Strictly Come Dancing 2023 Semi Finals Discussion thread 7:35 BBC1

[Nicky91]

Annabel and Johannes: Salsa to You’ll Be Mine (Party Time) by Gloria Estefan and Viennese Waltz Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want by Slow Moving Millie

Bobby and Dianne: Quickstep to Mack The Knife by Bobby Darin and Paso Doble to Run Boy Run by Woodkid

Ellie and Vito: Couple’s Choice to Dua Lipa Medley and Cha Cha to Mambo Italiano by Bette Midler

Layton and Nikita: Charleston to Fit As A Fiddle by Gene Kelly & Donald O’Connor and Rumba to Lift Me Up by Rihanna

last weeks leaderboard how it stands now

Layton & Nikita 40
Ellie & Vito 36
Bobby & Dianne 34
Annabel & Johannes 33


reminder of who's dancing with tonight



Layton, Ellie already 99% sure finalists



the more important fight now between Bobby and Annabel who will be the third finalist

[Santa's NaughtiNess]

I wonder who the top two with the public are. I'm thinking Ellie and Annabelle.
But if Annabelle is bottom of the leaderboard she can't avoid the dance off. So I hope she has a great night and defies the odds

[Santa's NaughtiNess]

I'll be voting for Ellie.

[Nicky91]

I wonder who the top two with the public are. I'm thinking Ellie and Annabelle.
But if Annabelle is bottom of the leaderboard she can't avoid the dance off. So I hope she has a great night and defies the odds

Annabel just has to slightly have a better 2nd dance than Bobby and then it doesn't matter if she is bottom of leaderboard :laugh:

[Nicky91]

no need to discuss the other two couples


since Layton and Ellie are already safe finalists



such a predictable boring ****show :idc: thx to corruption with the Layton overhype :rolleyes: call me homophobe whatever you like (i'm not) but i am allowed my own opinion to dislike theatre boy

[Nicky91]

''It's undoubtedly going to the be the toughest week yet.''


:laugh3: :laugh3:

the irony of this being posted on the strictly site


nothing tough about this week at all lmao

[Holly Christmas]

On in a minute

[joeysteele]

I think they'll all be really good tonight.
Annabel is the most improved from week one.

However for me any of them can go through and win now.

I'm not sure Layton is as popular with the public though.

Good luck to all of them from me, it's been a strong series.

[joeysteele]

On in a minute

Hello Kate.:wavey:

[joeysteele]

Just unfortunate Nigel wasn't able to see his chance sadly.

[Santa's NaughtiNess]

They shouldn't have a dance off in the semifinals. It gives too much power to the judges.

[Santa's NaughtiNess]

Just unfortunate Nigel wasn't able to see his chance sadly.

It's a shame. It would have been amazing. Reharsal footage looked incredible.

[joeysteele]

They shouldn't have a dance off in the semifinals. It gives too much power to the judges.

Absolutely I agree with that.
It's ridiculous.

[Santa's NaughtiNess]

Absolutely I agree with that.
It's ridiculous.

That's how Leyton will get to the final. Judges will save them if they're in the dance off :fist:

[joeysteele]

Honestly Craig obsessed with Bobby's limbs.

[joeysteele]

Great that was.

[Holly Christmas]

Hi Joey Hi Ness

Thought that was a great start from Bobby

[Holly Christmas]

Annabel is really going to have to bring her A game

[joeysteele]

This can be an awkward dance to pull off.

[joeysteele]

Odd song for it.

[joeysteele]

It lacked something.
For me anyway.

[Holly Christmas]

The music was dire. I didn't enjoy the performance tbh

[Santa's NaughtiNess]

That was really boring.
Nigel and Katya rumba was a million times better.
But watch them score this snoozefest higher :fist:

[joeysteele]

The music was dire. I didn't enjoy the performance tbh

The music was dull.
I agree.

[Holly Christmas]

Overscored

[joeysteele]

Being fair Annabel is the most improved from week one.

Good luck to her here tonight.

[joeysteele]

How I dislike Salsas though.
Never liked the dance.

[Santa's NaughtiNess]

How I dislike Salsas though.
Never liked the dance.

I only like it with traditional music.

