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Michelle is starting to develop into a more natural looking dancer.  Maybe needs to loosen up her back slightly, and needs to ensure she keeps her feet in contact with the floor during those pivots.  However I’m please to say that she is showing definite improvements and I’m glad that she was kept in last week to produce this.

Her best dance to date and I’m giving it a high 7.

Craig: 6 “I feel like [Brendan] is really forcing you into certain positions…wasn’t bad but wasn’t good.”
Len: 8 “I thought it was good…straight into the dance, no messing around”
Alisha: 8
Bruno: 8 “Better frame…better movement…superglued to Brendan”

Total Score: 30 (and her highest score)

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So I’m back from teaching, I’ve managed to avoid finding out who was in the bottom two tonight, now to watch and blog before I go to bed.

An interesting combination of Ghostbusters and what appears to be Thriller to start.  There’s actually quite the story to it and it’s worth a watch.

The first safe couples are: Michelle & Brendan; Scott & Natalie; Ann & Anton; Kara & Artem; Matt & Aliona.  In the bottom two are Tina & Jared.

Looks like my prediction that her ‘pleather’ might be an issue has actually come about, even if I did think she wouldn’t be there.

Also safe are: Patsy & Robin; Jimi & Flavia (there goes my other prediction); Gavin & Katya.

Joining Tina & Jared in the bottom two are Felicity & Vincent (I can understand why).

Out of the two of them I think Tina will be going home, though I must admit I don’t think any of the celebs are performing particularly well at the moment.

Down to the moment of truth, going home is…Tina & Jared.  For me I think Jared failed to impress as a new pro and Tina didn’t really come across with as much personality as she could have.

Do you think the right result came out?

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I think it’s harsh but Michelle will most likely be going home tonight.  Very difficult to call who I think will join them.  Ann obviously should go but her entertainment factor will keep them in I think.  There’s a possibility that Tina’s ‘pleather’ outfit this week might not go down well with the voting public but I still don’t see her being in the bottom two.  Gavin’s chest might just save him from being there and neither Pamela or Felicity will be in trouble I would say.  This leaves the chance that Jimi might actually find himself in the bottom two.

Am I over-thinking this though I wonder…oh well we’ll find out tomorrow!  Who do you think is going to be in the bottom two?

Oh and just because it’s Halloween here’s my outfit from our social last night:

If that doesn’t give you nightmares I don’t know what will!

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Liking Brendan’s Time Warp costume.  Finally a dance that does seem to suit Michelle though it’s a little too much ‘Time Warp’ and not enough Jive for my liking, obviously Brendan trying to cover up her dancing shortcomings.

Only a 6 from me I’m afraid.

Craig: 7 “Lobotomised…in a good way…because I’m from a theatrical background I loved it.”
Len: 6 “I’m from a ballroom background…bitterly disappointed…last 3/4’s were all time warp” [Brendan goes mental]
Alisha: 8 “Highly entertaining…you’re both barking mad”
Bruno: 8 “What were you on…I actually loved it…nothing to do with technique”

Total Score: 29

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

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

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

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

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

Now onto Karen Hardy’s Choreography Corner,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Patsy & Robin: “Great Charleston, classic”.  She doesn’t need any gimmicks or gizmos.

Pamela & James

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

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

Gavin & Katya,

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

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

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

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

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

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Craig was quoted this week as saying that he thinks Ian may prove to be a better partner for Michelle than Brendan for the Tango.

Michelle is definitely looking miles better than she has so far in this competition, 10 seconds in it’s already her best dance.  Still a little shaky and awkward at times but being in hold is doing her the world of good.  Appears to have been a slight error near the end there, can’t work out whether it was Ian’s fault or not…Ian’s apology at the end answers that question!

Her best dance and I’m going to give it a 7.

Craig: 6 “Footwork went a little bit wrong…being in hold and this dance is definitely your thing”
Len: 7 “Very gallant to admit [to Ian about his mistake]…felt you were comfortable throughout the dance…sometimes good”
Alisha: 7 “I feel like you’re getting into your stride now”
Bruno: 7 “Much stronger…more focus…much much better”

Total Score: 27

The post Michelle Williams & Ian Waite (in place of Brendan) – Tango appeared first on Learn To Dance.

Ok I know it’s a bit late, and most of you already know the results of the show, but I’ll blog about it anyway. 

From watching the show on Saturday night I predicted Michelle would have the lowest audience votes and would be going home, but I also suggested on our Facebook page that Paul Daniels would be the one joining her in the bottom two – I just think Ann will take the votes from Paul.

The show opens with the professionals dancing a Charleston, a high energy and entertaining routine and one which Jared actually starts to look at home performing.  The pattern seems to be that the celebs perform the featured dance the following week which brings the Charleston forward from last year’s end of series.

