Well we've managed to get tickets for Blackpool this weekend, ok so it's not the live show but rather a dance class during the day with Karen Hardy and then a live 'screening' in Winter Gardens afterwards, but we'll still be up there!
Unless of course Ian can pull some favours and get us in to the Tower that is...!
Either way i'll do my best to blog the show live but i'm guessing they probably won't let me in with my laptop and dongle, so you may have to wait for my comments this week.
If I can't blog live i'll have to make do with bog-standard pen and paper then write it up afterwards.
Anyone else going to Blackpool? Anyone lucky enough to get the actual live show tickets?
Saturday 7 November 2009
Friday 6 November 2009
Quiz answers
If, like me, you failed to get a perfect 10 out of 10 (albeit by one mark, and I know which one I got wrong!), then here's the answers to the week 7 Strictly quiz.
See more at the BBC official Strictly site
Thursday 5 November 2009
Strictly's Blackpool visit
What are the dancers most looking forward to in Blackpool this weekend?
Sadly we didn't get tickets for the live show (though a student did pass us tickets for the live screening at Winter Gardens, but not sure if we're going to go yet!)
As ever for more details on Strictly please visit the BBC's dedicated website.
Sadly we didn't get tickets for the live show (though a student did pass us tickets for the live screening at Winter Gardens, but not sure if we're going to go yet!)
As ever for more details on Strictly please visit the BBC's dedicated website.
Wednesday 4 November 2009
Feel you know everything about Saturday's Strictly Come Dancing?
Why not take the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing week 7 quiz and see how much you know about Saturday's show.
One of the professional dancers will be revealing the answers later this week.
I managed 9/10, see how you do: BBC Quiz
One of the professional dancers will be revealing the answers later this week.
I managed 9/10, see how you do: BBC Quiz
Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster to perform at Blackpool
Rod Stewart has been revealed as the musical guest for this Saturday's Strictly Come Dancing, which comes live from Blackpool Tower Ballroom, the home of ballroom dancing. Rod will be performing the hit 'Same Old Song' - and will be joined by his wife, and former Strictly contestant, Penny Lancaster, making it a real family affair!
Penny will be teaming up with Strictly professional dancer, Matthew Cutler, to perform a Cha Cha Cha during Rod's performance.
This will be the first time that Penny has returned to the show since competing in series five in 2007.
Penny didn’t get to perform the Cha Cha Cha when she was on the show so it's a dance she has waited a long time to do.
Rod and Penny will be flying up to Blackpool in their own private jet, while the rest of the Strictly crew will be travelling up by coach. Strictly professional dancer, Ian Waite, partnered Penny when she was on Strictly so he may try to cadge a lift for him and Jade!
Penny will be teaming up with Strictly professional dancer, Matthew Cutler, to perform a Cha Cha Cha during Rod's performance.
This will be the first time that Penny has returned to the show since competing in series five in 2007.
Penny didn’t get to perform the Cha Cha Cha when she was on the show so it's a dance she has waited a long time to do.
Rod and Penny will be flying up to Blackpool in their own private jet, while the rest of the Strictly crew will be travelling up by coach. Strictly professional dancer, Ian Waite, partnered Penny when she was on Strictly so he may try to cadge a lift for him and Jade!
Oh and if anyone fancies getting me in for the show on Saturday I definitely won't say no - private jet not required!
Monday 2 November 2009
Saturday's Strictly Come Dancing...in 60 seconds!
Only got a minute to spare, then why not just see the web exclusive 60 second summary of Saturday night's show.
If you want more details on the show then check out BBC Stricly Come Dancing
If you want more details on the show then check out BBC Stricly Come Dancing
Weekend Videos
In case you missed Strictly at the weekend you can see the weekend's performances below:
Actress Zoe Lucker tonight became the seventh celebrity to be voted off the seventh series of BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing.
In week seven of the competition, all 10 of the remaining celebrity contestants and their professional dance partners took to the floor to perform a variety of dances.
