Kara Tointon & Artem Chigvintsev - Paso Doble

Kara needs to stand up a little straighter but she has good Spanish arms.  Looking a little unstable at times though, especially with the lean away in front of the judges.

Definitely playing the part well.  Technically a lift at the end so should be docked points so I'm going to give them an 8.

Craig: 9 "I really loved it.  Finally had some passion"
Len: 9 "Last two weeks...bit of a spark...tonight a fire!"
Alisha: 10
Bruno: 9 "Luscious drama, oozing with passion"

Total Score: 37

Tina O'Brien & Jared Murillo - Argentine Tango

The 'cute' couple can they really bring some passion and intensity...

Some good lines, though I felt the start lacked character - Tina looked like she was thinking to much.  Their flicks are out of time walking down the room and Tina does look a bit like she's just walking around at times.

Impressive ending but the dance was only ok for me.  Another 7.

Craig: 6 "Gothic version of Olivia Newton-John...bit stoppy and starty...I was a little bit bored"
Len: 8 "I thought the lifts were excellent...steps were clear and precise...best dance to date"
Alisha: 7 "Still a little lukewarm...acting and roleplay very well done."
Bruno: 7 "Kinky kitten...I can see you in rubber!"

Total Score: 28

Pamela Stephenson & James Jordan - Jive

They've looked good in training, and their outfits look amazing tonight.

A little out of sync with the fork stabbing at the start it seemed.  Nice leapfrog from James over a standing up Pamela.  For those shouting about both Pamela's legs being off the ground, a throw is counted differently to a lift.

Pamela does look a little heavy and laboured though, and her legs aren't good enough in her kicks and flicks.

Not her best performance, only a 7 from me I'm afraid this week.

Craig: 6 "Great musicality...kicks and flicks were a bit laboured...don't think this dance particularly suits you"
Len: 7 "Pivot section was fantastic...after the throw there was a little incident...high energy...well done"
Alisha: 7 "Really good basic steps...not sure if this dance suited your style...always dance with conviction"
Bruno: 7 "I had no idea that hell could be so much fun...you weren't as sharp as usual...not as clean as usual."

Total Score: 27

Strictly Come Dancing - Saturday 30th October

It's Strictly Come Dancing, it's Halloween, and we have shirtless male pro dancers to start the show.  Shame the band can't quite live up to Matt Bellamy's vocal range.  A powerful performance though and a great way to open the show.

So tonight we're going to see a Jive, Paso Doble, Viennese Waltz and Argentine Tango.  Let's get on with the show.

It Takes Two - Friday 29th October

On tonight's episode: Tina & Jared; Scott & Natalie; Halloween Special.

Tina & Jared,

Tina thinks Jared might have put her back out in the double cartwheel.  Also it seems she's quite partial to a bit of banana according to the VT.  Not really sure what the big deal with one banana a day is, I have 3 or 4 when I'm working on a Sunday!

They've relaxed into the intensity of the Argentine Tango, which took a bit of getting used to, though I still think they'll be too 'nice'.

Scott & Natalie,

Top of the leader board last Saturday can they continue to improve?  Scott continues to introduce characters to act out the dances that they have.  This week is Farquhar, an aloof character who should be well suited to the Viennese Waltz.

Craig Revel-Horwood, Lemar and Jenny Bond, talk costumes, choreography and music.

Kara & Artem Paso: [Craig] Very clean of line, bothers me, she needs to throw more passion into it...too precise and not enough passion. (Music - Phantom of the Opera)

Matt & Aliona Argentine Tango: [Craig] She's doing all the work but when he does get into hold it looks good. [Jenny] I think he's fantastic...I don't know if he's improved. (Music - Bat Out Of Hell).

Felicity & Vincent Viennese Waltz. [Craig] Very difficult to unwind (if you get dizzy)...bit too much rise and fall. (Music - Vito's Waltz)

Patsy & Robin Jive: [Craig] Bouncy, my eyes are slightly diverted towards that T-Shirt...of Robins! She looks confident. [Jenny] Seemed fairly slow [Craig] I think she was marking it. (Music - Monster Mash [Craig] First single I ever bought!).

Ann & Anton Paso: [Craig] Born to Paso...you can tell the way she's stomping around the room. (Music - Wild Thing).

Pamela & James Jive: [Craig] Fast and furious, that speed is going to be very tiring.

