Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Quickstep

Perfect marks in the final for their Quickstep makes this a strong contender, though hopefully there'll be some new choreography.

Thought there was a slight slip up in the middle, but otherwise a very good performance, will the judges overlook the lift at the end though?

Technically it seemed perfect but have to knock off a mark for the lift so will give them a 9.

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The moment of truth!

Team C'Ola or Ricky & Natalie...

I think it'll be Chris and Ola due to the phenomenal public support they've had over the whole series - and that confirms it.



Congratulations Chris, you've definitely been the most entertaining couple (once Ricky Groves left anyway).

I agree with the result, but how about you?

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Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Showdance

I wonder if the press lift will make a reappearance.



There's still moments when I wish Ricky would think about his free hand, however I must say a no-hands lift definitely makes up for that.

Shame they were a little bit off balance at the end. Lots of lifts but I actually found Chris' to be more daring.

I think having a Cha Cha based showdance was a little bit of a cop-out but I can't fault the dancing, just wish the dance had wowed me a bit better.

Only a 9 I'm afraid Ricky.

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Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Cha Cha Cha

I wasn't a big fan of their Cha Cha the first time round, though the judges seemed to really like it. Let's see if Ricky can change my mind.



Some of Ricky's forward locks are really good, and then some appear to have no hip action whatsoever, and he does need to look at those hands.

It still didn't wow me i'm afraid, but I can't really fault it too much, will give this a 9.

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Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Quickstep

Up first then is Ricky to bring in the Grand Final.



Looking very good so far. Ricky's head is very much improved over what i've seen in recent weeks, needs to make sure he keeps looking up and doesn't look at the floor when they're apart though.

I would say a faultless performance and I'm going to have to say a 10!

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Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Argentine Tango

Seconds in and I already feel this could be the best Arentine Tango of the night.

Looks a little unsteady at times though.

However a very good performance and easily worth 9's.

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Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Waltz

Personally for me Ricky's Ballroom has always been let down by his strange head positioning during pivots and spins, something he's done since his first dance in week 2 and has never been mentioned.



That opening looked like a lift but I think they'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Straight away though and his opening pivots show the his poor posture in turning situations.

Technically his dancing is great but that top-line really has grated on me since his first week.

I think he'll get 9's, but for me I'd only give it an 8.

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Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Cha Cha Cha

Not quite sure on the pants in the training Ricky…

Seems to be dancing more with his upper body than his hips early on and I do wish he’d do something with his free hand when it’s not in use.

I don’t feel like there’s as much choreography as I’d be expecting from these two either.

A bit of a letdown for me personally but should get at least 8’s.

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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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Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Rock and Roll

Fresh from police questioning I had someone comment last night "I wonder if Ricky will be dancing to 'Jailhouse Rock'?"



I'm already scared from watching the training videos of the lifts!

I do wish Ricky would do something with his free hand, it does tend to just hang around.

Looks like a slight mistake at the start but Ricky appears to have recovered admirably.

For me the routine just appears to lack energy, which is surprising considering the content, and very nearly a bad slip-up at the end!

Should get 8's though.

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Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - American Smooth

Ricky was worried during the week about having to do the lifts, and I don't blame him! Nothing against Natalie, but lifting anyone completely off the ground is a difficult task.

Ricky's head still concerns me when he's dancing Ballroom, it always seems to be a little tilted, and he needs to make sure he keeps his bum in.

Amazing lift though, I know Kenny Logan did it with Ola, but there's a significant difference in both Kenny and Ricky's muscle mass and the size of Ola and Natalie.

Still room for improvement in Ricky's Ballroom and i'll give him an 8.

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Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Jive

Can Ricky make it through this week's routine without making mistakes?

Lots of energy, though i'd prefer to see his feet come together a little more during the chasses.

Flicks are quick though the toes need to be pointed down during each kick.

Seemed to have lost stamina by the end though, not surprised with the speed and amount of choreography in the routine.

Should get 9's though.

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Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Tango

With rumours abound this week that Ricky's split with his girlfriend Carley Stenson was due to his 'close' relationship with Natalie Lowe, this could be a passionate Tango indeed!

Ricky Whittle - Tango

The dance certainly starts with a lot of passion and energy, though it does look quite sloppy at times - is this nerves from having gone first?

Quite a few mistakes creeping in near the end, not like Ricky at all. That's a real shame as it should've been a lot higher but i'm expecting 8's because of all the mistakes.

