Dani Harmer & Vincent Simone – American Smooth/Argentine Tango

American Smooth

A nice beginning and some good footwork in hold, though the first corner looks a bit awkward.

I don’t like her clicking her fingers during the separation section, I’d have preferred shaped fingers. They look to be ahead of the music into the second lift and so the entrance to it feels rushed.

Other than that I think it was a good routine and well performed, I’ll give them a 9.

Craig: 8 “Lovely heel turn…hand position above the head needs attention…needs shaping…ronde could have been held a little bit longer…I thought you danced it beautifully”
Darcey: 8 “Lovely quality all the way through the dance…sweet, clean footwork…I do just miss a little bit of sparkle…bit safe”
Len: 9 “The more I see you dance the more I like what I see…technique is improving…heel turns very clean, very crisp…I thought you did it fabulous”
Bruno: 9 “You carry on like this and your wish [to make the final] may come true…footwork was very very good…lots of flair in the lifts”

Total = 34

Argentine Tango

So Vincent’s signature dance, can Dani live up to the hype? They start with a setup before the music even starts, which is a risky but effective strategy.

It starts well but get’s a little bit shaky at points. Dani really needs to keep those shoulders down and lift her ribcage.

There’s some really intricate movements, though I can’t help feeling it may have been just that little bit too difficult for her at times.

A wonderful ending though and I’m going to give them another 9!

Craig: 9 “Vincent has taught you so well…one lift was a little bit bumpy…other than that spectacular”
Darcey: 9 “I so enjoyed your intensity, and your control…choreography, of course, is beautiful…I would have liked a little straighter, crisper leg”
Len: 10 “I love the start…no music…you captured the mood, you mastered the technique…for me you stole my heart, it was beautiful”
Bruno: 10 “You’ve become the lady of the night with the master of the Tango…so rich in content and structure…always clean, always accurate…a great achievement”

Total = 38

Louis Smith & Flavia Cacace – Jive/Foxtrot

Jive

I can’t say I was that impressed with the training footage from the VT, but let’s hope that was early on in the week.

Well it looks like Louis’ personality is finally starting to come out, unfortunately it appears to be at the expense of his dancing.

The Jive basics seem stompy, whilst the side-by-side flick and kick section looked laboured. He’s out of sync with Flavia as they wave their hands around. The decision to include gymnastics, I assume the reason he’s wearing dance sneakers, is a pointless gimmick and I think his dancing would have looked much better if he’d been in actual shoes.

His Jive basic is all over the place, and he almost knocks over the prop lockers at the end. Quite possibly his worst dance I’m afraid, just a 7 from me.

Craig: 7 “Snaps soft and laid-back…feet are sickled…flat footed…laboured throughout…something seemed to go wrong”
Darcey: 8 “It’s a fun routine, style was great…you don’t have that strength in your kicks…expecting more”
Len: 8 “If your Foxtrot doesn’t come to a better standard, this didn’t cut it for me…too many two-beat Jives…lost speed…wasn’t enamoured with the kicks and flicks”
Bruno: 8 “Got the performance aspect really worked out…Jive kicks and flicks – there’s a big ‘but’ there…they were not as clean and sharp as they could have been…tiny issues with the timing”

Total = 31

Foxtrot

I really like this song, but I’ll be interested to see how the singer copes with the powerful sections!

The choreography works well with the choice of song, though I didn’t really see a change up for the chorus which I would have liked.

A few missed heel leads (especially in his three step) which affects his rise and fall, overall a safe dance, if a little messy. Better than his Jive, but we’ve seen better dances tonight. Foxtrot is a difficult dance but I’m only giving them an 8.

Craig: 9 “[mimes a thumb up movement – referring to the hand on Flavia’s back]…I really did love it…move round the floor with great authority and drive”
Darcey: 10 “Thank goodness, you’ve got it…travelling, the gliding, was seamless…grace, quality, you’ve got it”
Len: 9 “I found the rise and fall not too smooth, on occasion…you are the true sportsmen, you get knocked down in one dance and you come back stronger”
Bruno: 10 “The smooth operator with a twinkle in the eye…back on top where you belong”

Total = 38

Denise Van Outen & James Jordan – Tango/Rumba

Tango

It feels a bit too much like Paso Doble at the start, and I’m never a fan of a floor spin. Once they get in hold though it approves a lot, however there are a few moments where she looks off-balance.

The accents where Denise is kicking in time with the drum are performed marvelously, though I wish Denise would keep her chin up as otherwise her head position is great.

A steamy ending and a much better dance than we saw last week, I think I’ll give them a 9.

Craig: 9 “Off to a flying start with that floor spin…it did not stop there…sharp staccato heads…posture was absolutely brilliant…little bit of gapping on occasion…loved the routine”
Darcy: 10 “The attack you have is extraordinary…so clean…many kicks [little bit of a bent leg]”
Len: 10 “You’ve come out like the no-stress express…start was a bit Paso…once you got into hold, that was a PROPER Tango”
Bruno: 10 “That Tango was fantastic…build up to the end was sensational…it was fabulous”

Total = 39

Rumba

Another finalist contender, with another difficult dance to perform. Denise struggled in the Cha Cha, and the Rumba has very similar technique.

Denise really can act a part. I would like to see a better hip action during her opening outs but a nice extension in the first line/dip.

The problem Denise has in this routine is that her performance is actually overshadowing her dancing, in trying to portray the emotion she’s softened her core and so looks hunched over in a lot of the movements.

The emotion is there all the way through the dance, but I feel the technique was lacking at times. An 8 from me.

Craig: 9 “Absolutely fantastic storytelling…I just wanted to lift your dress up to see the hip action…seemed to come in and out of hip action”
Darcy: 9 “You have the most stunning arms…feeling right to your fingertips…it’s more of a romance than a passionate love story…beautiful feeling”
Len: 10 “For me the final wouldn’t be the proper final if you weren’t there”
Bruno: 10 “I was deeply moved by this Rumba…so effective, so beautiful, so well acted…wasn’t a moment in which you was not on it 100%”

Total = 38

Kimberley Walsh & Pasha Kovalev – American Smooth/Charleston

American Smooth

I’m sorry, but even on repeated viewings I still can’t see last week’s dance as perfect, it just felt too messy. Let’s hope for better this week.

There are still moments when Kimberley looks uncomfortable, especially at the start of the second lift and with her arm just flopping around. Some nice accents throughout the dance but there’s barely any actual Foxtrot in this routine – the rules are that there should be 30% in hold.

A nice performance but not really an American Smooth, more a show-dance, but I will give them an 8.

Craig: 9 “I would put that routine straight on stage in one of my shows…it was just great…chin was a little bit too far down [at one point]”
Darcey: 10 “I love this Kimberley…like a true film star…timing [is great]…I am well impressed”
Len: 9 “I got a bit hot under the collar…I would have liked a bit more of that dance to be in Ballroom hold…other than that I thought the rest of it was fantastic”
Bruno: 10 “It was an American sexbomb…the way you interpret the music is absolutely fantastic to see”

Total = 38

Charleston

It was all going so well, but the later third she just lacks a little swivel, the exit from the second-to-last lift is awkward, and there’s a slight stumble before the end.

However that’s really nit picking on what was a great performance, I’m going to give them a 9.

Craig: 10 “Fab-u-lous”
Darcey: 10 “Quirky, naughty, flapper…great interpretation”
Len: 10 “It was fun, it was frivolous…you were flying first class”
Bruno: 10 “Flying high…upside down…looking good from every angle…a feast for the eyes”

Total = 40, her performance was better than last week’s fusion, but I still don’t think it’s perfect I’m afraid – getting closer though! Hard to justify Denise’s 9 now though Craig if you ask me!

Lisa Riley & Robin Windsor – Salsa/American Smooth

Salsa

Just when you’re wondering where Lisa & Robin are, and why we’re focusing on the judges table, they suddenly pop up from behind to use the judges heads as bongos.

Salsa could see a return to form for Lisa, with the fun party atmosphere, and a less strict technical requirement. Unfortunately it’s not long before the armography gets caught up, though they carry on perfectly. There’s a very strange movement with Robin dancing around the outside of a ‘whooping’ Lisa, and then the floor spin goes completely wrong (I suspect Robin released a little early) and the recovery involved Robin hoisting Lisa off the floor in a very ungainly fashion.

They get back into the dance but you can tell Lisa’s lost a bit of confidence. A fun trick lift at the end with Lisa flipping Robin but still not more than a 7 for me.

Craig: 7 “The floor spin did it for me darling [that’s all Craig can get out amidst a giggling fit]”
Darcey: 8 “It’s just fabulous, I love it…it’s true you’re missing a couple of isolations, those hips”
Len: 8 “You make me into a happy chappy…it is so much fun…technique is a little bit laboured”
Bruno: 8 “The embodiment of the good-time girl…what the hell with the Salsa…the crash landing and the remount, I thought I was going to explode…it’s pointless making a technical assessment”

Total = 31

American Smooth

An American Smooth Foxtrot, for a girl that hasn’t really mastered any of the technique, I think they’re going to need every audience vote as they won’t survive a bottom two against any of the other competitors I fear.

Lisa misses a step on the way down from the stage, and doesn’t appear to actually do her Jazz hands. Her first kick line is just a little ahead of the music.

A little stumble in their reverse wave but you can see Lisa really liven up in the build up to the crescendo. Unfortunately the Foxtrot elements just weren’t good enough. Their final 7 from me I think.

Craig: 8 “I love a ball-change kick…have to watch your free arm…occasional gapping…timing was out just ever so slightly…love, love, love what you’ve done”
Darcey: 8 “It does suit you…the next theatre musical star…you match each other so well…only in hold you raise the shoulders a little”
Len: 8 “When you kicked your leg up I think I saw your razzle-dazzle!…you’re not always the judges champion, you are the people’s champion”
Bruno: 8 “Plenty of Jazz and plenty of pizzazz…little bit of a stumble here and there”

Total = 32

So the leader board (my combined score in brackets) stands at:

1. 78 – Kimberley & Pasha [17]
2. 77 – Denise & James [17]
3. 72 – Dani & Vincent [18]
4. 69 – Louis & Flavia [15]
5. 63 – Lisa & Robin [14]

Lisa will be going home tomorrow I think, unless the audience really get voting. As for who could join them it’s going to be a tough call, it should really be Louis as he just can’t quite match the three ladies above him this week. Emma reckons Lisa will have the public vote and that the bottom two could be Louis & Denise. The results show is going to be a tense one this week!!!

The Results Show

The first couple into the final are:

Kimberley & Pasha

First couple in the dance off are Lisa & Robin, think that puts them out then I’m afraid!

Talk with the Judges

Len’s Lens

• Kimberley’s 3 cartwheels
• Denise’s face during the Tango
• Vincent being given a lucky coin, then dropping it into the fountain and wishing to make the final
• Brucie washing himself in the fountain
• A variety of highlights from Len’s Len over the series

Also in the final is:

Louis & Flavia

That leaves Denise & James or Dani & Vincent as the final couple in the bottom two. Joining Lisa & Robin in the dance off is Denise & James.

Lisa is definitely going home then!

So they’ll dance their highest scoring dance in this dance-off.

Lisa & Robin – American Smooth

Manages to pull off the stair dismount this time, though still lacks the jazz hands unfortunately. Her kicks are a bit too fierce all the way through though. Performs the dance much better than during the show, but I think they know they’re going home.

Denise & James – Tango

I think it’s improved, though a bit shakier in places, however it would be a travesty if Denise wasn’t in the final.

Judges Votes

Craig: Denise “Purely based on technique”
Darcey: Denise “Technically the one I’m going to save”
Len: Denise “I did agree”
Bruno: Denise “I have to go for the best dance”

Denise: 4
Lisa: 0

Going Home: Lisa Riley

Lisa: “It’s been the best time of my entire life…I’ve had the time of my life…Robin Windsor has been amazing…having me as a partner has been a big ask…I owe every inch of Strictly to Robin”

An emotional farewell, I will be sad to see Lisa go but I think the time was right.

The post Strictly Come Dancing 2012 – Week 11 appeared first on Learn To Dance.

We’ve seen professionals perform these type of dances at shows before, and I’ve choreographed and performed dance fusions before. These could be amazing, or a complete car crash…let’s hope for amazing!

Denise Van Outen & James Jordan – Jive/Quickstep

First up then with a Jive, into Quickstep, into Jive, into Quickstep, into Jive…phew I hope they survive!

A great song choice and Denise really does characterisation well. This is looking to be an excellent dance up until the second Quickstep section when Denise appears to slip at one point (we can see later that she’s ripped her dress, must have caught her heel). They recover well but Denise looks to have lost a bit of confidence. She also puts one too many spins in at the end, leaving James standing there with his arm out, and subsequently they miss the ending of the song.

Could have been an outstanding performance but lost a little shine after the slip. A shame but I think we can only give them an 8.

Craig: 8 “Jive part of it I thought was incredible…Quickstep could sometimes be a little bit smoother…elements fused beautifully…terrible shame you went wrong…did finish late at the end”
Darcy: 9 “Your strength is the Jive…little bit too much bounce in the Quickstep…fabulous to watch”
Len: 9 “I thought the Quickstep had go, and the Jive had show…a proper fusion…you didn’t quite manage [the change in techniques for the flicks]…was a little slip-up…I enjoyed it very much”
Bruno: 9 “Explosive Jive, morphing beautifully into a lively and cheerful Quickstep…except for that moment when you caught yourself…I thought it was incredible”

Total = 35

Lisa Riley & Robin Windsor – Tango/Cha Cha

Certainly a harder combination of dances than Denise & James’, I’d be interested to see how this goes. Robin’s obviously decided that he wants to be in the final and is now pushing her harder too.

Robin & Lisa have gone for a half and half split for their routine, starting with the Tango.

Not a bad start but the Tango seems a bit messy in places, the transition into Cha Cha looks a bit awkward with the first moves and Lisa makes a mistake halfway through and you can tell Lisa is making it up on the spot. They end with an awkward looking lift too.

I still think Lisa has reached her talent threshold and I can’t see her improving much more with only two more weeks left. Will need audience votes to keep her in from now until the final I fear. Another 7 I’m afraid.

Craig: 7 “Cha Cha Cha was better than your Tango…topline is failing you in your Tango…a little ahead, anticipating the steps…but I loved the two characters”
Darcey: 8 “For me I thought your Tango was the stronger one…topline had improved and shaping was better…needed more sharp and stronger legs [in the cha cha]”
Len: 7 “Your enthusiasm is infectious…always fun and always joyous…went wrong in the Cha Cha Cha, there was a terrible incident…all a bit too predictable”
Bruno: 8 “I love the way you expose yourself…glistening like a glitter ball under a searchlight…Cha Cha Cha suits you down to a ‘T’…Tango was better than your usual ballroom…Cha Cha was much stronger”

Total = 30

Nicky Byrne & Karen Hauer – Samba/American Smooth (Foxtrot)

A samba mixed with a Foxtrot…hmmm, this could be awful!

