Chelsee Healey & Pasha Kovalev – Waltz
After seeing her initial training video Chelsee was my early front runner, please don’t let me down tonight! So far so good, there’s just something about the way Chelsee holds herself when she dances, and she has a wonderful top line. A few stumbles here and there but this is one of the best first…
Read MoreAlex Jones & James Jordan – Cha Cha Cha
So no explanation for the change in dance order, maybe the BBC just decided they fancied a change (Alex and James were originally scheduled to dance last night but were swapped with Holly and Artem at the last minute)? Not sure on the ‘sexy’ start, doesn’t strike me as Alex’s personality and actually this routine’s…
Read MoreRory Bremner & Erin Boag – Waltz
Rory looked really good in the launch show and in training, he has a bit of a Tony Blair smile on him tonight, and he could lower his shoulders to make his frame look a lot more relaxed. I love this track for a Waltz, I’ll have to find a suitable version to add to…
Read MoreHarry Judd & Aliona Vilani – Cha Cha Cha
Harry’s the only celebrity competitor with prior Strictly experience, but Paso is completely different from Cha Cha so I don’t think it’s a massive advantage. I’m liking this Argentine Tango inspired start, Harry’s definitely looking good and it’s a massive improvement over any of Friday’s Cha Cha’s. A bit too much ‘arm on the waistcoat’…
Read MoreStrictly first night leaderboard
So the first show draws to a close and the leaderboard is as follows: 1. 28 points – Holly & Artem1. 28 points – Anita & Robin3. 24 points – Dan & Katya4. 21 points – Russell & Flavia5. 20 points – Audley & Natalie6. 19 points – Robbie & Ola7. 17 points – Lulu…
Read MoreRussell Grant & Flavia Cacace – Cha Cha Cha
I wonder if all of Russell’s songs will be astronomically based…? A surprisingly good start from Russell with good rhythm and hip action and definitely some sass (though that’s normally expected from the girl Russell!) Needs to be a little less violent with his arm placements in the New Yorks, and he looks a little…
Read MoreAnita Dobson & Robin Windsor – Waltz
I was quite impressed with Anita’s elegance in training, let’s hope she’s brought it forward to the live show. Could just lift her chest a little bit more to improve her frame, and the heel turn in her double reverse spin was a bit too prominent. I’ve not felt that there’s been much dancing in…
Read MoreRobbie Savage & Ola Jordan – Cha Cha Cha
Robbie looked to struggle with the Cha Cha in training and a hoodie outfit doesn’t fill me with the greatest of confidence…surely that should have been in Audley’s outfit?! It’s started more like a Paso Doble than a Cha Cha and like a lot of Ola’s routines seems to consist of the guy standing there…
Read MoreAudley Harrison & Natalie Lowe – Waltz
Audley has only apparently had 3 days, rather than 3 weeks of rehearsals, so I think this could be a poor performance if he hasn’t worked hard enough. Training videos looked ok, but a problem with his top line not staying still could haunt him throughout the routine if Natalie hasn’t got it under control.…
Read MoreLulu & Brendan Cole – Cha Cha Cha
Lulu was “devastated” to get Brendan according to Brucie, but I’m sure it was all for the cameras! Theirs was one of the first training videos we saw, and it looked quite good then so I’m looking forward to seeing what 3 weeks has added to it. Oh dear Brendan, why did you have to…
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