Tuesday Chatter: Week 7

OK, I'm back from Vegas and I have just watched Week 7 of Strictly Come Dancing. Here are my thoughts...

Natalie & Vincent gave one of their best performances to date. Their jive performance had lots of energy, even if it was a little stompy in places. Natalie needs to keep her head up, as at times it looked as if she was looking at her feet. She also needs to point her toes on flicks and kicks, and make sure she doesn't walk with her feet too far apart. But this might finally be a turning point for Natalie.

Ali & Brian danced nicely, but their paso lacked fire and passion for me. It was just pitched slightly wrong. It was a 'pretty' paso. Ali was too smiley and the whole thing, while nicely performed, lacked real impact.

Craig & Flavia's waltz was very simple, and was bordering on boring. Craig looked comfortable and in control, but the whole thing lacked pizazz. Craig got away with having an 'easy' dance this week.

Ola's clever choreography completely covered Chris' lack of ability to count cha cha. There was precious little cha cha rhythm in the routine, and it was apparent on the bits that were there that Chris was struggling with it. Don't get me wrong, Chris performed very well and does give it his all, but the judges seemed to not pick up on Chris' lack of rhythm. In fact, I think it was Alesha that said he had a good sense of rhythm. Hmmm...

I really think that Jade is now finding her stride in the competition. Her foxtrot with Ian was smooth and elegant. Jade is a total ballroom babe, and she and Ian are an excellent pairing.

Zoe needs more hip action on locks and voltres, but has lots on other steps. It was a sound samba performance, and interesting choreography from James. I agreed with Bruno's comment that Zoe needs to finish moves properly. Sometimes she's fine, and sometimes it's not sharp enough.

I really loved the mood of Ricky & Erin's rumba. Ricky STILL needs to watch his shoulders and he was pigeon-toes in places. But I really think the judges were unnecessarily harsh on Ricky. I think he put in a good performance. Alesha commented that he acted his way through it. So what? Acting is a massive part of dancing, and especially in rumba.

Laila was back in her comfort zone, and back in Anton's hold. Their Viennese waltz was everything you would expect. Clean, accomplished and well presented.

I thought Phil & Katya did a really good job. Phil could have sharper head movements in places, as that would have made the tango sharper. I think Len made a good point that a few extra hours training to polish the routines would make a big difference.

Ricky & Natalie's quickstep was brilliant, and was worthy of the score it got from the judges. Slick Ricky is definitely the one to beat, and performances like that put him streets ahead of the pack.

Personally, I think Craig and Chris should have been in the dance off, with Craig going home. But the birthday/Blackpool sob story/begging worked, and Craig went through. And once again, poor James Jordan is unjustly eliminated from the competition. Neither Zoe nor Ali should have been in the dance-off. But that's the game. And I think the judges saved the right couple.

I'm off to watch Week 8 now. Blackpool, baby!

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