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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Rachel Stevens & Vincent Simone - Rumba

Rachel was one of the best female celebrity Rumba dancers I've seen on Strictly, and I'm looking forward to seeing their dance tonight.

Ah the pivot, ever an audience favourite, and well placed in a varied and sensual routine.

However during the lift at the end Rachel needed to put some shaping into her legs as they did look like they were just hanging there.

Technically the lift shouldn't have been in there anyway so I'll ignore it (seeing as the judges appear to be ignoring lifts too!) so will have to say potentially another perfect score.

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Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan - Rumba

I personally really liked Chris' Rumba back in his first week but there was still significant room for improvement, let's hope 10/11 weeks on has seen that improvement realised!



At times Chris' hands look really good, at others they are just stuck out, but thankfuly mainly there is some shaping there.

I'd like to see more hip action though, to match the sheer amount of chest on show.

He certainly acted a good Rumba, could still do with improvement though. I'd give him an 8.

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Laila Rouass & Anton du Beke - Rumba

I thought their Paso last week was very good, and deserved higher marks than it received. Anton's Latin choreography has been a bit weak this series so i'm hoping we see some improvement in the content.

That foot/ankle injury is obviously causing Laila serious problems and the dance has definitely suffered.

I think they might let Anton get away with that lift this week!

The main problem is that Laila couldn't generate any hip action as it requires pushing into the floor.

So difficult to have any opinion on a score and there have to be a lot of generosity to get anything higher than a 6, unfortunately.

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Phil Tufnell & Katya Virshilas - Rumba

This, I'm afraid Phil, could potentially be a disaster!

Needs to relax the shoulders right from the start. Looks to have lost his timing just before going into the sliding doors.

Hip action is ok but could do a lot more. Not a bad performance but I think only 7's though - apparently he's Bruce's favourite.

Judges scores: CRH 6, LG 8, AD 7, BT 7.

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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 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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Jo Wood & Brendan Cole - Rumba

Jo lacked confidence in her Tango last night and the Rumba may prove to be a difficult dance too.

No action at all in her Rumba walks, and shame they got caught up together.

There wasn't much of an atmosphere between them and I think she'll get 5's if they're feeling generous.

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Zoe Lucker & James Jordan - Rumba

I'm afraid I really don't think Laila's dance was worth a 7 Len, but everyone else agreed with my 6.

Zoe struggled during the week with the sensual side of the dance so will be interesting to see how she copes with the pressure of a live performance.

Needs to round her hip action out a little more, but not a bad start and a good performance all round, very intimate acting at the end.

Best performance so far and I think this could get 8's, maybe a 7.

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Craig Kelly & Flavia Cacace - Rumba

During the week Craig's hips and arms weren't quite working in sync, let's see if a couple of days more of practice have helped.

Needs to have a fot transition between moves with the hands at the start, improved by the time he gets to the cucarachas.

No real connection or emotion in the dance between them though. Predicted a 6 and I think that'll be it.

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Training updates

So the night of the new celebrity competitors is almost upon us, and last night's It Takes Two had training updates, how is their training coming along?

Phil Tufnell & Katya Virshilas
Waltz - Needs to relax the shoulders, just holding his arms a little high (arms should be a slight incline down from the shoulder). Overall doesn't look too bad, if nerves don't get the better this could be a 6-7.

Cha Cha - Could potentially give Ricky Groves a run for his money...? If i'm honest I think Phil will only manage a 6 at best.

Zoe Lucker & James Jordan
Waltz - Looks elegant (when not falling over!). Definitely going to give Ali's Waltz a run for her money.  Could be a 7-8.

Rumba - Looks quite good, so long as Zoe can ignore her nerves surrounding the sensual side of the dance.  Another 7-8.

Jo Wood & Brendan Cole
Tango -  Needs to keep chin up, still closing up and looking at the floor.  Brendan always dances with passion so let's hope Jo can keep up.  Think the nerves might get the better of her though and predicting a 6.

Rumba -  A couple of nice moments but haven't seen enough of the dance to truly judge, think another 6.

Richard Dunwoody & Lilia Kopylova
Waltz - Needs to relax the shoulders, the frame is just there for show and should be kept uniform and relaxed. 5-6.

