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12月26日

Darren Gough and Lilia win Strictly 2007 Christmas Special

Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova won the Strictly Come Dancing 2007 Christmas Special.
Their American Smooth won a maximum 40 from the judges and after the studio audience votes had been counted they were crowned champions, pipping Gethin and Camilla whose waltz had also got 40.

Well done to them and best wishes to you all.
Cheers,
Matt

12月22日

Alesha Dixon wins Strictly Come Dancing 2007

Alesha Dixon won series five of Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night.

She was top of the judges' leaderboard and her performances on the night and her consistently high standard throughout the series were rewarded when she also topped the viewers' vote to become champion.

Congratulations to her and her professional dance partner Matthew Cutler.

And well done to Matt Di Angelo and his dance partner Flavia Cacace for making it such a great final.

Our full review of the Strictly 2007 final is in the previous post below.

What did you think of the final?

Who do you think should have won?

Have your say now by clicking the Add a Comment link.

Strictly Come Dancing 2007 final: scores and review

A great night's entertainment in the final of Strictly Come Dancing series five.

Here is the judges' leaderboard after each couple performed a ballroom dance, a Latin dance and the judges' choice dance:

Alesha Dixon 39 + 38 + 35 = 112
Matt Di Angelo 36 + 39 + 35 = 110

Review of the first show

Ballroom dances:
Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace - American Smooth

Our view: Very good lifts and a very good start to the show.

Blogger's wife: A thoroughly enjoyable routine. He was light on his feet and the lifts were fabulous. And before we go any further let's just be clear that it's great to have the results show on the same evening as the performances.

Brucie: What a great start. Well done both of you. Absolutely lovely.

Head judge Len Goodman: Lovely hold, beautiful movement across the floor. One or two little foot things that we won't talk about.

Judge Bruno Tonioli: It's the first hurdle of an incredibly competitive night. You did a great job.

Judge Craig Revel Horwood: Occasionally and only occasionally there was unsteady placement of your supporting foot but it was a very, very, very cool, calm, collected performance.

Judge Arlene Phillips: From the waist up you were smoother than our own head judge Len Goodman but from the waist down it was sadly lacking in perfect footwork and sway.

9 9 9 9 = 36

Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler - Waltz

Our view: Enchanting. Well controlled. Elegant.

Blogger's wife: I loved her dress. It was a quite magical performance.

Brucie: What about it? What about it? Lovely, lovely.

Judge Bruno: It sent shivers down my spine. Your musicality, it is superb.

Judge Craig: Goosebumps, again. You've really tidied up your footwork. I found it flawless.

Judge Arlene: Triple A. Alesha: absolutely amazing.

Head judge Len: They've said all the good stuff. You picked your feet up on the pivots. On the double reverse spin you had something going on. You're the most elegant dancer but it wasn't flawless.

10 10 9 10 = 39

Latin dances:
Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace - Salsa

Our view: It was great when he performed it in week eight and it was great again tonight. I just love that routine.

Blogger's wife: Amazing. Whenever I hear that music again I'll always think of that dance.

Brucie: How about it? Absolutely marvellous.

Judge Craig: The energy in that was amazing. Brilliant.

Judge Arlene: Sensational shimmy. Absolutely fantastic.

Head judge Len: I loved your salsa last time you danced and for me it was just a scrape better than the last time.

Judge Bruno: That salsa shakes those winter blues away. You're flying high.

9 10 10 10 = 39

Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler - Cha cha cha

Our view: Spectacular.

Blogger's wife: Fabulous.

Brucie: How about it? Marvellous. Wonderful, wonderful.

Judge Arlene: That cha cha cha was cheekier than Chicago and flashier than Flashdance but there were a couple of times when you didn't straighten your knees.

Head judge Len: When I'm asked 'Who was the best girl celebrity on Strictly? I say: 'Jill Halfpenny' but henceforth I'm going to say Alesha.

Judge Bruno: If this cha cha cha was a West End show I would want to watch it over and over.

Judge Craig: I really loved it.

9 9 10 10 = 38

Judges' choice:
Both couples performed to the same piece of music (We Love To Boogie by Marc Bolan, which had been chosen by the judges)

Matt and Flavia performed a quickstep and scored 9 8 9 9 = 35

Alesha and Matthew did a jive and scored 9 8 9 9 = 35

So that left Alesha two points ahead after the three dances.

Review of the results show
The couples both performed a Viennese waltz. The judges didn't score it but by their comments it was clear they all felt both had done well.

Matt and Flavia did their show dance and received a standing ovation and rave reviews from the judges.

