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

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?

Strictly Come Dancing - Saturday 4th December Leader Board

1. 40 points - Pamela & James
2. 38 points - Kara & Artem
3. 35 points - Scott & Natalie
3. 35 points - Matt & Aliona
5. 33 points - Gavin & Katya
6. 14 points - Ann & Anton

I'm glad that Pamela Stephenson was the first person to get four 10's, with that performance, as it's the first dance to deserve it this series.

I think Gavin has over marked but still ended up in the right place on the board.

I have to say that Gavin will be in the bottom two, and probably be going home, though I do hope Ann joins him as none of these other dancers deserve to go.  I am concerned that Matt might be in trouble though.

Who would you send home?

Ann Widdecombe & Anton Du Beke - American Smooth

So Anton has to complete 3 lifts in the American Smooth, I'm hoping we see a few new ones and not the same ones they keep throwing in each week.

Good start with the lift...and then they land.  Actually the start isn't that bad, though Ann does end up out of time.

There's even a credible attempt at some scatter chasses.

Much better performance than we've seen in recent weeks, and a return to actually trying to dance in addition to entertaining.

One of her better dances, just a 6 though (still being generous for entertainment factor!)

Craig: 2 "Best moments for me were when your feet weren't touching the floor...one chasse that was passable...one polka that I didn't mind"
Len: 5 "Dancing in its basic form is movement to music, and you did move, to music"
Alisha: 4 "Nice to see a lot more dance content this week...well done on the lifts...however still hanging on to Anton for dear life...for me the honeymoon's over"
Bruno: 3 "More like Hello Trolley, than Hello Dolly...on your own you looked like a Dalek in drag"

Total Score: 14

Strictly Come Dancing - Saturday 27th November

Almost up-to-date and it's almost time for tonight's Strictly, seriously where has my Saturday gone?!

Not sure on Bruce's joke about Alisha having a good tan..

First up tonight is Kara Tointon & Artem Chigvintsev,

I'm looking forward to seeing their Jive.

Artem's having a few wardrobe issues with his braces and Kara needs to point her toes down more during kicks.

It seems a little lacklustre and lacking something, and their ending seems to be just a little too late.

Disappointing we feel and whilst the lines were clean and movement good I can only give it an 8.

Craig: 7 "Dance very cleanly...attention to detail as always very precise...lost synchronicity...recovery [at the end] was terrible"
Len: 9 "First out, first class, top draw Jive...little bit hesitant...didn't really attack [on some steps]"
Alisha: 9 "You two are on a real journey...really cutesy feel...looking down a lot"
Bruno: 9 "Sex appeal...lost a little bit of sharpness...bit of a tangle in the arm pass"

Total Score: 34

A tad too high personally.

Now for a sexy? Rumba from Ann Widdecombe & Anton Du Beke

Ann has aspirations to win, and we have a Titanic theme for this sinking ship of a routine.

At least they're making more of a routine of it this week, I'm seeing Aida's (well from Anton anyway), underarm turns, a rope spin, hand to hands, cucaracha's, open outs.

All in all there's a lot there that our students would recognise (which isn't always the case in Strictly routines).

Better than last week so I'm going to give it a 6.

Craig: 1 "[Ann - here comes the iceberg] Frigid, passionless, that iceberg [on the set] showed more emotion"
Len: 5 "I'm shaken, not stirred. You did aida, opening outs - admittedly off time and you had the wrong footwork...but daftest dance I've ever seen"
Alisha: 5 "Kate Winslet eat your heart out...favourite storyline of the series so far...wasn't much content, well done on remembering the steps."
Bruno:  3 "Sinks the Rumba into the deepest and darkest depths of dance disaster."

Total Score: 14

Patsy Kensit & Robin Windsor

Why do they always make Patsy's eyes up like that, it always makes her look a little depressed, she actually looks amazing without it!

Patsy is suffering from a foot injury and may be spending most of the routine sitting down, won't go down well with the judges if she does.

Argentine Tango should be passionate and intense and there's a slight lack of emotion here, though the routine is good and looks like Patsy's best dance.

I'm going to give Patsy an 8.

