Is this 'Strictly's' strongest semi-final line-up ever? Find out who's still in the running to win
Strictly Come Dancing has lined up one of its strongest final fives ever, with judges’ favourite Ashley Roberts just scraping into the semi-final.
The contest was too close to call on Saturday night as every couple scored 35 or above, but actor Charles Venn was the unlucky celebrity to be voted out at the quarter-final stage as he went up against Roberts.
Twists, turns, up and downs 🎢 No one's had a #Strictly journey quite like @ChuckyVenn 👏 @karen_hauer pic.twitter.com/YZf5RCKBLP
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) December 2, 2018
No way should Charles go…never danced before and what a kick in the teeth by being beaten by a professional dancer..gutted #Strictly
— deborah knight (@briggs1957) December 2, 2018
It was her second week running in the dance off with Pasha Kovalev – the show’s fans have started to tire of seeing the former Pussycat Doll top the leaderboard every time, complaining about her advantage from years working as a dancer.
Even Craig Revel Horwood weighed in on the debate ahead of the dance off, telling Roberts: “This isn’t your dance genre at all, and I think you’re amazing the way you’ve picked it up.”
Poor Ashley, she’s clearly so hurt about the public’s perception of her.. like Alexandra Burke all over again #Strictly
— Rob (@thealmightywob) December 2, 2018
I do think Ashley is a lovely person and I'm sure she does work extremely hard but so does everyone else and they don't have the vast dancing experience she does. Regardless if it's not her dance style Craig, she still has an advantage to the rest #strictly
— Chloe Carroll (@ChloRida_) December 2, 2018
Ashley is a professional dancer so unfair this year, thank goodness the final is judged by the people! #Strictly
— Amy Campbell-Clarke (@AmyCampbellCla3) December 2, 2018
Meanwhile, Faye Tozer scored a perfect 40, Stacey Dooley and Joe Sugg have been adding to their collections of 10s from the judges, and Lauren Steadman has a huge number of fans who save her from the bottom two each week, despite being at the bottom of the leaderboard.
The judges were unanimous in their decision to save Roberts for her Quickstep to Don’t Rain on My Parade over Venn and Karen Clifton’s Rumba to Maria in Musicals Week.
Not fair to judge on dance styles. It was about the way they danced and for me Charles put so much emotion into it. #Strictly
— Cathy Moran (@CafeMeringue) December 2, 2018
Charles is a gent. A gent who can dance, and dance well. I hope his career gets a genuine boost from his #Strictly run.
— Gill Alexander (@gillalexander) December 2, 2018
Charles's dances was the most beautiful thing it's heartbreaking that he has to leave … No shot against a professional #strictly
— Mara (@SmoothieM123) December 2, 2018
I'm sorry but I do not agree!! Charles was by far better!! I like Ashley but Charles' rumba was amazing!! #strictly
— 🎀△⃒⃘ ⚯͛𝓐𝓲𝓶𝓮𝓮 𝓘𝓵𝓮𝓼 △⃒⃘ ⚯͛🎀 (@Mrs_Aimee_iles) December 2, 2018
Venn thanked his family for his support during the series, adding: “I have to pay extreme homage to this woman here, because Karen Clifton turned me into a promising dancer.
“This woman has been by my side and supported me, she’s been strict, she’s been solid, she’s been caring and loving, sensitive and intuitive, and I’m adamant that without her I don’t know how I would have got to this level.”
Clifton said: “You have been the most humble, the most professional person who I have ever worked with.
“Thank you for always respecting me as a woman, as a friend, and as a teacher, and I will never forget this journey that we had together.”
A #Strictly partnership we'll never forget. RT to send @ChuckyVenn and @karen_hauer all the love 💖 pic.twitter.com/kjxDPAseWg
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) December 2, 2018
Venn and Clifton had endured their fair share of dance offs before their number was finally up, but now that Roberts is becoming a regular in the bottom two, the other couples must be feeling the strain.
With her perfect routines and high judges’ scores, is there anyone that would be chosen over Roberts in the dance off?
So gutted for Charles. Fantastic amateur eliminated by a professional Ashley. How many more people get unfairly kicked out because of her?! #dontlethergettofinal #Strictly
— Izzy (@izzydoh) December 2, 2018
Next week, she’ll be up against viewer favourite Dooley, accomplished dancer Tozer, and Sugg and Steadman with their hordes of fans, with all five celebs hoping to make it to the final.
Sunday’s results show continued the musicals theme, including a pro group dance featuring Aladdin star Trevor Dion Nicholas and a musical performance from Adam Lambert singing We Will Rock You.
Just when you thought #Strictly Musicals Week couldn't get any better, THIS happens 🤩 @astonishingtrev pic.twitter.com/T3nvpXdsX5
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) December 2, 2018
Lambert’s performance had an added frisson of excitement for viewers as it included a dance routine from husband-and-wife pair Neil and Katya Jones, who hit headlines earlier in the series when Katya was spotted kissing her celebrity dance partner Seann Walsh.
Yasss Queen! @adamlambert positively rocked the #Strictly Ballroom tonight 🤘🎸 pic.twitter.com/UhHDdYBFOE
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) December 2, 2018
NEIL AND KATYA ARE DANCING TOGETHER DON’T TOUCH ME #Strictly
— Rebecca Joubert (@beckabeckybex) December 2, 2018
Hi Neil and Katya partnering away, nothing to see here I'm sure *whistles* #scd #strictly
— Marianka Swain (@mkmswain) December 2, 2018
You watching this Seann Walsh ……… Neil & Katya #Strictly
— Who's asking? (@HaroldShand1979) December 2, 2018
Strictly Come Dancing’s semi-final is on Saturday, December 8 at 6.35pm on BBC One.
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