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November 30 Strictly series six week 12 Austin Healey is outAustin Healey and his dance partner Erin Boag were voted out of Strictly Come Dancing series six on the week 12 results show.
After the viewers' votes were counted and added to the judges' scores from Saturday, Austin and Erin were one of the couples in the bottom two. They had scored 70 with the judges on Saturday's show after their two dances. That had put them bottom of the judges' leader board. The dance-off And so the two couples performed their higher-scoring routines in the dance-off and the judges then had to vote for the couple they wanted to save. Here is how the voting went: Judge Craig: Lisa and Brendan What do you think? Have your say now by clicking the Add a Comment link below. As ever, I'd love to know what you think. PS PPS
November 29 Strictly series six week 11 judges’ comments and scoresA highly entertaining Saturday night on Strictly Come Dancing. This was the first time the couples performed two dances that the judges scored. The leader board Watch Lisa's foxtrot now on MSN Video. Christine Bleakley is bottom with 58. Here is our review of Saturday night including, as usual, a summary of the judges’ comments, our view, blogger’s wife’s view and Brucie’s enthusiastic comments as each performance ends. And we note which couple Brucie picked out as his favourites. Judges’ scores are noted in the order they are given in the show: Craig, Arlene, Len, Bruno. First round: ballroom Rachel Stevens and Vincent Simone – waltz Our view: Technically great but not the most exciting. Blogger’s wife: I expected it to be beautiful and well danced and it was. I just don’t get wowed by waltzes. Head judge Len Goodman: I was like the cat that got the cream watching you. And you were the pair of mice that got the cheese. Judge Bruno Tonioli: Rachel, you look like an angel and you dance like one. Judge Craig Revel Horwood: All the shaping through the hands was exquisite. The choreography stopped and started but I thought it was brilliant. Judge Arlene Phillips: Truly one of the most soul-tingling waltzes we have ever seen on Strictly. 9 10 10 10 = 39 Lisa Snowdon and Brendan Cole – foxtrot Our view: Classy and elegant. Blogger’s wife: She danced and acted it very nicely. I noticed the heel turns. I thought she looked a bit like Cherie. Judge Bruno: Lisa, over this series you have improved beyond recognition. Fantastic choreography, Brendan. Judge Craig: You are completely wasted on radio. That was amazing. Judge Arlene: You have gone from a non-dancer to the most beautiful dancer. You are like Cinderella and tonight you went to the ball. Head judge Len: It was like a buffet of gorgeous dancing. Your best dance. 9 10 10 10 = 39 Christine Bleakley and Matthew Cutler – tango Our view: Just not in the same class as Lisa and Rachel. Blogger’s wife: Her dress was beautiful and she looked stunning but her dancing was wooden. poor choice of music too. Judge Craig: For me that was not sharp enough. At this point in the competition this wasn’t good enough. Judge Arlene: Matthew was picking you up and moving you like a ragdoll. You need to tighten up. Head judge Len: You need to be a bit more taut but nerves get the better of you. Judge Bruno: The tango must have emotional impact but it was a bit limp. 6 7 8 7 = 28 Brucie tells them they’re his favourites Austin Healey and Erin Boag– foxtrot Our view: Very entertaining. Blogger’s wife: I really enjoyed it. The choice of music helped. Judge Arlene: You’re one foxy guy. At the start the performance was magical but half way through you lost the performance. Head judge Len: I thought the performance was fantastic. Judge Bruno: Absolutely amazing. Your performance was superb. Judge Craig: Sometimes your feet sickle on the way back but the balance and control is incredible. 8 9 9 10 = 36 Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup – waltz Our view: Captivating performance. Blogger’s wife: I loved the music. I enjoyed it, and that’s saying something as it’s a waltz. Head judge Len: That was fantastic. Your posterior sticks out but I’ve totally ignored it. Judge Bruno: What a romantic lead you are but your bum sticks out. Judge Craig: Unlike Len I didn’t ignore that fact but I loved the rise and fall. Judge Arlene: It had charisma, control. I thought it was beautiful. 