Alesha and Matthew then did their show dance and got the same reaction.

A great and fitting end to the show's performances.

12月21日

Strictly Come Dancing 2007: preview of the final

We started out back in October with 14 couples.

We're now down to the last two of Strictly Come Dancing series five.

And what a final it promises to be.

Alesha Dixon vs Matt Di Angelo.

The celebrities
Alesha
is best known as one third of R&B girl band Mis-Teeq.

She has been consistently the best performer in Strictly series five, winning lavish praise from the judges and receiving 14 maximum 10s.

The only question mark has been over some of her footwork which is why judge Craig has never given her a 10.

Matt played the part of Deano Wicks in EastEnders.

He has performed brilliantly in Strictly some weeks and other weeks he has let his nerves get the better of him, leading to some poor displays where he has totally forgotten the routine.

When he is at the top of his game he has the talent to get scores as high as those Alesha has received.

The professionals
This is the first Strictly final for both professional dancers.

Alesha Dixon's partner Matthew Cutler is a Latin American dance specialist. He has been UK Closed Professional Latin Champion in 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2005.

Matthew has choreographed some great routines in Strictly 2007 and has even been able to cover up the odd occasion when Alesha has forgotten her steps.

Matt Di Angelo's partner is Flavia Cacace. With her professional partner Vincent Simone she was World Argentine Tango Show Champion 2005/2006.

The great chemistry between Flavia and Matt is one of the key reasons behind their success.

The dances
Each couple will dance five times in total. In the main show they will perform their favourite Ballroom dance, their favourite Latin dance and a judges' choice, in which both couples dance to the same piece of music.

In the results show at 9:25pm the two finalists will perform a group Viennese Waltz and a Show dance where unlimited lifts are permitted.

The music
As usual the official Strictly site lists the songs but teases us by not saying which song goes with which dance:

  • A Time For Us - Johnny Mathis
  • For Once In My Life - Michael Buble
  • Crazy In Love - Beyoncé
  • Vehicle - Carlos Oliva
  • We Love To Boogie - Marc Bolan

    What is clear is that Crazy In Love will be for Alesha's cha cha cha and Vehicle goes with Matt's salsa. They used these tracks to great effect when they performed those dances in week eight.

    The show times
    Saturday December 22 BBC One 5:50pm - 7:15pm
    The main show where the finalists receive their marks from the judges.
    Saturday December 22 BBC One 9:25pm - 10:10pm
    The results show.

    The odds
    Here are the odds at the time of writing on the William Hill website.
    Outright winner of series five:
    Alesha Dixon   4/11 
    Matt Di Angelo   2/1 

    Our coverage
    As usual we will post the scores on Saturday evening as soon as the main show is over and as ever we look forward to reading your views on the performances.

    And we'll be back later on Saturday evening once the winner is announced. I'm sure that the outcome will prompt some lively debate in the comments section of this blog so do join in.

    My prediction
    This series has been full of surprises. Alesha has received terrific scores from the judges almost every week and is rightly the favourite.

    But can Matt the underdog hold his nerve and somehow sneak past her to victory? You know, I think he can.

    PS
    Almost all my predictions have been wrong.

    Your view

    What do you think? Who do you think will win Strictly Come Dancing 2007?

    Click the Add a Comment link below to have your say.

  • 12月19日

    Matt vs Alesha - head to head

    Here is how the Strictly Come Dancing 2007 finalists compare week by week:

    Week Matt and Flavia Alesha and Matthew
    Week One Cha cha cha 23 Group dance
    Week Two Group dance Rumba 31
    Week Three Jive 30 Jive 36
    Week Four American Smooth 36 American Smooth 33
    Week Five Paso Doble 31 Foxtrot 36
    Week Six Viennese Waltz 29 Salsa 35
    Week Seven Quickstep 34 Waltz 38
    Week Eight Salsa 38 Cha cha cha 39
    Week Nine Tango 32
    Rumba 33
    Tango 38
    Samba 36
    Week Ten Foxtrot 26
    Samba 29
    Viennese Waltz 38
    Paso Doble 36
    Semi-final Argentine Tango 35
    Waltz 40
    Quickstep 38
    Argentine Tango 38
    TOTAL 416 472
    AVERAGE 32 36.3

    Alesha has received 14 maximum 10s from the judges (none from judge Craig).

    Matt has received six maximum 10s (including judge Craig's only 10 of the series so far). He is the only contestant in Strictly Come Dancing series five to have scored 40 for a dance.

    Both will have to perform five dances on Saturday.

    Who do you think is going to win the final?

