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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.
11:01with your version of ensemble whisk.
11:02Thank you very much.
11:03Fingers crossed.
11:04Oh, I'm feeling like I'm hardly breathing, and my thighs are
11:10burning.
11:11I gave everything I had and I used my variation of getting
11:15as many whisks as possible.
11:17I need that third world record, guys.
11:20Come on.
11:21Let's go.
11:22ÅŸey Really?
11:23I need it.
11:24Come on.
11:25Now, Nadia, you told Shirley not to judge your samba technique.
11:29technique there was no sound like she said it was your version of the samba
11:34whisk why did you decide to take that approach well I was looking for the
11:38fastest way of executing a version of samba whisk to get the Guinness record
11:43so the important was is to put the hill on and off the floor I was listening to
11:48the sound as well and that was I don't know from the days I was practicing the
11:53samba whisk not for 30 years of my life but just for the
11:57goodness right that kind of felt like the quickest way of doing it I loved my
12:02arms shall we see how you've done yes Nadia I can reveal that in 30 seconds you
12:11completed 54 so that means you could be at the top of the leaderboard however there
12:29is the small matter of disqualifications it could be either one of you let's see
12:33how many steps you both ended up with after disqualification and find out
12:38whether that was a risky technique Nadia well I can reveal that the pro
12:43challenge leaderboard now looks like this
12:46amazing even though you've got zero disqualifications Nadia you only got one
12:57which puts you at the top of the leaderboard it was a risky technique but
13:03indeed Shirley may have had a few reservations about the transference of
13:06weight but the adjudicators acknowledge that you did hit the Guinness guidelines
13:10a flat pool play who do you think is Nadia's biggest competition we've got
13:16Nikita Neil and Kai left I would like it to be Neil because he's always the
13:21bridesmaid never the bride he's always second so I'd really like him to get it
13:26the shame and I think he was really like preparing for this he was going but that
13:30was the yeah stop talking about it so well let's hear it for Lauren and Nadia now
13:41there is only one person who can compare an exquisite elegant ballroom move to a
13:45tuna sandwich so effortlessly here to chat more heel leads and meal deals it's of
13:50course Joanne Clifton in choreography corner
14:08what an incredible weekend what did you make of it oh my gosh I know we say it every year but
14:16they've upped their game again this is possibly the best year ever it was sensational okay let's
14:22get straight into Saturday night's dances Karen and Carlos and the Samba Motsy praised Karen's attack
14:27and conviction and she picked up on multiple rhythm changes and the difficulty going from a spin into a
14:32promenade run what made this so impressive well if we have a look at the clip it's coming up in a
14:37second and she does kind of three slow tense here it is one two three and then really really fast
14:42quick and quick and quick and then into one two three one two three okay and that the one two three
14:48is a really basic Samba rhythm one of the eleven which I shall show you on my board very nice we
14:54have eleven basic Samba rhythms now if you guys at home I suggest that you rewind and pause on here if
15:01you'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
15:11and controlled so she went from slow to really really syncopated and fast into this basic one
15:16and she did that a lot and you will recognize a lot of these in her routine which was fantastic
15:21could she have used a little bit more um movement in her upper body yes I feel like she could use it
15:28as if there's like eels slipping over each other in the top of her body as well we're taking it under
15:34see okay onto Balbinder and Julian and the Viennese waltz now Anton Shirley and Mozi all loved its
15:40sensitivity grace and charm and Anton loved the way she swept across the floor with enormous shift
15:45what did he mean and how did that help the performance well basically they're meaning how
15:49in in the basic movements here um she's moving across the floor striding with those legs and basically
15:56what she was doing really well I don't know whether they have stood it in this depth but it was the
16:00coordination between the body weight and the moving foot in the driving steps okay so basically
16:06there's five actions that we do it so it's actually quite complicated you lower you take your body
16:10weight forward you take your moving leg forward to center balance you push off the back and then you
16:15recover and that okay that keeps your body weight moving and flying across the floor they managed to do
16:21that together in harmony and they managed to fly she was like moving around quite a lot which was great
16:27um she didn't do quite the fleckle um footwork properly it started off great and then she started
16:34running around just running around like that which is called a standing spin not a fleckle but it was
16:39another great dance all right on to Amber and Nikita and the Charleston the second week in a row Amber
16:44and Nikita have secured a perfect score what did you enjoy the most about this routine do you know what
16:49of course the character and the storytelling was it was great I mean these lifts were incredible but
16:55the storytelling was of course great but it was at the right level and what I mean by that is like
