Nancy Dell'Olio & Anton Du Beke - Waltz

Two big egos, one dance, plenty of humour, though I don't think the feather boa was part of the routine and unfortunately it's pretty much ruined the whole performance.

A complete mess I don't feel it's fair to even give it a score, I think Craig especially will be harsh.

Craig: 1 "A word of advice darling, forget props all together"
Len: 4 "Too long messing about on the settee...the actual bit of dancing is good...do a straight dance with her"
Alesha: 3 "You are the glamour puss on Strictly this year...we've all been there, you go wrong, you carry on"
Bruno: 4 "I was looking forward to the story telling...turned into a disaster"

Total Score: 12

Chelsee Healey & Pasha Kovalev - Waltz

After seeing her initial training video Chelsee was my early front runner, please don't let me down tonight!

So far so good, there's just something about the way Chelsee holds herself when she dances, and she has a wonderful top line.  A few stumbles here and there but this is one of the best first dances I can remember, so far she's living up to my early expectations.  Very well done Chelsee, almost perfect but the few stumbles force me to give you an 8.

Craig: 7 "The whirling dervish...slightly frenzied...phrasing absolutely excellent...few balance issues throughout"
Len: 6 "Started off with great elegance...don't expect from a young girl...near the end turned a bit manic"
Alesha: 7 "Beautifully feminine...still kept the romantic side of it...probably more of a booty shaker"
Bruno: 7 "I know there were a few stumbles...you have the ability naturally to extend your line...takes people years...you do that beautifully"

Total Score: 27

Very surprised by that, I thought she was by far the best dance so far this weekend, and the 6 Len...hmmm!

Rory Bremner & Erin Boag - Waltz

Rory looked really good in the launch show and in training, he has a bit of a Tony Blair smile on him tonight, and he could lower his shoulders to make his frame look a lot more relaxed.

I love this track for a Waltz, I'll have to find a suitable version to add to our playlist.

Overall an accomplished Waltz but he was a bit ahead of Erin at times, and some heel leads look a bit too obvious, just a 6 from me.

Craig: 6 "Make sure your head follows your body...heel leads slightly exaggerated...danced with elegance"
Len: 7 "First class impression of a Waltz...bum sticks out a bit...heel leads a bit too deliberate"
Alesha: 7 "Little bit rough around the edges...just got to watch your posture"
Bruno: 7 "Wasn't bad at all...relax because you're good"

Total Score: 27

Anita Dobson & Robin Windsor - Waltz

I was quite impressed with Anita's elegance in training, let's hope she's brought it forward to the live show.

Could just lift her chest a little bit more to improve her frame, and the heel turn in her double reverse spin was a bit too prominent.

I've not felt that there's been much dancing in a lot of these Strictly routines and Robin's been a little lax on the amount of routine that should be completely in hold, but the best Waltz of the night so far.  Room for improvement so I'm only going to give a 7 at this stage.

Craig: 7 "Watch your head placement...thought the whole routine was gorgeous"
Len: 7
Alesha: 7 "Beautiful to watch as a dancer...most sincere dance of the night"
Bruno: 7 "Elegant, poised, beautifully acted...watch the top line"

Total Score: 28

See Alesha, I told you it was too early for an 8 earlier - this was by far the best dance so far and you could only give it a 7!

Audley Harrison & Natalie Lowe - Waltz

Audley has only apparently had 3 days, rather than 3 weeks of rehearsals, so I think this could be a poor performance if he hasn't worked hard enough.  Training videos looked ok, but a problem with his top line not staying still could haunt him throughout the routine if Natalie hasn't got it under control.

I'd prefer him to do something more with his arms in the opening spot turns but in the lines he's got some nice arm shaping and the frame does look vastly improved.  Needs to ensure he doesn't go 'pigeon-toed' though.

Another elegant Waltz, which is very difficult for someone of Audley's height.  Natalie still needs to work on his frame but a good start.  I'm going to give him a 6.

Scores:

Craig: 3 "Hands, hands, hands, spatulistic...not for me I'm afraid"
Len: 5 "I think there's a charm about it...do me a favour, as you walk by punch Craig!"
Alesha: 6
Bruno: 6 "surprisingly so light and graceful for someone the size of Everest"

Total: 20

Dan Lobb & Katya Virshilas - Waltz

Dan's posture looks a little bit rough in training, let's hope it's improved for the show.

