Strictly Come Dancing week 7 

Holly Valance and Brendan Cole dance the Rumba to Leave Right Now by Will Young Photograph : BBC Pictures

Tonight Strictly is at the half-way point.  Next week it’s Wembley, and an audience of over 6000, a goal some of the celebrities have been aiming for. But first there is the small matter of tonight’s show, with the first Argentine Tango’s of the series as well as a Jive, 2 American Smooth’s, a Rhumba, a Cha Cha Cha, Vienesse Waltz and a Foxtrot. Anything could happen. Here we go…

Could Tess Daly possibly have spared a few seconds to consider that her hair, obscuring her poppy on Remembrance weekend, might have been better swept to one side ? Competing with the flashing Christmas tree green dress is enough!

Alex & James Jive. With a Rag Doll. Alex needs to remember to point her feet in the kicks and flicks, but it’s high energy once they get going. Len says that Alex has blossomed & busted out all over the place, though he picked up on the kicks needing to be sharper. Alesha said that Alex just needs to refine some steps – especially pointing her feet but overall it was great. Bruno said he had so much fun! Craig finishes off by making the same point about her feet, but said it was a confident performance.

They score : 31

Robbie & Ola trip the light fantastic next, with the American Smooth. More excruciating VT and then Ola takes to the floor, dragging Robbie from the steps. He’s having trouble with the spins and looks a little wooden tonight. The first lift is okay, not show stopping. The second is better. It’s a nice ending but a so-so AS.  Bruno liked the variety of steps, but said it was a bit rough. Craig liked the arm placement in the running promenades but the hands are still a bit strange, but he liked the whole routine. Len wondered why Robbie started off on the naughty step, but once he’d got going, Len could see improvement.

They score : 31

Audley & Natalie have the Cha Cha Cha tonight. Audley says he’s ready to rumble, but is he ? At either end of the stairs, they clap hands and join in the middle. Audley is shuffling more than dancing, and Natalie is dancing for two. Bruno wants timing and precision and found almost none. Here’s an example where personality is not enough to cover the technique.  Leaden, heavy and ”not your finest hour” says Craig.  Len says “I’ve got a feeling the only way you’re going to Wembley is on the Jubilee Line.” 

They score : 20

Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani dance the Argentine Tango to Asi Se Baila El Tango by Bailongo Photograph : BBC Pictures

Harry & Aliona dance the first Argentine Tango of the series. Very focused start. Sharp, taut and dangerous, so much so they’re nearly in the footlights! It’s a great performance.  Beautiful burgundy red velvet costumes too !  Craig said authority and control were there, but Len said that although it was clever, there wasn’t the intensity he was looking for – the mood of being transported to a club in Buenos Aires.  Craig and Len break out into an unseemly spat and Bruce apologies for Len’s words. Alesha says “great job.” Bruno said “it was moodier than a thunder storm in the pampas.” His ganchos were perfect.

They score : 37 (2 tens from Alesha and Bruno)

Jason and Kristina have a bit of a mountain to climb after last week’s Rhumba which Jason found difficult. Their Viennese Waltz training is interspersed with a good luck message from Kylie Minogue. They get off to a great start; Jason’s Fleckel’s look good too. Len liked the lyrical movement and the routine. Alesha loved the drama and the connection between them.  Bruno said “you were back in the zone, Jason.” Craig would have given him a 10 but his arms are still not perfect.

They score : 35

Chelsee & Pasha dance the Foxtrot tonight. Chelsee sits next to the piano in her beautiful floating dress, and joins Pasha as they sweep across the floor. Beautiful head and neck lines from Chelsee. Bruno said Chelsee is sophisticated, with arms “like the soft wings of a dove.” Craig said Chelsee was starting to tick all his boxes. Len wants Chelsee to work on her footwork a bit more.

They score : 36 (a ten from Alesha)

Anita and Robin dance the second Argentine Tango of the night, and as it’s much more exposing for the lady, this will be a test for Anita. First we have more excruciating VT. C’mon Beeb, let’s focus on the dance ! Anita sits alone, red shoes under the spotlight, as Robin approaches, stage left. Anita is missing some of the sharpness of her feet, but none of the intensity of the dance. Robin has cleverly choreographed the routine so that many of the turns are with Anita in his arms, where she looks amazingly fantastic. She really is an inspiration.  Bruno said that Anita had “unleashed her Basic Instinct.” Craig didn’t think that Anita was entirely following Robin’s lead, but loved the routine.  Len liked the feeling of the dance, and the smoulder!

They score : 33

Holly dances with Brendan Cole this week, who steps in for her regular partner, Artem Chigvintsev, who is recovering from a back injury. They dance the Rhumba. Sat on opposite sides of the bench, Holly dressed in flowing scraps of pink and silver sequins, they dance a beautiful, romantic Rhumba. Craig loved the new partnership. Len wants a bit more emotion from Holly and wants her to look up more.  Bruno said that Holly moved so well and that the routine was “very, very good.”

They score : 34

Russell & Flavia wrap up the show with an American Smooth like no other. Flavia has the dress of the night, satin champagne coloured and fluted at the hem, encrusted with diamonds all over. But, what’s this ? Clothes are being removed behind the screen… Russell emerges in full on gold lame and sequins, bursting around the ballroom in great flashing bursts of energy.  Len says “that was what it was” and “you came out like a giant Fererro Rocher.” Bruno said that Russell really is “his own special creation” and Craig said “immortal.”

They score : 26

Strict in the rehearsal room ? Interview with Artem Chigvintsev

Strictly Come Dancing on Swan Lake

Things you don’t know about Swan Lake

The Strictly Come Dancing Annual

The Strictly Judges

Guest Judge Jennifer Grey

Tonight’s music was :

Alex Jones and James Jordan dance the Jive to River Deep, Mountail High by the Glee Cast

Robbie Savage and Ola Jordan dance the American Smooth to Sway by Pussycat Dolls

Audley Harrison and Natalie Lowe Dance the Cha Cha Cha to Uptight by Stevie Wonder

Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani dance the Argentine Tango to Asi Se Baila El Tango by Bailongo

Jason Donovan and Kristina Rhianoff dance the Viennese Waltz to Iris by Goo Goo Dolls

Chelsee Healey and Pascha Kovalev dance the Foxtrot to Doesn’t Mean Anything by Alicia Keys

Anita Dobson and Robin Windsor Dance the Argentine Tango to Cirque Du Soleil Tango by Cirque Du Soleil

Holly Valance and Brendan Cole dance the Rumba to Leave Right Now by Will Young

Russell Grant and Flavia Cacace dance the American Smooth to I am What I am by John Barrowman

All Photographs © BBC Pictures.  No unauthorized publication.

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