    Click the Add a Comment link below to share your views.

    PS
    Have you tried MSN's Strictly Come Dancing series five quiz?

    Tess Daly hair: the penultimate vital update

    Yes, it's true. This is the last but one Tess Daly hair update of Strictly Come Dancing series five.
     
    It's a sad moment but let's enjoy it for what it is (which, let's face it, isn't very much).
     
    So here are the hairstyles sported by The Tess Daly (everyone's favourite newspaper) during the Strictly Come Dancing 2007 semi-final:
     
    December 15:
    Dec15
     
     
    December 16:

    Dec 16

    You'll note the slight variation for the Sunday show where the hair was swept back behind the right ear.

    Fascinating.

    Probably.

    OK, that concludes this vital update.

    12月18日

    Official: Strictly is the best reality TV show

    The votes have been counted and the result is in.
     
    MSN asked its users which reality TV show - Strictly Come Dancing, X Factor or I'm a Celeb - is the best.
     
    More than 65,000 votes were received.
     
    It was neck and neck (and neck) between the three all the way through November and early December but the winner is...
     
    STRICTLY!
     
    But only just. It received 34% of the vote with the other two shows getting 33% each.
     
    Strictly_wins_vote
     
     
    Thanks to everyone who voted (for Strictly!)

    My Strictly Come Dancing 2007 Cool Wall

    Here's a fun way to show the world wide web what you think is Cool and Uncool. Check out: http://www.mycooluncool.com
     
    Microsoft has designed its primary use right now to be for showing others what you want for Christmas but I've used it to illustrate my views of what was Cool and Uncool in Strictly Come Dancing 2007 series five:
     
     
    (You may need to download the Microsoft Silverlight plug-in when you get to the page. It's small and quick and doesn't hurt.)
     
    When my Cool Wall loads up, mouse over the top right of each image and click to see my comments about each one.
     
    You can build your own Cool Wall and share it, too. Now that's cool.
     
    strictly_cool_wall
     
     
     
     

     

    12月16日

    Gethin Jones out of Strictly Come Dancing 2007

    Gethin Jones and his dance partner Camilla Dallerup were knocked out of Strictly Come Dancing series five on Sunday's week eleven semi-final results show.

    So the Strictly Come Dancing series five final on Saturday December 22 will be contested by Alesha Dixon and Matt Di Angelo.

    Viewers' votes
    After the viewers' votes were counted and added to the judges' scores from Saturday, Alesha Dixon and her dance partner Matthew Cutler were announced as the first contestants through to the final.

    The dance-off
    That left Gethin and Camilla as one of the couples in the bottom two. The other couple in the bottom two was Matt Di Angelo and his dance partner Flavia Cacace.

    And so the two couples did their best during the dance-off, producing two great performances under extreme pressure. The judges then had to vote for the couple they wanted to save.

    Here is how the voting went:

    Judge Craig: Matt and Flavia
    Judge Arlene: Gethin and Camilla
    Judge Bruno: Matt and Flavia

    Head judge Len Goodman's casting vote was therefore needed and he voted for Matt and Flavia.

    What do you think?
    Was this the right decision?

    Are you looking forward to the final?

    And who do you want to win Strictly Come Dancing 2007?

    Have your say now by clicking the Add a Comment link below. As ever, I'd love to know what you think.
    (Please avoid using bad language in the comments, thanks!)

    12月15日

    Strictly Come Dancing December 15 semi-final scores

    A great night's entertainment on Saturday evening's Strictly Come Dancing semi-final.

    Alesha Dixon's quickstep was wonderful and got 38. Her Argentine tango also got 38 and put her top of the leader board with 76.

    Matt Di Angelo conquered his nerves, performed well and ended up a strong second with 75.

    He got 35 for his Argentine tango and an amazing 40 (and a standing ovation from head judge Len Goodman) for his terrific waltz.

    Gethin Jones' paso doble split the judges with head judge Len giving it a 10 but the other three judges all awarded eights. His Argentine tango got 36, giving him a total of 70.

    Week eleven leader board showing the judges' scores:

    Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler 38 + 38 = 76

    Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace 35 + 40 = 75

    Gethin Jones and Camilla Dallerup 34 + 36 = 70

    Here is our usual full review of the show.

    Oh, by the way, Brucie told them all they were his favourites.

    Round one:

    Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler - Quickstep

    Our view: A great start.

    Blogger's wife: They stepped across the floor light and fast. Great dance.

    Brucie: What a start. That was absolutely wonderful.

    Judge Bruno Tonioli: You might be the last girl standing but you look like the first lady of dance. Loved it. 

