Dancing on Wheels - Show 2

See the show, available until 9.59pm on Thursday 25th March 2010.

So this week the competitors are either performing a Foxtrot (my personal favourite) or a Rumba.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the Foxtrot, I think any of the 'floaty' ballroom dances will really suit a wheeled competitor.

Up first, Diana Morgan-Hill & Mark Foster - Foxtrot

I'd like to see maybe a little more contrast in the speeds, and Diana needs to ensure her arms are shaped and 'finished' when she's apart from Mark.

Some very nice and well time maneuvers and I think a really good use of the chair in that dance. I think they'll be easily safe this week.

Paul Jacob & Heather Small - Rumba

Heather really struggled to stay in time last week, I think if she doesn't manage it this week they could well be going home.

I don't like their arm movements, they always look uncomfortable, and Heather needs to count in her head rather than evidently.

A nice ending but I didn't really think most of the dance was that good i'm afraid and early contenders for the dance-off.

Simone Milani & Kevin Sacre - Rumba

The best performance last week, I want to see how Simone copes without being in hold for the majority of the routine.

Kevin doesn't look as comfortable with the Latin as he did with the Tango last week, and Simone's hands are actually better than Kevin's.

Nowhere near as good as their routine last week but still a much better performance than Paul & Heather.

Harry Maule & Michelle Gayle - Rumba

Not a particularly good performance last week, I hope they do better this week.

Some nice moves at the start, it's just such a shame that Harry can't sit up straighter in his chair (something that Ade suggested last week shouldn't be as much of a problem as Harry appears to make it).

A nice performance but still could do with improvement.

I can't imagine how hard it is for Harry to stay in time with those shakes going on!

James O'Shea & Caroline Flack - Foxtrot

So Caroline almost didn't show, due to sickness - which would have seen them ejected from the competition and everyone else given a bye - but finally she did show up and let's hope they do the dance justice.

Ballroom must be an interesting challenge for the man, normally required to lead, when you can't really get the purchase in the floor to guide your partner.

A good performance and flowed well, though it looked like Caroline had a little slip up in the middle, but probably the best performance of the night.

Overview

I think the bottom two will be Paul & Heather and Harry & Michelle. This'll be a close one but I think Heather's timing issue, two weeks in a row, will be a major downfall for them if she mucks up in the dance-off.

It's interesting to see the interaction between the three judges, considering that two of them are married, but there does seem to be independant opinions being shown.

Dance-off and Result

Bottom two as predicted then, everything on this performance for both of them.

I'm stil not impressed with Heather's use of her body, it still looks really forced, and she's unfortunately gone completely out of time again. That I think will see them going home.

Michelle could dance a little softer but it does look like Harry has heeded Ade's request to stand up better. Michelle does look very uncomfortable and forced in quite a few of the movements though.

Voting then:

James - Harry & Michelle
Ola - Harry & Michelle
Ade - Harry & Michelle

Unanimously then Paul & Heather are sent home 3-0, not a suprise I'm afraid as I do think they were the weakest couple left. Harry & Michelle do need to up their game though if they want any chance of staying in next week.

What do you think of how the show's developing, and this week's result?

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Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan - Foxtrot

Chris really stepped it up in the final last week and delivered an almost perfect Foxtrot, can he improve on that tonight?

Looks to me like there has been some work on the hands, but really should be smiling throughout. Shame about the mistake in the middle.

Ola knows how much the audience like the pivots, so much so that she includes them twice - would have preferred a bit more variety!

Not a bad performance but I wouldn't say it's improved over his final performance and I'm only going to give it an 8 I'm afraid.

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Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan - Foxtrot

So, Chris has never been in the dance-off but has also never received a 10 so far in the competition. How is he going to respond to the perfect 50 that Ricky just achieved?



Good to see Chris has decided not to work on his hands and face for the final ;-)

Wait, was that a smile?! That's all you need to do Chris, just smile and it makes a huge improvement.

The dance is a little flat for my liking but not a bad performance, not perfect but could well get a 9 or two.

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Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Foxtrot

Please Natalie I hope you’ve sorted out Ricky’s odd head movements as they really do grate for me and often it ruins the whole look of the routine.

Significant improvement in the head department, though he has to avoid looking down at the floor.

Can’t see his footwork but a very good performance, not perfect but I think it will get 9’s.

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Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna - Foxtrot

Away from the sexy requirements of the Latin Ali should perform a great Foxtrot tonight.



Like the Viennese the other week, Ali looks a little shaky at times but overall another almost faultless performance (a little hard to tell whether she was correctly releasing the toe when moving backward - good old Strictly camera angles!)

Personally I'd give this a 9.

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Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Foxtrot

Not too sure on the hair-bow! But should really concentrate on the dancing I suppose.

