Post Launch Show - Favourite Couple Poll
Strictly - Back To The Ballroom! - Series Five
6 of 9
Originally Posted by NicPlays:
“Bonnie seems like a good bet
”
“Bonnie seems like a good bet
”
yeah especially with Anton, he could make it a fair way as she doesn't strike me instantly as a duffer
Cha Cha Cha
• Chris & Oti
• Maggie & Gorka
• Noddy & Karen
• Paula & Giovanni
• Ross & Natalie
• Steph & Brendan
Jive
• Alexandra & Aljaz
• Justin & Joanne
Tango
• Amanda & Pasha
• Bonnie & Anton
• Gino & Janette
Waltz
• David & Aliona
• Dawn & Ian
• James & Oksana
• Kelly & Kevin
• Chris & Oti
• Maggie & Gorka
• Noddy & Karen
• Paula & Giovanni
• Ross & Natalie
• Steph & Brendan
Jive
• Alexandra & Aljaz
• Justin & Joanne
Tango
• Amanda & Pasha
• Bonnie & Anton
• Gino & Janette
Waltz
• David & Aliona
• Dawn & Ian
• James & Oksana
• Kelly & Kevin
My predictions:
• Chris & Oti- Surpisingly bad like Thom in the real thing
• Maggie & Gorka- MOR
• Noddy & Karen- Decent-ish but Latin will kill him...Or he'll be Jeremy Vine...
• Paula & Giovanni- Very good, I think 27-29
• Ross & Natalie- MOR
• Steph & Brendan- Slightly higher MOR, 24-28
• Alexandra & Aljaz- Amazing, potential leaderboard topper
• Justin & Joanne- See Noddy but reversed.
• Amanda & Pasha- MOR
• Bonnie & Anton- Suits Bonnie to a tea, 24-30
• Gino & Janette- Surprisingly good
• David & Aliona- See Alexandra
• Dawn & Ian- Graceful and elegent, like Helen George
• James & Oksana- MOR
• Kelly & Kevin- Surprisingly bad/MOR
• Chris & Oti- Surpisingly bad like Thom in the real thing
• Maggie & Gorka- MOR
• Noddy & Karen- Decent-ish but Latin will kill him...Or he'll be Jeremy Vine...
• Paula & Giovanni- Very good, I think 27-29
• Ross & Natalie- MOR
• Steph & Brendan- Slightly higher MOR, 24-28
• Alexandra & Aljaz- Amazing, potential leaderboard topper
• Justin & Joanne- See Noddy but reversed.
• Amanda & Pasha- MOR
• Bonnie & Anton- Suits Bonnie to a tea, 24-30
• Gino & Janette- Surprisingly good
• David & Aliona- See Alexandra
• Dawn & Ian- Graceful and elegent, like Helen George
• James & Oksana- MOR
• Kelly & Kevin- Surprisingly bad/MOR
For their first dance, Dawn O'Porter and dance partner Ian Waite will be dancing the Waltz. Dawn tells us "I was so excited when Ian told me we were doing the Waltz for our first dance. I have this vision of elegance and beauty when I picture a Waltz." However, Dawn seems to be struggling to maintain the hold throughout the dance. Ian says "like any new dancer, Dawn is finding it hard to keep that hold for the whole dance. However, it's baby steps and I really do think we're beginning to see a really beautiful dancer." Will Dawn be able to master the frame in time for the live show? Find out as Strictly Come Dancing's first live show airs on Wednesday.
This week Maggie Wheeler and dance partner Gorka Marquez will be dancing the Cha Cha Cha. Maggie seems to be mastering the performance aspect of the dance, with Gorka remarking "Maggie is a real firecracker in the training room. She just brings so much fun, laughter and energy to the dance." However, she tells us "I love to perform, and the Cha Cha is such a fun, upbeat dance. Remembering the steps and in the right order is proving a little harder. There's so much technique and precision, I feel like my head is about to explode! Hopefully I can pull it all together for Wednesday's show!"
