Strictly week 8 - Wembley special

Wow, what a big venue, the dance floor was huge.  Best of British was the theme, Tess was dressed in royal blue with lovely bright red lipstick, the staging was amazing, the Strictly backstage crew must've worked their socks off.  But it just seemed too big, too huge a dance floor.

Robbie & Ola kicked off proceedings doing a salsa to a Robbie Williams number: Let Me Entertain You.  It was all a bit mad, lots of leaping about, didn't see much salsa but it was full of gusto with lots of lifts. And it did entertain me!  (score 26)
Alex & James performed a tango to Frankie Goes to Hollywood's Relax (ironic, as it was banned by the BBC back in the day).  Their routine was full of very good tango content.  The judges loved it, rightly so. She's really improving every week.  (score 35)
Holly & Artem (yes, he's back from injury!) did a quickstep to Valerie, with Holly in a beehive and a touch of a leopardskin as a nod to Amy Winehouse.  I really enjoyed it, great content and lovely floor coverage.  Best floor coverage of the lot, it being such a big floor to cover!  (score 31) 
Anita & Robin did a samba to the Dexy's Come On Eileen, it was good, full of energy, but a bit sloppy.  I loved Anita's pink shoes.  The judges were rather critical.  (score 27)
Harry & Aliona performed a salsa to an Elton John number.  Lots of spectacular lifts, lots of Aliona writhing about, it lacked a little something, maybe Harry's hip action?   (score 34)
Russell & Flavia did a jive.  Well, it was very entertaining as usual.  Russell, the human cannonball, flying through the air to "Reach For The Sky" was just superb. (score 24)
Chelsee & Pasha also did a samba to Spice Up Your Life, lots of great samba action, really fantastic party atmosphere.  Chelsee started off solo but otherwise they kept to the middle raised stage area, which I think was a good thing.  Great costume, a Ginger Spice union jack dress but in pink.  (score 35)
Jason & Kristina performed a jive to Wham's Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.  They played a weird 80s pre-dance VT but the jive was very good, excellent kicks 'n' flicks.  He did miss a bit on the main floor, otherwise it was amazing.  (score 34)

Leaderboard
Alex & James 35
Chelsee & Pasha 35
Harry & Aliona 34
Jason & Kristina 34
Holly & Artem 31
Anita & Robin 27
Robbie & Ola 26
Russell & Flavia 24

It was such a huge dance floor. I think the whole occasion overawed some of the celebrity dancers, there were a few mistakes and some sloppy footwork.   I think I prefer the Blackpool specials that they've done in the past. Chelsee made a nice little comment in Tess's area, waiting for the scores...she said she felt like "a dot in the middle".
 
Russell & Flavia were the ones to go (awwww!), with Holly & Artem as the other bottom couple.  Curse of the middle of the table again.