The moment of truth!

So it's all down to how the studio audience voted, who's going out first...(I've predicted it to be between Austin & Rachel)

Chris & Ola - unsurprising to be honest as the Foxtrot didn't really allow Chris' personality to come across.

Gethin & Flavia - lacking chemistry so again unsurprising.

Ricky & Natalie

Austin & Erin - shame as I really enjoyed their Paso

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So it's between Ali & Rachel for the title...could it be Ali's retribution for not making it to the final?

Yes it is.

That's it then, 2009 finishes with Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna being crowned the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Champions.

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I'll be attending (or hosting) a variety of Strictly events throughout the year so I'll blog about anything interesting, and I may well blog about So You Think You Can Dance too so watch this space!

How did you vote, and do you agree with the result?

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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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The result

So no dance off tonight, it's all down to the audience tonight.

As I predicted earlier I think Ricky will be going home tonight as he just doesn't have enough public support.



First couple through - Ricky & Natalie so that's out the window.

Other finalist is Chris as predicted, poor Ali misses out.

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The moment of truth, dance off, and result

Ali & Brian through, so that’s my first prediction off the cards.

Chris & Ola also through which leaves my original prediction of Laila and Ricky as being correct!

Laila is definitely out now, unless Laila can pull off a flawless performance but I really don't think anything can save her.

Laila’s up first in the dance-off and she is definitely giving a much better, and thus far what appears to be a faultless performance but I don’t think it’ll be enough to save her.

Now for Ricky…and I would say a better performance too from Ricky. I’m seeing a 5-0 sending home for Laila.



We get to 3-0 and that’s all it takes.

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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.


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Just waiting on Len to confirm it...

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...and there's the confirmation.

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The moment of truth, dance off, and result

Will my prediction of a Laila and Ricky dance off pan out?

Bottom three as expected, now who have the public gone for?

Yep Natalie & Vincent are saved by the audience, and Laila and Ricky are in the dance-off.

More importantly it's Erin versus Anton!

If Ricky can perform without making any mistakes then we could have a competition on our hands, otherwise I think he's going home.

Laila still stumbles in the same move near the end, which is a shame, and she looks very uncomforable during the final pivots. But not a bad performance, all down to Ricky now.

Looks like a much improved performance on earlier and I really don't know how to call this one.

I think Ricky has been more consistent, though Laila has scored highly in a few of her dances.

On that basis I think it will be Ricky going home.

Just waiting on Len to confirm whether it's 3 or 4-0...and Len confirms it would've been 4-0.

Do you agree with the outcome from tonight? Look out Natalie and Laila, there's no-one below you now!

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Week 8 in 60 seconds

Don't have time to watch all the videos, or read my comments? Then why not look at the week 8 in 60 seconds summary video.


Actor and local boy, Craig Kelly on Saturday became the eighth celebrity to be voted off the seventh series of BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing in a special show live from Blackpool's Tower Ballroom - the spiritual home of all things ballroom.

In week eight of the nation's favourite dance contest, live from the splendour of the world-famous Tower Ballroom, all nine of the remaining celebrity contestants and their professional partners took to the floor to perform a variety of show stopping dances.

After all the couples had performed, the combination of the judges' scores and viewers' votes left Craig and his professional partner Flavia Cacace in the bottom two and facing a dance off with actor Ricky Groves and his professional partner Erin Boag.

Craig and Flavia then performed their cha-cha-cha to 'Easy Lover' and Ricky and Erin performed their Salsa to 'Acuyuye' for the second time.

After both couples had danced it was down to the judges to cast their deciding vote. Making their decision on who to save, the judges commented:

Craig Revel Horwood, straight to the point, said: "I'd like to save Ricky and Erin."
Alesha Dixon affectionately said: "Craig, you've been very sweet my love, but I have to save Ricky and Erin."
Bruno Tonioli said: "Based on what I saw, I have to save Ricky and Erin."
Speaking about his time in the competition, Craig Kelly, whose aim throughout the competition was to make it to Blackpool to dance in front of his home town, said:

"I feel pretty amazing really. It's great that I made it to Blackpool. I mean, any other week was a massive Brucie bonus. And to have danced with the best dancer in the world, the last two and a half months have been incredible!"

On Saturday's show Craig and Flavia scored a total of 17 points for their cha-cha-cha from the judges - his lowest score of the competition.

As part of Strictly's Blackpool special, there was a performance by the legendary rocker Rod Stewart, who sang 'It's The Same Old Song'. Making it a family affair, Rod's wife, model and ex-Strictly contestant Penny Lancaster returned to the dance floor with professional dancer Matthew Cutler to perform a cha-cha-cha during Rod's song.

To commemorate Remembrance Sunday all of the remaining celebrity dancers and their professional partners took to the floor for a 1940s-inspired Swing dance - the first group dance for the celebrities since the beginning of the series. They were accompanied by former Strictly Champion Jill Halfpenny, who was crowned winner in series 2 in 2005, the last time that the show was live from Blackpool. And as an added bonus Bruce Forsyth accompanied the group swing dance with a rendition of 'Almost Like Being In Love'.

Making the most of the grandeur of Blackpool's Tower Ballroom, the Strictly professional dancers also performed a group Viennese Waltz to 'I Put A Spell On You'.

As the competition hots up, next week the remaining eight celebrities and their professional partners will perform a range of dances to stay in the competition and be in with a chance of being crowned Strictly Come Dancing Champion 2009.

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The moment of truth, dance off, and result

Who stays, and who has to dance again?

Well done Ian for getting through!

So Phil gets public support, how about CK?

Out of those bottom 3 (Laila, Ricky Groves, Craig) I think Laila will be through...

