Key events
David Attenborough’s final episode Asia is coming to an end on BBC1. This one is called “Crowded Continent” for animals living near humans.
Hence elephants stopping traffic for food (trunk literally wants a muffin), a flying squirrel living in a school in Taipei, and a park in Bangkok with 300 giant lizards. This would startle unsuspecting dog walkers.
That’s simple 10 minutes until the brilliant departure time…
Our Canadian correspondent writes
Another email from a regular reader, Ian Crofts in Montreal. He writes:
For once I wasn’t tripped up by a historical reference on Saturday’s live blog. I had fun on Friday night watching the DVD released in 2016 to celebrate Len Goodman’s time as a judge on Strictly: Len’s Grand Finale. Judy Murray’s waltz with Anton to Let’s Go Fly a Kite was included among Len’s favorite or otherwise memorable dances. Looking forward to watching the JB Gill waltz clip from today. Like you said, it’s a great tune to waltz to. Even better if the dance goes well.
Dear old Len. Fifteen minutes until the clock strikes sequins…
Dancing and G-spots
Reader Peter Gibbs writes:
Chris and Pete sure have a big vote no matter what. So I’m worried that two of the more successful couples will have to face off. Please, PLEASE, not JB and Lauren. You have to think Montel is at it again. which is a grim prospect to have, but sadly all but nailed down.
PS As every week, thank you for the Guardian blog – in our house, currently referred to as ‘Michael Hogan’s G-spot’
Tasters for two more musicals tonight
Tonight’s pro band number will pay tribute Sunset Blvdwhile the musical interlude is a signature song from Hamilton.
Who Needs West End Ticket Prices? that’s it 20 minutes until the curtain rises
Carlos is getting ready for Christmas
News broke last night that Strictly Professional Carlos Gu suffered an ankle injury and will not be able to participate in this year’s Christmas edition. Fellow professional Poor Marquez will step in to dance with the contestant Vogue Williams instead.
We wish poor Carlos a speedy recovery. No one wants a surgical support boot for their Christmas stocking. that’s it 25 minutes until the show…
Will Pete’s popularity save him again?
Pete Weeks came into this weekend as the overwhelming favorite to be eliminated once again. He duly finished bottom of the table for the third consecutive week.
Will viewers come back to save him again? In an unpredictable series, could we see another shocking dance? Half an hour until we find out…
Who will be sent home to cry at their advent calendar?
Someone is about to be booted from the cast of Musicals Week, missing out on the semi-final. Good evening and welcome to the penultimate elimination of Strictly Come Dancing 2024. I’m Michael, your Sunday night understudy for tonight’s results show. Please watch along with me as the 10th celebrity bows sternly.
From ours six surviving pro-celebrity couplesonly great five can advance to dance two routines in next Saturday’s semifinals. The judges’ scores were combined with the viewers’ votes, and tonight the bottom two duos will be sent to the dreaded eliminator. So who is in danger of dancing?
I saw last night JB Gill waltzed to the top of the chart after his blockbuster “Mary Poppins” closed the show, scoring his third near-perfect 39. Just one point behind second place overall were Sarah Hadland and Tasha Gouri.
The road to the bottom was again Pete Weekswith Chris McCausland and Montel Douglas above him. But will the voting viewers agree? If not, everyone can get into a choreography argument.
that’s it show results at 7.20 p.m The BBC one. i will be live blog from 6.50 p.mproviding accumulation, rolling cover, analysis, response and cheek from the cheap seats. So settle in for this jolly Sunday night and see you on the sofa.
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts as well. You can tweet me @michaelhogan, send me an email at michael.hogan.freelance@guardian.co.uk and the comments section below is open for sequin chat. I’ll check in and check down there from time to time when possible to catch up on what you’re saying.
The curtain is about to come down on another couple. It’s almost time to staaaaaart your way to the semi-finals!
Thank you and bow
That concludes Saturday’s live blogging game, but please feel free to continue the behind-the-scenes shenanigans in the comments section. See you back here tomorrow for the penultimate results for this year. It is broadcast in 7.20pm Sunday on BBC1including special numbers from Hamilton and Sunset Blvd.
I will raise the curtain on the blog of 18.50 to accumulateso please join me then. In the meantime, I’m @michaelhogan on X and @michaelhogan100 on Bluesky/Threads, so feel free to stop by for an air kiss.
Thanks for watching with me. See you tomorrow, but in the meantime, this is the traditional theater motto: keeeeeep dancing! Just don’t mention the Scottish play. good night
A Pete vs. Montel dance seems likely
Unless the public vote surprises, it seems Montel Douglas and Pete Weeks are doomed to dance for survival again on Sunday. it is not so
finally Somersetlas says: “Giving women the lesser-known music while men get well-known songs seems likely to sway votes.”
included JB Gill, jagadox says: “The Viennese waltz requires good posture. For a moment I thought he was going to do something XXX rated with this umbrella.
YodaknowsAll says: “JB’s pose is brilliant. There was real drive in that V-waltz too. My favorite dance of the night.”
SparklingDormouse says: “JB has snuck into my top three. Now I think he’s my favorite. Great in Latin and now absolutely killer ballroom! AWESOME!”
Fascinating flamenco adds: “JB has come so far. I feel confident watching it and it was a joy. JB to win!”
included Pete Weeks, Aine183 says: “I really like Pete, but he doesn’t seem to be on the same level as the other contestants. It’s a quarter-final!’
murmuring says, “This is why people vote for P Twix. From nothing to this – mistakes and all.”
OozblumBird adds: “Nice routine by Pete and Jovita, but full of mistakes. He will really need his fanbase to make it to the semis. I think it will be a dance for Pete this time. There’s room for improvement, so his goose isn’t quite cooked.”
included Chris and Dianequick step heroics says: “Finally a real musical and a proper musical number. That’s the way it should be, Chris and Diane. This was beautiful and one of my favorite songs. He can dance!”
paperview says “WOW! Chris created the best dance ever. It was so simply made – and so excellent. I liked it. I liked it. I liked it.”
dancing bears adds, “So many things to admire about Chris, but perhaps most notable is his spatial awareness, his sense of where Diane will be. Every week he inspires me and makes me cry with joy.”
included Tasha Gouri, VelvetinaB says: “I wish we had seen Argentine tango with decent music. This song is terrible and the strobe light goes on without warning!!!!”
Duntalkin says, “No, it’s not Argentine tango. An impressive gymnastic display, but no connection. If they hadn’t said it was Argentine Tango, I would never have known it. I’m sorry.
acanthus adds: “Craig – yes! I felt it was more show dance than AT. Despite my beloved Aljaz.
included Montel Douglas, BenCaldwell88 says, “Montel goes second with a rumba on a lesser-known music track? They gave the poor girl all the curses of Strictly in one go.
NonIronLady says: “Well done to Sarah Greene on It Takes Two last night, questioning why Montel was involved in so many dances. As she said, it couldn’t have anything to do with dancing.
Tom Adlam adds: “Sensational dance by Johannes and Montel. However, this will not be enough to keep them from dancing. Pete and Chris can show up on one leg and get enough votes to keep them.”
Ndl4321 says about Sarah HadlandCharleston to: “Maybe I’m mad, but too much lifting for me, Jeff.”
Somersetlas says, “Oh, what fun! Amazing lifts and I didn’t see Sara put a foot wrong. Vito looks so proud of her.
fihema adds: “Oh, that Sarah and Vito dance made me happy. She looked completely in control, the spotlight was on her and it could have been straight from a stage show. Great start to the show! I have already forgotten the dance of the professionals.”
