Strictly Come Dancing week 5 – Halloween Special

Apologies for not blogging on last week’s action, but unfortunately we just couldn’t get the time.

Tonight is the Strictly Halloween Special, and I can already predict that the scariest thing is going to be Nancy!

First up is Russell Grant & Flavia Cacace with their Samba

If Russell has got a knee problem then Samba’s probably the worst dance he could have been given.

It’s so nice to see actual Samba steps that our students are going to recognise…such a shame that he obviously lost the steps early on and it’s knocked his confidence throughout.  A great shame, though Emma and I both commented on his nice bottom!

A nice selection of basic steps up till the mistake but just a 6 from me after all the mistakes.

Craig: 4 “One wig away darling from being Mystic Meg…dancing sadly let you down”
Len: 6 “There were a few mistakes…you’ve got the feel good factor”
Alesha: 6 “Great bounce action…got the Halloween party started”
Bruno: 6 “Turned Hell into a camp Heaven…unfortunately you went wrong quite a few times”

Total Score: 22

Looking a little worried this week, think they’re going to need the votes as it wasn’t their most entertaining performance.

Second up, Chelsee Healey & Pasha Kovalev with the Tango.

I still felt that their Quickstep last week was very untidy and still too manic, but it’s good to see her delivering on my pre-competition predictions.

Doesn’t really have the Tango feel to the music, but you wouldn’t know it from their dancing.

Chelsee has some nice sharp movements, but still looks a little bit like Pasha is throwing her around her at times.

A very good Tango but a shame that the ending was missed after her dress almost revealed too much, I feel so sorry for her but I hope they can show her a replay as soon as possible to let her know nothing was seen.

I’d still like to see a bit more control there so just an 8 from me at present.

Craig: 7 “I would have like to have seen it a little bit more grounded…feisty, fiery and everything we expect”
Len: 8 “Could have been a bit sharper towards the end…good dance”
Alesha: 9 “You have nothing to cry about, you covered that so well…you’ve raised your game”
Bruno: 8 “This wicked little witch, is a wicked little dancer…did a great dance”

Total Score: 32

Audley Harrison & Natalie Lowe Jive

I do worry about Audley’s ability for the Jive, can he keep it looking light and bouncy and not run out of puff early on?

Flat footed from the off unfortunately, and living up to what I would have expected.  There’s just no bounce though some of the lines look quite nice…unfortunately that’s when he’s standing still.

A very poor Jive but it was always going to be difficult for him, a 5 from me.

Craig: 3 “You did make a gallant effort…physically unsuited for this dance…lovely smile though”
Len: 6 “I don’t know what these other two are talking about, it had rhythm, good timing…you never went wrong…I commend you”
Alesha: 6 “It needed to be more bouncy and light…kicks and flicks just weren’t quite there”
Bruno: 5 “You really got into the spirit of things…[but] terrible footwork…very hard dance”

Total Score: 20

Alex Jones & James Jordan are next up with a Paso Doble (well suited dance for Halloween hopefully)

Alex needs to make sure she keeps her shoulders down when she lifts up her arms, otherwise her neck just disappears, and the ‘cape’ section with her skirt turns a little bit school playground when she speeds up.

I really like the dramaticism though and the ‘fight’ over the bed is quite well acted.  The chasse capes are quite messy and there are times when it looks good, but also times when it really doesn’t.

A mixed bag Paso Doble but definitely developed into a passionate one.  I’m unsure on it but I think I’ll give them a 7.

Craig: 7 “I think you played that extremely well…almost found it erotic…danced it well”
Len: 8 “I was expecting Hammer House of Horrors…had intensity, dramatic, attack…bit too much frock wafting”
Alesha: 8 “Absolutely loved the beginning…took a risk…atmospheric…breakthrough this week”
Bruno: 8 “Haunting, voluptuous, hint of madness…improved so much [on last week]”

Total Score:  31

Holly Valence & Artem Chigvintsev will be dancing an American Smooth to Swan Lake, explains the eye make-up!

Hmm…I just feel like there’s always something lacking when Holly dances.  I just get a feeling of discomfort when she dances, maybe it’s vulnerability of being herself and not a character.

The lift entrances and exits are all a bit messy, and the ending just looked uncomfortable as they were getting into it.

It was ok but she still doesn’t ‘wow’ me like I would expect, good enough for a 7 but she should be getting so much more.

Craig: 8 “Very high risk and perilous concept…but you made it work”
Len: 9 “I thought it was terrific…could have done with a bit more in hold…I love it”
Alesha: 9 “You both look incredible…created some beautiful lines and shapes…you were magnificent”
Bruno: 9 “You produced a performance of great style, great artistry…top lines were exquisite”

Total Score: 35

Obviously the judges disagree with me!

Let the nightmares begin, it’s time for Nancy Dell’Olio & Anton Du Beke to give us a Rumba.

I really thought Nancy would have been able to dance ‘sexier’ than that, and she turns her body too early in the drag so that Anton ends up holding her up by her chest!

A couple of nice movements but the opening outs are pretty awful.

Anton’s included the same lift as last week which is going to knock some points off with the judges, a fairly awful Rumba with very little natural hip action, a 4 from me.