Not liking the dance to be honest, it's a little un-imaginative and boring and doesn't appear to have much contrast of fast and slow.

Lots of mistakes creeping in and overall a real let down for me. I'd give them 6's.

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Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan - Foxtrot

Foxtrot is the most technically difficult of all the dances and I think lack of confidence could see Chris dancing round with raised shoulders, which would really ruin the look of the dance.

Needs to make sure that when he's moving backwards that he's lifting the toe of the trailing foot off the ground (known as NFR - No Foot Rise).

Shoulder line was actually very good, the dance did seem to lose a bit of its drive before the final pivots though.

Easily 8's though

Judges scores: CRH 8, LG 9, AD 9, BT 8.

Excellent marks and well deserved I feel.

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Jade Johnson & Ian Waite - Foxtrot

The Foxtrot is a slow and elegant dance and, like most ballroom dances, tends to suit the taller couples - and these two are certainly both tall!

For an athlete Jade does manage to pull off elegant quite well. A little bit of gapping between them , Jade needs to slow down when she's the one going backward and her left shoulder just has a tendency to pop up at times.

A very good performance however and could achieve 9's tonight.

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Chris 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 in a semblance of rules for Strictly the couples are limited to two lifts in their routine.

Personally I would say that the male celebrities have the harder job due to being the ones that have to actually lift their partner.

It will be interesting to see how Chris copes with the technique involved.

I still think Chris has good hands, though they are a bit splayed at times, especially when he has his hand on Ola's back.

This is shaping up to be a very good performance and some well executed lifts. Couldn't see his footwork but this could well be 9's.

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The result

As predicted Lynda has been sent home, but it was close.

I may not have written it, but I did think that was going to be a 2-2 result.

Out of the bottom two I think the right person went, but still would prefer to see one or both of the Jo(e)s in the dance-off.

Did the judges make the right choice?

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The dance off!

Lynda up first:

Does seem a bit livelier, why does Lynda save the better performances for the dance-off?!

I still don't think it has enough drive however, and just as I was about to say how good it was to see her not make the same mistake again, she mucks up the ending. Shame.

Now for Craig:

A little bit John Wayne in places (some of my male students might recognise that phrase!)

Frame does look better this time round.

Again I think a better performance than during the show.

This is really going to be a hard one to call but I think they will say that Craig has more potential.

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Ricky Groves & Erin Boag - Foxtrot

Can the Strictly comedian pull off a serious Foxtrot, well if he can sort out that frame he might have a chance.

The high shoulders do ruin the look, and contribute to the unplanned tilt in the spins.

Shoulders are getting higher as the dance progresses, and that's such a shame.

A nice Foxtrot, ignoring the frame, but I think it'll be the 6's I predicted from the training videos.

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Craig Kelly & Flavia Cacace - Foxtrot

Craig had a really tough time last week so let's hope he remembers the whole routine this week, and keep that frame strong!

Frame is definitely improved, though the left arm is moving around far too much, it should stay in position throughout the dance.

Would help with balance in the spins and turns if he stopped looking at Flavia.

A little coarse and stiff in parts, but a nice performance. Think it will be 6's.

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Laila Rouass & Anton du Beke - Foxtrot

I've predicted this to get the top marks of the night, don't let me down Laila!

Will be interesting to see if the midweek publicity affects how the public vote, but let's hope the performance is what people focus on.

I want to see a 9's performance here guys!

Foxtrot is definitely my favourite dance and this is the best Foxtrot so far (not surprising considering Anton is the Ballroom expert professional on the show.

Can't quite tell if there wasn't a slight mistake there or not, and Laila still needs to watch her shoulders.

Without seeing the feet I still think this should achieve 9's.

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Joe Calzaghe & Kristina Rihanoff - Foxtrot

Joe has been consistently stuck to the bottom of the leaderboard, and I don't expect things to change tonight I'm afraid and I still think he'll struggle to achieve 5's.

Looks good in a tux though, and this is one of my favourite songs (albeit the Muse version!)

Wooden start with the clicking, and needs to stick his bum in as this is causing him to hunch over Kristina.

Better than his Tango in week one, but still mostly lacking in drive and excitement. I'm thinking 5's though.

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Jo Wood & Brendan Cole - Foxtrot

So Jo is trying the most technical ballroom dance and I'm not expecting much (predicted 5's earlier), let's hope she proves me wrong.

Mistakes evident right from the start and she needs to keep the head up and lift from her chest.

She seems to save the really obvious mistakes for right in front of the judges unfortunately.

A passable attempt but I think Craig is going to be harsh again. Sticking with my 5's.

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Lynda Bellingham & Darren Bennett - Foxtrot

Sorry guys if these posts are a little delayed, for some reason the posts are taking a while to upload.

