Secret Combination

Dec 10, 2021 by Rob

The notion Rhys’s Argentine tango would likely go down like a lead balloon last week proved spectacularly wide of the mark with his routine lauded by the judges and joint top-scored with Rose on 39pts.

The main question to arise from the quarter-final was whether John or AJ polled second behind Rose, AJ’s dance-off appearance a setback to the idea she might have a vague chance of challenging Rose in the pv-only final.

With Anton thoroughly deflating Dan’s vote, it seems feasible Rhys outpolled Dan, and it was also apparent on the night that John was the initial intended target for the dance-off, with his 32-scoring salsa, prior to AJ’s calamitous lift leading to her salsa being scored in last place on 30.

Week 11 (Quarter-Final) judges’ leaderboard:

Rhys and Nancy: Argentine Tango – (2) – 9, 10, 10, 10 = 39
Rose and Giovanni: American Smooth – (3) – 9, 10, 10, 10 = 39
John and Johannes: Salsa – (1) – 7, 8, 8, 9 = 32
Dan and Nadiya: Tango – (4) – 7, 8, 9, 7 = 31 – eliminated
AJ and Kai: Salsa – (5) – 7, 8, 8, 7 = 30 – bottom 2

How the producers decide to play it in tomorrow night’s semi-final is entirely in their hands, especially given the fact all four remaining contestants have been confirmed as taking part in next year’s live Strictly Tour. The 2022 Tour line-up also explains why both Sara and Tilly were given preferential treatment during this series.

There is a scenario where Rose can be scored last on the night and cleverly managed into the dance-off despite topping the public vote. Rhys could also be top scored and despite polling last in the pv guided out of the semi-final dance-off.

But looking at the dance and song list, Rhys arguably has the toughest looking assignment among the four remaining contestants.

Semi-final dances & songs:

AJ and Kai: Rumba to Show Me Heaven by Maria McKee and Quickstep to Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman
Rose and Giovanni: Argentine Tango to A Evaristo Carriego by Eduardo Rovira and Waltz to How Long Will I Love You by Ellie Goulding
John and Johannes: Jive to Higher Power by Coldplay and Couple’s Choice to Hometown Glory by Adele
Rhys and Nancy: Samba to It Had Better Be Tonight (Meglio Stasera) by Michael Bublé and Tango to One Vision by Queen

Rhys is more comfortable with fast Latin dances and while samba should go well for him, it may prove tough for him to land any 10s for it.

Tango following last week’s AT looks an advantageous sequence but it’s still technical and Rhys’s frame has been an issue series-long in ballroom hold. Again, 10s do not appear likely.

After Rose scored 37 for her week 5 Viennese Waltz, waltz looks an ideal ballroom routine to call upon with a view to being scored 37+. Giovanni also has an excellent track record with AT, they have an authentic piece of music for it, and this should also be scored well, with 10s firmly within range.

AJ’s Quickstep music, combined with her in a ball dress and Kai in a morning suit, looks a 10s dance in the making, and while rumba is always a tough dance to score highly with, Strictly fans have been screaming for an AJ & Kai rumba series-long and AJ should be able to hit some great lines. The pair of them should also be able to deliver some sizzling chemistry together.

John has an ace to play in his Couple’s Choice routine, which will be Contemporary in nature and set to Adele’s ‘Hometown Glory’. This is going to tell a story for John and Johannes both, and it is hard to imagine it not earning a 39 or 40, with standing ovations from Motsi and Shirley looking guaranteed. Where John could fall down slightly is with his other dance, jive, set to a Coldplay track in ‘Higher Power’ that doesn’t really lend itself to jive.

Rhys hasn’t enjoyed the pimp slot since week 5, but he has also not opened the show since week 2, with AJ, Rose and John opening the last three shows. On balance, it looks most likely to be either Rhys or AJ opening tomorrow night, and Rhys or Rose closing it.

Another dance-off appearance would be Rhys’s fourth which leads you to suspect he would be eliminated this time around, with all of Rose, AJ and John looking likely to have one of their two dances scored higher than Rhys’s highest scoring dance on the night.

The producers will be well aware of the series-long voting figures and it makes the most logical sense to give viewers what they want by allowing the 3 contestants, who have very likely been polling in the top 3 and outpolling Rhys throughout the entire series, their final places at his expense.

If samba turns out to be Rhys’s last dance in this series, he couldn’t have asked for a more authentic samba track than ‘Meglio Stasera’. Peter Sellers playing Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther shows him how it’s done here:

Please do let us know who got your vote(s) on our semi-final exit poll which will open during tomorrow night’s show.

Strictly 2021 Exit Poll – Semi-Final