Strictly Come Dancing 2017, week 7, Sunday results: Aston Merrygold sent home after shock dance-off defeat to Mollie King
Pop star Aston Merrygold and pro partner Janette Manrara suffer surprise elimination
Shell-shocked couple lost the dance-off to Mollie King and AJ Pritchard
Music on tonight's show came from Stereophonics, plus a group dance paid tribute to Prince
It was a dance-off shocker to rival anything Strictly has ever seen. Here’s all the talking points and social media reaction from Sunday night’s dramatic results show…
Aston’s exit is arguably biggest ever Strictly shock
Hands up if you saw that coming. Aston Merrygold was bookies’ second favourite for the glitterball trophy, his odds of elimination were 100-1 and going into this weekend, he was the highest-scoring celebrity of the series so far, having topped the leaderboard twice. Last week, he was just one point off the summit. Yet it was suddenly game over for the former JLS frontman.
Bolting a Seventies disco theme onto a Viennese waltz simply didn’t work - more the fault of his pro partner Janette Manrara than Aston’s - and the judges marked him harshly, leaving them second bottom on the Saturday scoreboard - 13 points and seven places down from last week. Many pundits thought he’d still get enough votes to lift him clear of the dance-off. When that didn’t happen, it was an agonisingly close call between him and Mollie King but Aston narrowly lost out.
Merrygold can consider himself extremely hard done by. He’s definitely a better dancer than four of the celebrities who remain (since you ask: Ruth Langsford, Susan Calman, Jonnie Peacock and Mollie King) and arguably several more too. Yet one disappointing routine later, they’ve all outlasted him.
His elimination left viewers reeling, taking to Twitter to vent their outrage and hatching all manner of conspiracy theories (judgely favouritism! poor choreography! an anti-Aston, pro-Debbie McGee agenda! Russian interference with the voting!).
There have been Strictly shocks before - Darren Gough beating Colin Jackson, Tom Chambers’ glitterball win and Pixie Lott’s early exit, to name three - but this was perhaps the biggest of the lot.
He might have exited way too early but Aston still had plenty of Strictly highlights, including his Trolls cha cha in Movie Week, his spicy salsa and that stunning contemporary paso doble to Nirvana. At least now he can spend more time with his heavily pregnant partner Sarah - not to mention lick his wounds with bromance buddy Brian Conley, who left a fortnight ago.
Even the judges couldn’t agree
It was a measure of the controversial nature of Aston’s elimination that the decision split the judging panel straight down the middle. Darcey Bussell and Bruno Tonioli both wanted to save him, while Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas opted for Mollie. It came down to Shirley’s casting vote - the first time that the new head judge has had to use it.
Were the panel too hard on Aston? Did he really merit a lowly four from Craig - the same score he gave bottom-placed Ruth Langsford? Was there some sort of agenda against Aston? Or were they merely doing their jobs and making a decision based on the dance-off? This one could run and run.
Mollie’s not getting viewer votes
For the second week running, Saturdays popstrel Mollie King and her pro partner AJ Pritchard tumbled several places down the scoreboard and were consigned to the dance-off.
Mollie has survived both times - comfortably against Simon Rimmer last Sunday, then by the skin of her teeth tonight - but she’s clearly not connecting with the voting public. It could be third time unlucky if the toothy blonde babes of the contest appear in the bottom two again.
Three couples had lucky escapes
A trio of celebrities were breathing sizeable sighs of relief tonight - mainly Ruth Langsford, who was bottom of the judges’ scoreboard after her parody paso doble but lifted clear of the dance-off by viewer votes. Despite the Anton Du Beke factor, it will surely be Ruth’s time to go in the next week or two.
Actress Gemma Atkinson and sprinter Jonnie Peacock were also mopping their brows, having both turned in sub-par salsas which only just outscored Aston. The Paralympian in particular needs to end his ropy run of form fast.
Stereophonics the latest in patchy run of musical guests
Sunday night’s guests were Welsh rockers Stereophonics, who belted out their ploddingly beige new single Caught By The Wind.
The musical performances have frequently fallen flat so far this series. Gregory Porter and Sheridan Smith shone but Emeli Sandé was terminally dull, Rita Ora was out of place, Shania Twain was plain awful (and seemed to be miming too), while The Script and the Stereophonics were both turgidly, blandly generic.
The band bookers need to use their imagination, plunder their contacts books and raise their game.
Prince tribute was ropy and rather random
The artist formerly known as Prince Rogers Nelson got a show-opening tribute group dance: a Latin and streetdance fusion routine set to a medley of his hits.
Slightly strange timing - he died 19 months ago, after all - and the number only really came alive towards the end, when Purple Rain fell and brolly-ography ensued (bad luck to open them indoors, mind you).