After Saturday’s performance, the combination of the judges' scores and viewers’ votes left Zoe Lucker and her professional partner James Jordan in the bottom two and facing the dance off with Ali Bastian and her professional partner Brian Fortuna.
Zoe and James then performed their Samba to Boogie Nights and Ali and Brian performed their Paso Doble to El Gato Montes for a second time for the judges' deciding vote.
Handing over to the judges, Bruce Forsyth said “All I can say is I wouldn’t like to be a judge tonight”. Making their decision on who to save, the judges said.
Craig Revel Horwood: “Well what a heinous dilemma, I have to say, both couples mucked up and timing was out, for both couples that is, but I am going to save Ali and Brian.”
Alesha Dixon when asked who she would save: “Both!....Zoe and James.”
Bruno Tonioli: “They shouldn’t be there either of them, it’s ridiculous because whoever we are going to save, it’s not fair for the other person. Based on what I saw, I have to go with Ali and Brian.”
Len Goodman: “I’m sorry I know the viewers can do what they like and it’s a popularity contest and all that, this is ludicrous, it’s nonsensical that either of these are in the bottom two! There are five couples that are worse than these, but I’ve got to make a decision and as somebody said they both did go wrong, and I’m having to save Ali and Brian.”
On tonight’s show, Zoe Lucker and James Jordan were awarded 32 points for their samba by the judges.
On leaving the competition, Zoe Lucker said: “I’ve had an amazing time, James is the best teacher I have to say. I’m so sorry I couldn’t get him to Blackpool but thank you very much for the opportunity, it’s been brilliant.”
James Jordan said: “Can I just say, winning that Strictly trophy ball means everything to me, but I would never swap this wonderful lady for that ball. She’s brilliant, she’s brilliant.”
Tonight’s show saw musical legends The Bee Gees perform their disco classic You Should Be Dancing and viewers were treated to a Hip Hop Samba and a Latin Medley from Strictly’s professional dancers.
Next week, the show comes live from the world famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom and the remaining 9 couples will dance to stay in the competition.
Strictly Come Dancing is available on BBC One and BBC HD. Tune in to the next episode live from Blackpool Tower Ballroom on Saturday 7th November 2009, 6.25pm.
Don't forget you can get all the up-to-date gossip on Strictly Come Dancing’s sister show It Takes Two, weekdays at 6.30pm on BBC Two.
For more information and gossip, visit bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing or follow Strictly on Twitter: bbcstrictly.
The Result:
Natalie Cassidy:
Zoe Lucker:
Craig Kelly:
Ricky Groves:
Laila Rouass:
Phil Tufnell:
Ricky Whittle:
Jade Johnson:
Ali Bastian:
Chris Hollins:
Actress Zoe Lucker tonight became the seventh celebrity to be voted off the seventh series of BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing.
In week seven of the competition, all 10 of the remaining celebrity contestants and their professional dance partners took to the floor to perform a variety of dances.
After Saturday’s performance, the combination of the judges' scores and viewers’ votes left Zoe Lucker and her professional partner James Jordan in the bottom two and facing the dance off with Ali Bastian and her professional partner Brian Fortuna.
Zoe and James then performed their Samba to Boogie Nights and Ali and Brian performed their Paso Doble to El Gato Montes for a second time for the judges' deciding vote.
Handing over to the judges, Bruce Forsyth said “All I can say is I wouldn’t like to be a judge tonight”. Making their decision on who to save, the judges said.
Craig Revel Horwood: “Well what a heinous dilemma, I have to say, both couples mucked up and timing was out, for both couples that is, but I am going to save Ali and Brian.”
Alesha Dixon when asked who she would save: “Both!....Zoe and James.”
Bruno Tonioli: “They shouldn’t be there either of them, it’s ridiculous because whoever we are going to save, it’s not fair for the other person. Based on what I saw, I have to go with Ali and Brian.”
Len Goodman: “I’m sorry I know the viewers can do what they like and it’s a popularity contest and all that, this is ludicrous, it’s nonsensical that either of these are in the bottom two! There are five couples that are worse than these, but I’ve got to make a decision and as somebody said they both did go wrong, and I’m having to save Ali and Brian.”
