Saturday 1st October - Leaderboard

So combined leaderboard for the weekend is as follows (my scores in brackets):

1. 32 points - Jason & Kristina (7)
2. 28 points - Holly & Artem (6)
2. 28 points - Anita & Robin (7)
2. 28 points - Harry & Aliona (7)
5. 27 points - Rory & Erin (6)
5. 27 points - Chelsee & Pasha (8)
7. 24 points - Dan & Katya (6)
8. 22 points - Alex & James (6)
9. 21 points - Russell & Flavia (6.5)
10. 20 points - Audley & Natalie (6)
11. 19 points - Robbie & Ola (5)
12. 17 points - Lulu & Brendan (4)
12. 17 points - Edwina & Vincent (5)
14. 12 points - Nancy & Anton (-)

I would personally have Chelsee level with Jason, if not slightly above, but the table is fairly accurate.  A shame for Nancy and Anton, they're going to have to really work hard next week - especially as it's Salsa.

Do you agree with the judges scores this weekend, who would be top of your table?

Jason Donovan & Kristina Rihanoff - Cha Cha Cha

I've often considered acquiring a neck brace to torture my students with, Jason's performance tonight may make my mind up for me.

Russell may have performed 'the campest Cha Cha Strictly's ever seen' but Jason wouldn't be far behind after that start.  Some nice hip action though, but he does get out of step on his Natural Top.  His backward locks could be a bit softer but there's a lot of energy there and a very good first dance.

I'm going to give him a 7.

Craig: 8 "Bonsa, beauty" and a few other Aussie phrases that I couldn't quite understand!
Len: 8 "Best dance of the night"
Alesha: 8 "Fantastic"
Bruno: 8 "Jason Donovan is in Cha Cha Charge...now Strictly's in business"

Total Score: 32

So top score of the weekend, don't quite agree with it myself but Jason has definitely come out of the blocks flying.

Nancy Dell'Olio & Anton Du Beke - Waltz

Two big egos, one dance, plenty of humour, though I don't think the feather boa was part of the routine and unfortunately it's pretty much ruined the whole performance.

A complete mess I don't feel it's fair to even give it a score, I think Craig especially will be harsh.

Craig: 1 "A word of advice darling, forget props all together"
Len: 4 "Too long messing about on the settee...the actual bit of dancing is good...do a straight dance with her"
Alesha: 3 "You are the glamour puss on Strictly this year...we've all been there, you go wrong, you carry on"
Bruno: 4 "I was looking forward to the story telling...turned into a disaster"

Total Score: 12

Edwina Currie & Vincent Simone - Cha Cha Cha

Edwina had quite a good hip action developing in training so I hope to see more of that tonight, not sure on the outfit they've put her in though.

She needs to avoid picking her feet up quite so dramatically, and the floor spin for Vincent is definitely a departure.  A lot of repetition in the routine which is a shame.  It's a little bit forced at times but you can't compare her to Ann Widdecombe thankfully.

It was fun but only a 5 from me I'm afraid.

Craig: 2
Len: 5 "Great fun and you danced it with full-on confidence"
Alesha: 5 "Pitched that perfectly...actually quite a good bit of rhythm"
Bruno: 5 "The old cougar got to dance with the toy boy...bit flat footed and messy, but fun"

Total Score: 17

Chelsee Healey & Pasha Kovalev - Waltz

After seeing her initial training video Chelsee was my early front runner, please don't let me down tonight!

So far so good, there's just something about the way Chelsee holds herself when she dances, and she has a wonderful top line.  A few stumbles here and there but this is one of the best first dances I can remember, so far she's living up to my early expectations.  Very well done Chelsee, almost perfect but the few stumbles force me to give you an 8.

Craig: 7 "The whirling dervish...slightly frenzied...phrasing absolutely excellent...few balance issues throughout"
Len: 6 "Started off with great elegance...don't expect from a young girl...near the end turned a bit manic"
Alesha: 7 "Beautifully feminine...still kept the romantic side of it...probably more of a booty shaker"
Bruno: 7 "I know there were a few stumbles...you have the ability naturally to extend your line...takes people years...you do that beautifully"

Total Score: 27

Very surprised by that, I thought she was by far the best dance so far this weekend, and the 6 Len...hmmm!

Alex Jones & James Jordan - Cha Cha Cha

So no explanation for the change in dance order, maybe the BBC just decided they fancied a change (Alex and James were originally scheduled to dance last night but were swapped with Holly and Artem at the last minute)?

Not sure on the 'sexy' start, doesn't strike me as Alex's personality and actually this routine's start shares a lot with James' Rumba routine with Cherie Lunghi (only notice because I recently helped a wedding couple recreate it for their first dance).

