The result

So Bruno and Len vote Rav and that sends Martina home (with Martina being two-love up at that point courtesy of Craig and Alisha).

Think both couples were unfortunate to be in the bottom two and thought Martina had more promise than Rav, but that's life I suppose.

Wish I could lip-read what Matt and Martina are saying to each other during their last dance!

Oh well, here's to next week and the remaining 8 celebrities.

Although I'll mention now that this blog won't be running live next Friday night due to our practice session on 25th September, but i'll blog per dance after we finish.

Hope people have found this interesting to read and i'll try and update during the week if anything interesting catches my eye!

By the way, if you want to apply for the ballot to get tickets for a special Strictly recording at Blackpool Tower on Saturday 7th November then please visit http://shows.external.bbc.co.uk/help/shows/Strictlycomedancing to apply before Sunday 27th September 10pm.  Only one application per household though!

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The dance off!

Both dancing a Rumba, this makes comparison a lot easier!

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Rav first...

A better performance I think than earlier on and hips are working better than earlier (though not always in the correct direction!)

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Now Martina...

Just feels like there's more emotion in those first few steps than Rav's whole dance.  Taking slightly smaller steps now which is helping (wonder if she saw the blog!)

Loss of balance there as she gets carried away, let's hope that doesn't ruin her chances.

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Will the judges base on both dances, or just the dance off?!  For me i'm afraid it has to be Rav still to go.

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The moment of truth!

Well done Ian (still not biased!)

Joe's through, unlucky for the bottom two couples I don't think they deserve to be there.

Bottom two therefore are:

Rav Wilding and Aliona Vilani
Martina Hingis and Matthew Cutler 

Based on Latin performances I think Rav will be going out i'm afraid.

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Leaderboard

So combined leaderboard is as follows:

Couple	Score
Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna	60
Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan	56
Jade Johnson and Ian Waite	52
Ricky Groves and Erin Boag	47
Martina Hingis and Matthew Cutler	46
Lynda Bellingham and Darren Bennett	44
Rav Wilding and Aliona Vilani	41
Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff	32

So Joe sticks to the bottom as I predicted and Ali manages to remain on top (although I think Chris' Rumba was better than Ali's she would still take top place over both dances in my book).

I'm afraid Joe that based on this weekend's performances I think you will unfortunately have to leave early, I just think there's more potential in the other dancers.

What does everyone else think?  To comment/reply just click the comment link below this post.

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Ricky Groves & Erin Boag

I think Ricky's personality will come through in the dance, but there might be problems from the waist down.

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Stompy but certainly lots of personality, though I feel like my eyes have been burnt by the hip thrusting at the judges.

Not bad forward walks but again another celebrity who has to learn to use the floor better - not easy though and that will hopefully come with more practice.

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Overall a lively performance let down by slightly rigid and legs and feet.  I think this will be a 6.

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Martina Hingis & Matthew Cutler

...and now I'm back in time with the live show!

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Rumba I think will work for Martina but she will need to use her core ab muscles better tonight. 

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Not too bad to begin, still needs to use the floor better - and maybe take smaller side steps in the Cucaracha's.

Hands not too bad but need work.

Make sure your weight is over the foot when moving.

I think this will be a 6-7

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Joe Calzaghe & Kristina Rihanoff

Hmm...Joe Calzaghe and Cha Cha...

Could be good personality-wise but I need to see some hips to be convinced!

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Need to loosen up Joe and weight over the balls of your feet.  Don't throw the arm back in the New Yorks.

I'm afraid there aren't many hip actions being shown here and I think this is going to be 4-5.

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Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan

Almost back up to present time!

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Nice start, looking good so far, and nice facial expressions.

Not too bad with the hips either.

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I must say, Chris has surprised me with a very good Rumba!

I think that deserves 7-8.

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Rav Wilding & Aliona Vilani

Rumba is always a difficult dance for the boys, trying to move the hips whilst still looking manly.

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Needs to be softer in his walking and give his hips a chance to actually work, though not too bad in places.  Lines are rushed at times.

Another 5-6

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Lynda Bellingham & Darren Bennett

Not sure if i'd have marked 8 for Ali & Brian's Rumba, but then that's why i'm writing a blog and not judging!

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So a cheeky Cha Cha in store hopefully!

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Unfortunately no real hip movement, needs to use the floor a little better (hip movement is generated by pushing into the floor).

Should be dancing on the balls of the fleet and seems flat at points.

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Admittedly not as good as Ali's Rumba so I suppose I might have under-marked, but I think this will be a 5/6

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Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna

So Rumba, a chance to be elegant but how are her hips going to perform?

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Lots of throwing arms out, is she trying to hide something in the beginning?  Looks unsure and really needs to finish her hips (Rachel Stevens was very good at this).

A little too much posturing and not enough basic but good acting at the end.

Think this'll be a 6

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Jade Johnson & Ian Waite

 Sorry i'm a little bit late starting tonight guys - had to finish preparing my dinner so it could cook during Strictly.  It's ok though as I paused the program so i'm hoping i'll be able to catch up quite quickly!

Here goes:

Cha Cha definitely likely to suit Jade more than the Rumba

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Hips are a little forced, needs to loosen up.  Also need to keep the head up.

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Energetic performance but I think a 6

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3 hours to go

So 3 hours to go before the contestants are back to dance Latin, what am I expecting? (Please note that all pictures below are property of the BBC and links will take you direct to the couple page)

Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna - Very nice and elegant Waltz last night, could struggle if she's been given a Cha Cha, might be able to pull off an acceptable Rumba but I think she's too shy at present to really use the hips.