Michelle & Brendan Jive: [Craig] It's looking good, I think it's going to be her dance.  She's a spiky dancer and it's a spiky dance - at least the way he's choreographed it! (Music - Time Warp)

Halloween Special

Scary video effects - spider webs, skulls, Frankenstein, ultra-violet lighting.

Gavin shows us his 'Devils face' but he can't keep his embarrassment from showing.

Gavin & Katya then treat us to a bit of their Tango, which is a little too stompy and awkward but I'm liking their choice of music, Muse are my favourite band!

In just over an hour's time we can see whether the acting lessons were worth it Gavin!

It Takes Two - Thursday 28th October

On Wednesday's show: Patsy & Robin; Jimi & Flavia; Lisa Snowdon on costumes.

Doing the Viennese Waltz this week will be Felicity Kendal and Scott Maslen.  Felicity will be doing the splits again and Scott has the [man]flu.

Michelle Williams took a tumble in her Jive training but will compete on Saturday, joining her will be Pamela & James (I hope she has her hair in ponytails for the show) and Patsy & Robin (Robin's been working her hard to try and avoid the stamina loss we saw in the Charleston on Saturday).

Speaking of Patsy & Robin,

It was Robin's idea for Patsy to wear the wig, though she took a bit of convincing.  Patsy definitely felt the burn of the Charleston by the end of their performance and Robin's been working her so hard that she's had to start taking pillows to training so that she can snooze in the corner.

Robin made Patsy do their Jive 12 times in a row during training to really build her stamina up, let's hope it pays off.

Costume analysis from Lisa Snowdon and a designer called Jessica,

I was going to blog about their comments on the dresses, but aside from my witch halloween outfit (complete with tights!) I can't say any of it interests me, I recommend iPlayer if you want to know more.

Though Tina's outfit of pleather (a combination of plastic and synthetic leather) looks like it could be interesting.

Very Sandy & Danny!  Joining her with Argentine Tango this week is Matt & Aliona

Paso Doble will be performed by Gavin, Kara, Jimi & Ann.  Anton is flinging Ann...twice; Gavin looks like he's stretching in the gym rather than taunting a bull; Kara and Artem are starting to fight in training as the pressure of the training starts to get to them; Jimi & Flavia have been concentrating on technique.

Jimi & Flavia,

Flavia felt they were undermarked, but doesn't seem to want to talk about it.  She's been punishing Jimi with a cane, I must admit I've used similar tactics with some of my students!

They've worked hard on the technique and are both excited and looking forward to Saturday.

Now to watch Fridays before getting myself ready to watch the Halloween special.

It Takes Two - Wednesday 27th October

Coming up on tonight's show: Kara & Artem; Len Goodman's Dance Clinic; Ian Waite with the midweek report; Matt & Aliona

Kara & Artem,

They loved the dance, though Kara felt at the start of the week that the music was slow and boring.  She's scared by the fact that even with letting go it wasn't enough, so where can she go from here?

Kara isn't naturally very competitive but Artem (as any professional dancer would be) is very competitive (just ask any of my friends!!!)

I think they could perform a very good Paso Doble this weekend.

Karen Hardy on Paso Doble

Karen makes a slight error I think in saying that the Paso originated in Spain, although the music is Spanish the dance itself originated in France.

However the rest of her VT and tips are great.

Ian Waite and the midweek report.

Paso Doble

Jimi & Flava: Should be no hip action in Paso.  Needs to bring some shaping into his arm movements, curving the arms round above his head.

Gavin & Katya: Poor cape usage, looks like a dishcloth.  However could be a great dance for him.

Ann & Anton: All the steps are correct...though she looks like she's treading through mud.

Jive

Pamela & James: Looks like she's done some dancing previously, an inner sense of posture and finishes her hand movements.

Patsy & Robin: Similar character as the Charleston so should be good for Patsy.

Viennese Waltz

Felicity & Vincent: Their beginning is all about Felicity's acting skills.

Scott & Natalie: Brilliant, free-flowing movement.  However needs to keep himself upright rather than tilting his head towards Natalie.

Argentine Tango

Tina & Jared: Need to be closer in the top half of their hold.

Len's Dance Clinic

Where should I start learning to dance?  Latin - Salsa, as you can then move onto Rumba and Cha Cha Cha easily; Ballroom - Waltz.

Why do you keep knees flexed in Tango?  The Tango is characterised by the stalking of prey. I also think that it allowed the Gaucho to get closer to his Lady of the Night.

