Strictly Icons Week: Hasselbaink leaves the ballroom

In the most iconic week of the competition, it was unfortunately the end of one of our football stars’ journey on Strictly Come Dancing after one of the most closely matched dance offs so far this series. 

On Saturday night, Karen Carney embodied Celine Dion in a rumba to her song Think Twice. Karen said in the introduction that it is one of her “favourite songs” and that it “makes [her] very emotional”. The rumba is a notoriously difficult dance on the show, and Karen’s partner Carlos said that getting “fluidity in a rumba is the most difficult part”. The rumba is naturally a slower dance and in comparison to the other dances that the couple have performed so far in the competition, but Kaz said that she was “enjoying doing something slower so [she] could focus on every movement”. 

After their dance, Shirley commented that Karen’s posture has “improved” and she also commended her on the execution of the “rumba walks” that Carlos picked for her as they were the “hardest ones”. She also said that she needed to point her toes more and to focus on “the details” but that overall she “really enjoyed it”. Anton stated that Karen “danced very well” but “the only thing [was that] [...] [Karen] got very tense”; however, excluding that, it was a “lovely performance”. Craig noted that Karen’s “balance was off” and that her “free arm needs placement”, but also that she had “lovely straight legs” throughout the dance. Motsi also commented on Karen’s “lovely leg action” but gave her advice on how to “translate the music through time” in order to get “the power that we’re used to seeing” from her as she dances. 

After the judges comments, Karen said she was “a bit gutted” with her performance and the judges’ comments, but Carlos said that saying that he was proud of Karen was “such an understatement”. The judges each gave the couple a 7 meaning that their total score was 28 points, meaning that they were joint 7th on the leaderboard at the end of the night. 

On the other hand, Jimmy performed as Prince on Saturday night, dancing an American smooth to his song Purple Rain. In his introduction, he and Lauren talked about the importance of “framing” in this dance, and Lauren said that they have been doing a lot of work on “making sure his arms are elongated”. Overall, Jimmy said that he was “very excited” to dance on Saturday night. 

After their dance, Anton noted that Jimmy “did keep [his] frame” during the dance and that he “moved across the floor beautifully”. Craig noted that Jimmy was “dancing a little bit underneath [himself], but that “the timing into all of the lifts was absolutely perfect”. Motsi said that she “loved the way [he] moved” and that she could “really see how hard [he’s] been working”, but that she “just want[ed him] to enjoy it more”. Shirley said that although his “first opening walk was very impressive”, she was “a little in and out on this performance”. She commented that his “whole body weight was forward”, but that “if [he gets] his footwork and [his] body posture in the right place, [he] could also be contending” in the competition.  

When talking to Claudia, Jimmy said that “it was a very difficult week” but also “a very good week” and that he was “very happy with the dance”. When asked about his opinions on the ballroom style dances Jimmy said that he “love[s] the ballroom” and that “hopefully [he] can do some more” in the competition. Craig and Shirley both gave the dance a 7, whereas Motsi and Anton awarded it an 8, meaning that Jimmy and Lauren ended up with a total of 30 points ( joint 5th on the leaderboard). 

Karen and Carlos made it through to Halloween week, but sadly Jimmy and Lauren were in the dance off this week. They were up against West-End performer Amber Davies and her partner Nikita, who ultimately (after they had both performed again) the judges unanimously voted to save, meaning that Jimmy has been eliminated from the competition. 

After the decision was made, he told Tess that “this experience is going to live with [him] forever”and that his partner Lauren is “a diamond” who has been “absolutely amazing with him, and the craziness in [his] head”. Lauren said that Jimmy is “proof that anyone can be a dancer” and that they’ve had “the best time” and that she is “so proud” of him. 

Sadly, Jimmy won’t be performing in next week’s Halloween episode, but Karen’s Strictly journey will continue in week 6 of the competition. Tune in on Saturday night to see how she gets on as she dances in the spookiest night of the competition!