Strictly Come Dancing 2017: Musicals Week, Saturday live show: Debbie McGee and Alexandra Burke tied at top of quarter-final scoreboard

•  Musicals Weeks sees Debbie McGee and Alexandra Burke tied at top of leaderboard

• Gemma Atkinson and Davood Ghadami joint bottom of standings

• Mollie King could also be in dance-off danger. But who'll progress to the semi-final?

• Results show airs Sunday at 7.20pm on BBC One

Strictly viewers had a front row seat on their sofas for Musicals Week, with places in the sequin-spangled semi-final at stake. Here's all the talking points and social media reaction from Saturday night... 

Debbie McGee overcame back injury to tie at the top

At a sprightly 59, Debbie McGee is the oldest quarter-finalist by nearly two decades. Her body has taken 11 weeks of punishment but pulled muscles, aches and pains are beginning to take their toll. It was all the more impressive, then, how her pro partner Giovanni Pernice tailored tonight's American Smooth around her, adjusting the lifts all week to work around her injuries and still get the best out of the inspirational Ms McGee. 

Their Cats-themed routine was fluid, flowing, technically near-flawless and left the audience feline good. Debbie might be sitting in an ice bath right now but she's also sitting pretty at the top of the scoreboard. Now that's magic. 

Alexandra Burke bounced back from dance-off shocker

She made a surprise appearance in last week's dance-off, although she was never truly in danger up against Susan Calman. Now Alexandra Burke came out fighting - and was lucky enough to have a dance that suited her down to the glittery ground. 

Her Mary Poppins charleston closed proceedings in show-stopping style: full-on, flat-out and with so much swivel that judge Craig Revel Horwood mischievously suggested she was better than pro partner Gorka Marquez. Joint top with just one point short of a perfect 40, La Burke deserves to sail through to the semi-final. But will she get enough viewer votes this time?

 Will Gemma Atkinson's popularity mean she dodges dance-off?

It's been two poor weeks in a row for likeable Lancastrian soap siren Gemma Atkinson. After last week's disappointing scarlet-clad samba, she was back in hold for a feather-flapping Hello Dolly quickstep which should have been lighter and tighter. 

However, Gemma and Joe McFadden are the only two surviving celebrities to have stayed clear of the dreaded dance-off, suggesting they have loyal voting fanbases. It will be intriguing to see if she gets lifted clear of the bottom two again because, if it comes down to the judges, it could well be Gemma's time to say Goodbye Dolly. 

Joe McFadden is dark horse no more

Holby City actor Joe McFadden has been steadily improving throughout the series and last week, topped the leaderboard for the first time. He's repeatedly referred to as this year's dark horse but it's a tag that no longer does him justice. The quietly gifted Scot has snuck up on the rails to become a strong glitterball contender. 

This week's samba demonstrated why. The combination of Cabaret song, Berlin setting and Rio carnival dance might have seemed uneasy but, cleverly choreographed as always by pro partner Katya Jones, it was darkly decadent and oozed character. Katya's partner from last year, politician Ed Balls, was in the studio audience and could only admire his successor's quality. Third on the quarter-final scoreboard, Joe deserves to dance all the way to the final.  

Davood didn't deserve joint bottom placing

As this year's first celebrity male to tackle the flicky, kicky and tricky Argentine tango, EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami deserved credit. The judges, though, stuck the sequin-spangled boot in.

After Davood descended onto the dancefloor on a chandelier, he and partner Nadia Bychkova's Phantom Of The Opera routine was moody and strong with spectacular lifts. There were wobbles, sure, but Davood's vision seemed impaired by that opera mask.

He's scored 35 points or more for the past four weeks but now slipped down to 29, which seemed harsh. After leading a difficult dance, he surely merits a semi-final place more than Gemma Atkinson or Mollie King. 

Theme worked well despite extra dancers

Sometimes on Strictly, you just wish they'd let the hoofing speak for itself. However, this week's musical theatre theme was one of the better special episodes. It inspired high production values, a singalong soundtrack, raids on the dressing-up box, plenty of props and all manner of jazzhand-waving. 

As always, though, the use of extra dancers divided viewer opinion. On Blackpool Tower Ballroom's bigger floor, you can forgive their presence to help fill the space. Back at Elstree Studios, though, they seemed an unnecessary distraction. 

Mollie King could defy the odds

Saturdays popstrel Mollie King was bookies' favourite for elimination this weekend but her late surge in form could yet cause an upset. She's scored a personal best for the past two weeks and might just be a surprise semi-finalist.

