No, why on earth do the flip at the start, feels a bit ‘dad at a wedding’ and the outfit doesn’t help.

Another routine that really doesn’t feel like a Salsa, and the lifts are just a complete distraction.

I’m afraid it didn’t really feel like a dance, more like a show dance, and I really didn’t see much hip action from Dan.  Again the whole movement needed to be a lot more compact.  Just a 5 from me.

Craig: 4 “Thank you for the smile…rest of it unfortunately was lumpestuos (whatever that means)”
Len: 6 “Was a little bit penguinish…I reckon this is the one dance that is going to least suit you”
Alesha: 6 “I don’t think my mum would think that was unattractive…flip at the beginning was really brave”
Bruno: 5 “Like Bob the Builder…lumbering and heavy…good effort but not good results”

Total Score: 21

The post Dan Lobb & Katya Virshilas – Salsa appeared first on Learn To Dance.

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!

The post Dan Lobb & Katya Virshilas – Waltz appeared first on Learn To Dance.

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!

The post Strictly Training Video – Dan Lobb & Katya Virshilas appeared first on Learn To Dance.

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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

The post Gavin Henson & Katya Virshilas – Samba appeared first on Learn To Dance.

I’m not expecting a great dance here, I’ll be honest.

Gavin needs to be softer in his rise and fall, it looks clunky rather than gliding across the floor.  Also the personality we saw last week has completely disappeared, aside from the odd rye smile.

Nowhere near as bad as the Jive last week but not higher than a 7 for me.

Craig: 7
Len: 9 “I don’t want you to kiss me, but that was your best dance well done”
Alisha: 9 “Back what you do best…looking more and more like a dancer”
Bruno: 8 “Put a lot of work in to it and it shows”

Total Score: 33

I’m sorry but that routine was nowhere near a 9 for me.

The post Gavin Henson & Katya Virshilas – Foxtrot appeared first on Learn To Dance.

First time I’ve ever seen a Cha Cha Cha with a rugby ball prop.  Needs to keep his legs a little closer together in his forward and back rocks as it’s just hampering his hip action a bit.  It’s a strange combination of Rumba and Cha Cha but it’s good to see Gavin smiling.

Showing improvement in areas but still a lot of work required. 7.

Craig: 5 “A little bit flat-footed but I can see you’re trying to get onto the balls of your feet…knee spin was very very good”
Len: 8 “Tonight you were slick…dancer is emerging”
Alisha: 8 “Never seen you so happy, bring the rugby ball every week…outdanced Scott tonight.”
Bruno: 8 “Alisha was panting…getting better every week”

Total Score: 29 (highest score to date)

The post Gavin Henson & Katya Virshilas – Cha Cha Cha appeared first on Learn To Dance.

I’m liking some of the shapes in training…

As I expected Gavin has gone topless this week, needs to guarantee himself some votes.  He can’t stop himself smiling, but at least that’s better than his unemotional face

Actually his best dance I think and I’m going to give him a 7.

Craig: 5 “Turns need finessing…still have musicality problems…whole thing a lot of posturing…finally a hint of personality”
Len: 7 “Working your assets…knee walks very tricky to do…lovely point to your foot…lacked a bit of passion”
Alisha: 7 “I disagree with Len, very passionate…sexy…nice attempt”
Bruno: 7 “I love when you’re coming out of your shell…really beautiful lines…believe more in yourself”

Total Score: 26

The post Gavin Henson & Katya Virshilas – Paso Doble appeared first on Learn To Dance.

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!

The post It Takes Two – Tuesday 26th October appeared first on Learn To Dance.

1. 35 points – Scott & Natalie
1. 35 points – Matt & Aliona
3. 34 points – Pamela & James
4. 32 points – Kara & Artem
5. 29 points – Tina & Jared
5. 29 points – Felicity & Vincent
7. 28 points – Patsy & Robin
8. 27 points – Jimi & Flavia
8. 27 points – Michelle & Ian
10. 23 points – Gavin & Katya
11. 21 points – Ann & Anton
12. 17 points – Peter & Erin

For me I think Gavin & Katya and Peter & Erin are going to be in trouble this week…I still think Gavin has more to give so Peter should probably go home.

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