[Holly Christmas]

That was pretty good

[joeysteele]

Aw she warranted a 9 or two.

[joeysteele]

Here is my preferred choice of winner, Ellie.

[Santa's NaughtiNess]

Brilliant. I loved this. I bet it will be underscored.

[Holly Christmas]

Brilliant. I loved this. I bet it will be underscored.

Yep, let's see.

[joeysteele]

It was good but not great from Ellie.

However still really strong.

[joeysteele]

Oh the Paso could be tricky for Bobby.

[joeysteele]

He did a good shot at it though.

[Holly Christmas]

Awful music yet again. Didn't enjoy the dance

[Holly Christmas]

It was technically very good tbf but it's far from one of my fave dances

[joeysteele]

Craig and Bobby's hands.
He's obsessed.
Weird.

[joeysteele]

This is a frenzied mix.

[Holly Christmas]

That was truly awesome. I loved it.

[Santa's NaughtiNess]

Great Charleston. Really enjoyed that. Finally something good! :clap1:

[joeysteele]

That was truly awesome. I loved it.

It was wild and great.

[Holly Christmas]

I can't see any way he's not straight through to the final

[joeysteele]

I can't see any way he's not straight through to the final

He will be now.

[joeysteele]

Nikita is though a brilliant routine planner.

[Holly Christmas]

Nikita is though a brilliant routine planner.

He really is. My fave male pro dancer.

[joeysteele]

He really is. My fave male pro dancer.

He's really awesome the content he puts in.

[Santa's NaughtiNess]

Nikita is though a brilliant routine planner.

He is, but the Charleston has outside choreographers.
But I'm sure he contributed a lot.

[Santa's NaughtiNess]

Absolutely gorgeous from Annabel and Johannes.

[Holly Christmas]

That was lovely. Somewhat ethereal.

[joeysteele]

The music was poor for me for Annabel.

Nice routine but not memorable.
Sadly.

[Holly Christmas]

I think Annabel is going home

[joeysteele]

I think Annabel is going home

Sadly yes, I can see that happening.

[Holly Christmas]

It wasn't undermarked

[Santa's NaughtiNess]

I think Annabel is going home

It depends who is top two with the public. I'm thinking Ellie is definitely through. The second one either Annabelle or Bobby.

[Santa's NaughtiNess]

Ellie and Vito couples choice. This should be good.

[Holly Christmas]

It depends who is top two with the public. I'm thinking Ellie is definitely through. The second one either Annabelle or Bobby.

Yes, fair point. I guess she could turn the leader board around. Hmmm. It's gonna be an interesting one.

[joeysteele]

I don't think couples choice should be in the quarter or semi finals.

However good luck Ellie but she can't top the leaderboard now even with a 40 score.

[Santa's NaughtiNess]

I don't think couples choice should be in the quarter or semi finals.

However good luck Ellie but she can't top the leaderboard now even with a 40 score.

It's allowed. Remember Will and Nancy has theirs in the semifinals as well?

[Holly Christmas]

I don't think couples choice should be in the quarter or semi finals.

However good luck Ellie but she can't top the leaderboard now even with a 40 score.

Oh I love couples choice though. There have been so many amazing ones. X

[Santa's NaughtiNess]

I'm loving this. It's a bop :dance:

[joeysteele]

I don't mind them during the series and in the final.
I just think not in the quarter or semi finals.
It was really good however.

[Holly Christmas]

That was amazing!!

[joeysteele]

Really strong semi final though.
Really enjoyable.

[Holly Christmas]

It's a shame for whoever goes home

[Holly Christmas]

Voted

[Santa's NaughtiNess]

Voted Ellie and Vito.

[Merry Mockmas]

I loved Bobby's song choice for the Paso.

Imo though it's very blatant that the Show wants Annabel to leave so that Ellie has an easier time in the final, it's somehow managed to be more rigged than Hamza last year.

[Merry Mockmas]

That's how Leyton will get to the final. Judges will save them if they're in the dance off :fist:

Tbf all of the internet polls have Bobby as bottom.