Alex's leg action doesn't look as sharp as it could be and she's taking too big a step for my liking, there's also a bit too much of her standing around rather than dancing.  Just a 6 from me.

Craig: 4 "One foot should remain on the floor at all times...looked incongruous...very starchy, very stiff"
Len: 6 "Parts that were really good...few that were nearly good...first time out, excellent job"
Alesha: 6 "I thought it was fun and flirty...got the package, just got to really believe in you"
Bruno: 6 "Believe in yourself, go for it all the way"

Total Score: 22

Rory Bremner & Erin Boag - Waltz

Rory looked really good in the launch show and in training, he has a bit of a Tony Blair smile on him tonight, and he could lower his shoulders to make his frame look a lot more relaxed.

I love this track for a Waltz, I'll have to find a suitable version to add to our playlist.

Overall an accomplished Waltz but he was a bit ahead of Erin at times, and some heel leads look a bit too obvious, just a 6 from me.

Craig: 6 "Make sure your head follows your body...heel leads slightly exaggerated...danced with elegance"
Len: 7 "First class impression of a Waltz...bum sticks out a bit...heel leads a bit too deliberate"
Alesha: 7 "Little bit rough around the edges...just got to watch your posture"
Bruno: 7 "Wasn't bad at all...relax because you're good"

Total Score: 27

Harry Judd & Aliona Vilani - Cha Cha Cha

Harry's the only celebrity competitor with prior Strictly experience, but Paso is completely different from Cha Cha so I don't think it's a massive advantage.

I'm liking this Argentine Tango inspired start, Harry's definitely looking good and it's a massive improvement over any of Friday's Cha Cha's.

A bit too much 'arm on the waistcoat' positioning, obviously he wasn't confident having his arms out, or Aliona decided he really didn't look good doing it.

Harry suffers from the same ailment as the girls from last night, spending a bit too much time looking at the floor.  Hips are a little rigid but leg placement and sharpness is good, I can see why the bookies have Harry down as the favourite.

A very good Cha Cha from Harry.  I'd like to see a bit more from his arms and hips so not quite an 8 for me but definitely a 7.

Craig: 6 "For me too placed, too clean, too straight...lacked any real forward and back hip action"
Len: 7 "Little bit mechanical but I'll tell you what...good you are"
Alesha: 8 "I love how focused you were...working the sexy, seductive look...Latin really suits you"
Bruno: 7 "Very fit, tight, muscular & masculine performance...could be a little bit more sinuous"

Total Score: 28

A much more realistic 8 this time Alesha

Strictly first night leaderboard

So the first show draws to a close and the leaderboard is as follows:

1. 28 points - Holly & Artem
1. 28 points - Anita & Robin
3. 24 points - Dan & Katya
4. 21 points - Russell & Flavia
5. 20 points - Audley & Natalie
6. 19 points - Robbie & Ola
7. 17 points - Lulu & Brendan

I'd have put Anita & Robin on their own at the top but otherwise I think the leaderboard is a fairly accurate reflection.

You don't have to wait long for my next round of critiques, just got to press play on the recorder and carry straight on with the blogging...watch this space!

Russell Grant & Flavia Cacace - Cha Cha Cha

I wonder if all of Russell's songs will be astronomically based...?

A surprisingly good start from Russell with good rhythm and hip action and definitely some sass (though that's normally expected from the girl Russell!)

Needs to be a little less violent with his arm placements in the New Yorks, and he looks a little puffed out though that's purely because he's putting so much energy into it.

I'm actually rather impressed with his Cha Cha, much better than I was expecting!  I don't quite know how to mark this one, a lot more energy than any of the other Cha Cha's but can I really give it a 7...I'm going to cheat and say 6.5!

Craig: 4 "definitely the birth of something...certainly wasn't Venus"
Len: 5 "don't worry about Robbie Savage and Audley, this is macho!"
Alesha: 6 "let's go clubbing together...he's the man to get the party going"
Bruno: 6 "it's like watching Frankie Howard doing banarama...couldn't be camper if you tried"

Total Score: 21

Anita Dobson & Robin Windsor - Waltz

I was quite impressed with Anita's elegance in training, let's hope she's brought it forward to the live show.

Could just lift her chest a little bit more to improve her frame, and the heel turn in her double reverse spin was a bit too prominent.

I've not felt that there's been much dancing in a lot of these Strictly routines and Robin's been a little lax on the amount of routine that should be completely in hold, but the best Waltz of the night so far.  Room for improvement so I'm only going to give a 7 at this stage.

Craig: 7 "Watch your head placement...thought the whole routine was gorgeous"
Len: 7
Alesha: 7 "Beautiful to watch as a dancer...most sincere dance of the night"
Bruno: 7 "Elegant, poised, beautifully acted...watch the top line"

Total Score: 28

See Alesha, I told you it was too early for an 8 earlier - this was by far the best dance so far and you could only give it a 7!

