Strictly Come Dancing, week eight: 6 talking points, from Ashley making Shirley cry to Danny coming last on the leaderboard

Stacey Dooley, Faye Tozer and Ashley Roberts look firm favourites to make it through

Strictly Come Dancing 2018: Ashley Roberts and Pasha Kovalev dance on week eight

Another week, another display of stunning routines on Strictly Come Dancing.

Glossing over the obsession with Blackpool, there was lots to enjoy tonight (10 November), and it was heartening to see Lauren and Charles climb the leaderboard, mixing up the competition.

We had tears from the judges, Rylan Clark Neal announcing the Ts and Cs, and more mentions of the Tower Ballroom than even the tourist board would think reasonable. Here’s what happened…

Ashley makes Shirley cry…

…in a good way of course! Ashley has, perhaps unfairly, received a lot more stick than Faye for being a trained dancer. That’s probably because Faye is fizzing with excitement to be on the show, whereas Ashley can come across as rather blasé.

Not tonight though. She shared the story of her recent bereavement and dedicated her breathtakingly emotional couple’s choice contemporary routine to her late dad. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house and even Shirley was blubbing. The routine still didn’t get a full 40 though, Craig is still looking for his ten paddle…

Faye and Joe come crashing down to earth

By this stage in the competition, we can usually predict which couples will sail through the judges’ comments without any serious putdowns. Faye and Joe both have a foot in the final already, but it wasn’t the best week for either of them.

Yes, Faye finished second on the leaderboard but Shirley really went to town with her critique, telling the Steps star that all the other couples looked like they were fighting much harder than her. A bit of a kick in the teeth for a woman who has spent a big chunk of the week in physio because she’s training so hard.

Golden boy Joe couldn’t nail the samba either and finished fourth from last. You can bet your Facebook password he’ll be back on the show next week though.

Graeme channels Mr Motivator

There should have been a ‘do not adjust your set’ warning for Graeme and Oti’s fluorescent aerobics-inspired routine, complete with treadmill choreography, tiny shorts and impressive lifts.

Entertaining and energetic, the judges mostly just looked shocked at what they had witnessed and couldn’t help but smile. It didn’t translate into amazing marks though – they’re third from bottom and with one dance-off under their belt could be about to face another.

Charles nails the Charleston

Every year there’s a celeb who faces the humiliation of repeated dance-offs. This series it’s Charles and his partner Karen, who have survived it three times. I’ll be surprised if they’re back there tonight though – their window-cleaning themed Charleston (yes, really) earned them a whopping 35/40 and helped them finish third on the leaderboard. Strong work.

Danny’s in danger

Oh, how the tide has turned since Danny wowed us in the early weeks. He’s been the subject of headlines after a training room spat with Amy, and must be worried he’ll face trial by media as happened to Sean(n) and Katya. We’d all hoped his fall to the bottom of the leaderboard last weekend was a one-off but he’s back there again tonight after the judges found his samba too spiky. Will the public still be supporting him?

Something’s happening in Blackpool

Yes, the annual Tower Ballroom spectacular is on the horizon next week and all the couples are desperate to take part. They only mentioned it 6000 times. Claudia mocked the obsession and recommended strong black coffee for anyone who had been taking a shot for every mention.

Still, Strictly faces the strong possibility that everyone is now bored of Blackpool already. But much fun can be gleaned from watching rich celebs pretend they’re desperate to visit the British seaside in November rather than jet off to Barbados.

The Independent live-blogged along with all the action. Catch up on everything that happened, moment-by-moment, below.

Catch the Strictly results show on BBC One at 7.50pm.

[10 November 2018 20:05 · emmabullimore]

Joe and Dianne: Samba scores

Craig: 7

Darcey: 8

Shirley: 8

Bruno: 9

Total: 32

'I knew Monday morning this wasn't my dance,' admits Joe. Bless him.

Claudia shocked he's never been to Blackpool. It's really not that shocking.

[10 November 2018 20:06 · emmabullimore]

AJ turned 24 this week. That's 24. He’s barely more than a zygote. Still, he’s old enough to choreograph a Viennese Waltz, and he has told Lauren he’s determined for them to get their first nine this week. So far this series, they've been voted through even with some rough scores, so public support is clearly on their side. Time for them to make some proper improvement though...

[10 November 2018 20:10 · emmabullimore]

Performance isn't Lauren's strength but this does have a lovely emotional quality to it, there's a real fluidity of movement and a nice top line. A good effort at the rise and fall too. Lauren keen to compliment AJ on the way he has choreographed the dances to incorporate her disability, and it's true you barely notice any alterations have been made to the hold, great job AJ.

[10 November 2018 20:11 · emmabullimore]

Darcey loved it but would love a more exaggerated top line. Shirley full of praise and says Lauren is inspiring people week after week. Brrrruno is hugging them! He tells them they're getting lovelier with every dance. Pass the bucket.

[10 November 2018 20:13 · emmabullimore]

Lauren and AJ: Viennese Waltz scores

Craig: 8

Darcey: 8

Shirley: 9

Bruno: 9

Total: 34

They did it - two nines! 'I loved every moment,' said Lauren.

[10 November 2018 20:15 · emmabullimore]

Charles and Karen are closing the show with a cheeky Charleston. It's one of Karen's favourite dances and tends to earn her high scores. They were so disappointed to be back in the dance off last weekend, here's hoping they'll get another reprieve with this routine, which should play to their strengths. They're playing window cleaners in this number by the way. Standard Strictly.

[10 November 2018 20:18 · emmabullimore]

Hell yeah, Charles! Once you see past Karen's terrible wig, this is a sparky, well-executed routine with amazing athleticism. Those lifts! It's a tough piece of music to choreograph to, so they've been slightly stitched up there, but this is entertaining with impressive highlights. Should score well, but they're not out of the danger zone...

[10 November 2018 20:20 · emmabullimore]

Shirley loved it and tells Charles he's fantastic. 'Sparkling and squeaky clean!' raves Brrrruno and compliments the hip hop elements in the choreography. He reckons it's their best dance yet, but we all know that was their couple's choice routine. Craig is being booed after daring to say it wasn't perfect.

[10 November 2018 20:22 · emmabullimore]

Charles and Karen: Charleston scores

Craig: 8

Darcey: 9

Shirley: 9

Bruno: 9

Total: 35

They're overwhelmed by those scores. 'I've never worked with anyone as professional and loving as Charles,' says Karen. Bit of a kick in the teeth to her ex Kevin...

[10 November 2018 20:23 · emmabullimore]

'They all want to be aboard the Blackpool Express next week,' says Claudia. Good job she mentioned, I'd never have guessed. Still, a great excuse to dress up Neil as a set of traffic lights. Sometimes I wonder if this is really happening.