Strictly 2021 official thread



Part one of two......

Well that was an experience, strap in.

The same main set from the tv show is in use, with a three person judging desk in front of the band. Pork pie hat bassist still stands out.

There is a raised section in the middle, about the same size as the usual Strictly dancefloor, with a large border round it, like how they did for the show from Wembley Arena where they shot Russell Grant out of a cannon. Hopefully that sets the scene, sort of.

A group dance starts the show, with the backing dancers including Katya's bitch, Luba, Jowita, Cameron, the lovely Amy 🥰 and some barmaid from Yorkshire @Mr Redknapp, starting the show, then the pros that have celeb partners join the fray, then the celebs show up to finish the dance.

Our host Janette then surfaces in an outfit that a glitterball would be jealous of. The band minus Dave Arch are introduced, the usual four singers, then the three judges, I may have boo'd Bruno and Witchytits, managing not to say Witchytits, and cheered Craig.

Seven couples are competing, the Johns, Tilly and the shirtless one, Max from the Wanted and Katya, HawaytheSara and Aljaz, Maisie Smith and AJ's bitch, the blue pop kids and finally some lass from Eastenders with an Italian bloke who apparently have form on Strictly.

The judges get to say a bit to the audience, working the crowd for some cheap pops to get reactions. Craig's history of the pantomime villain coming in handy. Everything is very slick, with the big screen director cutting nicely for the scripted reaction shots. Then…… Witchytits starts talking, no attempt at a knowing look and very serious, about how the audience here in Leeds is fantastic, and how loud they are. No-one stopped her, then the penny dropped. This was definitely NOT scripted.

Thank fuck she didn't say Sunderland there'd have been a riot. Subtle digs continued throughout the show, Witchytits looked more pissed off as it went on. She was not impressed. The group I was with, and those around us loved it.

Time for some dancing. First up, John and Johannes doing paso with pirates. Jesus they are good, the tv show does not do them justice. Nailed it, with four backing dancers helping things along.

After each dance, Janette fulfills the Claudia role, as well as Tess's before each dance, then the judges offer comments, finally we get the marks. All judges frothing, and we start with a perfect 30.

Secondly Tilly and Nikita with their week one waltz. This was lovely. Proper understated, very classy with Nikita leading well and Tilly looking a million dollars.

Craig gets his first boo's of the show with some typically harsh comments, Bruno is out of his seat, I still don't know why they give him one. By the end 25 marks are awarded, a fair assessment.

Max and Katya are on now with his 2020 jive, with a cameo from one of the more memorable for the wrong reasons performances of recent years. That Simpsons thing. No Dianne, boooooooo, but Katya nails the jive. Max, along with the returning backing dances does ok, but the 14 months off are obvious. There were reasons he only made it to week four, mostly the three vote limit for his previous partner.

During his Janettorium (?) bit he pretty much says he is just happy to be there, but is enjoying being back with the Strictly gang. All three judges pull it apart, correctly, and he gets a generous 20, including a 5 from Craig.

Who's this coming on now, loud cheers, and here is HawaytheSara and Aljaz to do their foxtrot. Aljaz is really popular with the crowd during the initial group dance and again here. Sara getting a great reaction too. The dance was lovely. No surprise there. Sara floating about on the central dancefloor, smiling like a Cheshire cat throughout.

Janettorium time and Aljaz is hitting his haways and cannys with a finesse, flirting with Sara, and Janette saying she is right there. Judges very happy, little niggles give a 27.

Maisie and Kai are up next doing a quickstep. This was the one from her 2020 series, and it was bloody brilliant. Still managed the cartwheel and synchronised well with mini-Anton, flying round the central dancefloor with aplomb.

She is knackered talking to Janette and the judges are on a high over the performance. Bruno was out of his seat. Shock, horror, surprise. Perfect 30. Asked on what their second dance would be, Kai started twerking. That will beca samba then.

Rhys and Nancy are on now and it's charleston time. This got a 40 on the main show, and you can see why. As said earlier, the tv doesn't do these guys justice. Lifts are crisp, more swivel than an LSD inspired dream and another deserved 30 lands.

