Strictly Come Dancing: the quarter-final – live

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Clocking in at a mere 70 minutes, tonight is the shortest live show of the series. Snappy Come Dancing, more like.

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We’ve made it to the brink of December. There’s only three live shows left – and only two results shows. The race for the glitterball trophy is well and truly on. It’s just 10 minutes until the clock strikes sequins…

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Sad news broke today that Strictly professional Carlos Gu has sustained an ankle injury and will be unable to participate in this year’s Strictly Christmas Special. Fellow pro Gorka Márquez will be stepping in for him and dancing with contestant Vogue Williams instead.

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We wish poor Carlos a speedy recovery. Nobody wants a surgical support boot for their Christmas stocking. It’s just 15 minutes until the glitterball starts spinning…

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Email just in from regular reader, Iain Crofts in Montreal:

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As we brace ourselves for the final themed week, we ponder a theme from last week’s comments: was it unfair for the public vote to keep Pete Wicks out of last week’s dance-off? Whatever one’s feelings, Strictly can’t be faulted for operating as advertised: “No one is safe based on judges’ scores alone! Your vote counts!”. They’ve certainly kept that promise.

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Whether Pete’s persistence is explained by Przystal-power polishing his performances (unlikely) or dedicated disciples dead-set on demonstrating that The Only Way Is Pete (unfathomable), it is proof positive that the Strictly dance-competition and popularity-contest elements are inextricably intertwined from start to finish – except in the dance-off, which the judges are supposed to adjudicate on how well the celebrities dance. If Pete lands in one, it would seem that The Only Way is Out. But you never know. I’m still reeling from Tom being trounced by Toyah in the first dance-off of this series.

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Cross them off as you spot them on-screen! Take a drink for each! Get ejected from the dress circle for singing along too loudly! Here’s your 10-point spotter’s guide for tonight’s Musicals Week action:

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Training room VT makes mention of “fundamentals for Shirley” or “swivel for Craig”

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Celebrity in green face-paint, using up a make-up department glut from previous Shrek/Wicked/Hulk routines

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Overuse of the words “iconic” and “legendary”

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Anton makes disparaging mention of his Mary Poppins waltz with Judy Murray

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Craig modestly mentions his West End choreography credits

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Someone gets compared to Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers/Gene Kelly/Bob Fosse

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Shirley thanks couples for “opening our show” and “closing our show”

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A couple meet the cast of a West End show during their pre-dance VT

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A West End star reads out the voting Ts&Cs in the Clauditorium

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Claudia totally loses it whenever Vito Coppola speaks

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For the second weekend running, Pete Wicks is bookies’ odds-on tip for elimination this weekend. He’s been bottom of the scoreboard three times and is the lowest scorer left in the contest by a distance, averaging four points fewer per dance than anyone else.

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Montell Douglas is second favourite, then there’s a big gap to JB Gill in third. Can they dazzle voting viewers enough to secure safety? Twenty minutes until the glittery curtain comes up…

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We haven’t seen supporting dancers since Blackpool Tower Ballroom but they’re back tonight, lending that big production feel to the musicals-themed numbers.

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Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe are the only couple to perform on their own, as they create an intimate mood for their rumba. Coincidentally, Jojo was in the same position last year, except with Annabel Croft and a foxtrot.

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It’s 22 minutes until that ba-ba-da theme tune…

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It’s been a high-standard but unpredictable series, with couples pinging up and down the pecking order. Last week’s dancefloor departee, Jamie Borthwick, had been both top and bottom of the scoreboard.

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Meanwhile, Pete Wicks being saved by viewer votes meant that for the fifth time in 10 weeks, the couple at the bottom of the leaderboard avoided elimination. This series, all bets are off.

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Will we see another surprise this weekend? We’ll get our first clues in 25 minutes…

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And who’ll be a box office flop? Yes, it’s time for Strictly’s annual night out in Theatreland. Good evening and welcome to week 11 of Strictly Come Dancing 2023. I’m Michael, your fellow thesp for tonight’s live musicals-themed quarter-final. I’d love you to watch along with me as our couples perform routines inspired by West End and Broadway hits, bidding to make it through to the semi-final.

