Strictly Come Dancing 2017: Musicals Week, Sunday results show: Davood Ghadami knocked out after dance-off defeat to unpopular Alexandra Burke
EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami becomes the 10th celebrity to leave Strictly 2017
Alexandra Burke appeared in bottom two for the second week running
Remaining five couples now dance into the semi-final, where they'll perform two routines apiece
Music on tonight's show came from West End diva trio The Leading Ladies
Another dance-off shocker, a sad farewell and a Gangnam Style surprise. Here’s all the talking points and social media reaction from Sunday night’s quarter-final results show…
Davood can consider himself unlucky
Cor blimey, they’ll be drowning their sorrows down the Queen Vic. Davood Ghadami was this year's first celebrity male to tackle the tricky Argentine tango but the plucky EastEnders star paid the price.
His Phantom Of The Opera routine had some technical wobbles and balance issues but was still strong, powerful and magnificently moody, incorporating some ambitious lifts. A score of 29 points on Saturday night seemed harsh and left him joint bottom of the scoreboard. Once he came up against Alexandra Burke - who’d scored 10 points more - in Sunday's dreaded dance-off, it was a done deal.
However, Davood arguably deserved a semi-final slot more than Gemma Atkinson or Mollie King. He’d consistently outclassed them in recent weeks, with the added difficulty of having to lead his dances with pro partner Nadiya Bychkova.
Still, the self-deprecating Brit-Iranian actor was pleasantly surprised to get this far. New pro Nadiya also did well in her debut series. The sweet pairing can look back on plenty of highlights: that “bum lift” during his breakthrough American Smooth in week seven, their Cockney-themed charleston, their parachuted James Bond paso in Blackpool and a gorgeous stripped-back waltz last week. By the end of his Strictly trip, Kush could shake his tush.
Very much feels like Davood was overhyped in a desperate 'HOW DID WE LOSE ASTON?' producer moment. Last night exposed so many weaknesses #strictly#scd2017
— Marianka Swain (@mkmswain) December 3, 2017
Gutted for #Davood & #Nadiya as I love the Argentine tango
But let's face it the best dancers do not always win this competition as it is a public popularity contest. #Mollie#Gemma#Strictly#StrictlyComeDancing— Sean (@Seany1969) December 3, 2017
?? So long, farewell ?? RT if you're really going to miss @DavoodGhadami and @NadiyaBychkova ?? #Strictlypic.twitter.com/xtfE2oTn79
— BBC Strictly? (@bbcstrictly) December 3, 2017
Alexandra is clearly unpopular with viewers
She’s been one of the highest scorers and bookies’ favourites throughout the contest but it seems Strictly viewers simply aren’t backing Alexandra Burke. This was the singer’s second consecutive week in the dreaded dance-off. Since she finished joint top of the scoreboard and 10 points clear of the bottom two last night, it means she must have gathered very few public votes.
Her unpopularity is presumably down to a combination of having too much previous dance experience and a lack of warm, genuine likeability, with many viewers finding her insincere.
She still looks a likely finalist (unless perhaps she faces Debbie McGee or Joe McFadden in next week’s dance-off) but La Burke can probably kiss goodbye to any hopes of adding the glitterball trophy to her 2008 X Factor title.
Interesting how they can't actually find any footage to back up Craig's assertion that Alexandra's swivel was better than Gorka's ?? #scd
— Steven Perkins (@stevenperkins) December 3, 2017
Not really any doubt who the judges will save, is there. Shows she’s not very popular #Strictly
— Val Burgess (@theatresnob) December 3, 2017
Seriously, what is people’s problem with Alexandra? Remember, she only just lost her Mum right before the show, and plus with the past dancing, it’s not like she’s the first in #Strictly history to have some experience... she doesn’t deserve to be in the dance off at all ??
— Ethan King (@ethanaaronking) December 3, 2017
Prue Leith just tweeted 'congratulations to West End star, Alexandra Burke for winning the dance-off' #Strictly#StrictlyComeDancing
— Eyes (@Rhubarbsquare) December 3, 2017
Alexandra Burke must know she's not going to win now. Being the best dancer at the start of the series isn't a guarantee of winning. Personally trained performers shouldn't be in it #Strictly#Strictlycomedancing
— Bazza7676 (@Bazza7676) December 3, 2017
Alexandra is a black woman from Islington.
She hasn’t had formal dance training or attended stage school.
