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Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two - Season 23 Episode 51
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00:00Please welcome your host, Fleur East.
00:25Hello and welcome to your Monday edition of It Takes Two, live on BBC Two and iPlayer.
00:37Wow, Saturday night was pure theatre as our remaining celebs took centre stage,
00:41hoping to impress the judges with five-star performances in Musicals Week.
00:45We witnessed names in light, show-stopping numbers and the shocking final act plot twist,
00:50as one couple struggled to impress the critics.
00:53Now with only four couples called back for the semi-final, it's all to play for.
00:58So let's keep this interval short and sweet and see what's coming up on tonight's show.
01:04Despite giving it their all on Saturday night with a fiery salsa,
01:07the curtain sadly came down on Lewis and Katya's Strictly journey.
01:11We'll be talking to them later about their performance
01:13and what it's like to jet out just shy of the final.
01:16Plus, it's the final week of the Pro Challenge.
01:19We'll be joined by two more pros to see if they've whisked past the competition
01:23and shaken their way to the top of the leaderboard.
01:26And she's back to give us her honest reviews of Saturday night's performances.
01:31It's Joanne Clifton!
01:33Plus, don't forget we love hearing from you.
01:38So if you're wondering what Lewis and Katya will miss the most about one another,
01:42then you can WhatsApp them on our number 0800 022 3801
01:46or just scan the QR code on your screen.
01:49But first, he's back!
01:53And this time the man in red has left us a very special gift.
01:58Yes, inside this box lies the sweet sound of all the songs
02:02our Strictly Christmas celebrity couples will be dancing to.
02:05And we simply cannot wait until the 25th to open it.
02:08So let's start by officially announcing and unwrapping the festive fun.
02:12First up, TV presenter Scarlet Muffet partnered with Vito
02:15will be swapping the North East for the North Pole
02:18and slaying her way onto our screens with a cha-cha-cha to this.
02:24DJ play a Christmas song!
02:28Next up on Santa's setlist is Melanie Blatt and Kai.
02:32From All Saints to All Things Festive,
02:34they'll be floating into an American smooth to this.
02:38Santa baby!
02:39Slip a sable under the tree
02:43And from gladiators to glitter balls,
02:45Jodie Ownsley and partner Neil are up next.
02:47They'll be dropping a street-style routine as fresh as Christmas morning to this.
02:53Red Christmas!
02:57Up next, bringing the Christmas cheer and the punchlines
03:00is comedian Babatunde Aleshay and Nancy.
03:03Their Charleston is set to be full of cheer and chuckles,
03:05all to a version of this.
03:07You better watch out
03:09Santa Claus is coming to town
03:11You better not cry
03:13You better not pout, I am coming to town
03:15Next, under the mistletoe spotlight, dancing with Luba,
03:17it's Nicholas Bailey.
03:18He's leaving Albert Square behind for a Viennese Waltz performed to this.
03:22It's the most wonderful time of the year.
03:28And finally, we're flying without wings into Christmas with Brian McFadden and partner Michelle.
03:34They'll be jiving along on Christmas Day to this.
03:39Oh, run Rudolph, run!
03:43Wow, what a playlist.
03:44We're so excited to watch our celebs glitter, glide and jingle all the way through Christmas Day on BBC One at 5.30.
03:51Cheers, Santa!
03:53You've really delivered!
03:54Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho!
03:57Now, when I think whisk, I picture baking.
03:59Cakes, cookies, meringues.
04:01But our pros aren't after that kind of sugar tonight.
04:03Oh, no.
04:04The only whisks on their minds are the Samba kind.
04:06And we've got two more professionals in the house, ready for an even sweeter reward.
04:11But before we see how they've done, here's Shirley to remind us of that step.
04:15Oh, my cake's ready!
04:17The Strictly Pro challenge is back.
04:22Our professional dancers are attempting to set a world record for the most Samba whisks performed in 30 seconds.
04:32The whisk must step to the side, cross behind and replace.
04:38No mistakes sneak past me.
04:42It's never too early for a disqualification from Shirley.
04:47No!
