The moment of truth, dance off, and result

I'm expecting Laila to be saved by public vote, and a Natalie Cassidy/Phil Tufnell dance-off - but how have the public voted?

Well that's one of my dance-off possibles saved by the public, could Laila be in trouble this week? Either way I think they'll save her till the bottom three.

As expected!

Out of these two I think Phil will be the one going home, assuming Ricky can make the Viennese a little smoother this time.

A nice performance from Phil & Katya, let's see Ricky's response.

Seems smoother this time, but still too skippy. Not quite as dynamic this time and I think Ricky could be in trouble.

It'll be a close call and I imagine it will be a Len decider tonight.

2-1 to Phil, then Len votes for Ricky so Phil gets sent home, the right decision I feel.

Do you agree with the decision?

Leaderboard

So with Ian and Jade not dancing the leaderboard is a little shorter than expected:

1. 35 points - Ricky & Natalie
1. 35 points - Ali & Brian
3. 34 points - Natalie & Vincent
4. 31 points - Phil & Katya
5. 30 points - Chris & Ola
6. 29 points - Ricky & Erin
7. 22 points - Laila & Anton

A week where I'd have marked the top two quite a bit lower than they received from the judges, and personally really didn't like Natalie & Vincent's Foxtrot.

My bottom two would be Phil & Natalie (I think Laila will get the sympathy vote), but I think there could be a surprise in store this week!

What do you think?

Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna - Cha Cha

A perfect dance last week, sadly I don't think they'll perform quite as well this week - Ali hasn't performed well in the fast Latin dances so far.

The fringing is hiding the inadequacies in her hip action, and an obvious mistake in the middle.

Didn't really float my boat, but then pretty much what I was expecting from the performance.

Should score ok though and probably 7-8.

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Foxtrot

Not too sure on the hair-bow! But should really concentrate on the dancing I suppose.

Not liking the dance to be honest, it's a little un-imaginative and boring and doesn't appear to have much contrast of fast and slow.

Lots of mistakes creeping in and overall a real let down for me. I'd give them 6's.

Laila Rouass & Anton du Beke - Rumba

I thought their Paso last week was very good, and deserved higher marks than it received. Anton's Latin choreography has been a bit weak this series so i'm hoping we see some improvement in the content.

That foot/ankle injury is obviously causing Laila serious problems and the dance has definitely suffered.

I think they might let Anton get away with that lift this week!

The main problem is that Laila couldn't generate any hip action as it requires pushing into the floor.

So difficult to have any opinion on a score and there have to be a lot of generosity to get anything higher than a 6, unfortunately.

Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan - Paso Doble

So Chris gave his best performance last week, can he keep it up with the Paso this week?

Not sure on the facial expressions, but definitely an aggressive attacking attitude. I don't personally like all the jumping stamps but the ending was very good and generally very good technique throughout.

Easily 8's, maybe even a 9 or two.

Ricky Groves & Erin Boag - Viennese Waltz

Another celebrity who's more at home in the ballroom dances. His Viennese American Smooth was very good so I'm expecting good things tonight.

A little skippy, which i'm sure Craig will pick up on, fleckerl wasn't too bad though.

The dance is let down by the skipping as it ruins the overall look, and with only 3 real steps to choose from you do have to perform them well.

I think it should easily achieve 8's.

Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Jive

Can Ricky make it through this week's routine without making mistakes?

Lots of energy, though i'd prefer to see his feet come together a little more during the chasses.

Flicks are quick though the toes need to be pointed down during each kick.

Seemed to have lost stamina by the end though, not surprised with the speed and amount of choreography in the routine.

Should get 9's though.

Phil Tufnell & Katya Virshilas - American Smooth

Phil should be more at home in the ballroom dances, if he can just control his shoulders. The lifts should be interesting to see though.

It's a little frantic for a foxtrot for my liking but his top line is quite good. The lifts were executed well and overall not too bad a performance.

For me it's a 7

Week 8 in 60 seconds

Don't have time to watch all the videos, or read my comments? Then why not look at the week 8 in 60 seconds summary video.


Actor and local boy, Craig Kelly on Saturday became the eighth celebrity to be voted off the seventh series of BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing in a special show live from Blackpool's Tower Ballroom - the spiritual home of all things ballroom.

In week eight of the nation's favourite dance contest, live from the splendour of the world-famous Tower Ballroom, all nine of the remaining celebrity contestants and their professional partners took to the floor to perform a variety of show stopping dances.

After all the couples had performed, the combination of the judges' scores and viewers' votes left Craig and his professional partner Flavia Cacace in the bottom two and facing a dance off with actor Ricky Groves and his professional partner Erin Boag.

Craig and Flavia then performed their cha-cha-cha to 'Easy Lover' and Ricky and Erin performed their Salsa to 'Acuyuye' for the second time.