    Judge Craig Revel Horwood: I agree with Bruno. It was fantastic. Full of syncopated and difficult step and you made it look so easy.

    Judge Arlene Phillips: You are about to turn this semi-final into a killer competition

    Head judge Len Goodman: One of the secrets is to make hard dances look easy and that's exactly what you did.

    9 9 10 10 = 38

    Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace - Argentine tango

    Our view: A good effort, lots of steps in that. Not an easy dance for the man to show his style and Matt didn't look quite at the height of his powers but overall a good dance.

    Blogger's wife: The lifts were amazing but it lacked performance. It didn't wow me.

    Brucie: Well done. After last week that was a comeback.

    Head judge Len: This competition is about risk and reward and I think you've risked everything. Well done. It lacked a tad of the passion and the drama.

    Judge Bruno: He's absolutely right but after last week when you fired a blank you came back and did it fully loaded.

    Judge Craig: What I loved about that was the content. A lot of different steps in that which I thought was fabulous. Your feet were a bit sticky on those foot passes.

    Judge Arlene: This dance is all about intimacy and intensity and you two have that in spades. Matt you really are a good dancer and you have to believe every inch in yourself and say 'I'll be back next week in the final'.

    8 9 9 9 = 35

    Gethin Jones and Camilla Dallerup - Paso doble

    Our view: Not sure about the start. Some dodgy hands in the routine but I enjoyed bits of it too.

    Blogger's wife: I didn't like the choice of music. His dancing was quite jerky. It didn't do it for me.

    Brucie: What about that? Absolutely wonderful.

    Judge Arlene: OK. That paso was a real mix. Sometimes it was like a Spanish omelette - not very pleasant - and sometimes it was like a fine Rioja.

    Head judge Len: I've long thought I'm stuck here in the home for the bewildered. The paso is the hardest dance for the male celebrity because it's all about the man. I thought you came out and dominated the floor.

    Judge Bruno: You came out fire and brimstone but Spanish line? Never.

    Judge Craig: It didn't thrill me and i don't know why because you are passionate and you danced your behind off. I think it lacked a connection.

    8 8 10 8 = 34

    Round two:

    Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler - Argentine tango

    Our view: Very, very good although I wonder if some of the leg movements were as sharp as they should have been.

    Blogger's wife: The music was an inspired choice and gave her something to dance to. I thought it was wonderful.

    Brucie: That was lovely.

    Judge Craig: I really loved the story telling. You turned it into a three-act play. I did feel a little bit let down - it lacked a small amount of attack.

    Judge Arlene: Without doubt you are one of the best story tellers we have ever had on Strictly. On your scissor lift your knees were just bent and sometimes the caressing of the floor was just not as perfect as I would like it to be.

    Head judge Len: I thought it was a delight.

    Judge Bruno: For me that was so focused. It was done extremely well.

    9 9 10 10 = 38

    Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace - waltz

    Our view: Controlled, elegant, understated. Terrific.

    Blogger's wife: It was nice but not exciting.

    Brucie: Oh yes. Great work together.

    Head judge Len: Bruce. I'm going to do something I've never done before...[Len  gets up and gives Matt a standing ovation]. Winners never quit and quitters never win. You've come out and you've given such a winning performance.

    Judge Bruno: The biggest come back since Judy Garland and A Star is Born. It's unprecedented.

    Judge Craig: Finally we are seeing your true potential. I have to say congratulations.

    Judge Arlene: Your hands are exquisite, your top line is elegant and you are a heart-throb.

    10 10 10 10 = 40

    Gethin Jones and Camilla Dallerup - Argentine tango

    Our view: Not convinced by this one. Something lacking.

    Blogger's wife: I wasn't wowed by it. I didn't like the music and I didn't like her outfit. It didn't look like an Argentine tango dress. The routine didn't feel seductive or teasing.

    Brucie: Wonderful. You're so good together.

    Judge Bruno [doing what seems to be an impression of Yoda from Star Wars]: Moody, dangerous, the Prince of Darkness you are tonight. You did a great job.

    Judge Craig: I couldn't agree more with Bruno.

    Judge Arlene: Argentine tango is the people's dance and I think you are going to make people want to get up and study that dance. [no, I don't know what she meant by that either] 

    Head judge Len: It must be difficult seeing someone get four 10s and then have to come out here. I thought you came out and held everyone's attention. Well done. You gave it great atmosphere.

    9 9 9 9 = 36

    So who's going to get the boot on Sunday night, then?
    Can the final be anything other than Alesha vs Matt?

    Or will the public vote give us yet another shock by saving Gethin?

