Strictly Come Dancing 2019, week 5 results show: David James eliminated after losing battle of the dad-dancers to Mike Bushell
Strictly Come Dancing week 5: the body language - how Viscountess Weymouth pulled off a triumph and Neil’s psychological trick with Alex Scott paid off
Who wore it best? Strictly Come Dancing, week five: 'It’s disappointing to see high-street clothing over ballroom costumes'
The two dad dancers at the foot of the scoreboard slugged it out for survival. Here are all the talking points and social media reaction from Sunday night's results show…
Third time unlucky for David James
This was the third dance-off in just four weeks for former England goalkeeper David James - the sort of hat-trick he’d prefer not to have scored. He’d managed to see off stiff-as-an-oar James Cracknell and Charleston-slaughtering Anneka Rice but now the final whistle was blown on his Strictly tournament.
The jive definitely wasn’t David’s dance. It can be tricky for tall celebrities and at a leggy 6ft 5in, his effort was leaden, lumpen and littered with mistakes. In a supremely awkward moment on Saturday night, guest judge Alfonso Ribeiro got David to scream to let out his feelings. When he had to reprise that jive here, he was probably screaming internally too.
Still, the shy sportsman came out of his shell during his Strictly experience. His football-themed foxtrot, lacklustre paso doble and Batman American smooth over the first three weeks were tentative and hesitant, highlighting his lack of a performance background.
However, he was transformed last week for his jazzy quickstep, “gobsmacking” the judges with his “miraculous” improvement, boosting his score by 11 points and reaching the dizzy heights of mid-table. That remains his finest Strictly moment. The jive would prove his undoing but David was a gracious loser and utter gent.
In Strictly’s pantheon of glittery goalkeepers, he was outperformed by series four’s Peter Schmeichel but outlasted series eight’s Peter Shilton. So let’s call it a draw.
David James wasn't a technical solid dancer but he's a great genuine guy and I'll miss him #Strictly
— Jack Walker (@JackTheFact29) October 20, 2019
Was about to say this is marginally better, but then he cocked up the toe heel swivels #scd#strictly
— Marianka Swain (@mkmswain) October 20, 2019
Bless David James. He’s a good sport #StrictlyComeDancing2019
— frances Barber#FBPE (@francesbarber13) October 20, 2019
Mike Bushell got a stay of execution
After what was surely the worst ever Strictly samba to win a dance-off, BBC Breakfast’s Mike Bushell somehow survived. His routine was less like a Rio carnival, more like a drunken uncle embarrassing the family at a wedding disco.
It might have been played for comedy value, incorporating guest judge Alfonso Ribeiro’s signature moves, but the lack of hip movement, bounce action and musicality was cringe-inducing, while his bottom stuck out like a baboon wearing a nappy.
Tragic Mike will surely be homeward bound in the next week or two. I’m not sure we can bear much more.
Can’t believe that ridiculous performance from mike and Katya saw them saved over David and Nadiya!!!!����♀️�� #strictly
— Susie J (@b_fly77) October 20, 2019
Double elimination, come on, you know you want to #scd
— Steven Perkins (@stevenperkins) October 20, 2019
So @david James gets kicked off strictly for doing the proper dance and @mikebreakfast stays in for not doing the dance he was supposed to be doing, can someone explain how this happened please....?
— david philip turner (@sockies2904) October 20, 2019
Group dance cemented Johannes as breakout pro star
It's not often you get men in high heels vogueing on Sunday night primetime TV.
This results show kicked off with a slick, high-concept group routine with a fashionista theme, set on a red carpet with the professional dancers busting out an entertaining mix of commercial and Latin moves.
To the strains of a Bowie/Blondie medley, the Strictly troupe strutted, posed and played their characters with oodles of attitude.
However, the scene-stealer was undoubtedly Johannes Radebe, who sashayed, high-kicked and worked the camera like something straight out of Pose or RuPaul's Drag Race, while wielding fans emblazoned with "Slay", "Pose" and "Werk".
It was fab-ew-lous, pleasingly transgressive and only enhanced the South African pro's status as this year's cult star.
