I'm sure Len's reaction to a waltz full of lifts would have blown me away

Just don't get this over reaction to exaggerated Dad dancer Jake. Pixie's waltz was amazing, about week 6 standard already. Frankie too was better than Jake IMO.

I think - strictly in Strictly terms - the waltz is seen as easier and a first ballroom staple and the salsa as one of the dances of death. A female perceived as a bit of a ringer doing a good first ballroom waltz isn't that much of a big deal. A bloke - ringer or not - doing a good salsa is.

I agree- the lifts were amazing but entrance and exits were a bit wobbly! I assume that's where Craig marked him down with his 8, but even so, Pixie's dance was smooth and effortless :/


What you're defining there is the difference between a Waltz and a Salsa... I'm not entirely sure ANY Waltz has made anyone go "OMG wow!" with the possible exception of Alesha Dixon, but that was about week 7 for her!

Abbey's waltz from last series was definitely a big deal. Top of the leaderboard, constantly gushed over, brought back for the final (which she won) and again for the opening show of this series. It was pretty much her defining dance.

I don't think it's really fair to compare Jake and Pixie when they are doing such different dances. I thought Jakes salsa was great - a fun party dance and yes exciting but you can't have an exciting waltz! Pixies waltz was beautiful and ethereal - as are they.

Shock early dance off probably but there are very few people the judges would save ahead of her.

I think it has a lot to do with expectations.

It is easier for most ladies to do floaty and ethereal but a lot harder for the average man to do convincing hip movements.

Pixie, Frankie and their professional dance partners have been well chose. I really enjoyed watching them. Didn't realise how good looking both the girls are.

I completely agree. I found Pixie's dance dull, I realised at the end that I'd been staring into space for most of it and had completely switched off. I just can't warm to her at all. I'm still in shocked awe at Jake's salsa.

I can't bear Pixie and Frankie - no coincidence that they both have cute, diminutised names; plus vacant eyes and flat expressionless voices with unpleasant accents. One may be "blonde", the other brunette but they;re merging into one for me, already.

I would like to know how people commenting expect a Waltz to be as exciting as a Salsa :/

You're spot on. Great post. I realised reading what you said about seeing how hard celebs work in training, that this is necessary for me to appreciate a performance. We might talk about ringers, but at the end of the day my expectations are based on what I know about a celeb's experience and how hard they work in training. Pixie just doesn't do it for me. Frankie on the other hand seems to deliver a high standard for this stage in the competition, which is sort of what I expect.

I didn't vote for either of them.

I don't. But I do want to feel the emotion in a Waltz. It's that feeing I get watching Alesha's Waltz, those moments of magic.

That is true but I have been deeply moved by waltzes in the past - eg Pamela and James; Matt and Flavia or Abby and Alijaz for example. This waltz did not move me but of course it is all subjective.

for me although undoubtedly good, (although I did not like Trent's routine) left me cold whilst waltz's in the past Abbey's, Alesha's and Denise Lewis and more have been really believable.

Pixie for me seems to go through the motions preferred Frankies waltz if im honest

totally agree with comments of Monkseal and Buddy

It's difficult to divorce the two when it comes to dancing, especially in the context of Strictly.

I won't quibble about whether Pixie deserved 9s or not, I think that would be missing the point. For me, dance is as much about feeling and personality and connecting with your partner and the audience as it is toplines, perfect arms and heel leads.

As the music to Pixie and Trent's Waltz was playing all I could think about was how much more moved I was by John and Kristina's Waltz to the same song - John wasn't technically in Pixie's league but the warmth and tenderness in his performance made it much more watchable for me.

Also, I'd add Cherie and James to your list of very good first week Waltzes.

I find her dull in the extreme.

So did I - that swept me away whereas my concentration wandered watching Pixie.

I'm sure that has as much to do with my perception of the two contestants as much as anything else - I think Frankie's a little sweetheart, but Pixie is a bit of a void for me. Perhaps BuddyBontheNet's observation is spot on there - Frankie looks to be putting in the work, whilst I don't get that vibe with Pixie.

At the risk of getting run out of the joint, I'd add John Sergeant's. Maybe not the most accomplished, but definitely one of the most charming!

That made me giggle!
The goat legs might make dancing difficult

Pixie was very graceful and nice to watch, but she didn't blow me away like Jake and Janette did. I think, as others have said, it is difficult to compare a waltz and a salsa as they are so different in terms of moves and tempo.

The one I was left underwhelmed by was Frankie, but I think the choice of music was all wrong for a charleston.

There's something I really don't like about Pixie. It's the fake plastered on smile that's constantly on show, the ever so patronising voice, and the vacant personality. There's something strangely demonic about her. She's like a talking doll with only one behaviour and speech program. But she can dance.

Don't care much for the Australian Dixie either, or should he be Mr Jinx? I seriously can't believe he's married to a woman.

And Frankie is just beyond dull.

I don't know if I can explain what I mean, but I think it's about watching someone dance to the limit of their ability or watching someone dancing well within their ability. Jake was pushing himself as hard as he could and you couldn't be sure all through that it wouldn't go wrong. It seemed to build from one thing you couldn't believe he was doing to another - particularly when he was just holding her at the back of the neck with his leg etc. That's exciting. (imo obviously.) Pixie danced a lovely waltz, very well done by both of them, but it felt like something easily within her ability and not special, and personally I didn't feel any chemistry or relationship between her and Trent to make it more than that.

I have seen lots of early waltzes I've really loved but I think that partnership and connection is crucial. I think it's hard for the ones who already can dance to build up the sense of connection with their partners. Someone who can't dance, like Jennifer or Tim, they totally depend on their partner to protect them, they keep firmly fixed on their pro, and it creates, when they are lucky, a really lovely atmosphere and sense of a partnership. Lots of pop stars on Strictly can come across a bit like their pro is a backing dancer, not because they are any less lovely people, just because they don't need them as much as some. I don't know if that makes sense, but I do think it's a difficulty for them.

It was the surprise element again wasn't it? One of the few Waltzes I've rewatched (many times).

Yes, I would be interested to hear.