Oh great, a chair for a prop…Nicky looks like he almost falls over backwards at the start too. Awful frame in hold and his feet are leaving the floor on every pivot. A pointless and rubbish jump over the chair that really needed to be more emphasised to warrant it’s inclusion.

The best bit is the reverse wave into closed rocks though, quite a nice idea. No clue what the slide under the chair and shoulder shimmy was about though.

Overall I didn’t like it at all, his technique is awful and the combination of dances was suspect. I can’t work out whether to give them a 6 or 7 but I think Lisa’s dancing was better (albeit with a mistake) so I’m going to give them a 6.

Craig: 5 “You need a lot more bounce in the Samba…posture in the American Smooth part was dreadful…I suspect we’re going to be seeing that dance again”
Darcy: 7 “You started really well, you presented very well…all the changes were very neat…your shoulders do let you down…over-extend the arms in your Samba”
Len: 8 “To fuse these two dances together was the greatest challenge we’ve seen so far…I thought that Samba was terrific…your ballroom you never straighten your knees”
Bruno: 7 “A heroic effort…couldn’t be two dances more different…a lot of technical shortcomings…always give a 110% and I commend you for it”

Total = 27

Dani Harmer & Vincent Simone – Quickstep/Charleston

Quite possibly the laziest (and easiest) fusion, seeing as Quickstep naturally includes Charleston movements.

I really dislike the chicken head Charleston move, but that’s not their fault I just dislike it!

Can’t see that many heel leads but the transitions are really good, though the running spin looks like Dani is being flung round Vincent. A few moments that look a little shaky, and she misses the kicks between Vincents legs, but the best dance so far definitely.

I would have liked to have seen a more challenging fusion (I think probably the only easier fusion would be Rumba/Cha Cha) but the performance earns them a 9 from me.

Craig: 9 “Choreography has been absolutely brilliant…great job on that routine”
Darcey: 10 “That was extraordinary…you’ve got it made with those two dances because they’re both from the 1920s so they mould perfectly together…upped the technical ability…beautiful wave going round the floor in the Quickstep”
Len: 9 “Would have been more happier with your feet if I’d seen the occasional heel lead…having said that…I loved it, well done”
Bruno: 10 “Exuberant fusion frenzy…they’re really like two sides of the same coin…stylistically it was absolute perfection”

Total = 34

Louis Smith & Flavia Cacace – Tango/Rumba

Louis has to show emotion and passion in the Rumba, something we really haven’t seen from him this series.

I would still like to see Louis put some shaping into his fingers, when out of hold the fingers are splayed all over the place. The timing looks a bit suspect at times in the Rumba and the running drag back looks off balance.

Transition into Tango is clumsy and the Tango itself feels a bit too quick.

His performance is definitely improving but just an 8 for me.

Craig: 9 “You danced that with effortless dexterity…your thumb was up in the Tango”
Darcey: 9 “The emotion was perfect…it was expressive…Tango was crisp…one of your best”
Len: 9 “Two dances, each end of the dance spectrum, and you pulled it off great, well done”
Bruno: 10 “The build up from soft and sensual, to passionate and hot…the climax at the end…keep it up”

Total = 37

Kimberley Walsh & Pasha Kovalev – Cha Cha/Tango

So does that first move count as their one permitted lift? Seems a bit of pointless if it was.

Some good transitions, some not quite good ones. Kimberley has a tendency to fling her arms out behind her shoulders during the Cha Cha segments.

What’s this…a second lift?! That’ll lose them some marks, also the transition back into Cha Cha starts with a slip-up.

Promised a lot but didn’t deliver for me, Tango was good but the Cha Cha felt lacklustre, just a 7 I’m afraid.

Craig: 10 “That is dancing!”
Darcey: 10 “Wowee Kimberley…fabulous pout…suited you perfectly…I loved it”
Len: 10 “Well done [gives standing ovation]”
Bruno: 10 “Nicky[?] you started a nuclear fusion…surprise at every turn…Cha Cha sexy kitten to Tango’s mischievous mistress…the dance of the season so far [can’t say I agree even in the slightest there]”

I fear a perfect score here and I really don’t think it deserved it I’m afraid, certainly not the best dance of the season!

Total = 40

So the leader board (my score in brackets) stands at:

1. 40 – Kimberley & Pasha [7]
2. 38 – Dani & Vincent [9]
3. 37 – Louis & Flavia [8]
4. 35 – Denise & James [8]
5. 30 – Lisa & Robin [7]
6. 27 – Nicky & Karen [6]

Our first perfect score of the series, but one I really can’t agree with, the rest of the board is accurate though.

Nicky will be going home tomorrow I think, and Lisa will most likely join him in the bottom two, but it all depends on the audience votes now.

The Results Show

The first couples safe were as follows:

Kimberley & Pasha
Dani & Vincent

First couple in the dance off are Nicky & Karen

Talk with the Judges

Len’s Lens

• Darcey’s reaction to Craig’s 10 for Kimberley
• A look at one of Kimberley’s transitions from Cha Cha to Tango
• Louis’ Tango and then some of his Rumba
• Denise’s Jive flicks and then her Quickstep flicks getting caught in her dress
• Dani & Vincent’s dancing
• Lisa’s dress being ripped off

Next week they’ll be performing two dances in the Semi-Final

Other couples safe are:

Lisa & Robin

That leaves Denise & James or Louis & Flavia as the final couple in the bottom two. Joining Nicky & Karen in the dance off is Denise & James.

Nicky is definitely going home then!

Denise & James – Jive/Quickstep

Denise managed to avoid catching her dress this time, but a couple of slips at the end with still doing one extra spin. However I don’t think that’s going to prevent Nicky from being sent home.

Nicky & Karen – Tango/Samba

Nicky is actually dancing better but he still has an awful frame and it won’t be enough to save him.

Judges Votes

Craig: Denise “Denise & James”
Darcey: Denise “Both very strong performances”
Len: Denise “Denise & James”
Bruno: Denise “Both improved but the outstanding couple is Denise & James”

Denise: 4
Nicky: 0

Going Home: Nicky Byrne

Nicky: “It’s so much fun, it’s the biggest and best show in the world…every week, every day it’s just been incredible”

The post Strictly Come Dancing 2012 – Week 10 appeared first on Learn To Dance.

We actually managed to watch the show on Saturday night for once, though we didn’t start until ridiculously late so thought we’d leave the update til Monday morning as usual.

3 weeks to go until the final, and it’s starting to get harder to say “they should definitely go this week” so we’ll just have to wait for their performances to be sure!

Kimberley Walsh & Pasha Kovalev – Jive

Kimberley has knee, and now it appears hip, issues and Jive is probably one of the worst dances she could have been performing.

It’s a fast and lively song they’re performing to and a great way to get the night started…if anything though it feels just a little too fast. They’ve sacrificed polish for speed and it shows at times – especially with the lift/throw between the legs where Pasha nearly falls over.

Starts to lose a bit of energy near the end and Kimberley doesn’t look entirely balanced when she spins.

An energetic but frantic performance. I think I’ll give them an 8.

Craig: 9 “Absolutely brilliant…fast efficient footwork…going through the legs was very very clumsy and that will lose you a point”
Darcey: 8 “Certainly matched Pasha’s energy level…accent in your legs was brilliant…well done”
Len: 8 “I thought you did a great job…one or two dodgy moments…I was a little bit anxious when you went flying through the legs…the spins were a bit off at one stage…overall well done”
Bruno: 9 “You were pumping it and bouncing it like a frisky rabbit…great energy, great timing…couple of moments that spoiled something that I thought was almost perfect”

Total = 34

Dani Harmer & Vincent Simone – Viennese Waltz

I hope that’s not Vincent’s movember as otherwise it’s a pretty poor show!

I’m not seeing many heel leads but it’s a wonderfully choreographed piece…more than a few non-standard steps (including a couple of nice double reverse spins) but fitting the music perfectly.

Timing and musicality are excellent but there are a few shaky moments however I’m giving them a 9!

Craig: 8 “Back attitude turn wasn’t as pretty…full of musicality…for me it did not blow me away sadly”
Darcey: 8 “Everything in the lower part of your body was so clean…would have liked a better curve [in the upper body]…gliding very nice”
Len: 9 “I thought that was beautiful…wasn’t just a normal Viennese Waltz…whole thing had a charm about it”
Bruno: 9 “It really was a Viennese Waltz with Italian flair…absolutely enchanting”

Total = 34

Michael Vaughan & Natalie Lowe – Samba

If that shirt’s anything to go by this is going to be a car crash

Is it just me or is he clapping out of time right from the off…oh dear it’s back to dad dancing I fear!

Needs to do something better with the face and hands, and the bounce is a little too pronounced in his voltas. The whole dance lacks any really attack from Michael and it feels like he’s dancing a completely different dance to Natalie.

A moment of sheer panic when it looks like Michael is about to knock Natalie flying and it takes them a moment to recover, I think even the band were ready to stop!

Unfortunately the performance was pretty much as expected and I’m only going to give them a 5 I’m afraid.

Craig: 5 “It wasn’t completely dreadful…your Latin has slightly improved…still looks very awkward…I love the shirt darling, it’s what’s in it that bothers me”
Darcy: 7 “The improvement is outstanding…the amount of content is extraordinary…it is sad that those hips are never going to look natural…but I can see you’ve worked hard”
Len: 6 “You never let your right hip let your left hip know what it’s doing…lot of content in there…lot of movement going on…it wasn’t fantastic but it wasn’t that bad”
Bruno: 6 “It’s really good to see you finally let yourself go…turning into a one-hip wonder – everything was on one side…you’ve got to swing both ways my darling…with the hips!!!”

Total = 24, not bad considering!

Nicky Byrne & Karen Hauer – Argentine Tango

Nicky has proved on more than one occasion that he can act a part, and this seems no exception.

The fast grapevine section near the start feels a little messy but it’s generally a sharp and intense performance with some nice lifts…though the entry into the last looks a bit uncomfortable.

A second solid week from Nicky it seems…could we have a late dark horse developing? I wasn’t totally convinced of his lead at points but I think it’s worthy of an 8.

Craig: 7 “I thought the storytelling was absolutely superb throughout that…just too aggresive and stompy…like a little boy not getting his way and throwing a tantrum”
Darcy: 8 “Intensity was perfect…would have liked a more lustful Nicky towards Karen…you can get a little bit hard…topline is the only thing that bothers me”
Len: 7 “I thought the lifts were very good…overall feeling of the dance for me was too much ballroom tango, a little bit too much sharp and staccato…feet were a little bit steppy”
Bruno: 8 “I think a lot of people like it that hard…intense, purpose, determination…thought was great”

Total = 30

Lisa Riley & Robin Windsor – Quickstep

Back to the fun and fast dances…I’m sure Lisa will feel more at home this week.

Good to see they don’t waste too much time before getting in hold, and it’s a fast and lively start. I can’t tell whether the flicks on opposite legs is deliberate or a well covered error, especially as they do the same thing later as well.

Gets very frantic as it nears the end though. An energetic performance but I think Lisa may have reached her talent threshold and just a 7 from me.

Craig: 7 “Your left hand needs a lot more shaping…pendulums a bit heavy…messy incident before the second Charleston…energy is incredible”
Darcey: 8 “You shine…love your energy…do get a little tired in the top line…fast and light”
Len: 8 “That’s what you bring to the show – sunshine…it was fast, it was fun…well done”
Bruno: 8 “Your personality couldn’t be more bright…totally captivating…I loved the comedy ending [to which Bruno actually falls off his chair trying to emulate]”

Total = 31, week 9 is as far as Robin has got in the competition and I fear they could be in trouble this week

Denise Van Outen & James Jordan – Salsa

A fast and sharp routine but Denise actually looks a little uncomfortable at a few points, during solo spins and the shimmy.

Unfortunately they seem to lose it in the final third and for some inexplicable reason Denise ends up with her cheek against James’ crotch…not a wise position and I’m sure a photo of this will end up in the press! Also on a second viewing James’ finishing move to hit the end beat results in a final thrust into Denise’s cheek – no words can describe!

Started promisingly but I never felt Denise was comfortable and it really fell apart by the end. A disappointing outcome and I’m afraid I’m going to give them a 6.

Craig: 8 “Hip action could be a bit more fluid…make something up [if someone forgets]…best spins I have ever seen from any celebrity”
Darcy: 8 “Underarm turns were fast and clean…can look a bit clumsy…shimmys bothered me – you had your elbows in”
Len: 8 “It’s not if you go wrong, it’s how you recover…I thought you recovered very well…well done”
Bruno: 8 “Spins are fantastic…a couple of near misses…but you covered it well…hips have to be more luscious and fluid”

Total = 32

Louis Smith & Flavia Cacace – Charleston

Hmm, a dance that requires bags of fun and personality, not really been Louis’ strong point on the dance floor thus far.

Well it finally happened, they gave Louis the acting lessons that everyone suggested about 5 weeks ago!

Some great swivelling in his basic Charleston movements but you really do feel that he’s trying too hard to show a persona, rather than actually enjoying the dance with gay abandon.

Moments of wonder and some excellent incorporation of Louis’ gymnastic abilities, as well as a brief Michael Jackson moment (though I don’t actually think it was good enough to have been included).

The actual Charleston sections were really good but I still can’t believe that Louis’ performances are totally free, he still holds back a little which detracts from the overall performance.

A good Charleston but just didn’t wow me and left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. However I think they deserve an 8.

Craig: 8 “I think your acrobatic skills were used wisely and to great effect…at long last some personality”
Darcey: 10 “You performed…I loved the insane doctor…tricks had the WOW factor”
Len: 9 “You’ve got a personality and you’ve come out and performed”
Bruno: 10 “Doctor, doctor my hear is pounding, do you do house calls?…the making of a true contender”

Total = 37

So the leader board (my score in brackets) stands at:

1. 37 – Louis & Flavia [8]
2. 34 – Dani & Vincent [9]
2. 34 – Kimberley & Pasha [8]
4. 32 – Denise & James [6]
5. 31 – Lisa & Robin [7]
6. 30 – Nicky & Karen [8]
7. 24 – Michael & Natalie [5]

Some real discrepancies between the judges and I this week. I don’t agree that Louis’ dance was perfect and I actually felt Nicky did a much better job than he’s been given credit for.

I think it could be anyone in the bottom two this week but Michael & Natalie are pretty much a given I feel. Given Nicky has already been in the bottom two this suggests his fan-base just isn’t large enough so I think they’ll be joining Michael.

