Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone – American Smooth
So an American Smooth with no lifts…that’s a first for Strictly. How will it fair with the judges?Natalie needs to relax the shoulders and make sure she is leaning away from Vincent as it does ruin the top line look at the moment. A nice routine obviously lacking in the wow factor due to no…
Read MoreRicky Whittle & Natalie Lowe – Samba
Although I don’t agree with the 10 they received last week Ricky is still definitely the one to beat.A little too feminine , with less hip action then i’d actually expect. Also steps were all wrong in the promenade runs. Better hip action later in the dance but needs to avoid bunching his hands. Not…
Read MoreRicky Groves & Erin Boag – American Smooth
Ricky and Erin have decided to choose a Viennese Waltz as their American Smooth dance and from the training videos I think that could prove to be a good choice.Shame he was out of time at the start there as they came together. An excellent performance, with a cheeky bit of Quickstep thrown in for…
Read MoreCraig Kelly & Flavia Cacace – Samba
Craig hasn’t really managed a good Latin dance so far in the competition, and unfortunately I don’t think Samba is going to be any different.A very timid performance and lacking in the drive and energy normally expected in a Samba, though Craig does appear to be enjoying himself. A few mistakes, and a lack of…
Read MoreZoe Lucker & James Jordan – American Smooth
A surprise dance-off competitor last week, this has really shown all the celebrities that you’re never really safe if the public don’t vote for you.Having seen Zoe’s previous ballroom outings I’m expecting something special tonight. A very elegant performance really let down by the mistakes at the end of the routine. However I think this…
Read MorePhil Tufnell & Katya Virshilas – Samba
So Phil’s turn to try the Brazilian carnival dance, lot’s of bounce and hip action required Phil!Quite a fast track they’ve picked for this Samba and I don’t think it’s doing them any favours. Absolutely no bounce and it looks very wooden except for the staged hip movement sections. For me I’d have to say…
Read MoreChris Hollins & Ola Jordan – American Smooth
Although I consider the Foxtrot to be the hardest of the ballroom dances, American Smooth is another thing entirely, due to the introduction of lifts.The American Smooth is the application of a bit of Hollywood glitz and glamour to any of the five ballroom dances: the Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Quickstep or Viennese Waltz. To bring…
Read MoreJade Johnson & Ian Waite – Samba
So Ian has done well in the Samba in the past, let’s see how they get on tonight.Jade needs to pick her head up and it’s not as bouncy-feeling as i’d have liked but overall a very good performance. Not sure how the judges will go but I think it’ll be 8-9.
Read MoreQuite a bit late tonight!
So we’ve finally got home (about 3 hours later than expected) and we’ve started up the hard drive and settled down to watch.Sorry that I didn’t get time this week to do my normal preview so will just have to see how it all looks ‘on the night’!
Read MoreIt'll be a late blog tonight
We have a prior engagement tonight and am actually posting this on my phone.I’ll blog my views later tonight if we don’t get back too late.
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