My lovely late partner John and I had our first "date" watching Strictly Come Dancing (we actually sat on the sofa eating a takeaway, but hey) and we always watched every episode. We both cried at this dance despite being middle-aged, and I still think it is absolutely lovely, she can act as well as dance (viz the Dr Who dance too). I wish he were here to watch Bill Bailey, and others, this year, I know he'd enjoy it.

I definitely don't understand all of the comments saying she didn't dance enough. There was a lot of content in hold! Her top line was absolutely beautiful and the emotion in the performance was clearly evident. I absolutely love the storytelling.... she just sold it so well. The lifts with Kevin were nicely executed. However, if we are counting the lifts with the extra dancers, there were too many lifts for the AS. But I definitely like it, and she danced competently. This was one of my favorites. 9.5.

Seriously anyone who can't fall in love with dance as an art has to have something very wrong with them after watching this. Thank you Stacey for such a brilliant dance on a night where all 6 dancers where proper no- messing about 1st class dancers. This would be a out of this world 6 person final never mind quarter final.

Every week Stacey pulls it out of the bag. Fantastic dance, fantastic lifts. Can't believe she's learned how to dance like this in just this short space of time. Fantastic.

Her smile at the end is priceless

For a non dancer like Stacey I thought it was emotional, fantastic and I felt we have to let Kevin win this one time the entire competition. Keep it up Stacey, you got to win this!

@soph9881

5 жыл бұрын

Joe sugg to win!!!

Can't stop watching this. Favorite by far of musical week! Awesome choreography from Kevin that captured a whole movie in a dance and brilliant job by Ms. Dooley who is not an actor to grab they audience and make us all cry

I can only assume that Joe's legion of supporters see Stacey as the main threat to him winning, judging by the "only a waltz with a few lifts" jibes. Firstly it's an American Smooth, so of course there are lifts. It would be strange if there weren't. Secondly the elements in hold were excellent. And lastly, and this is the most impressive part for me, the way she performed that routine was so well judged. It may have looked simple, it sure as hell wasn't. It is possible to like Stacey AND Joe and still function as a sentient human being.

@julkaxDxD

5 жыл бұрын

You really hate Joe, don't you? 🤦🏼‍♀️ why do you blame the comments on Joe? And I'm not a Joe supporter. My favourite couple is Giovanni and Faye. But i have to agree with the comments, this was underwhelming

@GOSMGR1

5 жыл бұрын

@@julkaxDxD Sorry if it came across that I hate Joe. I don't actually, I really like him.

@candicehooper7486

5 жыл бұрын

This isn't a dig at you but as a ballroom and Latin dancer I know that in the American smooth you are only allowed 3 lifts and another comment simply pointed out that there were 6 and that the judges didn't comment on it which can come across as a sign of favoritism(I haven't counted how many lifts there are yet) I am a fan of Joes and watch his videos and yes I'd love him to win but whatever happens happens

@girlonabookshelf4922

5 жыл бұрын

I support Joe and think he’s come so far in this competition but I also really enjoyed Stacey’s performance! She’s a wonderful performer and I actually hope she wins as she is someone who comes from zero dance background and has improved so much since the beginning of the competition, same as Joe I hope they both go far ♥️

@rachels.5477

5 жыл бұрын

Very well said, Tony. (As to Joe's fans... many are going to be quite young, I suppose; at least, the ones most likely to comment here, are... they'll understand, eventually, the wisdom in what you've expressed about it being possible to see the good in more than one person at a time..! :) ) I too enjoyed both of their ''Strictly Journey''s, though Stacey was my favourite from very near the beginning; and Lauren, too. In their different ways, those three, along with Graeme, embodied the spirit of the show, at its Best.) As much as there is an undeniable element of 'popularity contest' (and both Stacey & Kevin were deservedly, very well-liked) I always feel that the eventual winner of ''Strictly'' should be either the best dancer overall, or the one who's improved the most, but that that's a judgement on individual merit - in the end, it's not the same as an official competition; every viewer has their own criteria as to what They feel makes a good Dancer, a great Dance... and there's nothing wrong with that; I admire every contestant who puts in the hard work and enters into the experience with the right attitude. [When it comes to scoring, I don't care who gets what, so long as it's a fair & unbiased evaluation... which it sometimes is Not, unfortunately...] Stacey made impressive progress, technically, for someone with no dance experience; but as we both know, dance is an art-form, not merely a set of skills... the emotional reaction a performer elicits from their audience, is what stirs the heart & lives longest in the memory, isn't it... Stacey moved me with this performance, more than any other I can recall in all the years I've watched it... and she was certainly a very worthy winner in that respect. (And it was about time Kevin got to lift that trophy..! - as Stacey put it, no coincidence he'd got his partners to the Final, five times... he's a diamond, I hope they keep him in the show til he's having to be carried on by the young 'uns... ;) Not just a terrific dancer, choreographer and teacher... he's one of those people you just know, if you were ever to meet him, would not disappoint: he'd be as likeable, modest and thoroughly decent as he comes across on screen. It's heartening that in a world overrun by fakes & fakery, so many people can still appreciate the genuine article.) PS: In case you're puzzled as to why I'm here commenting Two Weeks Late... it's 'cos. I came to YT to finally get around to sending this video to my BFF..! (Lucky he's so patient..)