There’s a recap of Saturday night, along with judges backstage comments and celeb reactions.

I’m not keen on the stretching out of the eliminations, and the lack of a dance-off could seriously backfire as the series progresses, have the producers forgotten that they introduced the dance-off after DJ Spoony was unfortunate to receive an early dismissal belying his potential.

First four safe couples are: Ann & Anton; Pamela & James; Peter & Erin; Patsy & Robin (Patsy looks like she’s about to faint!)

Craig gives Ann advice of literally “Dance, better”.
Len is relieved that he won’t have to show his bum in Tesco now that Peter is not in the bottom two.

Next is Tango Unleashed (choreographed by Flavia and receiving rave reviews on Twitter).  It starts with Flavia in the middle of the floor attached to four straps that are used to drag her round the floor before she’s eventually unhooked and starts dancing with first Vincent, then James, Robin and finally Artem (after Robin throws her over his head into Artem’s arms, impressive to say the least!)  James lifts Flavia up in his arms above his head and throws her into the other three dancer’s arms.

It’s an amazing performing, the furthest from a traditional Tango we’ve ever seen on Strictly, but as a performance it’s great to watch.

A brief chat to the celebs who are safe so far then back to the lineup; next safe are: Jimi & Flavia; Matt & Aliona; Kara & Artem.  First in the bottom two is Paul & Ola.

Alisha offers all of them good luck
Bruno consults his crystal ball, and thinks Jimi overdid his performance, looking forced and preventing his talent coming through.

Claudia then talks to Paul & Ola, Paul agrees with the public’s decision to put him in the bottom two.  He’d rather he went home rather than anyone else in the competition.

Peter Andre then pops up to perform his new single, not quite my thing so I skip through it and then it’s back to find out who else is in the bottom two.  Safe and going forward to next week are: Scott & Natalie; Felicity & Vincent; Gavin & Katya – putting Michelle & Brendan into the bottom two.

A VT then from those in the bottom two as to how much they want to stay in.  Out of the two obviously Paul deserves to go and with a dance-off this would be elementary, but how has the public voted?

The couple leaving this week are Paul & Ola.  A shame for last year’s champion but she wouldn’t have lasted much longer with Paul as a partner.  No offence Paul but you were always going to struggle.

Paul tells Ola she’s welcome round anytime (even if Debbie’s not at home).

So that’s week 2, better move onto my It Takes Two reviews!

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Interesting to see them starting on the new bridge…though I have no idea what Michelle is wearing!  I feel Michelle looks a little brittle and could do with straightening the knees more.  There was energy there but it just seemed a little messy.

I’m going to say a 6, but with potential for improvement.

Craig: 5
Len: 6
Alisha: 7
Bruno: 6

Total Score: 24

I know why they’ve brought Alisha in for a specific reason, but dancing know-how it ain’t!  No offence to Michelle but that performance was not worth a 7.

The post Michelle Williams & Brendan Cole – Cha Cha Cha appeared first on Learn To Dance.

So it’s been a week since the couples were announced in the launch show and the BBC have released a few Strictly Come Dancing training videos to wet our appetites.

First up, Michelle Williams & Brendan Cole

Well they certainly look like they’re having fun and I think with a bit of hard work Michelle could produce some exciting dancing – I think Cha Cha Cha will prove to be a good first dance for them.

Next up, Goldie & Kristina Rihanoff

Didn’t really get to see any dancing in this clip, well at least not enough Cha Cha to make a judgement, but I’m concerned that Goldie doesn’t appear to be taking the initial training as seriously as he could do, but time will tell.

The next couple to have a training video released are Matt Baker & Aliona Vilani, one of my tipped celebrities based on the launch show but will I feel the same after seeing their training video?

I still think Matt shows a lot of potential, though his hands concern me a little bit – they’re not masculine enough for my liking at present, a little too bent at the wrist at the moment and I think that’s something Len will pick up on too.

All in all it’s looking pretty good so far though.

Now for some magic from Paul Daniels & Ola Jordan

Apart from being a little freaked out that Paul looks like an older version of my Uncle David, I was impressed with Ola’s methodology for teaching Paul.

Unfortunately I do think Paul has got his work cut out if he wants to survive, a Waltz would’ve been more kind as his first dance!

Our final couple’s training video this week comes from Scott Maslen & Natalie Lowe,

Natalie must be hoping to go one better this year and actually win the competition, but let’s try and get through week one first.

Scott is looking ok at the moment, though I’m not quite sure on the turn-ups! However it is definitely showing some promise.

I for one can’t wait for Strictly Come Dancing to start as I think there are definitely some interesting partnerships ready to develop. I can’t say I’ve developed a favourite yet, it really is too early in their training to call, but is there someone you’re rooting for?

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