I really don't know why they feel the need to include props in the show - they're nothing but a distraction.  Finally they start dancing and unfortunately Dan's posture is still needing work, he looks like someone's putting a broom somewhere they shouldn't!

Some nice lines though he does need to avoid sticking his bum out when he lowers.  A few extra heels in his lock steps too.

Nice timing though and he does manage to dance quite elegantly too but still needs to improve more, I don't think that Latin will be his strong point though.  Another 6 from me I'd say.

The Scores:

Craig: 4 "Tentative lead...top line hideously rigid...rise and fall all in the knees...SMILE!"
Len: 7 "A bit wooden and lacked rise and fall...hold was good...footwork was good...did very well"
Alesha: 7 "Very elegant...very competent, very relaxed...should be very proud of yourself"
Bruno: 6 "Technically quite accomplished...gloomy look...conduct believable performance all the way through"

Total Score 24

4's a bit harsh though Craig!

Audley Harrison & Natalie Lowe - Strictly Training Video

Second up is Audley Harrison and Natalie Lowe with the Waltz.

Audley is looking nice and light on his feet initially, though he really needs to take slightly smaller steps - it's about driving forward to move further, not taking bigger steps.

He has a nice frame, but doesn't look quite so confident out of hold at the moment.  Audley could have potential but I do think it's going to be hard for him in the first couple of weeks.

Strictly Training Video - Chelsee Healey & Pasha Kovalev

Final video update tonight is new boy Pasha Kovalev and his partner Chelsee Healey with their Waltz.

Our first chance to see what Pasha brings to the show, as well as one of my initial tips for the title Chelsee.

Balance issues aside you can see straight away that Chelsee actually has quite a lot of grace and poise already, a real bonus for the Waltz and in addition to the moves she busted out during the launch show, a definite confirmation that she'll be a strong contender this year.

Some really nice lines, still a few stray arms here and there but without doubt the front runner from the training videos so far - keep it up Chelsee!

Strictly Training Video - Nancy Dell'Olio & Anton Du Beke

Second up tonight is Nancy Dell'Olio and Anton Du Beke also with the Waltz.

For the majority of the training Nancy is looking quite rigid and heavy footed, but I'm really liking the sequence around about 58/9 seconds in.

If she can continue to be lighter on her feet she'll be in good hands with Anton for the Waltz.

Strictly Training Video - Dan Lobb & Katya Virshilas

Ok it's been a busy few days so I haven't had time to keep you up-to-date with all the training videos so you'll now get 3 in fairly quick succession.

First up, Dan Lobb & Katya Virshilas with their Waltz training.

Dan needs to be careful not to let his shoulders tense up during the rise action, he's developing a good technique but the shoulders will ruin the look if he's not careful.

I'm liking Katya's way of getting Dan to keep his hold wide (thumbs under the armpits), I'll test it out in the technique class on Wednesday night!

Strictly Training Video - Anita Dobson & Robin Windsor

 

Maybe it's Anita, and not Alex, who needs L and R written on her!  The number of times we have to say "other left foot"...yet the students just giggle.

Anita is looking nice and elegant at the moment, so that's a great start, though I do wonder how she'll cope when the Latin dances come around.

Looks like a very promising Waltz so I look forward to seeing a few more training videos soon.

Strictly Training Video - Rory Bremner & Erin Boag

Day two of training so we should see a bit more development as the weeks progress.  Next up is Rory Bremner & Erin Boag and Waltz.

I imagine this will be a good one for Rory to start off with (though his wiggle didn't look too bad at all in the opening show).

Rory will need to work on keeping his shoulders relaxed, as well as lifting his chest a bit more (we find using the Topline dance frame a great help for our students).

A very promising start though.

Kara Tointon & Artem Chigvintsev - Waltz

I still wish Kara would keep her head up during spins, she always looks off balance, and this is a very shaky start, there doesn't appear to be any confidence there.  She keeps dropping her head.

As Emma puts it, there's just something not quite right there, she injured her arm in the Show Dance and Emma can see she's just throwing the arm out rather than placing it.  The look on Artem's face at the end suggests things were not quite to plan and Kara was obviously dancing through the pain.

