Jade Johnson & Ian Waite Tango

After seeing that there's no doubt that Jade was an incredibly strong contender for this title.

My old teacher Mary (Ian's step-mum) choreographed this dance and was gutted when they couldn't perform it on the night.

I feel so sorry for Ian as this was probably his best chance for making it to the final, let's hope he gets someone equally as good next year.

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Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna - Tango

Another dance where Ali won’t be able to ‘float’ round the floor so will be interesting to see how she copes with the passion and aggression required in this dance.

Slight slip in the spins at the start and they appear to be incorporating rising into the dance at points.

Ali is looking quite unsteady at times.

An ok performance but I wasn’t too impressed so far, will have to say 8.

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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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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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Tango tips from Katya Virshilas

Katya Virshilas (who danced a sexy and sultry Tango with Antonio Banderas in Take the Lead - which i've also included a clip of), gives us her top three tips when dancing the Tango.

Clip from Take the Lead:

Katya's top three tips:

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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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Phil Tufnell & Katya Virshilas - Tango

A dance that requires passion and control, and absolutely no hip rolling!!! Can Phil cope...

Phil needs to keep the bum in, it does appear to be protruding throughout, and this is also resulting in a slight hunched over frame.

An ok performance that should easily get 7's.

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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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Moment of truth and dance-off

Here comes another tense couple of minutes!

Yet another poor decision by the audience, but I think that's just signed Richard's death knell.

So Craig up first with the Tango, and again an uncomfortable looking start - needs to work on the upper body, specifically the frame, and also to lead with the body and not the arms.

Still think that, barring a significant improvement from earlier on, Richard will be going out 4-0.

Richard's timing's definitely better this time around, and still enjoying himself in his hitchhiker moment.

Not enough of an improvement however, and hands really need to be facing toward the floor rather than straight ahead.

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Jo Wood & Brendan Cole - Tango

Well done Phil, that'll teach anyone that compared you to John Sergeant (though I seem to recall he did have a very good first Waltz too!)

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6 predicted...

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A poor start but quickly recovered.  Looking good for a while, but a bit skippy later on and lacks some control.  Going to be 5's, maybe a 6.

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Laila Rouass & Anton du Beke - Tango

From the training videos I had this down as an 8, so will be interesting to see if they live up to the hype.

Not sure if Anton should have called all his old partners rubbish (I seem to recall he did alright with Lesley Garrett).

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Needs to put the chin up just a bit, it's making the top line look soft, maybe stand up a bit more from the rib-cage.

Looking good however but a real shame about that mistake in not going to promenade (made worse by Anton not carrying on!)

That's really let down a good performance and i think it'll be 6-7

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Craig Kelly & Flavia Cacace - Tango

Always good to insult the judges before they give their marks James!  Doesn't look like it affected Len's mark though.

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So I predicted a 6 for these guys earlier, let's see what happens.  I hope he's worked on his upper line.

So a slight Paso opening  followed by a bit of stomping, needs to be a little bit softer in the feet and unfortunately the top line is a little hunched over Flavia.

I would say a 5-6.

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Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Tango

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

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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.

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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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Joe Calzaghe & Kristina Rihanoff

So the pre-show favourite is up next, let's see if the bookie's were right.

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I feel for the judges, trying to type this and still watch the dancing is quite a feat!

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Needs to stand up a little straighter, shouldn't be leaning forward.  Personally a think it lacks an energy, there should be more of a slow and quick contrast.

5-6

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Lynda Bellingham & Darren Bennett

So it appears I am being too kind!

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So time to put my stricter (see what I did there!) hat on.

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If you're going to pick the foot up and flick, make sure you definitely do all three, and try not to become half hearted.

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I bet getting her dress snagged hasn't helped the nerves, thank God she managed to shake it off.

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A solid performance overall but based on scores so far i'm saying a 6.

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Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan

Ok so it seems I was a bit too generous for the first week!

I get nervous everytime we start a new dance course so I'm sure Chris is sweating profusely!

Here goes:

Powerful though a little stompy and flat footed, think this will be another 5/6 though probably nearer 6.

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Rav Wilding & Aliona Vilani

Quite a large gap between them and he needs to stand up straighter as it's definitely affecting the balance, however powerful performance!

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