Is there anyone good at latin this year ?

The Latin this year has been very disappointing, I think there have only been a handful of what I would consider to be good Latin dances (Jade and Ian I would say are very good at Latin generally, and Ricky W is quite good as well).

You summed it up perfectly!

I'm taken with Natalie, Chris and Laila who clearly have their weaknesses, but are good fun and have rapport with their partners.

I can't warm to Ali or Ricky W who are clearly talented but bore me.

Jade is a pretty decent dancer and I enjoy her parternship with Ian. I don't feel passionately enough to vote for them. But I'd rather they won than either of the Hollyoaks pair.

Ironically I thought Rachel's paso was one of her overmarked dances as well. She stropped around like a toddler and made a few obvious mistakes, but got 32 - only 1 mark fewer than Ali. (It was by far my least favourite of Rachel's dances).

Yes I think so Jade she is the best all rounder to me.

Anyway just to move the dances forward a bit

Ali VW
Laila Paso
Jade Jive
Ricky G Salsa
Ricky W Tango
Natalie QS
Chris FT
Phil Rumba

Craig still to be confirmed

I remember Brian and Heather's VW last year being gorgeous, so I'm looking forward to whatever he can produce with Ali. That could be the top tip, though I'm expecting Ricky W's tango to rock as well.

I wonder whether Chris will finally hit the skids this week? Foxtrot is a desperately dull dance if not done brilliantly, and given that his routines haven't dazzled technically so far, I worry that he'll end up looking boring...

I think he's got an advantageous draw in terms of what other people are dancing. If he had a foxtrot on a night when other people were dancing a waltz, a Viennese Waltz and an American Smooth he might get lost in the shuffle, but as it is there's enough variation that he should be able to get a toe-hold in the public's memory - Ali's the only other one doing "elegant ballroom".

I'd expect mid to low 30s and 3rd or 4th in the leaderboard.

I will see your prediction, and raise you 26 and 7th on the leaderboard, ahead of Ricky G and Phil!

I think Ricky G might do quite well - they've liked the energy of his fast Latin before and the judges have made it abundantly clear they don't know or care about the technical aspects of the salsa.

Also they might prop up the top end of the Latin a little, because it looks like a disaster zone on the whole, especially if it's confirmed that Craig's doing it.

There is no way he will get a low score like that- Ola always does a good foxtrot - and his footwork looked pretty good in the AS- plus he is also a decent dancer - and very popular with it

I agree and I usually like Vincent's cheorography but I hated him doing the capework at the beginning just as I hated Matt's bit at the start of him and Christine's AS - yes guys we know you can dance but you're supposed to be showing off your celeb partner here.

I think Ricky W and Ali have gift dances for them and for the Blackpool stage and will top the leaderboard. Chris should do OK, I think, but if he doesn't people will start losing faith - I don't think he can survive another weak dance. Ricky G, Laila, Jade and Natalie have tricky dances that don't obviously suit them but if one of them can shine they'll really move up as a contender. Phil has the most unlucky dance choice - who'd want to do a rumba in the huge expanse of the Blackpool stage? Craig, well, I can't honestly see what dance Craig could have that would improve on his waltz.

I'd guess Craig in the final 2 - he made it about Blackpool and now he's there. Jade will be with him if they show film of her fighting with Ian but I'm hoping that's just a newspaper story and they won't. Otherwise it will be a test of the other 'learners' as to who has the most support.

I'd guess Craig in the final 2 - he made it about Blackpool and now he's there. Jade will be with him if they show film of her fighting with Ian but I'm hoping that's just a newspaper story and they won't. Otherwise it will be a test of the other 'learners' as to who has the most support.[/quote]

I agree with your bottom two prediction jtnorth. Craig has gotten to Blackpool, people have done their bit and he can go home happy. I think It's a guarantee that another latin will be there, and as we know 'The jive is a dance that suits little people', I suspect that however well Jade does, she will be there.

This belief that a Jive suits little people always baffles me given that Strictly's resident King of Jive is Matt who is 6ft 2ins small!!

I expect great things from Ricky G's Salsa.....its 7 weeks since he did the Cha Cha Cha in week 1....he isnt afraid to move on the floor and he can give it some welly....it might not be technically the best but I am absolutely convinced its going to be hugely entertaining......so basically I dont think that for Ricky G doing Salsa could be described as difficult.

Ali VW - I'm bored already
Laila Paso - not looking forward to it, don't think she has shone
Jade Jive - I will defy the party-line and say it should be a cracker
Ricky G Salsa - no reason why it should not be good, Erin is doing some good choreography
Ricky W Tango - should be fantastic, I love the tango
Natalie QS - again looking forward to it, Smurf-boy isn't my favourite but I am liking him with Natalie
Chris FT - could be very good if Ola devises a content-rich routine
Phil Rumba - Ricky G's was far better than he was given credit for so Phil shouldn't be too bad, might be but no need to be...

Are they still all doing different dances this week? If thats the case I would say Craig will have Cha Cha.
The other two Latin dances that he has left (Paso & Salsa) have already been taken by others.

We are in for some disasters and some treats. Not that it matters Craig will be safe and another good dancer will leave.:yawn:

All now confirmed

Ali VW
Laila Paso
Jade Jive
Ricky G Salsa
Ricky W Tango
Natalie QS
Chris FT
Phil Rumba
Craig Cha Cha Cha

My hopes that Ricky W dancing first are shattered, as I imagine they'll have a Latin as the first and last dances.

I love them and Chris has been a decent dancer every week, but he's still not getting good scores and I don't think this week will change that. I would, however, be overjoyed to be proved wrong

While I have no idea how good MC is at the Jive, I have heard the saying "The exception that proves the rule."


Did you see Brian's almost violent outburst in the studio on tonight's ITT? Way over the top in my opinion, but I'm sure just like Jade, it is proof of his passion and dedication for the dance

Mathew Cutler could dance the Indian rain dance in a black bin liner and manage to look sexy

[quote=Smokeychan1;36460395]While I have no idea how good MC is at the Jive, I have heard the saying "The exception that proves the rule."

/QUOTE]



You don`t know what you`ve missed out on !

He`s da king of jive in my eyes