The Results Show

The first couples safe were as follows:

Louis & Flavia
Lisa & Robin

First couple in the dance off are Michael & Natalie

Talk with the Judges

Len’s Lens

• Len’s big grin during Lisa’s Quickstep
• Lisa’s mess up of the ending
• Louis’ facial expressions
• Bruno & Darcey hi-fiving after they both gave Louis a 10
• Kimberley’s Jive flicks
• The ‘Jive Bunny’ showing everyone to their seats
• Bruno playing with Natalie’s headdress
• Bruno falling off his chair during his comments to Lisa

Other couples safe are:

Denise & James
Dani & Vincent

That leaves Nicky & Karen, or Kimberley & Pasha as the final couple in the bottom two. Joining Michael & Natalie in the dance off is Nicky & Karen.

I don’t think Michael will survive a Samba dance-off.

Michael & Natalie – Samba

Michael starts by clapping in time…already an improvement on yesterday’s performance. Unfortunately everything else that was wrong with it is pretty much still there, I’m pretty sure they changed the dip but he still almost dropped her with that one too!

Nicky & Karen – Argentine Tango

If Nicky can get through this routine without incident I think he should be safe…and I think that’s Michael’s turn to call a cab – and Natalie knows it!

Judges Votes

Craig: Nicky “Absolutely sensational the second time around”
Darcey: Nicky “Both upped their game”
Len: Nicky “It was unanimous”
Bruno: Nicky “Really had the licence to thrill”

Michael: 0
Nicky: 4

Going Home: Michael Vaughan

Michael: “Everything about the show…contestants have been great…Nicky wiped the floor with me”

The post Strictly Come Dancing 2012 – Week 9 appeared first on Learn To Dance.

Anyway on to Saturday night’s show.

Is it just me or should they really have waited until there were only 6 left before doing a friends skit?!

Dani Harmer & Vincent Simone – Samba

You gotta love Vincent, he’s got a bigger head than me!

I’m not liking Dani on her own during the intro, especially her hand actions and I’d like to see a few more straight legs at certain points, especially during the shadow ‘Beyonce’ section.

Dani definitely looks more at home when she’s bopping rather than actually dancing but we were so glad they didn’t incorporate a floor spin, I really hate that move.

One of the better Sambas on Strictly though and I think I’ll give her an 8.

Craig: 9 “One hot little dancer…loved the bounce action…very very tidy Samba darling”
Darcey: 9 “Extraordinary, such a clean Samba…saw every move…in your running promenades finish off the arms”
Len: 9 “Samba’s a party dance…you got this party started…loved the routine, lots of basic stuff going on”
Bruno: 9 “Charming and bubblier than Babycham…your feet, so well placed so exact…I love it”

Total = 36

Kimberley Walsh & Pasha Kovalev – Tango

Not sure on the gurn but at least she’s trying to keep the spirit of the Tango throughout the dance.

It’s sharp but her head needs to be out further, it looks to be almost pushed forward and too close to her shoulder at times.

There’s a few moments where they look off balance and this could be because it appears Kimberley is trying to lead, or at least pre-empt the next move.

A bit disjointed in the top half of the body which ruined the dance for me really, could have been higher but I’m only going to give her an 8.

Craig: 8 “You did see a slight wobble…but I absolutely loved the drama at the top…told that story all the way through…frame occasionally was a little bit loose”
Darcey: 9 “Storytelling was wonderful…topline…attack…was brilliant”
Len: 8 “I loved the mood of it…your hold goes in and out, it’s a little bit loose…never did one heel lead…but the feel of the dance was spot on”
Bruno: 9 “The ultra-vixen with a killer attitude…I haven’t seen such a mean pout since Joan Collins…you were going for it the way you really should…did I see a slight wobble in the middle?”

Total = 34

Victoria Pendleton & Brendan Cole – Salsa

It’s week 8 and Victoria is still training in lace up dance shoes, no wonder she’s always so unsteady by the time she puts on higher (and considerably thinner) heels!

Latin really isn’t Victoria’s strong point and I’m afraid we may not see much to improve on that this time around.

From the very strange outfit to the moment she walks down the stairs towards Brendan and appears to fling herself into his arms, in what I can only assume was not an expected way, my heart starts to drop.

It improves once they’re in hold but as soon as they break from hold she goes out of time and messes up but thankfully it’s not long before they’re back in hold and recovered.

Victoria still needs to work on selling the ‘fun’ but they have some quite intricate arm movements that they manage to pull off, and the final lift is impressive from just a core strength perspective if nothing else.

Not her worst Latin dance but I did feel an air of trepidation throughout which lowered my enjoyment so only a 6 from me I’m afraid.

Craig: 4 “The prop candy sticks had more fluidity”
Darcy: 6 “I was amazed you achieved all that armography…most amazing core [in the lifts]…distract from the hip action”
Len: 6 “A bit light…needed a bit more ‘go’ in it…lifts were very clean…bit more oomph”
Bruno: 5 “When you stand still you’re fabulous…so much to offer and you still don’t deliver”

Total = 21

Louis Smith & Flavia Cacace – Paso Doble

Louis needs to keep his shoulders down and I’m not sure on the song choice.

Still needs to work on his hands as he does tend to splay his fingers a lot, which Flavia has obviously tried to combat by having him hold his lapels at every opportunity.

Needs to have a bit more body shape throughout.

For me I like my Paso to have real aggression and passion, and the song is such an integral component of that which is where I feel this week just didn’t work for me.

Another underperforming week from Louis and just a 7 for me.

Craig: 6 “You have to learn to act these dances…you can go no further unless you give yourself up”
Darcey: 7 “You’ve got it all to give but I lost the storytelling in that…the attitude just wasn’t there for me…clean, exact, precise…I just missed the story”
Len: 7 “It’s thunder and lightening…you have to come out and attack and perform…nothing going on…no fire”
Bruno: 7 “You have the lines…but it’s what’s behind it…it’s a fight to the death and that’s what you have to produce”

Total = 27

Lisa Riley & Robin Windsor – Rumba

I’d like her to keep her feet in contact with the floor more, and I’m not sure she’s always straightening her legs.

She skips during the cucarachas and I’d like to see more hip action, which would be helped by dancing more through the floor and not picking the feet up.

One of the least cringy Rumbas we’ve seen on Strictly, although it does almost turn into Paso at one point.

Am I the only one who had memories of Team America, puppet love and ‘…I don’t want to mess anything up…’ at the end?

A decent attempt and I’m not sure what more she could have done with that choreography and song. I think I’ll give them a 7.

Craig: 7 “Slightly tempestuous…lost it’s sensuality…don’t think it’s a dance that actually suits you…I thought you danced it well”
Darcey: 6 “So hard to sustain those slow moves…this isn’t your dance sadly”
Len: 7 “I liked some of the detail…the feeling of the dance for me wasn’t there”
Bruno: 7 “It was nice, it was stylized…surprisingly understated…very careful with it…nice but not overwhelming”

Total = 27

Michael Vaughan & Natalie Lowe – Argentine Tango

A mixture of Ballroom (Michael’s strong point) and Latin (not quite so good) this could be a good performance if he can pull off the atmosphere of the dance.

They definitely have an intensity in the performance, though it’s a little unsteady at times and Michael still has a tendency to hunch over.

Michael tries to start a bit too early at one point and Natalie literally head butts him to keep him in time!

The running drag is quite good but I think the timing was out at the finish. A decent Argentine Tango, not quite Mark Ramprakash standard, but I think he should get 7’s.

Craig: 6 “Lacked any resistance and lead…didn’t feel that was happening…adornements were very stiff”
Darcy: 7 “Such an attentive partner…missed that domineering man…beautiful ease into those lifts…lovely lines”
Len: 7 “Two parts to every routine…maybe the performance was lacking a little bit but it was a full routine…so much good going on”
Bruno: 6 “The look of painful concentration on your face…looked like you were passing a kidney stone…no relationship between you…lost any sense of sexuality”

Total = 26

Nicky Byrne & Karen Hauer – Charleston

Charleston could certainly fit Nicky’s personality and there’s a lot less technical requirements, which may benefit him greatly.

So we’re seeing a reprise of his The Mask performance from a few weeks ago!

It’s lively and precise, but I still wish he would straighten his back more and not stick his chin out. A good attempt at swivelling and some very impressive lifts/catches. Doesn’t quite match Karen for energy though at times.

Aside from the posture I think it was a good Charleston, I’ll give them an 8 this week.

Craig: 9 “It wasn’t a disaster dah-ling…that suited you down to the ground…your best yet”
Darcy: 9 “Magic…I loved it…quirky, fun, loved it”
Len: 9 “I liked the setup…the no stress express…bottom two last week, you’ll be top two this week”
Bruno: 9 “Character driven slapstick…you never lost the Charleston…brilliant”

Total = 36

Denise Van Outen & James Jordan – American Smooth

A very painful looking VT when Denise spins in, almost knocking James in the face so he ducks out of the way, but Denise carries on by jumping into where she expects James to be…ending up smacking her head on the floor!

Their final lift is also the same as the one that broke James’ nose when he danced it with Ola a few weeks ago…so they’re really trying to keep upping the ante it seems…this could either be amazing or disastrous!

A nice elegant performance, Denise really knows how to finish off a move. Thanks to the camera angles I can’t see any footwork issues but the lifts are perfect.

There really is nothing I can say to fault this performance and I think this will be more 10’s.

Craig: 9 “James, your thumb was up on occasion, your bottom was sticking out, you lacked any rise and fall…Denise you were perfect…another triumph”
Darcy: 9 “Graceful, musical, you are a pleasure to watch…difficult lifts…how effortless you make them…create beautiful lines”
Len: 9 “Wave after wave of effortless motion…couple of foot things…but the look of it was class”
Bruno: 10 “Smooth and weightless…seamless flow of movement…emotional connection, for me it was perfection”

Total = 37, if Denise was perfect why didn’t she get a 10? I really wish the judges would give some constructive criticism in their comments though – how can she aim for 10’s if she doesn’t know what she did wrong?!

So the leader board (my score in brackets) stands at:

1. 37 – Denise & James [10]
2. 36 – Dani & Vincent [8]
2. 36 – Nicky & Karen [8]
4. 34 – Kimberley & Pasha [8]
5. 27 – Lisa & Robin [7]
5. 27 – Louis & Flavia [7]
7. 26 – Michael & Natalie [7]
8. 21 – Victoria & Brendan [6]

I think this could be Victoria’s week to go but I could see Lisa joining her in a bottom two but it will most likely be Michael & Natalie.

The Results Show

Flawless and the Strictly Pro girls…what could go wrong…well actually nothing really, quite enjoyed it!

The first couples safe were as follows:

Kimberley & Pasha
Louis & Flavia
Nicky & Karen

First couple in the dance off are Michael & Natalie

Talk with the Judges

Len’s Lens

• Len Goodman arriving in the study, with a bottom spank!
• Louis’ lack of emotion…only a moment of passion in the whole routine
• Nicky’s facial expressions
• Craig’s verbal faux pas with Kimberley & Pasha
• Dani’s ‘Beyonce’, and Bruno’s dancing
• Len & Bruno laughing after their reaction to Darcey’s 6 for Lisa’s Rumba

Other couples safe are:

Dani & Vincent
Denise & James

That leaves Lisa & Robin, or Victoria & Brendan as the final couple in the bottom two. Joining Michael & Natalie in the dance off is Victoria & Brendan.

I think Victoria will finally be leaving, unfortunately she has just never lived up to the early promise.

Victoria & Brendan – Salsa

Victoria starts on the wrong foot but doesn’t muck up in the same points…just completely different ones this time….and the final lift is nowhere near as smooth.

Michael & Natalie – Argentine Tango

For me pretty much the same performance as earlier but with a much better timed ending and definitely enough to send Victoria home

Judges Votes

Craig: Michael “This couple completely smashed it and I thought they were amazing”
Darcey: Michael “I’m going to save Michael & Natalie”
Len: Michael “I did agree”
Bruno: Michael “I’m going to save the best performance”

Michael: 4
Victoria: 0

Going Home: Victoria Pendleton

Victoria: “I think I need a holiday…it’s been so much fun…I’ve loved every second of it…hair, makeup, costumes I love…been a fantastic experience”

The post Strictly Come Dancing 2012 – Week 8 appeared first on Learn To Dance.

You can definitely see that this is designed to be a higher budget show, amazing what a difference it makes when you’re charging people for tickets (although hopefully a large chunk is going to Children in Need).

Bruce’s intro is just painful for us tonight but (4 repeats of ‘nice to see you’ later) it thankfully moves on to the ‘stars of our show’…oh dear it’s not over yet – cue en masse Gangnam Style.

Lisa Riley & Robin Windsor – Samba

Lisa & Robin are doing a Samba to Car Wash….let’s hope we see some actual Samba and not too much Disco!

No idea what the start was all about really. Lisa’s shoulder ‘shimmy’ is a little lacklustre but she’s given her all to the rest, unfortunately it all starts to go a bit wrong once they actually start dancing.

Her feet are all over the place during her stationery samba walks and there’s a few missed moves it appears, or just a few very strange choreography choices. I really with the pros wouldn’t put in Bachacatas if their celeb can’t do them, as it just looks awful when Lisa looks to be shuffling back whilst Robin is given them his all.

A few more mistakes and the Samba rolls look messy, and the final split just looks painful.

No-one can fault Lisa for effort but I think the Samba was just too much for her tonight, I’m only giving them a 6 I’m afraid.

Craig: 8 “It was big, bold & beautiful…however you lost a little bit of timing after the bachacatas”
Darcey: 8 “You gave a groove to the Samba that I’ve never seen before…energy was perfect…use the bend in the knees to create more bounce & spring”
Len: 8 “Would like a little bit more polish in your technique…performance level is great…bit more finesse”
Bruno: 8 “You were funky, frisky & frothy…personality shines through the whole performance…public loved it and so did I”

Total = 32, I’m sorry but I just can’t agree with that, obviously the judges are just too far away from the action!

Nicky Byrne & Karen Hauer – Jive

Jumping off the judges desk onto the steps was a move fraught with danger but thankfully nothing untoward happens.

I can’t tell but there drunken sailors look out of time. The song choice is very fast and is really to the detriment of their technique, and Nicky completely forgets about his free arm when it hasn’t been choreographed into the routine.

By no means a Michael Vaughan disaster but a complete mess in my eyes, just a 6 for me, I really didn’t like it.

