Strictly Come Dancing – live: Shayne Ward hits back on criticism he was ‘over-confident’
All the updates from week two of the BBC dancing competition
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Strictly Come Dancing week two is in full swing – and it’s already been eventful. Shayne Ward has hit back at social media abuse, Chris McCausland has made the best joke of the season, we’ve had a Shania Twain number and Nick Knowles managed to dance after an injury meant he could only train for 16 hours.
Earlier this week, the DIY SOS host suffered a shouder injury, throwing his participation into question – but he did perform despite having just “two days” to rehearse.
The first two weeks of the BBC competition have eased this year’s crop of stars into proceedings, with a launch show that saw the contestants partnered with their respective professional, and a first week of dances in which nobody was eliminated.
However, this week, the judges’ scores from last week will roll over and will then be combined with the viewer vote, meaning two couples will have to take part in the dreaded dance-off during Sunday’s results show (29 September).
Out of the 15 couples who danced in week one, the leaderboard was topped with 31 points by JLS star JB Gill and Amy Dowden, who made a triumphant return to Strictly after being too ill to compete in last year’s series as she was recovering from treatment for stage three breast cancer.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the scale is punk-rock singer Toyah Willcox, who scored 12 out of 40, and former Arsenal player Merson, who received just 17 for his American Smooth to the football anthem “Vindaloo”.
Huge standing ovation for Chris
“Everyone in this room is on their feet right now. Oh my goodness! I think you’re a popular man,” said Tess. “It’s a lot, innit,” came Chris’s reply. Absolutely here for this British understatement
The scores for Sam’s Charleston are here
Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin danced the Charleston to Bob Wilson and his Varsity Rhythm Boys.
Craig called it “sloppy and heavy” but he was impressed by the “swivel at the end” - “amazing”, he said.
And the scores aaaaare - Craig 4, Motsi 6, Shirley 6, Anton 6. So 22 overall.
That’s a little down from last week’s score, which was 23.
Can JB top the leaderboard again?
In week one, the leaderboard was topped with 31 points by JLS star JB Gill and Amy Dowden.
This week, they performed the Cha Cha to “Closer” by Ne-Yo...
The scores were 7 from Craig, 7 from Motsi, 6 from Shirley and 7 from Anton. That’s 27... still fairly strong but is it enough?
Wynne’s scores are in
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones danced the Viennese Waltz to “The Blue Danube” by Johann Strauss II
The moving dance received a 7 from Craig, a 7 from Motsi, an 8 from Shirley and an 8 from Anton, that’s 30... so a good improvement on last week’s 26!
Chris McCausland makes hilarious dig at Craig
“By the sound of it, Craig is blinder than I am” - this was what Chris, the show’s first ever blind contestant, had to say after Craig dissed Paul’s week two dance. Love it
Paul’s scores are in
Bless Paul, he said even his wife “slaughtered” his performance when she saw a video of rehearsals. It was a 2 from Craig, 4 from Motsi, 4 from Shirley and 5 from Anton
Paul Merson leaves Shirley speechless
Paul Merson and Karen Hauer have done the Salsa to “Fireball” by Pitbull. And now they’re being eviscerated by the judges.
Well, it certainly wasn’t as wild as last week’s American Smooth to “Vindaloo”, but my colleague did just say: “Oh gawd he’s giving bbq dad.”
As Anton put it: “I don’t want to talk to you about the technique because there wasn’t any.” Shirley said she was “speechless”.
Punam’s scores are in
So, Anton compared Punam to a floppy fish. Not super ideal. But the scores are in...
A 4 from Craig, 5 from Motsi, 4 from Shirley and 5 from Anton - that’s 18. One point off last week’s 19... but she’s never danced before! And she’s just danced to Shania on BBC One on a Saturday night ! Go girl.
Punam is dancing to Shania
If you’re dancing to Shania Twain, you’ve got my vote. Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez’s Foxtrot to “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” is in full swing and they’re looking sleek all in black. Gorka’s trousers are making me think of that Friends scene with Ross and the leather trousers and the talc and the cream...
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