One couple left, Rose and Gio doing, I'm sure you can guess……….yes, the Argentine. Not sure how best to describe it. Yes I do. Pure filth. It was fantastic, so controlled but looking like two lovers just having private time on a private dancefloor at the same time.

Audience going nuts, judges going nuts, BSL interpreter wad going nuts. 30.

Half time and Janette does a quick scoreboard and opens the voting. Back in 20 minutes.
 
Part one of two......

Well that was an experience, strap in.

The same main set from the tv show is in use, with a three person judging desk in front of the band. Pork pie hat bassist still stands out.

There is a raised section in the middle, about the same size as the usual Strictly dancefloor, with a large border round it, like how they did for the show from Wembley Arena where they shot Russell Grant out of a cannon. Hopefully that sets the scene, sort of.

A group dance starts the show, with the backing dancers including Katya's bitch, Luba, Jowita, Cameron, the lovely Amy 🥰 and some barmaid from Yorkshire @Mr Redknapp, starting the show, then the pros that have celeb partners join the fray, then the celebs show up to finish the dance.

Our host Janette then surfaces in an outfit that a glitterball would be jealous of. The band minus Dave Arch are introduced, the usual four singers, then the three judges, I may have boo'd Bruno and Witchytits, managing not to say Witchytits, and cheered Craig.

Seven couples are competing, the Johns, Tilly and the shirtless one, Max from the Wanted and Katya, HawaytheSara and Aljaz, Maisie Smith and AJ's bitch, the blue pop kids and finally some lass from Eastenders with an Italian bloke who apparently have form on Strictly.

The judges get to say a bit to the audience, working the crowd for some cheap pops to get reactions. Craig's history of the pantomime villain coming in handy. Everything is very slick, with the big screen director cutting nicely for the scripted reaction shots. Then…… Witchytits starts talking, no attempt at a knowing look and very serious, about how the audience here in Leeds is fantastic, and how loud they are. No-one stopped her, then the penny dropped. This was definitely NOT scripted.

Thank fuck she didn't say Sunderland there'd have been a riot. Subtle digs continued throughout the show, Witchytits looked more pissed off as it went on. She was not impressed. The group I was with, and those around us loved it.

Time for some dancing. First up, John and Johannes doing paso with pirates. Jesus they are good, the tv show does not do them justice. Nailed it, with four backing dancers helping things along.

After each dance, Janette fulfills the Claudia role, as well as Tess's before each dance, then the judges offer comments, finally we get the marks. All judges frothing, and we start with a perfect 30.

Secondly Tilly and Nikita with their week one waltz. This was lovely. Proper understated, very classy with Nikita leading well and Tilly looking a million dollars.

Craig gets his first boo's of the show with some typically harsh comments, Bruno is out of his seat, I still don't know why they give him one. By the end 25 marks are awarded, a fair assessment.

Max and Katya are on now with his 2020 jive, with a cameo from one of the more memorable for the wrong reasons performances of recent years. That Simpsons thing. No Dianne, boooooooo, but Katya nails the jive. Max, along with the returning backing dances does ok, but the 14 months off are obvious. There were reasons he only made it to week four, mostly the three vote limit for his previous partner.

During his Janettorium (?) bit he pretty much says he is just happy to be there, but is enjoying being back with the Strictly gang. All three judges pull it apart, correctly, and he gets a generous 20, including a 5 from Craig.

Who's this coming on now, loud cheers, and here is HawaytheSara and Aljaz to do their foxtrot. Aljaz is really popular with the crowd during the initial group dance and again here. Sara getting a great reaction too. The dance was lovely. No surprise there. Sara floating about on the central dancefloor, smiling like a Cheshire cat throughout.

Janettorium time and Aljaz is hitting his haways and cannys with a finesse, flirting with Sara, and Janette saying she is right there. Judges very happy, little niggles give a 27.