Craig: 6 “Flat footed…appear stompy…no retraction in any of your flicks…need to straighten your legs [in a jump]…loved the energy and the character”
Darcy: 8 “Great Jive, style, energy…you don’t get a fully straight leg [in a kick]…I think it’s tight hamstrings”
Len: 8 “It was quick, it was slick, there was plenty of kicks & tricks…it was rock n roll which has a different leg action”
Bruno: 8 “You rocked and you rolled…stylistically it was absolutely wonderful rock n roll…kicks & flicks have to be more accurate”

Total = 30

Denise Van Outen & James Jordan – Charleston

Some good head isolation from Denise at the start and a nice swivelling action.

Some impressive lifts and really not much I can fault them on. I think I might have to give them a 10 just because I have nothing I can criticise. I didn’t like it personally, but I can’t fault it.

Craig: 9 “That is the best Charleston I’ve ever seen on Strictly”
Darcy: 10 “That was such a polished performance, you had everything in it…achieved every move”
Len: 10 “The dance of the series so far”
Bruno: 10 “A treasure of a Charleston”

Total = 39, so our first 10s of the series, and almost a full house! Wish Craig had given them some reasoning behind his score though, how can you say it’s the best then not explain why it’s only worth a 9?

Louis Smith & Flavia Cacace – American Smooth

A Quickstep American Smooth, we don’t see many of these.

His frame’s a little disconnected from his body in the initial sways but his running section is good, until he finishes too early and it starts to look a little slow and laboured.

They break into a little bit of a modern twist including Louis doing a little of his gymnastics. For me though very underwhelming and a big drop down from what I expected. It didn’t wow me at all and I don’t feel Louis rose to the occasion on this one. A 7 for me, would have given them a 6 but I think Lisa’s routine was worse.

Craig: 7 “I thought it was refreshing…nice to not always be Fred & Ginge”
Darcey: 8 “That was a different style of an American Smooth…one tiny mistake but I’m going to forget that…lifts very well”
Len: 8 “I’m a little bit bewildered, it was a Quickstep with lifts and tricks but I didn’t get the Smooth part”
Bruno: 7 “Your tricks are always impressive but I’m actually surprised…you can do beautiful things and you didn’t do it in this…I was kind of disappointed…a cop out…wasn’t bad but you know you can do better”

Total = 30

Richard Arnold & Erin Boag – Salsa

Can’t say I’m a fan of the outfits, and whilst I think Charleston was Richard’s dance, I’m really not sure Salsa will be quite as good. Though they way they’ve made the stage look like a beach is good.

I must say I’m actually quite impressed at how this is looking, a bit mincey at times (hardly surprising) but he has a nice hip action and he seems to be enjoying it. Some well executed lifts and drops.

Our hearts were in our mouths when he pushed Erin off of the stage…thankfully onto a mat…and it’s a humorous ending with him then going back to the scantily clad beach boys (though I wish he had kept the arms straight).

A decent attempt at a Salsa and I think I’ll give him a 7.

Craig: 5 “It was littered with timing issues…very stompy & flat footed…need more figure 8 hip rotation…but I rather liked the three boys there, a very good addition”
Darcey: 6
Len: 7 “It was fun in the sun…it was a proper party and I thought it was good”
Bruno: 6 “I’m surprised you kept dancing till the end…lots and lots of fun…sometimes the technique was a bit sketchy”

Total = 24

Victoria Pendleton & Brendan Cole – Paso Doble

What do you do when you’re celeb isn’t performing as well as you’d like…oh that’s right bring in the props – in this case the wires…oh and did we mention that Victoria is an Olympic Gold Medallist cycler…yes it truly is that pointless and to follow it up Brendan gets caught in his cape swirling.

I would have preferred a punchier track for them to dance to, this routine just felt like it lacked any real bite. But Victoria actually performed the choreography quite well…though I feared she was going to break an ankle in those heels with all that jumping.

A passable Paso and a 7 from me.

Craig: 5 “Your arms do need shaping…your shoulders always start creeping up, got to keep them down…that dance wasn’t good I’m afraid”
Darcy: 6 “You started so well…lose focus…I can see you have worked very hard”
Len: 7 “The jumpy things were a tad repetitious…the first part I thought you were a great sport…sometimes your arms were very placed…I thought it was pretty good so don’t listen [to the other judges]”
Bruno: 6 “The bike didn’t quite make it to Spain…all the shaping has to be absolutely right in the Paso Doble and it really wasn’t quite so…difficult to keep the balance…too ambitious”

Total = 24

Dani Harmer & Vincent Simone – Quickstep

Another week, another dodgy wig for Vincent! Thankfully just in the training videos.

Some fast and intricate footwork and they must dance almost twice around that massive floor. I feel she just lacks a little bit of crispness in her kicks but there’s not much to fault here. A 9 for me.

Craig: 9 “Fast, efficient, fearless, I loved it”
Darcey: 9 “For a petite couple wow you can eat up that dance floor…it was light, it was clean, fast, I loved it”
Len: 9 “Quickstep is about quality and quantity…the quantity of steps was there, the quality of movement…little miss dynamite you were fabulous”
Bruno: 9 “My gorgeous little smurf…loved the touches of Motown…never lost the style of a classic Quickstep”

Total = 36

Kimberley Walsh & Pasha Kovalev – Samba

It looks like Kimberley left the dinner table and forgot to untuck the tablecloth…oh wait that was another intentional but pointless prop.

There’s lots of booty shaking mixed in with some actual Samba steps. A few slip ups here and there, and the arms are a little bit flung out at times, but much better bachacatas then the ones we saw earlier.

Would have liked to have seen a lot more Samba, and fewer mistakes, but I think I’ll give her an 8.

Craig: 8 “Full of challenging rhythms and thought you coped with that brilliantly…I just hope there are people out there voting for you”
Darcey: 8 “You can certainly shake that toosh…nice Samba rolls and isolations…hold onto that core, that’s the only thing that’s weak”
Len: 9 “If you’re in the dance-off I’ll pickle my walnuts”
Bruno: 9 “I love it when you flash it and flaunt it…you have to get everyone going [and you definitely did that]”

Total = 34

Michael Vaughan & Natalie Lowe – American Smooth

Michael is definitely better at his Ballroom, and I don’t think lifts are going to be a problem, so this should be a good performance.

The transitions in and out of the lifts are clean but his posture still concerns me at times and the flung arms spoil it slightly. Finishes earlier than Natalie, and therefore misses the final ‘bang’ but not bad at all. Think I’ll give him an 8.

Craig: 9 “Someone’s been working hard darling…it shows clearly…what an improvement…from the dance gutters darling to that!”
Darcy: 9 “You gave me the glamour…impressed me with those lifts”
Len: 9 “You put the ‘oo’ in Smooth…lovely transitions in and out of hold…justified being the last dance of the evening”
Bruno: 8 “You really lived up to the incredible production value of the thing…[there were a couple of times] I thought you were going to drop her”

Total = 35, there highest score (though I think a little overmarked I’m afraid).

So the leader board (my score in brackets) stands at:

1. 39 – Denise & James [10]
2. 36 – Dani & Vincent [9]
3. 35 – Michael & Natalie [8]
4. 34 – Kimberley & Pasha [8]
5. 32 – Lisa & Robin [6]
6. 30 – Louis & Flavia [7]
6. 30 – Nicky & Karen [6]
8. 24 – Victoria & Brendan [7]
8. 24 – Richard & Erin [7]

The second week where I reckon our bottom two will be our bottom two (though I was proved wrong last week) but I wouldn’t be surprised if someone like Lisa was in the bottom two!

The Results Show

The first couples safe were as follows:

Dani & Vincent
Michael & Natalie
Lisa & Robin
Denise & James

First couple in the dance off are Richard & Erin

Talk with the Judges

The dance floor is 6 times the size of the usual studio floor!
Len’s Lens

• Bruno competitively driving towards the girls in his bumper car
• Louis’ American Smooth – not quite what Len was expecting…Louis rehearsing, not the actual routine though
• Relief on Michael’s face after the lift
• Michael flinging his arms back
• Denise’s ‘birdy’ flap arms [followed by some argument surrounding Craig’s 9]
• The various wire-work set pieces
• Craig looking very relaxed during his wire rehearsal…Bruno not quite so [then complaining that the angle has made him look fat “I’M THIN”]

Other couples safe are:

Victoria & Brendan
Louis & Flavia

That leaves Kimberley & Pasha (again), or Nicky & Karen as the final couple in the bottom two. Joining Richard & Erin in the dance off is Nicky & Karen.

This could be a close call, for me I’d keep Richard in, but I fear they might keep Nicky in.

Richard & Erin – Salsa

I think there’s still some timing issues, but better than his earlier performance.

Nicky & Karen – Jive

Pretty much the same as earlier, though Nicky does almost manage to kick down the jail bars!

Judges Votes

Craig: Nicky “For sheer exuberance and energy”
Darcey: Nicky “Both performed very well…content & energy”
Len: Nicky “I did agree”
Bruno: Nicky “Both highly entertaining”

Richard: 0
Nicky: 4

Going Home: Richard Arnold

Richard: “I always thought I’d miss the wardrobe most…I will miss Erin Boag…I’ve never danced a step before”

The post Strictly Come Dancing 2012 – Week 7: Dance Through The Decades appeared first on Learn To Dance.

Is Tess playing Brucie today, or has she dressed as a pseudo-man just for fun?

Anyway our stars are introduced, Artem has his chest out again so obviously their dance must be bad again this week, but everyone else doesn’t look too bad…apart from Brendan’s hat???

Denise Van Outen & James Jordan – Paso Doble

James injured himself just before last week’s show and so Ian Waite had stepped in this week to help them train, let’s hope the lack of training together doesn’t hinder them this week after last week’s excellent Viennese Waltz.

Ah, the obligatory cape-waving…and possibly a slight stumble from Denise at the start. A great song choice though I think.

They certainly have the mood down, though Denise’s facial expressions are a bit questionable at times. Something doesn’t feel quite right with this routine at points, and she looks a bit too rigid during the underarm spins.

Some good chassé capes and a good ending. I can’t quite decide what mark to give this one but I think I will give them another 9.

Craig: 9 “One balance issue…but I’ve got to say, drama, passion…shaping, really strong appels…I think working with Ian has done you wonders!”
Darcy: 9 “It’s the most exciting role I’ve seen you dance and perform”
Len: 9 “I thought it was fantastic…flair in the movements…care in the technique…captured the character of the dance”
Bruno: 9 “Conquering power of a firestorm…you’ve got it all together…finishing lines with slight hints of flamenco”

Total = 36

Richard Arnold & Erin Boag – Charleston

This really could be Richard’s dance, a great chance to be camp, fun and entertaining…though I really hope he doesn’t drop her on her head.

Walks down the stairs look slightly out of time but he quickly recovers, though he does still go out of time on a couple of occasions.

Not a fan of the mouth open look, and the first lift feels laboured. There’s certainly a lot of content there though which he manages to remember this week. Is it just me or does Erin’s smile not really extend to her eyes on this one?

Infinitely better than his Foxtrot last week but just a 7 for me.

Craig: 7 “Quirky, eccentric, goofy…very character driven which suits you…however I could have done without the spanking bottom…did lose a little bit of timing…best dance to date”
Darcey: 8 “Fab Charleston, so many moves in there…enjoyed the choreography…just watch your flat feet”
Len: 7 “If a dance is going to suit anyone, it’s this…you did a good job, well done”
Bruno: 7 “High on hairspray…definitely plenty of highlights…Charleston is all about performance, slapstick, comedy – and that was all there”

Total = 29

Louis Smith & Flavia Cacace – Waltz

I really wish Louis could work on his facial expressions, the indifferent look really detracts from the dancing and he still needs to work on his head placement.

Must make sure he comes out of steps such as the open telemark on a toe though, not a heel, though generally his footwork is good. Great to see two double reverse spins in a row too.

A very nice Waltz marred by a few head and foot placement issues but I’m going to give them a 9 too…what a start to the show so far!

Craig: 6 “I didn’t like [the turn at the top] it was very pedestrian…I felt you were getting a little bit out of time in the middle of it…there wasn’t a clear downbeat…beautiful amount of rise and fall…however your head needs to go to the left more”
Darcey: 9 “Do not listen to him…when you get into hold your posture is beautiful, it’s true you do have a slight wondering head”
Len: 9 “What a load of bolo—gnese [at Craig]…you handled that well…top was great…honestly I thought it was lovely…great, well done”
Bruno: 9 “You waltzed your way into the heart of the nation…have to glide through it [which you did]”

Total = 33, definitely not a 6 though Craig

Fern Britton & Artem Chigvintsev – Salsa

Isn’t Bambaleo a Samba…! Must explain why Artem’s got his chest out again if they’re going to Salsa to a Samba track!

Craig unimpressed with Fern’s dusting, though she’s obviously taking a leaf out of Kimberley’s book that if you shake around in front of the judges [especially Len] they might just give you a few extra marks.

Fern does look good…though not necessarily when it comes to her dancing I’m afraid. Even though this isn’t Bambaleo playing, it’s still a Samba rhythm – what on Earth were they thinking choosing this?

It feels very pedestrian at times with lots of walking around and strutting and a few awkward looking moments. She definitely gives it some gusto though. Would still like to see more dancing but I’ll give them a 7 this week.

Craig: 6
Darcy: 7 “This is your party…I like it…underarm passes don’t lose your concentration”
Len: 7 “This was a party…thought you were going to have my eye out at one point…best dance so far”
Bruno: 7 “From casual duster to saucy scrumpet…letting yourself go…look great doing it”

Total = 27

Victoria Pendleton & Brendan Cole – Quickstep

Why do we have to have these silly props and time wasters?!!

The transition into the first step is messy but once they settle int it it looks good, and her head is very well placed. A few gapping issues here and there and she needs to watch her left arm and shoulder.

Would like to see a bit more bounce from Victoria and why Brendan has included yet another solo spin for her when she’s really not confident with them I don’t know. Brendan actually falls over at the end and then they end with a really bad skit where Brendan passes Craig a box (which he initially can’t get open) and inside is a dusty, cobweb covered ’10’ paddle.

Quite possibly her best dance but still making mistakes and losing confidence as the dance progresses so just a 7 for me.

Craig: 7 “Left shoulder raises slightly sometimes…but I thought you moved across the floor with gusto”
Darcy: 7 “Each week you grow with confidence…does show in the shoulders [they come up a bit]…I really enjoyed it”
Len: 8 “It was a Quickstep…it was quick, and there was lots of steps…very slick in the footwork…upper body could be a little bit more toned”
Bruno: 8 “A strong man holding you all the way through and things change dramatically…have to maintain that feeling…deliver again next week”

Total = 30

Dani Harmer & Vincent Simone – Tango

Some faffing about at the start but they don’t spend too long thankfully before they actually start dancing.

It’s a bit stompy at times and I think that’s because she’s needs to soften her knees more. There’s some nice quick choreography and the ending (though more Argentine Tango than Ballroom) is well executed.

