In an extraordinary show Jade Johnson did not dance on medical advice after an accident in rehearsal. Laila Rouass was also injured before the show started but was cleared to dance by the doctor and chose to do so but she could not complete her rumba routine due to being in so much pain.

The judges’ scores
After the judges’ scores from Friday night and Saturday night had been added together the leader board looked like this:

Ricky and Natalie – 35

Ali and Brian – 35

Natalie and Vincent – 34

Phil and Katya – 31

Chris and Ola – 30

Ricky and Erin – 29

Laila and Anton – 22

The dance-off
After the viewers’ votes were added to the judges’ leader board Ricky and his dance partner Erin and Phil and his dance partner Katya were left in the bottom two and faced the drama of the dance-off.

The judges voted as follows:

Judge Craig: Ricky and Erin

Judge Alesha:  Phil and Katya

Judge Bruno:  Phil and Katya

Head judge Len (casting vote): Ricky and Erin

So out went Phil and Katya.

(Our thanks to the ever brilliant Miss Bubbles for doing the live blog – you can read her comments in the previous post)

My full review of Saturday night’s performances:

We have Tess’ reaction, our view, blogger’s wife’s opinion, a summary of the judges’ views and the scores.

Phil Tufnell and Katya Virshilas – American smooth

Tess: You’re opening the batting. And very dapper you look, Phil.

Our view: Smooth, classy in places. He’s done well there.

Blogger’s wife: Great choice of music and they danced it very well.

Judge Craig: I was a little bit and only marginally disappointed because it wasn’t showy enough. It was cool but I didn’t think it was particularly confident until after the first lift when the timing was good and it became strong til the finish.

Head judge Len: I wasn’t disappointed at all. I see a change of attitude. No more the cheeky charmer, you realise to get anywhere in this competition you have got to up your performance. I thought it was more determined and you did a very good job.

Judge Alesha: You definitely got your swagger back Phil, you are more comfortable in the ballroom. I love the freeness of this dance I think it really suits you. The transitions in and out of the lifts were really well done considering the trouble you have had with your knee. Very smooth and very entertaining.

Judge Bruno: Captain Phil you have the blissful look of someone who just joined the mile high club. Smooth take-off, smooth landing, a bit of turbulence in the middle because you lost timing but you handled it very well.

7 8 8 8 = 31

Ricky Whittle and Natalie Lowe – jive

Tess: Don’t tell me you’ve sustained an injury. That was top gear that jive.

Our view: Fast and furious, certainly. A lot of energy. Too complex for him to do it perfectly.

Blogger’s wife: Although she’s got the body for it she looked like she was dancing in her underwear. The bets jive of the series so far, it really like felt like a jive.

Head judge Len: You are consistent but you are the hunted and everyone’s after you. Austin Healey was in the same position last year. One dance and it’s not quite so good and you’re in the dance-off and you’re out. Keep focused and keep this standard fo dancing.

Judge Alesha: That was a fast jive. Occasionally your timing was out but that was so fast paced you are amazing. It was light-heated, it was cheeky it was pretty amazing.

Judge Bruno: Talk about a tight package full of power. You just go for it. Those kicks and flicks have to be pointed.

Judge Craig: As much as I absolutely loved it, it really did lose technique because of the speed. You were behind a lot of time. The choreography was just stopping a lot of the time.

8 9 9 9 = 35

Ricky Groves and Erin Boag – Viennese waltz

Tess: Everybody’s raising their game tonight.

Our view: He got the character right for this one and has performed the routine better than I expected.

Blogger’s wife: Hair disaster for Erin, it made her look about 50. They danced it very nicely.

Judge Bruno: He made me spin in disbelief but in a good way. I’ve never seen such composure and restraint from you. You kept in time all the way through. You are still a bit tight.

Judge Craig: I really felt as though I couldn’t relax for one moment only because you were very, very tense. You coped very well with all the changing steps you had to do. You do need to smooth out your rise and fall but a really great job.

Head judge Len: All he needs to do to stay out of the dance-off is dance like he’s just done.