Her mother died 10 wks ago.
She’s been targeted with a relentless smear campaign of (almost entirely) false stories in tabloids for 10 wks.
Who’s the underdog? #strictly— Ben Darley (@Bop_Kulture) December 3, 2017
Like I get she was overmarked and makes phoney speeches but I feel bad for Alex. Girl just lost her mum; I’d be struggling to do the washing up let alone knocking out dance routines on prime time telly week after week #Strictly
— Sid (@StrictlySid) December 3, 2017
Ed Balls makes surprise return to dancefloor
Former Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls was Strictly's breakout star last series. His electric blue-besuited samba to South Korean rapper Psy's novelty hit Gangnam Style provided one of 2016's most memorable TV moments.
The 50-year-old retired politician was in the Elstree Studios audience on Saturday and tonight we were treated to an unseen clip of him being unable to resist one last encore - although this time, it was with co-presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, rather than former pro partner Katya Jones.
For one final time: hey, sexy ladies! Oppa Ed Balls style! Right, that's enough of that.
Release the balls! @EdBalls brings back Gangnam Style with @TessDaly and @ClaudiaWinkle ?? #neverforget#Strictlypic.twitter.com/YxnXSFPk2l
— BBC Strictly? (@bbcstrictly) December 3, 2017
THIS IS THE BEST THING THAT'S EVER HAPPENED ON STRICTLY. #EddBalls#Scd
— Andie Fyoueversawit Youwouldevensayitglows (@AndieDelicacy) December 3, 2017
Ed Balls should return on the Xmas special to dance to The Galloping Major. #StrictlyComeDancing2017
— Jonathan Stephens (@Jonathan747) December 3, 2017
*mildly* It’s not the Dancing Olympics. It’s prime time entertainment. To be honest, if I had my way Ed Balls would be on it every week. ?????♀?
— m squared, floccinaucinihilipilification (@m2comms) December 3, 2017
Loving the woman in the front row trying to read Tess’s autocue without her glasses. #strictlypic.twitter.com/Weg0EvVr3h
— Scott (@merseytart) December 2, 2017
Mollie and Gemma had narrow escapes
The field's two thirtysometing blonde females, Gemma Atkinson and Mollie King, were breathing big sighs of relief. Both finished in Saturday night’s scoreboard bottom three but got enough viewer votes to ensure their survival.
Gemma in particular disappointed with her laboured quickstep. The soap siren has flatlined and seems to have reached her limit. Popstrel Mollie’s also had her struggles but she's worked phenomenally hard in recent weeks, training for 37 hours per week, and showed marked improvement in her rumba.
If either of them make it to the final, it would represent a major upset.
The public are laaaaaaame! Gemma through seriously?!!! Poor Davood should of been up against her not Alex ! ?????? #StrictlyComeDancing#strictly#Ridiculousness
— Hannah Wiltshire (@hannah_wilts) December 3, 2017
Absolutely LOVE @MollieKing & @Aj11Ace's reaction every week to getting through!! It means so much to them both....nobody deserves to be semi-finalist's more than them! ???? #Strictly
— Barnsey (@officialbarnsey) December 3, 2017
Ridiculous! Gemma is just getting through because she is popular and a laugh! Not a fan of Alexandra at all but she should NOT be in the dance off. #strictly
— Susie Prentice (@PrenticeSusie) December 3, 2017
Should have been Mollie and Gemma in the dance off, much weaker #StrictlyComeDancing
— lina (@lukeskimass) December 3, 2017
More people are voting for Mollie wafting about than Alex dancing her heart out. Think on that people. #Strictly
— Frankie and Clover (@strictlyblog) December 3, 2017
Oh hell. Gemma and Molly should both be in #strictly dance off...not Davood and Alexandra. I have heard people talk about racism influencing voting...Are they right? Let's not forget Ashton and Chizzy...
— My Rutland by Jane Williams (@My_Rutland) December 3, 2017
Joe McFadden is last man standing
Seems it's a woman’s world out there on this year's ballroom floor. We’re left with just one male celebrity among this year’s final five.
Joe McFadden has snuck up on the rails to become bookies’ new favourite for the glitterball trophy but if the Holby City actor somehow doesn’t make it through next week’s semi-final, it would mean only Strictly’s second all-female final in 15 series. Girl power is go.
