Strictly Come Dancing 2017, week 7, Saturday live show: Debbie McGee makes Strictly history with perfect 40-point tango
Debbie McGee tops leaderboard for the third week running and becomes bookies' glitterball favourite
Alexandra Burke just behind after her hip-shaking disco cha cha scores three 10s
Shocks at foot of scoreboard, where Aston Merrygold and Gemma Atkinson join Ruth Langsford in bottom three
It was a night of perfect 10s, shock lows and topsy-turvy scoreboards. Here's all the talking points and social media reaction from week seven's Saturday live show...
Debbie McGee makes Strictly history and Craig bow down
Nobody has ever scored a perfect 40 at this stage of the competition before. But that's exactly what we got with Debbie McGee and Giovanni Pernice's fierce and fiery tango, which was full of staccato snap, sharp head-turns and trademark "Flexy McGee" leg extensions. Craig Revel Horwood promptly came out from behind the judges' table and did a "we're not worthy" gesture at Debbie's feet - before dusting down his perfect 10 paddle, which we usually don't glimpse until the final. Unprecedented scenes.
Bookies immediately slashed Debbie's odds from 7/2 to 2/1 favourite. She turned 59 this week. Could we soon see the oldest ever Strictly winner and the first mature female to lift the glitterball trophy? It would be welcome and inspirational news in an often grim year.
Aston tumbles into bottom two but should be safe
The surprise of the night - Craig's lesser-spotted 10 paddle aside - was the fall from grace of former JLS frontman Aston Merrygold. He and pro partner Janette Manrara were second on the leaderboard last week and, before tonight, the highest scoring couple of the series.
However, they tumbled right down to second bottom after a Viennese waltz which got lost somewhere on the Easyjet flight to Austria. Bolting a Seventies disco theme onto a romantic ballroom dance simply didn't work. The judges might have marked him harshly but he dropped an astonishing 13 points, from 38 last time to 25 tonight.
Aston's previous form and large fanbase should lift him clear of danger - but if he's in the dance-off against anyone but Ruth Langsford, we could get one of the biggest Strictly shocks ever.
What on earth had got into the judges?
The goings-on behind the judgely table were almost as remarkable as the dancefloor action. Panto villain Craig Revel Horwood was in highly unpredictable mood: scoring some couples low (did Aston really deserve the same four as Ruth?), whipping out his 10 paddle weeks earlier than usual and bowing in supplication at Debbie McGee's feet.
Head judge Shirley Ballas was Surely Baffled a couple of times: confused when the studio audience tittered at her inadvertent innuendo (saying Joe McFadden was "coming from behind"), then skipping her turn commenting on Jonnie Peacock's dance. It was like having her befuddled predecessor Len Goodman back.
Meanwhile, Bruno Tonioli waved his arms and wiggled his hips, and Darcey Bussell slipped back into her unfortunate habit of saying "yes?" at the end of every sentence. Midway-through-the-series madness all round.
Davood and Susan bounced back brilliantly
They've both had an iffy couple of weeks but EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami and Scottish comedian Susan Calman recovered strongly to finish in the top half of tonight's leaderboard.
Davood and pro partner Nadiya Bychkova's American Smooth closed the show in stunning style with what could prove his breakthrough dance. It was full of smooth foxtrot style, Hollywood glamour and featured the best lifts of the evening. He duly scored his first nines and looked deservedly delighted.
Meanwhile, Susan and partner Kevin "from Grimsby" Clifton turned around their recent slump in form with a DIY-themed Shakin' Stevens jive which had bounce, pumping rhythm and facial expressions to die for. It was so high-energy, Susan could barely catch her breath up on the "Clauditorium" balcony afterwards. Nice paintwork too. Farrow and Ballroom, anyone?
Anton's comedy value might just rescue Ruth
Ruth Langsford was odds-on favourite for elimination this weekend and, true to form, finished bottom of the scoreboard. However, all might not be lost. Ever-popular pro partner Anton Du Beke is cunningly choreographing routines around Ruth's weaknesses - see that spoof, frilly-sleeved samba a fortnight ago.
Tonight's paso doble also verged on parody, like something out of a comedy cabaret. When Ruth finished it lying on top of a prone Anton, the Elstree Studio roof was raised. Anton proceeded to give the judges amusing backchat and sparked a playground-style pile-on in the Clauditorium. But will it all get enough viewer votes to save them?
