Strictly Come Dancing with Learn To Dance

Strictly 2011 Final Result

2011-12-17T22:04:00.000Z

Votes have been counted, the judges have no say but first of all the returning celebrities. Russell being held up by Rory & Robbie actually made me laugh out loud! Actually they all looked really good (though I didn't see Nancy with her feet on the floor). Now for the results... .... The Strictly 2011 winner is .... Harry Judd A fair result as I just felt Chelsee was lacking in

Strictly Come Dancing 2011 FINAL

2011-12-17T21:49:00.001Z

So the last few months have been fairly hectic for us, apologies therefore that I've not been blogging about the last few weeks. Right back at the launch show I predicted that Harry & Chelsee could both do really well, but never gave a thought to Jason - two out of three isn't bad though! First up tonight is Harry & Aliona with their Quickstep: Harry's frame has definitely improved

Strictly Come Dancing week 5 - Halloween Special

2011-10-30T00:08:00.000+01:00

Apologies for not blogging on last week's action, but unfortunately we just couldn't get the time. Tonight is the Strictly Halloween Special, and I can already predict that the scariest thing is going to be Nancy! First up is Russell Grant & Flavia Cacace with their Samba If Russell has got a knee problem then Samba's probably the worst dance he could have been given. It's so nice to see

Strictly Come Dancing Week 3

2011-10-17T18:27:00.000+01:00

Ok due to our Bournemouth Dance Weekend this weekend I've had to save the blogging until today. Rather than inundating everyone with posts I'm just going to do it in one long one instead. This week is Broadway week, why? I don't know but I suppose they feel the need to have some form of gimmick to keep the public interested. We missed the live show as we were having a masquerade ball, but

Week 2 Leaderboard

2011-10-08T20:44:00.001+01:00

So added together with last week the scores are as follows: (Last week's score, This week's score) [My total score] 1. 65 points (32, 33) - Jason & Kristina [14] 2. 58 points (28, 30) - Holly & Artem [13] 3. 56 points (27, 29) - Chelsee & Pasha [15] 3. 56 points (28, 28) - Anita & Robin [13] 5. 55 points (28, 27) - Harry & Aliona [14] 6. 51 points (22, 29) - Alex & James [13] 7. 49 points (

Russell Grant & Flavia Cacace - Salsa

2011-10-08T20:25:00.002+01:00

Well Russell's certainly not shy, but his initial hip rolls are pretty awful, better once they start dancing. Needs to try and use the floor more and I worry that it's lacking a little of the impact that he brought last week. Some nice movements in there but yet another proof that you shouldn't be mucking around with props. Only a 5 from me this week, not as entertaining as last week I'm

Harry Judd & Aliona Vilani - Foxtrot

2011-10-08T20:18:00.001+01:00

Hands are a little splayed (as Craig would put it) which is a shame. Needs to keep his head up and really stretch out in his frame but there's a great connection between them both...Emma wonders if they're both single... A good performance let down by his frame - really work on stretching away from her Harry and you could be an excellent dancer. A 7 from me. Craig: 6 "You can dance,

Nancy Dell'Olio & Anton Du Beke - Salsa

2011-10-08T20:10:00.002+01:00

An uncomfortable start and her timing and footwork is all over the place. Anton's doing his best to keep her under control, I must admit it's not as bad as I'd originally expected but the technique is pretty awful. She needs to stand up straighter and let Anton lead...I'm going to give her a 5 as I'm feeling generous. Craig: 3 "Frenetic, frantic, frenzied" Len: 5 "Most exciting part was

Jason Donovan & Kristina Rihanoff - Foxtrot

2011-10-08T20:00:00.002+01:00

Jason was top of the leader board last week, and the training midweek suggested he'll still be there this week, let's hope he lives up to it. Not sure on the solo spin and a few picked up feet in his first feather step. Needs to watch his shoulder line and the pivots are a little heavy. I felt it looked better in training if I'm honest but a very good performance nonetheless. I felt he

Anita Dobson & Robin Windsor - Salsa

2011-10-08T19:52:00.002+01:00

A bit of a stumble but they're quick to get back into routine, though Anita's confidence looks to have been knocked. It's a real shame as they started really well but some of the later sequences just seem to have lost the fire. A cheeky performance but lost it halfway, just a 6 from me. Craig: 7 "I thought you danced it brilliantly" Len: 7 "A few incidents...having said that, I thought it

Robbie Savage & Ola Jordan - Foxtrot

2011-10-08T19:45:00.002+01:00

Almost a stumble at the beginning but other than that quite a good start. Shame that it actually loses it a bit once they go into hold. His eyeline's just a little too high, which a lot of the guys suffer from in the Ballroom, but he's definitely putting a lot into the performance. It was still a little bit flat footed and he needs to make sure he brushes one leg past the other but

Rory Bremner & Erin Boag - Salsa

2011-10-08T19:35:00.001+01:00

A bit out of time at the start but a great smile. Needs to stand up straighter and I feel there are points when Rory's just standing around waiting for his turn. Salsa is a very difficult dance though, and along with the Foxtrot, I think they're both too early in the competition. A good performance but not great, just a 6 from me. Craig: 4 "Like a rat caught on a sticky strip...dancing way

