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

Kara Tointon & Artem Chigvintsev - Charleston

Another of the front-runners, I felt some of the others haven't performed quite as well this week so a chance for Kara to jump up the table.

Kara really isn't wearing a lot is she?! Needs just a little more swivel at times but a good performance, not sure whether the lifting of Artem from the floor went quite to plan though.

Not bad at all, still prefer my Charlestons with a bit more comedy and energy though. I'm going to give it an 8 though.

Craig: 8 "Would've liked to have seen a bit more quirk"
Len: 8 "Lacked a bit of impact...danced it very well"
Alisha: 8 "Bit more fire...bit more spirit...routine was amazing"
Bruno: 8 "Put a bit more welly to it...more fire...more sex"

Total Score: 32

Matt Baker & Aliona Vilani - Charleston

Matt and Aliona were great at the International Championships at the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday night, even going onto the main dance floor and hanging around to sign autographs.  I think this could be the best dance of tonight given Matt's gymnastic abilities.

So Matt's going to start on a unicycle. 

Slight slip and I do feel to an extent that Matt isn't quite as comfortable in this dance, he looks like he's thinking about the routine a bit too much.  Some excellent lifts and a double cartwheel.

Felt there was something slightly lacking but I'm going to give it an 8.

Craig: 9 "Not perfect...little slip...timing issues...but I LOVED IT...love a man in a moustache"
Len: 9 "Best Charleston so far tonight...your best dance"
Alisha: 9 "Loved the routine...effortlessly done"
Bruno: 8 "Quite a few mistakes...most difficult Charleston we've seen"

Total Score: 35

Peter Shilton & Erin Boag - Charleston

Peter's not his best when he's dancing on his own, so Charleston could be a disaster...

Oh dear, Peter does look like he's a bit of a puppet on a string at times, better in hold but unfortunately not much of that in this routine and he obviously isn't confident in the routine as he keeps looking at Erin for guidance.

Almost looks like he's walking through it by the end.  Only a 5 from me.

Craig: 2 "I'm glad you had a good time, I couldn't wait for it to finish...white gloves a BIG mistake"
Len: 5 "You have gone to town on this outfit...more comfortable in hold doing proper dancing"
Alisha: 6 "So sweet...massive timing issues...such a shame"
Bruno: 4 "Oh Peter...you look like a penguin stuck in the mud...timing has to be spot-on...didn't really gel"

Total Score: 17

Patsy Kensit & Robin Windsor - Charleston

Liking the Chicago look.  Nice swivel action at the start but I feel there's a slight lack of energy in the routine.  Patsy's smiling but doesn't appear to be exuding enjoyment.  I don't know whether it's just heavy or not, another finish with a kiss though. 

Overall I'm a little underwhelmed, only a 6 I'm afraid.

Craig: 6 "This dance is about stamina...started getting a little bit heavy and sluggish"
Len: 8 "You've come out a thoroughbred...[kiss from Patsy to Len]...full-on entertaining performance"
Alisha: 7 "I'm loving the look...certain moves slacked a little bit"
Bruno: 7 "You have to keep the stamina...but the performance was good"

Total Score: 28

Tina O'Brien & Jared Murillo - Charleston

Tina missed last week due to a case of chicken pox, let's hope it hasn't affected their training too much.

Tina needs to be careful about flinging her hands out a little too much, and not to "cowboy" walk too much.  Needs to also try and get more swivel from her feet.  Again not a great cartwheel but better than Jimi's.

A better routine this week, though Jared wouldn't have been the one to choreograph it you must remember.

I'm going to give them a 7.

Craig: 7 "Very character driven...great...footwork was a little bit on the sloppy side"
Len: 7 "Tight, you were together...sweet little couple...could've been a little bit stronger through the feet"
Alisha: 8 "Well done on lifting Jared [must have missed that one!]"
Bruno: 7 "At times it needed slightly more energy...could have been a bit stronger."

Total Score: 29

Jimi Mistry & Flavia Cacace - Charleston

I'm liking the energy, though I'm not sure about Jimi's cartwheel and some of the moves I think Jimi is cutting short due to the speed of the routine.

An entertaining routine but I do feel the whole thing just felt a little clipped at times.  I'm going to give it a 7.

Judges comments and scores:

Craig: 6 "Straighten legs and point your feet when you do a cartwheel...arms and hands...didn't go well"
Len: 7 "You really went for it...great entertainment...try and swivel...not sure about the windows [stage props]"
Alisha: 7 "It wasn't technically perfect...great opener to the show"
Bruno: 7 "Once you got going you really went into character...lost timing...speed was such, you kinda lost sync"

Total Score: 27

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.

Strictly Come Dancing - Sunday 17th October Results

Ok I know it's a bit late, and most of you already know the results of the show, but I'll blog about it anyway. 

From watching the show on Saturday night I predicted Michelle would have the lowest audience votes and would be going home, but I also suggested on our Facebook page that Paul Daniels would be the one joining her in the bottom two - I just think Ann will take the votes from Paul.

The show opens with the professionals dancing a Charleston, a high energy and entertaining routine and one which Jared actually starts to look at home performing.  The pattern seems to be that the celebs perform the featured dance the following week which brings the Charleston forward from last year's end of series.

There's a recap of Saturday night, along with judges backstage comments and celeb reactions.

I'm not keen on the stretching out of the eliminations, and the lack of a dance-off could seriously backfire as the series progresses, have the producers forgotten that they introduced the dance-off after DJ Spoony was unfortunate to receive an early dismissal belying his potential.

First four safe couples are: Ann & Anton; Pamela & James; Peter & Erin; Patsy & Robin (Patsy looks like she's about to faint!)

Craig gives Ann advice of literally "Dance, better".
Len is relieved that he won't have to show his bum in Tesco now that Peter is not in the bottom two.

Next is Tango Unleashed (choreographed by Flavia and receiving rave reviews on Twitter).  It starts with Flavia in the middle of the floor attached to four straps that are used to drag her round the floor before she's eventually unhooked and starts dancing with first Vincent, then James, Robin and finally Artem (after Robin throws her over his head into Artem's arms, impressive to say the least!)  James lifts Flavia up in his arms above his head and throws her into the other three dancer's arms.

It's an amazing performing, the furthest from a traditional Tango we've ever seen on Strictly, but as a performance it's great to watch.

A brief chat to the celebs who are safe so far then back to the lineup; next safe are: Jimi & Flavia; Matt & Aliona; Kara & Artem.  First in the bottom two is Paul & Ola.

Alisha offers all of them good luck
Bruno consults his crystal ball, and thinks Jimi overdid his performance, looking forced and preventing his talent coming through.

Claudia then talks to Paul & Ola, Paul agrees with the public's decision to put him in the bottom two.  He'd rather he went home rather than anyone else in the competition.

Peter Andre then pops up to perform his new single, not quite my thing so I skip through it and then it's back to find out who else is in the bottom two.  Safe and going forward to next week are: Scott & Natalie; Felicity & Vincent; Gavin & Katya - putting Michelle & Brendan into the bottom two.

A VT then from those in the bottom two as to how much they want to stay in.  Out of the two obviously Paul deserves to go and with a dance-off this would be elementary, but how has the public voted?

The couple leaving this week are Paul & Ola.  A shame for last year's champion but she wouldn't have lasted much longer with Paul as a partner.  No offence Paul but you were always going to struggle.

Paul tells Ola she's welcome round anytime (even if Debbie's not at home).

So that's week 2, better move onto my It Takes Two reviews!