Strictly Come Dancing week 5 - Halloween Special

Apologies for not blogging on last week's action, but unfortunately we just couldn't get the time.

Tonight is the Strictly Halloween Special, and I can already predict that the scariest thing is going to be Nancy!

First up is Russell Grant & Flavia Cacace with their Samba

If Russell has got a knee problem then Samba's probably the worst dance he could have been given.

It's so nice to see actual Samba steps that our students are going to recognise...such a shame that he obviously lost the steps early on and it's knocked his confidence throughout.  A great shame, though Emma and I both commented on his nice bottom!

A nice selection of basic steps up till the mistake but just a 6 from me after all the mistakes.

Craig: 4 "One wig away darling from being Mystic Meg...dancing sadly let you down"
Len: 6 "There were a few mistakes...you've got the feel good factor"
Alesha: 6 "Great bounce action...got the Halloween party started"
Bruno: 6 "Turned Hell into a camp Heaven...unfortunately you went wrong quite a few times"

Total Score: 22

Looking a little worried this week, think they're going to need the votes as it wasn't their most entertaining performance.

Second up, Chelsee Healey & Pasha Kovalev with the Tango.

I still felt that their Quickstep last week was very untidy and still too manic, but it's good to see her delivering on my pre-competition predictions.

Doesn't really have the Tango feel to the music, but you wouldn't know it from their dancing.

Chelsee has some nice sharp movements, but still looks a little bit like Pasha is throwing her around her at times.

A very good Tango but a shame that the ending was missed after her dress almost revealed too much, I feel so sorry for her but I hope they can show her a replay as soon as possible to let her know nothing was seen.

I'd still like to see a bit more control there so just an 8 from me at present.

Craig: 7 "I would have like to have seen it a little bit more grounded...feisty, fiery and everything we expect"
Len: 8 "Could have been a bit sharper towards the end...good dance"
Alesha: 9 "You have nothing to cry about, you covered that so well...you've raised your game"
Bruno: 8 "This wicked little witch, is a wicked little dancer...did a great dance"

Total Score: 32

Audley Harrison & Natalie Lowe Jive

I do worry about Audley's ability for the Jive, can he keep it looking light and bouncy and not run out of puff early on?

Flat footed from the off unfortunately, and living up to what I would have expected.  There's just no bounce though some of the lines look quite nice...unfortunately that's when he's standing still.

A very poor Jive but it was always going to be difficult for him, a 5 from me.

Craig: 3 "You did make a gallant effort...physically unsuited for this dance...lovely smile though"
Len: 6 "I don't know what these other two are talking about, it had rhythm, good timing...you never went wrong...I commend you"
Alesha: 6 "It needed to be more bouncy and light...kicks and flicks just weren't quite there"
Bruno: 5 "You really got into the spirit of things...[but] terrible footwork...very hard dance"

Total Score: 20

Alex Jones & James Jordan are next up with a Paso Doble (well suited dance for Halloween hopefully)

Alex needs to make sure she keeps her shoulders down when she lifts up her arms, otherwise her neck just disappears, and the 'cape' section with her skirt turns a little bit school playground when she speeds up.

I really like the dramaticism though and the 'fight' over the bed is quite well acted.  The chasse capes are quite messy and there are times when it looks good, but also times when it really doesn't.

A mixed bag Paso Doble but definitely developed into a passionate one.  I'm unsure on it but I think I'll give them a 7.

Craig: 7 "I think you played that extremely well...almost found it erotic...danced it well"
Len: 8 "I was expecting Hammer House of Horrors...had intensity, dramatic, attack...bit too much frock wafting"
Alesha: 8 "Absolutely loved the beginning...took a risk...atmospheric...breakthrough this week"
Bruno: 8 "Haunting, voluptuous, hint of madness...improved so much [on last week]"

Total Score:  31

Holly Valence & Artem Chigvintsev will be dancing an American Smooth to Swan Lake, explains the eye make-up!

Hmm...I just feel like there's always something lacking when Holly dances.  I just get a feeling of discomfort when she dances, maybe it's vulnerability of being herself and not a character.

The lift entrances and exits are all a bit messy, and the ending just looked uncomfortable as they were getting into it.

It was ok but she still doesn't 'wow' me like I would expect, good enough for a 7 but she should be getting so much more.

Craig: 8 "Very high risk and perilous concept...but you made it work"
Len: 9 "I thought it was terrific...could have done with a bit more in hold...I love it"
Alesha: 9 "You both look incredible...created some beautiful lines and shapes...you were magnificent"
Bruno: 9 "You produced a performance of great style, great artistry...top lines were exquisite"

Total Score: 35

Obviously the judges disagree with me!

Let the nightmares begin, it's time for Nancy Dell'Olio & Anton Du Beke to give us a Rumba.

I really thought Nancy would have been able to dance 'sexier' than that, and she turns her body too early in the drag so that Anton ends up holding her up by her chest!

A couple of nice movements but the opening outs are pretty awful.

Anton's included the same lift as last week which is going to knock some points off with the judges, a fairly awful Rumba with very little natural hip action, a 4 from me.

