Phil Tufnell & Katya Virshilas - Waltz

Looks like they've forgiven the obvious mistake, and the marks are in line with the performance.

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Depending on nerves this looked good in training and I predicted a 6-7.

Now that's some Brylcreemed hair!

Nice Waltz performance, a slight slip unfortunately right in front of the judges, and needs to make sure that the toe is pointed out during lines, but overall a good performance.

Think 6-7 still (though more towards 7)

Laila Rouass & Anton du Beke - Tango

From the training videos I had this down as an 8, so will be interesting to see if they live up to the hype.

Not sure if Anton should have called all his old partners rubbish (I seem to recall he did alright with Lesley Garrett).

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Needs to put the chin up just a bit, it's making the top line look soft, maybe stand up a bit more from the rib-cage.

Looking good however but a real shame about that mistake in not going to promenade (made worse by Anton not carrying on!)

That's really let down a good performance and i think it'll be 6-7

Richard Dunwoody & Lilia Kopylova - Waltz

What was that face for Bruno?  Don't agree with Alesha's marks?  Wouldn't be surprised if that's not discussed in the papers this week.

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Predicted 5-6, but didn't know that existing injuries prevented him having a proper frame, will be interesting to see if the judges take that into account.

Must, must, must go forward on a heel on the first step Richard, haven't seen one yet and I guarantee that Len will pick up on that.

Shame about the frame as it's difficult to judge when the shoulder line ruins the look.  With all those toe leads I think it'll be 5's.

Craig Kelly & Flavia Cacace - Tango

Always good to insult the judges before they give their marks James!  Doesn't look like it affected Len's mark though.

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So I predicted a 6 for these guys earlier, let's see what happens.  I hope he's worked on his upper line.

So a slight Paso opening  followed by a bit of stomping, needs to be a little bit softer in the feet and unfortunately the top line is a little hunched over Flavia.

I would say a 5-6.

Zoe Lucker & James Jordan - Waltz

So judges agree with me on the first dance of the night, bodes well for the rest of them!

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Training for the Waltz looked really good during the week so bodes well for tonight, I predicted a 7-8 earlier on tonight so will be interesting if they live up to it.

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Really elegant start, slight slip on a chasse after the running spin but the rest is looking good, needs to stop moving the left arm so much when in hold.

Very good Waltz and i'd be surprised if it wasn't 8's.

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Tango

Vincent's dance of choice, should be good so long as Natalie watches those shoulders and arms.

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Uncomfortable start with the hand on the back of the neck but not looking bad now, though she does look a little soft up top (and I mean her frame!!!)

Little bit jerky at times.

I'm going to say a 6.

Another week, another 8 couples!

So as promised, i've got home and straight away pressed play, anyone else that was at the practice night tonight joining me 'live'?!

Really should start making notes on the songs used, especially Waltz as the collection on the laptop is definitely lacking.

Training updates

So the night of the new celebrity competitors is almost upon us, and last night's It Takes Two had training updates, how is their training coming along?

Phil Tufnell & Katya Virshilas
Waltz - Needs to relax the shoulders, just holding his arms a little high (arms should be a slight incline down from the shoulder). Overall doesn't look too bad, if nerves don't get the better this could be a 6-7.

Cha Cha - Could potentially give Ricky Groves a run for his money...? If i'm honest I think Phil will only manage a 6 at best.

Zoe Lucker & James Jordan
Waltz - Looks elegant (when not falling over!). Definitely going to give Ali's Waltz a run for her money.  Could be a 7-8.

Rumba - Looks quite good, so long as Zoe can ignore her nerves surrounding the sensual side of the dance.  Another 7-8.

Jo Wood & Brendan Cole
Tango -  Needs to keep chin up, still closing up and looking at the floor.  Brendan always dances with passion so let's hope Jo can keep up.  Think the nerves might get the better of her though and predicting a 6.

Rumba -  A couple of nice moments but haven't seen enough of the dance to truly judge, think another 6.

Richard Dunwoody & Lilia Kopylova
Waltz - Needs to relax the shoulders, the frame is just there for show and should be kept uniform and relaxed. 5-6.

Cha Cha -  Oh dear, I don't think the Cha Cha is going to be Richards thing, looks uncomfortable and again another 5-6.

Craig Kelly & Flavia Cacace
Tango - Flavia's speciality is the Argentine Tango and Ballroom Tango is a close cousin so hopefully something good can be created here.  Right shoulder should not be raised during lines, needs to watch this. Predicting a 6.

Rumba - Hips look a little forced at times, probably going to be a 6.

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone

Tango - Flavia's partner Vincent is also a specialist in Tango, coupled with Natalie's passion for dancing and her acting abilities, this should be good.  Haven't seen enough of the dancing but i'm predicting a 6-7.

Cha Cha - Natalie definitely doesn't appear to be shy about moving around in the Cha Cha but does need to make her chasse a little softer.  Should be a lively 7.

Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe

Waltz - Looking really good, though still needs to watch those shoulders and try and keep level. Going to say a 7-8.

Rumba - Has natural rhythm and looks quite good, a 7 easily if he pulls it off on the night.

Laila Rouass & Anton du Beke
Tango -  So finally Anton get's a younger celebrity and ,some might say, his actual real chance to win.  Can't see the feet but this could be the best dance of the night, 8.

Cha Cha - Nice hip action and looking good, think that'll be a 7.

Don't forget that our blog will be a little late tonight due to our regular Friday night practice session, but don't worry i'll be watching it, and commenting, as soon as I get home so check back after midnight!

Rumba walking...

Apparently Natalie Lowe's advice to Ricky Whittle, to perfect his Rumba walk, was to imagine he's walking down the street with change in his pocket and he's trying not to jingle it - will definitely have to test that one out!

I once read that the Rumba walk that we try so hard to perform, are natural to animals such as camels for example:




So guys, that's all you've got to aim for...!

Good question

After receiving the following comment on one of my previous posts, I felt it deserved a post of its own:

Hi Antony. One question after Saturday. Why did Len criticise Chris Hollins' hand movement for the New York in the rumba?

He said that for men, spreading the fingers and pointing the middle one down is "not a good look" and that they should keep the outer 3 digits bandaged together.

But that is how you teach and obviously Ola as well, since she took the blame for this on the show, so I'd be interested in your reaction ...

Thanks, Maggie



Personally I learnt the middle finger down, I teach guys to hold the middle two down – I don’t like the look of the three fingers together.

The Walter Laird technique book shows the middle finger down in the pictures, but there is no guidance other than that.

I would say that Chris' hands were really good myself, and like with most judging it really does come down to personal preference once you get past technique.

However if you watch any of the male professionals from Saturday night they all have one or two fingers down (not at right angles but say around 20 degrees) so I think Len is wrong to criticise this - especially as it's effectively criticising Ola as Chris' teacher.