04:48It's hard, son!
04:49No!
04:50I lost it!
04:51Ah!
04:52Only one pro can be victorious.
04:55Welcome to the Strictly Pro Challenge 2025.
05:02Thanks, Shirley.
05:03First up, this Brummie-born dancer was crowned under-21 British national champion.
05:08And she's hoping she's done more than Oakley Doakley this year.
05:11Joining her is two-time world and European champion, who's definitely Nad here to mess about.
05:17Give it up for Lauren and Nadia!
05:19Yes!
05:20Hello!
05:21Welcome, ladies!
05:22You've both taken the Pro Challenge title home at least once.
05:38Lauren, your one and only win was in 2023 with a pendulum step, a classic ballroom move.
05:43Mm-hmm.
05:44So when you heard it was a Latin step, how confident were you?
05:47At the point when we get asked to do the Pro Challenge, I don't really consider whether it's boring and Latin,
05:52I just think I've got to do this and I've got to do it quickly.
05:55Yes.
05:56Mm-hmm.
05:57I like it.
05:58I can feel the competitiveness that's coming off you.
05:59I think it's nerves.
06:00Yes.
06:01And Nadia, you already hold two Pro Challenge records.
06:03Most Fleckles in 2020, most Pater Cakes in 2021.
06:07Yes.
06:08What would it mean to hold a third?
06:09Oh, it would be fun, no?
06:10What is better than two?
06:11Three?
06:12Exactly.
06:13Let's take a look at the current leaderboard.
06:15Let's see where we're at.
06:16Ooh, Amy and Yavita at the top there.
06:19I think good.
06:20Girl power.
06:21Mm-hmm.
06:22Exactly.
06:23What do you guys got on?
06:24Lauren, we'll start with you.
06:29I have been whisking my way through life since I was four years old.
06:32I don't know how well or how quickly.
06:34So I honestly have no idea how it's going to go, but I'm really going to try my best.
06:39Come on, Lauren.
06:40You got this.
06:42Hello, hello.
06:43Hello, Miss Lauren.
06:45Tell me how you're feeling.
06:46You do look a little bit nervous.
06:48I am nervous.
06:49Well, in 2023, you were a world record holder.
06:53And the following year, Kai took your crown.
06:56How did you feel about that?
06:58Honestly, I was fuming that he took my crown.
07:00Why?
07:01Yeah.
07:02I wanted to do it two years in a row.
07:03Well, wishing you the very, very best, Lauren.
07:06Please take centre stage.
07:07OK.
07:08This is an official attempt.
07:11In three, two, one, go.
07:21You're doing well there.
07:22How's those legs feeling?
07:23Good.
07:24They're good.
07:25Keep it going.
07:26I'm trying to hear the sound of my heels on the floor to make sure I get the ball flat.
07:29This could be a good idea.
07:30This could be a good idea.
07:3115 seconds.
07:32Halfway.
07:33Halfway.
07:34You're doing good, Lauren.
07:37Getting them smaller, so I can get quicker.
07:39I like that.
07:40Five, four...
07:41Here it comes.
07:42Three, two, one.
07:45Stop.
07:47Lauren!
07:49Well done.
07:51Tell me, Lauren, how are you feeling?
07:54I'm feeling OK.
07:55My heart's pounding a little bit, but I think my technique was all right and I could hear my heels on the floor.
08:00Well, that's always a good sign, isn't it?
08:02I think so.
08:03From where I'm sitting, that looked pretty good, Miss Lauren.
08:06Thank you so much.
08:07Thank you for having me.
08:12I'm feeling pleasantly surprised.
08:13It was a lot easier to get the ball flat of the toe than I thought it would be.
08:17I think I stand a good chance.
08:19It was actually just a whisk in the park.
08:22Yes!
08:23Lauren, you went smaller and quicker with your technique listening out for the heel.
08:30Yeah.
08:31Why did you decide that was the best option?
08:33Well, listen, when we have a celebrity, we always say if you want to go quicker, make the steps smaller.
08:38I wanted to practise what I preach.
08:40OK.