Maisie and Kai are up next doing a quickstep. This was the one from her 2020 series, and it was bloody brilliant. Still managed the cartwheel and synchronised well with mini-Anton, flying round the central dancefloor with aplomb.

She is knackered talking to Janette and the judges are on a high over the performance. Bruno was out of his seat. Shock, horror, surprise. Perfect 30. Asked on what their second dance would be, Kai started twerking. That will beca samba then.

Rhys and Nancy are on now and it's charleston time. This got a 40 on the main show, and you can see why. As said earlier, the tv doesn't do these guys justice. Lifts are crisp, more swivel than an LSD inspired dream and another deserved 30 lands.

One couple left, Rose and Gio doing, I'm sure you can guess……….yes, the Argentine. Not sure how best to describe it. Yes I do. Pure filth. It was fantastic, so controlled but looking like two lovers just having private time on a private dancefloor at the same time.

Audience going nuts, judges going nuts, BSL interpreter wad going nuts. 30.

Half time and Janette does a quick scoreboard and opens the voting. Back in 20 minutes.
Good grief !
 
Good grief !
Here we go, part two.

First up, an apology, I missed a group dance to close the first half. They did the Johannes and Kai love story. It was sensational. Same sex couples kept forming and then mixing with others. It all felt natural and not forced, the same as on the tv show. No surprise that Johannes was slightly emotional by the end.

We open the second half with a big group dance featuring all the dancers and celebs. It is the one they did from a ceilidh, complete with Irish dancers, to The Safety Dance. It was a great way to open the second half, and got a great response. It was good to see the celebs taking part in the group dance, even if just small roles.

After some time killing by Janette, now dressed as a black glitterball, does a quick recap on the scores and voting, and the second set of couple's dances begins.

The same running order as the first half, and John and Johannes open it with their showdance from the final. Any other year these guys would have won the main show, they are that good. Much frothing delivers a 30, giving a perfect 60 overall. A strong start.

Tilly and the shirtless one are doing their couple's cop-out that was #nota40. It looked a lot better in real life than on tv, and a set of backing dancers helped to add a sense of occasion to the dance too. An 8 from Craig, then two tens give a 28, and 53 in total.

Max and Katya are back. An American Smooth is offered up. Much better than his jive. Lifts looked clean, and much more in time with Katya. His lack of source material may be hampering him so not much to choose from. Judges still not feeling the love, but a better score of 23 is given, 43 in total.

HawaytheSara and Aljaz are back. Quickstep time, and that thing is back on her head for 9 to 5. Backing dancers add to the big feel of the dance, but really they weren't needed on this one. They are the only ones to venture off the central dancefloor all night on a couple dance going the full length of the arena floor, and look knackered by the end, deservedly so. A well deserved 27 gives a total of 54.

Maisie and mini-Anton are up next with the teased samba. Nailed it, nothing much I can add. Another classy performance, she'd have been a deserving winner in the main show. Another 30, and another perfect 60.

Rhys and Nancy next up with their Argentine. A different animal compared to Rose's, but very good in its own way. Nit sure if Nancy slipped during one of the lifts, but they said Rhys did a great job if saving it. 29 says a lot despite the comments. Just missing out with 59.

Last up closing the competition are Rose and Gio. A surprising choice is a salsa from an early show.








Nope, just kidding it was THAT couple's cop-out. It was eerie when the music cut out, and they kept dancing. Almost silent apart from a few mumbles. I can see why it got the reaction it did in the studio. No surprises it got a perfect 30, and another perfect 60 overall.

All dances done. Voting closing soon, so lets have another group dance. I can't remember which show it was from, but Aljaz plays the bad guy trying to steel Luba away from Katya's bitch.

Voting is now closed and after some chat from Janette with the audience asking who they voted for, including some granny saying Anton, it's almost time for the results. There's just enough time for Janette and the judges to teach a quick simple routine to the Strictly theme tune.

Results time. All seven couples are lined up, red lights the lot. Each couple is eliminated leaving two left to stand together for the last elimination to give a champion. Rose and Gio are last with HawaytheSara and Aljaz. Rose wins again. Well deserved and apparently they have won every show so far. Trophy presented by Craig and celebrations start with a final group dance.