Honestly got goosebumps from this, I loved it.

Stacey is such a beautiful dancer ♥️

still has me in tears.....

Cried! She was outstanding. This girl!! I've never wanted anyone to take the trophy as much as Stacey. X

Fabulous hold, fabulous upper body and posture, really great, soft and gliding movement across the floor, heel leads and sway. She acted the dance and Fantine fantastically. She could have driven more from her moving leg while stepping backwards, but other than that it was superb, both technically, choreographically and artistically. A 9.

that was beautiful very strong storytelling

Well done Stacey and Kevin! Now go ahead and win this thing!!

My favourite couple dancing my favourite dance to my absolute favourite song! My day couldn't get more perfect! Well done Kevin and Stacey, you're both beautiful 💕

I don’t get all these people saying she didn’t do much in the dance. Dance is about feeling and acting which she did every step she did there was emotion there was feeling and I think it was truly wonderful one of the best performances on strictly

i.m a 48 year old man who can't dance for toffee, currently shedding tears here... whats up with me... stunning performance

This should have had 4 tens was stunning

My favourite dance ever on strictly! They all did amazing!

I am surprised at the negative comments. I think its great for someone who has no dance or performance experience to perform like that is amazing,, the same applies to the others without experience.

had me in actually tears

Could watch this all day, wonderful dance

Love her such a wonderfully personality and this was so lovely

Yaaaassss maaaa queeeeeeeeeeeeeeennnn!!

I love Stacey's hair in this performance! So pretty!

Made me cry! Just beautiful!

I liked it simply because it was from Les Miserables. If it brings the musical to more people then that's a really good thing. The musical is on tour at the moment. ❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️ I am really looking forward to the BBC six part series, starting on 30/12/18.

beautiful couple!

Love that song 👌👌

can I just say something. American Smooth is a speciality dance, along with dances like the Charleston and the Salsa. For the Speciality Dances, the professional dancers get a choreographer is they so wish. So technically it’s neither Stacey’s or Kevin’s fault that there was more lifts than there should be. So stop slagging off Stacey for doing an amazing dance with amazing storytelling. Everybody did so well that it’s a real shame that we should be hating on any of the celebs when they’re all doing fabulous.

ok everyone needs to STFU about saying she didn’t dance enough. like i’m sorry but i’m pretty sure stacey doesn’t choreograph the dance. it was a brilliant dance especially because stacey hasn’t danced before and lifts can be terrifying. also to everyone saying “anyone could do that dance” go ahead give it a shot

A very touching and emotional performance!!! Great done!!!

We love Stacy!

This dance made me cry like a baby. Well done xx

She did this iconic number justice!!

Breathtaking 😢 Stacey Dooley Strictly champion 2018.

My favourite couple. Some decent music for a change

So what if it wasn’t technically perfect, it was a beautiful dance and I can’t stop watching it 💃🏼

Its so easy to dance to a lovely tune

I loved this so much, gave me goosebumps. A beautiful dance and she really did get the best song. Stacey is my winner, but sadly I don't think she will win. Hopefully I'll be wrong, but I doubt it.

strictly is no longer a dance competition...its a popularity contest

@emilyb5005

5 жыл бұрын

dave Lee it’s been like that for a while

@davelee8856

5 жыл бұрын

Yeah I suppose but even the judges now have favourites and don't always critique the dance. When they like someone like Joe and Stacey they comment on how good the routine was rather than the technical dance moves which aren't great but they get high marks (maybe not so much Craig) Someone like Ashley they will always point out technical mistakes

@niamhspeirs3656

5 жыл бұрын

dave Lee See as long as a thing is voted for by the public then its a popularity competition

@anna.xo1

5 жыл бұрын

dave Lee It's always been like that as much as I love joe, he has a high chance of winning because most of strictly viewers are also a fan of him.

