fact that she's only 19, she's been feeling vulnerable and besieged by her apparent lack of popularity.
Well, the best way to answer her critics was with a firecracker of a routine and she duly delivered it. Her smiley, sunny quickstep was featherlight and frothy. She fairly flew around the floor, with cartwheels and Charleston steps thrown in, scoring a near-perfect 29 points.
Much more Strictly ballroom, this was the dance that arguably deserved to top the standings, rather than HRVY's. But will it be enough to keep Maisie out of the dreaded dance-off tomorrow? It would be deeply unjust if it wasn't.
Poor Clara Amfo had another horror show
Last week, Radio 1 DJ Clara Amfo was bottom of the scoreboard after a misfiring samba. She suffered the same fate here after a Tina Turner jive full of mistakes.
Perhaps nervous about opening the show, she lost balance at the beginning of their Sixties-styled routine. Although she carried on gamely, Clara never truly recovered. She was clearly annoyed with herself and is surely doomed to face her first dance-off on Sunday evening.
If so, she'll probably welcome a chance to put it right. There were signs of high energy, sharp kicks and on-point tricks. Depending who she's up against, she could be in with a shout of saving herself.
JJ Chalmers deserve to depart soon
I know, he's a wounded war hero, friend of Prince Harry's and thoroughly nice chap. However, JJ Chalmers continues to get over-praised and over-marked for routines which play it safe and are becoming rather samey.
Donning a kilt, he delivered a sweet and charming Viennese waltz, albeit an unchallenging one. with dry ice obscuring his footwork. The judges let their heart cloud their head, barely offering any critique. Shirley Ballas gave it a nine, leaving Chalmers third on the leaderboard, which was frankly ridiculous.
Voting viewers' heartstrings were also tugged by his family-themed VT, talk of homesickness and gallant speech of gratitude to partner Amy Dowden. I suspect JJ will become a quarter-finalist but that's as far as he should go - not least because he's been blatantly protected by producers and hasn't done Latin for a month.
Motsi was back but Anton was badly missed
After her fortnight of self-isolation, judge Motsi Mabuse returned to the panel - yet viewers couldn't help pining for her stand-in Anton Du Beke.
Motsi was infectiously passionate and endearingly delighted to take her seat again but her comments weren't terribly illuminating, especially now compared to Anton's detailed critiques. She said "What a night to come back!" not once but three times. She also told HRVY: "I can't explain the good things you did", even though that's literally her job.
Colleague Craig Revel Horwood also had Tony Beak on his mind. When one of his more waspish remarks was booed, he blamed Anton and gloated that he was now relegated to a watching brief. There was also an awkward moment when Craig called HRVY the "G.O.A.T" (greatest of all time), only to be met by baffled silence.
News emerged this week that judge Bruno Tonioli won’t be returning for the final as planned, as the 65-year-old flying across the Atlantic is now considered too risky. Should producers stick with a three-person panel for the rest of the contest? Or might the king of ballroom™ be summoned from the subs’ bench again?
Three couples clustered in middle of scoreboard
Three eights for a total of 24 points. This was the popular score of the night, with three of our couples tied mid-table.
Last week's leaderboard-topper Jamie Laing's chess-themed tango had terrific mood but technical deficiencies. The puppy-ish toff's hooting, hollering and yelling of "C'mon! Yes!" at the end of every routine, then again when the scores come in, is also beginning to pall badly. Neither very BBC nor very ballroom.
Newsreader Ranvir Singh notched the same score for her swinging, swaying, Fifties-style American smooth, which was sweetly assembled, if a little safe and sedate.
West Country wizard Bill Bailey - at 55, now the contest’s oldest celebrity, following the departures of Jacqui Smith and Caroline Quentin - was the one who'll be kicking himself tonight. His Parisian rocker jive to Blondie displayed impressive stamina but a few uncharacteristic mistakes knocked Bill's likely nines down to eights. He continues to surprise and entertain in equal measure. One way or another, he's gonna getcha.
Sanity was partly restored to the scoring
The faux-sea air went to the judges' heads in last week’s Blackpool tribute special, with nines and perfect 10 paddles being raised willy-nilly. Kiss me quick, score me high.
Such bizarre decision-making was thankfully reduced tonight. Sure, they once again over-scored the males - notably HRY, Jamie Laing and especially JJ Chalmers - compared to the females.
Standards also seemed inconsistent, with Ranvir Singh criticised for "playing it safe" while teacher's pet JJ was praised for being "quiet and understated". However, a preference for eights at least more accurately reflected the standard of dancing.
Who won’t make the quarter finals?
Somebody won’t get to wave their jazz-hands during next week's Musicals Special. Will it be Clara Amfo, Jamie Laing or JJ Chalmers, the trio who most deserve to depart? Or might we see another shock tumble into the bottom two?
The results show airs Sunday at 7.25pm, when two couples face the dreaded dance-off and one will be sent home. There’s also musical guest Gary "about as interesting as Ken" Barlow.