[Nicky91]

alright, quite a competitive semi final (although apart from the continued overhype of one particular annoying pest)

Bobby & Dianne

Quickstep: simply breathtaking gorgeous traditional ballroom at its finest, wow 10

Paso Doble: his face :laugh3: but honestly this was great, those shapings were clean, precise, the attack throughout i agree with Shirley could've had more breathing moments maybe but all in all strong competent paso 9


Layton & Nikita

Rumba: he added ballet moves in a rumba, he made that possible lmao, too little hip action for me and indeed danced way too aggressive rather than soft, sensual moves 6

Charleston: no way near a perfect 40 for me, i only saw one forward swivel, which also was rushed through, wasn't executed cleanly, was this even a charleston idk, didn't see much charleston content, and those acrobatics is just clownery what i don't pay attention to, disaster, almost forgot wasn't in sync in the beginning with the umbrella prop and halfway through as well also not in sync 4


Annabel & Johannes

Salsa: a shame she made mistakes couple times, also in the beginning, good effort but sadly this is the semi, no place for just efforts 7

Viennese Waltz: undermarked, this was beautiful, elegant, enchanting 9


Ellie & Vito

Cha Cha Cha: had expected to be seeing worse and lesser straightened legs honestly pre-performance, strong performance for sure, great musicality and chemistry either 10

Couples Choice: so you can dance different dance styles to dua lipa music, thank you Ellie for proving me wrong :worship: those lifts PHENOMENAL, a champion worthy couples choice! dance of the series for me personally 11

[Nicky91]

Tbf all of the internet polls have Bobby as bottom.

that's bad news for Annabel then


Layton needs more to be the least popular for her own chances of avoiding the bottom two

[Candy Annie Cane]

Lol Nicky, I love reading your opinions but you are letting yourself down with the Layton critique by allowing your dislike of him to cloud your judgement. He is an amazing dancer, should he be in a competition like Strictly, possibly not but he didn't book himself, have a go at the BBC but to slate his dancing is silly. The Charleston was fantastic

[Nicky91]

Lol Nicky, I love reading your opinions but you are letting yourself down with the Layton critique by allowing your dislike of him to cloud your judgement. He is an amazing dancer, should he be in a competition like Strictly, possibly not but he didn't book himself, have a go at the BBC but to slate his dancing is silly. The Charleston was fantastic

i didn't see any swivel, and swivel is the main technical ingredient of a Charleston


Craig i am disappointed in him for not saying anything about this, but yeah his bias towards theatre boy :idc:

[Candy Annie Cane]

i didn't see any swivel, and swivel is the main technical ingredient of a Charleston


Craig i am disappointed in him for not saying anything about this, but yeah his bias towards theatre boy :idc:

And your bias against him :rolleyes:

[Nicky91]

And your bias against him :rolleyes:

what then, should i lie and praise him as a god or something


lying is wrong, so yeah he's my least favourite



i haven't been completely super positive solely for Bobby either, only since halloween week he's warmed up to me, and i love Shirley, Anton who really like him, and finally Motsi said something great either how he is peaking at the right moment


Annabel i've loved since week 1, but now i couldn't really look past those mistakes in her salsa, was thankful she made a good recovery in her VW but i had hoped for a slightly higher score than being ridiculously underscored, almost like throwing her under the bus, bottom of leaderboard already is a dangerous position, but seriously that harshly underscoring her compared to the other 3 couples is mean :( i really felt for her and i had a moment like ''yeah she's a likely goner'' but honestly she's the tennis star who got the furthest of them all so far



i do defend Bobby though, annoyingly to some others on here maybe, but i just don't get why others dislike him, he comes across as a very sweet boy and deffo one what strictly is all about, one who grows in a competition rather than Layton whom more is like Ashley Roberts contestant wise, already was a dancer, no journey




one of my fave strictly charlestons is Faye & Giovanni lonely goatherd or Debbie & Giovanni to Frankie (halloween week)

[joeysteele]

I think it wrong to hold against Layton his musical theatre background.
Nigel had a similar background too.

Nikita's routines are challenging and for me they've all been entertaining in various ways to watch from all contestants this series.
Even Angela Rippon at 79.

Layton has had unfair stick however if people even genuinely don't like him, that's up to them.

