George Clarke admits brand-new Strictly challenge is 'terrifying'
Can he handle the pressure this weekend?
Strictly Come Dancing star George Clarke has discussed the upcoming Instant Dance challenge on Morning Live.
For the first time in the BBC show’s history, the six remaining couples must re-do one of their previous dance disciplines from across the series. That’s after they’ve already performed their latest routine for the judges!
They stand to claim up to six extra points if they impress Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse. But internet personality George is understandably bricking it.
Strictly: George Clarke on the Instant Dance challenge
Appearing beside his professional dance partner Alexis Warr on Morning Live today (November 26), George set the scene for hosts Helen Skelton and Rav Wilding.
“It’s a bit of a challenge!” he grinned. “Basically, one of the dances that you’ve done before will get randomly selected alongside a random song. Then you have a few minutes to sort of scramble and get an outfit off some rails that hasn’t been planned before.
“I think it’s 10 seconds as the song starts that you get to just go, ‘OK… I guess we’re gonna do this!’ Which is terrifying,” George added.
What have the judges said about it?
At the time of the new challenge’s announcement, Shirley suggested it had “the power to change everything” for contestants.
“With standards so incredibly high this year and the competition so close, there’s a lot resting on it,” she said. “The dance styles, costumes and music might not be revealed until the night, but what we can be sure of right now is that it’s going to be a whole lot of fun. I cannot wait!”
Having witnessed Instant Dance in the flesh on Germany’s version of Strictly, Motsi was best placed to tease what to expect.
She told Claudia Winkleman last weekend: “The question is, have they really learned to dance and understood what they are doing? Have they learned their basic steps? And you have to trust your partner. I’ve seen people have blackouts and just stand there. But I’ve seen some magical moments. Anything can happen.”
Strictly pro Alexis Warr’s job interview insight
Alexis revealed to Helen (a former Strictly celebrity herself) and Rav that the BBC bosses were keen to big-up Blackpool Week in her job interview.
“The last time I danced in Blackpool was in 2017, when I danced at the Winter Gardens,” she recalled. “But this was the first Blackpool [Tower Ballroom] experience, it was everything and more.
“When I first got interviewed for the show, I heard so much about Blackpool and how big and epic it is. It’s one thing to hear about it, but to actually experience it… it definitely lives up to all of that. It just was a major pinch-me moment.”
The couple treated fans to a Salsa soundtracked by a Party Rock Anthem, Rock This Party, and Mr. Saxobeat mash-up. For their efforts, they received their highest score of the series so far.
Read more: Strictly star Vincent Simone believes George Clarke ‘didn’t deserve three 10s’ for Salsa performance