Not a vintage night for music
Last week's Strictly debut for grunge gods Nirvana was weird enough but some of the tunes tonight were even odder. The Black Eyed Peas' I Gotta Feeling didn't suit Debbie McGee's tango at all. Gemma Atkinson's salsa struggles were in no way helped by the jarring Rudimental soundtrack and neither was Jonnie Peacock by that strange Kevin Lyttle song.
Finally, Ruth Langsford's paso doble was set to the deliberately camp, chaotic Shady Dame From Seville from comedy musical Victor/Victoria. Unfortunately, many viewers didn't get the reference, so it instead sounded like the Strictly singers were having some sort of meltdown. Back to the drawing boar, Dave Arch.
Could Jonnie or Gemma be in trouble?
Third and joint-fourth bottom respectively were Gemma Atkinson and Jonnie Peacock. If Aston and Anton (OK, Ruth too) pull in the viewer votes, those two might find themselves in dance-off danger.
Actress Gemma's salsa lacked flow and was full of lumpy, laboured lifts, while Paralympian Jonnie struggled with Latin hip action for the second consecutive week. The judges' comments damned him with faint praise and verged on the patronising. It would be a shame to lose either of them but their fans need to come out in force.
Saturday night recap
Here's your routine-by-routine rewind of the night's action...
Keeeeeep dancing!
Phew. What a weird old show. While they recap and roll the credits on-screen, stay with us for analysis and social media reaction.
Voting lines are open
That concludes tonight's dancefloor action. Lots of surprises there and a flipped-around leaderboard.
Davood and Nadiya's American smooth
They've been told off for illegal lifts twice already this series but now they can do some legal ones. Dapper outfits, jazzy style, a dollop of Hollywood glamour. Foxtrot footwork and lots of content, like the judges wanted. Nifty feet from Davood and a stunningly high lift at the end. He's back. Lovely.
Music: This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole
Judges' verdict: Bruno gives them a standing ovation and says `'you were like movie stars, swept us off our feet". Craig says "it needs more swing and sway but I loved it". Darcy says "impressive bum-lift, fabulous". Shirley says "totally awesome, you moved well, congratulations". Eights and nines?
Judges' scores: 8, 9, 9, 9 for 35 points - his first nines and fourth on the leaderboard.
Susan and Kevin's jive
She's had two bad weeks in a row, so needs to bounce back and get her scores back up into the 20s. A joyful jive to one of the first singles Susan ever bought.Decorating theme with paint-spattered dungarees and some roller-ography to start. Loads of entertainment, flicks and kicks, Needs to get up on the balls of her feet more and lacks knee retraction. More roller action and some thrown paint to finish. High on fun, lower on technique.
Music: This Ole House by Shakin' Stevens
Judges' verdict: Shirley says "I'd never let you paint my house but you can jive around my kitchen any day - you are back." Bruno says "you didn't sell it, you gazumped it, great pumping rhythm". Craig says "vast improvement on last week, amazing synchronicity but a little flat-footed". Darcey concludes "bounce and energy did not fail, loved your facial expressions". Sevens? Susan's breathless up in the Clauditorium, she threw her all into that.
Judges scores: 6, 7, 8, 8 for 29 points - that's 11 more than last week and fourth on the leaderboard.
Jonnie and Oti's salsa
The Paralympic sprinter did a flop cha cha last week and now it's another Latin routine. Jonnie's got his torso out with an unbuttoned shirt. Terrible version of the song. Spectacular lifts and a game effort but it doesn't bear much resemblance to a salsa. Jonnie's having trouble with the leg and hip action, perhaps understandably.
Music: Turn Me On by Kevin Lyttle
Judges' verdict: Darcey says '`hot lifts, you lack a lot of hip rotation but made up for it with the ease of your upper body, no fear, fabulous attitude". Shirley skips her comment, for some reason. Bruno says "nice groove with the arms but it has to translate down". Shirley now gets her go "rhythm and natural pulse with the upper half". Craig "wanted to see a little more salsa but you presented well and lifts were spectacular". Damning him with faint praise? Sixes and sevens?
Judges' scores: 6, 7, 7, 7 for 27 points. Joint fourth bottom.