16:59there was little details like when Nikita kind of stepped forward and she pretended she wasn't
17:05expecting it so she was she just did it a little bit after and it was just quite subtle but still great
17:10the lifts were great um the angles that they were all at that were together with not just Nikita but with
17:16the with the backing dancers as well and you know what I think we should do a bit of her routine
17:21in demo time yes let's do it yeah we're not even going to go talk about technique we're going to
17:28do a bit of her routine don't worry it's not going to be them lifts okay right so we're going to take
17:33take your outside leg like I used to tell Scott Mills because you couldn't tell left from right
17:36so we're going to kick forward kick then in then out and step back then we're going to do a rock
17:44backwards rock and step forward put your arms up step now we're going to go you're going to go
17:50that way I'm going to this way side close side side close side and spin in towards each other
17:56one two three and shimmy round
17:59and there is a bit of Amber's routine for you to try at home so much fun on to George and Alexis and
18:07the Argentine tango now the judges praised them and Craig thought George handled the difficult music
18:12well but felt the footwork was a little untidy and that he was shuffling into lifts to gain
18:17purchase was this an issue for you not so much I mean if we look at the clip these are this is the
18:22slow lifts in the slow list he was very grounded planted he wasn't shuffling into them at all
18:27when the music did get faster I did you could see that he was doing more steps right he was doing more
18:33steps because it was faster music faster lifts um and in the Argentine tango it's not like the
18:38other dances where you need to use your heels and toes for rise and fall and things like that it's
18:42more like a walking action it's very very natural and he had more of those than in the slow bit so
18:47maybe Craig thought that was shuffling maybe we could have had more a frame yes I agree with that
18:52I feel like he was projecting more like a pas de doble than the chest over but the partnering I just
18:58wanted to say to those at home what the partnering is when they keep talking about it's not just the
19:02trust of the lifts and oh catching her at the right time or whatever it's actually using their
19:06contact points the two hands here especially in the Argentine tango you can move your hands like
19:12this to lead along with body weight and just feel her balance the whole time and counterbalance it
19:18so they're both on balance all the time and I think he's absolutely brilliant at that I love it thank
19:23you so much Jo we'll see you next week let's do 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
19:35salsa became their last performance and when that jet versus shark showdown became all too real
19:40there 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
19:56dance it wasn't your best dance for me there was misconnections on all these hustle things but
20:02still there was a lot to like the musical theater stuff was strong the partnering stuff you needed to
20:08be a bit more subtle but all in all I'd rather liked it I have to say give it up for Lewis and Katia
20:18everybody Lewis you've given us so many incredible performances over the last 11 weeks how have you
20:24been navigating your emotions since the shock at the weekend um you know we're just trying to focus
20:29on the positives really you know it's been an amazing 11 weeks and of course it hurts and yeah
20:36it'll take a bit of time to get over but yeah I'm I'm really proud of what we've done so yeah
20:41absolutely and Katia your mantra was always more is more yeah and Lewis has absolutely smashed it
20:48topping the leaderboard five times earning two perfect scores looking back on your journey how glad are you
20:54you that you stuck to your mantra yes I wouldn't do anything any differently we stayed true to
21:01ourselves and each number and like I said you know a lot of my life I was told less Katia less stop you
21:09know but finally I just needed the right dance partner to match that so much your energy yeah we
21:16you know we did say we're such a good team weren't we every day we said to ourselves at the very start
21:22of this that every day is going to be positive day it's going to be a yes room and and we really have
21:29stuck to that haven't we we said we're gonna bring only positive vibes to every Saturday you know every
21:35my favorite part was always every Saturday you text me 6am morning mush let's do it we've got this and
21:44then I knew we've got it you know he's going to deliver and yeah anyway better stop did you know
21:52Lewis you mentioned that your family have been brought together every Saturday to watch strictly
21:55how have they reacted to the news yeah I mean that they're gutted but this there's so much to like
22:01about the whole thing and you know to have them for generations come together every Saturday and
22:07you know open different conversations that they've never really had before and show different sides
22:13to them that I've never seen before as well has been it's been really beautiful for me yeah well
22:18there is someone who couldn't be prouder of everything you've accomplished and wanted to share a few
22:23words with you hello Lewis and Katia we are very proud of you you have took us on some journey
22:32Saturday night's not going to be the same look to both of you last orders in the strictly bar