*Jumps up and down excitedly on the sofa* congrats to @mrjoemcfadden@Mrs_katjones who are through to the semi-final. #Strictly
— SCD Support Group (@scd_support) December 3, 2017
People, can I just throw in here that #Joe and #Katya have never been in the dance-off? Is that a sign? #StrictlyComeDancing#TheyreMyWinnersAnyway
— Anadora Black (@AnadoraBlack) December 3, 2017
Now for the semi-final - and double the dance workload
So our surviving five couples now progress to the semi-final, with the grand glitterball final in sight. They must perform two full routines apiece next time, so have a hard week of training ahead.
The 12th live show airs next Saturday at 6.45pm on BBC One. Please join us back on the liveblog to see who’ll be finalists and who’ll fall at the last hurdle. Until then, the usual applies: keeeeeep dancing!
Sunday night’s action in full
Here’s your full quarter-final results show recap…
Dav ’n’ Nad’s last dance
As the eliminated couple take a final turn around the floor to So Long Farewell from The Sound Of Music and the other couples crowd in for the compulsory group hug, please stay with us for analysis and social media reaction.
Nadiya returns the compliment
What a gent. Davood’s pro partner Nadiya Bychkova adds: “Just a big, big thank you. I’m such a lucky girl to have you as my partner. It’s such a privilege to have been part of your journey because it’s been incredible, the way you’ve improved and come so far. Thank you for everything."
Davood says his goodbyes
In his farewell speech, Davood Ghadami tells Tess: “There have been so many highlights. Honestly, I’ve had, the best time. I never thought I’d get this far, which is why I’m smiling. I got to meet amazing people. We’re all mates. And to dance in front of audiences like this has been a real gift. I’ve never done anything like this before so it’s been an unforgettable experience.
“I’m going to spend the next couple of weeks at home, dancing with my two beautiful girls, who are now huge fans of the show. I need to thank so many people: my beautiful family, my wife who’s been running Team Ghadami whilst we’ve been doing this. But it’s all because of one person: this is Nadiya’s first year on this show and she’s done incredibly well. She’s a brilliant dancer, choreographer and a great teacher. Now she’s a really good friend too. I’m privileged to have met her, so thank you!”.”
Aww. Well said, sir.
Head judge Shirley Ballas agrees
She didn’t need to use her casting vote this week but the Queen Of Latin confirms that she would have concurred with her esteemed choreographic colleagues.
Davood Ghadami is eliminated
So the Walford Market ladies’ man becomes the tenth celebrity to depart Strictly 2017, following in the two-left-footsteps of (deep breath) Chizzy Akudolu, Reverend Richard Coles, Charlotte Hawkins, Brian Conley, Simon Rimmer, Aston Merrygold, Ruth Langsford, Jonnie Peacock and Susan Calman. Unlucky, me old china.
Bruno Tonioli chooses to save…
Alexandra and Gorka, saying they were “stronger, more powerful, overall better”.
Darcey Bussell chooses to save…
Alexandra and Gorka, saying: “Both couples gave 100% tonight and it’s tough to see anybody go but there was one performance that totally outshone the other.”
Craig Revel Horwood chooses to save…
Alexandra and Gorka, saying: “This couple were out there on a mission and completely and utterly nailed it.”
Decision time
Well, Alexandra scored 10 points more than Davood last night. Can't see how that would have changed much. Now it’s time for the panel’s decisions.
Alexandra's turn now
Singer Alexandra Burke and her partner Gorka Marquez now have another run at their charleston to Supercalifragilistic from Mary Poppins. Some brolly-ography to start, then into a high-energy supernanny routine with cartwheeling lifts and plenty of that crucial swivel. Shirley Ballas called it “stratospheric" last night and this is just as good, I fear Davood's doomed.
Davood goes first in dance-off
EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami and his professional partner Nadiya Bychkova reprise their Argentine Tango to The Phantom of the Opera. The masked Davood descends on a chandelier before launching into a routine full of drags, drops, flicks, tricks and kicks.
A reader writes
Email just in from Telegraph reader John Austin, who says: "Has no one realised that one celeb is a classically trained dancer who was also artistic director of her own company for three years? She trained and graduated at the Royal School of Ballet. I refer to Debbie McGee. No wonder the judges are raving about her."
Craig's emotional appeal
"Dance for your life and dance for your mum," advises Craig Revel Horwood. Alexandra's mother, of course, was Soul II Soul singer Melissa Bell, who sadly passed away a week before the series began. She duly wells up.
