OK we are finally at the two proper dance stage. Chris said he has Samba so that would lead me to believe its their last ballroom and Latin which are:-

Ali Tango and Samba

Ricky Foxtrot and Cha Cha Cha

Chris Waltz and Samba

Laila American Smooth and Salsa

All of them have the worst Latin's they could have got this week. Should see some fabulous Ballroom dances though!

Now that Ali's shown some personality/performance in the charleston, I'm interested in seeing what her tango is like.

Think Ali might have a test with the Tango.....not a floaty ballroom dance.

Challenging, but it's her chance to develop her performance skills. Which are - finally - being displayed now.


Doddle. Walk in the park. Piece of cake. And similar cliches.


Blimey, samba again. Ewww.


Anton? Salsa?

Christ, haven't we suffered enough already?

I think she has broken through her reserve this week: it may well show as an improvment next week.
She's always had the technique - she just needs the performance

None of those Latins fill me with excitement.

They haven't reall saved the best until last have they?

Ricky has the easier ride I think and Ali the most difficult imho.

Crish has the samba but has the waltz which is the easier of the ballrooms imho.

Ricky did good with his quick step so should be OK with the Foxtrot and the Cha Cha Cha will be challenging but not as much so as the samba.

Leila - AS - doddle, Salsa (cover your eyes and pray)

That made me giggle.

Though weirdly I'm looking forward to that one the most!

Does that mean it will be either rock n roll/ charlestone + argentine tango in the semi finals then?

As long as she wears plenty of fringing it should be ok

Chris having the Samba next week almost guarantees Ola will be in the teeniest tiniest costume ever seen on Strictly!

Ricky Whittle has confirmed they are doing both their remaining 'proper' dances next week, both the ballroom and latin. Therefore it will be:

Ricky: Cha Cha Cha and Foxtrot
Ali: Samba and Tango
Chris: Samba and Waltz
Laila: Salsa and American Smooth

In that case, I think the leaderboard will belong to Ricky and Ali next week.

That's a given isn't it?

Ali - Tango & Samba - May struggle with both, but the judges will still love her

Ricky - Foxtrot & Cha Cha Cha Two good dances for him and I can see 9s across the board

Chris - Waltz & Samba Should be fine with the Waltz, but the judges will hate his Samba

Laila American Smooth and Salsa AS should be spectacular and may save their bacon, but the Salsa will be a disaster

Chris will be at the bottom of the judges' leader board next week and I honestly believe the judges will want Ricky, Ali and Laila in the final - not Chris.

The Tango might be a challenge for Ali with its rigidity and her problem with her shaking left hand/elbow. Last night in the VW she was doing it again. Craig was on to it last week but Len didn't mention it last night.

Having watched the VW again this morning, it's quite amusing to see the judges not watching the dance - just passing bits of paper back and forth.

I'm inclined to agree with you, however, I reckon if you combine a poor salsa from Laila and a waltz a really good waltz from Chris it could be quite close between the two of them.

Please whatever Ali dances dress her in colour, she looks stunning in bright shades.

In the two dance scenario next week, do the couples in the dance off perform their lower or higher scoring dance?

Higher in previous years. I'd imagine it's the same this year, but you never know!

Also, according to wikipedia, in the Semis they are the AT and the Charleston/Rock N Roll...thankfully.

In that respect:

Ricky and Natalie's Charleston should be great.
Chris and Ola's RnR I imagine would be really fun, but Im not sure if they can do any spectacular lifts.
Laila and Antons RnR...well, if its anything like their jive (I dont care what they say, I always found Jive and RnR to be very similar when I used to dance) it will be awful
Ali and Brian's RnR will be good but will lack ooomph.

Maybe they'll really work on it (if they get through).

So, Latin's going to be poor...

Although Ali might be more suited to a samba than other Latins (except maybe rumba).

Ricky will suffer if he can't show enjoyment and fun (or is it funness?!) in the cha cha.

I am dreading the salsa (for Anton more than Laila) and other (likely gurn-infused) samba.

Ballroom should be good at least. SHOULD.

Nooo Buddy! Can't happen! He can't go!

If he's top of the public vote, he could avoid the dance off altogether.