Cha Cha Cha
• Deniece Williams - Let's Hear It For The Boy
• Donna Summer - She Works Hard For The Money
• Five - Keep On Moving
• Great Scarrier Reef - Dive In
• Make Way For Noddy - Theme Song
• Ricky Martin - She Bangs
Jive
• Little Richard - Tutti Frutti
• Melanie C - I Want Candy
Tango
• John Riggio - The Pasta Song
• Pat Benatar - Hit Me With Your Best Shot
• Slash - Doctor Alibi
Waltz
• Anne Murray - Could I Have This Dance
• John Denver - Annie's Song
• R Kelly - If I Could Turn Back The Hands Of Time
• The Beatles - A Taste Of Honey
• Deniece Williams - Let's Hear It For The Boy
• Donna Summer - She Works Hard For The Money
• Five - Keep On Moving
• Great Scarrier Reef - Dive In
• Make Way For Noddy - Theme Song
• Ricky Martin - She Bangs
Jive
• Little Richard - Tutti Frutti
• Melanie C - I Want Candy
Tango
• John Riggio - The Pasta Song
• Pat Benatar - Hit Me With Your Best Shot
• Slash - Doctor Alibi
Waltz
• Anne Murray - Could I Have This Dance
• John Denver - Annie's Song
• R Kelly - If I Could Turn Back The Hands Of Time
• The Beatles - A Taste Of Honey
For their first dance this week, Gino D'Acampo and Janette Manrara will be performing the Tango. Janette explains the complexity of her task; "Gino is in no way an experienced dancer. He is an Italian chef - the only Latin he is aware of is the food! Especially with a dance like the Tango, we need to nail down the technique first." Gino tells us "the Tango is so much more difficult than I thought. I thought it was just a bit of pouting, but no no no... the frame, the footwork, everything's just so fast! I know I work in the kitchen but this will be a stressful experience!"
great loving this, on my game I know you voted could you please rectify something small? I PMed you about it then I can add up correctly? thanks
James Morrison and dance partner Oksana Platero will be dancing the Waltz for their first dance this week. Oksana thinks James' musical background is benefiting him in training, saying "James is a performer, so he is of course going to have some musicality. I can already see him feeling the music and dancing with it." James tells us "I'm really enjoying the Waltz actually. I thought it would be quite slow and boring but there's so many steps and little turns to remember... I'm looking forward to performing it in Wednesday's live show!" Strictly Come Dancing's first live dance show airs tomorrow evening at 5.00pm.
Welcome to Strictly Come Dancing's first live show! Tonight our fifteen couples will take to the floor for the first time, hoping to impress our judges and you at home. Without further ado, let's meet the stars of our show...
Pop star and actress Alexandra Burke and her dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec!
Olympic gold medal winning diver Chris Mears and his dance partner Oti Mabuse!
BBC Breakfast journalist and presenter Steph McGovern and her dance partner Brendan Cole!
Star of children's television Justin Fletcher and his dance partner Joanne Clifton!
From Casualty and Holby City, Amanda Mealing and her dance partner Pasha Kovalev!
Model David Gandy and his dance partner Aliona Vilani!
Former Coronation Street actress Paula Lane and her dance partner Giovanni Pernice!
Television chef Gino D'Acampo and his dance partner Janette Manrara!
Friends actress Maggie Wheeler and her dance partner Gorka Marquez!
Singer James Morrison and his dance partner Oksana Platero!
Television presenter and writer Dawn O'Porter and her dance partner Ian Waite!
From Slade, seventies musician Noddy Holder and his dance partner Karen Clifton!
Singing legend Bonnie Tyler and her dance partner Anton Du Beke!
EastEnders star, journalist and presenter Ross Kemp and his dance partner Natalie Lowe!
And finally, retired Olympic athlete Kelly Holmes and her dance partner Kevin Clifton!