Craig: 2 "Dance horriblus darling...Anton I'm getting a little bit bored of that lift now...also it's illegal"
Len: 5 "Rumba, the dance of love...moments of Mills & Boon, and moments of Meals on Wheels"
Alesha: 3 "I think you're a sexy woman...but you're a walking disaster...legs are so far apart...very ploddy...lift so unflattering"
Bruno: 4 "Looking like the queen of the night, you dance like the walking dead...great big plonky number"

Total Score: 14

Love interests Harry Judd & Aliona Vilani vamp it up with a Tango

Looks like we've had our 5 seconds of actual Tango content from them...oh wait there's actually some more later on, still not enough for my liking but Harry's acting is impressive.

I'd would really like Aliona to sort out Harry's frame though as when he has his arms up the rolled over shoulders just make him look hunched - luckily for him there was very little actual Tango to highlight this.

Harry's a good dancer but I do think Aliona is avoiding putting too much actual dancing in which annoys me.  Fantastic drama and acting but Harry needs to get his posture sorted before he can really develop.  I wasn't a fan of the running drag either.

I'd like to give him more but I really don't think I can go above a 7.

Craig: 8 "Full of intent, purpose, aggression...would have liked to have seen a little more in hold however"
Len: 7 "I want to see more than 8 bars in hold...it was a terrific number, it was sharp...I want to see more than 8 bars in the Tango hold"
Alesha: 10 "I do agree with Len...but you played it so well"
Bruno: 9 "Intense, hypnotic, erotic...it was great"

Total Score: 34

I'm sorry Alesha but what on earth are you thinking?!

Next to scare us this evening will be Robbie Savage & Ola Jordan with the Paso Doble

Good cape work from Robbie but he's a little bit high when they get into hold, I'd like to see him use the floor a bit better.

A bit stompy in places and lacking any real drive or attack, should be a lot more aggression in a Paso.

I think they'll let them off the slight lift and a very brave ending, any slip or lack of elevation at the end and Robbie could have face planted straight into Craig.  Just a 6 for me, too much thrusting of the hips, and not enough Paso!

Craig: 4 "I could have done without all the hip thrusts...particularly the end one in my face...needed a lot more drive"
Len: 7 "It was a little bit disconcerting ...would have liked a bit more Savage...got to work on getting that Latin to the same standard [as your Ballroom]"
Alesha: 8 "I say keep thrusting...cape work at the beginning was brilliant...little bit erratic at times"
Bruno: 7 "Bad gone mental...lacked a bit of artistry"

Total Score: 26

Next couple is Anita Dobson & Robin Windsor with a Tango

Posture is better this week but could still do with a bit more of a stretch.

It feels a little soft and Anita looks unsure of her steps at times.  The Tango just lacks a feeling of attack and drama for me.

Not a bad dance but still a lot of improvement required, 7.

Craig: 7 "Acting 10, top line 3...loved the routine though"
Len: 8 "I like it...lot of Tango content...lost your timing...posture is your weakest thing"
Alesha: 8 "Fantastic actress, loved the drama...need to perfect your hold"
Bruno: 8 "You portray every aspect of your character...got to work on your frame"

Total Score: 31

Time for Lulu & Brendan Cole to fly onto the dance floor and Paso

A brave slide down the banister from Brendan, though not sure on the accessories!

Much more attack in this routine, more likely due to a better choice of song than Robbie's.

Faffing around at the end by Brendan so that they can get the harness back on...flying really is such a pointless gimmick.

Her best dance yet and a 7 from me.

Craig: 6 "Concept was absolutely great...felt like you were just trying to catch up with Brendan"
Len: 7 "Lots of tricks, and quite a few treats...you're a little bit soft in the body...too willowy"
Alesha: 8 "An amazing entrance, I love your determination...did a good job this week"
Bruno: 8 "You didn't go wrong tonight...you did it well, strong and powerful"

Total Score: 29

Last up tonight is Jason Donovan & Kristina Rihanoff with a Quickstep

This should be a much better performance from Jason as I think he's better suited to the Ballroom.

Very brave of Kristina to have Jason dancing on his own to start, and Jason's definitely back to his best.  His arms are a little bit low which is ruining his frame.

Lots of energy but a little bit unbalanced in the final spin.  Improve on the posture and he'll be unstoppable but still a 9 for me.

Craig: 9 "Stone the flaming crows mate...I thought that was absolutely Fab-u-lous...however there were a couple of mistakes"
Len: 9 "So what if he made a little tiny mistake...some of them have had a Tango and they haven't even done a Tango [nudge, nudge Aliona]"
Alesha: 10 "So cute...charming throughout...brilliant routine...well done Jason"
Bruno: 9 "Bewitchingly brilliant and slightly barmy...great concept, great choreography...back on track"

Total Score: 37

Biggest score of the series so far, and I think it deserved it.

