The result

Don't think anyone really needs me to predict on this one do they?

If it's not 4-0 i'll eat my laptop!

Didn't realise Ian was moonlighting with Zoe!

...and there's the confirmation from Len.

I think Joe needed to go, but he definitely went out on his best dance - what do you think?

The dance off!

This really is going to be no contest i'm afraid Joe!

I can understand, I suppose, why Zoe might have ended up in the bottom two. I personally found it a little lacking in excitement and energy.

If you're going to be in a dance-off though you have to hope for Joe as your opponent.

Even though it's by far Joe's best dance I don't think there really was going to be anything he could do to stay in this competition at this point.

The moment of truth!

Will Craig be in another dance-off, will the two Jo(e)s be saved again?

Well that's one of the Jo(e)s through!

Craig manages to escape the dance-off, bet they're relieved. Out of those three Zoe surely has to be through, could this be the week Joe finally takes a bow?

Now that's a shock, but definitely going to be Joe going home this time!

Leaderboard

All the celeb's have danced, how does the leaderboard look?

1. 36 points - Ricky & Natalie
2. 35 points - Jade & Ian
3. 30 points - Zoe & James
4. 29 points - Ali & Brian
5. 27 points - Natalie & Vincent
6. 27 points - Phil & Katya
7. 25 points - Ricky & Erin
8. 23 points - Jo & Brendan
9. 22 points - Laila & Anton
10. 22 points - Chris & Ola
11. 21 points - Joe & Kristina
12. 20 points - Craig & Flavia

Well Joe managed to lift himself from the bottom, though didn't expect Craig to be at the bottom. Would've personally put Jade & Ian at the top but maybe I'm biased!

I think it'll be a Laila and Craig dance-off.

Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan - Jive

Another week, and another metre of clothing removed from Ola's outfit!

Best start for a Jive tonight...until the actual Jive dancing started - needs to keep his head up a little bit more and be a bit 'tighter' with his chasse and rock motion.

Looks very puffed out by the end of the dance.

6's with maybe a 7...

Phil Tufnell & Katya Virshilas - Viennese Waltz

This was looking very good, if a little boppy in training...

Unfortunately still quite a lot of bobbing there Phil but some lovely throwaways.

A bit of a frantic ending for my liking, and the finish appeared to go a bit wrong.

Should easily get the 7's I thought it would though.

Laila Rouass & Anton du Beke - Jive

So Ian told me that we really need to vote for Laila and Anton on tonight's show, and from the training videos I had to agree.

I only hope they've chosen a slow song...

...wise choice!

Poor Anton, there's a reason he (like I) were pre-determined to be ballroom dancers!

Not actually bad in places but there are some truly awful points.

I think we really could see a top one week, to bottom the next situation.

Looking at 5's as I predicted.

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Viennese Waltz

Thought training for the Viennese looked quite good, though I've only predicted 7's.

Picking her feet up far too high in the pivots at the start and it's causing an horrendous motion.

Too boppy for my liking, nice hands when out of hold though.

6-7

Joe Calzaghe & Kristina Rihanoff - Jive

I've predicted this could actually be Joe's best dance, and might actually pull him off the bottom of the leaderboard.

Shame Joe was so out of time on the flick ball-changes at the start as it wasn't looking too bad at that point.

No real bounce in the dance however but could achieve some 6's.

Craig Kelly & Flavia Cacace - Jive

Before I get onto Craig and Flavia's dance, I don't agree with Ricky's being a 10 Alesha, at least not if you haven't marked Jade's a 10 too!

Anyway, can Craig overcome yet another dance-off confidence shaker?

Interesting outfit Flavia...

Definitely energetic, though it looks a little loose, lacking in control and Craig's a bit ahead of the music.

Very stompy in the chasses.

Still think 6's.

Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Viennese Waltz

For me Ricky's ballroom frame has not yet been good enough to warrant the marks he's received, let's see if it's any better tonight.

Looking much, much better Ricky, just please hold that frame!!!