A dance that I feel will really suit Lynda, let's see if she pulls it off.

Predicted 7's based on training but this performance is looking a little wooden and bumpy, Foxtrot should move gracefully and smoothly across the floor.

A little slip up near the end didn't help.

A 'nice' performance but a little uninspiring I felt. Looking at 6's.

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Zoe Lucker & James Jordan - Foxtrot

Assuming she can keep the footwork on track I predicted an 8 earlier.

Can't really see the footwork, but top half is looking good, though lifts the left arm every now and then which spoils the look.

Overall a very good start and still think this will be 8's

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Training updates - Salsa and Foxtrot

In advance of tonights show I've looked at the training updates and my comments and predictions follow.

The contestants have been allocated either a sultry Salsa, or the elegant Foxtrot.

Salsa normally involves fast complicated moves with lots of hip movement, whilst the Foxtrot is a slow elegant dance that should float across the floor.

Both are quite difficult dances to master but I've always considered the Foxtrot to be the most difficult dance technically.

So how is their training coming along?

Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan - Salsa

Need to keep the head up Chris, and the shoulders down. Having seen Chris' Rumba a couple of weeks ago I think this could be good, if he can just keep the performance element there.

For me though I think he could have another Quickstep moment, i.e. head down and just kicking like crazy! So I'm predicting 6-7.

Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna - Salsa

Salsa is Brian's forte so this should be good, if Ali can cope with the fast and intricate movements.

We've seen Ali perform two Ballroom, and one Latin dance so far. Ballroom is generally easier for the female celebrities and Ali also excelled in the slow Rumba, but how is she finding the faster Salsa?

I think this will be 7's

Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Salsa

Ricky is fast becoming the series favourite, but is it too much too soon?

Needs to watching the arm that isn't being used and make sure that it's not just left hanging.

This is definitely a dance that could really show off Ricky's abilities, and word has it that Ricky has previously had Salsa lessons.

Just like his Paso last week, I think Ricky will really perform this well but I'm seeing 8's not 9's.

Jade Johnson & Ian Waite - Salsa

Jade injured herself in training midweek so it will be interesting to see how their routine has had to be adapted.

Definitely really good hip action and attitude, even if she does lack confidence. I'm predicting 8's for this

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Salsa

Natalie showed in her Cha Cha that she's not afraid to wiggle her hips, let's see if she brings that confidence to the Salsa.

Looking at the training their Salsa is starting to shape up nicely and I think this will be 7's

Phil Tufnell & Katya Virshilas - Salsa

Phil had keyhole surgery on his knee this week, and I'm sure his recovery has seriously affected their available practice time. Let's hope for Phil's sake that his knee can hold up under the stress of performing a Salsa, he'd have been better off with Foxtrot.

Not looking good so far on the knee front, but most of the routine is looking pretty good. Unfortunately the effect of that knee is going to result in 6's.

Ricky Groves & Erin Boag - Foxtrot

Strictly's funny man returns after an impressive Paso, let's see if he can keep those shoulders down in the Foxtrot.

Really needs to avoid shrugging throughout the dance, if he can sort that then could be looking at 7's, but realistically I think it'll be 6's

Jo Wood & Brendan Cole - Foxtrot

Jo has struggled with the dances so far in the competition and I think this'll be another dance she struggles with as the ladies footwork is especially difficult in the Foxtrot.

Based on her previous performances she'll struggle to make 5's

Laila Rouass & Anton du Beke - Foxtrot

What a turbulent week these two will have had! Laila has asked that the events of a couple of weeks ago be put behind them, but how will the public vote?

One of Anton's strongest dances and it looks like Laila's picked it up excellently.

Could be their best dance yet, and the best of the night, 8-9.

Joe Calzaghe & Kristina Rihanoff - Foxtrot

I can't work out which of the two dances would've been better for Joe, but I think probably the Foxtrot as there's zero hip action required!

Another dance where I think Joe will struggle to maintain his frame, and it looks like there are some issues with the relationship in training.

Sorry Joe but looks like you'll struggle to get 5's

Craig Kelly & Flavia Cacace - Foxtrot

Craig's grame is looking improved, though haven't seen enough of the dance out of practice hold.

I'm saying 6-7.

Lynda Bellingham & Darren Bennett - Foxtrot

Definitely lucky to have not been given the Salsa, let's see what she can do with the Foxtrot.

Looking very nice, though I can't see her footwork, definitely a dance best suited to Lynda's personality and style.

Could well be 7's.

Zoe Lucker & James Jordan - Foxtrot

If Zoe copes with the footwork this could be a really good Foxtrot, Zoe has an elegance when she dances that will really complement the Foxtrot.

If all goes to plan this will be 8's.

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So my prediction is for Laila to be top, and Joe still rooted to the bottom of the table. Do you agree?

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