Our #Strictly Pros and Judges came to SLAY! �� pic.twitter.com/wXsX7a2zNY
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) October 20, 2019
Oti handing over the fashion show goddess mantle to Johannes, it makes you so proud #strictly
— Frankie and Clover (@strictlyblog) October 20, 2019
OH HELLO STRICTLY OPENING NUMBER! ������ #Strictly
— Katy Brand (@KatyFBrand) October 20, 2019
I think we can all agree that pro routine cemented Johannes' status as the true winner of Strictly 2019 #scd#strictly
— Emma Bullimore (@EmmaBullimore) October 20, 2019
Total star of this series #scd#strictlyhttps://t.co/g8mgXTy6r8
— Marianka Swain (@mkmswain) October 20, 2019
A huge, huge #Strictly moment, as Johannes takes charge pic.twitter.com/qeQzu2iK9r
— Toby Earle (@TobyonTV) October 20, 2019
How watchable is Johannes?! He’s been the star of the show for me this year. You can’t help but fixate on him. His part in that group number was SENSATIONAL. #Strictly@jojo_radebe
— Elliot Gonzalez (@elliot_gonzalez) October 20, 2019
No shocks proved a relief
Last weekend, shockwaves emanated from the Elstree Studios ballroom when DJ Dev Griffin was unjustly eliminated - despite finishing second on the leaderboard the previous week, having the fourth-highest average score and being hotly tipped for the final.
No such surprises this time. The bottom two on the leaderboard, with the two lowest average scores in the contest so far, were consigned to the dreaded dance-off. The lower-placed of those two was duly sent home. Sequin-spangled sanity was restored.
A penny for Dev’s thoughts if he was watching at home…
Official petition to have a #Strictly All Stars series for contestants absolutely robbed, I'll start:
Tameka Epsom
Ashton Merrygold
Dev Griffin
Pixie Lott
Melvin Odoom
Helen George
Anita Rani
Laura Whitmore— It's....Jack Vines (@JackVines16) October 12, 2019
Another early exit for Nadiya
Ukrainian pro Nadiya Bychkova found her contest finishing early again - although at least this represented a slight improvement on last series, when she was second out with Lee Ryan.
Her debut series, when she reached the quarter-final with EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami, remains Nadiya's best performance by far.
As a relative newcomer to the pro troupe, she seems to get saddled with the taller but less promising celebrity males. Still, her partner could have been worse *cough* James Cracknell *splutter*.
Please throw Nadiya a bone next year, she absolutely worked her SOCKS off there #Strictly
— Strictly On The Sofa: The Podcast (@StrictlyOnSofa) October 20, 2019
David and Nadiya leave strictly #strictly2019pic.twitter.com/X0qIpDQuqX
— david allen (@davidemma131) October 20, 2019
Chris Ramsey dodged the ballroom bullet again
Once more, comedian Chris Ramsey breathed a sizeable sigh of relief that he dodged another dance-off, despite being a fixture near the bottom of the scoreboard.
The Geordie joker might provide laughs but unless he learns to nail technique as well as showmanship, his luck will surely run out soon. Howay man and improve your footwork, canny lad.
I'm gonna say it and I want to be revered for my bravery. I have not warmed to Chris Ramsey, do not enjoy his constant face expressions to the camera and find him chronically unfunny. #StrictlyComeDancing#strictly
— Harriet Hewson (@HewsonHarriet) October 20, 2019
Chris Ramsey is a bit of a douche. Could have showed a bit of humility when David was in the bottom 2. #StrictlyComeDancing2019#SCD2019#strictly2019
— theclarabella (@the_clara_bella) October 20, 2019
Halloween overload next week
Our dream team of 11 couples now dance onto the annual Halloween spooktacular, when the dressing-up box will be raided and the supernatural theme flogged to within an inch of its undead life.
The fifth live show airs next Saturday at 6.35pm on BBC One. Meet you back here to sift the choreographic tricks from the twinkle-toed treats.
In the meantime, you know the drill: keeeeeep dancing!
How many people had Michelle and Giovanni as Morticia and Gómez for the Hallowe’en show?
