Strictly Come Dancing 2017, week five results: Brian Conley sent home after losing dance-off against Simon Rimmer
Comedian Brian Conley eliminated after dance-off defeat to chef Simon Rimmer
Surviving dozen couples progress to next Saturday's Halloween spooktacular
Music on Sunday night's results show came from Irish rockers The Script
It was good-Bri to Mr Conley and a Si of relief from Mr Rimmer. Here’s all the talking points and social media reaction from Sunday night’s results show…
Brian Conley jives his way out of contest
The croaky Cockney comic survived a dance-off against Chizzy Akouolu three weeks ago but couldn’t repeat the trick. In a clash of the dad-dancers with Simon Rimmer, Conley lost on a unanimous judges’ decision.
His Hi-De-Hi!-themed jive was flat-footed and bigger on facial expressions than body movement, scoring just 16 points - his joint lowest mark. Reprising it for the dance-off, the 56-year-old was even more leaden. A shame, since he’s been a far more entertaining contestant than Rimmer - as evidenced by his amusing farewell speech. I would rather have seen Brian survive one more week, rather than Simon.
Conley’s fatherly relationship with new pro Amy Dowden - “the Welsh dragon”, he affectionately called her - has been endearing, as has his inter-generational bromance with Aston Merrygold. His scarecrow American Smooth from Movie Week will go down as his standout routine. Altogether now, one last time: it’s a puppet!
Simon Rimmer's dancing days must be numbered
The dance-off could have gone either way, as both couples scored 16 points on Saturday night and have languished near the bottom of the leaderboard all series.
However, stompy Scouse chef Simon Rimmer’s charleston had a smidge more swivel action second time around, although it still looked laboured and about as light-footed as an iron giant wearing concrete boots - especially when he fell on his plaid-clad backside. Luckily, partner Karen Clifton was on hand to dance her heart out around him and semi-distract us.
This was the second dance-off that Simon has survived, after he edged out Rev Richard Coles in Movie Week. It will surely be third time unlucky soon. He’s still yet to score a seven.
Susan and Ruth had lucky escapes
Scottish comedian Susan Calman and daytime TV doyenne Ruth Langsford will both be breathing sighs of relief tonight. They scored the same as the dance-offers but were saved by viewer votes.
Susan didn’t deserve to be down there and is one of the most loveable, infectiously joyful performers left in the contest, while Ruth has formed a warm partnership with ever-popular pro Anton du Beke.
However, both women need to pull something special out of the ballroom bag next weekend if they’re to dodge the danger zone. With her scores stuck down in the teens more often than not, Ruth looks next in line for a dance-off, probably alongside Simon.
Bruno’s back next Saturday
The arm-waving, shouty Italian judge had this weekend off, claimed to be due to his heavy Transatlantic workload. Hmm. Luckily, we had Craig Revel Horwood on hand to do an amusing impression, which got another airing tonight.
Signor Tonioli will be back in his judgely chair next Saturday. Well, except when he falls off it. Expect him to be even more Bruno-ish than usual to make up for his absence. His neighbour Shirley Ballas might want to bring some sparkly earplugs.
Halloween special next up
The remaining 11 couples now do their best zombie shuffle onto next weekend’s Halloween spooktacular, when the dressing-up box will be raided, the make-up department will be extra-busy and the fright night theme will be flogged to within an inch of its ghostly life. Bwa-ha-ha.
The pumpkin-adorned sixth live show airs next Saturday at 6.35pm on BBC One. Please join us back on the liveblog to follow all the twinkle-toed tricks and treats. And until then, you know the drill: keeeeeep dancing!
Results show recap
Here's the Sunday night action in full...
Telegraph reader not happy with result
This just in from reader Diane Blakeway: "You are 'aving a larf. Simon in, Brian out? That's it, don't have to watch now. Time saved!"
Brian and Amy’s last dance
As the eliminated couple take a final turn around the floor to Don't Dream Is Over by Crowded House (good choice) and group hugs ensue, stay with us for analysis and social media reaction...
Amy returns the favour
“I have had the most amazing time,” says the show’s first ever Welsh pro, welling up. “I’ve got not just Brian but his entire family as friends for life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Brian pays tribute to Aston bromance. Oh, and Amy
In an amusing farewell interview, Brian Conley tells Tess: “I have loved everything about this, I truly have. It’s one of the greatest shows and a family show. And you know what? There has been someone by my side all the way through this journey and that is... Aston! I love him and I am really going to miss him. I want to say something about this lady here. Amy, if I was only thirty years younger... and not fussy! I love this lady to bits and I want her to be on this show forever because she’s a star.”
Head judge Shirley Ballas agrees
The Queen of Latin would also have saved Simon and Karen.
Brian Conley is eliminated
So, sort-of-topically, “Storm Brian” becomes the fourth celebrity to depart Strictly 2017, following in the two-left-footsteps of Chizzy Akudolu, Reverend Richard Coles and Charlotte Hawkins.