@katy3901

5 жыл бұрын

dave Lee Ashley's had professional dance training though, I think it's fair to be harsh on her.

A really beautiful dance. Should have got 40 Stacey and Kevin are a lovely dancing couple. Hope they win Strictly this year.

What did Darcey not like about this dance that she gave it a 9? With Ashley's dance, she picked out a specific fault (a bend in her arm) meaning it wasn't perfect, but then still gave it a 10. With Stacey's dance, Darcey didn't say there was something she disliked, so why give a 9? It almost seems like she gave an obligatory 10 to Ashley just because she thought she deserved one anyway even if she wasn't flawless. It makes no sense however when the marking isn't consistent.

@susaneshraghi7124

5 жыл бұрын

Strong Bear Jn

@cillirpepper6454

5 жыл бұрын

THE JUDGES ARE BIAS.

@RichardCypher2100

5 жыл бұрын

None of them are ever flawless. That's the thing. Even with a perfect 40 it will never have the precision of a professional competition dance. It is up to the judges, which mistakes are tolerable even for a 10 and which ones aren't

@RichardCypher2100

5 жыл бұрын

I'm actually puzzled if you are being sarcastic or not :D

Lovely dance

Fantastic, cried all the way through

This was so special. I loved this so much!!!👌👌

❤️❤️❤️

Loved the tune, loved the dance

I loved the emotion, but Stacey was lifted up by extra dancers for most of the routine...

@JeSuisRene

5 жыл бұрын

well, there was *some* in hold though

@suzineeya

4 жыл бұрын

She didn't choreograph it.

@mcrobsessive0160

4 жыл бұрын

Plus you actually do a lot being lifted, you have to really train your core muscles to he able to most of those lifts

Should say fabulous

Loved the dance, loved the song

This was sunning, so emotional ;(

True emotion.

That was so so so so so so so AMAZING

Hope they win!!!

I don't care if it wasn't technically perfect. It looked beautiful, and I was entertained and moved. But why do the audience randomly burst out into short periods of applause? Does someone start it and everyone else join in, or are there APPLAUSE lights that come on?

Beautiful 😍

Didn’t even watch strictly tonight (watching tomorrow instead) but I voted for Stacey and Kevin 14 times altogether 😬😂🤷‍♀️❤️❤️❤️

So beautiful, I loved it.

This made me cry, it was so beautiful.

@suew000

5 жыл бұрын

Shin Rhino, Me too!

I did to watch the Les Misérables l was Christmas films and I was ln with my sister Hannah she loves that film of les Miserable the Musical film lt lts was too emotional we all have to watch it

I don't get her at all people slagging off Joe for doing a few lifts and saying he didn't do anything when Stacey does like 4 and no technical work and she gets a pass for doing nothing I don't understand why everyone wants her to win

@julkaxDxD

5 жыл бұрын

agree 100%!

@rebecca-hf8cj

5 жыл бұрын

I sort of agree but tbh Joe’s technique wasn’t the best

@user-ul8kv6hu7n

5 жыл бұрын

ik she was overmarked

@ljames2791

5 жыл бұрын

The emotion was everything and she did have technique! Her lifts were clean too! She told a story and that's what the American smooth is all about!

@user-ul8kv6hu7n

5 жыл бұрын

@@ljames2791 more lifts than she was supposed to do.

Why can I still not warm to Stacey? Could be something to do with Kevin and his "oh will I ever win" routine, as if Anton hasn't been waiting to lift the Glitterball since time began.

Voted for her from the start but this dance made me cry it was brilliant

I liked that she was smiling through the saddest song ever haha

@Strongbear2013

5 жыл бұрын

She was smiling during the bit when her cloak came off. Kevin Clifton explained this on either Twitter or Instagram when someone criticised Stacey's smiling expression. He said that she was smiling because she went into a dream-like state and was thinking of a life she wished she had and was momentarily happy and had hope. If you notice, that's when she sheds the cloak. But then she realised it was only a dream at the end, which is when the cloak came back on and she was once again all alone, in poverty and darkness and without hope, and she wasn't smiling anymore. So Stacey's smiling expression was actually appropriate and part of the routine, and she played this aspect really well. The smile makes it even sadder because her brief moment of hope and happiness left her.

@MissGio12

5 жыл бұрын

@@Strongbear2013 Aah ok yeah that didn't really come across for someone who think about the context from the movie

I think 👍👍👍👍👍👍

Magical still watching 2019

I Thank she vary Good like she

stacey reminds me of princess beatrice

Granted I loved the dance it was elegant and her frame was A-MA-ZING! I took off a point because she did four lifts (might have done five but the extra dancers covered it) and she was shaking with her foot when she went towards the stairs with Kevin. But i did loved it. 8!