7 9 10 9 = 35 Second round: Latin American Rachel Stevens and Vincent Simone – paso doble Our view: Memorable but not quite of the high standard needed for this stage of the competition. Blogger’s wife: What was Vincent wearing? I was expecting the performance to be absolutely dreadful and it wasn’t. Judge Bruno Tonioli: We’ve had the angel now we have the devil. Not as steady as it could have been but the choreography was very difficult. Judge Craig Revel Horwood: I really liked the Flameco hand shaping. I would have liked to have seen more aggression. You nearly fell over when you threw the cape. Judge Arlene Phillips: Very dramatic, really thrilling but I didn’t feel the drama through the floor. Head judge Len Goodman: Not enough content in it. 7 8 8 9 = 32 Lisa Snowdon and Brendan Cole – cha cha cha Our view: At last a cha cha cha worth watching from a celeb this series. Blogger’s wife: I really disliked the music. For me, Brendan was outdancing her. Judge Craig: A little bit of modelling has paid off. You strutted your stuff and are to be commended. Judge Arlene: Lisa, you have scared the pants off Brendan, you have delivered the best cha cha cha of the series. Head judge Len: Brendan you gave up your talent to show off Lisa’s talent. Overall, a really good cha cha cha. Judge Bruno: Any doubt about you being able to do Latin has been blown away. You should be proud. 9 9 9 10 = 37 Christine Bleakley and Matthew Cutler – salsa Our view: That’s more like, well at least compared with her tango. Blogger’s wife: She performed that better. I quite enjoyed it. Judge Arlene: It was a joy to see the smile and performance but technically go through the ball of your feet to get the hip action. Head judge Len: You came out and really attacked that dance. Judge Bruno: You can see why people like you. You’re flirty and cheeky. Judge Craig: Very stompy but the energy was fantastic; much better than the last round. 7 7 8 8 = 30 Austin Healey and Erin Boag– paso doble Our view: Cor. That was the performance with the most impact of the entire series. By a mile. We’ll be watching that one again. Blogger’s wife: Wow. The performance was outstanding. He threw his heart into it. Really good to watch. Head judge Len: You were like a Spanish waiter giving out hors d’oeuvre. All performance and no content. Judge Bruno: You turned into Lord of the paso. Judge Craig: Arrogant, full of attitude. I loved it. Absolutely brilliant. Judge Arlene: You little devil. Every stamp sent vibrations through the floor and they were all good vibrations. That is what Strictly is about: the dance and the performance. 10 10 8 10 = 38 Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup – samba Our view: The first samba of the series I’ve enjoyed. Blogger’s wife: They looked like a couple from Come Dancing in the 1970s. I enjoyed it. Judge Bruno: That was camper than a row of tents. Judge Craig: Lost a bit of bounce. Amazing energy. Judge Arlene: If anything Tom you’re trying too hard. Head judge Len: A bit repetitious but the whole flavour of the dance was brilliant. 8 9 9 9 = 35 Get ready for the dance-off on Sunday night My pre-show prediction of Rachel and Lisa in the dance-off now looks rather unlikely to come true what with Lisa at the top of the leader board but you never know… What did you think of the show? And who do you think will be eliminated? Click the Add a Comment link below to have your say now and check back on Sunday evening – we’ll post the result of the dance-off as soon as it happens.
Strictly series six week 11 leader boardEach couple performed two dances this week. Lisa Snowdon and her dance partner Brendan Cole are top of the leader board with a score of 76. The couple in second place is Austin Healey and Erin Boag. Christine Bleakley is at the bottom after getting a combined score of just 58 for her tango and salsa with Matthew Cutler. Here are all the scores for week 11 of Strictly Come Dancing 2008.
Your views Who do you think will be voted out on Sunday's results show? Click the Add a Comment link below to have your say now.
November 27 Strictly series six week 11 previewI’m doing the preview a bit earlier this week as the demands of the (other) day job will get in the way of quality blogging on Friday. We have five couples left. They’re each doing two dances. It’s going to be tense. Usually we can expect a slight dip in the standard because it’s the first time they’ve had to do two dances in a week but somehow that makes it all the more exciting. And it makes it all the more difficult to predict but yet again I disagree with the bookies. Who’s doing which dance?