Something just feels a little bit off for me but I’m going to give them an 8.

Craig: 8 “You are a lovely technician…shame the dance finished earlier than the music…small thing, you’re a fantastic dancer”
Darcey: 8 “I didn’t like the beginning…came across a little like a moody teenager…but then it got better, and better, and cleaner and crisper”
Len: 9 “I liked the light and shade about it…some parts were so fast and so clever…some parts were so slow and still…Vincent, great choreography”
Bruno: 9 “It started with a strop, and ended with a drop…what you did was so clean…so sharp…retained all the drama and passion of the dance”

Total = 34

Nicky Byrne & Karen Hauer – Foxtrot

That’s what you do when you’re not getting high scores, introduce props to waste time!

The main problem is Nicky dancing on his own highlights all of his posture issues in one go, he actually improves once they’re in hold, though does stick his chin forward during pivots.

I’d rather they’d worked on his footwork than messed around with that intro. There’s misplaced heels, and the impetus turn was flat footed rather than a heel turn.

I think actually his best dance yet though and I’m going to give him a 7.

Craig: 7 “No, I saw a vast improvement…promising so much excitement…when you got in hold you delivered that excitement…could have done with a bit more drive around the floor”
Darcy: 7 “I really liked the start…I did miss a little drive…I missed the slow, quick quick”
Len: 8 “Got to move more…you don’t drive off your standing leg and straighten…the best is yet to come”
Bruno: 8 “Rising to the occasion…need a little more drive, especially when in hold…getting better every week”

Total = 30

Kimberley Walsh & Pasha Kovalev – Viennese Waltz

I do like this song.

A nice elegant start on the stage and not long until they get into hold, though I didn’t like the contra check out of hold.

I think Kimberley forgets that she’s supposed to be doing a fleckerl at one point and jumps into an Eros spin which makes it very messy, either than or she got caught in her dress.

Also doesn’t look like she’s crossing during her reverse turns.

Not as good as Denise’s Viennese from last week but I think I’ll give her an 8.

Craig: 8 “Head was just a little bit too high…snout pointed towards the ceiling…hopped three times in that back attitude turn…actually thought it was a delicious Viennese”
Darcey: 8 “That was such an emotive performance…beautiful extended long neck…recovered very well [from the mistake in the turns]”
Len: 9 “Kimberley Waltz…more spins than Alistair Campbell…it was gentle, it was whimsical and I really really enjoyed it…didn’t cross your feet on your reverse turns”
Bruno: 9 “Achingly romantic…fantastic sequence of spins…near perfection except for a tiny wobble”

Total = 34

Michael Vaughan & Natalie Lowe – Salsa

Latin hasn’t been Michael’s forte, and I’m expecting a Jive car crash here.

Slightly fast on the stage but actually not too bad with a nice attempt at hip action but then it goes to pot as they’ve obviously missed an arm wrap and Natalie pushes Michael away from her to force him back into routine.

It improves then after that with some tight and intricate choreography and some good lifts.

Vastly improved on any of his previous Latin attempts but just a 6 for the mistakes.

Craig: 5 “I could see the mechanics of every single movement…still littered with timing issues…but I loved the lifts, loved the energy and loved your commitment”
Darcy: 7 “Not a saucy salsa…you’re quite cute actually…well done, I liked it”
Len: 7 “Bit mechanical…somewhere in the middle there was a serious incident…great content…lifts were excellent…come out and given it a proper go”
Bruno: 7 “You can bat for the Latin team as well as the Ballroom team…timing still far from perfect…need lubrication in the hip department”

Total = 26

Lisa Riley & Robin Windsor – Foxtrot

There’s only two heel turns in their routine according to the VT…so not going to see a lot of basics then!

Slightly too long an intro for my liking, though she does perform it wonderfully, but it still feels like more of the same from their Jive, Charleston et al.

This is incredibly fast for a Foxtrot and Lisa has a tendency to look down at her feet whenever she’s in promenade.

The trouble with it being so fast is that her heel turns just aren’t there because she doesn’t have the time to fit them in and I can’t really see if she’s releasing her toe when she walks back.

Robin’s choreography is entertaining but he really needs to start looking at doing slower songs that allow Lisa to actually use all that technique he’s trying to teach her.

Could have been better but I’m going to give them a 7.

Craig: 8 “Impeccable timing, ferocious footwork…loved the line you made on the throwaway oversway”
Darcey: 8 “You have worked hard…I noticed everything…fastest foxtrot I’ve seen [that’s not necessarily a good thing Darcey!]”
Len: 8 “You’ve got the ‘F’ factor: Good Foxtrot, good footwork and fun!”
Bruno: 8 “Feet on fire…showbiz pazazz…pure Broadway…you’re not supposed to lead!…energy & enthusiasm so wonderful”

Total = 32, another pro falls over as Robin runs towards the balcony – I’m surprised it hasn’t happened in the past to be honest

Much better week and performances this week, that puts the final leader board (my score in brackets) as:

1. 36 – Denise & James [9]
2. 34 – Kimberley & Pasha [8]
2. 34 – Dani & Vincent [8]
4. 33 – Louis & Flavia [9]
5. 32 – Lisa & Robin [7]
6. 30 – Victoria & Brendan [7]
6. 30 – Nicky & Karen [7]
8. 29 – Richard & Erin [7]
9. 27 – Fern & Artem [7]
10. 26 – Michael & Natalie [6]

I think our bottom two, could be our bottom two, though Artem’s chest may just push Richard back into the bottom two.

The Results Show

The show starts off with the cast of Midnight Tango doing an excellent performance, we’re arranging a trip to see them in May and I know our students can’t wait to go and see it (that’ll be our second time).

The first couples safe were as follows:

Victoria & Brendan
Lisa & Robin
Louis & Flavia
Nicky & Karen
Denise & James

We have to wait until later to find out who’s in the dance off.

Talk with the Judges

Len’s Lens

• The judges dancing
• Vincent ‘phoning’ Darcy
• Richard’s facial expressions
• Richard slapping Erin on the bum, bongo style
• Victoria being guided through her Quickstep by Brendan
• Brendan falling over, but still finishing on time

First couple in the dance off are Fern & Artem

Couples safe are:

Dani & Vincent
Richard & Erin (possibly the campest celebration ever)

That leaves Kimberley & Pasha, or Michael & Natalie as the final couple in the bottom two. Joining Fern & Artem in the dance off is Kimberley & Pasha.

Well that was a surprise, but I think it’s the end of the road for the ‘Pec’inator. I think even if Kimberley trips over, kicks Pasha in the face, and impales Len in the forehead with her heel they still won’t send her home out of these two.

Fern & Artem – Salsa

They manage the middle arm section better and it’s a better performance than the earlier one, but I just don’t think it’s going to be strong enough.

Kimberley & Pasha – Viennese Waltz

Still hopping during the Eros spins but better than the first time round. But I think they would have really needed to have had a catastrophe to be in danger. I predict a 4-0 here.

Judges Votes

Craig: Kimberley “A no-brainer”
Darcey: Kimberley “Cleanest performance”
Len: Kimberley “I did agree”
Bruno: Kimberley “One couple really was outstanding”

Kimberley: 4
Fern: 0

Going Home: Fern Britton

Fern: “The best party on the television…thrilled to have been part of it [trying not to cry as she says it]”

The post Strictly Come Dancing 2012 – Week 6 appeared first on Learn To Dance.

Once again we didn’t get a chance to watch any of the training footage this week, though a little birdy tells me that Vincent & Dani are doing a Jive to Olly Murs, a song I choreographed for a charity Strictly-style event I took part in last year…I’m sure mine was better…

Kimberley Walsh & Pasha Kovalev – Salsa

Kimberley injured her knee and has been visiting a physio to help her keep dancing, not a great situation especially with a rotational dance such as the Salsa.

Just because we don’t have a theme this week doesn’t mean we can’t start off with stupid props/stunts does it now.

Kimberley is looking quite awkward in the initial hip movements on stage, and her body roll looks a little wooden. Once they start actually salsaring (is that even a word?!) it starts to improve though I think the armography gets a little too complex as I can’t work out whether they made a mistake, or the ending just looked messy.

The exit from the lift from the judges table sees Kimberley almost falling over but she recovers well, and the entrance to the final lift is a bit jaded too.

It felt messy in places, and I’m not happy with the transition that Strictly has made with regard the amount of lifts we’re now seeing in Salsa. I wasn’t a big fan of it, though some of the actual Salsa they did was quite good at times. Just a 6 for me I’m afraid.

Craig: 8 “Lascivious, licentious and lubricious”
Darcey: 8 “Such a natural performer…seamless wrap lift around Pasha’s neck”
Len: 8 “It’s the return of nimble Kimble…it was a sparkler…I think there was an incident early on with the arms”
Bruno: 9 “Tease me to death…so naughty, so saucy, so fiercely sexy…hip action was spotless…that was brilliant”

Total = 33, were we watching the same dance?!

Lisa Riley & Robin Windsor – Tango

It’s a been a few weeks but hopefully we’ll see some actual dancing from Lisa this week, not much opportunity to hand-Jive in the Tango!

Lisa’s balance and footwork is a little off at times, but it’s great to see her actually dancing this week. A similar issue to Sid from a few weeks ago where it seems to lack aggression at times but vastly improved over her Charleston for content.

A lot of complicated sections, especially with her head movements. It was OK but middle-of-the-road for me, a 7 this week.

Craig: 7 “Need a lot more resistance in your footwork, a lot more glide across the floor [Len doesn’t like this terminology] too much up and down…it’s nice to see you doing something seriously…I thought the routine was amazing”
Darcey: 7 “For me you did create that sharp head…occasionally got a little dizzy…missing [clean and sharp] feet”
Len: 6 “You come out and perform…I thought it was sharp and it had attack…it needed a bit of refinement in the feet and the hold”
Bruno: 7 “Always ready to give plenty…nobody can ever fault you for your delivery…some bits could have been sharper…can never fault your performance”

Total = 27

Richard Arnold & Erin Boag – Foxtrot

Another Ballroom dance should keep Richard safe for this week I think, though we’ll see how he dances it first!

I think their intro is just slightly out of time if they were supposed to hit all the big drum crashes but that’s probably just nit-picking.

They look quite good once they start dancing it looks good…oh dear you can see the point that Richard completely forgets what the routine is and it’s all over the place for around 30 seconds of the routine. They kind of recover but what started as a slight loss of concentration soon became a catastrophe, though credit where it’s due he went on to finish the routine (unlike Matt Di Angelo for example).

It started promisingly but I can only really give him a 5.

Craig: 3 “A complete dance dis-aster…it all went horribly wrong…it was going ‘alright'”
Darcey: 5 “You’re a bit wooden…I think that’s when you’re balance went wrong…every week you have improved, it was such a shame you just lost your focus”
Len: 5 “It was a tad ploddy…it was all going quite nicely…if a pro goes wrong, within a bar they’re back…but the celebs can’t do that”
Bruno: 4 “You had a face on you like a frozen haddock…like a puppet when you cut the strings”

Total = 17…same score that saw Sid leave last week…

Denise Van Outen & James Jordan – Viennese Waltz

Denise’s Cha Cha was probably her worst dance of the series so far but I think the Viennese Waltz should be a good one for them.

A lovely synchronised introduction and good to see them ‘mostly’ dancing just pure Viennese steps. A very fast fleckerl at the end but Denise does need to just watch her head when she’s spinning out from hold, just seemed a bit lopsided at one point.

Very well choreographed I thought and a great Viennese Waltz, not perfect but I think I’m going to give me first 9 of the series!

Craig: 9 “A-Ma-Zing”
Darcy: 8
Len: 9 “Poise, posture, performance – first class…absolutely spectacular”
Bruno: 9 “A romantic dream set to music…rotation exquisite…so pretty”

Total = 35

Victoria Pendleton & Brendan Cole – Samba

I seem to recall that, in Strictly terms at least, this has been Brendan’s most unsuccessful dance.

There’s been some strained relations between them it seems this week, due to the difficulty of the Samba, but let’s hope they can bring us some carnival fun on the dance floor.

Voltas on the judges table aren’t good, and the whisks need straighter knees at time. Victoria looks like she’s worried and thinking too much, and at times doesn’t really seem to be dancing.

The side by side bachacata parts aren’t great and Victoria looks like a rag doll once Brendan lets go of her. There’s a distinct lack of hip action but I did find it amusing that the floor spin was done by Brendan instead of Victoria.

An ok attempt at a Samba but it lacked any real conviction so just a 5 for me.

Craig: 6 “Little bit lumpish and awkward only in places…those bachacata’s darling…I thought you coped quite well with the whole routine”
Darcy: 6 “You started so well…you just lose your focus at the very end…I did enjoy it though”
Len: 6 “I think you’ve come out of your shell…occasionally you were a little bit unstable in places but your bravery was terrific”
Bruno: 5 “Victoria does Vegas, was all very promising at the beginning…the problem started when you went to the dance floor, it was Vegas with a hangover…Samba has to be much stronger and much more rhythmical…in week 5 the move has to be finished cleanly”

Total = 23

Louis Smith & Flavia Cacace – Samba

There were rumours that Louis wasn’t going to be dancing tonight after contracting a stomach bug, but it’s good to see that he’s giving it a go.

Oh dear Louis has brought his lack of emotion forward from the Tango into this Samba…come on Louis, crack us a smile at least!

I feel like his legs are too far apart during the corta jaca’s at the start, and he still looks very wooden at times. He has to think about what he’s doing with his fingers as well, at some points he’s just flapping around with arms and fingers flailing all over the place during the maypole.

Needs to make sure he doesn’t hunch over Flavia in steps like the reverse turns.

Louis shows Victoria how bachacata’s should be danced and makes her and Brendan’s performance in Tess’ corner look even more ridiculous.

A nice knee floor spin at the end.

Louis really needs to tell his face to enjoy the dance. A much better Samba than what we saw previously but Louis really needs to sort out his hands and his wooden posture. A good attempt at a Samba though so I’m going to give him a 7.

Craig: 6 “The Samba can sometimes look a little bit mincy but you made it look masculine…did lose your double bounce action”
Darcey: 7 “I was a bit disappointed, it was a bit safe…moves were too calculated for me…wasn’t one of your best”
Len: 8 “So many recognisable Samba steps…messed up the start of the running promenades though”
Bruno: 8 “These Latin dances suit you perfectly…at times though you turned into Salsa”

Total = 29, Craig scoring the same for this Samba as Victoria’s…really need to rethink your criteria in that case Craig!

Colin Salmon & Kristina Rihanoff – Foxtrot

I don’t know about accentuating the positive, I think we could see Colin’s rump accentuated if he’s not careful though.