22:40so beautiful now before we talk about your red light dance off let's talk about your west side
22:48dance off what a performance dance at the gym was no lie that was a proper workout how did that
22:53routine compared to a session at the gym well yeah it was good was great it was really fun to have all
22:59the extra dancers again it was like going back to Blackpool we had that sort of feeling that energy
23:05and they really do lift you up and you know thank you to all of them for that but yeah it was it was
23:10it was a workout yeah carrying two people on his shoulders yeah action-packed choreography right up
23:17the extra dancers but Katia Motsi still said that Lewis was the star how proud are you that he really
23:23embodied that character he did and you know what looking back obviously like I can't help but to think
23:32oh maybe I could have done things differently and to you know to work make it work for him better and
23:41you did everything perfect but he can only do what I've asked him to do you know and whatever I've
23:49asked you to do you didn't just do this time every single day and we were in a tough position I feel
23:57like we were expected to deliver this almost perfect show-stopping routines every single
24:03Saturday which you did I don't know how but you did because of you and you know that's that's
24:12it's tough but also I'm really really proud we we grafted it it's been a hard three months
24:22actually it paid off we've seen so much from you Lewis flips splits cartwheels jumping through
24:27Katia's legs twice honestly behind all of that we saw some real heart and dedication that you
24:34brought to the floor so now's the time to look at some of your best moments
24:37hopefully my acting can help me in the storytelling but obviously I still need to remember the steps and
24:47everything else this energy like dynamite I don't think you need all the highlights and tricks
24:54because I actually believe that you could be a fantastic dancer I am loving the elegance of the
25:01viennese waltz I need to get the technique right you're very talented I want you to keep the power
25:07passion but I need refinement I don't know whether it's the spray tans or the glittery costumes but
25:16all of a sudden I've just felt amazing this was a much more controlled performance I couldn't believe
25:28in the eyes saturday night was the best night of my life I would love to be able to get that
25:35feeling again that was beautiful your dance partner is the most important thing Katia is outstanding
25:45the first person I called when I found out I was going to be doing strictly was
25:58not a doctor I love her to pieces I'm a really really proud of Lewis I'd like to do this dance
26:05for everyone in here for me full time I just want to do them proud this is one of those moments we're
26:14going to look in five ten years and be like oh remember when Lewis came and did that thing that
26:21dance is as good as anything we've ever seen on anything great guys ten paddle out for you 40 my
26:34family were absolutely over the moon I don't think I will ever get over the feeling he has grown so much
26:42as a dancer now I'm just so lucky to have a partner like Liz your timing's brilliant just keep going
26:52because I love it I don't think there's ever a man that could dance a tango like this it feels like
27:01such an achievement to have made it through a black pool it was absolutely extraordinary
27:14full of emotion I loved it what's the dance fantastic yes was it your best not in my opinion I
27:23have loved being on strictly it's taught me so much not just on some but about life and about me I have
27:36enjoyed every single second of it proud is not enough of a word to express how I feel about what
27:44he's achieved I've been so privileged to share this experience with Lewis you're never past anything
27:54you can always learn a new skill you can always challenge yourself and I'm going to take that
28:00forward for the rest of my life what a journey we've had so many questions coming for you Emma sent
28:11this in Lewis how would you describe your Strictly experience in three words three words rewarding
28:24and heartwarming yeah yes you can see how much it means to both of you what do you think is going to
28:32stay with you the most from your time in Strictly I think it's not really about dancing or anything
28:38I I you have made me fall in love with dance but you've also made me fall in love with life again so thank you
28:47you've grown every week by taking feedback on board Sunday show ended with a standing ovation and emotional
28:55judges how do you reflect on the impact you've made on the show for people at home well I'd just like to say thank you to
29:02say thank you to everyone at home because without them I wouldn't have been here this long and you
29:08know we've gained so much joy from dancing so if 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
29:21routines this show has ever seen we were so lucky the whole nation we were so lucky so we were lucky you're
29:28magic because you are one of our magic and you guys give it up for Lewis and Katya amazing
29:37that's it for tonight thanks to all my guests I'm back tomorrow with a show you do not want to miss
29:41it'll be an entire episode dedicated to the fabulous Tess and Claudia who are joining me right here in the
29:46It Takes Two studio that's from 6.30 see ya
29:49see ya
30:01on BBC iPlayer 2025 went off
30:05oh my god
30:07the twists
30:08that's quite a twist
30:09the comebacks
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