Strictly Come Blogging: Sunday Service: Week 3

With Tina & Jared out becuase of the pox, there are only 12 dancers to watch and rate this week. Let's start at the beginning...

Kara & Artem gave another great performance. Kara is very talented and gives lots of performance. She uses her face really well. Artem's routines are good and enjoyable, but yet again I wish it actually had a bit more quickstep content. Occationally the pair weren't in perfect harmony, mainly becuase of the speed of the routine. It was a very quick quickstep.

Felicity & Vincent have great chemistry, it's a lovely partnership. Vincent made the most of Felicity's talent for backbends, incorperating lots of them into the rumba routine. I especially liked the double backbend at the end of the number. Felicity needs to watch her extremities - she must point her feet and make sure her hands are an extention of her arms.

Patsy & Robin's quickstep was quite frantic. I have to agree with the judges that the routine was a little fast and gallopy in places. Patsy's performance has really improved, though. She needs to use her head where appropriate when she's in hold, because she uses it really well when she's not. Perhaps if the routines were a little less packed, Patsy might have the chance to really sell it, instead of just trying to keep up.

I know a lot of people don't like Paul, but I thought Paul & Ola's rumba was very cute. It was a great job by Ola to choreograph a slow, sweet routine. Yes, it was clear that Ola was leadning Paul rather than the other way around, and Paul needs to watch his arm placement. But he got from one end to the other and his timing is sound.

Matt & Aliona's routine had a bit more quickstep than some of the others, which was a good start. Matt seemed to relax about halfway through, after the section out of hold. Maybe he was over a bit that was giving him trouble, maybe he was relieved that he was on the home stretch. But he needs to deliver that relaxed feel throughout the routine, and needs to show the audience that he's having fun. He was able to keep up with a very fast routine. I'm just glad that Len said that he doesn't need tricks - I just hope Aliona takes than on board.

Gavin really needs to sell the routines more. His dancing isn't bad, but he doesn't have any personality on the floor. The whole rumba was all a bit careful. Perhaps Katya needs to get him to an acting coach. Or mabe he needs to see a therapist to get in touch with his emotions. His hip action was pretty good, and for a man his hands were pretty well placed. He just needs to let go.

It was wonderful to see Scott & Natalie come out and do a proper quickstep. It was evident that Natalie is a ballroom specialist. The routine was packed with steps without being too fast. Scott did a great job. As I noted in week 1, he needs to watch that he doesn't lead with his left arm, but that's being really picky. It was a brilliant performance. Light, bouncy and fleet footed.

Michelle sometimes makes some beautiful shapes, but the transitions are clunky and akward. Michelle & Brendan seem to get on well, but for me they lack chemistry on the floor. Everything is nice, but not passionate. Michelle works hard, but perhaps she is trying to hard. She's forcing the movements, instead of just feeling them. Assuming she goes through, I wonder how the change of partner will affect Michelle.

Peter was back in the ballroom hold, and looked far more relaxed than he did in the waltz. It was a big improvement, and one that should keep him in the competition. Erin's routine proved that quicksteps don't have to be frantic to be effective. It was paced perfectly for Peter. They did a good job, and it was a pleasure to watch. Peter looked like he was having fun.

Jimi is almost there, but not quite. His movements can be a little jerky and lacking in fluidity. He also needs to watch his hands. Jimi & Flavia make a great partnership. The mood and feel of the rumba was good. I loved the ending of the routine. Jimi is very comfortable on the floor, both in hold and out of it. I think he will slowly improve in the background, and one of these weeks he's going to floor everyone.

Anton needs to use smoke and mirrors. He's too old school for his own good, getting into hold quite quickly with Ann. While Matt doesn't need any tricks, Ann needs all the help she can get! Ann was moving her feet all the time, but it wasn't all in time. It was more luck than judgement, as my mum would say. Personally, while I find Ann a very entertaining woman, I don't find her dancing very entertaining.

Pamela & James put in another stunning performance. It was so sexy and sensual, full of yearning. Pamela has beautiful hips and arms. Her turns are grogeous and they have great chemistry. James is the rumba king, having put together stunning routines for Cherie and Zoe. Pamela is delicious, and I can't wait to see her performances each week.

Pamela & James were easily my favourites this week, closely followed by Scott & Natalie. Ann & Anton are my least favourite, and with them in my bottom two is probably Paul & Ola, but only because Paul cannot remember thr routines. Sadly, I suspect that it will be Paul who will be packing up his box of tricks tonight.

Here are the videos...

Kara & Artem