A much better posture from Colin than I expected, though he is spending most of the dance outside of Kristina which helps as he hasn’t got to try and dance between her legs.

It’s not a bad routine, the big kicks section would have been improved by Colin not having such a large gap between his legs, and there seems to be a mistake as they start the side-by-side section leading into the ending.

Better than I expected I think I’ll give him a 7.

Craig: 6
Darcy: 7 “You lifted your chin…glided beautifully…kicks were competing with John Cleese in the funny walks, but your feet were pointed”
Len: 7 “Didn’t think you glided quite enough…a very difficult dance…I thought you coped really well with a difficult dance…move more!”
Bruno: 7 “Suave, elegant with an aura of sophistication…needed a bit more movement but a great performance”

Total = 27, I wouldn’t be surprised if Colin didn’t pull a muscle with those high kicks up in Tess’ corner – a bit too much aggression!

Nicky Byrne & Karen Hauer – Rumba

‘I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing’ is a very slow dance, that could spell disaster for Nicky in a dance like the Rumba if he doesn’t get the technique correct.

Nicky’s shoulders are up during the start which gives him a slightly hunched look…and I can’t quite work out whether they’re in time or not. It’s a good attempt at a sliding door though it was only brief, the rest is the usual Strictly fallback of line to line with very little basic Rumba thrown in.

Better than I thought it was going to be, but not great for a Rumba, 6.

Craig: 4 “Just a series of presentations…for me not enough basic Rumba in there…would have liked to have seen more hip action”
Darcy: 7 “This is the dance of love…but I would have liked you to seduce Karen…some beautiful poses…more dance content please”
Len: 7
Bruno: 7 “A little bit more propulsion in the hip action”

Total = 25, don’t think that deserved 7’s guys, admittedly 4 seemed a bit harsh!

Fern Britton & Artem Chigvintsev – Paso Doble

Fern has had some Flamenco training in advance of this routine and it did look to have a positive effect in training, let’s hope she can bring the performance now live.

There’s some great emotion at the start, and a dance where Fern’s skirt wafting is positively encouraged!

They miss some arm changes and there are times where Fern loses the intensity she built up at the start. I can’t say I liked the first highlight, with Artem sending Fern sliding between his legs resulting in her sprawled rather ungainly on the floor.

Fern also tries to enter the final floorspin a bit too early.

A promising Paso in parts but ultimately let down. A 6 for me.

Craig: 6 “I was slightly distracted by Artem’s chest…I did manage to see a few wobbles in there”
Darcy: 6 “I liked the choreography…I liked what you did with your skirt…it was assertive for me”
Len: 6 “This fizzed, but it never exploded”
Bruno: 6 “I started to see the Fern on fire…then you start dusting and polishing the floors again…got to deliver”

Total = 24

Michael Vaughan & Natalie Lowe – Foxtrot

Michael’s posture is just slightly hunched and I’m pretty sure he started out of time.

It’s looking quite good, not as good as his Quickstep last week, he looks unsteady at times and still has a tendency to stick his bum out.

Another decent attempt at a Foxtrot tonight but just a 6 for me on this one.

Craig: 7 “Steps were all there, just need to add three things…style, swing & sway and then it’ll be perfect”
Darcy: 8 “For me you shine in Ballroom…elegant, graceful, you glide…just watch your neck, can sometimes look a little stiff”
Len: 8 “Best Foxtrot of the night…well done”
Bruno: 8 “Still in the zone…I hope you can carry on the momentum in the Latin”

Total = 31, same as their Quickstep score next week

Dani Harmer & Vincent Simone – Jive

So this is the song I choreographed last February, the video of which you can see here, aside from a poor costume choice (that inexplicably made me look like I had a muffin top) I think the routine went really well…let’s see how Vincent’s choreography compares to mine!

I’d like to see straighter legs in her chicken walks and she looks a bit unsteady at times. Some nice fast flicks though, although she needs to point the toes more. It’d be nice if they could now do a Latin routine that didn’t feature that body roll though as it feels like we see it every time now.

Quite a lot of the routine it feels like Dani is just running around the floor rather than dancing, but she does keep the energy up. A 7 from me.

Craig: 8 “Need to keep your feet together when you go under his legs darling, I copped a massive eyeful!”
Darcey: 8 “I love this Jive, you got the style perfectly…the only that bothered me was your turns, heels need to be together”
Len: 9 “Clean as a whistle…absolutely fabulous”
Bruno: 8 “Really was a cutie-pie of a Jive…hit every beat constantly…turns sometimes could be a bit cleaner”

Total = 33

It’s been a fairly low scoring week this week (from me anyway), that puts the final leader board (my score in brackets) as:

1. 35 – Denise & James [9]
2. 33 – Kimberley & Pasha [6]
2. 33 – Dani & Vincent [7]
4. 31 – Michael & Natalie [6]
5. 29 – Louis & Flavia [7]
6. 27 – Lisa & Robin [7]
6. 27 – Colin & Kristina [7]
8. 25 – Nicky & Karen [6]
9. 24 – Fern & Artem [6]
10. 23 – Victoria & Brendan [5]
11. 17 – Richard & Erin [5]

Richard could definitely be in trouble after that performance, I think Victoria could actually be skating on thin ice this week also, I think Artem’s chest will save them tonight.

The Results Show

The first couples safe were as follows:

Denise & James
Fern & Artem
Dani & Vincent
Kimberley & Pasha
Louis & Flavia

First couple in the dance off is Colin & Kristina

Talk with the Judges

Len’s Lens

• Colin’s high kicks
• Richard & Erin’s microphones, during the dance, after he forgets the routine
• Len’s reaction during Ricard’s dance “Pull Yourself Together” in slow motion
• Dani’s flicks & kicks
• Len’s ‘9’ paddle waving
• Craig analysing Fern’s dance…or Artem’s chest anyway
• The judges enjoying Kimberley’s dancing in front of them

Other couples safe are:

Michael & Natalie
Victoria & Brendan
Nicky & Karen

That leaves Lisa & Robin, or Richard & Erin as the final couple in the bottom two. Joining Colin & Kristina in the dance off is Richard & Erin.

Out of these two Colin could be going home if Richard actually remembers his routine in the dance off. Also note they’re both dancing Foxtrots!

Richard & Erin – Foxtrot

So Richard manages to do the routine perfectly this time. I’d like to see more emotion on his face but the dance itself goes well.

Colin & Kristina – Foxtrot

I think Colin’s made mistakes there and it’s starting to unravel, he pulls it back though but I think his wave goodbye to the judges, and the final look at Kristina reveals who he thinks is going home.

Judges Votes

Craig: Richard “One couple in the dance off were better”
Darcey: Richard “I wouldn’t have either of these couple in the dance off”
Len: Richard “I did agree”
Bruno: Richard “One couple risen from the ashes, another couple messing it up”

Richard: 4
Colin: 0

Going Home: Colin Salmon

Colin: “One of the greatest shows I’ve ever been involved in…a discipline beyond anything you can understand”

The post Strictly Come Dancing 2012 – Week 5 appeared first on Learn To Dance.

Anyway, back to Strictly and our Thriller of an evening ahead…

Dani Harmer & Vincent Simone – Cha Cha Cha

I haven’t seen any training footage this week so I’m going into all these routines blind, should make it interesting!

Never thought I’d see a Cha Cha Cha to the Scooby Doo theme tune. For me Dani feels like she’s doing too good an impression of Velma through this routine, it feels very introverted and careful, which is a shame as it seems to show some promise at the start.

Dani looks unsteady on her feet at times, though there is a lot of choreography in the routine which she pulls off generally with aplomb.

It didn’t really excite me though and so I’m only giving them a 6 for this week’s performance.

Craig: 6 “Clean, fantastic spins, very fast footwork…you must extend through your lines…accentuate those finishes…very late with your arms in the first New York”
Darcey: 6 “That was amazing…[Craig] you’re wrong…with that speed you got so much in there”
Len: 8 “If that dance was food it would be a sausage sandwich: tasty, satisfying & sets you up for the day ahead…I thought it was terrific”
Bruno: 7 “It was really spirited fun…nice & tight footwork…sometimes you tend to tighten up a bit”

Total = 27

Richard Arnold & Erin Boag – Paso Doble

So Richard, the campest contestant on the show, has to dance the masculine Paso Doble…this should be interesting.

Ah the Strictly fallback, cape-work in Paso. Richard actually doesn’t look too bad doing it, though his upper body is just a little bit too stiff.

He’s certainly got the facial expressions down, but I can’t help drawing comparisons with a Bobbler Head Toy as he’s dancing towards the camera. Richard is trying for the aggression but it does still feel a little camp at times.

The main problem is with his posture, he needs to keep his shoulders down and stretch out more…oh and keep his bottom in! A better Paso then I expected from Richard, quite possibly his best dance, but just a 6 for me

Craig: 5 “Cape work at the top was very good…needs to be a lot more earthed…needs a lot more arch…spot on your turns…I’m disappointed”
Darcey: 5 “You definitely were spooky…worked very hard…need more [tilt in the hips]…clench your bottom muscles”
Len: 7 “You great big butch bull fighter…right into character…got to get those tight buttocks”
Bruno: 5 “The drama…you’re like Gary Newman in a temper…posture and timing weren’t quite there…execution not as refined as it should have been…shoulders have to be down”

Total = 22

Lisa & Robin – Charleston

Another dance that allows Robin & Lisa to jump around waving arms and shaking their ‘thang’, I expect another entertaining performance, but I do fear for her once they have to start doing some more traditional dances.

Lisa needs a bit more swivel in her actual Charleston basics, though at this speed that would be a bit more difficult.

I can’t say that I enjoyed this performance as much as some of her previous ones, though the part where she ‘flips’ Robin into a cartwheel was interesting.

I think Lisa and Robin need to start showing us some variations in the theme…or at least a bit more actual dancing would be nice. Not her best and I’m going to be controversial and give her a 5 (my Emma agrees with me!)

Craig: 6 “Acted well but danced poorly…no cross whatsoever…swivel on your left foot was not happening at all…otherwise it’s not a Charleston”
Darcey: 6 “Fastest Charleston that I’ve ever seen…pulled it off ‘just’…did give me back your spring and your energy”
Len: 7 “Fun, speedy, lots of energy…a parody of a Charleston”
Bruno: 7 “Going at it like a spinning banshee…facial aerobics…nobody would ever be scared of you because you’re so much fun…God it’s enjoyable to watch”

Total = 26

Sid Owen & Ola Jordan – Cha Cha Cha

A Cha Cha to Ghostbusters…

What’s with the awful breakdancing at the start, the exit looks a complete mess as Ola steps over Sid’s prone self.

I’m sorry Sid but Latin just really isn’t your strong point. The slow locks at the start are painful to watch and I can’t help feeling like they’re out of time.

He mucks up his footwork quite a few times and skips throughout his chassés. The gratuitous hip action is too OTT and his arms are often held a little too high – keep it below the shoulders and try to think about what you’re doing with your fingers too.

I like Sid as a person, but his dancing feels like it’s getting worse. I appreciate they couldn’t train that much this week due to Ola’s mum having a heart attack but I can’t really give this more than a 4 I’m afraid.

Craig: 2 “Halloween nightmare”
Darcey: 5 “Fabulous to see more dance content…don’t worry about going wrong…I want to see that cheeky Sid that we love”
Len: 5 “It’s all too safe…take risks…if you’re going to go down, go down fighting…get out there and give it some”
Bruno: 5 “You have to break the spell…lacked detail, power and accuracy…you proved a few weeks back that you can do it, get back there”

Total = 17

Nicky Byrne & Karen Hauer – Tango

Nicky really does like playing the part…though the pointing section at the beginning looks awkward as Nicky tries to negotiate the stairs.

Nicky still has a problem with stomping at the start, we want staccato Nicky. I don’t understand the flicking/leg kicking/twitching section. It’s definitely weird [they danced to Weird Science], and it feels more like a Tango than say Sid’s from last week, but I’m kind of unsure how I feel about it.

A 6 from me.

Craig: 6 “You need to sort your posture out…picking your feet up way too much…but I really liked the routine”
Darcy: 6 “Entertaining all round…you lift the knees so it looks like you’re marching…narrative”
Len: 7 “Far more good than bad…stomped a bit with your footwork…sharp, crisp…got through it”
Bruno: 7 “Went at it like a rooster with a booster…don’t forget it’s still a Tango”

Total = 26

Fern Britton & Artem Chigvintsev – American Smooth

Well seeing as Artem’s been pretty much dancing an American Smooth in every Ballroom dance this shouldn’t be too hard for them!

Unfortunately Fern looks to have a slight slip on the stairs, and then starts out of time – saved by the first lift coming straight afterwards.

I can’t say the song makes me want to Foxtrot…not that Artem has choreographed more than 7 bars of actual Foxtrot (half of the requirement for this dance really) and of which 3-4 bars were lines anyway.

Fern’s arms are too high at points, and they really should be mirroring each other in the side-by-side sections. I still feel that Artem is avoiding giving Fern too much actual dancing. I can only assume that he doesn’t think she’s capable of it, but I’m hoping the judges let him know that if he wants Fern to progress he needs to start actually teaching her to dance, not just pose.

A disappointing routine, not within the rules for length of time in hold, I’m only giving them a 4 I’m afraid.

Craig: 4
Darcy: 5 “For me it was smooth…I like the bad queen in you…when you’re picked up don’t lift the shoulders”
Len: 6 “Neat and precise…hasn’t got the WOW…Artem you’ve got to push Fern more…I would’ve loved to have seen your feet together [in the heel turn]”
Bruno: 6 “A bit too nicey-nicey, too beige for me…didn’t have the impact that it should have had”

Total = 21

Denise Van Outen & James Jordan – Cha Cha Cha

Denise’s first spin looks messy and i’m not sure on the hip rolls at the start. Denise needs to keep her shoulders down and I’m not seeing much hip action.

There seems to be a mistake after Denise walks around James but it’s well covered if it is. It’s not their most polished performance, with a few uncomfortable looking sections and some missed parts.

Denise needs to really develop her hip action and keep those shoulders down. Just a 6 from me (though part of me does wonder if this was calculated to get some audience sympathy after all the ‘she can already dance she shouldn’t be in this competition’…).

Craig: 7 “Leg to hip action was a little bit jolty…timing superb…energy, spins brilliant”
Darcy: 7
Len: 7 “You never disappoint…if you’re going to wear a short skirt you’ve got to have really fabulous leg action…wasn’t quite as crisp as I’d have like it”
Bruno: 7 “Kinky & slinky…the most theatrical parts went very well…but it’s the basics…really need to work on that”

Total = 28

Michael Vaughan & Natalie Lowe – Quickstep

I think Michael is going to have a better week this week, now he’s back to Ballroom.

