Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace's Fantasia Tour

Friday 5th March Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace are bringing their Fantasia Tour to The Centre, Farnham Road, Slough, Berkshire.

You can buy tickets at the discounted rate of £17.50pp (normally £25pp) if you order through us: http://www.want-to-dance.co.uk/socialevents.htm

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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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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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Paso tips from Vincent Simone

Looking to improve your Paso Doble (albeit we don't teach it in our classes!)?

Here's the top tips from Strictly Come Dancing's Vincent Simone:

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Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Rock and Roll

So the cartwheel lift, and the rolly-polly are apparently out, let's see what's left for their routine



Sorry Ricky but already this has much more energy and fun than your performance - and there's a knicker shot for Len!

It actually seems a little too Jive'y in places but I'll give this an 8 too.

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Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Samba

When I saw the training videos mid-week she looked a little flat so i'm hoping Vincent's addressed that since.



Len will definitely appreciate them going straight into the dance.

For me i'd have Natalie take slightly more compact steps, this would help with the hip action. The bounce was improved over mid-week but I still think a little work is required.

A little uninspiring at times but ok overall. Only 7's for Nat this week I'd say.

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Leaderboard

So with Ian and Jade not dancing the leaderboard is a little shorter than expected:

1. 35 points - Ricky & Natalie
1. 35 points - Ali & Brian
3. 34 points - Natalie & Vincent
4. 31 points - Phil & Katya
5. 30 points - Chris & Ola
6. 29 points - Ricky & Erin
7. 22 points - Laila & Anton

A week where I'd have marked the top two quite a bit lower than they received from the judges, and personally really didn't like Natalie & Vincent's Foxtrot.

My bottom two would be Phil & Natalie (I think Laila will get the sympathy vote), but I think there could be a surprise in store this week!

What do you think?

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Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Foxtrot

Not too sure on the hair-bow! But should really concentrate on the dancing I suppose.

Not liking the dance to be honest, it's a little un-imaginative and boring and doesn't appear to have much contrast of fast and slow.

Lots of mistakes creeping in and overall a real let down for me. I'd give them 6's.

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Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Quickstep

Natalie performed a good Jive last week, how is she going to cope with the energy levels required for this week's Quickstep?

Natalie has to control those shoulders, which do raise up at times, and the dance seems to have a very laboured start - though it does pick up after that.

A slight mistake as they recommence from their 'Jive' section in the middle but not bad overall, should achieve 30 again.

Judges marks: CRH 7, LG 8, AD 8, BT 8.

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Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Jive

Natalie has her favourite dance this week, and some might argue the most energetic of all the dances!

Slight mistake with the hand changes at the start but certainly not lacking in energy. She does feel a little flat for my liking and really needs to do something with the arm that isn't in hold as she has a tendency to just leave it hanging.

An ok performance but I think the energy gradually dissipated as the dance progressed.

I think she'll get 7's.

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Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - American Smooth

So an American Smooth with no lifts...that's a first for Strictly. How will it fair with the judges?

Natalie needs to relax the shoulders and make sure she is leaning away from Vincent as it does ruin the top line look at the moment.

A nice routine obviously lacking in the wow factor due to no lifts, and just felt a little lacklustre.

I think it should get 7's though.

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Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Viennese Waltz

Thought training for the Viennese looked quite good, though I've only predicted 7's.

Picking her feet up far too high in the pivots at the start and it's causing an horrendous motion.

Too boppy for my liking, nice hands when out of hold though.

6-7

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Natalie Cassidy loses a stone

Natalie Cassidy has said that she has lost almost a stone through her Strictly Come Dancing training, yet still snacks on chips and doughnuts!

Her's and Vincent's desire to succeed in this year's Strictly has seen them doing up to 9 hours of training a day.

This has ensured that Natalie has lost the weight, even whilst still snacking on chips, biscuits and doughnuts - though she has reportedly given up booze.

Dancing is an effective, and generally low impact, way of keeping fit and [in my opinion] is much more enjoyable than going to the gym!

Let's hope all this training continues to improve Natalie's dancing...now if only Joe could take a leaf out of her book.

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Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Salsa

Natalie's not afraid to shake it when required, I thought 7's earlier so let's see what she can produce here.

Definitely an energetic performance, though it looks a little laboured at times. Not entirely sold on the performance but think it will achieve 7's.

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Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Paso Doble

A chance for Natalie to really get her acting skills out, if she manages to get over the nerves.

Dancing is exhausting, especially for those coming to the 10 dance recaps all next week!

Better Flamenco hands at the start than Lynda's effort.

Hands are a little high when coming across her chest at times.

Much prefer traditional Paso music, gives much easier and more dramatic highlights.

A very good Paso, and Vincent shows John Sergeant how you SHOULD drag a lady across the floor!

For me an 8, but I think it will be 7-8

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Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Cha Cha

Confident in training and not afraid to move her hips around will be interesting to see whether technique is forgotten once the performance takes over?

Need to cross the legs during a lock step Natalie and the arms are a little flung out at points.

Lively in places but not inspiring, think this will be a 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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