Holly Valence & Artem Chigvintsev - Salsa

2011-10-08T19:19:00.001+01:00

Not sure on the head movements and her steps are still a bit too big for my liking but I do feel a lot more energy this week...though I still feel there's something missing from the performance. Her arms can be a bit lazy at times but it wasn't bad still don't think I can give it more than a 7 though at this stage. Craig: 7 "Some timing issues...great hip rotation...whole routine really

Lulu & Brendan Cole - Foxtrot

2011-10-08T19:11:00.003+01:00

Head up Lulu! Lifting her feet rather than tracking along the floor and missing quite a few of her heel turns, which is a shame as she was doing them in training. You can tell she's forgotten a few of the steps but a huge improvement on last week. Not bad, Lulu just needs to dance with more confidence, a 6 from me but with potential. Craig: 5 "I felt like you were trying to keep up with

Dan Lobb & Katya Virshilas - Salsa

2011-10-08T19:05:00.001+01:00

No, why on earth do the flip at the start, feels a bit 'dad at a wedding' and the outfit doesn't help. Another routine that really doesn't feel like a Salsa, and the lifts are just a complete distraction. I'm afraid it didn't really feel like a dance, more like a show dance, and I really didn't see much hip action from Dan. Again the whole movement needed to be a lot more compact. Just

Alex Jones & James Jordan - Foxtrot

2011-10-08T18:56:00.000+01:00

This start feels a bit more Alex Jones rather than last weeks 'sexy'. Frame is looking a lot better but she still picks that foot up :-( Unfortunately I think the break in the middle ruins her frame which is a shame as it was actually a very good performance. I'm going to give it a 7. Craig: 6 "Pivots a little bit off-centre...ballroom definitely suits you more" Len: 8 "Key to this

Audley Harrison & Natalie Lowe - Salsa

2011-10-08T18:48:00.002+01:00

I still feel it's a bit too disco and not enough Salsa, Audley still looks flat footed as he moves around. Plenty of personality but he must avoid looking down. Some really good spins but Audley needs to take smaller steps and try to control his body better. Not a bad Salsa but just a 6 from me. Craig: 5 "Very flat footed but I'm not surprised with those size feet...but two good things

Edwina Currie & Vincent Simone - Foxtrot

2011-10-08T18:41:00.002+01:00

A much better dress this week, but a lot of 'faffing' about as Len would put it 50 seconds before they actually take hold! It's very elegant and romantic but they only spend about 20 seconds actually in hold. Edwina looks quite clumsy at times but overall not a bad performance, but not a Foxtrot I'm afraid so just a 5 from me, and Len is NOT going to be happy! Craig: 4 "When you FINALLY got

Chelsee Healey & Pasha Kovalev - Salsa

2011-10-08T18:32:00.001+01:00

Energetic start though not sure on the outfit. Good floor spin but I think they've chosen the outfit to mask a lack of hip action. Chelsee looks a little tired near the end and I think there was maybe a bit too much choreography, not enough time for Chelsee to perfect her technique. I expected better but I think that was more the choreography than her performance. Just a 7 from me.

Strictly Come Dancing Week 2 Rehearsals

2011-10-08T16:42:00.001+01:00

So week 2 of Strictly is upon us, and there's a new round of training videos to pour over. I've watched training videos on It Takes Two from Wednesday, Thursday and Friday as well as the above video for my comments. This year they have removed the dance off (stupid idea if you ask me) so it's all down to audience votes to get someone off the bottom of

Strictly Celebrities first reactions

2011-10-02T09:02:00.002+01:00

So there's a few of the celebrity reactions here for your watching pleasure. Watch out for more updates over the week and don't forget It Takes Two starts tomorrow night on BBC 2 at 6.30pm.

Saturday 1st October - Leaderboard

2011-10-01T20:24:00.001+01:00

So combined leaderboard for the weekend is as follows (my scores in brackets): 1. 32 points - Jason & Kristina (7) 2. 28 points - Holly & Artem (6) 2. 28 points - Anita & Robin (7) 2. 28 points - Harry & Aliona (7) 5. 27 points - Rory & Erin (6) 5. 27 points - Chelsee & Pasha (8) 7. 24 points - Dan & Katya (6) 8. 22 points - Alex & James (6) 9. 21 points - Russell & Flavia (6.5) 10. 20 points

Jason Donovan & Kristina Rihanoff - Cha Cha Cha

2011-10-01T20:12:00.002+01:00

I've often considered acquiring a neck brace to torture my students with, Jason's performance tonight may make my mind up for me. Russell may have performed 'the campest Cha Cha Strictly's ever seen' but Jason wouldn't be far behind after that start. Some nice hip action though, but he does get out of step on his Natural Top. His backward locks could be a bit softer but there's a lot of

Nancy Dell'Olio & Anton Du Beke - Waltz

2011-10-01T20:05:00.001+01:00

Two big egos, one dance, plenty of humour, though I don't think the feather boa was part of the routine and unfortunately it's pretty much ruined the whole performance. A complete mess I don't feel it's fair to even give it a score, I think Craig especially will be harsh. Craig: 1 "A word of advice darling, forget props all together" Len: 4 "Too long messing about on the settee...the actual

Edwina Currie & Vincent Simone - Cha Cha Cha

2011-10-01T19:54:00.003+01:00

Edwina had quite a good hip action developing in training so I hope to see more of that tonight, not sure on the outfit they've put her in though. She needs to avoid picking her feet up quite so dramatically, and the floor spin for Vincent is definitely a departure. A lot of repetition in the routine which is a shame. It's a little bit forced at times but you can't compare her to Ann