How can I make my dancing more flamboyant? Upper body - the lower body deals with the rhythm, the upper body is the affectation of the music.

 Matt & Aliona,

Over the moon to have upped their score from 31 in the first 3 weeks.  Previously Aliona felt Matt was not expressing the dances as well as he could, up until the Charleston and that's why they got such high scores.

We'll be seeing Argentine Tango from them on Saturday night.

It Takes Two - Tuesday 26th October

On today's show: Michelle, Ian & Brendan; Karen Hardy Choreography Corner; Pamela & James; Gavin & Katya.

So first up are Michelle & Ian, fresh from their bottom two finish on Saturday night, joined by Brendan Cole back from his father's funeral.  Brendan reveals that he felt a little jealous watching Michelle dancing with Ian on Saturday night.

Ian felt nervous about the responsibility of making sure that Michelle made it through to the next week so that she could go back to dancing with Brendan.

Michelle has the Jive this weekend, I'm guessing it's going to be a disaster and this could be the week Michelle goes, but I will have to wait to see the training videos to be sure.

I'm afraid I always skip past the "Out of the Glitterball" section so I can't tell you much about that.

Now onto Karen Hardy's Choreography Corner,

Karen reveals she likes the added extras and props, so long as it's not overboard and doesn't last too long. 

First for analysis is Felicity & Vincent: Looking at their floor spin with Felicity balanced on one leg.  Karen applauds the trust between them and also Felicity's flexibility.

Jimi & Flavia: Claudia felt they were undermarked.  Karen doesn't agree with Bruno that Jimi was out of time with his cane work and actually felt he was "masterful".

Matt & Aliona: a "brilliant" double cartwheel though Tina & Jared performed the same move slightly lighter.

Scott & Natalie: great "light and shade" in their dance, really using the music to express the dance.

Gavin & Katya: Gavin's strength in his legs allowed them to do a throwaway oversway all the way down to the ground, when they could've done a much easier movement.

Ann & Anton: Whilst everyone wants to talk about the "flying hippo" Karen concentrates on the outside swivels and her basics and body contact, something Ann is improving at.

Patsy & Robin: "Great Charleston, classic".  She doesn't need any gimmicks or gizmos.

Pamela & James

Pamela reveals she wasn't worried about the score itself, but rather James' reaction to it.  James wasn't disappointed by the scores as apparently in training they'd only managed to get through it once out of three attempts.

Also it appears that this was the first Tango that James has performed on Strictly.  This weekend they will be dancing the Jive and I look forward to seeing their training.

Gavin & Katya,

Gavin is a bit of a mixed bag for me, some weeks he seems to be really developing and then one thing, like the slip at the start on Saturday, throws him back into himself.

It looks like Gavin will be the first person this series to visit an acting coach and let's hope this increases his confidence.

Personally I don't tend to touch my hair after I first do it in the morning so I can't quite understand the fascination, though I must admit his hair is looking quite good today!

They have Paso Doble this weekend, which requires even more acting than the Tango so if Gavin doesn't start coming out of his shell this could be another poor performing week.

I'll update tomorrow with some of the training videos, and I might actually be able to do that one live this week!

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.

Strictly Come Dancing - Sunday 24th October Results

I predicted a bottom two of Gavin & Peter, with Peter being the competitor sent home.

So we start off with a 40's GI Jive, with the pros still showing why the professional showdancers seem unneccesary.

Then a VT of the judges discussing last night's competitors, starting with Peter & Ann and working their way up to Matt & Scott at the top.  Mostly just clarification of their scores.

Now time to find out who the first five saved are:

Gavin & Katya, Scott & Natalie, Matt & Aliona, Tina & Jared and Patsy & Robin.

First confirmed bottom two are: Michelle & Ian.

Second week in a row that Michelle is in the bottom two, I thought she danced better this week and might have benefited from Ian's fanbase too, seems I was wrong.  Is Peter going to join her though, we'll have to wait a bit to find out.

And now for another Argentine Tango, two weeks in a row I wonder if the BBC have decided that sex sells?

The remaining survivors are:

Ann & Anton, Pamela & James, Kara & Artem, Felicity & Vincent, Jimi & Flavia - putting Peter in the bottom two.

Out of the two couples I do think Peter should be going home unfortunately.

The couple going home this week is...Peter & Erin.

A fair decision I feel, but Michelle does need to up her game for next week.