Robbie Savage & Ola Jordan - Cha Cha Cha

Robbie looked to struggle with the Cha Cha in training and a hoodie outfit doesn't fill me with the greatest of confidence...surely that should have been in Audley's outfit?!

It's started more like a Paso Doble than a Cha Cha and like a lot of Ola's routines seems to consist of the guy standing there whilst she dances around him, but I can't blame her.

Needs to make is Cha Cha action smaller and not stomp quite so much.  Didn't really feel like a 'cheeky' Cha Cha and probably just a 5 for me.

Scores:

Craig: 2 "All about a look...absolutely no dancing...standing there with Ola dancing round you isn't what I'd call a Cha Cha Cha"
Len: 6 "was a tendency for you to stand there...came out with plenty of attack"
Alesha: 6 "'A' for effort...lot of room for potential growth"
Bruno: 5 "Robbie, you savage...left the Cha Cha completely ravaged...got to put the dancing in"

Total Score: 19

Audley Harrison & Natalie Lowe - Waltz

Audley has only apparently had 3 days, rather than 3 weeks of rehearsals, so I think this could be a poor performance if he hasn't worked hard enough.  Training videos looked ok, but a problem with his top line not staying still could haunt him throughout the routine if Natalie hasn't got it under control.

I'd prefer him to do something more with his arms in the opening spot turns but in the lines he's got some nice arm shaping and the frame does look vastly improved.  Needs to ensure he doesn't go 'pigeon-toed' though.

Another elegant Waltz, which is very difficult for someone of Audley's height.  Natalie still needs to work on his frame but a good start.  I'm going to give him a 6.

Scores:

Craig: 3 "Hands, hands, hands, spatulistic...not for me I'm afraid"
Len: 5 "I think there's a charm about it...do me a favour, as you walk by punch Craig!"
Alesha: 6
Bruno: 6 "surprisingly so light and graceful for someone the size of Everest"

Total: 20

Lulu & Brendan Cole - Cha Cha Cha

Lulu was "devastated" to get Brendan according to Brucie, but I'm sure it was all for the cameras!

Theirs was one of the first training videos we saw, and it looked quite good then so I'm looking forward to seeing what 3 weeks has added to it.

Oh dear Brendan, why did you have to start the dance with a lift when you know it's against the rules!

Lulu's looking a little unsteady on her feet and is out of sync with Brendan at times and has obviously forgotten the routine.

A disappointing, though comical performance but I'm going to have to give it a 4 I'm afraid :-(

Scores:

Craig: 2 "A complete dance diz-aster...you made it up from beginning to end"
Len: 5 "Nothing to shout about...great expectations...cannot go wrong that's the first rule"
Alesha: 5 "Thanks for getting the party started...I know it went a bit wrong"
Bruno: 5 "It was sing-a-long with Lulu at Wembley Arena...steps went down the toilet"

Total Scores: 17

Dan Lobb & Katya Virshilas - Waltz

Dan's posture looks a little bit rough in training, let's hope it's improved for the show.

I really don't know why they feel the need to include props in the show - they're nothing but a distraction.  Finally they start dancing and unfortunately Dan's posture is still needing work, he looks like someone's putting a broom somewhere they shouldn't!

Some nice lines though he does need to avoid sticking his bum out when he lowers.  A few extra heels in his lock steps too.

Nice timing though and he does manage to dance quite elegantly too but still needs to improve more, I don't think that Latin will be his strong point though.  Another 6 from me I'd say.

The Scores:

Craig: 4 "Tentative lead...top line hideously rigid...rise and fall all in the knees...SMILE!"
Len: 7 "A bit wooden and lacked rise and fall...hold was good...footwork was good...did very well"
Alesha: 7 "Very elegant...very competent, very relaxed...should be very proud of yourself"
Bruno: 6 "Technically quite accomplished...gloomy look...conduct believable performance all the way through"

Total Score 24

4's a bit harsh though Craig!

Holly Valence & Artem Chigvintsev - Cha Cha Cha

As Holly says in her intro, she's dancing with last year's winner so there's definitely a lot of pressure there.  Holly's not looking too bad in training so let's see how the performance goes.

I'd like to see a bit more hip action and a little less posing, Holly also needs to keep her eyes up and stop looking at the floor.

It kind of feels a little lacklustre at times and Holly needs to keep her posture upright.  I can't say the performance was too bad, but neither did it excite me - there didn't seem to be a lot of variety in the routine.

For me I'm going to say a 6 but she does have potential.


