Strictly Come Dancing's George Clarke thought he'd be 'unbelievably angry' over semi-final dance choices
"I don't know what's happened"Strictly Come Dancing has less than two weeks to go until one celebrity lifts that famous Glitterball trophy in triumph, and for George Clarke he thought he would have been shaking producers in anger by now.
The YouTuber joked he expected to be ‘unbelievably angry’ at BBC bosses for making him do two ‘full on’ dance choices for the semi-final.
Not only is the pressure on, but the contestants in season 23 now have more on their plate as the semi-final looms around the corner. Celebrities will have to learn two routines, on top of the stress they’re facing on the dance floor.
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon are performing a waltz and a salsa, as well as Karen Carney and Carlos Gu. George Clarke and Alexis Warr have been signed up for a Charleston and a difficult samba, whereas Amber Davies is performing a Couple’s Choice and a Tango.
George and pro Alexis joined Janette Manrara on It Takes Two on Thursday night to talk about the preparation for the weekend ahead.
Strictly’s George Clarke thought he’d be ‘angry’ at producers
Janette asked how the star felt about learning two dances now as the competition heats up. It turns out, George isn’t concerned at all.
Janette asks the YouTube star: “Two dances this week, and two pretty full on dances, they’re not going easy on you?”
George admitted: “I thought I would grabbing a producer by the lapels and being unbelievable angry. I’m really enjoying it actually, I don’t know what’s happened.”
He said smiling to his pro dancer sitting next to him.
Alexis joked: “This show has changed him!”
He added: “The Charleston, I thought I would really enjoy but I’ve heard so many bad words spoken about the samba. But we’ve gotten to know each other and he’s a great guy!”
Alexis went into ‘panic mode’
But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. George’s pro partner Alexis admitted she ‘panicked’ when they attempted the Instant Dance challenge previously in the competition.
The 25-year-old ended up performing a tango when it was their turn but it didn’t go as they had hoped.
The challenge, which was brought in to spice things up by BBC chiefs, saw the dancers having to dance on the night with no rehearsal or planning. They had to use what they’ve learned in the competition so far and only had a mere few minutes to prepare. It was a far cry from the usual set-up which sees them practice for several days before each elimination week.
George broke character during the challenge when he struggled to take his big red coat off. The pair knocked knees and he ended up stifling a laugh.
The duo received two points for their efforts from the judges, and it ended up being the second-worst score awarded that night for the challenge.
Alexis later told Janette Manrara during It Takes Two the following week that she ‘panicked’.
“It was a fast thinking process,” Alexis laughed.
“I don’t know. I panicked.”
“We used the time well, though, I think, the 10 seconds,” George protested.
“I don’t know if he was listening to what I was saying,” Alexis then interrupted.
“No,” George admitted.
“So I guess I just had to embrace the chaos,” Alexis then added.
Strictly continues Saturday, December 13 at 6.50pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
