Strictly Come Blogging: Sunday Service: Week 1

Welcome to the return of my Sunday Service. Each week I'll be posting my thoughts about each of the couples in the competition, and what I thought of the result.

Rav & Aliola had the difficult task of going first (although everyone who has gone first so far has made it to the final). The tango is a pretty difficult dance to have to tackle in the first week, and Rav did a fair job. He needs to make sure he keeps his shoulders strong, and doesn't like his butt stick out (which it did on occasion). And you could have driven a bus between them. But a good first effort.

I preferred Rav's rumba to the tango. He had fair hip action although the performance lacked connection between the couple. I didn't believe that there was any love between them. It was all a bit... functional.

Ricky & Erin's waltz was classic Erin - simple, stylish and elegant with plenty of basic and nothing too fancy. Ricky actually did a very good job. His topline, especially his left arm, need to relax a little more, but it was a very good effort. If only he'd smiled...

What can I say about Ricky's cha cha? It certainly was entertaining, and his facial expression made up for the lack of expression in the ballroom. It was actually pretty good. He lost the timing in the middle, and could have reached further with his legs on the Cuban breaks. But I liked the performance as much as the studio audience. If he can get the timing in check, Ricky could do quite well.

Chris & Ola's tango was a good first effort. It wasn't as passionate as it could have been, and Chris seemed to walk around the floor with his toes turned up. He needs to watch his top half, and make sure he doesn't stick his butt out. But a solid start.

Chris & Ola's rumba was excellent. I loved the choreography. I loved the connection between Chris & Ola, such a sense of love and longing. It was really good. I totally agreed about the comments about Chris' splayed hands, though. It was really the only thing that let him down.

Jade made a good start with the waltz. I loved the song selection, and Ian's choreography always has musicality that echoes the music (look out for the line 'When will our eyes meet?' in the second chorus to see what I mean). Jade needs to watch the placement of her head. She must control her long arms and not let her hands droop. And her standing spins were a bit 'joggy'. But there is loads to build on, and she could go far.

Jade's split to end the cha cha was amazing. She certainly looked more at home with the latin. Again, control of those long arms is going to be one of Jade's challenges, but she was hot.

Aside from the slightly mucky ending, Martina & Matthew's waltz was very competent. Not mind blowing, but neat and graceful. But perhaps a little forgettable.

I loved the song choice for the rumba. Alone is a fantastic song. Martina had a nice performance quality, but sadly didn't have enough hip action. She needs more extension on her lines.

I loved Lynda & Darren's tango. Like Ian's, Darren's choreography really picked up on the music and lyrics of the song. Lynda looked at home on the floor, and really enjoyed it. Their tango was one of my personal favourite performances of the weekend.

The latin probably not going to be Lynda's preference, but she gave it everything, and that is all you can ask. Her joy shone through. It's a shame she lost the timing in the middle, and at times it looked like her feet had had a row they were so far apart. But when the pressure of two dances is removed, I think we'll see good things from her.

Ali & Brian's waltz was first class. Elegant. graceful and effortless. Very impressive at such an early stage in the competition.

Ali's rumba wasn't quite the same standard. I agreed with the judges that her lines were nice, but the transitions were wobbly. She seemed to lack balance and flow, and it was a little staccato. But it was a warm performance. Perhaps Ali will be more at home with the more up-tempo latin dances.

Joe looked really uncomfortable dancing with the much shorter Kristina. He hunched over her during the tango, and his knees were too flexed. It lacked passion, and he actually looked a little glazed over in the middle. I loved the ending, though (no, not because it meant it was over!).

Joe seemed to spend the cha cha looking to Kristina for guidance, and forgot about performing to the audience. He seemed to struggle with the timing and looked a bit wooden. I liked the nod to boxing in the choreography, although that was the only part where Joe loosened up.

The group mambo was good fun, but is probably not a good indicator of how the couples will get on next week. Ricky W shone through, and Zoe and Natalie looked pretty good. I can't say the same for Jo or Richard though...

Personally, I would have liked to have seen Joe & Kristina go home. Joe's performances left me cold. Based on the dance-off, it was tough to split Martina and Rav, but I have to agree with the judges, and I think of the two, the right couple went home. It's a shame for Matthew to be first out for the second time, but someone has to leave.

Here are the videos...

Rav & Aliola - Tango