Leader board for tonight is as follows (my scores in brackets):

1. 37 points - Jason & Kristina (9)
2. 35 points - Holly & Artem (7)
3. 34 points - Harry & Aliona (7)
4. 32 points - Chelsee & Pasha (8)
5. 31 points - Alex & James (7)
5. 31 points - Anita & Robin (7)
7. 29 points - Lulu & Brendan (7)
8. 26 points - Robbie & Ola (6)
9. 22 points - Russell & Flavia (6)
10. 20 points - Audley & Natalie (5)
11. 14 points - Nancy & Anton (4)

Thankfully I haven't lost my touch and I'm still fairly accurate in my scoring.  I'd have liked to see Holly giving it a little bit more presentation but maybe I'm not seeing what the judges are, and Harry needs to sort out his shoulders and Aliona give him more actual choroegraphy.

I think it will be an Audley & Nancy bottom two with Audley going home as I still think Anton's fans will save him.

Matt Baker & Aliona Vilani - Samba

Hearing the screams last week (at BBC TV Centre) every time Matt was announced/appeared I know he has a strong audience backing but to be honest any one of the three finalists would be a worthy winner of the glitter ball trophy, and I'm pretty sure it's the best final line-up we've ever had.

Matt & Aliona are going to start with their highest marked dance of the series, the Samba, though personally I didn't rate it quite as highly as the judges and I'm sure Matt & Aliona would have preferred a different dance too.

I'm starting to see the attraction the judges had the first time round though, I think Matt is performing this much better than the first time around and aside from the back flips at the end I really can't fault it.

It's going to have to be a 10!

Craig: 9 "All good I'm afraid...more confident than last time...bit ropey last time"
Len: 9 "You came out, full on"
Alisha: 10 "Best Samba of the series"
Bruno: 10 "That really got everybody going...even better this time"

Total Score: 38

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

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.

Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan - Samba

Another Samba tonight, Ali scored well earlier on and it’ll be difficult to have such a direct comparison to her.

I think Bruno might mention the stamping jump at the start, and Chris’ mouth is making a comeback.

His hips are a little lacking but it’s a very good performance and I’ll give it an 8.
s

Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna - Samba

The bogey dance so far for most competitors, and I don’t think the Samba will prove to be her dance tonight either.

Still looks too ‘nice’ and on a couple of moves Ali doesn’t appear to finish before she’s on to the next step and really needs to dance from the floor.

I don’t think the choice of music helped, I do think Samba really needs to have a bouncy feel to it to really bring out the performance.

An ok performance but should get 8’s.

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Samba

When I saw the training videos mid-week she looked a little flat so i'm hoping Vincent's addressed that since.



Len will definitely appreciate them going straight into the dance.

For me i'd have Natalie take slightly more compact steps, this would help with the hip action. The bounce was improved over mid-week but I still think a little work is required.

A little uninspiring at times but ok overall. Only 7's for Nat this week I'd say.

The dance off!

So who can impress the judges enough to make it to Blackpool?

First up Ali with her Paso Doble...and what's this no shoes? Which straight away results in a slip.

However I would say a much better performance than earlier on in the night.

How will Zoe reply to that?

No real improvement on her earlier dance, I didn't like it that much earlier and I think Zoe will be going home this week.

Zoe Lucker & James Jordan - Samba

I don't feel Zoe's performed particularly well during the faster Latin dances so it will be interesting to see how she copes tonight.

Looks to have been a slight mistake after the promenade runs, but so quickly recovered you probably wouldn't notice too much.

Her hip work just seems to be lacking for a great protion of the dance and I wasn't particularly impressed, more 7's I'm going to say but may get an 8.

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.

Laila Rouass & Anton du Beke - Samba

An awful Jive last week could well have seen them leaving, but the public saved them - rightly so I think. How will the Samba compare?

Anton's very much a Ballroom boy so I wouldn't be surprised if he haad to pick up a few things from Laila.

A very funky routine and looking really good, up to the first travelling voltas that Laila unfortunately made a slight hash of.

Not their best dance, but not even close to their worst. I think it will get 7's.

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.

Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Samba

Although I don't agree with the 10 they received last week Ricky is still definitely the one to beat.

A little too feminine , with less hip action then i'd actually expect. Also steps were all wrong in the promenade runs.

Better hip action later in the dance but needs to avoid bunching his hands.

Not his best dance but will probably achieve 8's.

Craig Kelly & Flavia Cacace - Samba

Craig hasn't really managed a good Latin dance so far in the competition, and unfortunately I don't think Samba is going to be any different.

A very timid performance and lacking in the drive and energy normally expected in a Samba, though Craig does appear to be enjoying himself.

A few mistakes, and a lack of hip action will see this being lucky to get 6's I think.

Phil Tufnell & Katya Virshilas - Samba

So Phil's turn to try the Brazilian carnival dance, lot's of bounce and hip action required Phil!

Quite a fast track they've picked for this Samba and I don't think it's doing them any favours.

Absolutely no bounce and it looks very wooden except for the staged hip movement sections.

For me I'd have to say a 6 i'm afraid.

Jade Johnson & Ian Waite - Samba

So Ian has done well in the Samba in the past, let's see how they get on tonight.

Jade needs to pick her head up and it's not as bouncy-feeling as i'd have liked but overall a very good performance.

Not sure how the judges will go but I think it'll be 8-9.