A few impressions of Friday's show...

Pro dance - some new faces - not too keen on the girl with red hair, nice girl with Brendan. Kristina always stands out for me. Overall the pro performance wasn't a stand out peformance for me, such as we do sometimes see with the pros.

The 'Return of Alesha'. Isn't that the name of a Hammer Horror Movie?

The panel looks very unbalanced - 3 male experts, and,...

Rav & Aliona
Rav - obviously a hunk for the ladies. Very conceited. 'Aliona is hot too'. Curious butterflies on her back. Not a bad performance. 3 was bit mean from Craig.

Ricky Groves & Erin
I don't see EastEnders, and don't know who Gary Hobson(?) is. He seems a natural and likeable character. I hope he gets on. Love the song 'What'll I do'. Erin looked very graceful. Quite a decent performance. I thought he did well.

Thought Craig's criticism of lack of chemistry was out of place, for week 1.

Chris Hollins & Ola
I really like the personalities of this pair. They are well matched. Lots of fun. I think (hope) that they have a good chance of going a long way. Their performance had vitality and attitude. The audience were clapping away with them. Very good.

Jade & Ian
Potentially this couple has loads of potential. They both have the height too. However, I feel they are 'technical' dancers', and lack chemistry and charisma. Ian, even with the best partners, and he's had them, alway falls at the last hurdle. The performance was excellent. But, I feel this will go the same way as the last Olympic athlete Ian had, Denise Lewis.

Group mambo rehearsal
Interesting to see Mark Ballas' mum getting involved in the UK show.

Martina & Matthew
Martina's very vivacious. Doesn't look much like that on court. Quite a nice performance, though I felt she was a bit stiff, like a board. Martina reminds me slightly of the tennis champion they had on DWTS, Monica Selles (?). I thought, being a tennis player, she'd be really good, but she was knocked out in a very early show. It's all the muscles they develop.

Linda and Darren
Not too bad a performance. I think she surprised herself. It's a lot easier for a female celeb to dance tango than for a male celeb. I can see a strong sympathy/empathy vote for Linda taking them through. I can't stand Darren's fake perma-grin.

Ali & Brian
A very fresh and attractive couple. I hope they do well.

Joe and Kristina
I had great hopes for this couple, and found Joe's performance very very disappointing. His face looked totally vacant, as though he was making up his shipping list.

I thought it interestng that the most macho of all the men, should look softer than a pussy cat. I'm sure he can be aggressive, if he wants to. It was interesting seeing that soft side to his character. Maybe he felt he didn't want to show the tough side of his character in the first show. I hope the public will save them.

I enjoyed it but it was suffering from first night nerves- a bit chaotic in parts. There was a screeching woman in the band singing badly during Ali & Brian's Waltz, and Bruce carried on a bit didn't he ? I agree with pretty much everything you said, and have high hopes for Ali so far. Looking forward to to Saturday and the Latin section !

Forgot to mention first impressions of the remaining couples, who we'll see next week. Just a word on these:

Group mambo
Interesting to see Mark Ballas' mum doing the choreography/training.

During the performance, personally, for some reason, I couldn't take my eyes off Natalie Cassidy. Might be popular with the male audience. Some of us might like to see a bit more of that.

Natalie would be paired with tiny Vincent too. She actually jumped up into Vincent's arms right at the end of that number. Hope Vincent is OK.

Very interesting that, just before the group membo, Claudia picked out Natalie as the person she most wanted to see. It wasn't through any sense of voyeurism, but a genuine sense of 'I want this real woman to do well'.

Jo Wood & Brendan.
No chance of winning, but I'm sure Brendan's quite pleased. Reminds me of Brendan with Clair King.

Ricky & Natalie Lowe.
Ricky reminds me of DJ Spoony. Has the talent, but may come to grief.

Laila Rouass.
Love Laila's latino look. It's high time Anton got a decent celeb.

Zoe & James.
Zoe looks looks alright.

Phil & new pro Katya Virshilais.
I think Katya's lovely. Would be a pity if they were to go next week.

Craig Kelly & Richard Dunwoody.
I didn't actually notice Craig at all during the dance, he may be OK. But one of these two would be my choice to leave next week, I'm afraid.

Rav
OK. 3 was harsh perhaps.

Ricky Groves
Enjoyed his performance. Obviously trying to conquer his high shoulders. A very good effort. Dark(ish) horse.



Chris Hollins
Don't know him but really enjoyed this. Could go far.

Jade
A bit "meh".



Martina
I ain't no Matthew-fan. Sorry, you adoring millions. Martina gets another "so what" from me.


Linda
Have not got into SCD training yet so I was flagging a bit by this point. Not great.


Ali
Never seen her on TV but this was the outstanding dance of the evening. Looking good. I've a lot of time for Brian so I hope they'll do well.

Joe
No hope. Not a hope. Not the faintest glimmer of a hope.

Bruce was on good form. Tess was no better than before i.e. waste of space. Dave and his orchestra were pretty cr@p. I didn't get as enthused as I had expected.

Some daft costumes and that funny moment when one floor-crew got himself in shot!!!!!

Pro dance - I personally loved the pro dance and it was perfect to get it as top of the bill. I was already buzzing and thought it was great. Loved to see the new girls in full action and with my three (of my four) favourite male pro's helped!

