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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Leaderboard

Finally they manage to fit the leaderboard on one page - makes it so much easier to quickly jot down!

1. 36 points - Ricky & Natalie
2. 35 points - Ali & Brian
3. 29 points - Chris & Ola
4. 29 points - Laila & Anton
5. 26 points - Natalie & Vincent
6. 22 points - Ricky & Erin

So with Jade gone things are going to get very tough for the 6 remaining couples. I think Laila will be in the bottom two, the other is too hard to call but I think Ricky's luck will have run out.

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Ricky Groves & Erin Boag - Tango

So I didn't expect a comical take on a Paso, let's see if Ricky can keep it serious for the Tango.



Emma's not really 'feeling' Erin's dress this week, and I must admit it does look a little weird.

Just loses a little bit of drive at times and his dropped head makes him look a little unconfident. Seems to be making mistakes but can't tell.

It was an ok performance but I don't think he'll score higher than a 7.

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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:

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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?

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Ricky Groves & Erin Boag - Viennese Waltz

Another celebrity who's more at home in the ballroom dances. His Viennese American Smooth was very good so I'm expecting good things tonight.

A little skippy, which i'm sure Craig will pick up on, fleckerl wasn't too bad though.

The dance is let down by the skipping as it ruins the overall look, and with only 3 real steps to choose from you do have to perform them well.

I think it should easily achieve 8's.

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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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Ricky Groves & Erin Boag - Salsa

Ricky could have some issues with this fast and complicated dance, but let's hope he puts on a good show.

Well it looks like the goldfish mouth is back with a vengeance, shame the hands are a little sloppy.

Some really complex arm movements there, shame about the mistake though.

Entertaining and I think deserves 30.

Judges scores: CRH 6, LG 7, AD 6, BT 6.

A little harsh I feel!

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Evening Show

A packed theatre in Blackpool's Winter Garden Opera House was the setting for the evening screening of Strictly Come Dancing.

There was an almost feverish party atmosphere in the theatre, and even though they were re-showing the highlight reel that we'd been subjected to earlier in the day, people were in the mood to cheer (Mark Ramprakash's Argentine Tango, Jill Halfpenny's Jive) or laugh (John Sergeant's Paso Doble, Fiona Bruce's Jive) at the various scenes.

Dominic Littlewood and Karen Hardy returned to host the evening show, we were told that the videos and pictures that had been taken throughout the day would be appearing on the BBC website during the coming week - none of us yet though!

We were shown a highlights reel of the morning dance sessions (we were on the afternoon session) and this was pretty much the same video you'll have seen on the live show.

Rav Wilding and Mark Foster were re-introduced onto the stage and we were shown some highlights of their appearances on the show before they had to duck out to head over to the Tower, but not before Mark put his arm round Karen and commented on how great she looked, how she should still be in the show, and 'You're my favourite'.

Dominic then introduced highlights of Karen's appearances on Strictly, including Gary Rhodes Cha Cha (receiving a lowly 1 from Craig) and Mark Ramprakash's Salsa. Karen talked about how much she loved dancing, which she'd being doing since the age of 5, and had been so honoured when Strictly had convinced her to come out of retirement after her 6 year break (and a baby).

Matthew and Aliona made a surprise visit to perform an elegant Viennese Waltz

Matthew talked about how everyone at the Tower was so excited, and due to the significantly increased audience numbers there was a really great atmosphere.

Aliona talked about how this was her first time visiting in Blackpool, and how much she was enjoying it.

Before the live show was due to start Karen gave her comments and predictions on the show to follow:

Ali Bastian was still suffering from her injured foot, and with a dance such as the Viennese Waltz - heavy on technique - she could find it difficult to perform.

Craig Kelly would most likely be going out as it was definitely his time to go.

Ricky Groves started as a clown but is now taking it seriously and could be a real dark horse in the competition.

It was then time for the live show, Karen told us she'd be sticking around to comment on the show at intervals, and I settled down ready to make my notes on the evening performances...

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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.

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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)

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Ricky Groves & Erin Boag - Rumba

Ricky has consistently been the clown in the competition so far, but he can't really afford to be too funny in this dance.

The weight loss is definitely showing in Ricky now and he's looking good, though the hips are a little forced in that beginning, and still needs to watch his shoulders when in hold.

Not so sure on the arms being flung everywhere but a serious effort from Ricky. Not a bad performance I think and I would say yet more 7's (swiftly becoming a habit tonight!)

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Ricky Groves & Erin Boag - American Smooth

Ricky and Erin have decided to choose a Viennese Waltz as their American Smooth dance and from the training videos I think that could prove to be a good choice.

Shame he was out of time at the start there as they came together. An excellent performance, with a cheeky bit of Quickstep thrown in for good measure. Looked a little uncomfortable during the second lift however.

Should comfortably get 8's.

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Ricky Groves & Erin Boag - Jive

Up first then Ricky and Erin

Does need to point those toes down, and not sure about the constant clicking.

It does seem a little flat, even though Ricky does appear to be bouncing the whole way round.

Not as inspiring as i'd hoped but not a bad performance. Thought 7's and I think he should manage that.

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Finally it starts!

Though I must thank F1 as I didn't get home till 7.30pm so would've been behind (again) with the blog if there hadn't been that delay!

So yesterday I predicted that Joe might actually not end up on the bottom tonight, and Jade could well take top spot. Let's see what happens, first up - Ricky Groves.

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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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Ricky Groves & Erin Boag - Paso Doble

Facial hair seems to be a theme this week, let's see if Ricky can master the posture and lose the hips - save them for the other Latin dances!

He's certainly come out on the floor with the right attitude, not too sure about the scream though, is he in pain?

The trouble with wearing a bolero is that if you don't hold your frame correctly it will make your shoulders look hunched. I normally recommend my wedding grooms don't wear their jacket during the first dance for this very reason.

A lot of passion, albeit slightly poor footwork at times.

Based on the atmosphere he creates I'd give it a 7

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Round-up and group Jackson tribute

Personally wouldn't have scored it as high as that, felt there were a few frame issues but no matter, the leaderboard is about right.

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Chris Hollins showing that he really does have some surprising potential, Joe unfortunately not so much and Ricky is still entertaining.  Lynda giving it her all!

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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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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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