Audley 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.…

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Dan Lobb & Katya Virshilas – Waltz

Dan’s posture looks a little bit rough in training, let’s hope it’s improved for the show. I really don’t know why they feel the need to include props in the show – they’re nothing but a distraction.  Finally they start dancing and unfortunately Dan’s posture is still needing work, he looks like someone’s putting a…

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Audley Harrison & Natalie Lowe – Strictly Training Video

Second up is Audley Harrison and Natalie Lowe with the Waltz. Audley is looking nice and light on his feet initially, though he really needs to take slightly smaller steps – it’s about driving forward to move further, not taking bigger steps. He has a nice frame, but doesn’t look quite so confident out of…

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Strictly Training Video – Chelsee Healey & Pasha Kovalev

Final video update tonight is new boy Pasha Kovalev and his partner Chelsee Healey with their Waltz. Our first chance to see what Pasha brings to the show, as well as one of my initial tips for the title Chelsee. Balance issues aside you can see straight away that Chelsee actually has quite a lot…

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Strictly Training Video – Nancy Dell'Olio & Anton Du Beke

Second up tonight is Nancy Dell’Olio and Anton Du Beke also with the Waltz. For the majority of the training Nancy is looking quite rigid and heavy footed, but I’m really liking the sequence around about 58/9 seconds in. If she can continue to be lighter on her feet she’ll be in good hands with…

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Strictly Training Video – Dan Lobb & Katya Virshilas

Ok it’s been a busy few days so I haven’t had time to keep you up-to-date with all the training videos so you’ll now get 3 in fairly quick succession. First up, Dan Lobb & Katya Virshilas with their Waltz training. Dan needs to be careful not to let his shoulders tense up during the…

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Strictly Training Video – Anita Dobson & Robin Windsor

  Maybe it’s Anita, and not Alex, who needs L and R written on her!  The number of times we have to say “other left foot”…yet the students just giggle.Anita is looking nice and elegant at the moment, so that’s a great start, though I do wonder how she’ll cope when the Latin dances come…

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Strictly Training Video – Rory Bremner & Erin Boag

Day two of training so we should see a bit more development as the weeks progress.  Next up is Rory Bremner & Erin Boag and Waltz.I imagine this will be a good one for Rory to start off with (though his wiggle didn’t look too bad at all in the opening show). Rory will need…

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Kara Tointon & Artem Chigvintsev – Waltz

I still wish Kara would keep her head up during spins, she always looks off balance, and this is a very shaky start, there doesn’t appear to be any confidence there.  She keeps dropping her head. As Emma puts it, there’s just something not quite right there, she injured her arm in the Show Dance…

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Ann Widdecombe & Anton Du Beke – Waltz

Most people have put Ann & Anton in the comedy act pile and I think the height difference is definitely going to be an issue.  Interesting to see Ann wearing what appear to be practice shoes with laces, should give her a bit more stability. Ann needs to keep her head up, and her feet…

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