Hello VicsMum from Rinderworld and hello tealover. Just watched the training clip and I can understand the concern but I like seeing a serious Robert, committed to but struggling with the process. I think he will do (mostly) well. They have the song and the costumes for a wonderful QS. I want to see Robert more serious as he's a contender.

Hello to all in Rinderworld (love that expression!)

I guess there is still room for a couple of props with that theme. Maybe canes for a Charleston-seque section? I wouldn't mind something like that if it's absolutely in keeping with the theme.

Think you were joking, but their quickstep could actually have used a tiny bit of side by side. It was lovely otherwise--so glad they got a chance to do a classic dance with fitting music.

I thought Oksana was much more comfortable on ITT last night--Zoe asked her more questions and there was more interaction between them. Monkseal makes me laugh by inserting a "wouldn't you say so, Oksana?" whenever he recaps anything to do with them, but I do think Robert's just trying to involve the shy and/or reserved Oksana.

So Robert really can dance without a comedy theme - best score so far as well!

It was such a pleasure to see him enjoy that QS. Fingers crossed for the results tomorrow.

The Guardian live blog was taken over by Stu Heritage tonight (Heidi who usually live blogs was at the studios in the audience!!)

This is what he said about Robert and Oksana:

"SCORES: 8, 9, 8 and 8. And Judge Rinder looks like he’s about to cry with happiness. I’d want him to win, if I was planning to ever watch any more Strictly after tonight."

Another convert!

Just read the blog, it's frickin' hilarious. I read it usually and have found Heidi's stand-ins to be wittier than her.I love the Bruno noise/cow in the road remark!!

Heidi used to be really good but she's been ever so nice in the last couple of years or so, she needs to get her bitch on again. I'm finding the liveblog here on DS much better. (Wouldn't you say so, Oksana?)

So watched the routine again and with the judges' comments. It's swell. Really classy and Oksana wins dress of the night. They made a fabulous looking couple. Loved Robert's comment that he likes doing things fast!

Great idea, I've just gone and done the same! It's 6 and a bit minutes of sheer happiness and I have sat here with a beaming smile on my face. To make people feel an emotion when you dance is a difficult thing to do, so well done Robert and Oksana!

I actually wondered if Len would have given them a 9 as well had it not been for the issue with the Charleston steps at the start.

Yes I think Len would have scored 9 as it was a classy routine with plenty of QS. Robert had a nice frame, leaving aside hands and mouth ;p

it was a really good QS imo.....I have voted for them (and ed!) from the start.

Onto next week then and the Foxtrot! Having done the AS already, that should be a good dance as Robert will have some steps that he knows already as a starting point.

Now let's hope for some decent music too!

Loved Judge Rinder on ITT today. (Nothing later than 1950s on his iPod ) Also enjoyed his dance last Saturday.

Slowly coming over to this team......

Welcome. I/we would be very happy to have you on board and to provide comment on his dance ability, of which I think there is more than his notoriety suggests!

I thought their QS was very classy and I suspect this reflects the man himself. Oksana seems much happier with this more focused Robert too.

Definitely - come on in Ann

I've just watched ITT from this evening and I have a feeling that the foxtrot on Saturday might make me cry in a totally good way.

Thanks both!

He's got a perfect Foxtrot song to dance to.

Good on you, Ann!

I wonder how much longer Robert will be filming for JR? I can't help thinking if they could rehearse more during "normal" hours, he and Oksana could blow us away!

👍

He's doing well if he is filming as well. Sometimes there's a limit on how much you can take in during a training session and so doing extra hours may not help that much.

For those who do not dance, the difficult step to watch out for is the heel pull which is danced on a natural turn (clockwise turn to the right). It is a bit like a heel turn but feet don't come together (leads rarely dance heel turns although they do dance it on a closed impetus). They may keep it simpler and only do reverse turns. A reverse wave (man dances backwards) also has tricky footwork.

All signs are looking good (music choice, apparently no comedy element, training footage, deployment of grandparents on Rembrance weekend) but I'm still nervous for Robert and Oksana tonight. Foxtrot is so difficult and can be unspectacular compared to pasos and party Latin, so I hope they don't land in the bottom two. I think Greg and Ed are the only ones Robert could survive against.

Fingers crossed for tonight! I'd really love Robert and Oksana to get to Blackpool.

For the first time this series I'm out tonight playing at a concert so can't vote. If anyone has any 'spare' votes they can chuck Rob's way for me, then thank you!

Having his grandparents present meant a lot and they - Harry and Frances, I believe - are troupers to sit through thOwenow given their advanced ages. Also they were on their feet most enthusiastically applauding Ed after the dance.

Elegant, relaxed outfits for Ed and Oksana, which fitted with the easiness of the music and the apparent easiness of their dance during an afternoon picnic. Some lovely movement and I could see precise foot placement from Robert, although I don't know how well it was executed. Len suggested his heel leads were not quite as needed to enable the lift for the following step. Nice frame between him and Oksana. They are a good pairing in terms of height.

Craig was unprofessional and mean in his feedback. Robert's scores from the other 3 judges seemed fair. Craig's 7 was not.

Later, during the show, I noticed Oksana siting down when everyone else was on their feet in the Clauditorium as the show drew to a close. I felt some concern for her knees.

Overall score was 33 but Robert was fourth from the bottom so I voted for him 15 times. I hope it's enough.

Thank you for the summary Maggie, I've just got in and first thing I've come back to read. I've watched the dance back on YouTube and it was so heartwarming. I haven't seen the judges comments yet - but am already fuming at Craig!!

I was thinking of you with my post. I think next week will be critical to Robert making the semi +\- final. Please be around to vote sunshine

Just popping in to say I love Judge Rinder's slow transformation from silly comedy act to elegant ballroom dancer who can actually be a contender.


Oksana's done wonders!