1:05 bet Giovanni is raging because that is the same lift he did wity Debbie but that was a amazing Amerocan smooth great acting and emotion. Her technique is fabulous great flow and fluidity, wonderful lifts, great footwork it was great *10/10*

@bendymixer

5 жыл бұрын

hardly, Kevin di that lift with Susannah( showdance)and again with frankie (showdance)well before Giovanni joined strictly and before he did it with debbie Kev did it with Kellie at end of AS

@pennyandfishy7241

5 жыл бұрын

@@bendymixer I apologise for that then I cant remember the 2013 - 2014 years because that was my first time watching so the standard in 2013 doesn't match to 2018 so I kinda forgot about it

I liked it but she didn't do much dancing, did she? She was just being lifted and was running around. I like her tho

@kate7414

5 жыл бұрын

Random Person Yeah I like her too, but I have to agree

@ljames2791

5 жыл бұрын

Well it is an American smooth which includes lifts!

@julkaxDxD

5 жыл бұрын

@@ljames2791 i know what an american smooth is 😂 but you also have to have a bit of dancing eg. in hold. And here i didnt see it much. But that's just my opinion 🤷🏼‍♀️ I still liked it.

@christie4963

5 жыл бұрын

Well 32% of the routine was in hold. It’s not the 50% that it should be but more often than not themed weeks get in the way of that. The routine was definitely more than ‘running around’ though

@jlwf060204

5 жыл бұрын

can you put a video up of you dancing?

*_spoiler_* Ashley and Charles were in the dance off *-Charles-** was eliminated*

@laurenjones1120

5 жыл бұрын

Ffs, Ashley’s evidently the best dancer in the competition, anyone up against her has no chance of beating her. No matter what, she’s going to be in the final. Don’t think she’ll win though.

@cillirpepper6454

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot, I'm watching this tonight!

@susaneshraghi7124

5 жыл бұрын

Kristelle Kakavouri wq

*Anyone going to talk about the way they spelt Kevin in the title 😂*

I👏Co👏ni👏c any agree

I cried so much 😭😭

What were the scores?

Stacey is not gaunt enough. Sorry, joking aside, I love Les Miz. I love Fantine. I was expecting this to be an epic routine but I have to say I am very slightly disappointed. There are too many interaction with other dancers. I want to see her and Kevin dance together MORE. I know the idea is that Stacey is supposed to imagine she’s together with her ideal lover (the dream that never came). But I think it’s because of her unfamiliarity with other dancers lifting her that she did not fully relaxed, and thus her feet were not pointed as they should be. That said, all the bits when Stacey actually dances with Kevin, they were very watchable together (you see she points her feet when KEVIN lifts her). That said, I would have would like it MUCH more if Stacey danced as Eponine instead… One can dream a dream I supposed…9

@robronsuggle6897

5 жыл бұрын

SCD Observer between Joe, Stacey and Ashley I felt the choreography was weird and almost like they were treating these numbers like Blackpool performance's and not technical dances. Dissatisfied especially from how amazing last year's musical week was.

@bendymixer

5 жыл бұрын

I agree a bit, but was an AS which as less technicality to it than a foxtrot and on Strictly musical week they want the extra dancers in it I think 9 a fair score

@hayleylongster4698

5 жыл бұрын

Totally agree with all of you.

@ljames2791

5 жыл бұрын

I am sorry but for me the emotion made this a 10! It was so good!

@dajtoad1

5 жыл бұрын

I am not entirely sure how I feel about this one. I thought it was great when they danced together, although did notice some gapping. However, I think Kevin did fall foul of his worst choreographic flaw, which is to have too much time with his partner away from him, dancing with others, thus not taking advantage of the chemistry between them. So I love this routine and yet, at the same time, dislike it.

I am emotion

The audience clap over the most simplest moves, it’s ridiculous!

@jetsofaqua2206

5 жыл бұрын

MidnightStarRuby they exaggerate the claps in the sound room lol

@rorolilred

5 жыл бұрын

Plus if you're not a dancer you don't necessarily know which moves are hard and which are easy.

@AmyMuffin

5 жыл бұрын

I was in the audience on Saturday, and they tell you to clap and cheer if the dancers do anything unusual.