Sorry CK but I think your time is definitely up now!

Good to see Ricky gets the arms correct this time, and dances better than earlier.

A better performance too from Craig but no question that it's his swan song and i'm predicting a 4-0 form the judges.

4-0 it is. Craig got his dream of getting to Blackpool but it would've been a travesty if he had got any further.

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Weekend Videos

In case you missed Strictly at the weekend you can see the weekend's performances below:

Actress Zoe Lucker tonight became the seventh celebrity to be voted off the seventh series of BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing.

In week seven of the competition, all 10 of the remaining celebrity contestants and their professional dance partners took to the floor to perform a variety of dances.

After Saturday’s performance, the combination of the judges' scores and viewers’ votes left Zoe Lucker and her professional partner James Jordan in the bottom two and facing the dance off with Ali Bastian and her professional partner Brian Fortuna.

Zoe and James then performed their Samba to Boogie Nights and Ali and Brian performed their Paso Doble to El Gato Montes for a second time for the judges' deciding vote.

Handing over to the judges, Bruce Forsyth said “All I can say is I wouldn’t like to be a judge tonight”. Making their decision on who to save, the judges said.

Craig Revel Horwood: “Well what a heinous dilemma, I have to say, both couples mucked up and timing was out, for both couples that is, but I am going to save Ali and Brian.”

Alesha Dixon when asked who she would save: “Both!....Zoe and James.”



Bruno Tonioli: “They shouldn’t be there either of them, it’s ridiculous because whoever we are going to save, it’s not fair for the other person. Based on what I saw, I have to go with Ali and Brian.”



Len Goodman: “I’m sorry I know the viewers can do what they like and it’s a popularity contest and all that, this is ludicrous, it’s nonsensical that either of these are in the bottom two! There are five couples that are worse than these, but I’ve got to make a decision and as somebody said they both did go wrong, and I’m having to save Ali and Brian.”



On tonight’s show, Zoe Lucker and James Jordan were awarded 32 points for their samba by the judges.

On leaving the competition, Zoe Lucker said: “I’ve had an amazing time, James is the best teacher I have to say. I’m so sorry I couldn’t get him to Blackpool but thank you very much for the opportunity, it’s been brilliant.”

James Jordan said: “Can I just say, winning that Strictly trophy ball means everything to me, but I would never swap this wonderful lady for that ball. She’s brilliant, she’s brilliant.”

Tonight’s show saw musical legends The Bee Gees perform their disco classic You Should Be Dancing and viewers were treated to a Hip Hop Samba and a Latin Medley from Strictly’s professional dancers.

Next week, the show comes live from the world famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom and the remaining 9 couples will dance to stay in the competition.

Strictly Come Dancing is available on BBC One and BBC HD. Tune in to the next episode live from Blackpool Tower Ballroom on Saturday 7th November 2009, 6.25pm.

Don't forget you can get all the up-to-date gossip on Strictly Come Dancing’s sister show It Takes Two, weekdays at 6.30pm on BBC Two.

For more information and gossip, visit bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing or follow Strictly on Twitter: bbcstrictly.



The Result:



Natalie Cassidy:



Zoe Lucker:



Craig Kelly:



Ricky Groves:



Laila Rouass:



Phil Tufnell:



Ricky Whittle:



Jade Johnson:



Ali Bastian:



Chris Hollins:

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The result

Such a tough one to call, and you could tell that Alesha was finding it difficult.

Out of the two of them, and based on all their performances over the series I do believe the right couple have been sent home.

I don't vote myself (as I do want to be impartial!) but I hope the audience start voting based on the quality of the dancing. Whilst both these couples under-performed this week Craig is not, unfortunately for him, a good enough dancer to have made it to Blackpool. Though credit where it's due - there was significant improvement this week.

How do you feel about the result?

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The result

Same as last week, I don't think anyone has to predict this one!

Another no-question 4-0 send home.

This is going to make the next couple of weeks really tough for those that are left though as the two [debatably] worst dancers have now left the show.

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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 result

Based on the dance-off I'd put Lynda through.

Rav really let himself down in that dance-off, with a worse performance than actually during the competition.

Hat off to Lynda though, i'd written you off but you upped your game in the dance-off and definitely deserve to come back next week.

So, another week, another celebrity going home. Rav looks distraught and I can understand why, there's just no other feeling that can match dance competition when you really enjoy it.

Do you agree with the result, or even the final two?

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Moment of truth and dance-off

As predicted the audience have saved Joe Calzaghe.

Will Jo Wood also be saved?

Phil Tufnell will have a hard job next week as I imagine he can't train until he recovers from his knee surgery.

Whether she's through or not I think they'll leave Jo until the final three anyway, just to up the suspense.

...or not...lol

Again as predicted the audience have saved both the Jo(e)s. Is my earlier prediction going to prove correct?

...No!

So Lynda and Rav are in the final two, I think Rav will be saved again but the judges have surprised me in the past.

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Slower Flamenco hand movement at the start, but still superfluous due to the speed as it has no impact.

I do think this is a better performance than earlier, but I don't think the lipstick nose look is good for Darren!

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Rav looks like a defeated man and certainly showing a lack of confidence/drive at the start there.

Little bit shaky and still huge gaps between them, Rav is neglecting to close his feet on the chasses.

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Based on the dance-off I'd have to actually give it to Lynda.

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The result

Unfortunately for Richard there was no comparison between him and Craig, surprised Len would've voted them however (not sure if that's a consolation vote though!)

Next week then will see all 14 couples competing against each other, but with only one dance to do rather than the two that most have struggled with so far.

At least I only have to set aside a Saturday night now that the Fridays are finished with.

Now I know the results please feel free to leave any comments/feedback!

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