On tonight’s show, Zoe Lucker and James Jordan were awarded 32 points for their samba by the judges.
On leaving the competition, Zoe Lucker said: “I’ve had an amazing time, James is the best teacher I have to say. I’m so sorry I couldn’t get him to Blackpool but thank you very much for the opportunity, it’s been brilliant.”
James Jordan said: “Can I just say, winning that Strictly trophy ball means everything to me, but I would never swap this wonderful lady for that ball. She’s brilliant, she’s brilliant.”
Tonight’s show saw musical legends The Bee Gees perform their disco classic You Should Be Dancing and viewers were treated to a Hip Hop Samba and a Latin Medley from Strictly’s professional dancers.
Next week, the show comes live from the world famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom and the remaining 9 couples will dance to stay in the competition.
Strictly Come Dancing is available on BBC One and BBC HD. Tune in to the next episode live from Blackpool Tower Ballroom on Saturday 7th November 2009, 6.25pm.
Don't forget you can get all the up-to-date gossip on Strictly Come Dancing’s sister show It Takes Two, weekdays at 6.30pm on BBC Two.
For more information and gossip, visit bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing or follow Strictly on Twitter: bbcstrictly.
The Result:
Natalie Cassidy:
Zoe Lucker:
Craig Kelly:
Ricky Groves:
Laila Rouass:
Phil Tufnell:
Ricky Whittle:
Jade Johnson:
Ali Bastian:
Chris Hollins:
Sunday 1 November 2009
The result
Such a tough one to call, and you could tell that Alesha was finding it difficult.
Out of the two of them, and based on all their performances over the series I do believe the right couple have been sent home.
I don't vote myself (as I do want to be impartial!) but I hope the audience start voting based on the quality of the dancing. Whilst both these couples under-performed this week Craig is not, unfortunately for him, a good enough dancer to have made it to Blackpool. Though credit where it's due - there was significant improvement this week.
How do you feel about the result?
Out of the two of them, and based on all their performances over the series I do believe the right couple have been sent home.
I don't vote myself (as I do want to be impartial!) but I hope the audience start voting based on the quality of the dancing. Whilst both these couples under-performed this week Craig is not, unfortunately for him, a good enough dancer to have made it to Blackpool. Though credit where it's due - there was significant improvement this week.
How do you feel about the result?
The dance off!
So who can impress the judges enough to make it to Blackpool?
First up Ali with her Paso Doble...and what's this no shoes? Which straight away results in a slip.
However I would say a much better performance than earlier on in the night.
How will Zoe reply to that?
No real improvement on her earlier dance, I didn't like it that much earlier and I think Zoe will be going home this week.
First up Ali with her Paso Doble...and what's this no shoes? Which straight away results in a slip.
However I would say a much better performance than earlier on in the night.
How will Zoe reply to that?
No real improvement on her earlier dance, I didn't like it that much earlier and I think Zoe will be going home this week.
The moment of truth!
With a chance to dance in Blackpool at stake who's going to be fighting for their place this week?
Are we going to see any shocks this week...
As predicted Craig has been saved for Blackpool (though it's likely he may go out in his home town unless there is significant improvement!)
Well done Jade & Ian, I bet that's a relief after last week.
Again as predicted Ricky Groves has been saved by the audience, though obviously I was wrong about Natalie potentially being in the bottom two. I still think Phil will be saved so this could be a shock week ahead.
...and there's the confirmation.
So a definite shock in store with Zoe and Ali both ending up in the bottom two. Based on scores earlier in the night I think Zoe will be going home, though it's a shame either of these were in the bottom two.
Are we going to see any shocks this week...
As predicted Craig has been saved for Blackpool (though it's likely he may go out in his home town unless there is significant improvement!)
Well done Jade & Ian, I bet that's a relief after last week.
Again as predicted Ricky Groves has been saved by the audience, though obviously I was wrong about Natalie potentially being in the bottom two. I still think Phil will be saved so this could be a shock week ahead.
...and there's the confirmation.