Judge Alesha: I’ve seen real improvement Ricky. When you’ve been in a dance-off it knocks you. You did very well and you should be proud of yourself.

7 8 7 7 = 29 

Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan – paso.

Tess: Chris come on over. I was loving the paso face

Our view: I don’t like the paso done to modern music. And suddenly along comes along an exception. That was great fun. Of course, you can ask yourself whether a paso should really be fun.

Blogger’s wife: I was a little distracted byu the dsong and wondering if the singer would hit the high notes but I thoroughly enjoyed and want to watch it again

Head judge Len: I nearly pooed me pants when he started, he frightened the life out of me. You came out and really gave it plenty. Craig or Bruno will probably bring it up - you could have been a little firm in the buttocks. I loved the attack of the dance, well done.

Judge Alesha: I love you two. I felt the passion. Chris, your hand is very distracting just close it but I have to say it was intense all the way through, you performed it.

Judge Bruno: That was awful but I liked it. You looked like a child having a tantrum. There was an incredible lack of artistry.

Judge Craig: I feel it had danger, menace, aggression, lots and lots of stamping but you forgot to dance, it was all just placed. It lacked the dignity, honour and the authority that a matador does have.

6 8 9 7 = 30

Laila Rouass and Anton du Beke – rumba

Tess: It was touch and go whether she would dance this week so well done Laila for having a go.

Our view: Oh dear, what a shame. They did some nice moves but she couldn’t finish the routine. Couldn’t they have found a skin coloured bandage?

Blogger’s wife: I’m disappointed in the colour of Laila’s dress. It could have been good if it had been a different colour. I liked the parts they danced.

Judge Craig: Too bad you were concentrating on your injury because there may have been a glimmer of hope in the routine but obviously the pain has got to you. Just on the first part of it I’m going to be marking tonight.

Head judge Len: The rule is that if you get through at least 50% of the dance then we mark it on what we’ve seen and I thought you were getting on really well.

Judge Alesha: You look absolutely beautiful tonight. What you lacked in technique you certainly make up for in heart and passion.

Judge Bruno: Oh, what could have been. It could have been something beautiful. I have to comment on what I saw and that was a dance you couldn’t do justice to.

3 7 6 6 = 22

Natalie Cassidy and Vincent Simone – foxtrot

Tess: A fabulous flowing foxtrot

Our view: Not sure I enjoyed that. Not sure why.

Blogger’s wife: Yet another unflattering dress. Gtrea choice of music. The dance didn’t quite work for me.

Judge Bruno: Very posh, very prim and very proper. You really tried to work on your body contact maybe because of that it lacked a little bit of freedom of movement.

Judge Craig: It didn’t have the flow around the floor but the routine was beautifully simple, it was sweet and honest and smooth.

Head judge Len: That was quality right up my street. Full of magic moments. It could have done with more movement but your best dance as far as I’m concerned.

Judge Alesha: What a dream to watch. I love the song choice. The genuine friendship between you shines through.

8 9 9 8 = 34

Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna – cha cha cha

Brucie: Come one over with your cheeky cha chas.

Our view: One slip up but otherwise well performed.

Blogger’s wife: Finally an Ali hairstyle I like. Dress looked good too. I think she’s finally relaxed in the Latin. Really enjoyed it.

Judge Alesha: Technically very, very good. It’s great to see arms being used correctly in a cha cha. Your cha cha walks were great. You’ve loosened up a lot it was a tad polite but you’ve come out of your shell more.

Judge Bruno: You finish every beat in the arm as it should be. Your hip action is beautiful to look at. You are a nice girl I want a bad, bad girl.

Judge Craig: It was difficult job for Brian because that music didn’t suggest to me cha cha cha. What you did with it choreographically was spectacular. You were a little early on one of those kicks.

Head judge Len: You’re hips are truly hypnotic. I did like it but it was like a Darcy Bussell cha cha cha - you’ve got to be more raunchy. All too airy fairy for me but I liked it.

9 8 9 9 = 35

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