Strictly Come Dancing 2019 semi-final, live: Kelvin Fletcher tops the scoreboard but Chris Ramsey looks bound for exit
Karim's technique stops the show – but can you win without a really strong partnership?
Who will win Strictly Come Dancing 2019? Predict the winner
The semi-final saw the second perfect 40-point score of the series but one couple fall behind.
Here are all the major talking points and social media reaction from this year’s penultimate live show…
Best-by-far Kelvin Fletcher deserves place in final
They're the bookies' hot favourites for the glitterball trophy and Kelvin Fletcher and his pro partner Oti Mabuse demonstrated precisely why in this semi-final with the strongest performance by far - one which arguably merited a bigger lead on the scoreboard than three points.
Their glitzy, ritzy foxtrot was a swinging, sparkling stone-cold classic and not even panto villain Craig Revel Horwood could find fault with it. thoroughly deserved only the second perfect 40-point score of the series. His powerful paso doble had a couple of balance issues but was still a strong, dominant and dramatic performance.
Kelvin topped the leaderboard with a combined total of 77 points, dropping just three out of a maximum 80. He worked so hard this week that he missed his son's first birthday on Thursday but it paid off and he nailed these two contrasting dances.
Not too shabby considering that, as a late substitute, Kelvin didn't even appear in the launch show. That sheer black top might get him a few extra viewer votes, too.
Chris Ramsey got found out by two tricky dances
He's weaker by far in ballroom but had to master the technically challenging Viennese waltz in half the usual training time. To add insult to injury, his Latin dance happened to be the notoriously tricky rumba.
Yes, comedian Chris Ramsey had a tough draw with his two semi-final dances and the pressure duly told. His Viennese was riddled with mistakes and his rumba barely resembled one. He and partner Karen Hauer fell well short of the pack, cut 13 points adrift.
As a hoofing novice who's been flirting with the bottom of the leaderboard all series, Chris has done extraordinarily well to get this far but enough is surely enough. The judges certainly seemed to think so and although he might be popular with viewers, Strictly fans usually know when the time is right too. As the only celebrity not to score in the 30s tonight, Chris is surely doomed if he's in the dreaded dance-off. He's done well but deserves to go.
Anton du Beke looks a decent bet for his highest ever finish
Could it be his final series? Is he destined to win the glitterball before he bows out? Either way, longest-serving Strictly pro Anton Du Beke's fairytale series looks set to continue.
He and partner Emma Barton finished third out of four on the leaderboard but the Anton factor will surely see them safely through to next Saturday's grand glitterball final. An appearance in the final three would improve upon his previous best: fourth place with Katie Derham in 2015.
The pair opened the show with a wobbly cha-cha but, as you'd expect from the King of Ballroom, were much-improved with their ethereal and elegant waltz. When it scored only the sixth 10 of Anton's long Strictly career, an emotional Tony Beak said it was the kind of dance he's wanted to do for the past 15 years. One suspects he'll get another three dances next week to live the dream a little longer.
blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Am I the only person who thought Emma's dance wasn't great? ?? Her feet was all over the place and she seemed really stiff... not really 'semi final quality' to me?? #StrictlyComeDancing
— Shannon Francesca (@ShanFranAnne) December 7, 2019
Double dances and picky judges turned up the pressure
Faced with learning two full routines within a week for the first time, the celebrities certainly felt the heat in this semi-final.
Kelvin Fletcher was the one who said he'd found it the hardest, not that you'd particularly know it from his two cracking performances. Karim Zeroual's Argentine tango looked a little undercooked, while Emma Barton's dances both contained mistakes and timing issues.
Chris Ramsey, however, seemed properly out of his depth, with neither of his dances nailing the required technique. For three out of the four couples, though, things are only going to get tougher: it's three routines apiece for next week's final. Prepare to be sleeping in the corner of the rehearsal rooms.
Karim impressed but failed to connect yet again
Riding high from scoring the first perfect 40 of the series last week, Karim Zeroual came into this semi-final on a high. He duly delivered two accomplished routines to finish second on the scoreboard behind Kelvin Fletcher. Yet the prodigiously talented CBBC presenter is still leaving some Strictly viewers, and at times the judges, slightly cold.
His Argentine tango was technically challenging and decently executed but had balance and footwork issues. His American smooth was an improvement but lacked chemistry and featured a wobbly lift. Karim often seems to be dancing next to his pro partner Amy Dowden, rather than truly with her. There's clearly genuine warmth between them but it somehow doesn't translate onto the dancefloor.
Karim and Chris Ramsey are the only two of the four semi-finalists to have previously appeared in the dreaded dance-off. Don't be surprised if they face each other on Sunday evening. Karim would surely go through but he looks like a losing finalist rather than a champion.
