The moment of truth, dance off, and result

Is it unthinkable for Ricky Whittle to be in the bottom two...let's find out!

Still on target for a Ricky & Laila dance-off, but wait it appears Anton is more popular than Natalie.

I preferred Natalie's original Rock and Roll performance to Ricky's but I think it'll take a miracle for Natalie to be saved unfortunately.

Ricky's up first, and starts with what appears to be the same mistake he made the first time.

Still feels a little lacklustre, though Len might appreciate Natalie's pop-out!

Natalie's up next and still the same wonderful amount of energy, shame about the mistake with the through-the-legs manouvere.

Unfortunately I don't think there was much chance of Natalie staying in the competition out of the two of them, and I'd be surprised if it isn't 4-0.


...


...


Just waiting on Len to confirm it...

...

...

...and there's the confirmation.

Click here to comment!

Judges Competition Scores & Combined Leaderboard

What's their individual breakdown then?

Ali & Brian - 10
Ricky & Natalie - 9
Laila & Anton - 8
Chris & Ola - 7
Natalie & Vincent - 7

So apart from getting Ricky & Natalie Cassidy the wrong way round, it went as expected (though to be honest I never thought Ricky would score as low as I'd marked him!)

Combined leaderboard is as follows:

1. 47 points - Ali & Brian
2. 41 points - Chris & Ola
3. 40 points - Ricky & Natalie
4. 39 points - Laila & Anton
5. 33 points - Natalie & Vincent

I still think Natalie's too popular to end in the bottom two, but Ricky may get penalised for this week's shenanigans - could he have his first taste of the bottom two?

What do you think?

Click here to comment!

Leaderboard

Well it appears I was the only one entertained enough by Laila and Anton, and I'd have had Natalie a little closer to Ricky, but otherwise the leaderboard is about right...

1. 37 points - Ali & Brian
2. 34 points - Chris & Ola
3. 31 points - Ricky & Natalie
4. 31 points - Laila & Anton
5. 26 points - Natalie & Vincent

Still the competition Viennese Waltz to go though...

Click here to comment!

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Rock and Roll

So the cartwheel lift, and the rolly-polly are apparently out, let's see what's left for their routine



Sorry Ricky but already this has much more energy and fun than your performance - and there's a knicker shot for Len!

It actually seems a little too Jive'y in places but I'll give this an 8 too.

Click here to comment!

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Samba

When I saw the training videos mid-week she looked a little flat so i'm hoping Vincent's addressed that since.



Len will definitely appreciate them going straight into the dance.

For me i'd have Natalie take slightly more compact steps, this would help with the hip action. The bounce was improved over mid-week but I still think a little work is required.

A little uninspiring at times but ok overall. Only 7's for Nat this week I'd say.

Click here to comment!

Missed Saturday night's show - catch up on the clips here

Haven't got time to watch the full show on iplayer? Then see the short clips below:


Natalie Cassidy:



Ricky Groves:



Laila Rouass:



Phil Tufnell:



Ricky Whittle:



Ali Bastian:



Chris Hollins:



The Result:

Click here to comment!

The moment of truth, dance off, and result

I'm expecting Laila to be saved by public vote, and a Natalie Cassidy/Phil Tufnell dance-off - but how have the public voted?

Well that's one of my dance-off possibles saved by the public, could Laila be in trouble this week? Either way I think they'll save her till the bottom three.

As expected!

Out of these two I think Phil will be the one going home, assuming Ricky can make the Viennese a little smoother this time.

A nice performance from Phil & Katya, let's see Ricky's response.

Seems smoother this time, but still too skippy. Not quite as dynamic this time and I think Ricky could be in trouble.

It'll be a close call and I imagine it will be a Len decider tonight.

2-1 to Phil, then Len votes for Ricky so Phil gets sent home, the right decision I feel.

Do you agree with the decision?

Click here to comment!

Leaderboard

So with Ian and Jade not dancing the leaderboard is a little shorter than expected:

1. 35 points - Ricky & Natalie
1. 35 points - Ali & Brian
3. 34 points - Natalie & Vincent
4. 31 points - Phil & Katya
5. 30 points - Chris & Ola
6. 29 points - Ricky & Erin
7. 22 points - Laila & Anton

A week where I'd have marked the top two quite a bit lower than they received from the judges, and personally really didn't like Natalie & Vincent's Foxtrot.

My bottom two would be Phil & Natalie (I think Laila will get the sympathy vote), but I think there could be a surprise in store this week!

What do you think?

Click here to comment!

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.

Click here to comment!

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Quickstep

Natalie performed a good Jive last week, how is she going to cope with the energy levels required for this week's Quickstep?