Craig: 7 "It did lacked flair...lacked any swivel on the foot passes...did have intent and purpose...did that very well"
Len: 8 "Hopefully you'll be back next week...you won't win Strictly Come Dancing being careful"
Alisha: 8 "I think you held the intensity all the way through...legs look stunning...loved it"
Bruno: 7 "The good thing, you really started to focus...lacked spunk...maybe you were trying to get the technique right"

Total Score: 30

Scott Maslen & Natalie Lowe

Scott's turn at the American Smooth this week and it looks in the VT like all the training is starting to take it's toll.

A big slip from Scott there on a three step but well recovered.  His frame looks a little close and could do with a bit more space.

Scott appears to have forgotten the routine and the final lift is just positively dangerous in those circumstances.

It's a real shame as it looked to have great promise but I can only give it a 7 and that's being generous.

Craig: 6 "Terrible shame...began with terrible footwork in the corner...some good, loved the lift...complete disaster"
Len: 7 "It wasn't a complete disaster...didn't do yourself justice...threw you off...you're a really good dancer...don't let it affect you...try and stay awake!"
Alisha: 9 "I've been there, I've done that, I've made mistakes...I still enjoyed it...still looked like a pro out there"
Bruno: 9 "You're still smoother than anybody else...some parts were excellent...don't beat yourself down"

Total Score: 31

Far too high from Alisha and Bruno there, it's not really fair on the other competitors if you ask me.

Gavin Henson & Katya Virshilas 

Gavin & Katya have a Jive this week, for a big guy like Gavin this could be [cue Craig] a Dance Dis-a-ster.

If Gavin goes out hating the dance this will come across in his performance.  Not sure on the outfit and unfortunately Gavin is out of time straight from the off with his initial kicks.

This is one of the worst Jive's we've seen on Strictly at this stage of the competition and his attempt at butt wiggling in front of the judges is severely lacking.

It was a disaster and a 6 from me.

Craig: 3 "That bottom wiggle was completely unnecessary...giving Ann Widdecombe a run for her money"
Len: 6 "You hated it, I hated it, we all hated it...you came out and gave it a go"
Alisha: 7 "There was [were] timing issues throughout"
Bruno: 6 "It was like Clarke Kent never turning into Superman...you look good in tight pants"

Total Score: 22

Matt Baker & Aliona Vilani

Let's hope Matt does a better American Smooth than Scott's.  Is this the first time an American Smooth has been danced not in a suit?

The standing spin looks a bit awful if I 'm honest which is a shame.  It feels more like a show dance than an American Smooth and it just didn't quite feel right for me.

It was ok but I'm only going to give it a 7.

"
Len: 8 "If you have to explain what you're trying to do then it hasn't really worked as a dance"
Alisha: 8 "One of the strongest in the competition...little bit disappointed...turns felt very manic"
Bruno: 9 "You put so much in to what you do...beautiful...turn into American Psycho"

Total Score: 33

Another over mark for me personally.

Pamela Stephenson & James Jordan

They have a Charleston this week and this could potentially be their best dance.

Good lifts and energy, though she does seem to lose a bit of puff near the end.

Has some nice comedic moments though I'm not sure about the final ending position.

Not the worst Charleston I've seen but still lacking and Pamela could be in trouble this week.

Emma thinks 8 and I agree.

Craig: 9 "Frisky, perilous lifts...without fear...loved it"
Len: 9 "Tickled my fancy that, you enjoyed doing it, I enjoyed watching it"
Alisha: 10 "Best dance of the night"
Bruno: 10 "It's going to get a BAFTA from me"

Total Score: 38

Wouldn't personally have put it as the top routine of the night, for me that was Patsy's, though I felt all the dances this week seemed lacking in a bit of life.

Leader Board

1. 38 points - Pamela & James
2. 34 points - Kara & Artem
3. 33 points - Matt & Aliona
4. 31 points - Scott & Natalie
5. 30 points - Patsy & Robin
6. 22 points - Gavin & Katya
7. 14 points - Ann & Anton

I already know Patsy goes, and that's a real shame as I felt she did her best dance of the series tonight.  Earlier I thought Pamela would join her in the bottom two but judges marks may have saved her there so probably Gavin joining her.

Results

Bottom two is Patsy & Robin (who we know are going home) and Gavin & Katya.

Well now to get myself ready for live blogging tonight's show.
 

