Hey dance fans!
Apologies first for there being no Strictly live blog last week. I had the flu. Maybe it was swine, we don't really know. MYSTERY. I am disease free now, as far as I am aware. HURRAY.
First up to dance tonight is Zoe and James. They did a paso doble last week, and she improvised some of it that she forgot, but they got a high score anyway.
Tonight they are doing a foxtrot. Lovely frock Zoe has on. White with sparkles. It's all smiles and grins, which is what comes when doing an elegant foxtrot. She is spinning well.
Len thinks it had lots of attributes of a typically good foxtrot. "A well accomplished performance." Alesha thinks Zoe coped with the complicated foxtrot routine well, as there is so much to remember. Bruno thinks she was "glistening with glamour" and she can't help but "bring sex appeal into it". Craig thought the timing was spot on, throughout. Ho wever, she lost her balance a little bit, but it was "gorgeous".
SCORES: 8, 9, 8, 8 = 33/40. WOO!
Now dancing the salsa is Chris and Ola.
In SCD, the top three highest scoring salsas have all been done by the male celebs. Something about it makes them act it up and get their sexy hips on. Wish I could say the same for Chris. Oh God it's like an uncle who fanc ies himself. Did he dr ink b efore this? He certainly don't do that on BBC Breakfast, I can tell you.
Len can't blink, according to Brucie . Len thought that the holding parts were good, but he was self-conscious when he was alone, but he captured the mood of the dance. Alesha thinks he is a good dancer and shouldn't let his confidence be low. He was "getting the party started". He needed more explosion, though. Bruno thinks his timing was good, but he was like Bob the Builder. Riiight. Craig thinks it lacked the required energy. He also think he minced a bit.
SCORES: 5, 6, 7, 7 = 25/40.
Next up is Linda Bellingham and Darren Bennett dancing the foxtrot.
Linda's dress is a nice pale coral. The routine is a bit slow and dull, mostly round and round. Bit of a dull ending where she just ended up stood there.
Craig thinks it was a bit stiff and just up and down. I should rephrase that. Also, it was a "bit walky". Len thinks it was simple and effective. If it was a coffee it would be a latte - smooth and creamy. Alesha thought it was a "pleasant dance". Alesha is giving her a good big-up though. Bruno thinks it was a foxwalk, not a foxtrot, and she was stuck too much in doing things right. Yeah.
SCORES: 5, 7, 6, 6 = 24/40.
Ali and Brian now, and they are dancing the salsa. Rumours about a romance with these two have been around, and they ain't denied it. OOOOOOH.
This is much more energetic than Chris's salsa. This is totally going to get high marks. They're doing all kinds of quick spins and tricks and manoeuvres under arms. It's amazing, like one of those twisty metal puzzles.
Alesha thought the choreography was fantastic. Her only criticism was that she needed to relax more. Bruno thinks it was good, but he knows she can do much better. She remembered so much, she didn't ignite it. Craig loved it and thought it was brilliant and jam packed of choreography and brilliant steps. Len thinks is was "clean, calm but hectic".
SCORES: 8, 8, 8, 8 = 32/40.
Dancing the foxtrot now is Jo Wood and Brendan Cole.
She is looking very elegant, and her dress is the best she has had yet in the series. She is better at the foxtrot than Linda, and she is pulling off a more glamour look.
Well Bruno disagrees with me. He thinks Brendan had to push her around the floor. Craig agonises when she is out of hold, but Brendan guided her quite well. She relies on him too much, but it is her personal best of the series, yet. Len thought she had a strong start. She had a problem with co-ordination though. She did a good job with it. Alesha thought it was a bit shakey, but she wants her to be more confident.
SCORES: 4, 6, 5, 5 = 20/40.
Natalie and Vincent are dancing a salsa now.
Aw bless her she tries. She looks like she is having a great time and that makes up for anything that isn't great.
Craig thinks she came out and delivered, however, the top and bottom was fighting for supremacy. She was either moving the top or bottom, not both. Len thinks it was her best dance anyway, and she had a free and easy attitude. Alesha thinks she needs to finish her moves better as it affects the other steps. Bruno also thinks she needs to control her top and bottom better.
SCORES: 7, 8, 7, 7 = 29/40.
