Strictly Come Dancing 2017 semi-final results, Sunday: Mollie King knocked out after dance-off defeat to Gemma Atkinson
Mollie King misses out on the Strictly 2017 final after dance-off defeat to Gemma Atkinson
Gemma joins Joe McFadden, Alexandra Burke and Debbie McGee in the grand glitterball final
Music on Sunday's results show came from Craig David and Bastille
Justice was done and the grand final now looms. Here’s all the talking points and social media reaction from Sunday night’s semi-final results show…
Mollie deserved to miss out
She’s been tipped to go for a few weeks now and finally it was Mollie King’s time. She survived two dance-offs midway through the series, then trained commendably hard, found her form and had a much improved few weeks.
An all-blonde, all-toothy “showmance” storyline with pro partner AJ Pritchard likely boosted her chances, even if it often felt irritatingly fluffed-up and shamelessly played upon by producers.
The semi-final proved a step too far, though. Nerves got the better of Mollie and she was by some distance the weakest performer, especially in that terrible samba, which frankly looked more week five-ish than semi-final quality. Her highest score for a routine was 32 points and she never got a 10, so didn’t merit a place in the final. Voting viewers saw sense at the right time.
Still, she’s been a warm, funny and hugely likeable member of Strictly’s class of 2017. Her standout moments were her Sound Of Music routine in Movie Week, her birdy Blackpool charleston, her brolly-themed quickstep and last week’s Grease rumba. Mollie might not have made the final like Saturdays bandmate Frankie Bridge but she did well to get this far.
Gemma made it to the final - but only just
Sizeable sighs of relief for soap siren Gemma Atkinson and her partner Alja? ?korjanec, who have squeaked into the final by the skin of their telegenic teeth.
Gemma and Mollie King are a rung below this year’s “big three” but Gemma performed better in this semi-final, outscoring Mollie by six points. Indeed, she’s had the edge throughout the contest, so deserved her dance-off victory.
It leaves the consistent and popular Joe McFadden as the only finalist who’s never been in the bottom two. An omen for an impending glitterball win?
No alarms and no surprises
We’ve become accustomed to dance-off shocks in recent weeks, after two appearances from Alexandra Burke and one from Debbie McGee - not to mention the eyebrow-raising early elimination of Aston Merrygold.
So it was perhaps a tad dull but mainly pleasing that tonight’s bottom two were the lowest-scoring pair on Saturday night. When it comes to the business end of the contest, Strictly viewers tend to know their stuff and the public vote usually goes the right way. So it proved. Sequin-spangled justice was duly done.
Great reactions from so-called feuding finalists
Debbie McGee and Alexandra Burke have been pitted against each other in tabloid tittle-tattle - just one of a number of flimsy smears against the unfortunate Alexandra - which both have vehemently denied. Here their heart-on-sleeve reactions to getting through were a genuine highlight.
After appearing in two consecutive dance-offs and suffering weeks of unjust criticism, Alexandra was palpably thrilled to progress and promptly leapt into the arms of her pro partner Gorka Marquez.
Meanwhile, 59-year-old Debbie told co-host Claudia Winkleman: "Strictly has brought happiness back into my life and my sparkle has come back." Both thoroughly deserve their places in next Saturday's showpiece final.
Poor AJ Pritchard's semi-final curse
Mollie King's professional partner AJ Pritchard seems to have a touch of bridesmaid syndrome. Last year, he was eliminated in the semi-final with gymnast Claudia Fragapane. Now he fell at the same hurdle again.
The 23-year-old from Stoke-On-Trent first found fame on variety contest Britain's Got Talent, where he got to - guess where? - the semi-finals. We're beginning to spot a pattern...
Now for the grand final - and even more dances to learn
So we now know our four Strictly 2017 finalists: Alexandra Burke, Joe McFadden, Debbie McGee and Gemma Atkinson. Each couple will rehearse three dances this week - although one of them (I’ll wager Gemma) will only get to perform two dances before a mid-show elimination.