Please join us back here at telegraph.co.uk to run a rule over all the sequin-spangled action. In the meantime, it’s the usual memo: keeeeeeeep dancing!
Maisie and Gorka’s quickstep
After a fortnight of Latin and dance-offs, Maisie picks herself up with a smiley, sunny quickstep. She’s in a pink feathered dress, Thirties theme and there are virtual buses on the dancefloor. Opening section on a bench and there's a lovely period feel. Lots of travel around the floor, topline wobbling a tiny bit in hold but cute choreography and a lovely old-style filmic feel. Cartwheel. Charleston steps to finish. Frothy and fun. Bravo.
Music: When You’re Smiling by Andy Williams
Judges’ comments: Shirley says: “Success story of the evening, showed your vulnerable feminine side, beautiful arms, covered the floor, well done.” Motsi says: “Skips, hops, swing, you played the role, stamina and softness, you had it all.” Craig concludes: “You missed a left foot swivel on the bench but it was in-cred-ible.”
Judges’ scores: 9, 10, 10 for a total of 29 points. Her first 10s and best score, second on the leaderboard.
JJ and Amy’s Viennese waltz
JJ did a decent international waltz in way back in week one but this is the faster version with more rotations. He’s joining the Strictly Kilt Club, alongside Kenny Logan, Dave Myers and Anton Du Beke (when he danced with Judy Murray) with a military tartan - and, we’re reliably informed, a special “babygro” to stop him accidentally flashing viewers. It’s only the third Viennese of the series, fact fans. Dry ice covering a multitude of footwork sins. Faltering steps, lacks that floaty feeling but improves once the rotation eventually gets going.
Music: Rescue by Lauren Daigle
Judges’ comments: Craig says: “Charming, elegant, full of class, gaw-jus.” Shirley says: “Quiet and understated, just beautiful.” Motsi says: “Good movement across the floor, you have an aura, I love watching you.” Overpraised, in my view.
Judges’ scores: 8, 9, 8 for a total of 25 points. Second on the leaderboard, a little unbelievably.
Bill and Oti’s jive
This year’s surprise package is also the oldest remaining contestant, so can he cope with the physically demanding jive? The newsreel-style VT is lots of fun, at least. Parisian art school rocker theme. Kicks, flicks and timing sharp as ever. A bit dad-dancey at times in the middle but the side-by-side action is great, lifts and arm-ography tricks. A couple of stumbles but huge fun. Fab-ew-lous.
Music: One Way Or Another by Blondie
Judges’ comments: Motsi says: “Jesus (steady on), that was full-on from start to finish, hard work paid off, there was a mistake but you're a role model for many men watching the show.” Craig says: “A bit stompy but you have your own style and I adore it. Continue to bend it like Bill.” Shirley concludes: “You study seriously, mixed jive with swing but there were a couple of mistakes for the first time, although your stamina is off the charts and you're so exciting.”
Judges’ scores: 8, 8, 8 for a total of 24 points. Same as Jamie and Ranvir. Popular score this week.
Ranvir and Giovanni’s American smooth
This should be promising, since Ranvir topped the leaderboard with her Movie Week foxtrot three weeks ago. Fifties vibe, with red-and-white outfits, and sweet storytelling. Solo section to start, then into hold for a swaying foxtrot. Her first lifts go fairly well. Sweet, romantic, petals fall. Lovely, if a little safe and sedate.
Music: I Say A Little Prayer by Aretha Franklin
Judges’ comments: Shirley says: “You're growing in confidence, footwork improving, best female frame we've seen so far, musicality, beautiful. You need to multitask now but I'll put my money on you, baby.” Motsi says: “Great connection and partnering, you're owning the dancefloor but I would like some surprises now and then to spice it up.” Craig concludes: “I wanted more interesting lifts, played safe, need more finesse in both arms, but your acting is now standing out.”
Judges’ scores: 8, 8, 8 for a total of 24 points. Same as Jamie Laing.
HRVY and Janette’s Couple’s Choice
We’ve seen a lot of hip-hop and streetdance in this category this series. There’s more here, albeit mashed up with some commercial and contemporary. They begin on the roof of an augmented reality skyscraper. Floor work and side-by-side synchronisation. Some impressive lifts and sharp urban moves. Lots of content, well-executed. Godawful outfits, mind you.
Music: Sky Full Of Stars by Coldplay
Judges’ comments: Craig says: “G.O.A.T, darling." Then has to spell out what it means, which is awkward” Shirley says: “Great choreography, spot-on timing, you're a great lifter, you dance with humanity and humility, you raise everybody's spirits.” Motsi concludes: “I felt that music through you, we felt what you felt.”
Judges’ scores: 10, 10, 10 for a total of 30 points. Perfect score for the first time this series. There's never been one so early.