Natalie has to control those shoulders, which do raise up at times, and the dance seems to have a very laboured start - though it does pick up after that.

A slight mistake as they recommence from their 'Jive' section in the middle but not bad overall, should achieve 30 again.

Judges marks: CRH 7, LG 8, AD 8, BT 8.

Click here to comment!

The moment of truth!

With a chance to dance in Blackpool at stake who's going to be fighting for their place this week?

Are we going to see any shocks this week...

As predicted Craig has been saved for Blackpool (though it's likely he may go out in his home town unless there is significant improvement!)

Well done Jade & Ian, I bet that's a relief after last week.

Again as predicted Ricky Groves has been saved by the audience, though obviously I was wrong about Natalie potentially being in the bottom two. I still think Phil will be saved so this could be a shock week ahead.

...and there's the confirmation.

So a definite shock in store with Zoe and Ali both ending up in the bottom two. Based on scores earlier in the night I think Zoe will be going home, though it's a shame either of these were in the bottom two.

Click here to comment!

Leaderboard

Leaderboard is as follows:

1. 39 points - Ricky & Natalie
2. 35 points - Jade & Ian
3. 33 points - Ali & Brian
4. 33 points - Laila & Anton
5. 32 points - Zoe & James
6. 30 points - Natalie & Vincent
7. 30 points - Phil & Katya
8. 29 points - Chris & Ola
9. 24 points - Craig & Flavia
10. 24 points - Ricky & Erin

For the most part I found this to be quite a disappointing week, though Ricky was fully deserving of the 10's he received - as I said in my critique it was incredibly difficult to find any fault.

I feel a lot of the celebrities have stagnated in recent weeks and will need to seriously improve if they have any hope of getting further.

Each week this bottom two gets harder to call but I'm going to go out on a limb and say Chris Hollins and Natalie Cassidy in the bottom two (I just think there'll be more public support for the other three near the bottom)

Click here to comment!

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Jive

Natalie has her favourite dance this week, and some might argue the most energetic of all the dances!

Slight mistake with the hand changes at the start but certainly not lacking in energy. She does feel a little flat for my liking and really needs to do something with the arm that isn't in hold as she has a tendency to just leave it hanging.

An ok performance but I think the energy gradually dissipated as the dance progressed.

I think she'll get 7's.

Click here to comment!

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 lifts, and just felt a little lacklustre.

I think it should get 7's though.

Click here to comment!

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Viennese Waltz

Thought training for the Viennese looked quite good, though I've only predicted 7's.

Picking her feet up far too high in the pivots at the start and it's causing an horrendous motion.

Too boppy for my liking, nice hands when out of hold though.

6-7

Click here to comment!

Natalie Cassidy loses a stone

Natalie Cassidy has said that she has lost almost a stone through her Strictly Come Dancing training, yet still snacks on chips and doughnuts!

Her's and Vincent's desire to succeed in this year's Strictly has seen them doing up to 9 hours of training a day.

This has ensured that Natalie has lost the weight, even whilst still snacking on chips, biscuits and doughnuts - though she has reportedly given up booze.

Dancing is an effective, and generally low impact, way of keeping fit and [in my opinion] is much more enjoyable than going to the gym!

Let's hope all this training continues to improve Natalie's dancing...now if only Joe could take a leaf out of her book.

Click here to comment!

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Salsa

Natalie's not afraid to shake it when required, I thought 7's earlier so let's see what she can produce here.

Definitely an energetic performance, though it looks a little laboured at times. Not entirely sold on the performance but think it will achieve 7's.

Click here to comment!

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Paso Doble

A chance for Natalie to really get her acting skills out, if she manages to get over the nerves.

Dancing is exhausting, especially for those coming to the 10 dance recaps all next week!

Better Flamenco hands at the start than Lynda's effort.

Hands are a little high when coming across her chest at times.

Much prefer traditional Paso music, gives much easier and more dramatic highlights.

A very good Paso, and Vincent shows John Sergeant how you SHOULD drag a lady across the floor!

For me an 8, but I think it will be 7-8

Click here to comment!

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Cha Cha

Confident in training and not afraid to move her hips around will be interesting to see whether technique is forgotten once the performance takes over?

Need to cross the legs during a lock step Natalie and the arms are a little flung out at points.

Lively in places but not inspiring, think this will be a 6.

Click here to comment!

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Tango

Vincent's dance of choice, should be good so long as Natalie watches those shoulders and arms.

...

Uncomfortable start with the hand on the back of the neck but not looking bad now, though she does look a little soft up top (and I mean her frame!!!)

Little bit jerky at times.

I'm going to say a 6.

Click here to comment!