Strictly Come Dancing - Saturday 20th November

Ok so it's a little bit late, but we've been working out in St Lucia so I'm sure you'll forgive us a small delay!

I have a confession though, I already know who went home on both of the two weeks that I missed (pretty difficult to avoid the whole internet and all our students in a 3 week period!), however I will endeavour to comment accurately and without prejudice.

First up on the show tonight is Patsy Kensit & Robin Windsor

Those in the know will realise that I link my images straight into the BBC mini-site so it's lucky I know who went last week otherwise this would've been a massive clue (the greyed out image!)

Patsy has Samba tonight and I've always been concerned about her energy so not expecting much tonight.  It's not a bad start though her legs are a little messy looking.  As Emma points out though, she does have good hand shaping.

The second half of the routine goes a little astray at times and her hips could feature more but overall not a bad start to the show.

One of her better dances but I'm only going to give it a 7.

Craig: 6 "Besides the obvious wrong footwork, did lack hip action...could be a little bit free-er"
Len: 7 "Lot of nice basic steps...got on the wrong foot somehow...trying to [forget it]"
Alisha: 8 "Stunning, like a real showgirl...captured the feel of the Samba"
Bruno: 7 "Glitzy and sexy...because of the impetus you missed some steps...willing to give it all"

Total Score: 28

Kara Tointon & Artem Chigvintsev

Kara & Artem have American Smooth this week, and a serious injury in training could have prevented them from performing tonight, however Artem performs anyway as that's what us professionals have to do!

It seems they're doing a Tango/Paso American Smooth...and the offending lift goes by without a hitch...and it's actually a Foxtrot now it's kicked in.

Not really seeing anything in hold though, I'm pretty sure 30%-40% is supposed to be in hold.  It's an excellent routine but I only saw one section in hold.

Will they be penalised for that, who knows, for me it's excellent but have to penalise for the rule breaking, but still a 9!

Craig: 9 "I can only agree...gorgeous lines...arm placement is absolutely beyond...Fab-u-lous darling"
Len: 6 "I don't want to be the party pooper...confused as a baby in a topless bar...you didn't take up hold once...I loved the routine, fabulous routine...[but] it wasn't a Foxtrot so how can I judge it as a Foxtrot"
Alisha: 10 "Seductive, smooth, intense...mystical feel...so brave to come out and do [the lift]"
Bruno: 10 "Truly inspired and inspiring American Smooth...fluid...dramatic...star turn"

Total Score: 35

I think 6 was harsh Len

Matt Baker & Aliona Vilani

They have Samba tonight and I'm not sure about the hips in the VT.

Great song, hips are quite good at the start, though hands are a little strange.  Some nice lines and there's a nice amount of bounce, not too much.

Finishes with a few backflips, which Len is not going to like I imagine.

Really nothing for me to criticise on so I think we could be seeing their first 10!


Craig: 9 "Thought your hip action was very good, thought your bounce action was very good"
Len: 9 "I'm almost in agreement with Craig...wasn't too keen on those flip-flops at the end...because you can do something doesn't mean you can put it in the routine...I had a boy that could fart God Save The Queen!"
Alisha: 10
Bruno: 10 "I've never seen a competitor (who wasn't a professional)...moving his bum in that way"

Total Score: 38

I wonder if he hadn't done those backflips whether Len would've given a 10...?

Felicity Kendal & Vincent Simone

I think American Smooth could definitely be nearer Felicity's abilities than Samba would have been.  They start with a very Hollywood scene and then their Foxtrot starts.

I'm afraid to say it's a very pedestrian and boring start and doesn't pick up until their first lift.

Except for the lifts the only time the routine picks up is when Felicity starts kicking her legs up in time to the music.  For me the rest of the routine was completely uninspired.

I really can't give this a high mark and I think it's a 6 from me.

Craig: 7 "I would've liked to have seen a little bit more rise and fall throughout the routine"
Len: 7 "Lifts were excellent...lacked movement"
Alisha: 8 "I like the lifts...I think that was your best dance"
Bruno: 8

Total Score: 30

Personally a little high if you ask me.

Gavin Henson & Katya Virshilas

Quite a scary lift they have planned for this American Smooth.  A bit of Tom Jones which doesn't quite scream "Foxtrot" if you ask me.

The lift goes by almost without a hitch, Katya looks positively petrified and very obviously tries to steady herself.

