Look like Ricky's doing the foxtrot to Sinartra

As I have said elsewhere- remember Austin last year- the combined score doesn't matter as much as the highest individual score in the dance off- last year they scored the others a 40 and Austin a 39 I think so whatever he danced he was out....

There is talk all over the forums that Chris cant make it to the final and whilse I accept that in some scenarios the 'maths' will be against him, it just not true to say he cant. He will avoid the dance off if he gets the highest public vote providing the public vote for the others is in the 'right' order for him and we wont know that until Saturday.

Jan- I am hoping so too but based on the manipulations last year I am not holding out as much hope as I might! *would insert crying smilie if it was working*

So far I have only seen the workings out for 3 dancers left not 4- its all too much for me on a Monday!

I think the key to Chris staying is how good a waltz he and Ola manage to pull off - that'll be the difference between third and fourth place on the leaderboard for him.

Mind you, I can't see Laila's AS having much in the way of personality and her salsa will almost certainly be poor. Plus she's been very prone to making mistakes and might not cope with a two-dance week (I know last week was two dances but she already knew the VW and it wasn't a 'routine' per se), which could affect her marks.

This week's LL prediction involves Ali confounding her critics, coming out with an absolutely storming tango and topping the leaderboard ahead of nice-but-a-bit-safe-and-dull Ricky.

Maybe this is just me, but I don't think that the Salsa is the worst Latin dance Anton and Laila could have been left with at this stage. Because it is not part of the standard Tendance the pros often get outside help in choreography, so I'd be shocked if Anton didn't get help. Since the weak choreography plays a big part in Anton's problems with Latin, this could be a big help for him and Laila. Granted, this does not change the fact that Anton doesn't have the same level of ability in Latin as he does in Ballroom, but it should be much better than the Jive or Samba.

My inner nerd needs to be let out for the day so I've been pondering the possible running order for next Saturday's QF.

I don't think it's quite as critical for the public vote as the previous weeks' 15 minute window (longer voting time with separate results show this week) where being last in the running order has a distinct advantage but it's still quite interesting (inner nerd talking not me!) to see the order over the last five weeks:

Chris & Ola
4th out of 10; 8th out of 9; 4th out of 7; 3rd out of 6 & 1st out of 5.
Therefore, twice in top half of running order, twice in the bottom and once halfway.
First once and no final dances at all.

Ricky & Natalie
Final dancer out of 10; 1st out of 9; 2nd out of 7; 4th out of 6 & 2nd out of 5.
Three times in top half and twice in bottom.
One first dance and one final dance.

Ali & Brian
2nd out of 10; 4th out of 9; final dance out of 7; first dance out of 6; 4th out of 5.
Same as Ricky: three times in top half and twice in bottom One first dance and one final dance.

Laila & Anton
8th out of 10; 6th out of 9; 5th out of 7; 5th out of 6 and last out of 5.
All dances in bottom half of running order with one final dance.

Draw your own conclusions but I think it's fair to say that Laila & Anton should be first out of the traps on Saturday.

Ricky has tweeted that the music for their Cha Cha Cha is a remix of a Clapton number

Laila and Anton have to be first this Saturday. I think all the other couples should refuse to go first if they are ordered to.

The problem is however the producers don't order them for fairness, they do it based upon what they think will make the best impression. That's why they try to put a good dance first and last.

I understand this. But when Anton hasn't danced first since the first series, and every other pro has then I think it does look very unfair.

MIsread thought that said Sinitta LOL.

Ricky and Nat going quick, quick, slow to So Macho.......

I want to see that now.

Haven't got the foggiest what Ricky's Cha Cha to a Clapton song but with a female vocal might be

Yes (and I know I will be jumped on as an Anton hater) but Anton cannot actually dance Latin very well even if he gets outside help - he has been out of time in 2 of his latin routines I just can't see it being decent even with help

I did say that Anton isn't as good at Latin as Ballroom, but I think that poor choreography plays a big part in that. I am not expecting 10's for the dance, but if talented amateurs can learn a dance that someone else has choreographed for them to a high standard in a week as we regularly see, then I believe Anton can do the same.

I agree but wonder if the public will save Chris?? Ricky and Leila in the dance off??????????

Isn't Sinartra a classical style of Indian sitar music?

I have all the working out saved on the pc but it makes for a HUGE post having included all the leaderboard ties too If anyone wants it posted let me know

I was wondering if, for the benefit of the final, the Charleston will technically count as Ballroom or Latin. It seems likely that Chris will want to do it again (although I expect his Waltz this weekend to get a higher score)

Hmm. It's tricky. It doesn't seem to be particularly progressive, but it certainly feels more "ballroom-y" than the rock 'n' roll does. In the interests of balance they may put it in ballroom, then there's an equal amount (assuming AT is a special case).

Posted it here

OMG!!!

Bonnie- you are a star!

Its interesting reading though!

I cringe at asking such a stupid question, but I'm confused - we're 2 weeks off the final, aren't we? Isn't this the quarterfinal coming up? I am assuming we're 2 weeks off a 2 person final, unless they have a 'nobody goes home' card to play and if they do it will be next week not this week. No?

This week:
Chris will be ripped to shreds for his samba but his waltz could save him with the public. At least he's got a waltz for the dance-off, but let's be honest if he's in the last 2 he's going, regardless of the dancing, unless the other couple actually sits down. The VW scores are the judges' order of the couples now, imo.

Laila: lovely AS and could get a sympathy vote for the salsa if Craig really lays into them again. If she could come out and attack the salsa, she might really turn a corner, but I'm losing faith it's going to happen.

Ricky: ought to have the best night, but again I'm losing faith he's got either the time or something to learn 2 dances and get them right. Natalie needs to go for a simple foxtrot they can do perfectly and get 38-40 for.

Ali: She'll top the leaderboard whatever. I disagree with others that I think their tango will be good. Again, if she can come out and go for the samba, it would be great to see that change.

who knows frankly....I think the BBC are so confused now they dont know what to do for the best.

I predict there'll be no elimination this week.

I am an eternal optimist.