However to deny he's a superb dancer and that he hasn't overall delivered mostly what he's been asked to by Nikita.
That's very sad to see.

They've all tried their very best and for me this is one of the very strongest series ever of Strictly.

My choice for winner would be Ellie.
However whoever of the 3 win, were I there I'd applaud them loudly.

Well done to all of them.
Good luck to Bobby, Ellie and Layton in what I'm sure will be a great and worthy final from ALL their efforts and work they'll put into it.

[Santa's NaughtiNess]

The difference is, Leyton has been to dancerl school. He even teaches dancing.
Nigel experience is not recent. We're talking 20 years ago.

[joeysteele]

The difference is, Leyton has been to dancerl school. He even teaches dancing.
Nigel experience is not recent. We're talking 20 years ago.

I get that Vanessa but if he's asked to be on the show, why should he refuse.

If you've had theatre training, it never leaves you.
Nigel was one of my favourites too.
I don't think since he was asked that he should not have been on the show.

Stars can be in and out of shows but the training of musical theatre never really is lost.

People should just admit they don't like Layton.
In my view rather than claim to not admire his own dancing skills.
Which he's brought to the routines on the show.

[Candy Annie Cane]

I get that Vanessa but if he's asked to be on the show, why should he refuse.

If you've had theatre training, it never leaves you.
Nigel was one of my favourites too.
I don't think since he was asked that he should not have been on the show.

Stars can be in and out of shows but the training of musical theatre never really is lost.

People should just admit they don't like Layton.
In my view rather than claim to not admire his own dancing skills.
Which he's brought to the routines on the show.

100% agree Joey.
Layton will never be everyone's cup of tea but the show booked him and so to criticise him week on week for dancing well us ridiculous. He won't win but should if it were on dancing ability but the level of vitriol he has had to handle for being a good dancer on a dancing show that he was recruited for is laughable.

[chris.g]

The difference is, Leyton has been to dancerl school. He even teaches dancing.

Nigel experience is not recent. We're talking 20 years ago.I'm sick of this "he's a trained dancer" argument - he's not ballroom or latin trained - musical theatre is COMPLETELY different to what he's doing each week on Strictly

[joeysteele]

100% agree Joey.
Layton will never be everyone's cup of tea but the show booked him and so to criticise him week on week for dancing well us ridiculous. He won't win but should if it were on dancing ability but the level of vitriol he has had to handle for being a good dancer on a dancing show that he was recruited for is laughable.

Thank you Annie.
I agree not unsurprisingly with all you've said.

I've just loved the series with all of them really.

Although the choices of music for me hasn't helped with the routines.
I feel Dave Arch and co have slipped as to providing the right presentation of the music a bit this series.

[Santa's NaughtiNess]

I'm sick of this "he's a trained dancer" argument - he's not ballroom or latin trained - musical theatre is COMPLETELY different to what he's doing each week on Strictly
But compared to Annabelle or Bobby he's miles ahead.
He's not my cup of tea, I actually prefer Ellie.

[millyrose]

I really like Ellie she has improved so much since it started hope she wins

[Nicky91]

I'm sick of this "he's a trained dancer" argument - he's not ballroom or latin trained - musical theatre is COMPLETELY different to what he's doing each week on Strictly

Layton literally went to dance school, from the age of 10

[Nicky91]

also was so funny Layton almost crying when Anton said about the rumba ''layton could be in danger with this dance''


no, anton, no



toto wolff moment of the iconic ''no mikey no''


:laugh3: :laugh3:

[joeysteele]

Layton literally went to dance school, from the age of 10

So what ?

He's not the first nor will he be the last who will be on the show invited BY the show to go on, to have had some considerable entertainment, theatre and even dancing background.

Irrational hate of someone just trying their best on an entertainment competitive show isn't really a good look

[millyrose]

Come on Ellie

[Nicky91]

So what ?

He's not the first nor will he be the last who will be on the show invited BY the show to go on, to have had some considerable entertainment, theatre and even dancing background.

Irrational hate of someone just trying their best on an entertainment competitive show isn't really a good look

welcome to my ignore list then Joey



Layton will be 3 times my bathroom break that final then, i don't need to see all those showdances again

[joeysteele]

welcome to my ignore list then Joey



Layton will be 3 times my bathroom break that final then, i don't need to see all those showdances again

That's fine by me Nicky.