Well this could definitely give Jade a run for her money, though does appear to lost balance during the reverse fleckles.

An impressive performance, almost as good as Jade's but I don't think quite as good, should get some 9's but I think it'll be a point behind Jade.

Zoe Lucker & James Jordan - Jive

Another celeb that I've been waiting to see perform a fast Latin dance. I thought training looked good, let's hope the nerves don't get the better of her.

I think she needs to take slightly smaller back steps, and another celeb who doesn't keep the toes down when flicking.

It's a little lacklustre for my liking, looks like a collection of moves rather than a continuous routine.

Pretty sure James dropped Zoe a little early at the end there.

Think it will be the 7's I predicted.

Jo Wood & Brendan Cole - Viennese Waltz

I'm afraid Jo that i've put you at the bottom of the table before tonight's show, please prove me wrong...

First few spins it actually looked smooth and I thought "wow, what an improvement", then unfortunately it continued and it almost looks at times like Jo is running round Brendan rather than dancing.

Nowhere near as smooth as it needs to be, though not necessarily a bad performance. Better than the 5's I predicted but I'm seeing 5-6's.

Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna - Jive

Looked a little awkward in training and I've been waiting to see how Ali copes with these faster Latin American dances.

Looking good up until the mistake with the American spins, dance seemed to lose it as Ali's confidence dropped.

A good start but let down by the second half.

6-7 rather than straight 7's that I predicted before.

Jade Johnson & Ian Waite - Viennese Waltz

My predicted leaderboard leaders are up next. Saw a preview from them on Thursday night at the International Ballroom Dancing Championships and it looked pretty good then.

Very nice fluid beginning, just needs to watch her left arm as it looks to be dropping a little.

Sometimes I really wish the cameras would allow us to see more of the celebrities feet!!!

An excellent performance and well deserved of the 9's I predicted, and still expect.

Ricky Groves & Erin Boag - Jive

Up first then Ricky and Erin

Does need to point those toes down, and not sure about the constant clicking.

It does seem a little flat, even though Ricky does appear to be bouncing the whole way round.

Not as inspiring as i'd hoped but not a bad performance. Thought 7's and I think he should manage that.

Finally it starts!

Though I must thank F1 as I didn't get home till 7.30pm so would've been behind (again) with the blog if there hadn't been that delay!

So yesterday I predicted that Joe might actually not end up on the bottom tonight, and Jade could well take top spot. Let's see what happens, first up - Ricky Groves.

Training updates - Viennese Waltz & Jive

So we have the difficulty of the constantly rotating Viennese, and making it look smooth and effortless, compared to the speed, energy, and lightness required of the Jive.

With the Viennese Waltz there should be a smooth lilting sway from side to side, rather than the classic 'rise and fall' of the other traditional ballroom dances (Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot).

Both partners should be driving the dance when it is their turn to come forward. This will result in a much smoother action than if the male is driving then pulling his partner.

The Jive needs to be a bouncy and fun dance with light, quick movements and plenty of personality - i'm already feeling for Joe if he's been picked for this one!

So who's got what, and how's their training coming along?

Zoe Lucker & James Jordan - Jive

Looking quite light on her feet but yet again she needs to get over those nerves of hers!

Could be a solid performance and receive 7's.

Joe Calzaghe & Kristina Rihanoff - Jive

So far Joe has proved to be very heavy-footed, contrary to the bookie's early odds. How [or even will?] he cope with the fast and bouncy Jive?

Actually looks like Joe is getting involved in the dance and enjoying himself. Needs to make sure that his toes are pointed down during the flicks.

Could well be his best dance yet though and might even manage 6's (ignoring the [personal opinion] over-marking of last week.

Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna - Jive

Brian's favourite dance is looking a little awkward at times but really good at others.

Haven't really seen enough of the dance to give an accurate judgement but i'll predict healthy 7's.

Craig Kelly & Flavia Cacace - Jive

Craig's been in the dance-off twice now and I imagine his confidence has taken a real knock.