Gavin looks uncomfortable out of hold at times, especially spinning from side-to-side, but actually it's a commendable performance, and infinitely better than Felicity Kendal's.

Improving all the time, and starting to show some personality, but just a 7 this time.

Craig: 4 "Lame and lacklustre"
Len: 7 "What Craig's just said is totally incorrect...parts of that were excellent dancing...overall a very good performance"
Alisha: 8 "Don't let this knock your confidence...brave to do those lifts...moving in the right direction"
Bruno: 8 "Why do you get nervous...some of the sequences...were very very good"

Total Score: 27

Scott Maslen & Natalie Lowe

Ok not a bad start, though far too bouncy for my liking and the hips look a little wooden at times and there's a slight slip in the shadow voltas.

Not a bad Samba, though not as good as Matt's. 

I'm going to give it an 8 I think.

Craig: 6 "You tried hard, without success"
Len:8
Alisha: 9 "You really gave it a good go Scott...right up there with the rest of them."
Bruno: 9 "You always perform, you always deliver"

Total Score: 32

Pamela Stephenson & James Jordan

Another scary looking lift in this one it seems.

Pamela's facial expression is a bit disturbing at the start, but they look good once they start, though they've changed the lift for an easier (and less likely to hospitalise Pamela) one.  Shoulders look a little uncomfortable at times.

A nice fish lift too.  A slight stumble by James as he goes in for the final lift but they manage it without incident.

A good dance, not quite perfect but definitely worth a 9.

Craig: 8 "Very well structured routine...do need to keep the shoulders down"
Len: 9 "Best American Smooth of the night"
Alisha: 10 "Queen of Blackpool tonight."
Bruno: 10 "Come up and see me some time...American Frisky...fantastically danced"

Total Score: 37

Finally we've got Ann Widdecombe & Anton Du Beke with their [attempt at] Samba...

Aside from Ann looking like a big yellow canary I actually think Anton's outfit is worse.

There's definitely an attempt at basic there but most of the routine (unsurprisingly) consists of Ann walking around.

Anton then chucks Ann, spins her around on the floor, spins her just off the ground, then drops her with Ann's bum to camera which she hastily drops her dress back down to cover.

Not as entertaining as some of her previous dances for me, just a 5.

Craig: 1 "Overwhelmingly awful"
Len: 5 "It's like hemorrhoids, keep coming back more painful than ever...did make me laugh"
Alisha: 4 "As bright as your outfits"
Bruno: 3 "Like a canary that was trying to take flight...never took off"

Total Score: 13

Leader Board

1. 38 points - Matt & Aliona
2. 37 points - Pamela & James
3. 35 points - Kara & Artem
4. 32 points - Scott & Natalie
5. 30 points - Felicity & Vincent
6. 28 points - Patsy & Robin
7. 27 points - Gavin & Katya
8. 13 points - Ann & Anton

Even though I know Felicity went home this week I would still have predicted her to go home, with Patsy joining her in the bottom two.

Results

So the bottom two went as I predicted, and Felicity went home as I already knew...now to watch the following week's before tonight's show.

Strictly Come Dancing - Saturday 6th November Leader Board

Leader board this week:

1. 36 points - Kara & Artem
2. 35 points - Matt & Aliona
3. 33 points - Pamela & James
4. 32 points - Jimi & Flavia
5. 30 points - Michelle & Brendan
6. 29 points - Felicity & Vincent
6. 29 points - Patsy & Robin
6. 29 points - Gavin & Katya
9. 28 points - Scott & Natalie
10. 17 points - Ann & Anton

Ann with less than half of Kara's points should really be the one going home, but she is definitely entertaining (and probably contributes immensely to the BBC's 11m viewers).  I think Patsy could be in trouble tonight and Felicity may well join her in the bottom two...it is getting very tight to call now though, especially with no dance-off.

Who do you think will be going?

Ann Widdecombe & Anton Du Beke - Charleston

Charleston could be a car crash, they're definitely going to go down the comedy angle on this one.

Ok it seems I spoke too soon.  They've put lots of dancing into it and although it lacks any foot swivelling I do think it's got as much energy as Ann could manage.  Some jokes surrounding the lifts and when Anton finally gets Ann off the ground she needs to shape her legs better.  Entertaining though and I'm sure Craig liked the ending...