Judges were erratic but Motsi Mabuse was most guilty
Harsh comments but high scores - that was the pattern for this semi-final.Kelvin Fletcher merited his leaderboard-topping total but the judges over-marked both Karim Zeroual and Emma Barton.
More cynical viewers took this to mean that they were keen to ensure their safe passage through to the final. Meanwhile, they clamped down on Chris Ramsey, who duly notched his lowest scores for a month and seemed to be ushered towards the exit door.
We've become accustomed down the years to excitable Bruno Tonioli being overly generous but here it was Motsi Mabuse who lost perspective and the plot. The newest judge brandished her 10 paddle for half of tonight's routines. I dread to think how high she'll mark during next week's grand final. Has an 11 paddle been invented yet?
How will this year's last results show unfold?
The last Sunday night Strictly show of the year now looms. The results show airs at 7.20pm on Sunday, when the bottom two will face the dreaded dance-off and one heartbroken couple will miss out on next week’s grand final.
There’s also music from One Direction alumnus Niall Horan and a performance by ballet A-lister Carlos Acosta. Please join us back on the liveblog then. In the meantime, there’s only one thing to do: keeeeeep dancing!
Penultimate live show in full
Here’s your routine-by-routine semi-final recap…
Semi-final routines wrapped up
The routines get rewound, the voting phonelines get plugged and the credits roll. But who’ll dance through to the grand glitterball final and who’ll fall heartbreaking at the last hurdle?
Please stay with us for analysis and social media reaction…
Karim and Amy’s American smooth
Will it be an American smooth path through to the final? This is a warm, cute and jaunty celebration of the couple’s friendship, set to the singalong anthem which has become a favourite with sport crowds. Slightly odd backpacking-and-campfire theme. Bruno compared Karim to a young Gene Kelly and this certainly has swing, sway and style. Footwork falters in foxtrot hold but he's stronger in the solo sections. Spinning lifts for wow factor. Very accomplished.
Music: “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
Judges’ verdict: Motsi says “impressive footwork, expressive shaping with upper body.” Shirley says “musicality, impeccable frame but the lift wasn't your strength, flawless until then, but I appreciate your footwork.” Bruno says “exquisite dancing, perfectly pitched storytelling.” Craig concludes “didn't like the lift either but the dance itself was absolutely incredible.” I smell nines.
Judges' scores: 9, 10 (oh Motsi), 9, 10 (oh Bruno) for a total of 38 points. Second behind Kelvin.
Chris and Karen’s rumba
Bruno said that Chris needed to unclog his hips and there’s no better time than the expressive, romantic rumba. Can he nail that earthy figure-of-eight action? It's a cutesy rumba rather than a sexy one. Karen's doing most of the dancing and Chris needs to settle into his hips. Flat-footed and he's throwing away the moves but nice mood. The rumba is notoriously tricky for for celebrity males and that demonstrates why. Chris says he cried towards the end, perhaps not for the right reasons.
Music: “Don't Watch Me Cry” by Jorja Smith
Judges’ verdict: Craig says “wrong dance, wrong day.” Motsi says “captured the essence, sensitive and vulnerable, more rumba would be nice but I believed the story.” Shirley says “you executed some difficult steps but it lacked body action.” Bruno concludes “not perfect technically but you gave honest and depth of feeling, so it moved me”. Damning with faint praise, I fear.
Judges' scores: 4 (boo!), 8 (really?), 8, 8 for a total of 28 points. And even that's generous. Bottom of the board.
Kelvin and Oti’s paso doble
Nobody’s scored higher than 34 points for a paso this series, so can Kelvin? Marching into battle to an anthemic song (cries of “oh Jer-e-my Cor-byn” mercifully absent) and this power-packed dance should suit him. Moody intent, contemporary interpretation, strong stalking promenades and dominant performance. Knee walks, imperious stamps - this is splendid. Dramatic kill to finish. A few balance wobbles but bravo.
Music: “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes
Judges’ verdict: Bruno says “ultimate paso action hero, hit some sculptural shapes, stretched lines but you could have extended them and stretched it further.” Craig says “slightly measured, exaggerate every line, timing off at beginning but impressive knee walks and needed elevation on the jumps.” Motsi says “you kept that position tight, tension in body, attacked it.” Shirley concludes “great moments, balance mistakes but definitely on the right track”. Eights and nines?
Judges' scores: 9, 10, 9, 9 for a total of 37 points. Better than the comments implied and the highest score paso of the year.