    You can find out who makes it to the final on the Strictly Come Dancing Sunday results show. It is on December 16 on BBC One at 6:50pm - 7:35pm.

    We'll post the result as soon as it is announced on Sunday and we look forward to reading your comments.

    Over to you
    What did you think of Saturday's performances?

    And who will be in the dance-off on Sunday?

    Who do you think should be in the Strictly Come Dancing 2007 final?

    Share your views now by clicking the Add a Comment link below (please avoid using offensive language, thanks).

    12月13日

    Strictly Saturday semi-final preview

    The dances
    Here's who's performing which dances on the Strictly Come Dancing 2007 week eleven semi-final on Saturday December 15:

    Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler 
    Quickstep and Argentine tango

    Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace 
    Waltz and Argentine tango

    Gethin Jones and Camilla Dallerup 
    Paso doble and Argentine tango

    The music
    As usual the official Strictly site lists the songs but teases us by not saying which song goes with which dance:

  • Valerie - Amy Winehouse
  • Standing In The Way Of Control - The Gossip
  • La Yumba - Lalo Schiffrin
  • I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You - from Evita
  • Open Arms - Mariah Carey
  • World Is Not Enough - Garbage
  • The hours trained
    Here are the total hours trained by each remaining couple in series five:

    Alesha and Matthew - 355.5 hours
    Matt and Flavia - 320 hours
    Gethin and Camlla - 247.5 hours

    The show times
    Saturday December 15 BBC One 6:10pm - 7:15pm
    The remaining three couples perform two dances and receive their scores from the judges.

    Sunday December 16 BBC One 6:50pm - 7:35pm
    The viewers' votes are added to the judges' scores and, I assume, the bottom two couples battle it out in the dance-off.

    Plus: according to the blurb I have, "a show dance from world and UK exhibition champions and a troop of British juvenile dancers". I'm sure they mean a "troupe" rather than a troop but, hey, you never know...

    The odds
    Here are the odds at the time of writing on the William Hill website.

    Outright winner of series five:
    Gethin Jones   1/1  
    Alesha Dixon   1/1  
    Matt D' Angelo   7/1 

    Our coverage
    As usual we will post the scores on Saturday evening, followed a bit later by our full review of each dance, and as ever we look forward to reading your views on the performances.

    And we'll be back on Sunday evening with the result of the dance-off. This part of the show also prompts some lively debate in the comments section of this blog so do join in. 

    My prediction
    This series has been full of surprises and most of my predictions have been, er, less than successful. Sure, I said Letitia wouldn't make it past last week but I didn't expect that to be due to Matt being bottom of the leader board and top with the viewers.

    So this week I'm going to predict something I don't think will happen - maybe that way I'll be correct. So I predict Matt Di Angelo to storm it and be top with the judges and the viewers. Gethin to beat Alesha in the dance-off. 

    It couldn't happen.

    Or could it?

    Blogger's wife's prediction
    "Based on last week I'd like Matt to go out. Based on training footage Alesha's Argentine tango might be fantastic."

    Your view
    What do you think? Who do you think will be knocked out? Who's going to be the outright winner?

    Click the Add a Comment link below to have your say.

    12月11日

    Our interview with Lilia Kopylova

    Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Lilia Kopylova kindly popped into out office last week to answer our questions and the ones you posted on this blog.

    She was great fun and, among other things, reveals which A-list movie star she'd most like to do Strictly with.

    We recorded the interview and the podcast of it is now ready for your listening pleasure:

    Click this link to play it now or right click > save as to download it (or press and hold if you're using a Mac).

    You can also find the podcast on the MSN Entertainment podcast page:

    http://feeds.feedburner.com/MsnEntsPodcast

    Where you can play it or download it.

    You can also subscribe to the MSN Entertainment podcast feed to ensure you get all the latest podcasts and find all the previous ones the team has done.

    Lilia interview1Lilia interview2

    Tess Daly hair: latest vital update

    Here are the hairstyles sported by Tess Daly on Strictly Come Dancing last weekend.

    More of a Gabby Logan look, I'd say, but as I've said before I'm not an expert on female hair and this isn't the most serious of my blog postings. Anyway...

    December 8:

    Dec8 

    December 9:

    Dec9 


    12月9日

    Letitia Dean out of Strictly Come Dancing 2007

    Letitia Dean and her dance partner Darren Bennett were knocked out of Strictly Come Dancing series five on Sunday's week ten results show.

    She had performed her best ever dance - scoring 35 for her waltz on Saturday - but it wasn't enough to save her.