Please note that I don’t know the correct order of the performances. Show times The results show is on Sunday November 23 8:15pm – 9pm BBC One. The two couples with the lowest combined judges' score and viewer votes must perform again in the dance-off, and only one will be saved by the judges. The Odds Week 11 elimination: Lisa Snowdon 11/10 The (always totally accurate) prediction With the five remaining couples all being of a similar standard and with this being the first week they’ve done two dances it isn’t easy to call the outcome of week 11 but… Here we go with my week 11 predictions: Will Austin get his toe leads confused with his ‘Healeyds’? No. He won’t be getting any 10s this week but he’ll be OK. Am I running out of dodgy puns? Almost. Will it be ‘el for Rach-el? Yes. I know. I know. How can I say such a thing after her past two weeks of brilliance? It just doesn’t make sense. I know. I know. But I’m saying it anyway. Rachel Stevens will be eliminated this week. I think her paso will be a bit of a shocker and that will put her near the bottom of the leader board. She won’t get enough public votes and she’ll end up in the dance-off where she’ll lose to Lisa. Christine will be bottom of the leader board but the voting viewers will save her as they did last week. Blogger’s wife reckons my Rachel-to-be-eliminated prediction is “brave”, a term used in the TV series Yes Minister when what the civil servants really meant was “stark raving bonkers”. That’s more than fair enough but I’ve said it so I’ve got to stick with it. Blogger’s wife says Lisa Snowdon will go out. You can see she’s far more sensible than me. (as usual, the predictions do not constitute regulated financial advice so don’t blow your pay packet down the bookies on my account!) Our coverage Do leave your views on the night’s performances and I’ll be back later with a full review followed by the Sunday evening eviction as soon as it happens. Your comments Click the Add a Comment link below to share your views.
November 26 Len Goodman fact number nineStrictly Come Dancing head judge Len Goodman’s first tailsuit was eventually borrowed by a friend who never returned it after being sick on it. Taken from: Len Goodman’s autobiography Better Late Than Never.
November 25 Strictly series six week 10 Tess Daly hair updateWelcome to everybody’s favourite bit of the week, yes it’s time to review the hairstyles sported by The Tess Daly (everyone’s favourite newspaper) in week 10 of Strictly Come Dancing 2008. Saturday November 22, the classic Tess look with a charming partial left eye covering sweep:
Sunday November 23, the somewhat pulled back and yet still swept forward over the left shoulder look:
Good work from the Tess-ster. I have not received many flattering comments about the dresses this week, though.
November 24 Strictly week 10 in VideoA couple of nice video clips on MSN Video right now:
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November 23 Strictly series six week 10 Jodie Kidd is outJodie Kidd and her dance partner Ian Waite were voted out of Strictly Come Dancing series six on the week 10 results show.
After the viewers' votes were counted and added to the judges' scores from Saturday, Jodie and Ian were one of the couples in the bottom two. They had scored 30 with the judges on Saturday's show after doing a jive. That had put them one from bottom of the judges' leader board. The dance-off Bottom of the judges' leader board had been Christine Bleakley and Matthew Cutler with 27. They got enough public votes to avoid the dance-off. And so the two couples performed their routines in the dance-off and the judges then had to vote for the couple they wanted to save. Here is how the voting went: Judge Craig: Lisa and Brendan What do you think? Did you feel Lisa did better in the dance-off than Jodie? Have your say now by clicking the Add a Comment link below. As ever, I'd love to know what you think. PS PPS