Darcey chooses to to save…
Simon and Karen, saying: “This is incredibly difficult with these two fabulous men. It’s not easy to choose between them. but I’m going to save the person who had a more finished performance, which was Simon.”
Craig chooses to save…
Simon and Karen, saying: “Both couples made mistakes, which made it a difficult choice. But the couple I am going to save, just for that little bit of swivel, is Simon and Karen.”
Curse of the yellow
Both couples are in yellow. Is that significant? Probably not, no. Judges' decision time now...
Brian Conley jives next
Comedian Brian Conley and his partner Amy Dowden have another go at their Hi-De-Hi!-themed jive to It’s Not Unusual by Tom Jones. Still flat-footed with the world's least convincing knee-slide.
Swivel on this
Has Simon added that all-important swivel to his charleston feet and ankles? Maybe very slightly but it's still a laboured routine.
Simon Rimmer goes first in dance-off
Chef Simon and his partner Karen Clifton reprise their plaid-clad Charleston to Fit As A Fiddle (And Ready For Love) by Gene Kelly.
Let the Halloween overload begin
A trailer now for next's week's themed spooktacular. Expect the dressing-up box to be raided and awkward horror pastiche VTs.
Brian Conley faces Simon Rimmer in dance-off
It’s a battle of the dad-dancers which could go either way. Sadly, we won't get to see Anton Du Beke's flouncy pink sleeves on the dancefloor again. Disappointing, sartorially at least.
Susan Calman goes through
Viewer votes must have lifted the loveable Scottish comic clear of the bottom two. Alexandra Burke and Jonnie Peacock are also safe.
Who will face Simon in the dance-off?
Time to find out... Air-punches of relief from Gemma and Alijaz.
The feature that isn't Len's Lens
It's the Dance Debrief, a name which still hasn't quite caught on. Just three judges on Claudia's banquette of banter this week. Shirley Ballas gives us a footwork terminology tutorial. Darcey Bussell discusses Gemma "The Giraffe" Atkinson's over-stretched neck. Craig Revel Horwood admires Joe McFadden's paso doble moves - and we get another look at his fab-ew-lous Bruno Tonioli impression, complete with fall off chair.
Musical guest time
A performance now from Irish pop-rock combo The Script, with their new single “Arms Open”. Choreographic accompaniment comes from pros Alijaz Skorjanec and Oti Mabuse.
So who will Simon dance off against?
Presumably one of Susan Calman, Brian Conley or Ruth Langsford, unless there's a shocker for the second weekend running.
Simon Rimmer in dance-off
The Scouse chef and partner Karen Clifton are in the dreaded dance-off for the second time.
Davood and Debbie safely through
The leaderboard-topper and last week's dance-off survivor are safely through.
The red light of doom
Time to find out our first dance-off couple. Most of the bookies' favourites are safe... Thank-yous are mouthed to camera... Tension is building...
Saturday night’s show recapped
Last night’s action gets a rewind. Debbie McGee topped the leaderboard with her leggy rumba, followed by Joe McFadden's bare-chested paso doble. Down the bottom, it was a four-way tie between Susan Calman, Simon Rimmer, Brian Conley and Ruth Langsford. Two of those for the dance-off, do wee think? Or could Davood Ghadami be in danger again?
Frockwatch
Both co-presenters in black tonight but Claudia Winkleman’s chic shift clinches it, due to Tess Daly's weird neckline and 80s demiwave hair.
Group dance goes dating
We kick off with a group routine from the pros. It's a speed dating-themed group jive with a quirky 60s feel, candy-coloured outfits and lots of whizzy whatnot, wheeling around tables on castors. Ballroom king Anton du Beke and Aussie redhead Dianne Buswell are playing the nightclub hosts.
And we're off!
Roll clapalong credits. Another one of those couples will soon be sent home...
Don't forget there's no Bruno tonight
Without Signor Tonioli on the panel, there will be no need for the head judge's casting vote.
Who's in dance-off danger?
Will it be two of the celebrities who were left tied on 16 points at the foot of the scoreboard last night: Susan Calman, Simon Rimmer, Brian Conley and Ruth Langsford? We're about to go over to the ballroom to find out...
Happy Sunday evening, sequin aficionados
Tonight sees the fourth elimination of 2017’s pro-celebrity hoofathon, as our dozen surviving couples find out if they’re doomed to face the dreaded dance-off.
On Saturday night, thelovelyDebbieMcGee? rumba-walked her way to the top of the leaderboard, just ahead of Joe McFadden, who got a perfect 10 from head judge Shirley Ballas for his paso doble.
At the foot of the scoreboard, four celebrities were locked together on 16 points: Simon Rimmer, Brian Conley, Susan Calman and Ruth Langsford.
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 likes of Davood Ghadami could also come into choreographic contention.
The results show airs at 7.15pm on BBC One. I'm Michael, the Telegraph's jazzhand and cha cha heel correspondent, and I'll be liveblogging from 7pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, recaps, analysis and gags of erratic quality, 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.
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