08:41So, the smaller the step, the quicker you can be.
08:43All right.
08:44My favourite is hands.
08:45Yeah, hands are amazing.
08:46If only they count.
08:48Let's find out how many steps you got, Lauren.
08:51Oh, my God.
08:52After each of the professionals made their attempt, the footage was watched back by adjudicators
08:55in slow motion to verify every single step to make sure they were accurate.
08:59Lauren, I can reveal that in 30 seconds, you completed.
09:1140 steps.
09:12Yes!
09:13That's amazing!
09:14This will put you top of the leaderboard, unless there are two steps.
09:17Unless there are any disqualifications.
09:19We'll see.
09:20We'll see.
09:21All right.
09:22Before we find out how many disqualifications you got, let's see how your fellow pro, Nadia,
09:26got on.
09:30I've already got two world records.
09:32What is better than two?
09:34Three.
09:36I always have a game plan.
09:38And I'm ready.
09:42Hello, Miss Nadia.
09:43Hello.
09:44How are you?
09:45I'm very well.
09:46I've warmed up.
09:47I did all the push-ups.
09:48Not sure they'll help.
09:49I'm sure that you want to be at the top of that leaderboard again, right?
09:51Of course.
09:52Of course.
09:53Absolutely.
09:54That's why we're doing it.
09:55And are you excited to do this whisk?
09:56I am.
09:57But please, Shirley, don't judge me on samba technique.
09:59Just the right footwork.
10:01Please take centre stage, gorgeous lady, and show us the samba whisk.
10:07This is an official attempt.
10:09In three, two, one, go.
10:15Wow, she's really going for speed there.
10:20You go, girl.
10:23That's very fast, isn't it?
10:2415 seconds.
10:25Keep it going.
10:26Half way.
10:27Past half way.
10:28These legs will be going in a minute.
10:29Five, four, three, two, one.
10:30Stop.
10:32Did you enjoy that?
10:33I tried.
10:34I was looking down.
10:35I was making sure the heels are down.
10:36Oh, I almost stopped on my toes, but loved it.
10:40It really helps with the fitness, don't you think?
10:42It really does.
10:43Well, we're very excited to see where you finish on the leaderboard
10:46with your version of our samba whisk.
10:48All right.
10:49Let's go.
10:50Let's go.
10:51Let's go.
10:52Let's go.
10:53Let's go.
10:54Let's go.
10:55Let's go.
10:56Let's go.
10:57Let's go.
10:58Let's go.
10:59Let's go.
11:00Let's go.
11:01Now, Natalie, you told Shirley not to judge your samba technique.
11:06There was not something like an exercise, but it dznew you
11:08AZIZZ music.
11:09With your version of our Samba whisk.
11:11Thank you very much.
11:12Fingers crossed.
11:15Oh, I'm feeling like I'm hardly breathing, and my thighs are burning.
11:18I gave everything I had, and I used my variation of getting as many whisks as possible.
11:24I need that third world record, guys.
11:25Come on.
11:26Let's go.
11:27Yes.
11:28I need it.
11:29Come on.