Has a tendency to lift his shoulder at times, especially in promenade, which he needs to control.

Quick moving feet and a much softer action than, say, Nicky’s from last week. Slightly off balance at the first throwaway oversway but recovers well. His pendulum swings are really quite impressive.

Needs to watch his hands in the ending but by far his best performance, and the best dance of the night so far, an 8.

Craig: 8 “[Claps, much to Michael’s jubilation]”
Darcy: 8 “Ballroom is your thing…hold all the way through was beautiful…tired a little at the end…feet light, precise, no messy transitions”
Len: 8 “Last week you were so close to going out of the competition…I’m so glad you didn’t”
Bruno: 7 “More than magical, it was a miracle…in hold you were just incredible…what a transformation”

Total = 31, current top of the leader board

Victoria Pendleton & Brendan Cole – Tango

Even though you’re crouching Victoria, make sure you don’t let your shoulders rise too much.

Come on Victoria, this is looking good don’t make a mistake…bugger I have literally just jinxed her but she recovers much better than previously!

Slightly stompy in places, Victoria needs to make sure she doesn’t pick her feet up off the floor, there should always be some part of the foot in contact with the floor.

Surprise, surprise, Brendan keeps her in hold and Victoria actually dances really well.

Without doubt her best performance. Needs to work on her posture still but starting to show some of the potential she’s capable of. I’m going to give her a 7 for this one.

Craig: 7 “Lost a little bit of posture…really thought the routine was brilliant”
Darcy: 8 “Wonderful to see that fight in you…true Tango woman of the night”
Len: 8 “This was a proper Tango…sharp & crisp…there was a little moment…but I don’t care”
Bruno: 8 “Teen beauty with a hint of madness…I absolutely loved it”

Total = 31, joint highest with Michael…who’d have thunk it…

Colin Salmon & Kristina Rihanoff – Salsa

“I’m playing a wizard, and Kristina my cat” any excuse to put her into a catsuit I imagine.

Ok so it’s not a catsuit!

The dismount from the first lift is a bit dodgy, and Colin has some strange hand movements during the solo cucaracha sections. As my Emma puts it, it’s a bit like dad dancing.

A few mistakes start to creep in, but (as is usually the case with Kristina’s routines), it goes from one lift to the next. They’re impressive lifts but it just doesn’t feel like enough of a Salsa for me.

He’s got rhythm, there’s no doubting that, but I’m only giving them a 6 this week.

Craig: 5 “Need to concentrate a little bit more on your footwork…looked a bit messy…very flat footed…do have that disco groove going on”
Darcy: 7 “I liked the long arms…wasn’t a dirty salsa, but it was definitely a saucy salsa”
Len: 6 “It had a lovely rhythmic tick…but there was a major incident…if it was just a small mistake”
Bruno: 6

Total = 24

Louis Smith & Flavia Cacace – Tango

Louis’ head position is looking much better this week, and his lack of facial expression is actually fitting for this characterisation.

It’s sharp and has attack, and it looks like Louis is leading…though he does drop his arms at times. A nice use of his gymnastic abilities at the ending.

Rivals Michael for the best dance of the night so far, an 8 from me.

Craig: 8 “Ineffable darling…I loved it…however your thumb bothered me [sticking up]”
Darcey: 9 “Wonderful beginning, great end, but even more fabulous middle…just watch it in the kicks, you musn’t have a higher leg than your girl…best Tango of the night”
Len: 9 “Wish I could have another look at that, it was fabulous”
Bruno: 9 “Really was a Tango with a bite…first killer Tango of the season”

Total = 35, first nines of the series and puts them on top, just Kimberley & Pasha with the opportunity to knock them off

Kimberley Walsh & Pasha Kovalev – Paso Doble

I can see Paso steps but it’s not really feeling like a Paso for me. There’s quite a few slips and messy parts from Kimberley too.

A strange routine, and a strange song, it just didn’t do it for me this week and yet another 6 from me this evening

Craig: 8 “Fiery, punchy, fantastic shaping”
Darcey: 8 “Intensity…sold it for me…generally very very nice”
Len: 7 “It was a very confident performance…I would’ve liked a tad more aggression…once you got into the dance, lovely”
Bruno: 8 “It was a bit like Twilight at times…beauty and the beast…lines were excellent…very well danced”

Total = 31, well there’s always at least one dance that the judges and I don’t see eye-to-eye on!

It’s been a fairly low scoring week this week (from both me and the judges), that puts the final leader board (my score in brackets) as:

1. 35 – Louis & Flavia [8]
2. 31 – Michael & Natalie [8]
2. 31 – Victoria & Brendan [7]
2. 31 – Kimberley & Pasha [6]
5. 28 – Denise & James [6]
6. 27 – Dani & Vincent [6]
7. 26 – Lisa & Robin [5]
7. 26 – Nicky & Karen [6]
9. 24 – Colin & Kristina [6]
10. 22 – Richard & Erin [6]
11. 21 – Fern & Artem [4]
12. 17 – Sid & Ola [4]

Sid is definitely the worst dancer of the night, Fern is let down by the choreography, but I think Richard could be in trouble tonight.

The first couples safe were as follows:

Louis & Flavia
Victoria & Brendan
Kimberley & Pasha
Lisa & Robin
Michael & Natalie

First couple in the dance off is Sid & Ola

Talk with the Judges

Len’s Lens

• Judges taking part in the Thriller opener…except for Len
• Len singing along to The Witch Doctor
• Lisa flipping Robin
• Louis’ final back-flip…Darcy’s reaction…can’t describe it
• Richard’s Paso facial expressions
• Bruno’s reaction to seeing Michael’s dancing transformation
• Brucie going Gangnam Style, then Tess joining in

Other couples safe are:

Richard & Erin
Dani & Vincent
Denise & James
Nicky & Karen

That leaves Colin & Kristina, or Fern & Artem as the final couple in the bottom two. Joining Sid & Ola in the dance off is Colin & Kristina.

Out of these two Sid should really be going home but there’s still the dance off with the potential to save them.

Sid & Ola – Cha Cha Cha

Ah so that’s almost how that first breakdance move was supposed to look!

It’s a better performance than their first one, Sid definitely wants to stay in this competition.

Colin & Kristina – Salsa

Colin makes a bit of a hash of it midway through but overall not a bad performance.

Judges Votes

Craig: Colin “This couple were more dynamic, and simply better dancers”
Darcey: Colin “They both performed so much better”
Len: Sid “No I didn’t agree, I would’ve saved Sid & Ola, [Colin went wrong in the exact same point and it’s a big mistake”
Bruno: Colin “It’s good to see that both switched up a gear”

Sid: 1
Colin: 3

Going Home: Sid Owen

Sid: “I’ve loved every minute of it…thanks to Ola…she’s a hard task-master…I can feel confident going out now and having a little dance”

The post Strictly Come Dancing 2012 – Week 4 "Halloween" appeared first on Learn To Dance.

Can Richard keep out of the dance-off this week, and will Louis & Denise still be vying for the top spot. Read on to find out.

Fern Britton & Artem Chigvintsev – Charleston

Funky graphics to start, and a very nice outfit. They’re dancing to ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ from Mary Poppins.

I keep waiting for the Charleston to start and it just never really feels like it gets off the ground. There’s a brief section of basic Charleston but it feels on the whole like just more faffing from these two.

The part where Fern passes through Artem’s legs whilst doing the splits was quite impressive but on the whole a fairly uninspiring dance, I really feel like we’ve not seen anywhere near Fern’s potential yet.

For me only a 5 I’m afraid, not enough content.

Craig: 5 “It needed a bit more swivel in your Charleston…like to see cleaner footwork…whole thing was laboured…back jazz split [was brilliant]”
Darcy: 6 “The energy was so much better…you can be my kids Mary Poppins any day”
Len: 6 “You’ve made Hollywood into Jolly-good…it was fun, it was entertaining…I’d have liked to have seen more Charleston”
Bruno: 6 “Prim, proper and extremely nice…you’ve got to pump it a bit more…characterisation good…not so hazy”

Total = 23

Victoria Pendleton & Brendan Cole – Rumba

These guys have ‘Love Lifts Us Up Where We Belong’ from An Officer and A Gentleman.

Is that a slight dress mishap during the initial dip…yep definitely as the standing drag results in Brendan having to grab large handfuls of the dress and pull it away from her shoes…though we do get an interesting bum shot in the process!

The routine seems to lack a lot of basic Rumba, moving from one line to the next with very jerky transitions and this dress is causing them a complete nightmare.

It felt less like a Rumba and more like a teenagers awkward attempt at a first slow dance. Three weeks in a row of poor performances, albeit a large majority of this week’s could possibly be attributed to the dress malfunction, I don’t think Victoria can progress much further if they don’t start pulling out some better performances.

Another disappointing week they’re going to need the audience to lift them up…but I’m not sure it’s to where they belong! I’m going to give them a 4, she did the best she could with the dress situation but the choreography wasn’t great and there were still errors creeping in.

Craig: 4 “I’m beginning to see an actress emerging which is fantastic…it was your fault with the chiffon [on your arms]…you are improving and it’s wonderful to see”
Darcy: 5 “You look beautiful…there were some sensual moves…practice with paper between your fingers [to improve the hands]”
Len: 7 “It was a bit wobbly…keep working like this…you are a bit unstable here and there…I think you did really well”
Bruno: 6 “Just when you were starting to sizzle…you were really going for it, then you got yourself into a mangle…lost concentration then it fizzled out”

Total = 22, sorry Len you’re over-marking here.

Michael Vaughan & Natalie Lowe – Cha Cha

There’s a suggestion Michael intends to strip during ‘Hot Stuff’ from Full Monty…well I suppose he has to try something to get the votes in!

It looks like Natalie’s taken the one move he’d ‘mastered’ from Jive and just introduced it into the Cha Cha, and again he manages to go out of time.

I’ll give him some dues, there is some Cha Cha now mixed in with the ‘Salsa’ but it’s messy and all over the place. The best part was Michael almost falling off the chair at the end.

He’s developing some decent hip action at times, and it’s a massive improvement on last week, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him languishing near the bottom by the end of the show. A 4 from me on this one too I’m afraid.

Craig: 3 “Hot it was not…timing issues throughout…awkward all the way through…I suspect Latin is not going to be your dance”
Darcy: 6 “I was so much happier with your performance…the timing was out…top and lower body were now at least connected…you give your all”
Len: 6 “There was an odd moment were you maybe lost a bit of timing…straightening your leg…good hip action on your cucarachas”
Bruno: 4 “I was waiting for the Full Monty to distract me from the total lack of musicality…you have to listen to the music…it was nearly a disaster at the end…you do the Full Manic!”

Total = 19

Jerry & Anton – Quickstep

Whatever you say about her dancing, Jerry does have a certain charm about her.

The dress isn’t a good look for Jerry at the start and there’s a few hiccups throughout. The frame is looking a lot better with fewer instances on her encroaching in Anton’s space.

It’s a bit too soft for my liking and she still looks like she’s being thrown around at times but definitely an improvement on last week. I’m going to give her a 5.

Craig: 3 “The whole would’ve been better behind the screen…posture, posture, posture!”
Darcey: 6 “The Quickstep suits you…must not fade [by the end]…but I liked it…so much better”
Len: 5 “It was a bit Upstairs, Downstairs…Upstairs there’s still a few problems…Downstairs you’re quite neat and tidy…” Len couldn’t really finish talking after this faux pas!
Bruno: 4

Total = 18, same as last week which I think is a shame as there was definitely improvement this week.

Sid Owen & Ola Jordan – Salsa

I’m sorry but is this supposed to be a Tango? A really bad song choice for a Tango if you ask me…great song otherwise ‘Here I Go Again’ from Rock of Ages.

The start is ridiculous and the actual Tango is soft and lacks any attack. Tango shouldn’t feature any rise and fall but Sid is bobbing around all over the place with a face devoid of any emotion.

In line with my expectations after seeing training footage I’m afraid, a 5 for me and that may be being generous.

Craig: 4 “Stompy, clumpy, clompy”
Darcey: 4
Len: 5 “I don’t know about Rock of Ages, it took ages to get started…once you did it wasn’t too bad but there was no staccato…it wasn’t sharp enough”
Bruno: 4 “Les Dawson trying to be Van Halen…lot of headbanging but once you got into the Tango it wasn’t good”

Total = 17

Kimberley Walsh & Pasha Kovalev – Quickstep

Their song is ‘Get Happy’ from Summer Stock.

Now this is looking more like a Quickstep. A slight mishap near the stage but well recovered and a lovely smile most of the way through.

The best dance so far of the night, I’m going to give them a 7.

Craig: 7
Darcey: 7 “Great attack…beautiful light steps…worked on your top half and core”
Len: 7 “I liked it…it was light…she’s getting too far over on your right hand side…but I liked it a lot, such an improvement, well done!”
Bruno: 8 “Now we are in business…beauty, glamour, light, lovely…wonderful”

Total = 29

Denise Van Outen & James Jordan – Foxtrot

Denise and James’ song is ‘You’ve got a friend in me’ from Toy Story.

A very nice start but Denise still needs to watch her footwork at times, still looks like she’s failing to lead with her heel and I couldn’t see her releasing her toes when she walks back.

Great characterisation throughout and it’s generally a very good dance but the footwork still needs work so only a 7 from me this week.

Craig: 8 “Great posture, great control, beautifully acted and beautifully danced”
Darcy: 8 “You can dance…beautifully clean turns…just watch you don’t get too comfortable…very elegant couple”
Len: 8 “I’m giving you a verbal pat on the back…that was excellent…nice posture, well done”
Bruno: 8 “You’re made for each other…set up the story so well…so smooth and gliding…it was great”

Total = 32, evidently the Strictly cameramen have let me down this week!

Colin Salmon & Kristina Rihanoff – Argentine Tango

Funnily enough Colin is dancing to a Bond theme, ‘Goldeneye’ from…you guessed it…Goldeneye

You can feel the emotion of the dance right from the start, and this dance is definitely better suited to their height difference. I’m still not sure if he should be dragging his right foot round like he is in the spins, it looks like he’s forgotten it’s behind him.

The dip that Colin almost dropped Kristina in during training is coming up…manages it perfectly, though the entrance into the standing spin lift is a little clunky.

A nice ending and not a bad performance, especially considering how little time they’ve had to rehearse. Just a 6 for me though, probably too early in the series for an Argentine Tango if you ask me.