November 22 Strictly series six week 10 judges’ scores and commentsA good week on Strictly Come Dancing including the first maximum score of 40 of the series so far. The leader board Christine Bleakley is bottom with 27. John Sergeant fans will be quick to point out that 27 is just two points more than John got last week. John Sergeant and Kristina Rihanoff did a farewell waltz – all quite emotional, really. Here is our review of Saturday night including, as usual, a summary of the judges’ comments, our view, blogger’s wife’s view and Brucie’s enthusiastic comments as each performance ends. Brucie did not pick out a favourite couple this week (sorry, David). Judges’ scores are noted in the order they are given in the show: Craig, Arlene, Len, Bruno. Lisa Snowdon and Brendan Cole – quickstep Our view: Memorable for Brendan’s moves but she’s done the steps well. Blogger’s wife: Some nice steps by Brendan at the beginning and end. Technically good but didn’t wow me. Am I getting picky in my old age? Head judge Len Goodman: Occasionally you gapped a bit but I thought it was very, very good. Judge Bruno Tonioli: From the bottom two you’ve come back and delivered a top quickstep. Judge Craig Revel Horwood: That quickstep has the potential of being perfect. Judge Arlene Phillips: You gave Brendan a run for his money. Yes, everyone’s mentioned the gapping. Can you go and practise some hip-to-hip contact? 8 9 9 9 = 35 Christine Bleakley and Matthew Cutler – cha cha cha Our view: Started off wonderfully but lost it as it went along. Blogger’s wife: She looked great. She did a bit of a Cherie: she didn’t perform it. Shame, music was great, she could have been great but wasn’t. Judge Bruno: The cha cha cha should suit you. Somehow I felt you didn’t engage with the dance. Judge Craig: Disappointing. Very wooden and sticky. However, there were some wonderful finishes but not your finest moment. Judge Arlene: You need to find the rhythm and connect to the song. You were flat-footed. Head judge Len: What a load of piffle. I thought it was neat, precise and clean. You’ve got to be more exciting and sell it more. Whip off your knickers… [arguments break out between the judges] 6 6 8 7 = 27 Jodie Kidd and Ian Waite - jive Our view: She’s done that as well as she could have, I feel, but I’m not sure it will be enough to save her. Blogger’s wife: Great song, great choreography, she’s just not performing it. Bland dress. Judge Craig: For a gargantuan couple I was pleasantly surprised. Judge Arlene: I never thought I’d see the day when you would perform like a great actress but there’s a dance trophy at stake and those kicks and flicks need to be tighter. Head judge Len: You did the kicks beautifully. I would have liked more changing places and basic jive. Judge Bruno: You were sharp and on time. You should be proud. 7 7 8 8 = 30 Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup – tango Our view: Top choreography, well performed. Blogger’s wife: Fabulous. I really enjoyed it. Judge Arlene: It had drive, passion, you stalked the floor. It was a gripping tale and I want to see the sequel. Head judge Len: Rather than your body you tend to use your arms to lead but it was fantastic. Judge Bruno: Talk about arrogance, that was disdainful. A bit more refinement needed. Judge Craig: Full of sharp, staccato moments, I loved it. I thought it lacked some moments of stillness. 9 9 9 9 = 36 Rachel Stevens and Vincent Simone – foxtrot Our view: Crikey. Awesome. With this performance and the rumba last week she’s totally raised her game and the whole standard of the series. Blogger’s wife: Lovely music, lovely foxtrot. Head judge Len: You’ve knocked my socks off. Judge Bruno: This dance was close to heaven. Graceful bliss. Judge Craig: One word: fabulous. Judge Arlene: Close to perfect. Strictly something special. 10 10 10 10 = 40 Austin Healey and Erin Boag – cha cha cha Our view: Very good and fun but she’s outdanced him. Blogger’s wife: I loved her dress – something different. It lacked some speedy footwork but the ending was show stopping. Judge Bruno: You squeezed every drop of entertainment value out of that cha cha cha. Judge Craig: One of the cheekiest cha cha chas we’ve seen. Judge Arlene: Lots of interplay, cheeky, naughty. you’ve got great pecs but poor arms. Head judge Len: I enjoyed it very much. 8 9 9 9 = 35 Get ready for the dance-off on Sunday night We’ve had the first maximum 40 of the series and John Sergeant did his farewell dance. What did you think of the show? Click the Add a Comment link below to have your say now and check back on Sunday evening – we’ll post the result of the dance-off as soon as it happens.
Strictly series six week 10 leader boardRachel Stevens and her dance partner Vincent Simone are top of the leader board with a maximum score of 40. The couple in second place is Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup. Christine Bleakley is at the bottom after getting just 27 for her cha cha cha with Matthew Cutler. Here are all the scores for week 10 of Strictly Come Dancing 2008.
