The result

Same as last week, I don't think anyone has to predict this one!

Another no-question 4-0 send home.

This is going to make the next couple of weeks really tough for those that are left though as the two [debatably] worst dancers have now left the show.

The dance off!

Time for Jo to go i'm afraid.

Another good performance from Jade & Ian and a better one from Jo but still no contest between the two.

The moment of truth!

Expecting a Jo and Craig dance-off, but how will the audience have voted? Also for those that were at the Royal Albert Hall with us last week I hope you recognised the World Champions on the night doing their display!

Truly amazing dancers and you can see why they're number 1 in the world! Shame we were up in the circle as you do miss the impact from dancers like that.

---

On to the moment of truth then, and a shock first save for Craig.

Surprised to see Jade & Ian in the dance-off, but no chance now that Jo will survive to dance again next week.

Leaderboard

Leaderboard this week is as follows:

1. 37 points - Ali & Brian
2. 33 points - Zoe & James
3. 32 points - Jade & Ian
3. 32 points - Ricky & Natalie
5. 29 points - Ricky & Erin
5. 29 points - Natalie & Vincent
7. 28 points - Chris & Ola
7. 28 points - Laila & Anton
9. 25 points - Phil & Katya
10. 18 points - Craig & Flavia
11. 14 points - Jo & Brendan

I don't think there was much between Zoe and Ali tonight and I don't think Ali was 4 points better than Zoe, but still think that top spot is accurate - shame Zoe had those couple of slips. Also still surprised that Chris is so far down the table...

The bottom of the table looks as expected and I do think this week will see the bottom two in the dance-off, with Jo likely to be the one to go.

How would you have scored it?

Jo Wood & Brendan Cole - Samba

With one Joe going out last week will the other Jo survive tonight?

Mistakes abound and Brendan almost throws Jo across the room during the pivots at the end of the promenade runs.

I found it quite painful to watch i'm afraid Jo, but you did look like you enjoyed yourself tremendously.

This is going to be the bottom of the table i'd have thought, and lucky if she does achieve 5's.

The moment of truth!

Will Craig be in another dance-off, will the two Jo(e)s be saved again?

Well that's one of the Jo(e)s through!

Craig manages to escape the dance-off, bet they're relieved. Out of those three Zoe surely has to be through, could this be the week Joe finally takes a bow?

Now that's a shock, but definitely going to be Joe going home this time!

Jo Wood & Brendan Cole - Viennese Waltz

I'm afraid Jo that i've put you at the bottom of the table before tonight's show, please prove me wrong...

First few spins it actually looked smooth and I thought "wow, what an improvement", then unfortunately it continued and it almost looks at times like Jo is running round Brendan rather than dancing.

Nowhere near as smooth as it needs to be, though not necessarily a bad performance. Better than the 5's I predicted but I'm seeing 5-6's.

Training updates - Viennese Waltz & Jive

So we have the difficulty of the constantly rotating Viennese, and making it look smooth and effortless, compared to the speed, energy, and lightness required of the Jive.

With the Viennese Waltz there should be a smooth lilting sway from side to side, rather than the classic 'rise and fall' of the other traditional ballroom dances (Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot).

Both partners should be driving the dance when it is their turn to come forward. This will result in a much smoother action than if the male is driving then pulling his partner.

The Jive needs to be a bouncy and fun dance with light, quick movements and plenty of personality - i'm already feeling for Joe if he's been picked for this one!

So who's got what, and how's their training coming along?

Zoe Lucker & James Jordan - Jive

Looking quite light on her feet but yet again she needs to get over those nerves of hers!

Could be a solid performance and receive 7's.

Joe Calzaghe & Kristina Rihanoff - Jive

So far Joe has proved to be very heavy-footed, contrary to the bookie's early odds. How [or even will?] he cope with the fast and bouncy Jive?

Actually looks like Joe is getting involved in the dance and enjoying himself. Needs to make sure that his toes are pointed down during the flicks.

Could well be his best dance yet though and might even manage 6's (ignoring the [personal opinion] over-marking of last week.

Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna - Jive

Brian's favourite dance is looking a little awkward at times but really good at others.

Haven't really seen enough of the dance to give an accurate judgement but i'll predict healthy 7's.

Craig Kelly & Flavia Cacace - Jive

Craig's been in the dance-off twice now and I imagine his confidence has taken a real knock.

Needs to keep palms down rather than facing upwards and really should be pointing his toes downwards rather than letting them flick aimlessly during the kicks.

Also needs to bring his feet together a little more during his chasses (and in some cases actually do chasses!)

However it looks like it could be 6's.

Ricky Groves & Erin Boag - Jive

Could this be a return to the funny for Ricky? His Foxtrot would've been a LOT better last week if he could've kept his frame under control, less of an issue when it comes to Jive.

Looking pretty good, energetic and with a nice amount of bounce. Again another celeb who needs to keep those toes down during kicks - interesting to see that he's got himself a pair of dance trainers.

I'm expecting another lively performance from Ricky and at least 7's.

Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan - Jive

So another Latin dance for Chris, and another chance for Ola to wear very little!

Needs to take smaller back steps when rocking back and keep the head up when he's kicking (a problem he had during the Quickstep).

Looking good but yet again there's toes being flung around that should be toward the floor.

Realistically I think 6-7.

Laila Rouass & Anton du Beke - Jive

Laila and Anton definitely deserved their top spot last week, but how are they going to cope with the move from slow and elegant Foxtrot, to fast and frantic Jive?

Well she's looking a little flat-footed, and wearing boots probably doesn't help!

