On Wednesday’s show they featured Dani & Vincent, Johnny & Iveta, Denise & James along with judge Darcey Bussell and the return of Ian Waites’ Wednesday Warm Up.

Denise Van Outen & James Jordan

Even James was nervous on the opening night, due to all the expectation of Denise’s abilities.

Zoe shows us some footage of Denise constantly telling James how she would have preferred to have got Brendan, after which Zoe gives her a Brendan cushion.

We then see some of their Jive training which is looking very fast and energetic, let’s hope she doesn’t tire during her performance on Saturday night.

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Wednesday Warm Up

Ian Waite on early training footage:

Lisa & Robin’s Viennese Waltz

I think [it’s going to compare to Saturday’s Cha Cha] pretty well…they’re doing a lot in the beginning solo…very square at the moment…she needs to get on his right hand side

Jerry & Anton’s Foxtrot

I think she surprised a lot of people, certainly myself, her Cha Cha was so much better than I expected it to be…in a promenade position her head should stretch out

Victoria & Brendan’s Foxtrot

I think she’ll get over her nerves, she’s in his arms…she’s slightly poking her chin forward…[needs to] tuck her tail under

Kimberley & Pasha’s Foxtrot

Straight away she’s in the right position on Pasha…I’d like to see her in normal shoes [dance shoes that is and not comfortable boots]

Colin & Kristina’s Viennese Walt

Wonderful line through his back and neck…shoulders down, chin up

Fern & Artem’s Viennese Waltz

She had an attack of the nerves last week and that restricted her…much better in this dance…lovely lines…hopefully her love for Strictly will shine through at the weekend

Nicky & Karen’s Cha Cha

He’s looking much more relaxed in this style…arms down, I’d like him to get his arms out [Antony: I’d also like to see him keeping his shoulders down!]

Michael & Natalie’s Jive

He needs to dance on the balls of his feet…pick up his backside…pick up the knees

Sid & Ola’s Salsa

He’s got a great personality for this dance…cheeky chappy…one minute he looks really good, the next not as good

Richard & Erin’s Cha Cha Cha

If you think Russell Grant is camp, wait till you see this Cha Cha Cha…needs to stretch his arms out

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Darcey Bussell

Zoe: “How has your experience of Strictly been so far?”
Darcey: “Very exciting, bit buzzy, bit nerve wracking”

Zoe: “Who stood out for you, performance-wise”
Darcey: “Quite a lot actually, there’s a lot of talent there…Denise & James…Louis, quite liked Louis & Flavia!”

Zoe: “How different is Ballroom to Ballet”
Darcey: “You use a lot of different muscles…I wouldn’t wear heels in Ballet”

Zoe: “What should our contestants be doing to impress you, our new judge?”
Darcey: “I want them to fall in love with it…an all round package”

Darcey: “First time round, when they come out for their first dance, it’s stupid to criticise them straight off…I want to give them tips”

Zoe: “Which dances are you looking forward to most?”
Darcey: “I do love an Argentine Tango, and a Salsa, I do love the party dances”

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Dani & Vincent

Vincent has nicknamed them Team Smurf as they’re both so short, he goes on to say that there are positives and negatives to being small. They have to work harder as everything is further away from them, but they can work on speed to beat taller ‘normal’ people.

Dani was terrified during her dance and is hoping she’ll be able to smile more this week.

Vincent, after watching their dance back a few times, does feel that they were under-marked…but he’d prefer that to being over-marked.

If you want to see a VT of Vincent in his pants…this is the episode to watch!

Some footage of their Salsa shows another very fast routine, I just hope they have enough time for her to finish off her moves.

Zoe: “What’s the hardest thing to master?”
Dani: “Everything! My feet kind of do as they’re told, but it’s getting the technique better…performance…enjoying it more…and it’s so fast”

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Johnny Ball & Iveta Lukosiute

Iveta: “I’m loving it here, everyone’s so nice, BBC’s the most organised company I’ve ever worked for…just got emails about everything”

Zoe: “Dad, how was Saturday night for you?”
Johnny: “After the dress rehearsal on Friday they asked us if we could change the first quarter of our routine…with a new dancer!”

Iveta: “I feel like Johnny trusts me…he’s working hard…he’s amazing”

Johnny: “I didn’t have nerves because I was so scared of getting it wrong”

Johnny would have liked slightly more generous scores, after the praise they received from the judges.

We then get a chance to see some of their Foxtrot training, Johnny needs to keep his shoulders down and watch his frame, and personally I’d get rid of the floor spin.

Are they nervous with the impending elimination week…Iveta is hoping his fans will keep them out of the bottom two.

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Thursday update to follow shortly.