Your views What was it like without John Sergeant competing? Who should be voted out on Sunday's results show? Click the Add a Comment link below to have your say now.
John Sergeant's last hurrahJohn and Kristina will perform a waltz to the music Come Away With Me on tonight's show - just about 90 minutes to go before it starts.
They won't be competing for scores and votes like the other contestants.
November 21 Strictly week nine Tess Daly hair updateApologies for the lateness of this post. The Sergeant saga rather overwhelmed us all this week, I think. Anyway, better late than never here is the all-important review of the hairstyles sported by The Tess Daly (everyone’s favourite newspaper) on week nine of Strictly Come Dancing 2008. But first, another Brucie bonus for you here is the hairstyle from Friday November 14 Children In Need show when Tess danced with Anton and beat Terry Wogan and Flavia:
Saturday November 15 (we didn’t like this look. Some kind of hair band was involved. Made us think she arrived too late at the studio to get something proper done):
Sunday November 16 (the classic look, much better. Good work):
OK, that ends this week’s Tess Daly hair update.
November 20 Strictly series six week 10 previewHere comes the weekend… It's week 10. We have six couples left. We’re down to the six strongest competitors. Expect the dancing to be of a high standard and the dance-off to be really tough (and painful for whoever leaves). Who’s doing which dance?
Show times The results show is on Sunday November 23 8:15pm – 9pm BBC One. The two couples with the lowest combined judges' score and viewer votes must perform again in the dance-off, and only one will be saved by the judges. The Odds Week 10 elimination: Jodie Kidd 10/11 The (always totally accurate) prediction Here we go with my week 10 predictions: Will Mr Chambers indulge in some Tom-foolery? Will it be a case of Aust-out rather than Aust-in? Am I running out of dodgy puns? No. No and no (although with fewer contestants it does get trickier as the weeks go by). Will ‘Jo die’ on the dance floor? Yes. Ms Kidd is doing the jive and that simply doesn’t suit her so it’s cheerio to Jodie Kidd. She will lose to Lisa in the dance-off. (as usual, my prediction does not constitute regulated financial advice so don’t blow your pay packet down the bookies on my account!) Our coverage Do leave your views on the night’s performances and I’ll be back later with a full review followed by the Sunday evening eviction as soon as it happens. Your comments Click the Add a Comment link below to share your views.
November 19 John Sergeant quits StrictlyNovember 20 update
Here are some quotes from John and Kristina's press conference (watch the conference on MSN Video):
John: "Anyone who thinks I would be leaned on or bullied doesn't know me very well. I'm not really that kind of person. As far as I can, I decide to choose my own battles. And what I didn't want was a bloody battle to end this contest."
Kristina: "I support his decision but I did try to turn him around."
November 19 blog post
John Sergeant quit Strictly Come Dancing on Wednesday.
John said in a statement: "The trouble is that there is now a real danger that I might win the competition. Even for me that would be a joke too far."
BBC One controller Jay Hunt said: "We are very sad to see him go."
My view
I have not enjoyed watching John's performances but I do not think it's right that he feels like he has no option but to give up. He's always been happy to take the comments from the judges squarely on the chin but the comments from some of the professionals and celebs this week may have been too much. If he felt he no longer had the supprt of the rest of the cast then turning up at the weekend would have become very difficult.
I'm sorry for John's dance partner Kristina Rihanoff who's been a real trooper.
Do share your views in the Comments section below.
The best of Sergeant
Relive each of John's performances along with the judges' comments in this super MSN photo gallery. In video
The press conference - John explains his decision to quit Share It
New rules for Strictly Come Dancing 2009?Here's a rumour doing the rounds about the how the rules will change for the NEXT series (not this series) of Strictly Come Dancing:
The Daily Express today says that new rules for Strictly Come Dancing will mean that from next year a contestant who finishes bottom of the judges’ leader board for three weeks in a row will be automatically ejected without participating in a dance-off.