Cha Cha -  Oh dear, I don't think the Cha Cha is going to be Richards thing, looks uncomfortable and again another 5-6.

Craig Kelly & Flavia Cacace
Tango - Flavia's speciality is the Argentine Tango and Ballroom Tango is a close cousin so hopefully something good can be created here.  Right shoulder should not be raised during lines, needs to watch this. Predicting a 6.

Rumba - Hips look a little forced at times, probably going to be a 6.

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone

Tango - Flavia's partner Vincent is also a specialist in Tango, coupled with Natalie's passion for dancing and her acting abilities, this should be good.  Haven't seen enough of the dancing but i'm predicting a 6-7.

Cha Cha - Natalie definitely doesn't appear to be shy about moving around in the Cha Cha but does need to make her chasse a little softer.  Should be a lively 7.

Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe

Waltz - Looking really good, though still needs to watch those shoulders and try and keep level. Going to say a 7-8.

Rumba - Has natural rhythm and looks quite good, a 7 easily if he pulls it off on the night.

Laila Rouass & Anton du Beke
Tango -  So finally Anton get's a younger celebrity and ,some might say, his actual real chance to win.  Can't see the feet but this could be the best dance of the night, 8.

Cha Cha - Nice hip action and looking good, think that'll be a 7.

Don't forget that our blog will be a little late tonight due to our regular Friday night practice session, but don't worry i'll be watching it, and commenting, as soon as I get home so check back after midnight!

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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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Good question

After receiving the following comment on one of my previous posts, I felt it deserved a post of its own:

Hi Antony. One question after Saturday. Why did Len criticise Chris Hollins' hand movement for the New York in the rumba?

He said that for men, spreading the fingers and pointing the middle one down is "not a good look" and that they should keep the outer 3 digits bandaged together.

But that is how you teach and obviously Ola as well, since she took the blame for this on the show, so I'd be interested in your reaction ...

Thanks, Maggie



Personally I learnt the middle finger down, I teach guys to hold the middle two down – I don’t like the look of the three fingers together.

The Walter Laird technique book shows the middle finger down in the pictures, but there is no guidance other than that.

I would say that Chris' hands were really good myself, and like with most judging it really does come down to personal preference once you get past technique.

However if you watch any of the male professionals from Saturday night they all have one or two fingers down (not at right angles but say around 20 degrees) so I think Len is wrong to criticise this - especially as it's effectively criticising Ola as Chris' teacher.

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The dance off!

Both dancing a Rumba, this makes comparison a lot easier!

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Rav first...

A better performance I think than earlier on and hips are working better than earlier (though not always in the correct direction!)

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Now Martina...

Just feels like there's more emotion in those first few steps than Rav's whole dance.  Taking slightly smaller steps now which is helping (wonder if she saw the blog!)

Loss of balance there as she gets carried away, let's hope that doesn't ruin her chances.

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Will the judges base on both dances, or just the dance off?!  For me i'm afraid it has to be Rav still to go.

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Martina Hingis & Matthew Cutler

...and now I'm back in time with the live show!

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Rumba I think will work for Martina but she will need to use her core ab muscles better tonight. 

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Not too bad to begin, still needs to use the floor better - and maybe take smaller side steps in the Cucaracha's.

Hands not too bad but need work.

Make sure your weight is over the foot when moving.

I think this will be a 6-7

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Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan

Almost back up to present time!

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Nice start, looking good so far, and nice facial expressions.

Not too bad with the hips either.

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I must say, Chris has surprised me with a very good Rumba!

I think that deserves 7-8.

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Rav Wilding & Aliona Vilani

Rumba is always a difficult dance for the boys, trying to move the hips whilst still looking manly.

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Needs to be softer in his walking and give his hips a chance to actually work, though not too bad in places.  Lines are rushed at times.

Another 5-6

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Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna

So Rumba, a chance to be elegant but how are her hips going to perform?

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Lots of throwing arms out, is she trying to hide something in the beginning?  Looks unsure and really needs to finish her hips (Rachel Stevens was very good at this).

A little too much posturing and not enough basic but good acting at the end.

Think this'll be a 6

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