    After the viewers' votes were counted and added to the judges' scores from Saturday, Letitia and Darren were one of the couples in the bottom two.

    Their two dances had achieved a combined score of 65 with the judges on Saturday's show and they had been second bottom of the judges' leader board.

    The dance-off
    The other couple in the bottom two was Alesha Dixon and her dance partner Matthew Cutler. They had been second after the judges' scores with 74 points.

    Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace had been bottom of the judges' scores with a lowly 55 but avoided the dance-off due to the viewers' vote.

    And so the two couples did their best during 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: Alesha and Matthew
    Judge Arlene: Alesha and Matthew
    Judge Bruno: Alesha and Matthew

    Head judge Len Goodman's casting vote was therefore not needed but he said he would have voted for Alesha and Matthew.

    So the Strictly Come Dancing series five semi-final on December 15 will be contested by Alesha Dixon, Gethin Jones and Matt Di Angelo.

    What do you think?
    Was this the right decision?

    And who do you want to win Strictly Come Dancing 2007?

    Have your say now by clicking the Add a Comment link below. As ever, I'd love to know what you think.
    (Please avoid using bad language in the comments, thanks!)



    12月8日

    Strictly Come Dancing December 8 results

    A good night's entertainment on Saturday evening's Strictly Come Dancing quarter-final.

    Gethin Jones continues to get better and better and this week he was top with the judges, putting Alesha Dixon into second place.

    Matt Di Angelo's nerves got the better of him and he had a torrid time, ending up a distant fourth.

    The week ten leader board showing the judges' scores:

    Gethin Jones and Camilla Dallerup 38 + 37 = 75

    Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler 38 + 36 = 74

    Letitia Dean and Darren Bennett 35 + 30 =  65

    Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace 26 + 29 = 55

    Here is our usual full review of the show, this week including the music that accompanied each dance.

    Round one - ballroom dances:

    Gethin Jones and Camilla Dallerup - American smooth

    Music: Green Green Grass Of home - Tom Jones

    Our view: Not perfect but very, very well done.

    Blogger's wife: it was very lightly, delicately done. Not the music I'd have chosen but it worked.

    Brucie: What about that? Lovely. Thank you for a wonderful start.

    Head judge Len Goodman: You remind me a lot of myself! Stay focused, keep your eyes on the prize. On that performance you're in next week's semi-final.

    Judge Bruno Tonioli: Very, very smart. I think you can smell the final and you're hungry.

    Judge Craig Revel Horwood: You have come such a long way thanks to Camilla and your hard work. Very smooth, very, very confident performance - a class act. If you do get through you need to take care of your hands.

    Judge Arlene Phillips: That was a shamelessly sentimental smooth but beautifully danced. The miracle boy is not a one-week wonder. I agree with Craig about your hands.

    9 9 10 10 = 38

    Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler - Viennese waltz

    Music: Memory - Elaine Paige (who was in the audience!)

    Our view: I loved that. I couldn't stop smiling during it and clapping after it.

    Blogger's view: Quite beautiful and her outfit was wonderful too.

    Brucie: That was beautiful. Absolutely wonderful.

    Judge Bruno: Alesha, the fairytale is just beginning. How can anybody resist such beauty and radiance?

    Judge Craig: You're both absolutely stunning together. A fantastic use of steps. I loved the tempo change; wonderful stuff.

    Judge Arlene: Matt and Alesha, you turned a simple Viennese waltz into a magical memory.

    Head judge Len: If you don't get four 10s for that I'll go home and pickle my walnuts.

    9 9 10 10 = 38

    [Despite the two nines Len doesn't go home, in case you were wondering]

    Letitia Dean and Darren Bennett - waltz

    Music: The Impossible Dream - The Quest

    Our view: Easily her best yet. Well done. Now ditch the self-confidence issue, stop putting yourself down, don't talk about being 40 years old (we've had a whole week off from that nonsense which has been a pleasure) and if you're back next week just do it like that every time!

    Blogger's wife: That was quite nice and I really liked her skirt.

    Brucie: Welcome back after last week.

    Judge Arlene: It's been my dream to see you come out and dance like a star, full of confidence. You look beautiful tonight and you danced like a star.

    Head judge Len: I've never seen you looking more lovely [hang on, has Chris de Burgh suddenly taken over Len's brain with his Lady in Red song?]. I loved your arms and there were very few foot faults.

    Judge Bruno: You're definitely feeling better today, aren't you? Well executed, beautiful waltz.

    Judge Craig: I have to agree with the rest of the panel. I did have a problem with your entry steps when you do your turns.