Jamie and Karen’s tango
Last week's leaderboard-toppers now. He’s undergone a transformation in the past three weeks but they’ve all been fast, upbeat dances. Now Jamie’s back in hold, can he continue his rapid improvement? A chess theme, which is very Queen’s Gambit. Takes too long to get going but sharp and staccato once it does. Jamie's bottom is sticking out. He could also get lower in the knees and perfect that V-shaped hold but he's nailing the imperious mood. Great crescendo and dramatic storytelling. Yelling "Come on!" at the end is a bit much. We're not watching rugger in a King's Road pub now, darling.
Music: Tanguera by Sexteto Mayor
Judges’ comments: Motsi says: “You are so infectious, you kept it up, improved shoulder line, focus, footwork a bit late at times but loads of attack.” Craig says: “The lead was questionable but the mood was brilliant.” Shirley says: “Suave and sophisticated, beautiful connection but work on your musicality, then the sky's the limit.”
Judges’ scores: 8, 8, 8 for a total of 24 points. More jubilant shouting from Jamie.
Clara and Aljaž’s jive
"Quite literally kicking off the show," says Tess. Bouncing back from last week’s low-scoring samba, they’re doing an upbeat jive to a feelgood anthem. Tina Turner celebrated her 81st birthday this week, so they’ll be hoping to mark it with a return to form. Oops, Clara trips right at the start of the routine but recovers well. Could be lighter on her feet, up on the balls, as this looks a little flat and lumpy. A bit messy, a few mistakes, but loads of energy.
Music: River Deep, Mountain High by Tina Turner.
Judges’ comments: Shirley says: “Hit and miss, some of it was outstanding, there were mistakes and you lost your way but picked it up like a pro.” Motsi says: “I had goosebumps, right amount of energy, you brought it back.” Craig says: “Lost balance at the beginning and it sent you wobbly, need to be higher on your toes, lost footing, forgot the routine but a lot better than last week. This was your dance, it just went horribly wrong.”
Judges’ scores: 6, 6, 7 for a total of 19 points. Adrenaline got to me, says Clara. Dance-off danger.
Word from the training rooms
JJ Chalmers has apparently been battling a leg infection, linked to the shrapnel injuries he sustained during his time in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Jamie Laing has been struggling with the tango's technicalities and is suffering from sore feet.
Just a few minutes left on the glittery countdown now…
Who could follow Caroline on ballroom bus home?
Double dance-off survivor Maisie Smith must be in danger again. After two weeks of Latin party dances, she’s back in hold for a light, frothy quickstep.
JJ Chalmers attempts a kilt-clad Viennese waltz (watch out for it flying up during those spins) and could be at risk, too.
Just five minutes to wait now…
What’s on the dance menu tonight?
This evening's Couple’s Choice routine comes from HRVY and Janette Manrara, who will fuse street with commercial and contemporary in a high-energy routine which should play to his strengths.
Bookies’ favourite Bill Bailey will be moving from New York to Paris for a jumpin’ jive. Ranvir Singh, whose odds have plummeted after last week’s sizzling Argentine tango, now goes glam for a classy American Smooth, while Jamie Laing wipes the grin off his face for a moody tango.
Eight minutes until curtain up…
Seaside special recapped
Last week’s Blackpool tribute special saw the lead change hands again. The fifth table-topper in five weeks was arguably the most surprising of the lot, as Jamie Laing streetdanced to a near-perfect 29 points. Under the tutelage of professional partner Karen Hauer, with whom he’s formed a tight team, Jamie has come on leaps and bounds in the three weeks since his dance-off scare. Surprisingly, it was the first time that Karen had topped the standings in her nine series on the show.
Down the bottom of the board was Clara Amfo, whose misfiring samba was harshly marked, but viewer votes came to her rescue. Instead the dreaded dance-off was contested by Caroline Quentin and Maisie Smith, who tumbled into the bottom two for the second week running. She duly raised her salsa game, meaning we waved a sad goodbye to Caroline and her partner Johannes Radebe. They left us with a fireman cha cha and a mildly outrageous arm-lick.
Ten minutes until choreographic kick-off…
Business end of the contest
We’re past the halfway point of Strictly 2020 and in the home stretch. Our magnificent seven are secretly beginning to eye that glinting glitterball trophy.
The sparkly stakes are getting higher with each passing week and our pro-celebrity couples are training harder than ever. There are reports from the rehearsal rooms of gruelling 13-hour days being put in. Yes, Strictly fame costs. And right here is where you start paying. In sweat.
This weekend, judge Motsi Mabuse will be back from quarantine and ready to reclaim her seat from stand-in Anton Du Beke. However, has the much-loved king of ballroom secured a future position on the panel with his well-received two-week stint?
I’m Michael, your virtual dance partner for tonight’s live show. It’s showtime at 7.15pm on BBC One. I’ll be liveblogging from 6.45pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, social media reaction and sarky backchat.
Please join me - and join in, too. You can email me on michael.hogan@telegraph.co.uk, tweet me on @michaelhogan or leave comments at the bottom of this blog. I'll keep an eye on them all and report the highlights here.
Our surviving seven pairs are bidding to dance through to the climactic three weeks of the contest. Nearly time to staaaaaart quarter-final qualifying!