Key events
Toesturnedin says: “Sad for Paul. He had really improved. Please, please can Karen get a youngster next year!!!”
OverLunder2 says of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s performance: “Ah Sophie, now we know why Brendan is there. He was so gallant when there was a push to make her performance more sexy. I paraphrase but it was something along the lines of ‘Perhaps she doesn’t want to be more sexy.’ Now that’s a sexy man. Cheers, Brendan.”
On the group number choreographed by Oti Mabuse, Climbingrose says: “Wow! Best group dance this series. We miss you, Oti!”
On JB Gill being in the bottom two, Strictlylounging says: “Ooh curse of going first for JB and Amy? Tricky middle table but I did like their routine.”
shazza2704 adds: “So pleased for JB and Amy. I know it’s all about the celebrity but if anyone has been on a ‘journey’ it’s our Amy. She is an inspiration.”
Readers’ verdicts are in
Time for a rapidfire round-up of your comments. On the dance-off, Lidoswimmer says: “The right decision but seemed JB badly affected by the collywobbles there. Hopefully can get back in his stride next week. Well done to Paul, gave it his best and is a decent bloke who I’m sure has helped a lot of other men in recent years..”
acanthe says: “Well, obviously if they save JB it’ll be the right decision but I’ll be genuinely sad to see Paul go because he seems to really enjoy himself up there with Karen & it’s lovely to see.”
EastofStratford says: “I think the mistake in Paul’s dance was having those air filled things wobbling in the background. When the props are the better dancers you know you are in trouble..”
TheMathDiva adds: “I think Paul has come the furthest since the competition started and has proved he’s not the joke turn. Sad to see him go but out of the two it was the right choice.”
Stay on the sofa, you know it makes sense
Tonight’s TV tips, you say? Well, you can now stay tuned to BBC1 for Antiques Roadshow, flip to Channel 4 for The Dog House or it’s Joan Bakewell Night over on BBC4.
At 9pm, crime drama DI Ray returns to ITV1, Showtrial is on BBC1, Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing is on BBC2 or fraudster doc Love Cheats is on Channel 4.
If you fancy a film, The Thomas Crown Affair (original, not remake) is just starting on Sky Arts. At 9pm, choose between Bohemian Rhapsody on Film4, If Beale Street Could Talk on BBC3 or Mission: Impossible – Fallout on E4. Run, tiny Tom Cruise, run!
Karen’s Halloween curse continues
Venezuelan-born firecracker and Latin specialist Karen Hauer might be Strictly’s longest-serving pro but she’s stuck in a disappointing run. Karen hasn’t reached the Halloween special since 2020, when she miraculously made it to the final with Jamie Laing.
Since then, she’s finished 12th for four series in a row – with Greg Wise, Jayde Adams, Eddie Kadi and now Paul Merson. Karen won’t mind this statistical quirk too much, because she clearly had a ball with Paul, but surely she’s earned a more promising partner in 2025?
Lucky diagnosis for Dr Punam
Arguably the most fortunate celebrity once again is waltzing medic Dr Punam Krishan. She was second bottom of last night’s scoreboard and has been in the bottom three every week but one. Yet somehow she’s managed to dodge the dance-off so far. Barring dramatic improvement, the dancing doc’s luck will surely run out soon.
Pete Wicks and Sam Quek will also be breathing sighs of relief tonight. So will Shayne Ward, who surely feared another red light of doom, and Wynne Evans after his difficult week of unwelcome headlines. All of them will relish the chance to throw themselves into a character next week. Bring on the face-paint and fright-wigs.
Merse will be much missed
Strictly 2024 will be a less entertaining place without have-a-go hero Paul Merson. The phrase “what this show’s all about” has become a tired talent show trope but Merse the Magic Man really was. A month ago, he was a sequin-sceptic football pundit who seemed baffled by what he’d signed up for.
As he said, “I’ve only danced three times in my life – and they were all at my weddings”. However, he formed a hilarious team with pro partner Karen Hauer and showed signs of falling in love with hoofing.
His journey™ began with that prop-laden American Smooth to Vindaloo, during which he headed a ball so hard, it rebounded back onto the dancefloor and almost tripped him up. He flipped burgers on a sparkly barbecue for his suburban dad salsa and saddled up for a Magnificent Seven cha cha cha in Movie Week.
His highlight came last week when a debonair quickstep surprised nobody more than Paul himself. The samba is always a tricky proposition for celebrity males, not to mention 56-year-olds. Last night’s disco effort duly proved the dance of death but it was the right result. As the lowest scorer left in the contest, he deserved to depart.
This was a whole new ball game for the ex-England international. He described Strictly as “hard work but worth it, like sucking on a really thick milkshake”. He didn’t know the difference between a samba and a salsa. Despite sharing a dressing room with Wynne Evans, he insisted on calling him “Gwynne”. Every week, he’d be told what he was dancing and shrug “I’ll Google it.”
His hangdog wit consistently made Claudia Winkleman cackle. As Paul told her two weeks ago: “It’s not community service. I don’t have to do this, I want to do it.” Each week was a relegation battle but he did Karen proud to last this long.
He goes home having danced nine more times – five weeks plus two dance-offs, a group number and a last dance – and with several million new fans. Well played, Paul.
JB Gill suffers curse of going first
The appearance of JB Gill in the dance-off was a shocker to rival Shayne Ward’s last week. He finished fifth from bottom on the judges’ scoreboard, 11 points off the bottom. He’s scored a solid 30 for the past two weeks and has the sixth highest average in the contest. However, JB failed to win enough viewer votes and tumbled down into the bottom two.
Was it partly because he performed first on Saturday’s show, meaning his routine got forgotten when voting opened? It’s the third time in four weeks that “the slot of death” has led directly to the dance-off, with Tom Dean and Shayne Ward suffering the same fate.
Up against Paul Merson, JB was never destined to follow his JLS bandmate Aston Merrygold by suffering an unjustly early exit, despite making too many mistakes in his jive second time around. However, he got a pre-Halloween fright and our couples will be even more wary of opening the show from now on.
Paul and Karen’s last dance
As the departing couple take a final trip around the floor to How Am I Supposed To Live Without You? by Michael Bolton, the credits roll and castmates crowd around to commiserate. Please stay with us for analysis, reaction and a round-up of your comments.
Cometh the Hauer
His pro partner Karen Hauer returns the compliment: “You’ve been a joy. I’ve never giggled this much. My abs are really tight now. I’m so proud of you. Every week you have shown up, you have improved. You’re what Strictly is about. I want to thank you for bringing such joy and showing everyone what’s possible with a little bit of work and lots of giggles.”
Clearly fond of each other, which is lovely to see.
Paul’s post-match interview
In his farewell speech, Paul Merson tells Tess: “It’s been really good. Anybody I talk to, I’d say you’ve got to go on this show. Everybody is great. There’s a Tottenham fan over there called Lincoln and even he’s nice! It’s been amazing, honestly. I loved every minute and I’ve had a great teacher. Karen’s been absolutely amazing and I couldn’t wish for a better coach. I’ve won because I can dance now. I couldn’t dance before and I can half-dance now. It’s an absolute bonus.”
Well said, sir.
Shirley Ballas agrees
As expected, it’s unanimous. Head judge Twirly Shirley also would’ve voted to save JB and Amy but not by much, it seems.