    8 9 9 9 = 35

    Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace - foxtrot

    Music: Better Together - Jack Johnson

    Our view: Almost surreal. It just disintegrated.

    Blogger's wife: It had the potential to be beautiful if they'd danced it right.

    Brucie: They all seemed to love it.

    Judge Craig: I'm saddened. It completely fell apart at the end. I didn't feel you took the responsibility of leading. It did lack a lot of rise and fall.

    Judge Arlene: You're letting your nerves take hold of you. I do not want to see that happen. I want to get Jeremy Clarkson along to show you how to drive in reverse.

    Head judge Len: Matt is 20 years old. You have totally embraced this competition. Your nerves got the better of you. You did a great job and it was an unfortunate thing.

    Judge Bruno: It happens to everyone so get back on your horse because you've got the talent.

    4 6 8 8 = 26

    Brucie tells them they're his favourites.

    Round two - Latin dances:

    Gethin Jones and Camilla Dallerup - jive

    Music: Knock on Wood - Amii Stewart

    Our view: Explosive, fun, energetic and well choreographed. A few dodgy flicks and kicks but otherwise terrific.

    Blogger's wife: Thoroughly entertaining routine. Small points they need to iron out but if they got that sorted they'd be all 10s.

    Brucie: They're on their feet. Listen to that.

    Judge Bruno: There's no holding you back. Incredible, I can't believe it.

    Judge Craig: I'm very excited. I absolutely loved that routine. Well done. Brilliant.

    Judge Arlene: Gethin, you've cast off that cloak of modesty forever. I'd like to see the flicks open out more from the knee.

    Head judge Len: Great job, Gethin. The kicks were a bit floppy and your hands were peculiar once or twice. It looked like you, Bruno, going down Oxford Street.

    9 9 9 10 = 37

    Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler - paso doble

    Music: Toccata - Sky

    Our view: Well executed, I suppose, but it didn't do anything for me. I'd prefer to see a more traditional paso but that probably says more about me than anything else.

    Blogger's wife: I don't think the music worked for them. I loved her dress. Well executed, good job but it didn't hit me in the heart.

    Brucie: You're so good together.

    Judge Craig: Attack, passion, drama [hold on, has Match of the Day's Alan Hansen replaced Craig?]. I loved it.

    Judge Arlene: Dramatic, You felt it so much. i could see it through your eyes. I would have liked the appel [the call, the stamp] a little bit harder and stronger.

    Head judge Len: I loved it. You didn't have the haughty posutre that you should have in the paso doble.

    Judge Bruno: You can dance, you feel the music. The paso needs a lot more punch and aggression but still a great job.

    9 9 9 9 = 36

    Letitia Dean and Darren Bennett - jive

    Music: Dead Ringer - Meatloaf

    Our view: Let's just say I didn't enjoy that.

    Blogger's wife: As disappointing as I expected it to be. The fast Latin dances just don't suit her.

    Brucie: I loved the ending where you kicked him.

    Judge Arlene: The jive should be warm and bubbly like a hot jacuzzi and from the waist up it was but when I looked down - oh dear - it was a bit of a jive junk.

    Head judge Len: The jive is the dance that doesn't suit you.

    Judge Bruno: Instead of being a dead ringer it was a looky-likey.

    Judge Craig: I have to agree with Len but you did a good effort.

    7 7 8 8 = 30

    Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace - foxtrot

    Music: Blame it on the Boogie - The Jacksons

    Our view: This was not one of their great performances but Flavia's trousers were good.

    Blogger's wife: I loved their outfits. And, yes, that is my comment.

    Brucie: Yes, he's back. Well done.

    Head judge Len: Nerves have done you in, sunshine. It was just a great pity.

    Judge Bruno: We want you to succeed but you did mess it up. It's nerves.

    Judge Craig: You were counting all the way through, which annoyed me. Very flat-footed and your timing was out.

    Judge Arlene: You were counting but you were dancing. You were truly dancing but something overtook you.

    6 7 8 8 = 29

    So who's going to get the boot on Sunday night, then?
    The Strictly Come Dancing Sunday results show on December 9 is on BBC One at 6:15pm - 7:00pm.

    I'll post the result of the quarter-final dance-off shortly after the Sunday show ends and, as ever, I look forward to reading your comments.

    I had expected Letitia to be bottom and to go out this week but Matt had a nightmare. Even if he faces Letitia rather than one of the other two in the dance-off I'm not sure he will be able to save himself. He could conquer his nerves but I'm not convinved his samba routine is good enough to beat Letitia's waltz (although I liked Flavia's trousers!).

