I was reminded - reading something on this forum this morning - of Austin and Erin's Paso so I went on to You Tube to have another look. I'd forgotten how good it was. Music, costume and performance were absolutely spot on I think. Just as us non Spanish imagine it to be. (It might not have been authentic but what do we know?) And he was wearing heels which I understand are appropriate for this dance. (I know he isn't very tall and that was probably the main reason but still.) Sorry I can't do a link but that's a step too far for my limited IT skills.

I always thought that Austin should have won that year but can't remember who did. Was it Tom Chambers?

Yes, Tom won.

Austin should have made the final, but was denied a slot by the producers/judges, desperate to get their favourites Rachel and Lisa to the final.

Austin was completely robbed. But not sure we should go back over Snowdonia any more ...!

If I remember, Len didn't like it much. Said it looked too much like Austin was handing round plates of nibbles

Nothing changes does it?

Agree

Austin's 5' 10" - not that small. About UK average for a male I think?

No but small for a rugby player I suppose

Was he a scrum half? They can sometimes be quite small. Although I accept that 5 10 is not short.

Yes, also known as the pretty ones as they don't tend to get their faces mashed. Wasn't Matt Dawson a scrum half too?

He moved around a bit could play scrum or wing, but was mainly known as a scrum half.

He's too small for a wing these days, although Ben's on his way to being to small for a wing these days, especially in international rugby.

adding a link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUE0Ze4Ab0c

Brilliant! It wasn't a ten dance but it was fun to watch. I laughed like I did the first time I watched it, and laughing just now when I saw it again! Great fun! Laughed at Kevi channeling the guy in Strictly Ballroom last Sat as well!!!

GGGRRRRR Don't remind me.
Austin was robbed!

Ah I loved Austin.
Stopped watching after he was voted off, so missed the travesty that was the final.

This is my favourite paso:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ln_rITxB8c

I've just watched it back for the first time since he performed it, I'm not overwhelmed by it and don't think it screams 10 at all... Loved his jive tho.

For me that music was danced to brilliantly by Jill & Darren. Now this should have had four 10's!

http://youtu.be/8ln_rITxB8c

Great minds

I think that if it had been danced in a more recent series it would definitely have scored 4 tens - the judges were much stricter back then. Having said that, I think Jill's paso was every bit as good ss her iconic jive!

Definitely! Jill would have got lots of tens if she was in a later series! Loved her samba & cha cha equally but her jive is the one that will always be remembered! Wish her samba was on YouTube

Although I can't help but think that had she been in a later series, there would have been a chorus of disapproval at her being seen as the judges' favourite and she would have acquired a DIRTY RINGAH tag - Jill trained at stage school and at a dance academy (despite denying any dance training when she was on the show).

But those were innocent days when the routines were a great deal more in line with 'proper' competitive dances and people voted for the best dancer rather than the one with the 'journey'. I wanted Denise to win, but Jill was a worthy winner.

Oh well, if we're doing personal favourites...mine

He looks smaller than that.

This one fell into the 'it's so bad it's good' category.

<only person on earth not to love Austin healys paso lol

I didn't like it too. Len was right. The other three judges bought the plate of morsel Austin was trying to sell them.