Needs to do something [anything!] with her free hand. The training doesn't appear to be at full speed/performance so really hard to judge.

If that was at full speed then we'll struggle for 5's!!!

Phil Tufnell & Katya Virshilas - Viennese Waltz

I saw some surprisingly impressive hips last week, let's hope Phil's knee has recovered further and he can show us a really smooth Viennese.

Needs to translate the 'bob' into more of a sway but not looking too bad, need to see him out of practice hold to be a better judge of how his frame is holding up though.

Should be 7's.

Jo Wood & Brendan Cole - Viennese Waltz

Jo still isn't strenghtening her ab's and standing up, she looks introverted and is totally lost in Brendan's frame.

It's very jerky and bouncy and is nowhere near as smooth-looking as it should be.

Unless she relaxes, and starts to stand up, this will be more 5's. The only saving grace she has is that there's only really 3 steps in the Viennese so nowhere near as much to learn as the other dances!

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Viennese Waltz

Very nice presentation with the hands but again does need to avoid bouncing when she closes her feet, and also make sure she keeps the frame up all the way round the dance.

To avoid getting dizzy she really needs to try and focus on the wall as she goes round so that her brain can cope.

Could come off quite nice though and probably straight 7's.

Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Viennese Waltz

I've not been impressed with Ricky's frame in the first couple of ballroom dances and at times there appears to be significant improvement, then at other times his shoulders are out of alignment and it ruins the whole look.

I'd say 7's but the judges like him so will probably be 8-9.

Jade Johnson & Ian Waite - Viennese Waltz

The tallest couple should definitely be suited to this dance.

We saw Ian and Jade at the International Ballroom Dancing Championships last night and Ian gave me a preview of Jade's frame and posture, which is looking very good.

This is looking very good and could be the highest scoring Viennese of the night.

I'm going out on a limb and saying 9's!!!

---

I'm putting Jade and Ian in top spot with Jo Wood (or even possibly Laila) in bottom spot.

Ian said that he'd seen Laila's Jive and people will really need to vote for them so it will be interesting to see how the performance comes off.

What about your views, who would you place top, who do you think should be going out?

The moment of truth!

How will the public have voted this week? Will Anton & Laila's top spot protect them from any backlash from the public?

Yes, is the answer to that question - we'll never know how close that vote was!

Joe Calzaghe saved from the bottom spot for yet another week, is the whole of Wales voting for him?!

Jo Wood saved as I predicted, Craig could still be in the bottom two...

Well done Ian, could tell you were getting a little worried there!

Out of these two it's difficult to call but I think Lynda might be going home, she has surprised me before though.

str

Jo Wood & Brendan Cole - Foxtrot

So Jo is trying the most technical ballroom dance and I'm not expecting much (predicted 5's earlier), let's hope she proves me wrong.

Mistakes evident right from the start and she needs to keep the head up and lift from her chest.

She seems to save the really obvious mistakes for right in front of the judges unfortunately.

A passable attempt but I think Craig is going to be harsh again. Sticking with my 5's.

Moment of truth and dance-off

As predicted the audience have saved Joe Calzaghe.

Will Jo Wood also be saved?

Phil Tufnell will have a hard job next week as I imagine he can't train until he recovers from his knee surgery.

Whether she's through or not I think they'll leave Jo until the final three anyway, just to up the suspense.

...or not...lol

Again as predicted the audience have saved both the Jo(e)s. Is my earlier prediction going to prove correct?

...No!

So Lynda and Rav are in the final two, I think Rav will be saved again but the judges have surprised me in the past.

---

Slower Flamenco hand movement at the start, but still superfluous due to the speed as it has no impact.

I do think this is a better performance than earlier, but I don't think the lipstick nose look is good for Darren!

---

Rav looks like a defeated man and certainly showing a lack of confidence/drive at the start there.

Little bit shaky and still huge gaps between them, Rav is neglecting to close his feet on the chasses.

---

Based on the dance-off I'd have to actually give it to Lynda.

Jo Wood & Brendan Cole - Paso

I had Jo down as the one to exit last week, let's see if she can repay all those people who voted for her.

Well definitely a better performance than last week, though needs to keep her head up, and her shoulders are a little off line at times.

Shame about the end being mucked up.

Think this will be 5's, but definitely an improvement.

Leaderboard

So combined leaderboard is as follows:

1. 65 points - Ricky & Natalie
2. 61 points - Zoe & James
3. 55 points - Laila & Anton
4. 51 points - Phil & Katya
5. 50 points - Natalie & Vincent
6. 44 points - Craig & Flavia
7. 38 points - Richard & Lilia
8. 36 points - Jo & Brendan

As said earlier I do think Jo will be in the bottom two, and actually I think Richard will join her. Out of the two it's hard to say who i'd pick, I think the dance-off will decide it.

Although I don't agree with the level of points that Ricky received both tonight and last night, I think he would probably still be top - and that'll please a lot of ladies out there.

I suppose everyone knows the results by now so I won't ask for peoples comments just yet!

Jo Wood & Brendan Cole - Rumba

Jo lacked confidence in her Tango last night and the Rumba may prove to be a difficult dance too.

No action at all in her Rumba walks, and shame they got caught up together.

There wasn't much of an atmosphere between them and I think she'll get 5's if they're feeling generous.

Jo Wood & Brendan Cole - Tango

Well done Phil, that'll teach anyone that compared you to John Sergeant (though I seem to recall he did have a very good first Waltz too!)

...

6 predicted...

...

A poor start but quickly recovered.  Looking good for a while, but a bit skippy later on and lacks some control.  Going to be 5's, maybe a 6.