11:30there was no sound like she said it was your version of the samba whisk why did
11:35you decide to take that approach well I was looking for the fastest way of
11:39executing a version of samba whisk to get the Guinness record so the important
11:44was is to put the hill on and off the floor I was listening to the sound as
11:49well and that was I don't know from the days I was practicing the samba whisk
11:53not for 30 years of my life but that kind of felt like the quickest way of
12:01doing it I loved my arms shall we see how you've done yes Nadia I can reveal in
12:1030 seconds you completed
12:1254 steps so that means you could be at the top of the leaderboard however there is the small
12:29matter of disqualifications it could be either one of you let's see how many steps you both ended up
12:34with after disqualifications and find out whether that was a risky technique Nadia well I can reveal
12:42that the pro challenge leaderboard now looks like this
12:46amazing which means even though you've got zero disqualifications Nadia you only got one which
12:57puts you at the top of the leaderboard congratulations thank you it was a risky technique but indeed Shirley
13:04may have had a few reservations about the transference of weight but the adjudicators acknowledge that you
13:09did hit the Guinness guidelines a flat pool play who do you think is Nadia's biggest competition we've
13:16got Nikita Neil and Kai left I would like it to be Neil because he's always the bridesmaid never the
13:22bride he's always second so I'd really like him to get it this shame and I think he was really like
13:28preparing for this he was going but that was the yeah he's also not stop talking about it since oh yeah okay
13:35well let's hear it for Lauren and Nadia
13:41now there is only one person who can compare an exquisite elegant ballroom move to a tuna sandwich so
13:46effortlessly here to chat more heel leads and meal deals it's of course Joanne Clifton in choreography corner
13:52what an incredible weekend what did you make of it oh my gosh I know we say it every year but they've upped their game again this is possibly the best year ever it was sensational okay let's get straight into the
14:22Saturday night's dances Karen and Carlos and the Samba Motsey praised Karen's attack in conviction and she picked up on multiple rhythm changes and the difficulty going from a spin into a promenade run what made this so impressive well if we have a look at the clip it's coming up in a second and she does kind of three slow turns here it is one two three and then really really fast quicker quicker quicker and then into one two three one two three okay and that the one two three is a really basic Samba rhythm one of the eleven which I shall show you on my
14:52my board very nice we have eleven basic Samba rhythms now if for you guys at home I suggest that you rewind and pause on here if you're interested in it because there's some examples of what steps you can do with these rhythms
15:05um and yeah you can see so the one she did here is the one two three which actually has to be slow and controlled so she went from slow to really really syncopated and fast into this basic one
15:16uh and she did that a lot and you will recognize a lot of these in her routine which was fantastic could she have used a little bit more um movement in her upper body yes I feel like she could use it like as if there's like eels slipping over each other
15:31in the top of her body as well we're taking it under the sea okay on to Balvinda and Julian and the Viennese waltz now Anton Shirley and Mozzie all loved its sensitivity
15:40grace and charm and Anton loved the way she swept across the floor with enormous shift what did he mean and how did that help the performance
15:47well basically they're meaning how in in the basic movements here um she's moving across the floor striding with those legs
15:55and basically what she was doing really well I don't know whether they have stood it in this depth
15:59but it was the coordination between the body weight and the moving foot in the driving steps okay so basically there's five actions that we do it so it's actually quite complicated you lower you take your body weight forward you take your moving leg forward to center balance you push off the back and then you recover and that okay that keeps your body weight moving and flying across the floor they managed to do that together in harmony and they managed to fly she was like moving around quite a lot which was great
16:28um she didn't do quite the fleckle um footwork properly it started off great and then she started running around just running around like that which is called a standing spin not a fleckle but it was another great dance
16:40all right on to Amber and Nikita and the Charleston the second week in a row Amber and Nikita have secured a perfect score what did you enjoy the most about this routine
16:48do you know what of course the character and the storytelling was it was great I mean these lifts were incredible but the the storytelling was of course great but it was at the right level and what I mean by that is like there was little details like when Nikita kind of stepped forward and she pretended she wasn't expecting it so she was she just did it a little bit after and it was just quite subtle but still great the lifts were great um the angles that they were all at that were together with not just Nikita but with the with the backing dancers as well and it was just quite subtle but still great the lifts were great um the angles that they were all at