That’s all of us, right? #StrictlyComeDancing#strictly— Chris Madden (@chrismads) October 20, 2019
Is it too much to hope Anton is doing Beetlejuice next week? #StrictlyComeDancing
— Sarah (@MWigguru) October 20, 2019
Sunday night as it happened
Here’s your full results show recap…
Dave ’n' Nad’s last dance
As the eliminated couple take a final turn around the ballroom floor to "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds - any fellow Breakfast Club fans out there? - and the other couples crowd in for backslaps and air-kisses, please stay with us for analysis and social media reaction…
Nadiya returns the compliment
His pro partner Nadiya Bychkova says: “He’s done so well. On the first day, he couldn’t lift his elbows up or stand straight. Now he’s delivered such an amazing jive. I’m so proud..”
David’s post-match interview
In his exit chat, David tells Tess: “I’ve loved it. I feel bad I’ve let Nadiya down, in a sense. I’ve enjoyed it but put some weight on! My highlights were having the best partner and those guys up there. Everyone’s lovely. Just a word for Will [Bayley]: I think I work hard, but, man, that guy puts a shift in.”
Well said and typically generous of David to pass the limelight onto someone else.
Head judge Shirley Ballas agrees
Twirly Shirley says she would also have saved Mike and Katya. Another unanimous decision. Those judges have been spoilsports so far this series.
David James is eliminated
The former England goalkeeper becomes the fourth celebrity tossed onto the sequin-spangled scrapheap, joining Dev Griffin, James Cracknell and Anneka Rice.
Alfonso Ribeiro chooses to save…
Mike and Katya, saying: “They put on a great show. The technique wasn’t there but they came out and delivered a showstopper for the audience to love.” Nothing to do with their routine being a homage to him, naturally.
Motsi Mabuse chooses to to save…
Mike and Katya, saying: “They gave me a better performance than I saw the first time.”
Craig Revel Horwood chooses to save…
Mike and Katya, saying: “Both couples were pretty much technically equal but they were the most confident performers and sold the number better.”
Are the Strictly crowd too noisy?
They are according to reader Jan Campbell, who writes:
"Surely the time has come to stop the audience cheering and making such a din when the guest singer is performing? Tonight poor Mabel could hardly be heard. Rather disrespectful. You might as well have the resident singers perform in the background."
Do we agree, glitterball fans?
Mike Bushell takes his turn
Mike Bushell and Katya Jones have another go at their samba to “Apache (Jump On It)” to The Sugar Hill Gang.
The judges agreed last night that it was a crowd-pleaser but not much of a samba, while Craig Revel Horwood “recoiled in horror” and said it was “like a three-year-old’s attempt”. They awarded it 21 points.
David goes first in dance-off
David James and Nadiya Bychkova reprise their jive to “Such a Night” by Michael Bublé.
The judges said last night that it was riddled with mistakes and poor timing, awarding it just 16 points.
Halloween overload starting already
Spooky trailer a-go-go. Don't have nightmares.
David James in dreaded dance-off
It’s rare for a goalkeeper to score a hat-trick but David James and his professional partner Nadiya Bychkova will dance for survival for the third time in four weeks. But can they beat Mike and Katya?
Who will face Mike Bushell in the dance-off?
Time to find out as the dramatic spotlights are switched on again...
Craig swivels
We like "the upstairs Craig" too as he busts out some Charleston moves on the Clauditorium.
Dance debrief
Up to the Clauditorium now for a closer look at this week’s dances. It used to be Len’s Lens. Now it should be Motsi's Microscope.
Mabel: strong and stable
Musical interlude now from Brit r’n’b singer Mabel, performing her sit single Don’t Call Me Up.
The 23-year-old comes from an illustrious pop dynasty: real name Mabel Alabama-Pearl McVey, she’s the daughter of Neneh Cherry and producer Cameron McVey, nice of Eagle-Eye Cherry and grand-daughter of jazz trumpeter Don Cherry. Imagine the family singalongs.
This song reached number three earlier this year, pop chart fact fans. Choreographic accompaniment comes from Strictly pros Dianne Buswell, Nancy Xu, AJ Pritchard and Gorka “The Corker” Marquez.