Len "It's not the best first dance I've ever seen, but I'll tell you what, it was close"

Craig: 6 "Sharper arm placement...flexed knees throughout...lacked hip action"
Len: 7 "Could have been crisper...leg's need to straighten more"
Alesha: 8 "You are a very good dancer...technique is already at a very high standard"
Bruno: 7 "Flowingly sensuous...needs more bite...go for it because you've got it"

Total 28

As usual I seem to side more with Craig than the other judges, but then students always call me 'bad cop' so I suppose they must be right.

Holly can definitely improve from here but too early for 8's I would say Alesha.

Strictly Come Dancing 2011 - Friday 30th September

So Strictly 2011 started last night, Bruce's jokes return, some questionable outfits on show (not quite sure what they've put Robbie Savage in for example) and hopefully a whole new audience will be looking to learn to dance...you know where to find us!

From watching the launch show I made the following predictions of couples that could do well:

Harry & Aliona (though how much help his previous training will be is debatable)

Chelsee & Pasha (I predict they'll do really well)

Lulu & Brendan (both feisty)

Rory & Erin (though not all the way I fear)

Holly & Artem (could definitely give Kara food for thought)

 The training videos so far seemed to have supported that but we'll see how they all perform this weekend.

There are no couples going home this week, but the scores will be carried forward to next week too.

Enough of an intro, let's get on with the dancing.  First up is Holly Valence & Artem Chigvintsev (on a side note it was originally supposed to be Alex Jones & James Jordan dancing tonight - no official word on why the switch was made and whether they're dancing tonight or not!)

Russell Grant & Flavia Cacace - Strictly Training Video

Oh dear is all I can say, based on the screen shot, let's see if the video makes it any better.

Unfortunately it looks like Russell is definitely the weakest of the opening competitors, but then I don't think Cha Cha was the easiest one for him to be given first.  We'll just have to see how he performs on the night but I think he's going to have an uphill struggle.

Audley Harrison & Natalie Lowe - Strictly Training Video

Second up is Audley Harrison and Natalie Lowe with the Waltz.

Audley is looking nice and light on his feet initially, though he really needs to take slightly smaller steps - it's about driving forward to move further, not taking bigger steps.

He has a nice frame, but doesn't look quite so confident out of hold at the moment.  Audley could have potential but I do think it's going to be hard for him in the first couple of weeks.

Holly Valence & Artem Chigvintsev - Strictly Training Video

Thought I better get the last few training videos up asap before the show starts at 9pm tonight.  First up tonight is Holly Valence & Artem Chigvintsev with their Cha Cha Cha.

Holly has a nice hip and arm action developing but I haven't seen enough of the dancing in this video to make a judgement, however they will be dancing tonight so we'll get to see the result soon enough.

Edwina Currie - Strictly Teaser Video

Edwina Currie's Strictly Teaser Video

Harry Judd & Aliona Vilani - Strictly Teaser Video

Harry Judd's Strictly Teaser Video

Alex Jones & James Jordan - Strictly Training Video

10 rehearsal videos down, 4 to go.  Yesterday's video was Alex Jones and James Jordan with their Cha Cha Cha training.

We don't really see much of the training in this video, so it's hard to judge how's she's coming along.  The arms still need a lot of work and she's far too rigid at the moment, but we'll have to wait till the live show on Friday (or Saturday) to see how she fares.

Strictly Training Video - Harry Judd & Aliona Vilani

Monday's training diary features Harry Judd & Aliona Vilani and the Cha Cha Cha.  There has been some controversy recently with The Daily Star suggesting that this year's Strictly was fixed for Harry to win.  Whilst I admit that a bit of previous training will definitely help, the Paso Doble is unlike any of the dances they will be covering in the early weeks.  Also, no offence Harry, but it wasn't the greatest Paso Doble I've ever seen - but then what can be expected from the much shorter training schedule there would of been for Children in Need.

Every dance has it's own variations and peculiarities that make it very difficult to have a 'one size fits all' mentality in the technique department. To be honest Harry is more likely to be kept in by McFly fans than by any secret BBC plot, and if he isn't well that's just the way Strictly works.

Anyway, on to analysing the dance!

There are definitely some elements that are already looking sharp (but given that it's the week of the competition I would hope it was starting to come together by now).  He does need to work on the free arm though and try and make it a bit more natural in its movement.

Harry is looking good so far, but there's still work to do there.

Strictly Teaser Video - Audley Harrison

Audley Harrison's Strictly Teaser Video

Strictly Teaser Video - Chelsee Healey & Pasha Kovalev

Chelsee Healey's Strictly Teaser Video

Strictly Teaser Video - Holly Valence & Artem Chigvintsev

Holly Valence's Strictly Teaser Video

Strictly Teaser Video - Lulu & Brendan Cole

Lulu's Strictly Teaser Video

Strictly Teaser Video - Jason Donovan & Kristina Rihanoff

Jason Donovan's Strictly Teaser Video