Emma and Anton’s waltz
The king of ballroom has choreographed a slow, beautiful waltz, set to the atmospheric 1888 French piano composition. Can Emma's frame and footwork satisfy the judges? Lovely atmosphere, slow and understated dance. This is classy, classic and mesmerising. You can hear a pin drop in the ballroom at times. Lovely.
Music: “Gymnopédie No.1” by Erik Satie
Judges’ verdict: Shirley says “music was ever so slow and you danced at the end of the beat like a world champion, lovely footwork, some stumbles but ethereal, musical and gorgeous.” Bruno says “elegant, hypnotic beauty and you never missed a breath.” Craig says “lost your frame on occasion and missed a lot of heel leads but that's very dull, it had beautiful flow.” Motsi concludes “my dancing queen performed, no tricks, just a pure waltz and I appreciate the work that takes”. Nines a-coming?
Judges' scores: 8, 9, 9, 10 (steady on, Bruno) for a total of 36 points. Anton's emotional and says it was the kind of dance he's wanted to do for the past 15 years. Aww.
Halfway point standings
Kelvin at the top, Chris at the bottom and one routine apiece to go.
Karim and Amy’s Argentine tango
Bringing the drama for only the second Argentine tango of the series and Amy’s first on Strictly. It's set to the classical crossover string quartet’s version of the 70s composition. Former Strictly pro Vincent Simone has been helping them in training and it's a tricky, intricate routine. Sensual and sizzling but needed to be closer in hold early on. Pose-striking at times rather than acting and reacting, but strong lines, lifts and floor-sweeps. Flicky, kicky, tricky and a strong dramatic end. It's a fan favourite dance and that ticked some of the boxes but not all of them.
Music: “Libertango” by Bond
Judges’ verdict: Motsi says “intense chemistry and intimate partnering, loved it.” Shirley says “one of the most difficult routines I've seen, you kept in character, strong feeling but foot wobbling at times.” Bruno says “moody, complex, some moments where you lost balance but the last section of ganchos was splendid.” Craig concludes “balance issues, footwork issues, lost the flavour, too aggressive, a lot wrong with it but also a lot right with it”. Eights and nines, do we reckon?
Judges' scores: 8, 10 (eh?), 9, 9 for a total of 36 points.
Chris and Karen’s Viennese waltz
Chris needs to improve his ballroom technique after last week’s mediocre foxtrot. A sweet routine, set to Queen’s rousing 1976 gospel-tinged anthem. Dizzying spins once into hold but Chris' shoulder line needs work. Frame isn't fixed enough and dips as the dance progresses. Mistakes, loses timing and too much walking around towards the end. Still, an improvement on his most of his previous ballroom efforts.
Music: “Somebody To Love” by Queen
Judges’ verdict: Craig says “needed to be smoother, went wrong in the change step but I'm proud of you, you've come from nothing to present as a dancer, truly remarkable.” Motsi says “frame improved, started well, your eyes shine and sparkle when you dance but it got too low.” Shirley says “too many mistakes but you carried on, timing was too much in front of the music.” Bruno concludes “hard worker, great performer but your footwork went off the rails”.
Judges' scores: 7, 7, 6, 6 for a total of 26 points. Fair and fine, says Chris, but he's in dance-off danger again.
Kelvin and Oti’s quickstep
A classic routine, set in the Ritz hotel, and soundtracked by the Thirties showtune. Kelvin in tails, Oti in a lovely floral frock. Frothy and flowing around the floor. Jazzy Charleston moves, skipping and hopping - boy, this is a bobby-dazzler. Lots of travel and swinging style. Superb. Kelvin has scored 38 or 39 points for the past three weeks. Can he notch that elusive 40?
Music: The Lady is a Tramp” by the cast of Glee
Judges’ verdict: Bruno says “champagne for Kelvin, truly a sparkling delight, it was light and precise, perfect musicality gave me goosebumps”. Craig says “I'm really upset... pause for effect... because I couldn't find much wrong with it.” Motsi says “difficult routine, classy and elegant, bam-ber-bam, bom!” Took the words right out of my mouth, Motz. Shirley concludes “flawless footwork, stayed connected, amazing pendulum swings and woodpecker”. Are we on for a perfect 40?
Judges' scores: 10, 10, 10, 10 for a total of 40 points. Only the second full house of the series and Kelvin's endearingly emotional.
Angela Rippon on the Ts & Cs
The newsreader, no stranger to dancing herself, pops up on Claudia’s balcony in a fab-ew-lous red jumpsuit to read out the voting smallprint, ending with the traditional handover “Tess…”
Emma and Anton’s cha cha cha
The last woman standing opens the show. Emma is weaker in Latin, as indeed is Anton, but at least they’ve dodged the dreaded samba. Giant glitterball and a slightly ungainly walk down the steps to start, then into a party dance. A few fluffed steps and spots of missed timing, then Emma gets into her stride with some disco moves and cha-cha walks. She's over-emoting cheesily. Wobbly side-by-side section. Looked more like a week seven dance than a week 12 one.
