Strictly Musicals Week is usually the most dramatic show of the season, but this year’s edition featured a shocking twist even before the West End special began. On Saturday afternoon, the BBC announced on its social media that EastEnders actor Nigel Harman, who was due to dance from the Charleston to Mary Poppins in the quarter-final, had been eliminated.
The BBC said: “Unfortunately Nigel has suffered an injury which means he will not be able to perform in tonight’s show and has been forced to withdraw from Strictly.” This is the second withdrawal we’ve seen this season, following Amanda Abbington’s mysterious exit.
It was confirmed at the beginning of the show by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman that there would be no eliminations and voting this week but the scores would carry over to the next show. This means we will still have a three doubles final.
The next show was a bit quiet. Ellie Leach and Annabel Croft did well with the Beauty and the Beast quickstep and Evil foxtrot respectively, while Layton Williams eventually got Craig Revel Horwood to lift his 10th racket with an explosive Moulin Rouge! paso doble.
But Bobby Brazier’s Dirty Dancing lift failed, and we were treated to odd entertainments such as the cast of Fishermen’s Friend: The Musical “treating” us with a musical impromptu recap of their night’s performance in sea shanty form. At that point, I would have loved to share Harman’s painkillers.
How exactly will he fill the time in the concluding show without a dance competition? Will Revel Horwood preview her pantomime dame? (God help us) Will Anton Du Beke sing? Join us to learn On Sunday night at 7.20pm on BBC One.
Nigel says a sad farewell
Nigel Harman came into the studio to explain what happened. “I was jumping off the podium, about to be grabbed by some very handsome men; I was Peter Pan when I was flying and when I landed I was on my way to A&E,” he jokingly told Winkleman. Despite a brave face, Harman was clearly in pain and both he and Katya Jones looked distraught.
Harman explained: “I did something to my rib that caused pain. I’m currently on painkillers.” He continued: “That’s not very clear.” With one arm crossed over his sore side, he joked: “I feel like I’m doing a Napoleon impersonation.”
An emotional Jones told his partner: “It’s hard to talk right now. Everyone loved the moments when we created magic on the dance floor. I know you did this for your daughter and your family. I know they will be really proud of you.
In response, Harman said: “The only reason I am standing here is the effort you have given me. You come across hundreds of great ideas every day. You push me, you challenge me, and you support me. You are a part of me now.”
God I hope I get it
If we can’t get our ballroom pros to dance in the ballroom, at least they used their opening group number to celebrate a musical that is for and about dancers: A Chorus Line. Giovanni Pernice directed grueling ’80s-style auditions (hello, leg warmers) before Karen Hauer took on Cassie’s solo — though technically this was the film’s version, not the stage musical.
Of course, we finished with One, the “singular sensation” climax with top hats and high kicks. The jury is in, too, and it’s a safe bet that Craig Revel Horwood has never looked happier. In the meantime, this wonderful musical will be on tour in the UK next year and is well worth checking out.
Ellie is a ballroom beauty
Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola danced quickly to Belle, the action-packed opening song of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast; The Strictly dance floor was similarly packed with extra dancers and a giant fountain. Leach handled the situation well (and there will surely be offers from the West End post-Strictly) and Coppola was great fun as the pony-tailed Gaston, but it diluted their real quick-step a bit. But this is a Musical Week evil; Leach still deserves credit for what he accomplished, including his tidy footwork and slick passing. 9, 9, 9, 9 – 36. My score: 9
Annabel fascinates us
Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe danced the foxtrot to Wicked’s magnificent climax song For Good, which celebrates the friendship of single couples, thus encapsulating this partnership very nicely. Unlike Leach, there were no distractions here: just a green-skinned Croft and Radebe floating across the floor, with a nice (if occasionally flabby) frame, nice control, and by far the best acting we’ve seen from Croft. Maybe because it comes from a very honest place. 8, 8, 8, 9 – 33. My score: 9
Layton goes full bohemian rhapsody
Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin delivered a spectacular full-throttle pass double to the Moulin Rouge’s Backstage Romance medley! The Musical, combining Bad Romance, Tainted Love and more. Add in the extra dancers and the heart of the Moulin Rouge, and it really looked like a scene from the show, or Williams’ impressive audition. There were recognizable paso figures dancing convincingly as a partnership, as well as terrific splits and lifts. 10, 10, 10, 10 – 40. My score: 10
Bobby can’t go high
Did we need another Dirty Dancing salsa? Definitely not. Natasha Kaplinsky, Pamela Stephenson, Louis Smith, and Ashley Roberts have all done this exact routine, and it’s become a tired cliché. Still, Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell committed themselves to the job; Brazier looked strong and was leading both her and a group of male dancers. But unfortunately they couldn’t pull off the famous deadlift – there was always the risk of making your routine such a recognizable move – and Brazier’s footwork was clunky. Fun but not their best. 8, 8, 9, 9 – 34. My score: 8
Leaderboards
Layton and Nikita – 40
Ellie and Vito – 36
Bobby and Dianne – 34
Annabel and Johannes – 33