So it's all down to how the studio audience voted, who's going out first...(I've predicted it to be between Austin & Rachel)
Chris & Ola - unsurprising to be honest as the Foxtrot didn't really allow Chris' personality to come across.
Gethin & Flavia - lacking chemistry so again unsurprising.
Ricky & Natalie
Austin & Erin - shame as I really enjoyed their Paso
...
So it's between Ali & Rachel for the title...could it be Ali's retribution for not making it to the final?
Yes it is.
That's it then, 2009 finishes with Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna being crowned the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Champions.
...
I'll be attending (or hosting) a variety of Strictly events throughout the year so I'll blog about anything interesting, and I may well blog about So You Think You Can Dance too so watch this space!
How did you vote, and do you agree with the result?
Friday 25 December 2009
Leaderboard
1. 40 points - Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna
2. 39 points - Rachel Stevens & Vincent Simone
3. 38 points - Gethin Jones & Flavia Cacache
4. 36 points - Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe
5. 36 points - Austin Healey & Erin Boag
6. 33 points - Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan
The leaderboard is pretty much correct I'd say, though I didn't personally enjoy Gethin's performance as much as say Austin's.
Will be interesting to see who the audience vote for though!
2. 39 points - Rachel Stevens & Vincent Simone
3. 38 points - Gethin Jones & Flavia Cacache
4. 36 points - Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe
5. 36 points - Austin Healey & Erin Boag
6. 33 points - Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan
The leaderboard is pretty much correct I'd say, though I didn't personally enjoy Gethin's performance as much as say Austin's.
Will be interesting to see who the audience vote for though!
Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan - Foxtrot
Chris really stepped it up in the final last week and delivered an almost perfect Foxtrot, can he improve on that tonight?
Looks to me like there has been some work on the hands, but really should be smiling throughout. Shame about the mistake in the middle.
Ola knows how much the audience like the pivots, so much so that she includes them twice - would have preferred a bit more variety!
Not a bad performance but I wouldn't say it's improved over his final performance and I'm only going to give it an 8 I'm afraid.
Looks to me like there has been some work on the hands, but really should be smiling throughout. Shame about the mistake in the middle.
Ola knows how much the audience like the pivots, so much so that she includes them twice - would have preferred a bit more variety!
Not a bad performance but I wouldn't say it's improved over his final performance and I'm only going to give it an 8 I'm afraid.
Rachel Stevens & Vincent Simone - Rumba
Rachel was one of the best female celebrity Rumba dancers I've seen on Strictly, and I'm looking forward to seeing their dance tonight.
Ah the pivot, ever an audience favourite, and well placed in a varied and sensual routine.
However during the lift at the end Rachel needed to put some shaping into her legs as they did look like they were just hanging there.
Technically the lift shouldn't have been in there anyway so I'll ignore it (seeing as the judges appear to be ignoring lifts too!) so will have to say potentially another perfect score.
Ah the pivot, ever an audience favourite, and well placed in a varied and sensual routine.
However during the lift at the end Rachel needed to put some shaping into her legs as they did look like they were just hanging there.
Technically the lift shouldn't have been in there anyway so I'll ignore it (seeing as the judges appear to be ignoring lifts too!) so will have to say potentially another perfect score.
Gethin Jones & Flavia Cacahe - American Smooth
So a new partnership for the Christmas Special, how will they perform together?
Doesn't really seem to be much chemistry between them, and I'm finding the performance a little stale, however the final lift drew some excited gasps from Emma's mother and sister.
Not a bad performance, but not as good as the others so far tonight so will have to say 8 I'm afraid.
Doesn't really seem to be much chemistry between them, and I'm finding the performance a little stale, however the final lift drew some excited gasps from Emma's mother and sister.
Not a bad performance, but not as good as the others so far tonight so will have to say 8 I'm afraid.
Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna - Viennese Waltz
A perfect 40 in Blackpool, let's see if they can recreate that magical dance tonight.