Music: “Hold My Hand” by Jess Glynne
Judges’ verdict: Shirley says “massive improvement from your first Latin dance, could have been stronger in the leg action but you made up for it with rhythm in body, personality and chemistry.” Bruno says “strong performance and you sold it like a Vegas showgirl but a few issues with leg placement.” Craig says “lacked hip action, lost balance but fantastic isolation and energy.” Motsi concludes “fun, fast, happy, kept the posture light and smooth, amazing performance under pressure”. Eights ahoy?
Judges' scores: 7, 8, 8, 8 for a total of 31 points. Her highest in Latin. Solid but over-scored.
Our Strictly stars
No raids on the dressing-up box this week, but some bold prints on display.
Frockwatch
Time for our weekly couture comparison. Claudia Winkleman sporting an understanded black tuxedo and slim-legged trouser. Tess Daly is in full-length black asymmetric dress. Classy Claud wins
Cue clapalong credits
More eliminated contestants than survivors on the title sequence now. Do you remember all 11 celebrities who have departed the dancefloor?
Alex Scott, Saffron Barker, Michelle Visage and Mike Bushell are still fairly fresh in our minds. Sportsmen David James and James Cracknell? Meh, not so much.
And we’re off!
Roll tension-building montage.
What the bookmakers predict
Kelvin Fletcheris now odds-on favourite to lift the glitterbal trophy next weekend.
Bookies’ tip for elimination, you probably won’t be surprised to hear, is comedian Chris Ramsey, who finally appeared in the dreaded dance-off last week but artfully dodged elimination on a split judges’ decision.
Just a couple of minutes until we go over to the Elstree Studios ballroom...
Could it be Anton's best ever year?
EastEnders actress Emma Barton will bid to help stalwart pro Anton du Beke reach the final for only the second time in his 17-series Strictly career.
With only three finalists this year, that would already make it Anton’s best ever finish, since he was first out in 2015’s four-way final with Katie Derham.
Just five minutes until Strictly o’clock…
Let's hope there's no more voting glitches
There was a problem with the online voting last week, for which the presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman were forced to apologise.
With the contest at a crucial stage, the BBC will be praying there's no repeat tonight.
Ten minutes until that ba-ba-daaaaa theme tune...
Graziano broke world record
It was revealed last night that Strictly professional Graziano di Prima won spin-off show It Takes Two’s annual pro challenge - and shattered a Guinness World Record in the process.
He performed an impressive 90 Botafogo dance steps in 30 seconds. Fellow pro Giovanni Pernice came a close second, with 80 steps after three were disqualified. It must be something in the Italian blood.
Fifteen minutes until we go live…
A Latin and a ballroom dance apiece this week
In-form Karim Zeroual performs a crowd-pleasing American smooth, before becoming only the second celebrity this series to attempt the Argentine tango, always a fan favourite.
Kelvin Fletcher will be unleashing a powerful paso doble, then switching into upbeat mood for a swinging, jazzy quickstep.
Last female standing Emma Barton is changing gears between a cheeky cha-cha-cha and a slow, romantic waltz.
Geordie joker Chris Ramsey tackles two starkly contrasting dances: the spinning Viennese Waltz and the sensual rumba - always a tricky one for celebrity males.
Just 20 minutes to wait…
First 40 last week as Alex Scott departed
Last weekend’s musicals-themed quarter-final saw Hairspray jiving Karim Zeroual bounce back from his dance-off scare to top of leaderboard with the first perfect 40-point score of the series (Craig Revel Horwood reaching for his “10” paddle at last).
Meanwhile, popular and plucky footballer-turned-pundit Alex Scott sadly departed the dancefloor after her Sister Act samba - becoming the dance of doom’s third victim this series.
Half an hour until semi-final showtime...
Eights days. Five dances. Two shows
This is all that lies between our last four pro-celebrity couples and glitterball glory.
Yes, we’ve reached the semi-final stage of Strictly 2019 and nobody wants to fall agonisingly short of the grand final, so they’re pulling out all the twinkle-toed tricks.
At 7pm on BBC One, our surviving four pro-celebrity couples must tackle two full routines apiece for the first time: one ballroom and one Latin. With two dances to learn, the pressure has been on in the training rooms, so who will rise to the occasion and who will wilt?
We'll be liveblogging from 6.20pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, recaps, analysis and wry remarks. Please join us - and 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 double-dancing…