I didn't enjoy the performance like I thought I would, and actually think I can only give it an 8.

Craig: 9 "An occasional wobble...missing most, if not all of your heel leads...spot the floor [during turns] which is a no-no"
Len: 9 "Such musicality when you dance...truly lovely to watch...few foot things"
Alisha: 10 "Constantly pushing yourself...so relaxed and at ease watching you dance"
Bruno: 10 "It's quality, quality of movement...a pleasure to watch."

Total Score: 38

A bit too high if you ask me.

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.

Gavin Henson & Katya Virshilas - Waltz

Gavin should perform better at Ballroom than Latin and the beginning (albeit looking like he's trying to break Katya's neck) looks calm and controlled. However Katya is right, there isn't much emotion showing, though it's good to see him smiling throughout.

A sweet performance that I'm struggling to mark, not quite a 7 but a high 6 I'd say.

Craig: 6
Len: 8
Alisha: 7
Bruno: 7

Total Score: 28

Maybe I was a little harsh but it does bode well for the future Gavin.

Peter Shilton & Erin Boag - Waltz

Peter needed to work more on his shoulder line in training so I'm hoping Erin has drilled it into him. 

Peter needs to keep his bum in, and try to keep his feet in contact with the floor when he opens to promenade - seems to have a tendency to life his foot quite high off the floor.  Much better shoulder line, though he looks a little bit awkward at times.

A better performance than I expected but I think it'll only get a 6 I'm afraid.

Craig: 4
Len: 6
Alisha: 6
Bruno: 5

Total Score: 21

Pamela Stephenson & James Jordan - Waltz

I was very impressed with Pamela in the launch show and I'm expecting great things tonight.

Emma likes the dress, and apparently grey's a good colour on James...I don't know, I'm just looking at the dancing!

Impressive to see them starting the movement out of hold, and Pamela looks good.  I think her chin's just a little too high but this is looking to be the best (and a very impressive) Waltz.

I don't like to hand out high marks too early, but I can't give that anything less than an 8!!!

I've felt in the run-up that this could be one of the best Strictly's yet and I'm so glad that no-one is leaving this week as everyone is looking really good!

I like it, Emma likes it, Judges like it, but what do they score?

Craig: 7
Len: 8
Alisha: 8
Bruno: 8

Total Score: 31

Patsy Kensit & Robin Windsor - Waltz

So our first chance to see what one of the new boys can achieve in the show, training looked promising so let's see what they can produce.

Liking the lighting options, and song choice.  Girls always have it better dancing Ballroom with a pro dancer and straight away this looks better than Scott's, though Patsy's shoulder line needs some work. 

She didn't look entirely confident at the start, and the slip during the pivots certainly didn't help.  Overall a nice start but severely lacking in confidence, made to look much better by Robin.  Work on the posture Patsy and we should see significant improvement.

A shame but I think I can only give it a 6 this week I'm afraid Patsy.  Interesting to see her fall up the stairs to Tess's area, Emma thinks maybe the skirt has something to do with it.

Craig: 4
Len: 6
Alisha: 6
Bruno: 6

Total Score: 22

Scott Maslen & Natalie Lowe - Waltz

We might not be able to see it, but Scott has purportedly got a two-tone nether region, thanks to a spray-tan g-string malfunction.  Let's hope it doesn't affect his Waltz abilities too much!

The start looks a little wooden in terms of the interaction between them - Scott's doing the actions but I don't feel any emotion behind them.

However he does have a very good shoulder line once they're in hold but I just don't like it, it doesn't feel like a Waltz to me.  There just appears to be a bit too much running around and not enough actual Waltz for my liking, also there's a start, middle and finish out of hold...something I don't think Len will appreciate.

Not a bad start though, much better than I expected and I'm going to give it a 7.

Judges scores are in:

Craig: 6
Len: SE - VEN
Alisha: 8
Bruno: 8

Total score: 29

Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Waltz

Personally for me Ricky's Ballroom has always been let down by his strange head positioning during pivots and spins, something he's done since his first dance in week 2 and has never been mentioned.



That opening looked like a lift but I think they'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Straight away though and his opening pivots show the his poor posture in turning situations.

Technically his dancing is great but that top-line really has grated on me since his first week.

I think he'll get 9's, but for me I'd only give it an 8.