So a definite shock in store with Zoe and Ali both ending up in the bottom two. Based on scores earlier in the night I think Zoe will be going home, though it's a shame either of these were in the bottom two.
Leaderboard
Leaderboard is as follows:
1. 39 points - Ricky & Natalie
2. 35 points - Jade & Ian
3. 33 points - Ali & Brian
4. 33 points - Laila & Anton
5. 32 points - Zoe & James
6. 30 points - Natalie & Vincent
7. 30 points - Phil & Katya
8. 29 points - Chris & Ola
9. 24 points - Craig & Flavia
10. 24 points - Ricky & Erin
For the most part I found this to be quite a disappointing week, though Ricky was fully deserving of the 10's he received - as I said in my critique it was incredibly difficult to find any fault.
I feel a lot of the celebrities have stagnated in recent weeks and will need to seriously improve if they have any hope of getting further.
Each week this bottom two gets harder to call but I'm going to go out on a limb and say Chris Hollins and Natalie Cassidy in the bottom two (I just think there'll be more public support for the other three near the bottom)
1. 39 points - Ricky & Natalie
2. 35 points - Jade & Ian
3. 33 points - Ali & Brian
4. 33 points - Laila & Anton
5. 32 points - Zoe & James
6. 30 points - Natalie & Vincent
7. 30 points - Phil & Katya
8. 29 points - Chris & Ola
9. 24 points - Craig & Flavia
10. 24 points - Ricky & Erin
For the most part I found this to be quite a disappointing week, though Ricky was fully deserving of the 10's he received - as I said in my critique it was incredibly difficult to find any fault.
I feel a lot of the celebrities have stagnated in recent weeks and will need to seriously improve if they have any hope of getting further.
Each week this bottom two gets harder to call but I'm going to go out on a limb and say Chris Hollins and Natalie Cassidy in the bottom two (I just think there'll be more public support for the other three near the bottom)
Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Quickstep
I hope Natalie has worked on Ricky's frame, as that's the one part of his dancing that I've felt has been particularly lacking.
An energetic performance and hard to fault at times (though he needs to ensure he brings the feet closer together during the scatter chasses).
I really found it hard to fault and this could see a perfect score...
An energetic performance and hard to fault at times (though he needs to ensure he brings the feet closer together during the scatter chasses).
I really found it hard to fault and this could see a perfect score...
Phil Tufnell & Katya Virshilas - Tango
A dance that requires passion and control, and absolutely no hip rolling!!! Can Phil cope...
Phil needs to keep the bum in, it does appear to be protruding throughout, and this is also resulting in a slight hunched over frame.
An ok performance that should easily get 7's.
Phil needs to keep the bum in, it does appear to be protruding throughout, and this is also resulting in a slight hunched over frame.
An ok performance that should easily get 7's.
Laila Rouass & Anton du Beke - Viennese Waltz
Back to ballroom, and Anton's forte, we should see significant improvement this week
The training mid-week for this looked excellent, let's hope she can perform tonight.
There's something just not quite right with her frame, it doesn't look like she's quite standing up from her core, which is resulting in a slight chin protusion.
That slip right in front of the judges won't do them any favours.
Anton felt this had the potential to be 10's, but it hasn't quite lived up to it on the night, could well get 8's though.
The training mid-week for this looked excellent, let's hope she can perform tonight.
There's something just not quite right with her frame, it doesn't look like she's quite standing up from her core, which is resulting in a slight chin protusion.
That slip right in front of the judges won't do them any favours.
Anton felt this had the potential to be 10's, but it hasn't quite lived up to it on the night, could well get 8's though.
Ricky Groves & Erin Boag - Rumba
Ricky has consistently been the clown in the competition so far, but he can't really afford to be too funny in this dance.
The weight loss is definitely showing in Ricky now and he's looking good, though the hips are a little forced in that beginning, and still needs to watch his shoulders when in hold.
Not so sure on the arms being flung everywhere but a serious effort from Ricky. Not a bad performance I think and I would say yet more 7's (swiftly becoming a habit tonight!)