    However, this series of Strictly has produced more shocks than any other...

    Over to you
    What do you think?

    Has Matt blown it with his nervy foxtrot and samba?

    Will it be all over for Letitia?

    Or could the viewers' vote produce a huge shock this week?

    Who do you think should be in the series five semi-final?

    Share your views now by clicking the Add a Comment link below (please avoid using offensive language, thanks).

    PS
    Our interview with Lilia Kopylova will be published next week - do check back to make sure you don't miss out. She reveals, among many other things, which male film star she'd love to do Strictly with...

    12月7日

    Strictly Come Dancing week ten preview


    The dances
    Here's who's performing which dances on the Strictly Come Dancing 2007 week ten quarter-final on Saturday:

    Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler
    Viennese waltz and paso doble

    Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace
    Foxtrot and samba

    Letitia Dean and Darren Bennett
    Waltz and jive

    Gethin Jones and Camilla Dallerup
    American smooth and jive

    The music
    As usual the official Strictly site lists the songs but teases us by not saying which song goes with which dance:

  • Better Together - Jack Johnson
  • The Impossible Dream - The Quest
  • Memory - Elaine Paige
  • Dead Ringer For Love - Meatloaf
  • Blame It On The Boogie - The Jacksons
  • Knock On Wood - Amii Stewart
  • Toccata - Sky
  • Green Green Grass Of Home - Tom Jones

    The show times
    Saturday December 8 BBC One 5:45pm - 7:00pm
    The remaining four couples perform two dances and receive their scores from the judges.

    Sunday December 9 BBC One 6:15pm - 7:00pm
    The viewers' votes are added to the judges' scores and the bottom two couples battle it out in the dance-off.

    Plus: a performance by Cliff Richard and, according to the blurb I have, Vincent and Flavia (they danced on last week's show but if they're on again let's hope they're going to do an Argentine tango because blogger's wife will be most pleased. I reckon they will because it's one of the dances the semi-finallists will do the following week).

    The odds
    Here are the odds at the time of writing on the William Hill website.

    Next to be eliminated:
    Letitia Dean   1/6 
    Matt Di Angelo   6/1
    Gethin Jones   8/1
    Alesha Dixon   33/1

    Outright winner of series five:
    Alesha Dixon   1/3 
    Gethin Jones   7/2 
    Matt Di Angelo   6/1 
    Letitia Dean   25/1 


    Our coverage
    As usual we will post the scores on Saturday evening, followed a bit later by our full review of each dance, and as ever we look forward to reading your views on the performances.

    And we'll be back on Sunday evening with the result of the dance-off. This part of the show also prompts some lively debate in the comments section of this blog so do join in.


    The prediction
    Right now I can't see any other result than Letitia going out. She's had a good run and I expect her waltz will be fine but she's going to need to find something special in the jive to avoid being bottom of the judges' leader board.

    Your view
    What do you think? Who do you think will be knocked out? Who's going to be the outright winner?

  • Strictly hours trained

    On Thursday's Strictly Come Dancing It Takes Two we saw the latest training footage and the number of hours each couple has trained so far during series five.

    Here is how the couples rank:

    Couple Hours trained
    Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler 321.5 hours
    Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace 286.5 hours
    Letitia Dean and Darren Bennett 248.5 hours
    Gethin Jones and Camilla Dallerup 223.5 hours




    12月5日

    What would you ask Lilia Kopylova?

    All being well, I shall be interviewing Strictly professional dancer Lilia Kopylova this Friday afternoon.
     
    I've got loads of questions I want to ask her but I thought it would be good to give you the opportunity too.
     
    So, if you have a question you'd like me to ask her, click the Add a Comment link below and type away.
     
    I shall pick the best questions and include them in the interview.
     
    The interview will be published next week as a podcast that you can listen to or download but I'll also write it up on this blog.
     
    Cheers,
    Matt Ball

    Latest Strictly pics

    You can find some good pics of week nine's peformances in MSN's latest Strictly photo gallery.
     
    I like the photo of Kenny's rumba - neatly illustrates how he captured the emotion of the dance. 

    Tess Daly hair: important update

    Continuing my occasional (and less than serious) series, here are the most recent images of the hairstyles sported on Strictly Come Dancing by Tess Daly (everyone's favourite newspaper).
     
    November 24 and November 25:
     
    nov24nov25
     
     
     
    December 1 and December 2:
     
    dec1dec2
     
     
    Blogger's wife pointed out to me the mirror-like symmetry of the dress shoulder straps from last weekend.
     
    A nice touch, I'm sure you'll agree.