Craig: 2 “Dance horriblus darling…Anton I’m getting a little bit bored of that lift now…also it’s illegal”
Len: 5 “Rumba, the dance of love…moments of Mills & Boon, and moments of Meals on Wheels”
Alesha: 3 “I think you’re a sexy woman…but you’re a walking disaster…legs are so far apart…very ploddy…lift so unflattering”
Bruno: 4 “Looking like the queen of the night, you dance like the walking dead…great big plonky number”

Total Score: 14

Love interests Harry Judd & Aliona Vilani vamp it up with a Tango

Looks like we’ve had our 5 seconds of actual Tango content from them…oh wait there’s actually some more later on, still not enough for my liking but Harry’s acting is impressive.

I’d would really like Aliona to sort out Harry’s frame though as when he has his arms up the rolled over shoulders just make him look hunched – luckily for him there was very little actual Tango to highlight this.

Harry’s a good dancer but I do think Aliona is avoiding putting too much actual dancing in which annoys me.  Fantastic drama and acting but Harry needs to get his posture sorted before he can really develop.  I wasn’t a fan of the running drag either.

I’d like to give him more but I really don’t think I can go above a 7.

Craig: 8 “Full of intent, purpose, aggression…would have liked to have seen a little more in hold however”
Len: 7 “I want to see more than 8 bars in hold…it was a terrific number, it was sharp…I want to see more than 8 bars in the Tango hold”
Alesha: 10 “I do agree with Len…but you played it so well”
Bruno: 9 “Intense, hypnotic, erotic…it was great”

Total Score: 34

I’m sorry Alesha but what on earth are you thinking?!

Next to scare us this evening will be Robbie Savage & Ola Jordan with the Paso Doble

Good cape work from Robbie but he’s a little bit high when they get into hold, I’d like to see him use the floor a bit better.

A bit stompy in places and lacking any real drive or attack, should be a lot more aggression in a Paso.

I think they’ll let them off the slight lift and a very brave ending, any slip or lack of elevation at the end and Robbie could have face planted straight into Craig.  Just a 6 for me, too much thrusting of the hips, and not enough Paso!

Craig: 4 “I could have done without all the hip thrusts…particularly the end one in my face…needed a lot more drive”
Len: 7 “It was a little bit disconcerting …would have liked a bit more Savage…got to work on getting that Latin to the same standard [as your Ballroom]”
Alesha: 8 “I say keep thrusting…cape work at the beginning was brilliant…little bit erratic at times”
Bruno: 7 “Bad gone mental…lacked a bit of artistry”

Total Score: 26

Next couple is Anita Dobson & Robin Windsor with a Tango

Posture is better this week but could still do with a bit more of a stretch.

It feels a little soft and Anita looks unsure of her steps at times.  The Tango just lacks a feeling of attack and drama for me.

Not a bad dance but still a lot of improvement required, 7.

Craig: 7 “Acting 10, top line 3…loved the routine though”
Len: 8 “I like it…lot of Tango content…lost your timing…posture is your weakest thing”
Alesha: 8 “Fantastic actress, loved the drama…need to perfect your hold”
Bruno: 8 “You portray every aspect of your character…got to work on your frame”

Total Score: 31

Time for Lulu & Brendan Cole to fly onto the dance floor and Paso

A brave slide down the banister from Brendan, though not sure on the accessories!

Much more attack in this routine, more likely due to a better choice of song than Robbie’s.

Faffing around at the end by Brendan so that they can get the harness back on…flying really is such a pointless gimmick.

Her best dance yet and a 7 from me.

Craig: 6 “Concept was absolutely great…felt like you were just trying to catch up with Brendan”
Len: 7 “Lots of tricks, and quite a few treats…you’re a little bit soft in the body…too willowy”
Alesha: 8 “An amazing entrance, I love your determination…did a good job this week”
Bruno: 8 “You didn’t go wrong tonight…you did it well, strong and powerful”

Total Score: 29

Last up tonight is Jason Donovan & Kristina Rihanoff with a Quickstep

This should be a much better performance from Jason as I think he’s better suited to the Ballroom.

Very brave of Kristina to have Jason dancing on his own to start, and Jason’s definitely back to his best.  His arms are a little bit low which is ruining his frame.

Lots of energy but a little bit unbalanced in the final spin.  Improve on the posture and he’ll be unstoppable but still a 9 for me.

Craig: 9 “Stone the flaming crows mate…I thought that was absolutely Fab-u-lous…however there were a couple of mistakes”
Len: 9 “So what if he made a little tiny mistake…some of them have had a Tango and they haven’t even done a Tango [nudge, nudge Aliona]”
Alesha: 10 “So cute…charming throughout…brilliant routine…well done Jason”
Bruno: 9 “Bewitchingly brilliant and slightly barmy…great concept, great choreography…back on track”

Total Score: 37

Biggest score of the series so far, and I think it deserved it.

Leader board for tonight is as follows (my scores in brackets):

1. 37 points – Jason & Kristina (9)
2. 35 points – Holly & Artem (7)
3. 34 points – Harry & Aliona (7)
4. 32 points – Chelsee & Pasha (8)
5. 31 points – Alex & James (7)
5. 31 points – Anita & Robin (7)
7. 29 points – Lulu & Brendan (7)
8. 26 points – Robbie & Ola (6)
9. 22 points – Russell & Flavia (6)
10. 20 points – Audley & Natalie (5)
11. 14 points – Nancy & Anton (4)

Thankfully I haven’t lost my touch and I’m still fairly accurate in my scoring.  I’d have liked to see Holly giving it a little bit more presentation but maybe I’m not seeing what the judges are, and Harry needs to sort out his shoulders and Aliona give him more actual choroegraphy.

I think it will be an Audley & Nancy bottom two with Audley going home as I still think Anton’s fans will save him.