Edwina Currie & Vincent Simone - Foxtrot

A much better dress this week, but a lot of 'faffing' about as Len would put it 50 seconds before they actually take hold!

It's very elegant and romantic but they only spend about 20 seconds actually in hold.

Edwina looks quite clumsy at times but overall not a bad performance, but not a Foxtrot I'm afraid so just a 5 from me, and Len is NOT going to be happy!

Craig: 4 "When you FINALLY got into the Foxtrot proper, very hunch of shoulder...point the foot at least"
Len: 5 "That could be the last supper...too much messing about...I wanted more content of the Foxtrot"
Alesha: 5 "Getting into character is brilliant...but it was too long getting into the dance"
Bruno: 5 "Naughty Edwina...you forgot about the Foxtrot...like watching a bendy bus navigating a tight roundabout"

Total Score: 19

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 Teaser Video - Lulu & Brendan Cole

Lulu's Strictly Teaser Video

Strictly Training Video - Edwina Currie & Vincent Simone

Today's video then is Edwina Currie and Vincent Simone - Cha Cha Cha.

The return of Vincent, his eyebrows, and his ego! Then again I'm not really one to talk - students always ask whether I have trouble going through doors with my big head!

Edwina has quite a nice hip action developing, though she needs to work on not overdoing it and going outside of her body space, definitely looks like she's enjoying herself though.  Let's hope they don't put her in such a frumpy dress this time, the launch show was an awful outfit.

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.

Felicity Kendal & Vincent Simone - Paso Doble

Felicity is a celeb who hasn't lived up to my expectations, though is definitely a lot more flexible than I gave her credit for (and definitely than me!)

A nice Spanish start and I like how they've made her hair look a bit like a bull's tail.  Felicity needs to be careful not to skip, but that was only very briefly.  The ending seems slightly out of time but then vincent strips off and drags Felicity across the floor to the judges.

For me it's Felicity's best dance, I can't find anything to fault it on but just a few niggles means I'm going to give it a 9.

Craig: 6 "Storytelling absolutely wonderful...thought you could've used the floor a bit more...a bit rough"
Len: 8 "Very atmospheric...captured the mood...lacked in agression, made up in expression...best dance so far"
Alisha: 7 "Loved the drama...arm shaping great...still need to work on the attack and drive...one to many splits in your dancing"
Bruno:  8"That had more drama...tried to put a lot of flamenco into it...at times not as well-placed as it could have been."

Total Score: 29

Now it seems I've gone the other way!  Much, much better than a 6 though Craig.  Whilst it lacked aggression I personally felt that was more to do with the story and expression and no less of a Paso because of it.

Strictly Come Dancing - Sunday 31st October Results

So I'm back from teaching, I've managed to avoid finding out who was in the bottom two tonight, now to watch and blog before I go to bed.

An interesting combination of Ghostbusters and what appears to be Thriller to start.  There's actually quite the story to it and it's worth a watch.

The first safe couples are: Michelle & Brendan; Scott & Natalie; Ann & Anton; Kara & Artem; Matt & Aliona.  In the bottom two are Tina & Jared.

Looks like my prediction that her 'pleather' might be an issue has actually come about, even if I did think she wouldn't be there.

Also safe are: Patsy & Robin; Jimi & Flavia (there goes my other prediction); Gavin & Katya.

Joining Tina & Jared in the bottom two are Felicity & Vincent (I can understand why).

Out of the two of them I think Tina will be going home, though I must admit I don't think any of the celebs are performing particularly well at the moment.

Down to the moment of truth, going home is...Tina & Jared.  For me I think Jared failed to impress as a new pro and Tina didn't really come across with as much personality as she could have.

Do you think the right result came out?

Felicity Kendal & Vincent Simone - Viennese Waltz

Felicity and Vincent appear to have gone down a very traditional route, in terms of the history of the dance from the balls of Vienna.

It takes them quite a while to get down onto the floor though (from the bridge) which I know Len isn't going to like.

There's a little bit too much skipping from Felicity, though she can still do the splits better than I can.

Overall I thought the dance was ok, but nothing special.  I'll give it a 7.

Craig: 6 "Beginning held great promise...unravelled when you got to the floor...bit lumpy on the travelling splits"
Len: 7 "Nice feeling of romance...posture much better...took a bit of time to get down on the floor...no heels"
Alisha: 6 "Wasting time down the stairs...tad jerky...loved the splits."
Bruno: 7 "I think you were starting to laugh in the middle...feet mucking up"

Total Score: 26

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.