Debbie and Giovanni's tango
Leaderboard-toppers for the last two weeks and she turned 59 this week, which makes it all the more impressive. Debbie McGee and will.i.am aren't the most obvious bedfellows but can she maintain her recent form to this anthemic pop tune? Swishy skirt, lots of fierce attitude. Stalking around, sharp staccato swivels and head turns. Great leg extension and kicks from Flexy McGee. Terrible song choice, though, which somewhat spoils the overall effect.
Music: I Gotta Feeling by The Black Eyed Peas
Judges' verdict: Craig kneels at Debbie's feet! Extraordinary. Darcey says "that was strange. You gave me tingles, you are up there with the professionals, I've never seen a tango like that from a celebrity". Shirley says "fast feet, soft legs, no rise and fall, outstanding, you're flying high every week - congratulations, you executed a difficult dance, first class". Bruno says "a masterclass, flawless". Are we about to get our first perfect 40 of the series?
Judges' scores: 10 (Craig's first of the series), 10, 10, 10 for a perfect 40. Highest score tonight, highest score of the series. Whoop.
Ruth and Anton's paso doble
They're bookies' favourites for elimination this weekend, so Ruth needs to unleash some fierce, fiery senorita spirit. Lots of messin' abaht on a spiral staircase to open. Anton's gamely dancing round Ruth, who's doing a decent job but lacks Spanish line and curved body shape. Footwork falters, more comedy than bullfight at times but a game effort. She ends up on top of him on the floor - while husband Eamon Holmes looks on from the front row.
Music: The Shady Dame From Seville by Julie Andrews, from musical comedy Victor/Victoria
Judges' verdict: Bruno is temporarily dumbstruck and says "Anton looks like Manuel from Fawlty Towers on Spanish night". Craig says essentially a drag act, high entertainment, low technique, at least people at home will like it". Darcey says "great character and controlled stalking kicks, but don;t give up on the content and technique". Shirley says "you represent absolute joy, you're smart to go for parodies and humour, very interesting". Hard to predict scores for that. Sixes and something much lower from Craig?
Judges' scores: 4, 6, 6, 6 for 22 points, bottom so far.
Aston and Janette's Viennese waltz
The pocket rockets got their first 10s for a paso last week. Now it's a ballroom routine to one of Michael Jackson superfan Aston's favourite songs. Aston's in full 'fro-and-sideburns Seventies fancy dress. Lovely side-by-side sections but not enough floaty spinning for my liking. Aston ends in a barber's chair. Stylish, skilled... just not Viennese waltzy enough for me.
Music: Who's Loving You by The Jackson 5
Judges' verdict: Shirley says "good footwork but too poppy and bouncy". Bruno says "it lost its way to Funkytown 1974 and didn't find its way to Vienna, the character didn't gel and the dance lost its style". Craig says: "too much attack, lacked grace and elegance, feet not closing, bottom sticking out, too much rise and fall". Darcey concludes "you came alive out of hold but in hold, the energy dies, yes?" Stop yessing! Sixes?
Judges' scores: 4, 7, 7, 7 for a total of 25 points. Bottom so far. Shocker.
Gemma and Alijaz's salsa
A spicy Latin number, featuring the likeable couple's first lifts of the series. Hawaiian tiki bar theme, Gemma does the splits to start and it's into a frisky disco salsa. Nice intricate armography, fast feet but she's not got enough hip action. Lifts a little lumpy. Good but not great.
Music: Sun Comes Up by Rudimental ft. James Arthur
Judges' verdict: Darcey says "hot and saucy but the lifts looked laboured, yes? Keep your body taut for clean dismounts, yes?" Shirley says "nice foot rotation and body co-ordination", which pleases Alijaz. Bruno says "tasty with just the right amount of spice, don't be timid, let yourself go and keep the continuous flow" Craig says "lifts looked clunky and heavy, no figure-of-eight rotation, but I loved the routine and what you were going for". Sixes and sevens?
Judges' scores: 5 (boo), 7, 7, 7 for a total of 26 points - bottom of the scoreboard so far.