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Last weekend saw jubilant scenes in the ballroom as Tasha Ghouri scored the first perfect 40 of the series for her swoon-worthy American smooth. This was followed by the hip-shaking chaos of the samaba-thon, won by JB Gill. After dance-off drama, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick and his pro partner Michelle Tsiakkas were sent home

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Our six surviving pro-celebrity pairings now take to floor, channelling the world of musical theatre. You know the deal by now. Tonight’s scores will be combined with the public vote and the bottom two will dance-off for survival on Sunday night. Pete Wicks is bookies’ hot tip for the chop but he’s defied the odds before.

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It’s showtime at 7.05pm on BBC One. I’ll be liveblogging from 6.35pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, analysis, reaction and heckles from the cheap seats. So don your theatrical finery, pre-order your interval drinks and I’ll see you on the sofa.

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As ever, I’d love to hear from you too. You can tweet me @michaelhogan, email me michael.hogan.freelance@guardian.co.uk and the comments section below is open for your first night reviews. I’ll pop a coin in my opera glasses to peer at you’re all saying.

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Will Craig Revel Horwood dust off his perfect 10 paddle again? Can Montell Douglas bounce back from her third dance-off? Can Pete pull off another Houdini-esque escape? It’s nearly time to staaaart all-singing and all-dancing!

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Sharp end of the contest has arrived

Clocking in at a mere 70 minutes, tonight is the shortest live show of the series. Snappy Come Dancing, more like.

Carlos crocked for Christmas

We wish poor Carlos a speedy recovery. Nobody wants a surgical support boot for their Christmas stocking. It’s just 15 minutes until the glitterball starts spinning…

Our Canadian correspondent writes

Email just in from regular reader, Iain Crofts in Montreal:

As we brace ourselves for the final themed week, we ponder a theme from last week’s comments: was it unfair for the public vote to keep Pete Wicks out of last week’s dance-off? Whatever one’s feelings, Strictly can’t be faulted for operating as advertised: “No one is safe based on judges’ scores alone! Your vote counts!”. They’ve certainly kept that promise.

Whether Pete’s persistence is explained by Przystal-power polishing his performances (unlikely) or dedicated disciples dead-set on demonstrating that The Only Way Is Pete (unfathomable), it is proof positive that the Strictly dance-competition and popularity-contest elements are inextricably intertwined from start to finish – except in the dance-off, which the judges are supposed to adjudicate on how well the celebrities dance. If Pete lands in one, it would seem that The Only Way is Out. But you never know. I’m still reeling from Tom being trounced by Toyah in the first dance-off of this series.

Let’s play Strictly bingo (musical theatre edition)

Training room VT makes mention of “fundamentals for Shirley” or “swivel for Craig”
Celebrity in green face-paint, using up a make-up department glut from previous Shrek/Wicked/Hulk routines
Overuse of the words “iconic” and “legendary”
Anton makes disparaging mention of his Mary Poppins waltz with Judy Murray
Craig modestly mentions his West End choreography credits
Someone gets compared to Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers/Gene Kelly/Bob Fosse
Shirley thanks couples for “opening our show” and “closing our show”
A couple meet the cast of a West End show during their pre-dance VT
A West End star reads out the voting Ts&Cs in the Clauditorium
Claudia totally loses it whenever Vito Coppola speaks

Pete Wicks favourite for the exit. Again

Extra dancers are back

We haven’t seen supporting dancers since Blackpool Tower Ballroom but they’re back tonight, lending that big production feel to the musicals-themed numbers.

It’s 22 minutes until that ba-ba-da theme tune…

Another twist in a topsy-turvy contest

Meanwhile, Pete Wicks being saved by viewer votes meant that for the fifth time in 10 weeks, the couple at the bottom of the leaderboard avoided elimination. This series, all bets are off.

Will we see another surprise this weekend? We’ll get our first clues in 25 minutes…

Who’ll be a West End smash in Musicals Week?

The Guardian

USA News Hub