The Express quotes an unnamed "production team insider" so that doesn't strike me as cast-iron confirmation but I do think the Beeb will be looking closely at the rules for Strictly 2009.
It's pretty obvious why they would want to have this rule (to avoid a repeat of the John Sergeant, Kate Garraway sagas...) but what do you think about it?
Good idea? Bad idea? Fair? Unfair?
Also how would the logistics of the show work? If they have scheduled a Sunday night dance-off show and suddenly a dance-off isn't needed what are they going to fill the time with?
It's all getting a bit desperate.
And even more compelling by the day.
I'm loving every moment.
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November 18 MSN TV editor: "John Sergeant has every right to win Strictly"The wonderful MSN TV editor Lorna Cooper (or Coops, as we call her here at MSN Towers) has posted a piece that will continue to fan the flames of the John Sergeant debate.
She argues he has every right to win Strictly - he's playing by the rules as every other dancer is, she argues, adding that John's performances are pure entertainment.
You can read the piece on the MSN TV channel. It also includes a super photo gallery of John's performances week by week.
My view?
Yes, John has every right to win.
Yes, if you decide to join a competition then you shouldn't complain about the rules or try to tell others how to vote (as some have done).
But no, I don't find John's performances entertaining.
Which is the only reason I'd prefer other contestants to progress.
Judge-mental
I don't think the judges are helping themselves. If they want John to be voted out there's no point going on the rampage in the media as they've done. They're just encouraging viewers who vote for John to continue. If, however, the point is to win more PR for Strictly then they're doing themselves and the show proud. I caught a tiny snippet of Judge Craig's interview on radio Five Live's late night phone-in, hosted by Richard Bacon.
Craig used a naughty word and was told off by Bacon.
"It's 12 minutes past 11!" exclaimed Craig. "I've stayed up all night for this."
I hadn't and turned off.
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November 16 Strictly series six week nine Cherie Lunghi is outAn even bigger Strictly shocker this week. Cherie Lunghi and her dance partner James Jordan were voted out of Strictly Come Dancing series six on the week nine results show. They had been one the of best performers in the series so far.
After the viewers' votes were counted and added to the judges' scores from Saturday, Cherie and James were one of the couples in the bottom two. They had scored 32 with the judges on Saturday's show after doing a good cha cha cha. That had put them third bottom of the judges' leader board. The dance-off Bottom of the judges' leader board had been John Sergeant and Kristina Rihanoff who had got just 25 for their American smooth. They got enough public votes to avoid the dance-off. And so the two couples performed their routines in the dance-off and the judges then had to vote for the couple they wanted to save. Here is how the voting went: Judge Craig: Lisa and Brendan What do you think? Did you feel Lisa did better in the dance-off than Cherie? Is it right that John Sergeant stayed in? Is Strictly a dance show or an entertainment show? Have your say now by clicking the Add a Comment link below. As ever, I'd love to know what you think. PS
Strictly series six week nine judges’ scores and commentsA very good week nine on Strictly Come Dancing 2008 with the celebs raising the standard even higher. The leader board Here is our review of Saturday night including, as usual, a summary of the judges’ comments, our view, blogger’s wife’s view and Brucie’s enthusiastic comments as each performance ends. We also note which couple Brucie picked out as his favourites (user David has requested this latter service, we are happy to oblige). Judges’ scores are noted in the order they are given in the show: Craig, Arlene, Len, Bruno. And yet another Brucie bonus for you: we invited back a friend of ours to review the performances and provide some additional comments and insight. He used to cut a fine figure on the dance floors of South Africa before moving to Britain but he said he would like to remain anonymous so again we’ll call him Jivebunny G. Regular readers will recall his excellent comments in our week three review on October 5. OK, here we go: Jodie Kidd and Ian Waite – quickstep Our view: Good but not great. Len and Bruno have overmarked this one. The camera angles prevented us seeing much of her footwork. Blogger’s wife: I’m delighted she’s finally wearing a nice dress. The dance was OK. Our pal Jivebunny G: It didn’t wow me but they did some difficult steps. The floor area is too small for this dance so they did a lot of Charleston. Head judge Len Goodman: Bright, light, skipping at times. One small mistake but a great job. Judge Bruno Tonioli: You really are back on track. Judge Craig Revel Horwood: So much better than last week. Judge Arlene Phillips: You were so fast it’s like you were training for the 100 metres at the 2012 [Olympics]. 