A few viewers have asked why there are four couples in this year’s final when there were only three last time. Well, last year’s field was reduced after Will Young’s mid-series withdrawal. Otherwise, we’ve had a four-finalist format since 2012.
The 13th and last live show of the year airs next Saturday at 6.30pm on BBC One. Please join us back on the liveblog to see who’ll be champs and who’ll be chumps. Until then, you know the drill: keeeeeep dancing!
Sunday night’s action in full
Here’s your semi-final results show recap…
Mollie and AJ's last dance
As the eliminated pair take a final turn around the floor to Barry Manilow's Can't Smile Without You and the other couples crowd in for the compulsory cuddles, please stay with us for analysis and social media reaction.
AJ returns the compliment
Her partner AJ Pritchard adds: “Thank you so much for working so hard, being willing to try everything and performing every single night as if it’s your last.” Well, tonight it was. Sob.
Mollie says her goodbyes
In her gracious farewell speech, Mollie tells Tess: “Firstly congratulations to Gemma and Alja? because they danced their socks off and totally deserved to be there. Congratulations to all the finalists, they’re so incredible and good luck, I can’t wait to watch you all, so go out there and get it!
“I have so many thank yous. Above all, AJ - you have been my hero for the last couple of months. Thank you so much. I couldn’t have done any of it without you.” Well, quite. She would have looked rather strange doing ballroom on her own.
Head judge Shirley Ballas agrees
She didn’t need to use her casting vote yet again but the Queen Of Latin confirms that she would have concurred with her choreographic colleagues by saving Gemma and Alja?.
Mollie King is eliminated
So the toothy Saturdays popstrel becomes the 11th 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, Susan Calman and Davood Ghadami.
Bruno Tonioli chooses to save…
Gemma and Alja?, saying: ”You both improved so much and gave everything you had but they stood out to my eyes.”
Darcey Bussell chooses to save…
Gemma and Alja?, saying: “Both couples made a great improvement but they were more assured and confident.”
Craig Revel Horwood chooses to save…
Gemma and Alja?, saying: “Neck and neck, both couples did ballroom which is unusual and both pulled out the stops tonight - but for me they had the edge.”
Decision time
Well, both dances scored all the eights for 32 points last night but to my mind, Mollie’s was a smidge overmarked. and I preferred Gemma's. Now it’s time for the panel’s decisions.
Gemma's turn now
Gemma Atkinsonand her partner Alja? ?korjanec now have another go at their tango to Royal Blood’s cover of My Sharona by The Knack. Full of attack, intent and passion, with plenty of staccato, swivel and snap.
Mollie King goes first
First up, Mollie King and her professional partner AJ Pritchard reprise their waltz to Angel by Sarah McLaughlin. It was classically elegant, sweetly romantic and pivot-packed last night, but the judges did point out that she made a hiccup in the middle and her shoulder came up towards the end. He's talking her through the routine a bit, which I didn't notice last night.
Last dance-off of Strictly 2017
Gemma Atkinsonand Mollie King will now dance for a place in the grand glitterball final. No pressure, ladies.
Debbie gets her groove back
"Strictly has brought happiness back into my life and my sparkle has come back," she says up in the Clauditorium. Aww, how lovely.
Darcey advice, yes?
Three "yes?" tics in one speech from Darcey Bussell there.
Debbie McGee in the final. Now that's magic
A Mollie vs Gemma dance-off also means, of course, that thelovelyDebbieMcGee is through to the grand final. Well deserved and happy news.
Mollie King in dance-off for third time
Mollie will dance for survival. She made it through the dreaded dance-off in weeks six and seven, when she saw off Simon Rimmer and, more surprisingly, Aston Merrygold. Now can she do it again?
Who'll face Gemma in the dreaded dance-off?
It's tense. It's about to be revealed.