After both couples had danced it was down to the judges to cast their deciding vote. Making their decision on who to save, the judges commented:

Craig Revel Horwood, straight to the point, said: "I'd like to save Ricky and Erin."
Alesha Dixon affectionately said: "Craig, you've been very sweet my love, but I have to save Ricky and Erin."
Bruno Tonioli said: "Based on what I saw, I have to save Ricky and Erin."
Speaking about his time in the competition, Craig Kelly, whose aim throughout the competition was to make it to Blackpool to dance in front of his home town, said:

"I feel pretty amazing really. It's great that I made it to Blackpool. I mean, any other week was a massive Brucie bonus. And to have danced with the best dancer in the world, the last two and a half months have been incredible!"

On Saturday's show Craig and Flavia scored a total of 17 points for their cha-cha-cha from the judges - his lowest score of the competition.

As part of Strictly's Blackpool special, there was a performance by the legendary rocker Rod Stewart, who sang 'It's The Same Old Song'. Making it a family affair, Rod's wife, model and ex-Strictly contestant Penny Lancaster returned to the dance floor with professional dancer Matthew Cutler to perform a cha-cha-cha during Rod's song.

To commemorate Remembrance Sunday all of the remaining celebrity dancers and their professional partners took to the floor for a 1940s-inspired Swing dance - the first group dance for the celebrities since the beginning of the series. They were accompanied by former Strictly Champion Jill Halfpenny, who was crowned winner in series 2 in 2005, the last time that the show was live from Blackpool. And as an added bonus Bruce Forsyth accompanied the group swing dance with a rendition of 'Almost Like Being In Love'.

Making the most of the grandeur of Blackpool's Tower Ballroom, the Strictly professional dancers also performed a group Viennese Waltz to 'I Put A Spell On You'.

As the competition hots up, next week the remaining eight celebrities and their professional partners will perform a range of dances to stay in the competition and be in with a chance of being crowned Strictly Come Dancing Champion 2009.

The moment of truth, dance off, and result

Who stays, and who has to dance again?

Well done Ian for getting through!

So Phil gets public support, how about CK?

Out of those bottom 3 (Laila, Ricky Groves, Craig) I think Laila will be through...

Sorry CK but I think your time is definitely up now!

Good to see Ricky gets the arms correct this time, and dances better than earlier.

A better performance too from Craig but no question that it's his swan song and i'm predicting a 4-0 form the judges.

4-0 it is. Craig got his dream of getting to Blackpool but it would've been a travesty if he had got any further.

Professional's Viennese Waltz

The group Viennese Waltz was choreographed by Ian Waite - apparently the chandeliers are in completely different positions from where he was originally told!


Looks like the pro's have managed to cope though.

Leaderboard

Final leaderboard is as follows:

1. 40 points - Ali and Brian
2. 35 points - Ricky and Natalie
3. 34 points - Chris and Ola
4. 33 points - Jade and Ian
5. 31 points - Natalie and Vincent
6. 30 points - Laila and Anton
7. 28 points - Phil and Katya
8. 25 points - Ricky and Erin
9. 17 points - Craig and Flavia

A much better week for performances than last week (barring Craig I'm afraid).

I think the bottom two this week could be Phil and Craig...

Craig Kelly & Flavia Cacace - Cha Cha

It was Craig's dream to make it to Blackpool, and I think people voted for him because of that, but I don't think you're going to make it any further. Let's hope you prove me wrong with a good performance tonight!

At least you're enjoying yourself Craig, you look like a little kid in a toy shop - especially when you're on your knees looking up at Flavia.

Entertaining, for all the wrong reasons, and pretty poor I'm afraid.

You'll be lucky to get 6's.

Woah, that's quite a bitchy comment from Alesha there, she didn't need to be quite so harsh. Brucie makes Craig his 2nd favourite.

Judges scores: CRH 3, LG 5, AD 4, BT 5.

Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan - Foxtrot

Foxtrot is the most technically difficult of all the dances and I think lack of confidence could see Chris dancing round with raised shoulders, which would really ruin the look of the dance.

Needs to make sure that when he's moving backwards that he's lifting the toe of the trailing foot off the ground (known as NFR - No Foot Rise).

Shoulder line was actually very good, the dance did seem to lose a bit of its drive before the final pivots though.

Easily 8's though

Judges scores: CRH 8, LG 9, AD 9, BT 8.

Excellent marks and well deserved I feel.

Phil Tufnell & Katya Virshilas - Rumba

This, I'm afraid Phil, could potentially be a disaster!

Needs to relax the shoulders right from the start. Looks to have lost his timing just before going into the sliding doors.

Hip action is ok but could do a lot more. Not a bad performance but I think only 7's though - apparently he's Bruce's favourite.