Ali's elegance always suits the mainly slow Ballroom dances.
A little shaky at times but otherwise faultless and I think this could be the first perfect score of the night.
Ali's elegance always suits the mainly slow Ballroom dances.
A little shaky at times but otherwise faultless and I think this could be the first perfect score of the night.
Austin Healey & Erin Boag - Paso Doble
Austin performed an amazing Paso Doble in 2008's competition and I felt was very unlucky to go out without reaching the final.
Well that's a start and a half, though I'd prefer a more Spanish arm shape at times.
However a very entertaining performance (as Austin always managed) and a great aggressive performance. A 9.5 from me and I think might get a couple of 10's.
Well that's a start and a half, though I'd prefer a more Spanish arm shape at times.
However a very entertaining performance (as Austin always managed) and a great aggressive performance. A 9.5 from me and I think might get a couple of 10's.
Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Quickstep
Perfect marks in the final for their Quickstep makes this a strong contender, though hopefully there'll be some new choreography.
Thought there was a slight slip up in the middle, but otherwise a very good performance, will the judges overlook the lift at the end though?
Technically it seemed perfect but have to knock off a mark for the lift so will give them a 9.
Thought there was a slight slip up in the middle, but otherwise a very good performance, will the judges overlook the lift at the end though?
Technically it seemed perfect but have to knock off a mark for the lift so will give them a 9.
Strictly Christmas Special
Tonight's competitors then will be:
Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan
Gethin Jones & Flavia Cacache
Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe
Austin Healey & Erin Boag
Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna
Rachel Stevens & Vincent Simone
Here's looking forward to a good Christmas episode.
Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan
Gethin Jones & Flavia Cacache
Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe
Austin Healey & Erin Boag
Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna
Rachel Stevens & Vincent Simone
Here's looking forward to a good Christmas episode.
Monday 21 December 2009
Week 14 in 60 seconds
Catch up with the final, though how they could fit all the action of 4 dances each into 60 seconds is anyone's guess!
Comments from Chris and Ricky, and Christmas line-up.
In one of the most nail biting finals ever seen on Strictly Come Dancing, sports presenter Chris Hollins was voted Strictly Come Dancing Champion 2009 battling it out in a dramatic grand final against Hollyoaks actor Ricky Whittle.
On winning the competition with his professional partner Ola Jordan, Chris said:
‘I’d just love to thank everyone so much especially you two (Ricky and Natalie) you’ve made it a wonderful final, a very wonderful final. I’d love to thank all our family and friends, our loved ones because without you we wouldn’t have been able to do half the training, and I’d also like to thank all our fellow professionals, they are so generous with their time they are absolutely brilliant! And I’ve got to say last, and definitely not least, little Ola chops - thank you so much for believing in me all the way along, I did test you a little bit, the jive and the quickstep come to mind! Thank you so much you lovely little girl.’
Ola Jordan said of lifting the coveted Glitterball trophy: ‘I just want to say you’ve been the best partner, you’ve been a dream to work with – thank you so much because that experience was fantastic for me.’
Runner up Ricky Whittle said of his Strictly experience:
‘I’ve had an absolutely amazing time; I’ve had the time of my life. I want to thank all of our supporters firstly for getting us here and getting this far – we’ve had a great time and the opportunity to dance on the biggest show out there in Great Britain. I’m going to keep dancing. I want to say thank you to a lot of people, my family here at Strictly, everyone back on Hollyoaks who helped us out – the press team, Vicky, Rachel, Lucy, Anne. Natalie (Lowe) who has been absolutely amazing! My Mum and Dad who are here, my friends, my family.’
In the climax to a thrilling seventh series, both couples performed their highest scoring Ballroom and Latin dances plus a group Lindy Hop and a ‘no holds barred’ show dance in a bid to be titled Strictly champion 2009.
There was a special performance by Strictly’s very own Bruce Forsyth and Alesha Dixon, singing a sparkling rendition of ‘Something’s Gotta Give’.