17:18and do you know what I think we should do a bit of her routine in demo time yes let's do it yeah we're not even going to go talk about technique we're going to do a bit of her routine don't worry it's not going to be them lifts okay right so we're going to take take you outside leg like I used to tell Scott Mills because you couldn't tell left from right so we're going to kick forward kick then in then out and step back then we're going to do a rock backwards rock and step forward put your arms up
17:48step now we're going to go you're going to go that way I'm going this way side close side side close side and spin in towards each other one two three and shimmy round
17:59oh that was fun and there is a bit of numbers routine for you to try at home so much fun on to George and Alexis and the Argentine tango now the judges praised them and Craig thought George handled the difficult music well but felt the footwork was a little untidy and that he was shuffling into lifts to gain purchase
18:17was this an issue for you not so much I mean if we look at the clip these are this is the slow lifts in the slow lift he was very grounded planted he wasn't shuffling into them at all when the music did get faster I did you could see that he was doing more steps right he was doing more steps because it was faster music faster lifts and in the Argentine tango it's not like the other dances where you need to use your heels and toes for rise and fall and things like that it's more like a walking action it's very very natural
18:47so maybe Craig thought that was shuffling maybe we could have had more a frame yes I agree with that I feel like he was projecting more like a pasado blade than the chest over but the partnering I just wanted to say to those at home what the partnering is when they keep talking about it's not just the trust of the lifts and catching her at the right time or whatever
19:05it's actually using their contact points the two hands here especially in the Argentine tango you can move your hands like this to lead along with body weight and just feel her balance the whole time and counterbalance it so they're both on balance all the time and I think he's absolutely brilliant at that
19:22I love it thank you so much Joe we'll see you next week let's hear it for Joanne Clifton
19:27now just like any musical there's a final number and sadly for Lewis and Katia their West Side Story Salsa became their last performance and when that Jet vs. Sharks showdown became all too real there was no encore waiting in the wings here's a reminder of their performance
19:44you pushed it physically there was so much content in this dance and you were always the star within the dance
19:56it wasn't your best dance for me there was missed connections on all these hustle things but still there was a lot to like
20:04the musical theatre stuff was strong the partnering stuff you needed to be a bit more subtle but all in all I'd rather liked it I have to say
20:12give it up for Lewis and Katia everybody Lewis you've given us so many incredible performances over the last 11 weeks how have you been navigating your emotions since the shock at the weekend
20:27um you know we're just trying to focus on the positives really you know it's been an amazing 11 weeks and of course it hurts and it'll take a bit of time to get over but yeah I'm really proud of what we've done so
20:41yeah you've absolutely smashed it and Katia your mantra was always more is more yeah and Lewis has absolutely smashed it topping the leaderboard five times earning two perfect scores looking back on your journey how glad are you that you stuck to your mantra
20:55yes I wouldn't do anything any differently we stayed true to ourselves on each number and like I said you know a lot of my life I was told less Katia less stop you know
21:09but finally I just needed the right dance partner to match that so much your energy yeah we you know we did say was such a good team
21:18weren't we and we every day we said to ourselves at the very start of this that every day is going to be positive day is going to be a yes room and we really have stuck to that haven't we we said we're going to bring only positive vibes to every Saturday you know every my favorite part was always every Saturday you text me 6am
21:38morning mush
21:41morning mush let's do it we've got this and then I knew we've got it you know he's going to deliver and yeah anyway you better stop
21:50but you know Lewis you mentioned that your family have been brought together every Saturday to watch Strictly how have they reacted to the news
21:57yeah I mean that they're good but this there's so much to like about the whole thing and you know to have them for generations come together every Saturday and to you know open different conversations that they've never really had before and show different sides to them that I've never seen before as well as
22:15it's been um it's been really beautiful for me yeah well there is someone who couldn't be prouder of everything you've accomplished and wanted to share a few words with you
22:22hello Lewis and Katia we are very proud of you you have took us on some journey Saturday night's not going to be the same look to both of you last orders in the Strictly bar
22:37before we talk about your red light dance off let's talk about your west side dance off what a performance dance at the gym was no lie that was a proper workout how did that routine compare to a session at the gym well yeah it was good it was great it was really fun to have all the extra dancers again it was like going back to Blackpool we had that sort of feel and that energy and they really do lift your