Who else is safe?
Alex Scott is through... Karim Zeroual is through... Kelvin Fletcher is through... Michelle Visage is through. Thank you! Thank you!
Emma Barton and Chris Ramsey both look terrified.
Mike Bushell in the dance-off
Mike Bushell and his pro partner Katya Jones will face the dreaded eliminator for the first time. But who against?
Dancing light of doom
Time for tension-building... loooooooooong... pauses, hugs of relief and “thank yous” to camera as we find out who’s safely through to next week.
Saturday's show rewound
Last night’s live show gets the highlights montage treatment. Will Bayley’s emotional contemporary routine! Alex Scott’s cheeky Charleston! Viscountess Weymouth's white-clad waltz! Saffron Barker’s cane-ography! Alfonso Ribeiro’s overly generous scoring!
Frockwatch
Our co-hosts arrive, so time for our traditional couture comparison. Claudia Winkleman’s in a little black dress with added sparkle. Tess Daly’s is in a gold metallic chevron gown. Claudia wins, as per usual.
Pros hit the red carpet
We kick off with a slick, high-concept group number from the professional dancers, set to "Fame" by David Bowie. It’s on a fashionista theme, set on a red carpet with a mix of commercial and Latin moves.
Luba Mushtuk is playing a high-powered magazine editor with a distinct resemblance to Anna Wintour, with Amy Dowden as her put-upon assistant. Anton’Du Beke is a fashion god, perhaps for the first time in his life.
And we're off!
Winner, winner, chicken dinner. It's twinkle-toed time. Roll clap-along title sequence.
Wellies off, dancing shoes on
Countryfile's credits rolling on BBC One right now. The ballroom beckons...
Can David James defy the odds?
The former England goalkeeper has survived two dance-offs in the last three weeks and coming into this weekend, was bookies’ odds-on favourite for elimination again.
Did he do enough last night to prove them wrong? Second favourite for the sparkly boot was Mike Bushell. Place your bets.
We go over to the Elstree Studios ballroom in five minutes…
Music from Mabel tonight
Musical guest on tonight's results show is fast-rising r’n’b starlet Mabel - daughter of the great Neneh Cherry, in case you recognise those impeccable pop genes.
Ten minutes until Strictly o’clock…
Alfonso Ribeiro jumps on it
The guest judge, filling in for Bruno Tonioli, will have a say in tonight’s elimination. He certainly scored "differently" to his fellow panellists last night. Will he agree with them tonight?
Fifteen minutes until we find out…
Saturday night of surprises
For a change, the contest’s pace-setting “special Ks”, Kelvin Fletcher and Karim Zeroual, didn’t have it all their own way last night with the vastly improved Saffron Barker, Emma Weymouth, Alex Scott and Will Bayley stealing their thunder.
Meanwhile, the likes of Emma Barton and Michelle Visage slipped down the standings. Might they be at risk tonight? Twenty minutes until showtime…
Halloween heartbreak beckons
Who will miss out on next week’s Halloween special? At 7.15pm on BBC One, the fourth elimination of Strictly 2019 looms as our pro-celebrity pairings find out who’s safe and who’s doomed to face the dreaded dance-off.
On Saturday night, we saw some welcome new faces at the top of the leaderboard. It was ladies’ night as Saffron Barker topped the standings, Viscountess Emma Weymouth finished joint second and Alex Scott joint fourth. At the foot of the scoreboard was David James, with Mike Bushell just above.
As usual, the judges’ scores will now be combined with the public vote and the the two couples with the lowest combined scores will dance for survival - but will viewers agree with the judges?
If not, the likes of comedian Chris Ramsey or even actress Emma Barton could be in dance-off danger.
We'll be liveblogging from 6.50pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, recaps, analysis and incessant wisecracks. Please join us - and join in too. You can email me on michael.hogan@ telegraph.co.uk, tweet me on @michaelhogan or leave comments at the bottom of this blog. I'll keep an eye on them all and report the highlights here.
Who’ll get sent home in a pumpkin carriage before Halloween? Nearly time to staaaaart eliminating…
