The Strictly Come Dancing final is just one week away and this week the remaining couples had to perform two numbers and we were treated to two Charlestons. Which one was your favourite? Bill and Oti’s classic 1920s Charleston or HRVY and Janette’s Musical theatre number?

Bill and Oti

Bill Bailey and his professional partner Oti Mabuse performed to the ‘Won’t you Come Home Bill Bailey’, a popular traditional Jazz song originally published in 1902. The routine was choreographed by Jenny Thomas.

The routine starts with Bill arriving home and dancing straight into a set of Flapper Walks and a Cartwheel. The first dance break is side by side and the pair perform: Cake walks, Running Charleston, Suzie Qs, Helicopters and some lifts. This leads into a sequence in hold similar to an Around the World Charleston, into Heel Flicks, Pushes, Tick Tocks and another lift. The second sequence in hold includes Heel Flicks, Bunny Hops breaking into Skating and Birdie Flaps into their final lift.

The judges enjoyed his performance. Craig said: “Don't go home, Bill Bailey. Torso a bit square but you hit all the right positions, loved it.” Shirley liked seeing his comedy shine through the dance but agreed with Craig that he was stiff in the upper body. Motsi mentioned an improvement in his weight placement.

Bill tried very hard to bring lots of character into this role and danced to some quite tricky rhythm sections especially in the Heel Flicks and Bunny Hops sequences. In terms of choreography, it would have be nice to see a basic 20s Charleston step but there were lots of other classic moves in the routine. Together they are a great pair and deserve to be in the final.

Judges’ scores: 8, 8, 9 – 25

MyCharleston: 8

HRVY and Janette

Meanwhile HRVY and his professional partner Janette Manrara performed an action-packed Charleston which felt like it should have been in Movie Week. Unlike the previous routine, the choregrapher was Alan Burkitt.

The theme was La La Land and the routine begins with them dancing a basic 20s Charleston around a Coffee Shop. After they set the scene, they run to the centre of the floor perform a basic 20s Charleston in hold, Knocky Knees and Helicopter, Suzie Q, Pushes, Jumps and another 20s Charleston followed by the Drum solo. The Drum Solo section is very challenging to keep in time and HRVY manages it perfectly. The routine is packed full of content as they break into Flapper Walks and Birdie Flaps. After a tiny moment on the bench to catch their breath they finish with a complicated sequence of Kicks, Jumps and Lifts.

HRVY had fab swivel, stamina and really captured the Musical Theatre style within the routine. They were both a joy to watch and like the previous couple were very entertaining and a great pair to be in the final - also so pleased for Janette to finally be in the final after 8 years, she is incredible!

Shirley said he danced the steps as an artist. Motsi though it was outstanding. Craig: “Fab-u-lous.”

Judges’ scores: 10, 10, 10 – 30

MyCharleston: 9