Strictly Come Dancing Semi-Final - Friday 10th December Leader Board

Leader Board for Semi-Final (part one) is as follows:

1. 44 points - Kara & Artem
2. 38 points - Pamela & James
3. 35 points - Scott & Natalie
4. 32 points - Matt & Aliona
5. 28 points - Gavin & Katya

I think Scott (due to being in the bottom two last week) and Gavin are my current tips to go home.  Obviously I'll know the answer when we go to watch the show LIVE tonight (woohoo).

Who's your tip for the final?

Swing-a-thon

All the competitors, on the floor, at the same time.  Competing against each other and getting eliminated one at a time.  It's going to be brutal!

Len's advice is to come out full bore and high energy.

Let's be honest, Gavin is going to be the first out, though Pamela could soon be following him as she's looking a little laboured.  But no, it's Scott & Natalie! 

Pamela & James are then asked to leave and it's between Matt & Kara...I'm afraid Kara is winning this battle for me, Matt looks completely puffed out (not surprised after their Salsa).

Scores therefore are:

Kara & Artem - 5
Matt & Aliona - 4
Pamela & James - 3
Scott & Natalie - 2
Gavin & Katya - 1

Comments from the judges:

Craig (on Kara & Artem): "Stamina!"
Alisa (on Gavin): "He did lose timing...other couples had more content"

For me this swing-a-thon should be the first dance they do, or at least after a suitable rest break, as it's really harsh on Matt to go straight from the Salsa to this...will be interesting to see if it reappears in next year's competition.

Matt Baker & Aliona Vilani - Salsa

For me their Jive was disappointing last week, too much show and not enough substance, I'm hoping for a better Salsa this week.


Lifts of course are permitted in Salsa so that beginning won't be an issue.  Matt's getting some very nice hip action...though I'm not sure about the thrusting over Aliona on the floor?  Seemed to go slightly out of time just after the New York.  Just seems to have lost a bit of puff at the end though.

Just a few niggles for me but only an 8.

Craig: 7 "Balance was off...too much isolation...writhing looked awkward...bit insipid"
Len: 7 "You've been so good throughout this whole series...this for me was not that good...wasn't keen on that gyrating thing"
Alisha: 7 "I really liked the opening lift...a lot of basic Salsa...didn't like that grinding section...a bit stiff"
Bruno: 7 "Salsa is smooth...can't push it you have to let it happen...over-worked it"

Total Score: 28

Scott Maslen & Natalie Lowe - Argentine Tango

Can they come back from their bottom two position last week?

Scott definitely has the right look for Argentine Tango, I still wish he'd keep his shoulders down.  Started with promise but seemed to lose a little momentum by the end.  Scott isn't always looking at Natalie, and that loses a bit of the intensity for me.

Just an 8 from me.

Craig: 8 "Loved it...there needs to be more swivel...man really should lead...didn't really get a hint of that"
Len: 8 "Clean, precise...lifts were good...not enough connection between the two of you"
Alisha: 8 "Slick opening section on your own...nice transitions...just something lacking"
Bruno: 9 "That was played like a film noire"

Total Score: 33

Gavin Henson & Katya Virshilas - Samba

The weakest of the contenders still left in the competition Gavin is most likely going home this weekend, especially if he has Samba...but we'll see.

Gavin certainly trying with his hips but the whole routine looks a little manic, and if Craig penalised Kara & Artem for their slight over-extension to lift status Gavin is going to get pounded.

Still the weakest for me, always improving but still a 7.

Craig: 6 "You did lack rhythm, flow, arms were very very sloppy...good thing is the rotation in the hips was well worth the 297.5 hours you've been rehearsing this series"
Len: 7 "We've just seen Kara do a dance that really really suits her, and you've had to come out and do a Samba"
Alisha: 7 "I think you're strongest in ballroom...you are the most improved"
Bruno: 7 "You certainly looked the part...performance wise you actually have improved...but rhythm & timing"

Total Score: 27

Kara Tointon & Artem Chigvintsev - Viennese Waltz

A lot to follow this week after Pamela's 40 last week.  Needs to watch looking down during the spins at the start as she just looked slightly off balance.


Some of the transitions from in and out of hold look a little messy.  They obviously tried to put more in than Pamela and James last week but I think they could've done an even better performance if they just toned it down a little bit.

For me just a 9 I'm afraid.

Craig: 9 "Concerned about the end, your foot came off the floor twice...technically a lift"
Len: 10 "If I'm dreaming don't wake me up...fabulous"
Alisha: 10 "You mirror each other perfectly...don't think you realise how good you are...simply beautiful"
Bruno: 10 "Beauty...quality of movement...expression of musical phrasing...work of art"

Total Score:  39

Normally the judges allow a slight leeway if the foot is only just off the floor, feels like Craig had a bone to pick with that one!

Pamela Stephenson & James Jordan - Paso Doble

Never really thought you'd be able to do a Paso to Lady Gaga but James & Pamela are certainly pulling it off, there's some great intensity and passion, really expressing the music well.  Pamela looks slightly unsteady at times but this is another great performance.

This could get more tens but I think just a 9 from me.

Craig: 8 "Strong lines...major attitude and conviction...some parts were a little bit laboured...three solo 'wobble' moments"
Len: 9 "You captured the spirit of the dance...full-on...did a great job...thoroughly enjoyed it"
Alisha: 9 "Dramatic...fiesty...determined...woman on a mission...maintained standard from last week"
Bruno: 9 "I really liked the disdainful look on your face"

Total Score: 35

How can Alisha say they maintained their standard from last week but then give them a 9?

Strictly Come Dancing Semi-Final - Friday 10th December

So it's the start of semi-final weekend, with two couples being eliminated tonight.  We'll be there tonight so there'll be no live blog, but we'll try and get you some backstage info.

First up is Pamela Stephenson & James Jordan

Strictly Come Dancing Week 10 - First Reactions

I especially like Craig's X-Factor audition!

Strictly Come Dancing - Sunday 5th December Results

Yesterday I predicted Gavin Henson and Ann Widdecombe to be in the bottom two, with Gavin just losing out in the audience vote.  Though I have the feeling we might see a shock in the bottom two tonight (I'm worried Matt might be in trouble).

So first through this week: Gavin & Katya & Kata & Artem; In the bottom two is SCOTT MASLEN!!!  To be honest I think Scott has been over marked recently and maybe this is a bit of audience backlash?

A beautiful Waltz from Anton & Erin, though I can't quite tell if there's a few slips in there, maybe Anton is feeling the strain after American Smoothing with Ann?

So also safe is Pamela & James, and joining Scott in the bottom two is Ann & Anton (finally).  Let's hope this is the end of the road for Ann, whilst she has been entertaining at times it really wouldn't be fair for her to be put through in place of Scott.

The moment of truth then, Ann finally sailing home or Sccccooooottt Shhhhockingly sent back to base.

...

...

So Ann's run to the final has ended.  They've have been great entertainment at times but it would have been a travesty if she had got through to the semi's.

The right result all round.  Next week not only will two couples be eliminated next week, but we'll also be there watching it live (so don't expect any live blogging next week unless the BBC are feeling generous!).

So does this mean that Scott could be going out next week, and if so who'll be joining him?  I don't think Gavin will make it into the final but who would you send home?