Dancing with the Stars Week 11: Helen Skelton returns to the dance floor

It can be hard to stand out from the glitz of Musical Week. All the last six couples are ready to climb to the top of the standings, and the task of the professionals now is to show what they have learned and present it in the best possible light. To give them the wow factor.

This week it all worked out for Helen Skelton. Throughout the game, her VT interviews were muted, hinting only at her off-screen life (she divorced her eight-year-old husband, rugby league player Richie Myler in April, who is expecting a baby with his new partner). Dance spoke for her this week.

In her Foss-inspired “Couple’s Choice” program at “My Lord” cabaret, she channeled all of the battered woman’s defiance and turned it into something quite impressively campy. That was exciting.

With each jerky step of routine, pursed lips and burning eyes, she not only delved into the black heart of Kander and Ebb’s story against the rise of fascism, but swore loudly and proudly. you.” We can only guess who she was thinking of.

Subtext is everything in Strictly. After the dance, she cannot tell Claudia how angry she is about the abuse and betrayal. This is light entertainment, not a daytime talk show. But she can tell it with the choreography. Sally Bowles can tell by grunting in the air and wearing black underwear.

There is a line in the song: “And I’m done, clubfoot.” Helen twisted her face with the most sarcastic smile and wiggled her fingers, the smallest gesture, but she hugged her with the intention of bowing. It made me tingle.

When we know that dance is not just sweat-soaked in the gym, when it is a conduit to the true feelings of the dancer, it becomes even more poignant. Every dance that week was impressive, but Helen felt personally.

The people around her seem to be doing more than just teaching her how to dance at every stage of the show. They give her a means of expression. In every interview she is happy, cheerful and just keeps going and says she just wants to have some fun and smile after a terrible year. She does not provide details.

She knows that we know what that means. But when she dances, especially in a dance style that expresses courage, confidence, anger, lust or pure intransigence, she comes to life. She’s not an actress, but her ability to tap into those edgy routines has grown remarkably over the past 11 weeks.

Hamza is cute, Kim is impressive, Fleur is gorgeous, but there’s something more precious about Helen. She has a history. Not designed or assembled by the production team. Not about her long-dead grandparents. She lives off her now.

When it comes to picking a winner in just a few weeks, Hamza’s enduring charm and talent could end up winning. But for me, Helen won something more valuable than a big shiny trophy.

She’s found herself and almost clearly pulled herself together every Saturday night while her co-stars roar for their support and encouragement.

For me, the final without Elena is unthinkable. I could give up the habit of my life and actually vote.

Rating

• Will and Nancy 39
• Elena and Gorka 39
• Molly and Carlos 38
• Fleur and Vito38
• Hamza and Jovita 36
• Kim and Graziano34

: Any of the remaining six will be a big loss to the show this week, but if Fleur’s luck doesn’t pan out, I’m worried about them and maybe Kim. If I could make a decision instead of making it public, I would make Will and Kim dance and Will would go home. But really, it’s too close to call. We could look at Kim and Fleur, which I think would mean Kim is gone. But what do I know?

: Despite the inclusion of Johannes as the Pink Lady during the Grease segment, I think the opening musical medley was a bit of a mess. NOT the choreography CLEARLY. The glorious Oti Mabuse is partly to blame for this. But it seemed too ambitious and an attempt to include too many shows. The twisted boots at the end were a particular misfire.

: Helen aside – I’ve made my feelings for her very clear – Molly has been storming the barn again this week. The second time she’s there, fully armed, with a full Roxy from Chicago. She was absolutely beaming. What an artist.

: Helen’s visit to her father and mother was the key to her story. She never overdoes it like she thinks it would be nice, but her statement that “it’s about strength” made it clear what she’s been up to this week.

: The reaction of professional dancers and celebrities who watched Elena dance was amazing when Nikita stood on the table and hit the air with his fist. She’s just as interested in her journey as we are, and the huge emotional outburst of getting it right spoke for itself.

: Each pair improved last week’s results, and Will again topped the leaderboard (together with Helen). He was really great, but I lost count of how many times he said, “I’m an emotional person,” which put me off a bit. He can show us. He doesn’t have to constantly tell us.