A combination of dancing and curtain call is a great way to finish the show. Even Witchytits is there in the thick of it. This concludes the show.

A few random bits that didn't really fit the narrative, an appendix sort of.

Amy is absolutely gorgeous in real life, a shame she didnt have a celeb to dance with, but along with Luba and Nadiya was well represented backing up the main dancers and in the group dances.

Cameron and Jowita put a shift in. They seemed to be everywhere. In another observation, Jowita makes Janette look huge.

There was enough fire and pyro to keep it special without over doing it and cheapening the effect. Well done the choreography team.

Janette was very smooth hosting and can see why she got the ITT job.

In summary, the ticket wasn't cheap, but worth every penny. Definitely attending next year and wholeheartedly recommend it to any fan of Strictly.

And breathe
 
Here we go, part two.

First up, an apology, I missed a group dance to close the first half. They did the Johannes and Kai love story. It was sensational. Same sex couples kept forming and then mixing with others. It all felt natural and not forced, the same as on the tv show. No surprise that Johannes was slightly emotional by the end.

We open the second half with a big group dance featuring all the dancers and celebs. It is the one they did from a ceilidh, complete with Irish dancers, to The Safety Dance. It was a great way to open the second half, and got a great response. It was good to see the celebs taking part in the group dance, even if just small roles.

After some time killing by Janette, now dressed as a black glitterball, does a quick recap on the scores and voting, and the second set of couple's dances begins.

The same running order as the first half, and John and Johannes open it with their showdance from the final. Any other year these guys would have won the main show, they are that good. Much frothing delivers a 30, giving a perfect 60 overall. A strong start.

Tilly and the shirtless one are doing their couple's cop-out that was #nota40. It looked a lot better in real life than on tv, and a set of backing dancers helped to add a sense of occasion to the dance too. An 8 from Craig, then two tens give a 28, and 53 in total.

Max and Katya are back. An American Smooth is offered up. Much better than his jive. Lifts looked clean, and much more in time with Katya. His lack of source material may be hampering him so not much to choose from. Judges still not feeling the love, but a better score of 23 is given, 43 in total.

HawaytheSara and Aljaz are back. Quickstep time, and that thing is back on her head for 9 to 5. Backing dancers add to the big feel of the dance, but really they weren't needed on this one. They are the only ones to venture off the central dancefloor all night on a couple dance going the full length of the arena floor, and look knackered by the end, deservedly so. A well deserved 27 gives a total of 54.

Maisie and mini-Anton are up next with the teased samba. Nailed it, nothing much I can add. Another classy performance, she'd have been a deserving winner in the main show. Another 30, and another perfect 60.

Rhys and Nancy next up with their Argentine. A different animal compared to Rose's, but very good in its own way. Nit sure if Nancy slipped during one of the lifts, but they said Rhys did a great job if saving it. 29 says a lot despite the comments. Just missing out with 59.

Last up closing the competition are Rose and Gio. A surprising choice is a salsa from an early show.








Nope, just kidding it was THAT couple's cop-out. It was eerie when the music cut out, and they kept dancing. Almost silent apart from a few mumbles. I can see why it got the reaction it did in the studio. No surprises it got a perfect 30, and another perfect 60 overall.

All dances done. Voting closing soon, so lets have another group dance. I can't remember which show it was from, but Aljaz plays the bad guy trying to steel Luba away from Katya's bitch.

Voting is now closed and after some chat from Janette with the audience asking who they voted for, including some granny saying Anton, it's almost time for the results. There's just enough time for Janette and the judges to teach a quick simple routine to the Strictly theme tune.

Results time. All seven couples are lined up, red lights the lot. Each couple is eliminated leaving two left to stand together for the last elimination to give a champion. Rose and Gio are last with HawaytheSara and Aljaz. Rose wins again. Well deserved and apparently they have won every show so far. Trophy presented by Craig and celebrations start with a final group dance.

