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Strictly Come Dancing, week six: What the judges said

Find out what the judges had to say about the seven remaining couples' routines on this week's Strictly Come Dancing.

Strictly Come Dancing is now firmly in the business end of the competition, with next week's quarter-finals - and musicals week! - in sight.

The departure of Caroline Quentin last week leaves just seven couples in the hunt for the glitterball trophy but one more must go this weekend.

Scroll on to find out what the judges had to say about this week's performances!



Clara Amfo and Aljaz Skorjanec on Strictly Come Dancing week six© BBC

Clara Amfo and Aljaz Skorjanec

Dance: Jive
Song: 'River Deep Mountain High' by Tina Turner

Shirley Ballas: "What a way to open the show. It was a little bit hit and miss - the parts you did were absolutely outstanding, but there were so many mistakes. I commend you for being able to pick it up like a professional and carry on through." 6/10

Motsi Mabuse: "I have to say, it's true I saw the mistakes. But honestly I had goosebumps. You let go of everything and threw yourself into it. That's so moving." 7/10

Craig Revel Harwood: "You lost your balance on your leap, I think that set you of on a wobbly darling. You lost your footing, you forgot the routine halfway through. The beauty is you did a lot better than last week - this week actually is your dance, it just went horribly wrong sadly." 6/10

Overall score: 19/30



Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer on Strictly Come Dancing week six© BBC

Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer

Dance: Tango
Song: 'Tanguera' by Sexteto Mayor

Motsi Mabuse: "I have to say, you are so infectious, there's energy, there's love for Strictly. You kept it up. I see an improved shoulder line, your focus and you understand what the dance is about." 8/10

Craig Revel Harwood: "I think it could have done with a little bit more drive and I thought the lead was questionable at times. But I loved the concept, brilliant." 8/10

Shirley Ballas: "There was drama, there was tension, there was great storytelling. You have a beautiful connection with this young lady. The thing you have to work on now is take your ear and listen to that music and put it into your body. The sky's the limit for you young man." 8/10

Overall score: 24/30



HRVY and Janette Manrara on Strictly Come Dancing week six© BBC

HRVY and Janette Manrara

Dance: Couples' Choice: Street/Commercial
Song: 'A Sky Full Of Stars' by Coldplay

Craig Revel Harwood: "GOAT. That normally stands for greatest of all time. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant." 10/10

Shirley Ballas: "This is a very very difficult routine. It was those tiny little details on every front. Anybody would feel safe in your arms. You have such a human, humble element about you. You do lift everybody's spirits." 10/10

Motsi Mabuse: "You're lifting my spirits and many, many things. What a night for me to come back to. Unbelievable. I felt that music through you - it was pumping in my heart." 10/10

Overall score: 30/30



Ranvir Singh and Giovanni Pernice on Strictly Come Dancing week six© BBC

Ranvir Singh and Giovanni Pernice

Dance: American Smooth
Song: 'I Say a Little Prayer' by Aretha Franklin

Shirley Ballas: "The fact that you can get out there and do a little solo piece at the beginning says it all. That's the best female frame we've seen so far. You are a beautiful lady." 8/10

Motsi Mabuse: "The secret about this partnership is the connection between you guys - it's so important to have that. You are owning the dancefloor, this has become your home. I would like a tiny bit more surprises now and then - spice it up a little bit." 8/10

Craig Revel Harwood: "I would have liked to see more interesting lifts. You played safe, that's alright. You need more finesse in your arms when you're going in and out of hold. You maintained body contact, which was great, and your acting is now standing out." 8/10

Overall score: 24/30



Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse on Strictly Come Dancing week six© BBC

Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse

Dance: Jive
Song: 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie

Motsi Mabuse: "I have to say, that was one tempo jive. That was 100% energy from the beginning to the end. You can see that you have worked and it's paid off. I loved it." 8/10

Craig Revel Harwood: "I thought it was a bit stompy. Is that Anton booing from the cheap seats? Sorry Anton but you're no longer up here. Bill you have you have your very own style and I absolutely adore it." 8/10

Shirley Ballas: "I like the fact that I can tell you study your trade each week. You have attention to detail. I adore you but I do have to dock a little point. Your stamina for your age is off the chart." 8/10

Overall score: 24/30



JJ Chalmers and Amy Dowden on Strictly Come Dancing week six© BBC

JJ Chalmers and Amy Dowden

Dance: Viennese Waltz
Song: 'Rescue' by Lauren Daigle

Craig Revel Harwood: "Charming, elegant, full of class... gorgeous." 8/10

Shirley Ballas: "It was calm, it was quiet, it was understated and it was beautiful. You are a taskmaster Amy and you try everything. It was just beautiful." 9/10

Motsi Mabuse: "You guys bring us down - but in a good way. You go through all the movements - I can see you've worked a lot on the way you move across the floor. You have just an aura that comes with you. I enjoy it, I love watching you guys, keep on doing what you're doing." 8/10

Overall score: 25/30



Maisie Smith and Gorka Marquez on Strictly Come Dancing week six© BBC

Maisie Smith and Gorka Marquez

Dance: Quickstep
Song: 'When You're Smiling' by Andy Williams

Shirley Ballas: "I think it's the success story of the evening. You are naturally a powerful dancer and this evening you showed your vulnerable and feminine side. A real sense of listening to your partner. Well done." 10/10

Motsi Mabuse: "I didn't sit down. For me the quickstep is about the music - you had the skips, the hops, the swing, you had Charleston in there, you had stamina, you were powerful. You had it all." 10/10

Craig Revel Harwood: "You missed a left-foot swivel on the bench. But it was absolutely incredible, it really was." 9/10

Overall score: 29/30



Strictly Come Dancing: The Results airs Sunday night at 7.25pm on BBC One.


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Written by
Neil Wilkes

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