The rumba is often dubbed "the dance of death" and Mollie's Grease-themed routine lacked sensuality and basic content, yet the judges generously gave her two nines. She's survived two dance-offs already this series. If she comes up against Gemma Atkinson or Davood Ghadami on Sunday night, Mollie might well make it a hat-trick. 

9:11PM

Musicals Week in full

Here's your routine-by-routine recap of all the quarter-final action...

8:04PM

Six dances done. Who's semi-final-bound?

That concludes the night's routines. As the recap and credits roll on-screen, stay with us for analysis and social media reaction. 

7:59PM

Alexandra and Gorka's charleston

After her "Halo" slipped and she made a shock appearance in last week's dance-off, can La Burke bounce back? She's the last celebrity to do the charleston this series and it should suit her high-energy style. She's the ultimate supernanny in a cute corseted dress and ankle boots. Gorka the Cockney corker is Dick Van Dyke. Brolly-ography to open, bags of character and kooky choreography. Swivel, great timing in the side-by-side sections and some cartwheeling lifts. Her shoulders are coming up a little as the pace picks up but huge fun. 

Music: Supercalifragilistic from Mary Poppins.

Judges’ verdict: Bruno sings his comments and says it's "the showstopper we needed". Craig says "better swivel than Gorka, ber-illiant". Darcy says "ease, energy, couldn't tell who was the pro". Shirley concludes "stratospheric". Nines and tens on the way?

Judges' scores: 9, 10, 10, 10 for a total of 39 points - joint top with Debbie. 

7:52PM

Davood and Nadiya's Argentine tango

Davood has been the most consistent scorer recently and is the only contestant not to go below 35 points in the past four weeks. Can he keep it up? He's the first male celebrity to tackle the Argentine tango this series. He descends on a chandelier with a piece of pizza dough on his face, then wears her as a cloak. Spectacular lifts, drags and drops. Not sure he's leading quite enough but lots of intricate tricks and kicks. Magnificently moody. Strong finish.

Music:  The Phantom Of The Opera from The Phantom Of The Opera  

Judges’ verdict: Shirley says "loved the character and lifts but stumbling problems and balance issues". Bruno says "powerful presence but wobbly, uneven and not slick enough". Craig says "you weren't leading but I loved the concept". Darcey concludes, rather repetitively, "balance problems but well done". 

Judges' scores: 7, 8, 7, 7 for a total of 29 points. Joint bottom with Gemma. 

7:44PM

Debbie and Giovanni's American smooth

An emotional Barbra Streisand/Elaine Paige song (delete according to favourite diva) for this Viennese Waltz-style Smooth. Will it be purr-fect and cat-apult Ms McGee into the semi-final? Furry outfits, emotional mood and a lovely spinning lift, then into hold. Gorgeous travel, another spectacular lift and lots of rotation. Sweet storytelling. Miaow.

Music:  Memory from Cats  

Judges’ verdict: Darcey says "stunning, I'm purring with delight, great fluidity, my goodness - exquisite". Shirley says "intimate, polished, hugely impressive". Bruno says "like the song, a smash hit. Technically flawless and took everyone with you on the story". Craig concludes with a purr and some claws. Hilarious. Nines and tens?

Judges' scores: 9, 10, 10, 10 for a total of 39 points. Top of the feline leaderboard. 

7:36PM

Joe and Katya's samba

He topped the leaderboard for the first time last week and is now the new bookie's favourite for  the glitterball trophy. Faster tempo dances tend to suit Joe and he's always wanted to star in Cabaret, so this is a dream come true for him. It's a Rio carnival via Berlin. Will it be on the money? Both look great, some fun with the curtain to start and bags of character. The samba is a smidge awkward with this number but it sort of works in a weird comedy way. Acting skills ahoy. 

Music:  Money Money from Cabaret

Judges’ verdict: Craig says "I was ready for it to fail but it was incredible, engaging characterisation, loved it". Darcey says "technique could have been more turned out but it had flexibility and personality". Shirley says "challenging but off the charts, fantastic". Bruno concludes "divinely decadent and slightly twisted". Nines and tens coming?

Judges' scores: 9, 9, 9, 10 for a total of 37 points. Top of the leaderboard at the midway point. 

7:26PM

Mollie and AJ's rumba

She's bookies' favourite for elimination this weekend and her chances weren't helped by a late change of song this week - they were originally dancing to I Dreamed A Dream from Les Mis. Instead, Mollie is playing Sandra Dee and AJ is Danny Zuko. Mollie looks suitably sweet in white, barefoot too. The look suits her - but will the notoriously tricky dance? Balcony-ography to start, then a jump into AJ's arms. Spins and storytelling are good but not enough rumba content. She also needs to settle into her hips and nail that leg action.  Tell me about it, stud.