I suspect the pros enjoyed it more than the audience at home.
Blackpool beckons as contest passes halfway point
The remaining nine couples now dance on to next weekend, when they’re just one routine away from the bright lights of Blackpool: the Paris of the north and spiritual home of ballroom.
The eighth live show airs next Saturday at 6.45pm on BBC One. Please join us back on the liveblog for more sequin-spangled, spray-tanned shenanigans. In the meantime, you surely know the drill by now: keeeeeep dancing!
A furious reader writes
This just in, courtesy of Anne from Emsworth: "How dare they eliminate Aston and leave Ruth, Susan and Mollie still in? No comparison in grace and timing. I always thought voting was rigged by the BBC. Now I know it is. That is the last Strictly I am watching." Don't leave us, Anne!
Sunday night’s action in full
Here’s your full results show recap…
Aston and Janette’s last dance
The eliminated pair take a final turn around the floor to Easy by Lionel Ritchie - complete with backflips from Aston. As the other couples crowd in for a group hug and viewers reel from that result, please stay with us for analysis and social media reaction.
Janette returns the compliment
Aston’s pro partner Janette Manrara gets tearful and says: “I don’t think I’m ever going to have the opportunity to dance with someone like you again. Someone who is so talented, so lovely, such a good friend. I just have to say thank you. You’re one of the most talented individuals I have ever met. You have so much to offer to the world of entertainment and I hope this is just a small pebble to what you’re going to bring the world because you’re amazing.” Steady on, love.
Aston says a gracious goodbye
In his farewell interview, Aston tells Tess: “I’ve enjoyed every second. I’ve had friends who’ve done the show before and they’ve gone ‘You’re going to have the most amount of fun from start to finish’ and they weren’t lying! Everything’s been great, from this lady to every single person in here, the four judges, yourself, Claudia, all you amazing lot up there that I get to see and spend so much time with. I’ve made some amazing friends and honestly, I’ve had the best time.”
Nice words. What a good sport.
Aston Merrygold is eliminated
So the former frontman of boyband JLS becomes the sixth celebrity to depart Strictly 2017, following in the two-left-footsteps of Chizzy Akudolu, Reverend Richard Coles, Charlotte Hawkins, Brian Conley and Simon Rimmer.
Not many people would have predicted that. Twitter is currently exploding in outrage.
Head judge Shirley Ballas choose to save…
Mollie and AJ, saying: “Well, again a very tough choice. Two fantastic couples and it’s v difficult to do. On technical accuracy, beautiful flow and full engagement during the dance, I’m saving Mollie and AJ.” So it’s 2-2 but because Shirley gets the casting vote, Mollie is saved and Aston goes home.
Bruno Tonioli chooses to save…
Aston and Janette, saying: “I want you both to stay! You’re both wonderful, both much improved, you both ironed out a lot of little problems you had on Saturday night. But one couple transformed their performance tonight and it had much more power, much more impact, it flowed more . For that reason, I would like to save Aston and Janette.”
So it’s 2-1 to Aston. Head judge Shirley Ballas now gets the casting vote. Tense.
Darcey Bussell chooses to save…
Aston and Janette: “I so wish I didn’t have to choose between these two wonderful couples. I so enjoyed their performances and both improved their game. The couple I’d like to save based on a more assured performance is Aston and Janette.” It’s one vote apiece.
Craig Revel Horwood chooses to save…
Mollie and AJ, saying: “Both couples improved on the night which was wonderful to see but based purely on technique, the better dance was Mollie and AJ.”
Tough one to call
There was only two points between them last night and it's going to be tight again.
Aston's turn now
Aston Merrygoldand Janette Manrara have another go at their barbershop-themed Viennese waltz to Who’s Loving You by The Jackson 5. Slick, spinny and poppy but too many distractions from the character of the dance for my liking. Coolly accomplished but lacks grace and elegance. You wouldn't know it was a Viennese waltz half the time.
Mollie goes first in dance-off
Mollie Kingand AJ Pritchard reprise their Hollywood starlet-themed foxtrot to Call Me Irresponsible by Connie Francis. Jazzy and stylish but still some balance issues and the odd spot of fluffed footwork. Strong second effort, though.
Is Debbie McGee too trained?
She is according to an email just in from reader Myrtle Hudson, who says: "It's so unfair that Debbie should participate, bearing in mind that she is ballet-trained and ran her own dance school. Other participants started from scratch."
Mollie King in dance-off again
Popstrel Mollie King and her professional partner AJ Pritchard are consigned to the dreaded dance off for the second consecutive week. Will it be second time unlucky?
Who will face Aston in the dance-off?