A combination of dancing and curtain call is a great way to finish the show. Even Witchytits is there in the thick of it. This concludes the show.

A few random bits that didn't really fit the narrative, an appendix sort of.

Amy is absolutely gorgeous in real life, a shame she didnt have a celeb to dance with, but along with Luba and Nadiya was well represented backing up the main dancers and in the group dances.

Cameron and Jowita put a shift in. They seemed to be everywhere. In another observation, Jowita makes Janette look huge.

There was enough fire and pyro to keep it special without over doing it and cheapening the effect. Well done the choreography team.

Janette was very smooth hosting and can see why she got the ITT job.

In summary, the ticket wasn't cheap, but worth every penny. Definitely attending next year and wholeheartedly recommend it to any fan of Strictly.

And breathe
Well that's my half time reading sorted.
 
Here we go, part two.

First up, an apology, I missed a group dance to close the first half. They did the Johannes and Kai love story. It was sensational. Same sex couples kept forming and then mixing with others. It all felt natural and not forced, the same as on the tv show. No surprise that Johannes was slightly emotional by the end.

We open the second half with a big group dance featuring all the dancers and celebs. It is the one they did from a ceilidh, complete with Irish dancers, to The Safety Dance. It was a great way to open the second half, and got a great response. It was good to see the celebs taking part in the group dance, even if just small roles.

After some time killing by Janette, now dressed as a black glitterball, does a quick recap on the scores and voting, and the second set of couple's dances begins.

The same running order as the first half, and John and Johannes open it with their showdance from the final. Any other year these guys would have won the main show, they are that good. Much frothing delivers a 30, giving a perfect 60 overall. A strong start.

Tilly and the shirtless one are doing their couple's cop-out that was #nota40. It looked a lot better in real life than on tv, and a set of backing dancers helped to add a sense of occasion to the dance too. An 8 from Craig, then two tens give a 28, and 53 in total.

Max and Katya are back. An American Smooth is offered up. Much better than his jive. Lifts looked clean, and much more in time with Katya. His lack of source material may be hampering him so not much to choose from. Judges still not feeling the love, but a better score of 23 is given, 43 in total.

HawaytheSara and Aljaz are back. Quickstep time, and that thing is back on her head for 9 to 5. Backing dancers add to the big feel of the dance, but really they weren't needed on this one. They are the only ones to venture off the central dancefloor all night on a couple dance going the full length of the arena floor, and look knackered by the end, deservedly so. A well deserved 27 gives a total of 54.

Maisie and mini-Anton are up next with the teased samba. Nailed it, nothing much I can add. Another classy performance, she'd have been a deserving winner in the main show. Another 30, and another perfect 60.

Rhys and Nancy next up with their Argentine. A different animal compared to Rose's, but very good in its own way. Nit sure if Nancy slipped during one of the lifts, but they said Rhys did a great job if saving it. 29 says a lot despite the comments. Just missing out with 59.

Last up closing the competition are Rose and Gio. A surprising choice is a salsa from an early show.








Nope, just kidding it was THAT couple's cop-out. It was eerie when the music cut out, and they kept dancing. Almost silent apart from a few mumbles. I can see why it got the reaction it did in the studio. No surprises it got a perfect 30, and another perfect 60 overall.

All dances done. Voting closing soon, so lets have another group dance. I can't remember which show it was from, but Aljaz plays the bad guy trying to steel Luba away from Katya's bitch.

Voting is now closed and after some chat from Janette with the audience asking who they voted for, including some granny saying Anton, it's almost time for the results. There's just enough time for Janette and the judges to teach a quick simple routine to the Strictly theme tune.

Results time. All seven couples are lined up, red lights the lot. Each couple is eliminated leaving two left to stand together for the last elimination to give a champion. Rose and Gio are last with HawaytheSara and Aljaz. Rose wins again. Well deserved and apparently they have won every show so far. Trophy presented by Craig and celebrations start with a
Epic stuff. Glad you enjoyed it.
 

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