7 8 9 9 = 33 Lisa Snowdon and Brendan Cole – samba Our view: Fair enough but slightly underwhelming for me. Blogger’s wife: I’m pleased she’s got her hair down. Quite good and she’s growing in my estimation as a dancer. Our pal Jivebunny G: OK but it was quite a slow samba and that makes it difficult to keep that bounce. Judge Craig: Technically, this dance is very, very difficult. I did like the gypsy turns or spot voltas was they’re called. The rolls were not smooth enough. Shoulders a little raised towards the end. Overall, very good. Judge Arlene: I do slightly agree with Craig. You just didn’t go with the flow. It was just slightly held back. Head judge Len: I was dreading this but you’ve come out and really impressed me. Judge Bruno: The rolls were good. Sometimes the hip action didn’t kick in. 6 7 9 8 = 30 Christine Bleakley and Matthew Cutler – waltz Our view: She’s done well but for me that was not a memorable routine. Blogger’s wife: I’m not a big fan of the waltz in general. It was fine but I’m not wowed. Our pal Jivebunny G: I do like the waltz. Getting the rise and fall, the smoothness and the low at the same time is difficult and she did well. Judge Arlene: This is week nine and the gloves are off. Big song, big dance and without doubt your best yet. Head judge Len: I agree with her. Very, very well done. You went wrong on the whisk. Judge Bruno: As the weeks go by you get more polished and refined. Judge Craig: This week the top half of your body and the bottom half of your body are working in union. 8 8 9 9 = 34 Cherie Lunghi and James Jordan – cha cha cha Our view: I loved the fun opening sequence. The rest was OK. Blogger’s wife: Her footwork was beautiful but she doesn’t let herself go enough. And James needs another haircut. Our pal Jivebunny G: It was OK but like the samba before it the music was a slightly slow tempo and that can make it more difficult. Judge Bruno: What a pair of pins. You did it. You played it well. I loved it. Judge Craig: You landed particularly heavy on the New York step. However, you are magnificent to watch and you are beginning to conquer Latin. Judge Arlene: Very neat, very accurate. It looked like you were going to light up everything but there were moments when the dimmer switch went on. I envy your legs like nobody’s business. Head judge Len: Your Latin is neat and precise. I’d like to see a bit more of the wild Cherie. 7 8 8 9 = 32 Austin Healey and Erin Boag – tango Our view: Easily the best performance I’ve seen so far. Blogger’s wife: I loved Erin’s dress. That was an amazing performance. Our pal Jivebunny G: I liked the movement and footwork. Judge Craig: Aggressive, passionate, drive, wonderful hold. You told the story, well done. Judge Arlene: That was the first time I’ve seen you act. That tango was full of torrid passion. Head judge Len: In my head I was thinking: “Go on my son.” It had fire, attack. Fantastic. Judge Bruno: You went at it like a rampaging beast. It had more bang and wallop than Quantum of Solace. 9 9 10 10 = 38 Rachel Stevens and Vincent Simone – rumba Our view: They’ve put everything into that and come up trumps. Blogger’s wife: I was bored… Our pal Jivebunny G: …and I wasn’t. Head judge Len: If you are in the bottom two this week when I do the masterclass with Claudia on It Takes two I’ll do it naked. That was fantastic. Judge Bruno: That could revive the dead. Judge Craig: A little bit lewd, lustful almost indecent but I loved it. Judge Arlene: It’s the first time that I’ve had goose bumps. 