Kicking off the series with a Cha Cha Cha are Chris and Oti!
Pop star and actress Alexandra Burke and her dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec!
Olympic gold medal winning diver Chris Mears and his dance partner Oti Mabuse!
BBC Breakfast journalist and presenter Steph McGovern and her dance partner Brendan Cole!
Star of children's television Justin Fletcher and his dance partner Joanne Clifton!
From Casualty and Holby City, Amanda Mealing and her dance partner Pasha Kovalev!
Model David Gandy and his dance partner Aliona Vilani!
Former Coronation Street actress Paula Lane and her dance partner Giovanni Pernice!
Television chef Gino D'Acampo and his dance partner Janette Manrara!
Friends actress Maggie Wheeler and her dance partner Gorka Marquez!
Singer James Morrison and his dance partner Oksana Platero!
Television presenter and writer Dawn O'Porter and her dance partner Ian Waite!
From Slade, seventies musician Noddy Holder and his dance partner Karen Clifton!
Singing legend Bonnie Tyler and her dance partner Anton Du Beke!
EastEnders star, journalist and presenter Ross Kemp and his dance partner Natalie Lowe!
And finally, retired Olympic athlete Kelly Holmes and her dance partner Kevin Clifton!
Kicking off the series with a Cha Cha Cha are Chris and Oti!
Chris & Oti
Training: This week Chris and Oti are dancing the Cha Cha Cha. “It has been very, very weird going from constant training for diving at the Olympics to training for Strictly - my body’s only starting to get used to it!” Chris says. “I love to DJ and I love getting up on the dancefloor so I’m hoping that will help me in my Cha Cha training,” he says, unconvinced of himself.
Dance: Cha Cha Cha - Great Scarrier Reef - Dive In
Craig: It was a lot better than I expected, to be quite honest with you. It was clean, crisp, precise… You did lose your balance slightly, which I have to say I was a little surprising for you, but other than that, tremendous.
Darcey: Chris, that was an amazing opener to the series. You seem to really feel and dance to the music, and that brings about this air of confidence and we really saw a personality. I think you’re going to go far.
Len: What a way to start to the series from one of our Olympic heroes! Your confidence was superb; there was one slight hiccup but that was nothing to worry about at all. Well done!
Bruno: Oh Chris I’d love to dive in to your dancing desires! You played that so well, everything was going right… I am predicting very good things for you and Oti!
Scores:
Craig - 6
Darcey - 7
Len - 7
Bruno - 7
Total - 27/40
"That's a lot better than I was expecting actually!" a relieved Chris tells Claudia.
Now we have Dawn and Ian!
Training: This week Chris and Oti are dancing the Cha Cha Cha. “It has been very, very weird going from constant training for diving at the Olympics to training for Strictly - my body’s only starting to get used to it!” Chris says. “I love to DJ and I love getting up on the dancefloor so I’m hoping that will help me in my Cha Cha training,” he says, unconvinced of himself.
Dance: Cha Cha Cha - Great Scarrier Reef - Dive In
Craig: It was a lot better than I expected, to be quite honest with you. It was clean, crisp, precise… You did lose your balance slightly, which I have to say I was a little surprising for you, but other than that, tremendous.
Darcey: Chris, that was an amazing opener to the series. You seem to really feel and dance to the music, and that brings about this air of confidence and we really saw a personality. I think you’re going to go far.
Len: What a way to start to the series from one of our Olympic heroes! Your confidence was superb; there was one slight hiccup but that was nothing to worry about at all. Well done!
Bruno: Oh Chris I’d love to dive in to your dancing desires! You played that so well, everything was going right… I am predicting very good things for you and Oti!
Scores:
Craig - 6
Darcey - 7
Len - 7
Bruno - 7
Total - 27/40
"That's a lot better than I was expecting actually!" a relieved Chris tells Claudia.
Now we have Dawn and Ian!