23:07up and you know thank you to all of them for that but yeah it was it was a workout carrying two people on his shoulders yeah
23:14the action-packed choreography right at the end extra dancers but Katia Motsi still said that Lewis was the star how proud are you that he really embodied that character he did and you know what looking back obviously like I can't help but to think oh maybe I could have done things differently
23:35to you know to you know to make it work for him better and
23:42you did everything perfect but he can only do what I've asked him to do you know and whatever I've asked you to do you didn't just do this time every single day and we were in a tough position I feel like
23:57I feel like we were expected to deliver this almost perfect show-stopping routines every single Saturday which you did I don't know how but you did because of you and you know that's that's it's tough but also I'm really really proud we
24:16it's been a hard three months actually it paid off we've seen so much from you Lewis flips splits cartwheels jumping through Katia's legs twice honestly but behind all of that we saw some real heart and dedication that you brought to the floor so now's the time to look at some of your best moments
24:38hopefully my acting can help me in the storytelling but obviously I still need to remember the steps and everything else
24:47this energy like dynamite
24:51I don't think you need all the highlights and tricks because I actually believe that you could be a fantastic dancer
24:57I am loving the elegance of the Viennese waltz I need to get the technique right
25:03you're very talented I want you to keep the power once you keep the passion but I need refinement
25:08I don't know whether it's the spray tans or the glittery costumes but all of a sudden I've just felt amazing
25:18this was a much more controlled performance
25:22I couldn't believe me eyes
25:29Saturday night was the best night of my life I would love to be able to get that feeling again
25:35that was beautiful
25:39your dance partner is the most important thing Katia is outstanding
25:46the first person I called when I found out I was going to be doing Strictly was Nana Dot
25:58I love her to pieces
26:00I'm really really proud of Lewis
26:03I'd like to do this dance for everyone in here for me full family
26:07I just want to do them proud
26:10this is one of those moments we're going to look in 5-10 years and be like oh remember when Lewis came and did that thing
26:20that dance is as good as anything we've ever seen on any series
26:27Craig got his tent paddle out for you
26:31that's 40
26:33my family were absolutely over the moon
26:36I don't think I will ever get over the feeling
26:39he has grown so much as a dancer
26:42now I'm just so lucky to have a partner like Lewis
26:45your timing's brilliant just keep going because I love it
26:51I don't think there's ever a man that could dance a tangle like this
26:57it feels like such an achievement to have made it through a black pool
27:03it was absolutely extraordinary
27:06full of emotion I loved it
27:16was the dance fantastic yes was it your best not in my opinion
27:22I have loved being on Strictly it's taught me so much not just dancing but about life and about me
27:35I have enjoyed every single second of it
27:38proud is not enough of a word to express how I feel about what he's achieved
27:45I've been so privileged to share this experience with Lewis
27:51you're never past anything you can always learn a new skill you can always challenge yourself
27:58and I'm going to take that forward for the rest of my life
28:02what a journey we've had so many questions come in for you
28:10Emma has sent this in Lewis how would you describe your Strictly experience in three words
28:17three words
28:23rewarding
28:26and heartwarming
28:28yeah you can see how much it means to both of you
28:31what do you think is going to stay with you the most from your time on Strictly
28:34I think it's
28:36not really about dancing or anything
28:38I
28:39you have made me fall in love with dance
28:42but you've also made me fall
28:44in love with life again
28:46so thank you
28:48aww
28:49Lewis you've grown every week by taking feedback on board
28:51Sunday's show ended with a standing ovation
28:54and emotional judges
28:56how do you reflect on the impact you've made
28:58on the show for people at home
29:01well I'd just like to say thank you to everyone at home because
29:05without them I wouldn't have been here this long and
29:08you know we've gained so much joy from dancing so
29:13if they were able to get some joy from us as well then
29:16listen you've brought us some you as a sensational performer you've produced some of the most iconic routines this show has ever seen
29:23we were so lucky the whole nation we were so lucky
29:26we were lucky
29:27we were lucky
29:28your magic
29:29because you are one of a kind
29:30your
29:31our magic
29:32and you are made for something extraordinary
29:33guys
29:34give it up for Lewis and Katyn
29:36amazing
29:37that's it for tonight
29:38thanks to all my guests
29:39I'm back tomorrow with a show you do not want to miss
29:41it will be an entire episode dedicated to the fabulous Tess and Claudia
29:44who are joining me right here in the It Takes Two studio
29:47that's from 6.30
29:49see ya
30:02on BBC iPlayer 2025 went off
30:06oh my god
30:07the twists
30:08that's quite a twist
30:09the comebacks
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