The weight loss is definitely showing in Ricky now and he's looking good, though the hips are a little forced in that beginning, and still needs to watch his shoulders when in hold.
Not so sure on the arms being flung everywhere but a serious effort from Ricky. Not a bad performance I think and I would say yet more 7's (swiftly becoming a habit tonight!)
Zoe Lucker & James Jordan - Samba
I don't feel Zoe's performed particularly well during the faster Latin dances so it will be interesting to see how she copes tonight.
Looks to have been a slight mistake after the promenade runs, but so quickly recovered you probably wouldn't notice too much.
Her hip work just seems to be lacking for a great protion of the dance and I wasn't particularly impressed, more 7's I'm going to say but may get an 8.
Looks to have been a slight mistake after the promenade runs, but so quickly recovered you probably wouldn't notice too much.
Her hip work just seems to be lacking for a great protion of the dance and I wasn't particularly impressed, more 7's I'm going to say but may get an 8.
Jade Johnson & Ian Waite - Foxtrot
The Foxtrot is a slow and elegant dance and, like most ballroom dances, tends to suit the taller couples - and these two are certainly both tall!
For an athlete Jade does manage to pull off elegant quite well. A little bit of gapping between them , Jade needs to slow down when she's the one going backward and her left shoulder just has a tendency to pop up at times.
A very good performance however and could achieve 9's tonight.
For an athlete Jade does manage to pull off elegant quite well. A little bit of gapping between them , Jade needs to slow down when she's the one going backward and her left shoulder just has a tendency to pop up at times.
A very good performance however and could achieve 9's tonight.
Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan - Cha Cha
Fast and cheeky, this could make or break Chris.
A bit too stompy throughout, needs to be softer and push through the floor, and Craig is definitely going to mention the 'banana' hands (as Emma's just described them!), he needs to make sure there is a some shaping in his hands.
Another round of 7's I would say.
A bit too stompy throughout, needs to be softer and push through the floor, and Craig is definitely going to mention the 'banana' hands (as Emma's just described them!), he needs to make sure there is a some shaping in his hands.
Another round of 7's I would say.
Craig Kelly & Flavia Cacace - Waltz
Craig is hoping to make it to Blackpool next week, but has thus far not managed to impress the judges with his attempts - will the Waltz be any better?
Craig's frame is vastly improved on his previous attempts at ballroom, and actually is one of the best frames I've seen from any of the celebrity males this year.
Ok the dance lost it in places but I think it's his best dance so far.
He should achieve 7's.
Craig's frame is vastly improved on his previous attempts at ballroom, and actually is one of the best frames I've seen from any of the celebrity males this year.
Ok the dance lost it in places but I think it's his best dance so far.
He should achieve 7's.
Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna - Paso Doble
A slower Latin American dance (generally), Ali should fare better than her last outing in Jive.
Body shaping in training is looking really good, let's hope the stubbed toe doesn't affect the performance, though she looked a little 'off' coming down the stairs.
It's not a confident performance I feel, though the steps are generally looking pretty good - and there's no way i'd be able to do the splits!
Overall it just lacked energy for my liking, 7's again I think.
Body shaping in training is looking really good, let's hope the stubbed toe doesn't affect the performance, though she looked a little 'off' coming down the stairs.
It's not a confident performance I feel, though the steps are generally looking pretty good - and there's no way i'd be able to do the splits!
Overall it just lacked energy for my liking, 7's again I think.
Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Jive
Natalie has her favourite dance this week, and some might argue the most energetic of all the dances!
Slight mistake with the hand changes at the start but certainly not lacking in energy. She does feel a little flat for my liking and really needs to do something with the arm that isn't in hold as she has a tendency to just leave it hanging.
An ok performance but I think the energy gradually dissipated as the dance progressed.
I think she'll get 7's.
Slight mistake with the hand changes at the start but certainly not lacking in energy. She does feel a little flat for my liking and really needs to do something with the arm that isn't in hold as she has a tendency to just leave it hanging.
An ok performance but I think the energy gradually dissipated as the dance progressed.
I think she'll get 7's.
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