Judges scores: CRH 6, LG 8, AD 7, BT 7.

Laila Rouass & Anton du Beke - Paso Doble

This should actually be a Latin American dance that Laila can cope with!

Smouldering start...but wait was that a lift?!!!

Excellent performance, not sure how the judges will feel about the lifts, though it did seem to lose drive as the dance progressed.

For me it would easily be a 9, if I ignore the lifts!

Judges scores: CRH 7, LG 7, AD 8, BT 8.

Anton, Anton, Anton...why did you do the lifts? You're not Brendan Cole!

Ricky Groves & Erin Boag - Salsa

Ricky could have some issues with this fast and complicated dance, but let's hope he puts on a good show.

Well it looks like the goldfish mouth is back with a vengeance, shame the hands are a little sloppy.

Some really complex arm movements there, shame about the mistake though.

Entertaining and I think deserves 30.

Judges scores: CRH 6, LG 7, AD 6, BT 6.

A little harsh I feel!

Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna - Viennese Waltz

Ali really suffered with an injury last week, but this should be very good and could finish top if all goes well.

Ali really does pull off elegance with aplomb, it looks a little skippy at points but excellent nonetheless.

I can't really fault the performance, it looked a little shaky at times but this should really get top marks.

Judges scores: CRH 10, LG 10, AD 10, BT 10.

Fully deserved - do try not to cry though Brian!

Jade Johnson & Ian Waite - Jive

Whilst Ian's certainly never had a problem performing a Jive (considering his height), Jade may find she struggles with the speed of movement required.

Looks to be a slightly flat beginning, but it's good to see her toes pointing down during the flicks.

Maybe I spoke too soon, when they're in their Lindyhop section her toes seem to be flicking around all over the place!

An ok performance but I expected better, should easily achieve 8's though.

Karen Hardy comes on and makes a comment about how although RW made mistakes he still kept his head up and looked confident throughout, Jade made no mistakes yet had her head dropped throughout most of the dance.

Judges scores: CRH 8, LG 8, AD 9, BT 8.

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Quickstep

Natalie performed a good Jive last week, how is she going to cope with the energy levels required for this week's Quickstep?

Natalie has to control those shoulders, which do raise up at times, and the dance seems to have a very laboured start - though it does pick up after that.

A slight mistake as they recommence from their 'Jive' section in the middle but not bad overall, should achieve 30 again.

Judges marks: CRH 7, LG 8, AD 8, BT 8.

Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Tango

With rumours abound this week that Ricky's split with his girlfriend Carley Stenson was due to his 'close' relationship with Natalie Lowe, this could be a passionate Tango indeed!

Ricky Whittle - Tango

The dance certainly starts with a lot of passion and energy, though it does look quite sloppy at times - is this nerves from having gone first?

Quite a few mistakes creeping in near the end, not like Ricky at all. That's a real shame as it should've been a lot higher but i'm expecting 8's because of all the mistakes.

Judges scores: CRH 8, LG 9, AD 9, BT 9

Evening Show

A packed theatre in Blackpool's Winter Garden Opera House was the setting for the evening screening of Strictly Come Dancing.

There was an almost feverish party atmosphere in the theatre, and even though they were re-showing the highlight reel that we'd been subjected to earlier in the day, people were in the mood to cheer (Mark Ramprakash's Argentine Tango, Jill Halfpenny's Jive) or laugh (John Sergeant's Paso Doble, Fiona Bruce's Jive) at the various scenes.

Dominic Littlewood and Karen Hardy returned to host the evening show, we were told that the videos and pictures that had been taken throughout the day would be appearing on the BBC website during the coming week - none of us yet though!

We were shown a highlights reel of the morning dance sessions (we were on the afternoon session) and this was pretty much the same video you'll have seen on the live show.

Rav Wilding and Mark Foster were re-introduced onto the stage and we were shown some highlights of their appearances on the show before they had to duck out to head over to the Tower, but not before Mark put his arm round Karen and commented on how great she looked, how she should still be in the show, and 'You're my favourite'.

Dominic then introduced highlights of Karen's appearances on Strictly, including Gary Rhodes Cha Cha (receiving a lowly 1 from Craig) and Mark Ramprakash's Salsa. Karen talked about how much she loved dancing, which she'd being doing since the age of 5, and had been so honoured when Strictly had convinced her to come out of retirement after her 6 year break (and a baby).

Matthew and Aliona made a surprise visit to perform an elegant Viennese Waltz

Matthew talked about how everyone at the Tower was so excited, and due to the significantly increased audience numbers there was a really great atmosphere.

Aliona talked about how this was her first time visiting in Blackpool, and how much she was enjoying it.

Before the live show was due to start Karen gave her comments and predictions on the show to follow:

Ali Bastian was still suffering from her injured foot, and with a dance such as the Viennese Waltz - heavy on technique - she could find it difficult to perform.