Still hard to mark Ann on dance technique but for entertainment value, and her effort in the dancing I'm going to give her a 6.

Craig: 2 "I'm here to try and help you...double bounce action was missing entirely...fish lift complete and absolute disaster"
Len: 6 "I thought you were gonna conk out at one stage...never a chore to watch you cos it makes me laugh"
Alisha: 5 "Actress is emerging...more of a comedy sketch than a dance routine [Ann - no change there then]...only sign of Charleston was the headdress"
Bruno: 4 "Anton you must have a slipped disc...love you anyway"

Total Score: 17

Ann Widdecombe & Anton Du Beke - Paso Doble

What are we going to see this week?

Ann needs to try and skim the floor more when she's walking, and her sur place movements (effectively stamping on the spot) need to be not lifted up so much.

Lovely lines when Anton is throwing her, though the floor spins are just comical.

She does get better dance wise each week but just a 5 I'm afraid.

Craig: 2 "I only have three letters...O M G"
Len: 5 "It's a bit like going up the motorway with an accident, you don't really want to watch but you can't help yourself"
Alisha: 5 "A humble entrance this week...try counting in your head...Anton's dragging you round like an appliance"
Bruno: 4 "I don't think I'll ever recover from that ending...it was heavy"

Total Score: 16

It Takes Two - Monday 25th October

On tonight's episode: Peter & Erin; Alisha Dixon; Ann & Anton; Felicity & Vincent.

The show starts with Ola Jordan taking a video camera round behind the scenes and chatting the the dancers and celebs.  We see James jokingly telling Ola about what it's like to still be in the competition. Len and James share a kiss (so that Len can see if it 'prickles' when you kiss a man with a beard).

Then we're treated to another brief recap of some of the highlights from Saturday before it's time to talk to Peter & Erin.

Peter feels like he let himself down, but also that Charleston wasn't really his dance.  Erin points out that Charleston was around week 11 last year, not week 4, and considering there's acting as well as dancing involved that does make it much more difficult.

Peter's highlights do unfortunately include his Salsa, but there's a nice outfit of Erin's in the training vid ;-)

Next up a VT showing all the animal references the judges made on Saturday, leading up to Alisha being on the show.

I understand that she can relate directly to the celebs, having been through it herself, but she's still just not a viable judge for me.  However Emma and I both agree that she is improving...though I do wonder how much of her comments are scripted???

It is revealed that Patsy will be doing the Jive next week, given how soon she ran out of puff with the Charleston she does need to work on her stamina.

Our next couple are Ann & Anton,

Ann reveals she is afraid of heights but actually enjoyed the wire work by the time she was landing.  Anton reveals that he originally suggested the idea as a joke!  Their next dance will be the Paso Doble, I'm seeing shades of John Sargeant already...

Now onto Felicity & Vincent,

Apparently the kiss was Vincent's idea (surprise, surprise) and they weren't sure if it was going to be allowed.

A VT on Vincent's Magic Eyebrow (lots of twitching at camera).

Felicity & Vincent will have Viennese Waltz at the weekend, choreography-wise it will be a lot simpler but the constant rotation at speed makes it such a hard dance.

That's our lot for today.

Ann Widdecombe & Anton Du Beke - Tango

I'm hoping Ann isn't wearing a skirt this week if she's going to be flying through the studio!

Not sure about the arm waving Ann, not quite Tango...but I'm sure that's not what we were going for.  Ann is skipping at times, Anton probably should take slightly smaller steps to help her out.

Give her her dues though there is some relatively complicated steps in there.  Entertaining as always and I'm sure Ann will continue to win fans.  I can't bring myself to stretch higher than a 5 though.

Craig: 3 "More like the dancing hippos darling...beginning was gorgeous...and then you landed"
Len: 7 "Seeing Ann [flying down] was worth 50% of the TV Licence fee...nice placement of the feet"
Alisha: 6 "Taking Strictly Come Dancing to a whole new level"
Bruno: 5 "Truly out of this world...starship Widdecombe...did actually a Tango"

Ann: "I thought it was like Dumbo...even elephants fly!"