Joe and Katya's charleston
He broke his "rollercoaster curse" last week with a triumphant spider-themed foxtrot. Now it's a fast furious charleston, which sees them both playing wooden soldiers emerging from a cuckoo clock and letting loose. Fancy visual effects to open, then into a jazzily fun routine with lots of flicks, kicks, tricks and side-by-side synchronisation. Lacking a little bounce, perhaps, but nice lifts, kooky choreography and he's got a little of that crucial swivel action. Lovely finish too.
Music: Alexander's Ragtime Band by Ella Fitzgerald
Judges' verdict: Craig says "I loved the ragtime feel and head-bobbing, really fantastic but your left didn't swivel as much as your right". Darcy says "all the charm of a silent movie, timing immaculate, surprising details. Shirley says "great job, you're coming from behind" which gets a saucy laugh from the studio audience. Bruno says "festive like the Nutcracker, well-judged, incredibly demanding steps". Nines?
Judges' scores: 9, 9, 9, 9 for a total of 36 points - Joe's highest yet. Bravo.
Mollie and AJ's foxtrot
Last week's shock dance-off survivors go back to ballroom and they're off to Hollywood. Or Molliewood, if you will. She's playing a screen starlet who is falling for her assistant. Lovely spin to start but some gapping in hold. Gliding around the floor nicely but footwork falters and not sure she's nailed that Rolls Royce action. Stylish, romantic and jazzy, though.
Music: Call Me Irresponsible by Connie Francis
Judges' verdict: Bruno says "the first half was beautiful and well-placed, then there was an incident on a turn. Elegant, classic, nice job". Craig says "balance issues, especially on the dis-ah-ster part but smooth transitions, classy and stylish". Darcey says "elegance all the way through, recovered well, keep this up, yes?" Shirley concludes "you didn't race or chase, beautifully timed, definitely doing in the right direction". Sevens and eights, do we think?
Judges' scores: 6 (boo), 7, 7, 7 for 27 points. Same as last week. Dance-off danger again?
Alexandra and Gorka's cha cha
This year's dreaded dance, the cha cha, set to a classic disco stomper. Alexandra's in a red frock, looking confident and full of fast footwork. Slight mistake early on but recovers well. She looks almost like the pro here. Lots of attitude and leg action. Great song too. Strong opening to the show.
Music: I Got The Music In Me by Marcia Hines
Judges' verdict: Shirley says "you looked like a professional, nice rotation, synopated Cuban breaks, you put the cheeky into cha cha". Bruno yells "you're the cha cha goddess, all the slick sex appeal of Naomi Campbell, then danced like Beyonce. Best cha cha of the series so far". Craig says "you actually had turnout like we've been demanding, I really loved it". Darcey concludes: "Flirty, confident, incredible work." Nines a-coming?
Judge' scores: 9, 10, 10, 10 for 39 points - joint highest score of the series so far. Blimey.
Judges and stars of show emerge
Darcey Bussellin floor-length black. Shirley Ballas in scarlet. And time to meet our Strictly stars. Anton Du Beke's full paso doble ensemble. Aston Merrygold's got a Jackson 5 'fro. Joe McFadden's a toy soldier and Susan Calman's in paint-spattered dungarees. And we thought the dressing-up box had been put away after last week...
Frockwatch
Time for our regular comparison of the co-presenters' outfits. Tess Daly is in a black trouser suit with bustier top. Claudia Winkleman's in long black with sparkles and a thigh split. I think, for once, Tess might clinch it.
And we're off!
Roll recap of last weekend's Halloween spooktacular and jeopardy-building montages.
Dancefloor fireworks
How many firework references to you think will be crowbarred into the script tonight? I'm predicting lots. Four minutes until that ba-ba-da theme tune.
Will Debbie McGee maintain her form?
She's topped the leaderboard for the last two weeks and she's dancing a tango tonight. Can Debbie continue her hot streak? Ten minutes until showtime...
Welcome to another Strictly Saturday
Halloween overload has finished and it's back to another mercifully non-themed show. Yes, it's the seventh live weekend of Strictly 2017 as our surviving 10 pro-celebrity couples dance for survival. We go live to the Elstree Studios ballroom at 6.50pm on BBC One.
I'm Michael, the Telegraph's sequins and Spanx correspondent, and I'll be liveblogging from 6.30pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, reaction, analysis and off-colour gags. So please join us and watch along with me.
And join in too - you can email me on [email protected], tweet me @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 staaaaaaart Saturday night dancing!
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