Craig: 7 “Full of authority and dominance…adored the lifts…they weren’t easy…fantastic”
Darcy: 7 “I would’ve like to have seen a much dirtier spy…take more risks”
Len: 6 “More shaken than stirred really…you acted it out…for me there wasn’t quite enough Argentine Tango going on”
Bruno: 6 “It would be nice to see you do a bit more dancing”

Total = 26

Richard Arnold & Erin Boag – Quickstep

Richard’s song is ‘9 to 5’ from 9 to 5

Already a much better performance than last week, though I’m seeing far to much of Richard’s chest, he needs to keep Erin a bit more to the left at times.

The vent doll look is back in this week it seems and he’s a little late getting into a few of the moves. The pivots look a little awkward near the end and it lacks a bit of pizzazz so only a 6 from me.

Craig: 6 “I didn’t mind it actually…nimble footwork…well done”
Darcey: 7 “Your best dance so far…when you get tired make sure your weight doesn’t go back on your heels”
Len: 6 “It was bright, it was lively…a little bit mincy in the footwork on occasion”
Bruno: 6 “I was expecting a full-out Dollywood…but it was good…frame was better, footwork was better…just enough comedy at the beginning”

Total = 25

Dani Harmer & Vincent Simone – Foxtrot

‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ from The Wizard of Oz is Dani’s song.

I do like Dani’s poise and arms movements. The footwork looks a little laboured at times and she needs to keep in contact with the floor when she’s not doing those actual kicks.

No idea why they have the dog at the end though.

A nice performance with room for improvement, another 6 I think.

Craig: 7 “I loved the routine…turns are lovely and clean…still a habit of looking down at the floor…keep stretching”
Darcey: 6 “Always surprise me…control in your gliding…it was smooth…keep working hard”
Len: 8 “That was great”
Bruno: 8 “It was so pretty…romantic, sweet, I really loved it”

Total = 29

Lisa & Robin – Jive

‘Hanky Panky’ from Dick Tracy is their Jive this week.

Lisa’s definitely looking to bring out her sexy side, and I think she’s managing it. It’s definitely a fast song but somehow the dance itself doesn’t seem as fast as the training videos.

Robin almost has a slip in front of the judges which could’ve caused an issue if he hadn’t recovered as quickly as he did. I think Lisa just makes a slight mistake near the end but it’s really difficult to tell so it was well covered if it was.

Not sure on the leapfrog at the end though.

I think Lisa just started to tire near the end (unsurprisingly) but it was a fast and fun Jive and well deserving of a 7 this week. Just could’ve had a little more Jive content.

Craig: 8 “I get very excited watching you darling…that was brilliant”
Darcey: 6 “Lisa you never fail to entertain…was missing the spring and bounce in that Jive, you can do it, it was just missing”
Len: 7 “Great big bundle of joy…plenty of hanky panky…captured the feeling, not always the technique”
Bruno: 8 “You’re a spunky lady…vibrancy, vitality…I love watching you”

Total = 29

Nicky Byrne & Karen Hauer – Quickstep

They’re dancing to the dance theme from The Mask, and Nicky’s definitely acting the part authentically.

His posture is awful though, hunched up, and the feet are placed far to aggressively for a Quickstep. He barely brings his feet together during the scatter chassés which makes them look incredibly stompy. Also has bent knees throughout which affects his rise and fall.

Much better than last week but still a way off most of the Quicksteps from tonight. I’m going to give him a 6 though.

Craig: 6 “You’re starting to win me over…amazing job really”
Darcy: 7 “Loved the energy, loved the attack…you were having fun on that dance floor…little bit of bounce in the shoulders…so much of an improvement”
Len: 7 “This week full of life…virtually never straighten your legs…I liked it”
Bruno: 7 “You need a mask every day…very good Quickstep…leading with conviction”

Total = 27

Louis Smith & Flavia Cacace – Salsa

Dirty Dancing, complete with lift, to ‘Time Of My Life’; this could be amazing, or a catastrophe!

The trouble they’re going to have is that everyone who’s seen the film KNOWS this dance, and that’s quite an expectation to live up to.

There’s a better connection between them during this dance than we’ve seen previously, but I do wonder how long before we see Louis going to ‘acting’ school to help with his performances.

Great splits during the jump off the stage.

It’s a good representation of the dance from the film, I’d like to see more hip action in the general dancing, not just the highlighted moments. However anyone that can pull off that final lift deserves an 8 in my book.

Craig: 8 “Contained, simmering, understated…it was fantastic”
Darcey: 8 “I saw a spark of emotion lit between you and Flavia…Salsa has to be freer…beautifully done [the lift at the end], amazing!”
Len: 6 “I thought you did the lifts excellently well…the actual Salsa lacked a bit of attack…a little bit timid”
Bruno: 8 “I thought you were smooth…iconic lift done wonderfully…I think you’re great”

Total = 30, how can you give that a 6?

So that puts the final leader board (my score in brackets):

1. 32 – Denise & James [7]
2. 30 – Louis & Flavia [8]
3. 29 – Lisa & Robin [7]
3. 29 – Kimberley & Pasha [7]
3. 29 – Dani & Vincent [6]
6. 27 – Nicky & Karen [6]
7. 26 – Colin & Kristina [6]
8. 25 – Richard & Erin [6]
9. 23 – Fern & Artem [5]
10. 22 – Victoria & Brendan [4]
11. 19 – Michael & Natalie [4]
12. 18 – Jerry & Anton [5]
13. 17 – Sid & Ola [5]

Hard to call this week, I think Michael should be the one to go. Jerry was unlucky not to have scored a little higher though.

If you’re ready for the results…read on!

We saw Top Hat earlier in the year thanks to one of our students and we very much enjoyed it, it’s good to see Tom Chambers is still dancing.

Half surprised not to see Brucie jumping out to join in…but then it’s the Sunday night show (recorded on Saturday night) so he’s obviously gone home to bed by this point!

The first couples safe were as follows:

Kimberley & Pasha
Louis & Flavia
Nicky & Karen
Sid & Ola
Colin & Kristina
Dani & Vincent

First couple in the dance off is Jerry & Anton

Talk with the Judges

Len’s Lens

• ‘Toto’ shaking himself, wonderful kicks!
• Len being booed…Bruno’s facial reaction
• Darcey ‘on the phone’? Or just talking to the producer…?
• Craig as the Tin Man, with a critique from Bruno

Other couples safe are:

Denise & James
Fern & Artem
Lisa & Robin
Victoria & Brendan

That leaves Michael & Natalie, or Richard & Erin as the final couple in the bottom two. Joining Jerry & Anton in the dance off is Michael & Natalie.

Out of these two Michael should really be going home but there’s still the dance off with the potential to save them.

Jerry & Anton – Quickstep

Her frame looks worse in this dance-off, and she needs to concentrate more on the dance and less on singing the song.

Feels like a lack of energy in this second performance, but she should be safe unless Michael pulls off a blinder!

Michael & Natalie – Cha Cha

Unfortunately he can’t even strip in time with the music this time. The timing swings between in time, and marginally out, but I think he’s going home.

Judges Votes

Craig: Michael “For me, this couple improved slightly, and were a little bit better, which was encouraging. The couple I would like to save is Michael and Natalie”
Darcey: Michael “Both couples have improved so much over the last few weeks. It is so hard to take it on this one performance, because nerves got hold of both of them. I have to save Michael and Natalie”
Len: Michael “To be honest, neither couple impressed me. The pressure got to both of them. Jerry’s routine was full of mistakes. Michael’s routine went in and out of time. This is a really difficult, difficult decision for me. This is so close, but I’m going to save Michael and Natalie”
Bruno: Jerry “Well I actually thought that both couples were very, very nervous tonight. I thought they actually didn’t improve. There were mistakes, lack of rhythm, timing, and by a whisker I’m going to save Jerry and Anton.”

Michael: 3
Jerry: 1

Going Home: Jerry Hall; a surprise maybe, but it was always going to be close between them after that dance-off.

Jerry: “I’ve had a lot of fun, it’s been great…I loved dancing with Anton”

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Kimberley Walsh & Pasha Kovalev

Kimberley has apparently had a virus this week, but has soldiered on and is feeling better.

Zoe: “You were a little bit sad [with a score of 26]”
Kimberley: “I wasn’t sad about the score, I thought it was a really good mark…it’s just that I messed up a few things…didn’t feel like I did my best”

Zoe: “Did [Len’s comments] hurt?
Kimberley: “I can’t really remember really taking the comments on at the time…all I was thinking is I can’t believe I missed the steps”

Zoe: “How did your girl do, on the night”
Pasha: “She did great, but she’s so self-critical…she keeps drilling herself”
Zoe: “It’s a girl thing…how do you pull her out of that?”
Kimberley: “He’s good at doing that, he just makes me laugh all the time…chocolate helps”

Zoe: “Craig did mention your jaw”
Pasha: “I was inspecting that issue from all the different sides and I couldn’t see anything wrong”
Kimberley: “I really don’t need to start having chin obsessions about my jaw…I was really nervous and I think I was just clenched”

A VT of Kimberley’s various facial expressions during training: Smiley, confused, pouty and intense.

Their song is Judy Garland’s “Get Happy” and they’ll be dancing the Quickstep at Hollywood week tonight.

Zoe: “It’s a Quickstep, how quick is it?”
Kimberley: “Pretty quick”
Pasha: “It’s not THAT quick…the dance is Quickstep but the song is slow”

Kimberley: “I just want to enjoy the dance this week”

Lisa Riley & Robin Windsor

Zoe: “Did you enjoy playing a princess last week?”
Lisa: “I loved it, who wouldn’t…I had to be very ladylike, which I tried my hardest”

When asked about her ‘leading’ on Saturday night Lisa replied that when she get’s nervous she tenses up, her arms go solid and she completely locks up.

Zoe: “Your Cha Cha choreography…how are you going to top that?”
Robin: “My brain’s been working on overtime at the moment…I think tomorrow might actually go one further”

A clip of Lisa as ‘Batman’ with Robin, various sound effects and classic 60s Batman on-screen graphics ensue.

It appears they’re dancing to “Hanky Panky” from Dick Tracy, not Hairspray as I suspected, but that certainly gives them some cheeky choreography opportunities. The training clip in the background looks even faster than the one I saw earlier in the week and could be very promising.

Robin: “If one of us misses ONE step it’s all over”

Zoe: “We saw from Denise that [the Jive] is quite dangerous, have you had any injuries?”
Lisa: “It’s a sore subject, but I’ve got three corns…Robin gets annoyed when I start wingeing”

Jimmy the Meerkat

He failed the test last week, when Sid & Ola failed to finish top of the table, but what will his prediction be for this week?

Kimberley & Pasha are his pick for week 3.

Friday Panel

Dionne Warwick, Rufus Hound and Nancy Dell’Olio are this week’s Friday panel.

Dionne has a commerative album out, might have to check it out; Rufus is taking over from James Cordan in ‘One Man, Two Guvnors’; is Nancy promoting a panto Zoe asks?!

Let’s get their views on the training so far.

Louis & Flavia’s Salsa
Nancy: “I met Louis on TV [Unzipped, we saw a repeat last night] a few days ago…I think they definitely will [do well]”

Rufus: “The question is, are they going to do the [Dirty Dancing ending] lift?”
Zoe: “Yes they are!”

Zoe: “Do you think anyone can recreate the magic of Swayze & Jennifer Grey”
Dionne: “No”

Richard & Erin’s Quickstep
Dolly Parton’s ‘9 to 5’ is going to be their song for the Quickstep, a bit slow I think but maybe the band will do a quicker version.

Zoe: “Do you think he’ll be able to stay out of the bottom two this week?”
Rufus: “I think this dance certainly suits him a lot more than the Jive [I think you meant Cha Cha, Rufus]…so long as they don’t dress him in his Nan’s curtains this week”

Fern & Artem’s Charleston
Artem left the competition last year on a Charleston so let’s hope he can do better this year.

Nancy: “I think she’s definitely looking good…I’m sure they will do very good…Artem is a great teacher”

Their song is ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ from Mary Poppins which I think will suit the Charleston.

Victoria & Brendan’s Rumba
Nancy left on a Rumba, how does she rate Victoria’s chances? No answer!

Rufus feels that her performance last week was more like a wounded bird, but thinks if she can actual perform this week it’ll be quite good.

Jerry & Anton’s Quickstep
Their music is ‘Mrs Robinson’, quite apt really though would work better if Anton were younger!

Zoe: “Do you think she’ll be able to bring out the best in this dance?”
Dionne: “Well she certainly has the legs for it”
Rufus: “I think Anton’s the only dancer who is older than Mrs Robinson”

Sid & Ola’s Tango
They’re dancing to Whitesnake’s ‘Here I Go Again’, great song but not sure it’s a tango…

Zoe: “Sid got into trouble with his timing last week, do you think this looks any better?”
Rufus: “If you’ve got that music, and you’ve got Ola, it could be electric…it’s on him…he’s actually really impressive…he’s 40 years old”

Colin & Kristina’s Argentine Tango
Dionne: “He’s hot”
Zoe: “I’ll tell him you said that”
Dionne: “I’m tell him too!”

Nicky & Karen’s Quickstep
Zoe: “He’s had two dodgy weeks, can he bring it back Rufus?”
Rufus: “If he comes out, does the steps, Len’ll praise him”

Rufus has apparently watched the show from the beginning. They have a very quick Quickstep, which concerns me as I think Nicky’s technique is going to really suffer.

Colin Salmon & Kristina Rihanoff

Zoe: “How much did you enjoy your Viennese Waltz?”
Colin: “I really had a great time…one of the reasons I wanted to do the show was to learn how to do Ballroom”

Zoe: “Kristina the judges awarded 6’s, you were a little disappointed”
Kristina: “Yes I thought he deserved higher scores…hopefully they’re going to warm up to us a little bit more”

Zoe: “Have you developed a preference for either [Ballroom or Latin]?”
Colin: “I like Latin…I like the darkness of it…but the Ballroom is romantic”

Kristina: “I’m sorry I can’t grow another 4 inches”

Zoe: “You’re performing consistently well…would you like to see yourself pushed up the leader board?”
Colin: “Yeah I’m competitive so I want to go up…working hard”

Zoe: “Hollywood week…surely as an actor it’s your time to shine?”
Colin: “As an actor I’m sure it is…but Argentine Tango is definitely new territory”

Zoe: “Is it going to be 00-heaven”
Colin: “I hope so”

Colin was recording 8am-11pm Monday to Wednesday, Robin came in later in the week to help them with the lifts.

A quick teaser of their dance: Some nice intensity, though I’m not sure about Colin’s trailing foot during the turns, he also looks like he almost drops her during one of the lines so hopefully they can iron that one out!

You can look for the blog to be updated on Monday morning with my thoughts on the weekend’s action, and for those interested in giving dancing a go we’ve got a Beginner Cha Cha Cha workshop on Sunday afternoon in Eton Wick!

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