@MidnightStarRuby

5 жыл бұрын

*lifts toe* “WOOO!” 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

@philipdobinson8275

5 жыл бұрын

When I was in the audience they also spent around 10 minutes having just the audience clapping and shouting and whooping so they could record it. Having that enables the producers to add more sound and clapping if they want it to and when. Everything in TV is managed and staged, especially on a show like strictly! You may not enjoy the clapping but the producers certainly do.

Honestly, I feel really bad for Stacey. Like, if she wins all the Joe fangirls will be after her and sending death threats and stuff. I love Joe but everyone needs to calm down and stop hating on the others just because they did better than him.

@julkaxDxD

5 жыл бұрын

From what I saw on social media the Joe fangirls actually like Stacey 🤷🏼‍♀️ Him and Stacey are their favourites to win. I'm not sure where you get the hate from?

I completely agree with het not going a dancing and what are the other dancers actually doing this week, I have not watched strictly for years but it has changed! Lucky Len wasn’t there he would call it a lot of bloody faffing around lol xx

I loved this dance and they both looked fab but she looked more like Cosette with Marius than Fantine...

ደረጂ ዘለቀ

guys, he's not called Keven

A charelston next week, hopefully!

With this song and its roots in the musical Les Mis I would have loved this to have felt more intimate. The extra production and dancers may have been the cause of what alienated me but anyway I did feel she danced it well by and large and It still evoked a lot of emotion. It was a bit lift centric for my liking and transitions in and out felt a bit lazy on her part. Their still needs to be some more finesse added to her footwork whilst in hold and I never feel like she nails the timing of a number throughout its whole duration. 8.

I did to watch it when it is was Christmas films ln with Hannah

Since when was Kevin spelt keven??

She kind of had the wrong expression because in the musical Fantine looks sad in this song because she's been beaten up, bullied and is dying.

@alicemacey2775

5 жыл бұрын

Full/er House fan -Roblox, sims 4 and more it all depends on how you want to play the scene. I think Stacey’s expression was fine as instead of going down the traditional root that fantine is sad that she never got this life, she’s smiling as she momentarily believes this life she’s dreamed. The song is set in some of her final moments and it captures a life she never lead but if she has a sad smile throughout (growing more real through the major section) it portrays this idea that she’s so sad that she’s had to condition herself to believe it. So I actually think Stacey smiling through the dance made it sadder.

@alicemacey2775

5 жыл бұрын

Wow that was long 😂 sorry for the essay 😂😂

@Strongbear2013

5 жыл бұрын

@@alicemacey2775 Kevin Clifton explained exactly this on either Twitter or Instagram when someone made this criticism of Stacey's smiling expression. He explained that she was smiling because she went into this dream-like state (which is when the cloak came off) and was thinking of a life she wished she had and was momentarily happy. But then she realised it was only a dream at the end, which is when the cloak came back on and she was once again all alone and in poverty and in her darkness. So Stacey played this aspect really well.

The backing dancers distracted me . Still a great dance .

I did to watch it ln with my sister with Hannah it for Christmas film to eat the chocolates to watch it together

I mean... she basically just did a waltz and got lifted by professionals the whole dance and changed her clothes a few times??...

@paigemabel7373

5 жыл бұрын

april gray but it’s a Foxtrot? American smooth is basically a foxtrot but you’re allowed lifts

@little_tish8452

5 жыл бұрын

It's an American Smooth not a waltz

@am-ot9bp

5 жыл бұрын

@@paigemabel7373 but it was basically just lifts is what im saying. She did a bit of ballroom and got thrown around for the rest.

@user-ul8kv6hu7n

5 жыл бұрын

@@paigemabel7373 she had more lifts than whats allowed in American Smooth

I don’t get it... Where was the actual DANCING!? 😳 Literally anyone on earth could have performed that. Talk about an easy ride!

@ljames2791

5 жыл бұрын

What a load of shit get up and do it then!

@mittensthekitten9470

5 жыл бұрын

L James okay, sure... just done it! What do I score? Cheers

@MidnightStarRuby

5 жыл бұрын

MittensTheKitten 🤣🤣

@christie4963

5 жыл бұрын

32% of that routine was a technical in hold routine.

@jogolock1190

5 жыл бұрын

Haters going to hate

Dancing is making love in publick 💃

Stacy and Kevin where great winners of strictly they were grossly undermanned by Craig devil hall I've watched all there dances just tabular as he would say

What's up with these extra dancers lifting up anyone they can, Joe was also just thrown around

😍😍😍😍

Beautiful singing, the dancing was ok. But I think it's difficult to do an American Smooth to such a sad song, still it's Strictly and they have to do it.