Strictly Come Dancing – Week 4, it’s Halloween
After some improvements last week, and Jerry’s perhaps not so graceful exit, who would raise their game in week 4 and who would be in the Strictly coffin?
Danny & Vincent (6, 6, 8, 7, Total 27)
Dancing the Scooby-doo themed Cha Cha Cha, Danny was starting to dance choreography from a higher level which was encouraging – Vincent maybe getting a bit braver with her now? The technique still needs big developments to pull off this dance better (more body action, stronger legs will all make this dance look better) but it’s going the right way.
Richard Arnold & Erin Boag (5, 5, 7, 5, Total 22)
After an improvement for his Quickstep last week, could Richard keep moving forward with his dancing this week? Dancing the Paso Doble he certainly threw himself into this, and maybe earned some points for that. However, now he was back out of hold, there was still some improvements not yet made. He really needs to raise his game in the quality of his Latin now to keep up with those at the front.
Lisa Riley & Robin Windsor (6, 6, 7, 7, Total 26)
Dancing the Halloween Charleston once again Lisa entered full of personality on the floor, bright, cheerful and happy. This was a very fast track and did expose some lack of technique in this dance, not going unmissed by the judges this time. Her personality really is carrying her further and further, but is this the start of the calls for more quality to go into her dance.
Sid Owen & Ola Jordan (2, 5, 5, 5, Total 17)
Dancing the Ghostbusters’ Cha Cha Cha, we were hoping for a step forward after a bit of a dip last week. Well, this was a little restrained and left us feeling not quite brought into his dance enough (Compare this with Lisa who also lacked some technique but pulled herself forward). Sid is in trouble and under pressure on the dance floor at the moment and will need to raise his game and find some confidence very quickly to last out a bit longer.
Nicky Byrne & Karen Hauer (6, 6, 7, 7, Total 26)
Nicky made a good positive step forward last week so we hoped this week would continue in the same theme, maybe relaxing into a more confident role too. Dancing the Tango (to Weird Science!), you’d have to say he did achieve just that. He has raised his game, and didn’t lack confidence stamping out his steps! Yes, still much to do, but he seemed to get away with Weird Tango this week.
Fern Britton & Artem Chigvintsev (4, 5, 6, 6, Total 21)
Last weekend Fern was needing an injection of energy and sharpness. Dancing the American Smooth, there was an opportunity to play to a bad-girl here but we saw a softer role. Len said she needed more “Wow factor” and we felt just the same. She needs to indulge some more, and express much more through her body to really get the most out of it. More expression Fern, come on! This is holding her back now.
Denise Van Outen & James Jordan (7, 7, 7, 7, Total 28)
Denise has now risen expectations each week that she will be the one to beat. Dancing the ‘freaky’ Cha Cha Cha to “Can’t touch this”, she was slightly more exposed in this dance and you could see there needed to be more leg and hip action. The basic quality of the dances is hardest to achieve and whilst often hidden in choreography and fuller outfits, here it was in need of development as it was on full show. Still heading for the late weeks of the show but more dance quality developments needed now.
Michael Vaughan & Natalie Lowe (8, 8, 8, 7, Total 31)
Michael has been struggling, particularly with his Latin. Dancing his Quickstep, he was back in hold and much better once again. OK, so there were refinements in his hold and movement needed but this was so much better than last week. If he’s going to take to ballroom much better than Latin, Natalie’s challenge will be getting him through the Latin dances more successfully. Well done Michael, the best step up from one week to the next we’ve seen. Cracking score!
Victoria Pendleton & Brendan Cole (7, 8, 8, 8, Total 31)
After a tricky costume issue last week, we’d been waiting for two weeks now to see if she’d settled into the competition more. Dancing the Tango (and another wonderful costume and theatrical setting) she was much improved, a developing hold and posture, only a minor bloopster, but very solid. Very pleased to see her perform now, and another cracking score.
Colin Salmon & Kristina Rihanoff (5, 7, 6, 6, Total 24)
Last week we felt he hadn’t been able to spend enough time in training and it showed in amongst the tricks and lifts. Dancing the Salsa ( to “Superstition”) he did have a pleasant rhythm ticking away but more footwork, body action and a few bloopers all dragged the scores down. Difficult for Kristina here but her job will be made easier in the studio if she can get him there enough. We feel he could do better with more time.
Louis Smith & Flavia Cacace (8, 9, 9, 9, Total 35)
After a couple of weeks of this series it was becoming clearer that Louis might be the one to push Denise. Dancing the Tango (and another amazing wardrobe set-up), this was very solid. Flavia has clearly worked him so hard with this routine, full of tricky content and some characterful play brought into that too. Highest score of the series so far. Keep it up Louis!
Kimberly Walsh & Pasha Pasha Kovalev (8, 8, 7, 8, Total 31)
After a good week with the quickstep last week, could Kimberly keep it up this week? Dancing the Paso Doble (as Little Red Riding Hood), there she was acting and dancing like a Diva! It looked like the gates had been opened and now she’s finding confidence, style and enjoying the actions of dancing more too. Thoroughly deserved best score to date from her too.
So, after four weeks, we maybe have Louis and Denise as early stars, but Kimberly and Victoria are raising their game now too. Denise, Louis, Kimberley, Victoria, and Michael should all be in it for a while yet, Sid, Fern, Richard and Colin might have a sleepless spook night waiting to see how the public rate them.