Craig Kelly would most likely be going out as it was definitely his time to go.

Ricky Groves started as a clown but is now taking it seriously and could be a real dark horse in the competition.

It was then time for the live show, Karen told us she'd be sticking around to comment on the show at intervals, and I settled down ready to make my notes on the evening performances...

Come Dancing with Strictly in Blackpool

So with a last minute shuffle around we were able to rearrange our schedule and make it to Blackpool for this one-off event. Sorry it's taken so long for the weekend updates but we were waiting to see if any of the pictures or videos from the weekend, uploaded today, included us (none so far).

Setting off at 7am in the morning, with a couple of stops on the way, we arrived in Blackpool by midday. We popped into our favourite B&B (Lolly's Hotel, Regents Road) and luckily they could fit us in so we didn't have to worry about driving back that night.

Braving the rain (even with Emma's broken umbrella) we made the short walk to Winter Gardens and joined the queue (thankfully inside, unlike those at the Tower who had to queue outside in the rain - purportedly due to Rod wanting a closed set for his rehearsal).

It didn't take long to clear the queues and get our wristbands, only to find we had to join a new queue before we could get into the Opera House, though this did give us a chance to grab a sandwich for lunch.

Once settled in our chairs we watched a rolling highlights reel of the dances and past performances on Strictly, whilst the rest of the people were seated. By the 4th repeat though it was getting a little tiresome!

Eventually the lights went down and we were introduced to our hosts for the day:

Dominic Littlewood and Karen Hardy opened by telling us how there had been over 21,000 applicants for tickets for the event, not bad considering the event was only publicised via online sources!

The event was set up by the BBC Learning Program to offer the complimentary lessons to allow anyone to try Ballroom dancing (not everyone is as lucky as myself and Karen - I started at 3 and Karen at 5)

Dominic then decided to interview a couple of the guys in the audience to ascertain just how many had been unwillingly dragged along, a pretty even split.

It was then revealed that we would be learning (well Emma and I didn't really need the lessons...) the basics of the Cha Cha Cha and Karen introduced two professional dancers [Sean and Emma] to give a quick demonstration.

They danced to Jennifer Lopez's 'Let's Get Loud' and for those that came with us to dancing in Battersea park over the summer may recognise Sean as he was there dancing with one of his students.

Dominic and Karen revealed that there would be additional help during the classes from three celebrities who had previously competed on Strictly; Jo Wood, Rav Wilding and Mark Foster.

Mark was asked how he found the Strictly experience in last year's competition, and he went on to explain how difficult he'd found it - what with his height and the fact that in swimming it didn't matter what you looked like, just how long it took you to finish. Also he found stamina to be a real issue when you compare the 20 seconds of the average swimming race to the 1 1/2 minutes of dancing. Rav said that he'd found it very scary but lots of fun and Jo still adores Brendan.

Karen then introduced the professional teachers that would be running the classes (we were to be split up into 3 groups, which had been decided when we registered and received one of 3 coloured wristbands) and she told us how dancing was all about having fun.

Everyone on stage then proceeded to give us a 'rhythm demo', getting their hips moving around, and Karen asked us all to stand up so that we could practice our chasses - a little difficult considering we were seated in a theatre! Then we moved onto hips practice, to which Karen commented we all looked like Kangaroos (a jokey reference to Jo Wood on stage).

We were then led to the different rooms in which our lessons were going to take place, and we were in The Spanish Hall along with our celebrity Rav Wilding.

The class consisted of the basic Cha Cha movement, followed by 4 New Yorks, 2 Spot Turns, some timing steps (closing on the spot rather than rocking back or forward) and 2 Cuban Breaks. This was repeated 3 times and on the 3rd and final run through the last Cuban Break was turned into a big finish.

Rav opened up the floor to questions:

Did you enjoy SCD-Very much

What was the one dance that you wished you'd had the chance to do-Paso Doble, on the week he went out there was a running rivalry with Joe Calzaghe because Joe got Paso and Rav didn't

Are you still dancing-not currently as he had to have an operation on his knee and he's still recovering

One woman then cheekily piped up with a request for a Cha Cah with Rav-He had to refuse due to still recovering from the operation, and a lack of time left in the session

Finally he was asked whether he'd lost any weight on the show-Rav apparently lost about 1/2 stone in the 8 weeks he was involved in the show, nothing [he said] compared to the over 2 stone lost by Ricky Groves and Natalie Cassidy

Then there was a surprise visit from Lilia and Darren

who told us a bit about what the day had been like over in the Tower (the girls had been in make-up since 7.30am!), they also told us that we were to receive a free DVD each with some basic dance tuition on.

We then broke up to get ready for the evening screening