Total Score: 21 (Ann is truly excited with her 7 and it's great to see)

Strictly Come Dancing - Saturday 23rd October

So this week will see the couples dancing either a Tango or a Charleston.  Tina O'Brien will return from her chicken pox whilst Ann Widdecombe will be flying through the air.

It promises to be an entertaining week and yet again I've not had a chance to watch the training videos so I have no idea what to expect, let's see how it goes.

First up, Jimi Mistry & Flavia Cacace.

First Flavia & Vincent, now Ann & Anton are going to fly in their Tango

To try and give their routine a bit more pizazz, Ann and Anton have decided to go all Peter Pan and hopefully sprinkle some magic fairy dust on the judges...especially Craig I imagine.

Anton felt that they needed to have something "outrageous" in their routine to try and win over the judges, and hopefully encourage Craig to triple their score another week in a row.

So are they going to soar over the competition, or will this just be a gimmick to hide a lack of content in their routine? 

One of the reputed origins of the Tango is of the Goucho making his way into town to find a lady to spend his time with (an money on).  Given Ann's unwillingness to do anything raunchy in her routines will she be able to give the Tango the atmosphere it requires?

24 hours and we'll have the answer I suppose so we'll just have to wait and see.

Original story here.

Ann Widdecombe & Anton Du Beke - Waltz

Most people have put Ann & Anton in the comedy act pile and I think the height difference is definitely going to be an issue.  Interesting to see Ann wearing what appear to be practice shoes with laces, should give her a bit more stability.

Ann needs to keep her head up, and her feet down but it is a sweet performance.  Her Latin will be interesting but a good performance, far above I think most people's expectations.

Only a 5 I'm afraid but I think it could go downhill from here a la John Sergeant.

Craig: 2
Len: 5
Alisha: 5
Bruno: 5

Total Score: 17

Craig very harsh there, I don't think that deserved a 2.

Strictly Come Dancing Training Clips - Wk 2

It's the end of week 2 of training and all Strictly Come Dancing training clips have been released by the BBC.  The first clip of the week goes to Gavin Henson & Katya Virshilas, Gavin didn't impress me much in the launch show, I'm hoping Katya will have worked some magic though.



Lucky he's been given the Waltz rather than the Cha Cha Cha for the first show, it might actually give him the opportunity to stay longer as I think Cha Cha would have been a disaster.

Has the potential to do an acceptable Waltz though based on current footage.

Day 2 and the next training video is of Patsy Kensit & Robin Windsor
 
Robin is one of the new boys on the block and so one wonders if he can hit the ground running with the training.



It might be a Strictly cliche but it is easier for the girl to dance with a pro male than the other way around, and Patsy is looking really good in this initial footage.  Needs to relax more in her pivot turns and watch her shoulders.

A very promising start though and I'm looking forward to seeing their performance on the night.

No training video update on Wednesday so it comes to Thursday and Pamela Stephenson & James Jordan.  I thought Pamela performed very confidently in the launch show group dance and showed a lot of promise, but how is her training coming along?



Pamela is definitely not disappointing me, in the training video she looks graceful and elegant and I'm looking forward to seeing the finished article.

Our final couple this week are Ann Widdecombe & Anton Du Beke. A pairing I'm sure many of Anton's fans would have been dreading (no offence intended Ann!), but one that seemed concrete as soon as the line-up was announced.

Anton definitely has one of the most challenging partnerships of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, especially with the height difference, but I'm sure his popularity will see them whisk [see what I did there :-)] through the first few weeks.



Unfortunately for Ann she does look a little bit jerky at the moment, but there is some hope there, especially with her rise and fall.  I'm thinking Anton's glad they didn't get given the Cha Cha Cha for their first week.  Ann won't be the worst celebrity in the first show but I think she'll probably be mid-table to bottom.

So we've seen most of our couples so far.  Still left are:

• Felicity Kendal & Vincent Simone
• Kara Tointon & Artem Chigvintsev (purportedly prevented from training in the first week to make up for the fact she had dance training for Strictly Sports Relief)
• Jimi Mistry & Flavia Cacace
• Peter Shilton & Erin Boag
• Tina O'Brien & Jared Murillo

Check back next week when I should have the next load of training videos for you to sift through.  Oh and don't forget to set you VCR/PVR's for the start of Strictly Come Dancing 2010, BBC 1, on Friday 1st October and Saturday 2nd October!