chesilbeach

Hello nightingale

Miss Congeniality

I did have problems initially, but I waited until the first programme had finished, and voted after 8pm before the second show started, and it was fine then. They aren't my favourite Strictly partnership by any means, but out of the two in the final, I definitely wanted them to win, so I was more than happy with the result.

I'm not going to tell you how many times I voted but I'm also absolutely delighted that Chris & Ola won And I admit, I was crying along with Ola - I can't see anyone else cry without my tear reflex kicking into action and I blub along with them

I can sort of see what poppyshake is saying, as it is supposed to be a ballroom and a latin, and Charleston is neither, however, the salsa is not part of the official latin discipline either, but has been in the final for the last three years, so it's obviously never been a rule they've been stubborn about. I thought tonights first show was great, particularly good to see Jade & Ian's tango - I've been waiting for that for weeks! - and I'm voting Team Cola. They may not be technically the best dancers, but I love the personality and spirit they bring to the floor. I did love Ricky & Natalie's quickstep, but I just find them so earnest and sincere - it doesn't seem genuine.

Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day

Small Steps by Louis Sacher

Small Island by Andrea Levy

The Tale Of The Unknown Island by Jose Saramago

The Other Hand - Chris Cleave

In the Spirit of Diaghilev - part of the Ballet Russes season on BBC Four and it's awesome.

Human by The Killers - it just sets my teeth on edge every time it comes on the radio.

The Other Side of the Stars by Clemency Burton-Hill

Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie

Oh, don't get me wrong, I know it was better, but I was very young and a Wham! fanatic and I wanted a Wham! Christmas Number One

I really don't care who gets the Christmas Number One - I've never got over Do They Know It's Christmas by Band Aid beating Last Christmas by Wham! And now I feel really old, as I've just realised this was 25 years ago.

The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom

Never Mind The Buzzcocks

The Pilot's Wife - Anita Shreve

Correct! Over to you for the next one, Chrissy

It's been a couple of weeks, so I'll put another one up for everyone to guess at ... We've been given our parts in the nativity play. And I'm the lobster. Good luck!

I've just bought it and added it to my Christmas playlist

No Time for Goodbye - Linwood Barclay

Goodbye, Jimmy Choo - Annie Sanders

And Bernard Cribbins on Phil's team