Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Waltz

Personally for me Ricky's Ballroom has always been let down by his strange head positioning during pivots and spins, something he's done since his first dance in week 2 and has never been mentioned.



That opening looked like a lift but I think they'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Straight away though and his opening pivots show the his poor posture in turning situations.

Technically his dancing is great but that top-line really has grated on me since his first week.

I think he'll get 9's, but for me I'd only give it an 8.

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Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan - Waltz

A dance that needs elegance and romance, and I think Chris has what it takes to pull off a good one, but let’s see what happens.

I’m not personally happy with his head position, it’s stretched a little oddly but the dance is looking good aside from that, although he really does need to incorporate some shaping in his hands.

A nice Waltz that I think should achieve at least 8’s.

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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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Laila Rouass & Anton du Beke - Waltz

Will Laila have recovered from her injury enough to cope with the demands of the rise and fall in the Waltz?



Just needs to make sure she keeps her core strong as still looks a little loose at times.

Shame about the glaring mistake at the end though, I don't think there's any dances this series that she's managed to complete without a mistake!

Even with the mistake, and the posture issues, I think she should achieve 8's.

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Craig Kelly & Flavia Cacace - Waltz

Craig is hoping to make it to Blackpool next week, but has thus far not managed to impress the judges with his attempts - will the Waltz be any better?

Craig's frame is vastly improved on his previous attempts at ballroom, and actually is one of the best frames I've seen from any of the celebrity males this year.

Ok the dance lost it in places but I think it's his best dance so far.

He should achieve 7's.

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Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Waltz

Full of promise with my initial thought being 7-8.

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Had to watch getting too carried away with moving his head around, and a real shame with that slip but I still think he'll get 7's

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Phil Tufnell & Katya Virshilas - Waltz

Looks like they've forgiven the obvious mistake, and the marks are in line with the performance.

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Depending on nerves this looked good in training and I predicted a 6-7.

Now that's some Brylcreemed hair!

Nice Waltz performance, a slight slip unfortunately right in front of the judges, and needs to make sure that the toe is pointed out during lines, but overall a good performance.

Think 6-7 still (though more towards 7)

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Richard Dunwoody & Lilia Kopylova - Waltz

What was that face for Bruno?  Don't agree with Alesha's marks?  Wouldn't be surprised if that's not discussed in the papers this week.

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Predicted 5-6, but didn't know that existing injuries prevented him having a proper frame, will be interesting to see if the judges take that into account.

Must, must, must go forward on a heel on the first step Richard, haven't seen one yet and I guarantee that Len will pick up on that.

Shame about the frame as it's difficult to judge when the shoulder line ruins the look.  With all those toe leads I think it'll be 5's.

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Zoe Lucker & James Jordan - Waltz

So judges agree with me on the first dance of the night, bodes well for the rest of them!

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Training for the Waltz looked really good during the week so bodes well for tonight, I predicted a 7-8 earlier on tonight so will be interesting if they live up to it.

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Really elegant start, slight slip on a chasse after the running spin but the rest is looking good, needs to stop moving the left arm so much when in hold.

Very good Waltz and i'd be surprised if it wasn't 8's.

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Another week, another 8 couples!

So as promised, i've got home and straight away pressed play, anyone else that was at the practice night tonight joining me 'live'?!

Really should start making notes on the songs used, especially Waltz as the collection on the laptop is definitely lacking.

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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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Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna

Not a fan of the lounge jacket as opposed to tails (except for Tango where I thnk it works quite well) but i'm here to comment on the dancing, not the dress sense!

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Nice so far bar one little slip up.  Well performed, floaty and elegant.  Little bit jumpy at the start.

Another 7

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Martina Hingis & Matthew Cutler

I'd forgotten about using hoops when I was younger, might have to consider it for a couple of the private lessons...


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Again just need to relax the left shoulder slightly, though not as pronounced as Jade's.

Nice movement but something's lacking, think she needs to stand up a bit straighter, maybe lift from the rib cage.

Think this'll be a 7

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Jade Johnson & Ian Waite

I should admit now that I used to have lessons from Ian so I am secretely supporting him and Jade, but i'll try and be objective!

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That's right ladies - the man i'm afraid is always in charge on the dancefloor!

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First of the female contestants and looking promising if a little unsure on her feet.

Needs to drop and relax the left shoulder though.

Going out on a limb and saying 7, let's hope I start to get them right before I embarass myself much more!

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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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