Dawn & Ian
Training: Dawn and Ian will be dancing the Waltz as their first dance. Dawn tells us “going into Strictly I had absolutely no expectations. It’s such an alien experience for me, I can’t wait to get into that training room and begin!” Dawn does seem to be mastering the intricate technique required, with Ian saying “Dawn is a beautiful performer. I’m really excited for the audience to see what she can produce.”
Dance: Waltz - Anne Murray - Could I Have This Dance
Craig: You did seem rather stilted, almost paralysed throughout, but it oddly worked. Your frame was excellent and footwork almost perfect, it just needed a bit more panache and flair.
Darcey: Craig’s right - your actual technique was spot on, but I felt like we were missing the character of Dawn tonight. As a dance, truly beautiful, but we do need a bit more performance.
Len: I feel like these two here are talking as if we’re in the quarter finals - it’s only week one! Dawn, Ian, I think you two are a match made in heaven and I for one am looking forward to some more stunning Ballroom numbers from you.
Bruno: I really enjoyed that. It was understated and had an air of first summer of love about it. You truly shone tonight, but I do want to see that inner firecracker when you’re doing your Latin dances!
Scores:
Craig - 6
Darcey - 7
Len - 7
Bruno - 7
Total - 27/40
"I'm pleased with that; it gives us a lot of room for improvement," Ian says.
Next up are Ross and Natalie!
Training: Dawn and Ian will be dancing the Waltz as their first dance. Dawn tells us “going into Strictly I had absolutely no expectations. It’s such an alien experience for me, I can’t wait to get into that training room and begin!” Dawn does seem to be mastering the intricate technique required, with Ian saying “Dawn is a beautiful performer. I’m really excited for the audience to see what she can produce.”
Dance: Waltz - Anne Murray - Could I Have This Dance
Craig: You did seem rather stilted, almost paralysed throughout, but it oddly worked. Your frame was excellent and footwork almost perfect, it just needed a bit more panache and flair.
Darcey: Craig’s right - your actual technique was spot on, but I felt like we were missing the character of Dawn tonight. As a dance, truly beautiful, but we do need a bit more performance.
Len: I feel like these two here are talking as if we’re in the quarter finals - it’s only week one! Dawn, Ian, I think you two are a match made in heaven and I for one am looking forward to some more stunning Ballroom numbers from you.
Bruno: I really enjoyed that. It was understated and had an air of first summer of love about it. You truly shone tonight, but I do want to see that inner firecracker when you’re doing your Latin dances!
Scores:
Craig - 6
Darcey - 7
Len - 7
Bruno - 7
Total - 27/40
"I'm pleased with that; it gives us a lot of room for improvement," Ian says.
Next up are Ross and Natalie!
Ross & Natalie
Training: For their first dance, Ross and Natalie will be performing a Cha Cha Cha. Natalie tells us how Ross is progressing in training; “Ross has certainly improved throughout the week. He is in no way a natural dancer, so there was always going to be a bit of a challenge ahead. With the live show only a few days away now, I’m definitely seeing something come out of him, which is very very exciting!”
Dance: Cha Cha Cha - Five - Keep On Moving
Craig: It was quite ploddy and not at all light footed I’m afraid. You also looked rather petrified of the whole thing, which was quite bizarre. However, I can see you producing a few… adequate dances, darling.
Darcey: Ross, everyone here starts as a beginner and you are no different. There were a few issues which need to be adjusted, but for your first dance, it was very good.
Len: Okay, you could have been a bit lighter on your feet and maybe it could have been more party-ish, but you’re a geezer, and you know what we can all say now? We’ve just seen Grant Mitchell dance. Wahey!
Bruno: It was sort of exactly how I would imagine Grant Mitchell to dance - you were playing it cool, not getting into it too much… we want to see your feistiness EXPLODE! I want more Grant!
Scores:
Craig - 4
Darcey - 6
Len - 6
Bruno - 6
Total - 22/40
"Craig's not wrong at all - I was petrified during that!" Ross jokes.