Dance debrief
Time for the regular feature formerly known as Len’s Lens and bafflingly not now called Bruno’s Binos. Shirley Ballas admires Alexandra Burke's outstanding pair dances. Darcey Bussell praises Joe McFadden's risk-taking. Craig Revel Horwood picks up on Mollie King's wobbly frame and raised shoulder but compliments her overall improvement. Bruno Tonioli justifies raising his 10-paddle for Debbie McGee's foxtrot.
Craig David all over your boink
Musical interlude now from Craig David featuring Bastille. The comeback king of UK garage and the indie electropoppers are performing their single I Know You. Not terribly Strictly, perhaps, but choreographic accompaniment comes from Mr & Mrs Strictly, aka pros Janette Manrara and Alijaz Skorjanec.
Joe and Alexandra look forward to final
Thw two confirmed finalists are up in the Clauditorium. Joe McFadden and Katya Jones reveal that their showdance will be "fairytale". Alexandra Burke is palpably happy and deserves it. Gorka Marquez's chest looks quite pleased too.
Gemma Atkinson in dance-off for the first time
The soap actress has evaded the bottom two before now but her luck has finally run out. But will she face Mollie King or Debbie McGee?
Who’ll be our first dance-offers?
Time for the dreaded red light of doom. Joe McFadden is safely through to the final. And so is Alexandra Burke,. Who goes Alexandra Berserk at the announcement.
Sigur Ros soundbed alert
You know when a talent contest is reaching its climax, because the Icelandic instrumental rockers pop up.
Saturday night’s show recapped
Last night’s action gets a rewind. Two dances! Ten paddles! Four paddles! Talk of Bruno Tonioli’s swimming trunks, for some random reason!
Frockwatch
Here come our co-hosts, so time for our regular fashion face-off. Claudia Winkleman’s in a weird, overly fussy ruffled turquoise frock. Tess Daly is an asymmetric black jumpsuit. For once, Tess wins.
Electric ballroom boogaloo
Caterpillars! Windmills! This is rather fun. That kid's good, too.
Strictly hip-hops to the beat
We begin with a limbs-akimbo, rock-steady group number from the professionals. It’s neither ballroom nor Latin but a fusion of breakdance and lindyhop, with specialist dancers joining the troupe. Anton and Brendan body-popping should be a sight to behold.
And we're off!
Roll clapalong credits. Ah, the Chizzy head-bob! The Davood eybrow-waggle! The Brian Conley thmbs-up. This is the penultimate time we will witness such delights.
Farewell to Countryfile
Right now on BBC One, the credits are rolling on well-booted, fleece-clad rural affairs favourite Countryfile, which means we're about to head to Elstree Studios for the semi-final reckoning...
Will Alexandra make it a hat-trick of dance-offs?
Alexandra Burkecertainly doesn't deserve to be in the bottom two again, after topping the scoreboard by a street last night. But on recent form, you just never know. Five minutes until we go back to the ballroom...
Strictly goes street
Tonight we've got a group dance featuring breakdancing and a musical performance from UK garage rapper Craig David. Whatever next, I ask you? Ten minutes until showtime...
Who’ll fall agonisingly short of the grand glitterball final?
Yes, dance fans, tonight sees the 11th elimination of Strictly 2017, as our famous five surviving pro-celebrity pairs discover whether they’re through to next week’s series finale or doomed to face the dreaded dance-off.
On Saturday night, the couples tackled two full routines apiece for the first time. Alexandra Burke topped the scoreboard after a near-perfect performance, with the two Macs - Debbie McGee and Joe McFadden tied in second spot.
Struck at the foot of the standings was Mollie King, mainly due to her disastrous samba, with Gemma Atkinson second bottom. 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, the other three couples could come into choreographic contention.
The results show airs at 7.15pm on BBC One. I'm Michael, the Telegraph's body ripples and promenade runs 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 final!