Alexandra Burke in dance-off for second week running
La Burke was joint top of the judges’ scoreboard last night but has plummeted down into the bottom two. She’s clearly not getting the viewer votes and will now face Davood in the dance-off.
Who'll face Davood in the dance-off?
Not Mollie King, who looks sweetly surprised.
Ed Balls goes Gangnam again
Unseen footage now of Ed Balls, who was in the studio audience, being unable to resist a little reprise of his famous Gangnam Style routine.
The picky judges have their say
Shirley Ballas admires Debbie McGee's exquisite footwork. Darcey Bussell picks up on Gemma Atkinson's sagging frame. Craig Revel Horwood explains why he didn't give Alexandra Burke that elusive 10, complete with a mini-demo of the propellor step. Bruno Tonioli praises Joe McFadden's combination of content and characterisation.
Dance debrief
Time for the regular feature, formerly known as Len’s Lens and, bafflingly, not now called Shirley’s Short & Curlies.
Three musical guests for the price of one
Musical interlude now from the Leading Ladies, a supergroup of West End divas: namely Midlands crooner Beverley Knight, former Glee star Amber Riley and Cassidy Janson, who was the lead in hit Carole King musical Beautiful. They're singing Chaka Khan's 1978 disco classic I'm Every Woman. Written by Ashford & Simpson, fact fans.
Davood Ghadami in the dreaded dance-off
The EastEnders actor finished joint bottom of the scoreboard last night, so not a huge surprise. He survived the dance-off way back in week four against Charlotte Hawkins but this could be a different proposition. Who will the masked phantom be facing?
Who’ll be our first dance-offers?
Time for the dreaded red light of doom. Debbie McGee is cat-apulted through.So is Joe McFadden.
Saturday night’s show recapped
Last night’s greasepaint-daubed action gets a rewind. Mary Poppins! Hello Dolly! Cabaret! Grease! Loads of residual royalties for Andrew Lloyd Webber!
Frockwatch
Here come our co-hosts, so time for our regular style shakedown. Claudia Winkleman’s in a red halterneck with star print. Tess Daly’s in black with sheer sleeves and a white sash. I think it might be a rare win for Tess.
Free advert for Dreamgirls
Five minutes of primetime real estate for the musical there. Bargain.
Strictly pros do the hustle
We begin with a razzle-dazzle group number from the professional troupe, accompanied by the stars of r’n’b musical Dreamgirls and set to a medley of the show’s most popular songs. It opens with a lyrical section from pros Gorka Marquez and Janette Manrara, before launching into a full Studio 54-style production, with Seventies disco moves, spins and lifts. Flares, tasselled skirts and big collars ahoy.
And we're off!
After a Christmas trailer to get us feeling all festive and a-tingle, it's over to the ballroom. Roll clapalong credits.
Nail-gnawingly tense in the ballroom
Someone will soon miss out on their semi-final dreams - but who? Debbie, Alexandra, Gemma, Mollie, Joe or Davood? Five minutes until we go over to the Elstree Studios and get our first clues...
More Musicals-themed action tonight
The all-singing, all-dancing musical theatre entertainment wasn't restricted to last night's themed show. Tonight we'll be treated to a Dreamgirls group dance and a performance from a supergroup of West End divas. So book your front row seat (on the sofa), pick up your opera glasses (TV remote) and get ready for jazzhand-waving. Ten minutes until curtain up...
Who’ll take their last bow and who’ll be back for an encore?
Tonight sees the 10th elimination of Strictly 2017, as our six surviving pro-celebrity pairs discover whether they’re through to next week’s semi-final or doomed to face the dreaded dance-off.
On Saturday night, Borehamwood became Broadway and Elstree went to the West End for Musicals Week. Debbie McGee and Alexandra Burke tied at the top of the scoreboard with a near-perfect 39 points apiece. Joe McFadden was in third place, just two points behind.
Tied at the foot of the standings were Davood Ghadami and Gemma Atkinson. Scores will be combined with the public vote tonight and the bottom two couples will dance for survival - but will viewers agree with the judges? If not, Mollie King could come into choreographic contention.
The results show airs at 7.20pm on BBC One. I'm Michael, the Telegraph's greasepaint and glitterball correspondent, and I'll be liveblogging from 7pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, analysis and sardonic asides, so do join me and watch along with this blog.
And please 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.
Nearly time to staaaaart dancing into the semi-final!