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

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Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Quickstep

I hope Natalie has worked on Ricky's frame, as that's the one part of his dancing that I've felt has been particularly lacking.

An energetic performance and hard to fault at times (though he needs to ensure he brings the feet closer together during the scatter chasses).

I really found it hard to fault and this could see a perfect score...

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Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Samba

Although I don't agree with the 10 they received last week Ricky is still definitely the one to beat.

A little too feminine , with less hip action then i'd actually expect. Also steps were all wrong in the promenade runs.

Better hip action later in the dance but needs to avoid bunching his hands.

Not his best dance but will probably achieve 8's.

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Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Viennese Waltz

For me Ricky's ballroom frame has not yet been good enough to warrant the marks he's received, let's see if it's any better tonight.

Looking much, much better Ricky, just please hold that frame!!!

Well this could definitely give Jade a run for her money, though does appear to lost balance during the reverse fleckles.

An impressive performance, almost as good as Jade's but I don't think quite as good, should get some 9's but I think it'll be a point behind Jade.

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Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Salsa

Ricky could pull out another top spot, and take the glory from Anton, but I was only thinking 8's earlier.

The start is a little disjointed for me and just seems to be a collection of moves rather than coherent dance. Good hip actions though, shame about the hands not quite working in the between the legs drop.

Not as good as last week but I think it will still be 8's.

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Leaderboard

Leaderboard is as follows:

1. 35 points - Ricky & Natalie
2. 32 points - Ali & Brian
3. 31 points - Zoe & James
4. 31 points - Jade & Ian
5. 30 points - Laila & Anton
6. 29 points - Ricky & Erin
7. 28 points - Natalie & Vincent
8. 25 points - Lynda & Darren
9. 24 points - Phil & Katya
10. 23 points - Chris & Ola
11. 21 points - Craig & Flavia
12. 20 points - Rav & Aliona
13. 20 points - Jo & Brendan
14. 19 points - Joe & Kristina

Given that Jo and Joe have both been saved by the audience from being in the bottom two it's fair to say that the same might happen this week.

This could mean that Rav and Craig both end up in the bottom two again, and I can't call it yet.

What's everyone elses viewpoint?

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Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Paso Doble

Marked as 'The One To Beat' last week, I wouldn't have marked him quite as highly myself but he's definitely the main contender, if he can keep it up.

Natalie looks a little nervous before walking out, but on the evidence of the first couple of moves I don't think there's anything to be nervous about.

A lot of passion and intensity and I must say a very impressive Paso performance so early in the series - helped by the quintessential Paso song.

This really could see the first 10 of the series but I think it will be a 9.

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Leaderboard

So combined leaderboard is as follows:

1. 65 points - Ricky & Natalie
2. 61 points - Zoe & James
3. 55 points - Laila & Anton
4. 51 points - Phil & Katya
5. 50 points - Natalie & Vincent
6. 44 points - Craig & Flavia
7. 38 points - Richard & Lilia
8. 36 points - Jo & Brendan

As said earlier I do think Jo will be in the bottom two, and actually I think Richard will join her. Out of the two it's hard to say who i'd pick, I think the dance-off will decide it.

Although I don't agree with the level of points that Ricky received both tonight and last night, I think he would probably still be top - and that'll please a lot of ladies out there.

I suppose everyone knows the results by now so I won't ask for peoples comments just yet!

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Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Rumba

Hitchhiker! That's the word I was thinking of, still not good i'm afraid though Richard.

So, the girl's favourite is up next, and starts by flashing the torso to his fans!

Nice hip action but needs to sort the shoulders out - makes him look uncomforable.

Really good lines however and the only partnership to utilise the slightly faster/sharper Rumba speed.

Overall a good Rumba but only worth a 7 I'd say.

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Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Waltz

Full of promise with my initial thought being 7-8.

...

Had to watch getting too carried away with moving his head around, and a real shame with that slip but I still think he'll get 7's

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Rumba walking...

Apparently Natalie Lowe's advice to Ricky Whittle, to perfect his Rumba walk, was to imagine he's walking down the street with change in his pocket and he's trying not to jingle it - will definitely have to test that one out!

I once read that the Rumba walk that we try so hard to perform, are natural to animals such as camels for example:




So guys, that's all you've got to aim for...!

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