Next up, it's Joe and Kristina dancing the foxtrot.
It seems to be his best dance so far, though he's still not great. He's looking happy doing it though, and I think he it better with this routine more than others.
The judges seem to think that this is the best he has done so far, except for Craig who did not like it at all. He thought it was stiff.
SCORES: 3, 6, 6, 5 = 20/40.
Now Leila and Anton are on the floor with a foxtrot.
There's been a big furore this week over whether Anton should stay in Strictly, after a racist remark he made. Our Mof wrote about it here.
This seems to be the best foxtrot of the night by far. They're very natural together and know what they're doing. She's got it perfected.
Craig thinks it was classy and confident. Bruno picked up on a slight error she made, but other than that he liked it a lot. Alesha thought it was the best foxtrot of the night.
SCORES: 8, 9, 9, 8 = 34/40.
Ricky Whittle and Natalie are now dancing the salsa.
It's a very energetic routine, and he is very comfortable with it. He's putting his all into it. The Hollyoaks fan will like his open shirt jiggling.
Craig loved the routine but had a few minor criticisms. Len didn't like the backflip and thought it was unnecessary, but he was good. Alesha was disappointed, and thinks it was corny and not cool. She thinks he is better than that.
SCORES: 8, 8, 8, 8 = 32/40.
Craig and Flavia are dancing the foxtrot now.
Eeek, he has mucked up some steps. I'm no expert but it is that obvious. I kind of feel sorry for Craig. He seems like he wants to do so much better, and he has an excellent pro in Flavia.
Craig thinks it was "not great". Len called it a "gallant effort at a difficult dance". He needs to improve his leading. Alesha wants him to feel more comfortable and drive it more. He has improved though. Bruno thinks it is a difficult dance because it is supposed to look easier.
SCORES: 5, 7, 6, 6 = 24/40.
Jade and Ian now, and they are doing a salsa. Jade is powerful, so she should have good energy for this. It's a different salsa to the others, and quite unique. It's less jiggly and vibratey like some can be. More of a complex choreography, with an impressive ending where she ended up upside down. Blimey.
Len thought it was fun and effervescent. Alesha thinks she can move her body well. She thinks she captured the salsa vibe and gave it a lot of energy. Bruno thinks it was "full of spice". However, she lost some of the beat. Craig thinks the energy was "spectacular". However, the movement was too broad.
SCORES: 7, 7, 8, 7 = 29/40.
Ricky Groves and Erin now. They are dancing the foxtrot.
It is a nice routine, but not as comfortable as how he is with the latin dances as he enjoys them more. His posture could be better for it.
Alesha thought it was "not half bad". Bruno thinks his shoulders are too high sometimes, but he had improved and is going the right way. Craig thinks he should have smiled better and positioned himself better but he moved well around the floor. Len thinks this is a tough dance for him as it is complicated with timings, etc. He thinks he made a good effort with it.
SCORES: 6, 8, 7, 7 = 28/40.
Phil and Katya next, and how will Phil's knee be? He had keyhole surgery on it on Sunday. Now they are dancing a salsa...
Well his hips are working fine. He's made a good start with some solitary moves, but it's gone a bit wonky half way. Maybe due to his knee? He is stood a bit.
Bruno is surprised at how well he worked his hips, and considering the circumstances he did a great job. Craig thinks it was entertaining, but the opening belonged in a lascivious nightclub in Soho. He didn't dance much after it though. Len thought he was brave to "expose himself". NICE CHOICE OF WORDS LEN. Alesha thought he made great use of his behind and he did good basic salsa steps, but it needed more content. He did well though despite the op.
SCORES: 4, 7, 6, 7 = 24/40.
DANCE OFF TIME:
The two couples who must dance again are:
Linda and Darren Craig and Flavia
They must dance again. They both will do their foxtrots.
.
.
.
They've done their dances, now it is voting time. Judges choose who to save:
Craig chooses: Linda and Darren
Alesha chooses: Linda and Darren
Bruno chooses: Craig and Flavia.
Len has the deciding vote: Craig and Flavia stay.
Linda Bellingham and Darren Bennett are out.
Right, bye bye Linda. Aww. G'night all. See you next week.