Needs to keep palms down rather than facing upwards and really should be pointing his toes downwards rather than letting them flick aimlessly during the kicks.

Also needs to bring his feet together a little more during his chasses (and in some cases actually do chasses!)

However it looks like it could be 6's.

Ricky Groves & Erin Boag - Jive

Could this be a return to the funny for Ricky? His Foxtrot would've been a LOT better last week if he could've kept his frame under control, less of an issue when it comes to Jive.

Looking pretty good, energetic and with a nice amount of bounce. Again another celeb who needs to keep those toes down during kicks - interesting to see that he's got himself a pair of dance trainers.

I'm expecting another lively performance from Ricky and at least 7's.

Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan - Jive

So another Latin dance for Chris, and another chance for Ola to wear very little!

Needs to take smaller back steps when rocking back and keep the head up when he's kicking (a problem he had during the Quickstep).

Looking good but yet again there's toes being flung around that should be toward the floor.

Realistically I think 6-7.

Laila Rouass & Anton du Beke - Jive

Laila and Anton definitely deserved their top spot last week, but how are they going to cope with the move from slow and elegant Foxtrot, to fast and frantic Jive?

Well she's looking a little flat-footed, and wearing boots probably doesn't help!

Needs to do something [anything!] with her free hand. The training doesn't appear to be at full speed/performance so really hard to judge.

If that was at full speed then we'll struggle for 5's!!!

Phil Tufnell & Katya Virshilas - Viennese Waltz

I saw some surprisingly impressive hips last week, let's hope Phil's knee has recovered further and he can show us a really smooth Viennese.

Needs to translate the 'bob' into more of a sway but not looking too bad, need to see him out of practice hold to be a better judge of how his frame is holding up though.

Should be 7's.

Jo Wood & Brendan Cole - Viennese Waltz

Jo still isn't strenghtening her ab's and standing up, she looks introverted and is totally lost in Brendan's frame.

It's very jerky and bouncy and is nowhere near as smooth-looking as it should be.

Unless she relaxes, and starts to stand up, this will be more 5's. The only saving grace she has is that there's only really 3 steps in the Viennese so nowhere near as much to learn as the other dances!

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Viennese Waltz

Very nice presentation with the hands but again does need to avoid bouncing when she closes her feet, and also make sure she keeps the frame up all the way round the dance.

To avoid getting dizzy she really needs to try and focus on the wall as she goes round so that her brain can cope.

Could come off quite nice though and probably straight 7's.

Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Viennese Waltz

I've not been impressed with Ricky's frame in the first couple of ballroom dances and at times there appears to be significant improvement, then at other times his shoulders are out of alignment and it ruins the whole look.

I'd say 7's but the judges like him so will probably be 8-9.

Jade Johnson & Ian Waite - Viennese Waltz

The tallest couple should definitely be suited to this dance.

We saw Ian and Jade at the International Ballroom Dancing Championships last night and Ian gave me a preview of Jade's frame and posture, which is looking very good.

This is looking very good and could be the highest scoring Viennese of the night.

I'm going out on a limb and saying 9's!!!

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I'm putting Jade and Ian in top spot with Jo Wood (or even possibly Laila) in bottom spot.

Ian said that he'd seen Laila's Jive and people will really need to vote for them so it will be interesting to see how the performance comes off.

What about your views, who would you place top, who do you think should be going out?

Natalie Cassidy loses a stone

Natalie Cassidy has said that she has lost almost a stone through her Strictly Come Dancing training, yet still snacks on chips and doughnuts!

Her's and Vincent's desire to succeed in this year's Strictly has seen them doing up to 9 hours of training a day.

This has ensured that Natalie has lost the weight, even whilst still snacking on chips, biscuits and doughnuts - though she has reportedly given up booze.

Dancing is an effective, and generally low impact, way of keeping fit and [in my opinion] is much more enjoyable than going to the gym!

Let's hope all this training continues to improve Natalie's dancing...now if only Joe could take a leaf out of her book.