Music:  Hopelessly Devoted To You from Grease

Judges’ verdict: Bruno says "I could smell the fireworks. You translated the emotion into quality of motion, you've improved so much". Craig says "there was a full-blown lift and I thought you were dancing by numbers, needed more hip action".  Darcey says "timing, sweetly romantic but I wanted more sensuality and stronger resistance, a little light and girly instead of womanly". Shirley concludes "I believed the love story, illegal lift but impeccable timing". 

Judges' scores: 6, 7, 9 (really?), 9 (copycat) for a total of 33 points. Her highest yet.

7:22PM

Aladdin sane

Russell Grant appears on the Clauditorium to reads the phone-voting Ts &Cs. He's great but he's no singer. 

7:16PM

Gemma and Alijaz's quickstep  

After last week's flop samba, Gemma's opening the show and back in hold. She got 10s last time she was, so now needs to recapture the form of her American Smooth from a fortnight ago in Blackpool. It’s her pro partner Alijaz’s favourite dance, too.  Stair-ography to start. Takes too long to get into hold but then lots of spinning, skipping and Charleston-style steps. Footwork faltering at times, topline wobbling at others but jazzy, jaunty and full of character. Fireworks to finish. 

Music:  Hello Dolly! from Hello Dolly!

Judges’ verdict: Shirley says "you did very well but it could have had 20 per cent more acting skills, swan-like posture and immaculate frame". Bruno "loved the Broadway entrance but once in hold, it lost impact". Craig say "needed to be lighter, looked laboured, but loved the theatricality". Darcey concludes "cheeky, but posture needed to be tighter, yes?". Eights en route?

Judges' scores: 6 (boo!), 7, 8, 8 for a total of 29 points. Dance-off danger?

7:12PM

Dressing-up box raided

We have cats. We have Mary Poppins. We have feathers and bowler hats. It's like a primary school on World Book Day. 

7:12PM

Frockwatch

Here come our co-hosts, so time for our regular sartorial reckoning.  Claudia Winkleman is in strapless black with signature buttons. Tess Daly is in midnight blue satin with a strange neckline. Neither terribly nice, frankly, but Claudia just edges it. 

7:10PM

Celebs and kids join in

Well, that was suitably rousing way to start the show, with the surviving six celebs and some random urchins joining in the Dickensian dance fun.

7:07PM

Dance glorious dance

We open with an Oliver!-themed group number from the pros. Everyone is dressed like a member of Mumford & Sons. 

7:06PM

Roll clapalong credits

Chizzy's head-duck! Brian Conley's thumbs-up! Memories.

7:05PM

And we're off!

Cue tension-building quarter-final montage.

7:03PM

Nearly Strictly o'clock

Last knockings of Celebrity Pointless on BBC One now, Last chance to marvel at the natural wonders of the world that are Alexander Armstrong's ears. You can almost smell the crowd and hear the greasepaint...

6:59PM

Six couples, six different dances

It's the first show of the series where no couples are overlapping in their dance styles. Tonight sees the first male-led Argentine tango of the series, plus an American smooth, a samba, a charleston, a quickstep and a rumba. Five minutes until we go over to the ballroom...

6:54PM

Shirley she can't be quitting?

There was tabloid tattle this week that head judge Shirley Ballas has hinted that she might leave the show after just a single series, due to missing her family back in America. Bring back Len Goodman? Appoint Anton du Beke? Thoughts welcome. Ten minutes to showtime...

6:44PM

Six celebrity Guys and Dolls remain 

There's just a fortnight to go in Strictly 2017, with next week's semi-final and then the grand glitterball final in sight. But first our jazz-handy half-dozen must strut their stagey stuff in Musicals Week. Twenty minutes 'til curtain up...

6:25PM

Borehamwood goes to Broadway

Who'll be a long-running blockbuster hit and who'll be a humiliating box office flop? Yes, it's the 11th weekend of Strictly 2017, with our remaining six pro-celebrity pairs tackling Musicals Week in their bid to get through to next week's semi-final. 

We go live to the ballroom at 7.05pm on BBC One. Can Joe McFadden continue his leaderboard-topping form? Can Alexandra Burke bounce back from last week's dance-off shocker? And can the bookies' favourite for elimination this weekend, popstrel Mollie King, defy the odds?

I'm Michael, the Telegraph's showtunes and jazz-hands correspondent, and I'll be liveblogging from 6.30pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, analysis and gags of variable 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. 

Nearly time to staaaaart quarter-final dancing!