The final also saw the return of many of this series’ eliminated couples who took to the floor one final time, performing their most memorable dance from the show.
In a poignant moment, athlete Jade Johnson who was forced to withdraw from the competition because of injury, returned to the dance floor with her professional partner Ian Waite to dance the Tango – the fateful dance they never got to perform in the live show.
As an added treat, last years finalists, singer Rachel Stevens and model & presenter Lisa Snowden paired up with their professional partners from last series; Brendan Cole and Vincent Simone to dance a Cha Cha/Tango to ‘Sister’s are doin’ it for themselves’ by Aretha Franklin/The Eurhythmics. As one final Brucie bonus Strictly Professional dancers Kristina Rihanoff and Brian Fortuna dazzled the audience with a magnificent Cha Cha Cha to Lady Gaga’s ‘Just dance’.
Strictly Come Dancing returns for a one off festive Christmas special, featuring previous celebrities’ Rachel Stevens, Austin Healey and Gethin Jones plus this year’s semi finalists Ali Bastian, Ricky Whittle and 2009 Strictly Champion Chris Hollins. Tune in BBC One 7.00pm Christmas Day.
On winning the competition with his professional partner Ola Jordan, Chris said:
‘I’d just love to thank everyone so much especially you two (Ricky and Natalie) you’ve made it a wonderful final, a very wonderful final. I’d love to thank all our family and friends, our loved ones because without you we wouldn’t have been able to do half the training, and I’d also like to thank all our fellow professionals, they are so generous with their time they are absolutely brilliant! And I’ve got to say last, and definitely not least, little Ola chops - thank you so much for believing in me all the way along, I did test you a little bit, the jive and the quickstep come to mind! Thank you so much you lovely little girl.’
Ola Jordan said of lifting the coveted Glitterball trophy: ‘I just want to say you’ve been the best partner, you’ve been a dream to work with – thank you so much because that experience was fantastic for me.’
Runner up Ricky Whittle said of his Strictly experience:
‘I’ve had an absolutely amazing time; I’ve had the time of my life. I want to thank all of our supporters firstly for getting us here and getting this far – we’ve had a great time and the opportunity to dance on the biggest show out there in Great Britain. I’m going to keep dancing. I want to say thank you to a lot of people, my family here at Strictly, everyone back on Hollyoaks who helped us out – the press team, Vicky, Rachel, Lucy, Anne. Natalie (Lowe) who has been absolutely amazing! My Mum and Dad who are here, my friends, my family.’
In the climax to a thrilling seventh series, both couples performed their highest scoring Ballroom and Latin dances plus a group Lindy Hop and a ‘no holds barred’ show dance in a bid to be titled Strictly champion 2009.
There was a special performance by Strictly’s very own Bruce Forsyth and Alesha Dixon, singing a sparkling rendition of ‘Something’s Gotta Give’.
The final also saw the return of many of this series’ eliminated couples who took to the floor one final time, performing their most memorable dance from the show.
In a poignant moment, athlete Jade Johnson who was forced to withdraw from the competition because of injury, returned to the dance floor with her professional partner Ian Waite to dance the Tango – the fateful dance they never got to perform in the live show.
As an added treat, last years finalists, singer Rachel Stevens and model & presenter Lisa Snowden paired up with their professional partners from last series; Brendan Cole and Vincent Simone to dance a Cha Cha/Tango to ‘Sister’s are doin’ it for themselves’ by Aretha Franklin/The Eurhythmics. As one final Brucie bonus Strictly Professional dancers Kristina Rihanoff and Brian Fortuna dazzled the audience with a magnificent Cha Cha Cha to Lady Gaga’s ‘Just dance’.
Strictly Come Dancing returns for a one off festive Christmas special, featuring previous celebrities’ Rachel Stevens, Austin Healey and Gethin Jones plus this year’s semi finalists Ali Bastian, Ricky Whittle and 2009 Strictly Champion Chris Hollins. Tune in BBC One 7.00pm Christmas Day.
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