9 10 10 10 = 39 John Sergeant and Kristina Rihanoff – American smooth Our view: Based only on the painfully low standards he has set for himself so far this was almost vaguely good. Blogger’s wife: I liked some bits of that, I’m surprised to say. The splits section by Kristina was good. Our pal Jivebunny G: I thought he was going to fall over a couple of times. Judge Bruno: Surprisingly appealing. Your timing was better. Your footwork wasn’t a total disaster. Judge Craig: However, entertaining it lacked a certain energy and drive. A slightly small wow factor. Judge Arlene: For the first time I got what other people see in you. It was quite endearing. Head judge Len: After seeing Terry Wogan do the waltz [on Children In Need on Friday night] you’re brilliant. You were terrible last week, better this week. That was maybe your best dance to date. 5 6 7 7 = 25 Brucie tells them they’re his favourites Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup – salsa Our view: Based on their training footage I wasn’t expecting something as good and as entertaining as this. It’s also one of those routines that Camilla excels at. Blogger’s wife: I loved the energy. He’s just done the type of performance that Cherie hasn’t given in a Latin dance. In some places the footwork was a bit messy but it was very good. Our pal Jivebunny G: I thought it was great. He looked like he enjoyed it. He’s talented. Judge Arlene: Those sequins set your hips in motion. Head judge Len: Three things you need in the salsa: rhythm, rhythm, rhythm. Your hips were fantastic. Judge Bruno: The spice boy has risen to the challenge again. Judge Craig: I loved the choreography and well executed. Boundless energy. A little too much about you and not enough about you to us. 8 9 9 9 = 35 Get ready for the dance-off on Sunday night Austin’s tango was wonderful and Rachel outdid him with 39 from a rumba. If the viewers were previously voting for John because the judges were being nasty to him then I wonder how this week will turn out when they all had something complimentary to say. What do you think will happen tonight? Click the Add a Comment link below to have your say now and check back on Sunday evening – we’ll post the result as soon as it happens.
November 15 Strictly series six week nine leader boardRachel Stevens and her dance partner Vincent Simone are top of the leader board with a wonderful score of 39 – the highest of the series so far. Their rumba was truly terrific. In second place is Austin Healey. His tango with Erin Boag got 38 points. John Sergeant is again at the bottom after receiving 25 for his American smooth with dance partner Kristina Rihanoff. Here are all the scores for week nine of Strictly Come Dancing 2008.
Your views Who should be voted out on Sunday's results show? Click the Add a Comment link below to have your say now.
November 14 Strictly series six week nine previewCan it really be WEEK NINE already? Doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun? We have eight couples left. Yet again, they are all performing a different dance. Who’s doing which dance?
Show times The results show is on Sunday November 9 8:15pm – 9pm BBC One. The two couples with the lowest combined judges' score and viewer votes must perform again in the dance-off, and only one will be saved by the judges. Tom Jones is in the studio performing his new single, If He Should Ever Leave You. Which reminds me of my Tom Jones joke: “Doctor, doctor. I keep feeling like I’m Tom Jones. Is that a common illness?” “Well, it’s not unusual.” The Odds Week nine elimination: John Sergeant 8/11 The (always totally accurate) prediction Alas, I was wrong when I said Heather would get a higher score than Christine and my prediction that John Sergeant would be eliminated turned out to be slightly inaccurate. And I didn’t exactly foresee Rachel ending up in the dance-off. But, let’s face it, neither did you and such unpredictability makes Strictly what it is. So here we go with my week nine predictions: Will Rachel be even-Stevens with John Sergeant? Will this be James Jordan’s final bite at the Cherie? Will Lisa’s samba get Snowdon by judge Craig? Have I finally run out of dodgy puns? No. No. No and no. Is John Sergeant’s major backing from the public going to run out? Yes. It’s time to say cheerio, John. He will lose to Jodie Kidd in the dance-off. And Rachel Stevens will top the judges’ leader board. Yes, I know she’s doing a rumba but it’s going to be “fab-u-lous” as judge Craig might say. And I’m a bit worried about Tom Chambers’ salsa. I don’t think it’s going to be up to his usual standard. I don’t think he’ll get more than 30 points at the very best. (as usual, my predictions do not constitute regulated financial advice so don’t blow your pay packet down the bookies on my account!) Our coverage Do leave your views on the night’s performances and I’ll be back later with a full review followed by the Sunday evening eviction as soon as it happens. Who do you think will do well on Saturday? And who is going to leave the show? Click the Add a Comment link below to share your views.
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