Time again for the dreaded red light of doom. Joe McFadden's safe and looks relieved. And so is Ruth Langsford, who was bottom of the scoreboard. Looks like we're going to lose someone unexpected tonight.
Anton Oops Beke
Another chance to see Ruth Langsford and Anton Du Beke's paso doble tumble.
Shirley checks Claudia's posture
Just with her eyes this time, no groping. Shirley Ballas extols the virtues of Davood Ghadami's American Smooth lift. Darcey Bussell examines Gemma Atkinson's softer, less successful ones. Bruno Tonioli coos at Alexandra Burke's cha cha feet. Craig Revel Horwood relives his bow at Debbie McGee's feet and denies he was temporarily taken ill.
Dance debrief time
Time for the regular feature formerly known as Len’s Lens. Why they didn’t call it Shirley’s Short & Curlies is frankly beyond me.
Stereophonics, you see, look you
Musical interlude now from Welsh rockers Stereophonics, playing their new single Caught By The Wind. Choreographic accompaniment comes from ginger cult hero Neil Jones and fellow pro Chloe Hewitt.
Aston Merrygold in dance-off shocker
Blimey. Pop pocket rocket Aston Merrygold and his partner Janette Manrara are in the dance-off. Could a surprise elimination be on the cards? Depends who they face. Against Ruth Langsford, they'll be fine,. Anyone else, who knows?
Time to discover our first dance-off couple
Who'll get the dreaded red light of doom? Celebratory hugs and to-camera thank yous from Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee, Susan Calman and Jonnie Peacock...
Saturday night’s show recapped
Last night’s action gets a rewind. Debbie McGee’s 40-point tango! Alexandra Burke’s cheeky 39-point cha-cha! Davood Ghadami’s spectacular lifts! Toy soldiers! Dungaree-clad decorators! Ruth and Anton’s demented paso doble!
Frockwatch
Here come our co-hosts, so time for our regular fashion rating. Claudia Winkleman’s in a Sixties-style white mini-dress with lacy crocheted sleeves. Tess Daly’s in a got pink strapless number. Claudia wins.
Well, that was suitably sparkly
We'd like to have seen Anton Du Beke in a raspberry beret, though.
Group dance pays tribute to Prince
We open with a special group number from the pro troupe, paying tribute to Minneapolis pop superstar Prince, who sadly passed away last year. Surely they should be purple-clad? The soundtrack is a slightly clunkily segued medley of his hits, including Let’s Go Crazy, When Doves Cry and Purple Rain, while the routine is a fusion of streetdance, jive and cha cha. Props ahoy too, including door-frames on wheels and umbrellas. Bad luck to open those brollies indoors, though.
And we're off!
Roll clapalong credits, featuring some couples we'd already forogtten.
Farewell, Countryfile - finally!
On BBC One right now, the credits are rolling on the fleece-clad, well-booted rural affairs favourite, a couple of minutes late by my reckoning. Pesky Beeb, building the tension. Which means we're about to go glitterball-wards...
There's going to be dancefloor fireworks
It was a strangely topsy-turvy leaderboard last night, with both Aston Merrygold and Gemma Atkinson unexpectedly joining Ruth Langsford in the bottom three. Will the dance-offers come from that trio? Five minutes until we go back to the Elstree Studios ballroom to find out....
Will viewer votes rescue Ruth and Anton?
Rock bottom of last night's scoreboard were Ruth Langsford and her pro partner Anton Du Beke after their comedy paso doble. But both halves of the pair are popular with the viewing public. Will they get enough votes to dodge the dreaded dance-off? If not, they'll surely be sent to the sequin-spangled scrapheap. Ten minutes 'til showtime...
Are we about to get a ballroom bombshell?
Tonight sees the sixth elimination of Strictly 2017, as our 10 remaining pro-celebrity pairs find out if they’re doomed to face the dreaded dance-off.
On Saturday night, thelovelyDebbieMcGee? tangoed her way to the top of the leaderboard for the third successive week, scoring the earliest perfect 40 in Strictly history. Alexandra Burke was one point behind, followed by the fast-improving boys, Joe McFadden and Davood Ghadami.
At the foot of the scoreboard languished bookies’ favourite to go, Ruth Langsford, but just above her was the big shocker: Aston Merrygold, whose Viennese waltz got a critical pasting from the judges and scored just 25 points - 13 down on his total last weekend.
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 Jonnie Peacock, Gemma Atkinson or Mollie King could come into choreographic contention.
The results show airs at 7.15pm on BBC One. I'm Michael, the Telegraph's glitter and galumphing correspondent, and I'll be liveblogging from 7pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, analysis and mild lolz, so please 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 eliminating!