On Thursday’s show they featured Michael & Natalie, Denise & James, Dani & Vincent along with sneak peeks at their outfits (I won’t talk about this!) and updates on training.

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[An]Tony’s Training Titbits

Antony Holeksa [i.e. ME!] on Thursday training footage:

Nicky & Karen’s Quickstep

We see Nicky bounding around the floor, he really needs to keep the steps a bit smaller and less stompy, could benefit from bringing his legs together more. Looks like he’s galloping around the floor. His frame doesn’t seem to have improved much from week 1, I’d like to see Karen working more on his technique than introducing too much choreography.

Sid & Ola’s Tango

Another male who’s in-hold frame isn’t great. Sid tends to roll his right shoulder forward which will end up putting Ola in the wrong position. Although there’s no rise and fall in Tango, that doesn’t mean you should be flat-footed either!

Louis & Flavia’s Salsa

So Louis & Flavia are down to do the Dirty Dancing routine this weekend (technically a mambo for anyone that’s watched the film). Louis is a strong boy but you musn’t underestimate how difficult that lift is to get right. Flavia will need to have complete and utter faith in his ability to support her. Someone once told me recently that the actor playing Patrick’s part in Dirty Dancing – The Musical threw ‘Baby’ over his head and broke her collar bone just before the opening night in Bristol!

Richard & Erin’s Quickstep

Richard is looking quite good in the training so far, he has a nice frame but just needs to watch his head creeping over to the right on the odd occasion. I think he should do better this weekend, so long as he can avoid the ventriloquist dummy look this time!

Michael & Natalie’s Cha Cha

Is it just me or does all of this training footage look like a Salsa? Michael must be really bad at his chassés, they were completely missing in his Jive and now the Cha Cha is looking the same way. This isn’t going to go down well with the judges if this ends up being the performance. Saying that the very last clip actually looks quite promising…

Colin & Kristina’s Argentine Tango

No training footage of these two unfortunately as Colin has been filming Arrow in Canada, I know they did some training on Sunday, but that does mean they only have Thursday & Friday to train which could prove to be tricky.

Kimberley & Pasha’s Quickstep

Kimberley has some nice frame and head movements developing, though she’s still not training in dance shoes which is very disappointing.

Lisa & Robin’s Jive

A few things I’ve heard from Twitter, and watching the training, makes me think they might be doing Hairspray for their Jive. There’s some nice quick movements but not a lot of Jive basic to be seen so far.

Victoria & Brendan’s Rumba

A week where Victoria really needs to get through a performance without a mistake, how is the training looking? Some nice arm movements developing but she does need to work on straightening those knees. Rumba is a very difficult dance to keep a straight face through if you’re not used to the intimacy you have to portray with that partner. It is looking promising so far though.

Jerry & Anton’s Quickstep

Jerry’s frame is looking better but she does still have a tendency to creep in towards Anton’s shoulder, you really need to stretch out and away from him Jerry to really show a good top-line.

Denise & James’ Foxtrot

A very nice frame and head position. Need to make sure she keeps her toe pointed when she kicks out though.

Fern & Artem’s Charleston

It’s a very quick and difficult dance the Charleston, especially remaining in sync with your partner. They’re looking good at the moment, it’ll be interesting to see what surprises they have in store.

Dani & Vincent’s Foxtrot

Some nice leg extensions and arms from Dani, not much dancing on display in the training footage as they’re talking more about how she’s coping with the dance shoes (not very well it seems).

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Michael Vaughan & Natalie Lowe

Zoe: “You were in the bottom two [last week] did you fear it was exit time?”
Michael: “Obviously when you’re in the bottom two you’re in ‘Danger Zone’…I had a lot of fun dancing the Jive…my little boy said to me ‘at least you smiled this week Dad'”

Michael is now the record holder for the lowest scoring Jive in Strictly history…unsurprising really.

Michael: “When I decided to do the show there was two things I would love. A 10 of Len, but that’s miles off at the minute, and I wanted Brucie to say that we were his favourite”

Zoe: “Where did he go right for you?”
Natalie: “Energy…I was laughing the whole way through that…the Waltz was very serious the week before”

Zoe: “Another week, another Latin dance. How’s your Cha Cha Cha?”
Michael: “I can’t believe they didn’t let me do the Jive again!…it’s another fun dance, it’s been great learning it”

Their song is ‘Hot Stuff’ from The Full Monty…I hope he doesn’t plan to strip…

The scarf is there to help Michael keep his chest up, if he drops the frame then the scarf will drop…will it work?

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Denise Van Outen & James Jordan

James admits to being slightly worried about Denise and her whiplash on Saturday night. Denise said that she woke up unable to move on Sunday, but that Physio has really helped.

Seven years James has waited for a FAB-U-LOUS from Craig, the wait is over.

There’s more pressure on them this week for their Foxtrot, after finishing top of the table at the weekend.

They’re working mainly on the technique and footwork to try and please Len this week.

A quick VT of Denise fitting 19 grapes in her mouth, Lee Mead must be a happy man, James on the other hand does manage to fit in 32…before looking like he can’t decide whether to choke or throw up. Apparently the Guinness World Record is 57 though!

Denise: “I find the Ballroom really different because of the footwork and the posture”

A pic comparing Anton and Woody from Toy Story…a very scary likeness!

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Dani Harmer & Vincent Simone

Zoe: “Did you enjoy it?”
Dani: “I absolutely loved it, finally got to shake my booty and show a bit more of my personality”

Zoe: “Third on the leader board, were you please about that?”
Dani: “Yeah I was really shocked…I didn’t think we’d do that well”

Zoe: “Craig [on It Takes Two on Monday] had a little grumble about the lift and the dismount”
Vincent: “That’s because he couldn’t do it himself, his double chin would be in the way…it’s a street dance…it’s not the tidiest dance…the lift is supposed to be seen from the front”
Dani: “I could have been a little bit more graceful with it but that’s probably the best I’ve ever landed it”

A quick VT of Natalie giving Vincent a cheeky pinch on the bottom when his and Dani were being interviewed by Tess, then realising she could be seen on the camera!

Zoe: “How is the Foxtrot going?”
Dani: “It’s just really technical and difficult to pick up…completely different to Salsa”

Zoe: “What’s the most difficult thing?”
Dani: “I think it’s the speed…it’s harder to dance slowly rather than really fast”

Their song is ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’, and they’re going to have a real Toto for the show apparently.

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Friday’s update will possibly be later tonight, but we’re in Bristol tonight so it depends how our schedule works out. Guests will be Kimberley & Pasha, Lisa & Robin and Colin & Kristina. Friday panel will also return with Rufus Hound, Nancy Dell’Olio and Dionne Warwick.