Panel - I said on another thread, poor old Alesha was never going to win last night regardless of what she did, said, or looked like. Craig made me howl though with the comment to Brendon after the group dance.

Rav & Aliona
In comparison with others, I actually thought he did a decent job. I think he suffered from the "first one, don't want to be too positive because I don't know what is coming" effect. Hopefully tomorrow the order will be re-arranged.

Ricky Groves & Erin
Nice guy, nice dance. Fear that he might suffer from the "nice" thing though in the future, and may not stand out enough to pick up votes. We'll see

Chris Hollins & Ola
Surprised me actually. Have found him a tad annoying in the past, but (apart from the face) it wasn't a bad effort. Couldn't understand why their partnership & chemistry was so much better than everyone else's though?

Jade & Ian
Love Ian, not loving Jade's comments though, but it's early days so again, time will tell

Group mambo rehearsal
Fun to see. Would have been nice to have smaller groups on the stage (like during the pro dance) so you could really get to see them. Completely didn't see Jo, Craig or Richard dance! Ended up watching Natalie and Ricky most the time as they caught my eye.

Martina & Matthew
She was either nervous as hell or is quite cold. I didn't find her vivacous at all to be honest, and was really wanting to! The dance was nice but I thought she made several mistakes which weren't picked up by the judges? (but what do I know!)

Linda and Darren
I laughed most of the way through this. Strong performance (if not technically) and loved Craig's face when Linda "bit" back at him.

Ali & Brian
Jury out again. Love Brian, love his routines, loved the dance, and I think Ali was nervous. I really hope she warms and gains more confidence, and if so then this could really be a highlight of the competition.

Joe and Kristina
Wow, what a disappointment. After all he hype and bigging up of Joe I was expecting something great. However it was horrid. If he had leant any further forward over Kristina then he would have fallen over. It's a big thing though for a man's man to dance in public. I hope she takes him in hand and comes back tomorrow fighting (yes pun I know)

All in all, I think unless Rav comes back in the Latin, he is going to be in the dance off as Joe & Kristina (as much for her as him) will get the public vote and Rav won't get that, and nor will Aliona as a new pro either.

I am one of the rare few apparently that thoroughly enjoyed last night's show and am looking forward to tonight!

I enjoyed it too. I've just re-watched the video, which is always so much better when you can whizz through all the waffle. Very much looking forward to this evening.

I enjoyed it and loking forward to tonight as well.

Pro Dance
Wow! great start to the show Weird seeing Ian dance with anyone who isn't Camilla though and they focused a lot of Matt and Aliona

Rav & Aliona
Was ok not great, didn't like lift definetely not a jump, hated the music, her dress was gorgeous really suited her looks a bit like Karina from DWTS Rav was stompy, hands were weird got the atmosphere of the dance but overall ok has potential - First dancing and the magic 19 score so don't think he will be in the dance off as public will give him another chance but it will depend on his latin

Ricky & Erin
Was surprised wasn't expecting him to be any good but he was good and tried to lead the dance and didn't do a bad job of it. It is one of Erin best dance style and normally she can make anyone look like they can waltz so it will depend how they do tonight in the latin

Chris & Ola
another shock he wasn't half bad need more confidence controlled the dance well looked stiff with weird face. Good partnership. Their chereography reminded me on Andrew Castle's tango last year without the head banging

Jade & Ian
Routine was beautiful but she wasn't as good as the routine.That isn't saying she was bad just that I would have like to see what that routine could have been a few weeks down the line when they hopefully have a better connection and she had more practice. Good in hold but on her own her arms flung around like a swan learning to fly she needs to work on placing her arms. Overall good will get better but can't see the partnership yet between Ian and Jade.

Training VT Group Routine
loved it very funny though Ricky was trying to look worst than he is to put off the competition loved how Shirley call him out on it. Craig Kelly comment about toffee

Martina & Matthew
So nervous throughout, needs to straighten up,some mistakes but did ok not great. Yet again (like Ian and Jade) Beautiful routine that i would have like done later in the series. Dress was awful.

Linda & Darren
Fun routine that seems to drag near the end but captured the atmosphere of the tango. Tried her best and i thought she did well, can improve and was very unlucky to get dress (which wasn't nice) stuck in her heel but handled it well and kept going.

Ali & Brian
Best of the night - agree with Bruce about the tails tho (Sorry Brian ) needs to show her personality more tho if she wants to go a long way in the show it would have helped if she did the cha cha tonight instead of the rumba as she could show more personality and range.

Joe & Kristina
made me miss John Sergant
Expected so much got so little. Awful - leaning over Kristina throughout and stompy

Group mambo
Ricky was the star. Laila - thought she would be better in latin than what she showed last night. Natalie did well. Didn't see much of Craig or Zoe. Tuffers was better than expected, very funny and I do that tongue thing when I'm concentrating as well but not if I was dancing Jo Wood looked terrified and like a plank of wood and did anyone see when Brendan was dancing with Lilia he was looking back at Jo dancing with Craig all concerned- aww sweet Best bit was Richard's schimmys tho

Bruce was back on form except for the Erin comment however her reaction backstage was priceless (calling brucie a cheeky bugger) and you could see their obvious friendship after the dance

Thought the judges were more relaxed and more appropriate with their scoring and Tess was Tess.

Lastly was it just me or was the audience in the studio better last night?? and full of fans not the usual celebs with unlimited supply of tickets