I just believe in being more fair.

[Nicky91]

That's fine by me Nicky.

I just believe in being more fair.

fair???


:laugh3: :laugh3:


even if musical theatre is different to latin and ballroom, he does have experience of performing for massive audiences ;)

and yes music stars have that experience too i know



Annabel did awesome (tiny bit of ballet background in her childhood) but no performing experience


Bobby also a novice (yeah well some catwalk experience but tbh we seen many models flop before so on this sort of show)




my faves had been

Jody, Krishnan, Bobby, Annabel and yes i liked Nigel but tbh 20 years ago musical experience is a long time ago, and he's also 49


as for Angela Rippon, she's 79, i was already amazed she was still able to dance

[Nicky91]

Layton what will his 3 dances be


Jury Choice: Jive

Favourite Dance: Argentine Tango (can totally see them do that, for the statistics to hopefully get that 40 now)

[Nicky91]

suck on that Ashley Roberts, when Layton wins next week

:hehe:



how amazing was that Charleston of Layton, phenomenal


and his moulin rouge paso one of the best musical week paso to date




and some weirdo's trying to bring him down who say he has dance experience :idc:

[Santa's NaughtiNess]

Ellie and Vito to win for me.

[millyrose]

Ellie and Vito to win for me.

I agree she just gets better and better

[Liam-]

It’s the first time I don’t care who wins out of the finalists, it’s a great feeling, definitely would prefer Layton to win though

[Merry Mockmas]

I think it wrong to hold against Layton his musical theatre background.
Nigel had a similar background too.

Nikita's routines are challenging and for me they've all been entertaining in various ways to watch from all contestants this series.
Even Angela Rippon at 79.

Layton has had unfair stick however if people even genuinely don't like him, that's up to them.

However to deny he's a superb dancer and that he hasn't overall delivered mostly what he's been asked to by Nikita.
That's very sad to see.

They've all tried their very best and for me this is one of the very strongest series ever of Strictly.

My choice for winner would be Ellie.
However whoever of the 3 win, were I there I'd applaud them loudly.

Well done to all of them.
Good luck to Bobby, Ellie and Layton in what I'm sure will be a great and worthy final from ALL their efforts and work they'll put into it.

:clap1:

Just to add my two cents into this, I personally despise the rigging that I feel that the Show has been pulling off to help Ellie win the Show, but I would be lying if I said that Ellie wasn't a good dancer, a bit dull for my personal taste, but I can understand why people would like her dances.

[Merry Mockmas]

But compared to Annabelle or Bobby he's miles ahead.
He's not my cup of tea, I actually prefer Ellie.

But tbf the same could be said for Nigel.

[Santa's NaughtiNess]

But tbf the same could be said for Nigel.

Not even close and Nigel experience was 20 years ago

[Merry Mockmas]

Not even close and Nigel experience was 20 years ago

I personally liked Nigel on the Show, but I could tell that he had more training than Annabel and Bobby.

I mean the guy did a strong Paso performance in week 1, a novice doesn't even attempt a dance like that in week 1.:laugh:

But I get it if you don't like Layton tbf.

[Santa's NaughtiNess]

I personally liked Nigel on the Show, but I could tell that he had more training than Annabel and Bobby.

I mean the guy did a strong Paso performance in week 1, a novice doesn't even attempt a dance like that in week 1.:laugh:

But I get it if you don't like Layton tbf.
Leyton a bit too show offy for me.
But I did like some of his dances. Mostly the cha cha, AT and Charleston.

[Merry Mockmas]

Leyton a bit too show offy for me.
But I did like some of his dances. Mostly the cha cha, AT and Charleston.

That's more than fair enough.

Tbh in a better year I probably wouldn't be rooting for him to win, but to me Bobby would just be a really random winner if he won.

And Ellie has also been a bit plain imo despite being technically a good dancer, plus the production have been favouring her with late time slots, big routines, big song choices, and favourable judges comments and VT treatment.

But tbf I do agree with you about Layton being overly showy sometimes, it's just the other two are so dull imo.