Lynda Bellingham & Darren Bennett - I hope for Lynda's sake she has a Cha Cha tonight as I think she could perform a very cheeky Cha Cha, with the Rumba it would be interesting to see how Darren choreographs another (mature-ish) celebrity routine - after failing with Gloria Hunniford in Series 3.

Joe Calzaghe & Kristina Rihanoff  - Disappointing performance last night (though I must admit it always surprised me that he was the bookies favourite).  I think his Latin tonight will be clunky and awkard - sorry Joe, please don't hit me!

Ricky Groves & Erin Boag - Good performance just suffered from nerves and tightness in the shoulders, however I think Ballroom will be his forte.

Martina Hingis & Matthew Cutler - If she'd just stood up straighter (brought the rib-cage up and strengthened her core muscles) her Waltz would've been a lot better.  I think she could do quite well in the Latin but she will need to perform more.

Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan   - Poor Chris, second on the table last night but I think his flat-footed approach to the Tango will spill over into whichever Latin dance he does tonight, I'm afraid i'm not expecting good things - let's hope i'm wrong.

Jade Johnson & Ian Waite - Tall is always good when it comes to Ballroom but most people find it a hindrance in Latin - there's just too much body to move around, not that that's ever stopped Ian!  Jade, I think, will struggle with controlling her body during the Latin, and needs to avoid flicking her hands once extended.

Rav Wilding & Aliona Vilani - Too muscly I think to portray either Latin dance effectively, but could be wrong - just look at Austin Healey last year.


My prediction for tonight is between Ali and Martina for top spot (dependant on dances allocated to each) and Joe to stay fixed to the bottom and I think he'll be relying heavily on audience votes.

But as always we will just have to wait and see how the dances get allocated tonight, and i'm sure there will be at least a few surprise performances in there.

Do you agree with what i've said above, or how do you see it going?  Please feel free to leave your comments below by clicking on "comments" and posting your message there.

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Round-up and group mambo

So my scores varied a little from the judges but I think the leaderboard so far is a fair reflection.

Alesha performed well for her first time judging, though I was sceptical about her comments at first.

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Who's good and who's not...

Phil's making a few mistakes and getting caught up but seems to be enjoying himself
Ricky can't quite seem to keep up with the footwork at points.

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WOW, that flip over the head didn't half give me a scare - thought she'd been dropped!

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So, i've tried my best - now to see if anyone was actually reading - please feel free to leave comments about any of these entries and let me know if you'd like me to continue with this blog?!

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Joe Calzaghe & Kristina Rihanoff

So the pre-show favourite is up next, let's see if the bookie's were right.

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I feel for the judges, trying to type this and still watch the dancing is quite a feat!

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Needs to stand up a little straighter, shouldn't be leaning forward.  Personally a think it lacks an energy, there should be more of a slow and quick contrast.

5-6

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Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna

Not a fan of the lounge jacket as opposed to tails (except for Tango where I thnk it works quite well) but i'm here to comment on the dancing, not the dress sense!

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Nice so far bar one little slip up.  Well performed, floaty and elegant.  Little bit jumpy at the start.

Another 7

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Lynda Bellingham & Darren Bennett

So it appears I am being too kind!

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So time to put my stricter (see what I did there!) hat on.

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If you're going to pick the foot up and flick, make sure you definitely do all three, and try not to become half hearted.

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I bet getting her dress snagged hasn't helped the nerves, thank God she managed to shake it off.

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A solid performance overall but based on scores so far i'm saying a 6.

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Martina Hingis & Matthew Cutler

I'd forgotten about using hoops when I was younger, might have to consider it for a couple of the private lessons...


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Again just need to relax the left shoulder slightly, though not as pronounced as Jade's.

Nice movement but something's lacking, think she needs to stand up a bit straighter, maybe lift from the rib cage.

Think this'll be a 7

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Jade Johnson & Ian Waite

I should admit now that I used to have lessons from Ian so I am secretely supporting him and Jade, but i'll try and be objective!

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That's right ladies - the man i'm afraid is always in charge on the dancefloor!

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First of the female contestants and looking promising if a little unsure on her feet.

Needs to drop and relax the left shoulder though.

Going out on a limb and saying 7, let's hope I start to get them right before I embarass myself much more!

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Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan

Ok so it seems I was a bit too generous for the first week!

I get nervous everytime we start a new dance course so I'm sure Chris is sweating profusely!

Here goes:

Powerful though a little stompy and flat footed, think this will be another 5/6 though probably nearer 6.

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Ricky Groves & Erin Boag

Maybe i'll have a go at predicting scores as well!

This promises to be good - Erin being a ballroom specialist and all!

Ricky - relax those shoulders!!!

Quite a nice slow routine and doesn't look bad at all, though saw the odd misplaced heel.

Overall I think a 7...let's see if they agree with me...

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Rav Wilding & Aliona Vilani

Quite a large gap between them and he needs to stand up straighter as it's definitely affecting the balance, however powerful performance!

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The One Show

Pretty sure that the asian cricketer at the front (that Arlene said she thought he was good) was a Bollywood dance instructor that did a display class at a pamper evening we were also working at...

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Countdown is on!

So, strictly starts in a little over 5 hours and we're going to try and update this blog with a dance-by-dance analysis of each contestant.

Let us know who you're looking forward to seeing?

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