Felicity Kendal & Vincent Simone - Tango

So Tango is Vincent's forte, but it appears Felicity can't tell her left from her right, always a problem in dancing!

Not liking Vincent's hat, so I'm glad they put it down.  Some great intensity at teh start, though they are doing Argentine rather than normal Tango.  Needs to keep her chin up when she's looking down the floor and I think there was a slight mistake just before the pivots, which themselves looked uncomfortable.  A finish with quite a passionate kiss to!!!

I'm going to give it an 8.

Craig: 7 "I did like the story very much...too much up on your toes...bit of a stumble"
Len: 7 "I like the story...Italian oils his way across...opening section beautifully choreographed...lacked a bit of fire"
Alisha: 7 "You were like a seductive temptress throughout"
Bruno: 8 "That's the way I like it"

Total Score: 29

Felicity Kendal & Vincent Simone - Cha Cha Cha

Felicity was struggling in training with wearing high heels, and they did appear to be particularly high in the vids, but I'm hoping she's got past that.

Felicity is definitely more flexible than I was first expecting, but there's an awful lot of time wasting at the start and she does look a little uncomfortable.  I would prefer to see a bit more hip action and some thought to what she is going to do with her hands when not in hold, as they tend to just be held not really doing much.

I've seen worse first dances but I do feel there could have been a bit more there.  Would have to give it a 6 I think. 

As I mentioned in the training video I do think Vincent had his hand too high on Felicity's back during the Natural Top (probably to have greater control over her) and Craig picks up on the raised shoulder in his comments.


Judges scores are:


Craig: 4
Len: 5
Alisha: 7
Bruno: 7


Giving a first dance score of 23 (just shy of an average 6 - I'm off to a good start this year it seems!)

Strictly Come Dancing Training Clips - Wk 3

So Strictly Come Dancing is less than a week away from starting, the spray-tanners are spraying, the dress makers are sewing and the celebrities are shaving; and we're being treated to our last few training videos.

Up first is boyhood favourite Felicity Kendal & Vincent Simone.  I read a great blog post about calculating your Ballroom or Latin quotient and apparently Felicity Kendal is a borderline case, so should in theory cope quite comfortably with both disciplines.  Let's see how the training is coming along...



Dancing on heels really does make a huge difference to your dancing.  Latin American dances should be danced with the weight fully over the balls of the feet - the heels lightly touching the floor - and higher heels push your weight forward.  This then allows for easier hip action and even guys wear 1 1/2 inch Cuban heels (as opposed to the Ballroom 1 inch).

For someone who isn't used to dancing in heels this can take quite a bit of adjustment.  I must admit that I've never tried anything higher than the Cuban heel, but if a student ever ordered a pair of ladies shoes in size 10 I'd be tempted to try them on.  Don't get me wrong, I don't have a cross-dressing fantasy or anything, but how can you truly teach someone else about the importance of high heels, and also understand a students limitations, if you don't know how it feels yourself?

Anyway I digress, Felicity has a Cha Cha Cha as her first dance, and I think she has the personality to produce a fun and cheeky performance.  However it does look like she is struggling with those heels and I'm sure she could have had slightly lower ones - they look nearer to 3 1/2 inch to me when I'm sure 2 1/2 inch would have been a good starting point!

Standing still Felicity excudes a very naughty sexy side (I'm thinking 48ish seconds in!) but she needs to be able to do that whilst moving too, which seems to be an issue right now.  Her shoulders are too high during the natural top but I actually think Vincent could hold her a little lower and that would help.

I still have high hopes for Felicity but there is quite a bit of work still required I'd say.

Training clip number 2 this week is Kara Tointon & Artem Chigvintsev.  Kara was restricted from training in week 1 to make up for the 20-odd hours of training she received taking party in Strictly for Sport Relief, will be interesting to see how that's affected things.



So, one of the 'hot young girls' paired with one of the new 'hot young professionals', can't imagine what the Strictly producers were thinking when they came up with that one?!

From the launch show I felt Artem was the strongest of the new professionals, and looked more at home than either Jared or Robin and the training video doesn't disappoint.