Our next performance comes from Justin and Joanne!
Training: For their first dance, Ross and Natalie will be performing a Cha Cha Cha. Natalie tells us how Ross is progressing in training; “Ross has certainly improved throughout the week. He is in no way a natural dancer, so there was always going to be a bit of a challenge ahead. With the live show only a few days away now, I’m definitely seeing something come out of him, which is very very exciting!”
Dance: Cha Cha Cha - Five - Keep On Moving
Craig: It was quite ploddy and not at all light footed I’m afraid. You also looked rather petrified of the whole thing, which was quite bizarre. However, I can see you producing a few… adequate dances, darling.
Darcey: Ross, everyone here starts as a beginner and you are no different. There were a few issues which need to be adjusted, but for your first dance, it was very good.
Len: Okay, you could have been a bit lighter on your feet and maybe it could have been more party-ish, but you’re a geezer, and you know what we can all say now? We’ve just seen Grant Mitchell dance. Wahey!
Bruno: It was sort of exactly how I would imagine Grant Mitchell to dance - you were playing it cool, not getting into it too much… we want to see your feistiness EXPLODE! I want more Grant!
Scores:
Craig - 4
Darcey - 6
Len - 6
Bruno - 6
Total - 22/40
"Craig's not wrong at all - I was petrified during that!" Ross jokes.
Our next performance comes from Justin and Joanne!
Justin & Joanne
Training: Jiving tonight for their first dance together are Justin and Joanne. Joanne tells us “the Jive is such a tricky dance to start with. It requires so much stamina and endurance.” Justin remains confident, however, saying “I think the Jive is probably the best first dance possible for me. I’m enjoying it so much and can’t wait for everyone to see it!” But will the judges agree?
Dance: Jive - Little Richard - Tutti Frutti
Craig: It was laboured, full of sloppy footwork and you were massively out of time. Unfortunately not the best, Mr Tumble!
Darcey: Justin, I loved that you danced that with such a big smile on your face. You were confident, okay there were a few technical hitches, but overall I thought it was a solid first dance for you.
Len: It wasn’t all bad; just the bits between the start and the end! You did lose your technique in the middle of it, but you know what? You came out and gave it a go, and I salute you for that sir.
Bruno: Well I can see why they call you Mr Tumble! My eyes did hurt - slightly - during that! No, but in the Jive, timing is so important and you just lost that in the middle. I know you can do better though.
Scores:
Craig - 3
Darcey - 6
Len - 5
Bruno - 5
Total - 19/40
Justin looks slightly disappointed whilst Joanne looks optimistic with their scores.
Amanda and Pasha are dancing now!
Training: Jiving tonight for their first dance together are Justin and Joanne. Joanne tells us “the Jive is such a tricky dance to start with. It requires so much stamina and endurance.” Justin remains confident, however, saying “I think the Jive is probably the best first dance possible for me. I’m enjoying it so much and can’t wait for everyone to see it!” But will the judges agree?
Dance: Jive - Little Richard - Tutti Frutti
Craig: It was laboured, full of sloppy footwork and you were massively out of time. Unfortunately not the best, Mr Tumble!
Darcey: Justin, I loved that you danced that with such a big smile on your face. You were confident, okay there were a few technical hitches, but overall I thought it was a solid first dance for you.
Len: It wasn’t all bad; just the bits between the start and the end! You did lose your technique in the middle of it, but you know what? You came out and gave it a go, and I salute you for that sir.
Bruno: Well I can see why they call you Mr Tumble! My eyes did hurt - slightly - during that! No, but in the Jive, timing is so important and you just lost that in the middle. I know you can do better though.
Scores:
Craig - 3
Darcey - 6
Len - 5
Bruno - 5
Total - 19/40
Justin looks slightly disappointed whilst Joanne looks optimistic with their scores.
Amanda and Pasha are dancing now!
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