Kara is looking like she's picking up the steps quickly and does appear to have a good natural balance during those spins.  I wish I could see more of her dancing as it's difficult to see how well her hips are moving during the lock steps, obviously the body roll seems to work well.  She probably should have her arm up, rather than down, during the locks away from him...but I'm sure it's not polished yet.

Our third video of the week is Peter Shilton & Erin Boag.  Peter is Erin's second goalkeeper celebrity and whilst Peter Schmeichel didn't exactly trip the light fantastic, Erin did wonders considering the starting material.



Peter is definitely going to excel more at Ballroom than Latin American I'll wager.  He does need to work on keeping his shoulders down and level, especially in promenade position (when the guy opens his left side and the girl the right side so that they are both looking in the same direction - see 25secs in).  I also think more work is required in softening his rise and fall action.

I don't think Peter will do too bad a performance on Friday, but I also don't think he'll stay long in the competition on current evidence.

Our final couple is Tina O'Brien & Jared Murillo.  Jared didn't impress me much in the launch show so I'm hoping to see a bit more potential in the training videos.



Not looking too bad as a starting point, though Tina does need to keep her toes in contact with the floor during her back locks and should concentrate on more separation between her top half and bottom half of her body.

Still there is some potential there so will be interesting to see how she performs this weekend.

Strictly Come Dancing is back with a vengeance on Friday 1st October, hope you're looking forward to it?!

Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace's Fantasia Tour

Friday 5th March Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace are bringing their Fantasia Tour to The Centre, Farnham Road, Slough, Berkshire.

You can buy tickets at the discounted rate of £17.50pp (normally £25pp) if you order through us: http://www.want-to-dance.co.uk/socialevents.htm

The moment of truth!

So it's all down to how the studio audience voted, who's going out first...(I've predicted it to be between Austin & Rachel)

Chris & Ola - unsurprising to be honest as the Foxtrot didn't really allow Chris' personality to come across.

Gethin & Flavia - lacking chemistry so again unsurprising.

Ricky & Natalie

Austin & Erin - shame as I really enjoyed their Paso

...

So it's between Ali & Rachel for the title...could it be Ali's retribution for not making it to the final?

Yes it is.

That's it then, 2009 finishes with Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna being crowned the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Champions.

...

I'll be attending (or hosting) a variety of Strictly events throughout the year so I'll blog about anything interesting, and I may well blog about So You Think You Can Dance too so watch this space!

How did you vote, and do you agree with the result?

Rachel Stevens & Vincent Simone - Rumba

Rachel was one of the best female celebrity Rumba dancers I've seen on Strictly, and I'm looking forward to seeing their dance tonight.

Ah the pivot, ever an audience favourite, and well placed in a varied and sensual routine.

However during the lift at the end Rachel needed to put some shaping into her legs as they did look like they were just hanging there.

Technically the lift shouldn't have been in there anyway so I'll ignore it (seeing as the judges appear to be ignoring lifts too!) so will have to say potentially another perfect score.

Paso tips from Vincent Simone

Looking to improve your Paso Doble (albeit we don't teach it in our classes!)?

Here's the top tips from Strictly Come Dancing's Vincent Simone:

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Rock and Roll

So the cartwheel lift, and the rolly-polly are apparently out, let's see what's left for their routine



Sorry Ricky but already this has much more energy and fun than your performance - and there's a knicker shot for Len!

It actually seems a little too Jive'y in places but I'll give this an 8 too.

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.

Leaderboard

So with Ian and Jade not dancing the leaderboard is a little shorter than expected:

1. 35 points - Ricky & Natalie
1. 35 points - Ali & Brian
3. 34 points - Natalie & Vincent
4. 31 points - Phil & Katya
5. 30 points - Chris & Ola
6. 29 points - Ricky & Erin
7. 22 points - Laila & Anton

A week where I'd have marked the top two quite a bit lower than they received from the judges, and personally really didn't like Natalie & Vincent's Foxtrot.

My bottom two would be Phil & Natalie (I think Laila will get the sympathy vote), but I think there could be a surprise in store this week!

What do you think?

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Foxtrot

Not too sure on the hair-bow! But should really concentrate on the dancing I suppose.

Not liking the dance to be honest, it's a little un-imaginative and boring and doesn't appear to have much contrast of fast and slow.

Lots of mistakes creeping in and overall a real let down for me. I'd give them 6's.