Thursday Thoughts: Week 1

I have been on holiday for the past two weeks, so I'm only just getting back into Sparkleland, hence the tardy look back at last weeks shows. But I'm here now!

I was pretty impressed with the standard across the board.

Laura & Giovanni had the difficult task of going first. Laura tried hard. She was a bit stompy, and had bent knees throughout, and her arms looked a bit awkward. But for a non-dancer, it was a great start to the series.

Naga & Pasha begun their series with a waltz. Naga has lots of potential. She looked so elegant. Like Laura, she needs to make sure she straightens her knees more. I can't wait to see her progress.

I cannot bring myself to call Robert 'Judge' throughout the competition, as that's not his name. Anyway, I enjoyed Robert & Oksana's cha cha. Yes, Robert's open-mouthed face was distracting, but I loved that he gave the routine everything. Actually looking at his steps, he had tried so hard to get the styling of a real latin dancer. His rhythm is pretty good. Okasana has lots to work with.

Lesley was always going to do well in a waltz with Anton. There's no way it can go wrong. The song choice was a no-brainer, too. She needs to watch her top line, which is difficult with such a height difference, but we need to see her neck.

We're back to dodgy music choices for tango, but even that didn't detract from Ore & Joanne's tango. Great storytelling - I agreed with Len that it too long to get going, but that's not Ore's fault.He needs to make sure his posture is correct, his bottom was out and his shoulders were too far forward. But he has great potential.

Probably a smart move for Greg & Natalie to get the jive out of the way early doors, although he did a really good job if it. He was a bit pigeon toed, and probably needs to make sure he straightens his legs properly. But it was a good start to the competition.

I liked Louise & Kevin's jive, too. They looked good together, the side-by-side elements were pretty together. It was light and bouncy. Brilliant kick ball-change turns toward the end of the routine. A great start.

Melvin & Jenette's cha cha was solid. It wasn't wowing, but it was a good start. It was just not very interesting. Not one to watch again.

Daisy & Aljaž's waltz was delightful. Romantic, with a beautiful story. Perhaps a little gapping in places - she needs to make sure her hips are completely under. Lovely rise and fall, though. A great start.

Dirty ringer time. West end star Danny's cha cha was on point. If you didn't know Oti was the pro, you might have to ask your neighbour. Slick and professional, Danny was brilliant. I fear that he is too good for the general public, who want to see a J-word.

Fabulous paso doble from Tameka & Gorka. She was just delicious, and is delivering exactly what everyone hoped. She had the attitude and drive, and had the face to match. It wasn't perfect, and I'm not sure how she'll fare with the ballroom dances.

Anastacia gave the cha cha lots of attitude, and reminded me a bit of Claire King. There were a few mis-steps, and Brendan had to save her from going A-over-T in the middle, but I really enjoyed it. She's gorgeous. Can't wait to see more.

Ed & Katya's waltz was quite sweet. He needs to make sure he doesn't lead with his left arm, and should pull his shoulders back. In an earlier series, that would have been acceptable for week 1, but with everyone else in the competition being so good, I don't know if it is going to be good enough.

I had high expectations for Claudia & AJ's cha cha, but it didn't quite hit the mark. She looked off time in a couple of places. They seemed to rely on gymnastics a bit too much. She looked a bit awkward in the heels. She seemed more comfortable out of hold than in it.

I struggled to decide if it was those awful trousers, or just bad posture that made Will & Karen's tango look odd. Will needs to make sure his head is over his shoulder, it was square for much of the dance, which made it lose style. It was OK, and I think he showed potential, but it wasn't my favourite.

I think the leaderboard was a fair reflection of what happened for the most part. Ed and Melvin were definitely the ones who moved me the least. I probably would have had Danny at the top rather than Daisy, and would have had Ore and Greg higher than Will.

What will Saturday's second round bring?

Here are the videos...

Laura & Giovanni

Naga & Pasha

Robert & Oksana

Lesley & Anton

Ore & Joanne

Greg & Natalie

Louise & Kevin

Melvin & Janette

Daisy & Aljaž

Danny & Oti

Tameka & Gorka

Anastacia & Brendan

Ed & Katya

Claudia & AJ

Will & Karen

First Steps: Daisy, Danny, Tameka, Ed, Melvin & Louise

The BBC have been busy posting the couples' first steps in training...

Daisy & Aljaž

Check out the First Steps of @DaisyLowe and @AljazSkorjanec in training - are they ready for #Strictly yet...? pic.twitter.com/L55QgoKn8a

— BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly) September 9, 2016

Danny & Oti

So @Otlile_mabuse, is @DannyMacOnline a good pupil? Let's watch their #Strictly First Steps and find out! pic.twitter.com/6BysxNjUUo

— BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly) September 10, 2016

Tameka & Gorka

She's hilarious, but is @Tameka_Empson taking #Strictly seriously? See her take her First Steps with @GorkaMarquez1: pic.twitter.com/EXkPEzVTfR

— BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly) September 11, 2016

Ed & Katya

The challenge: turn a former Shadow Chancellor into a dancer. @EdBalls and partner @Mrs_katjones step to it... pic.twitter.com/PWwLWBopni

— BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly) September 12, 2016

Melvin & Janette

Are @MelvinOdoom and @JManrara spending their #Strictly training dancing or laughing? Watch their First Steps! pic.twitter.com/Gii20XViZ6

— BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly) September 13, 2016

Louise & Kevin

It seems @LouiseRedknapp is stepping up to @KeviClifton's challenge! Watch their #Strictly First Steps vid: pic.twitter.com/lRhTyEaIs4

— BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly) September 14, 2016

First Steps: Lesley & Anton

Remember when Lesley & Anton meant Lesley Garrett? Happy times...

Anyway, Anton has a new Lesley now. How is Lesley Joseph getting on with the waltz?

Lesley's learning her #Strictly steps so fast, Anton's hoping to fit in a round of golf! Watch them in training: pic.twitter.com/HM16n6sKOf

— BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly) September 8, 2016

Anastacia Donates Fee

Anastacia is donating her Strictly appearance fee to a breast cancer charity.

Anastacia is herself a breast cancer survivor, having battled the disease twice in 2003 and 2013, undergoing a double mastectomy. 

She told The Sun: “I’m taking part in Strictly for my own challenge as a woman recovering from so many different health issues. For me it was kind of getting in touch with my female body and relearning to use my body on stage as a singer. I felt like when I was offered the opportunity I couldn’t say no. Dancing brings you closer to your womanly side and I’m kind of getting in touch with my female parts that are new, as they’re only a couple of years old.”

She also revealed that the surgery she has endured might make Strictly a challenge: "I had radical treatment on my back where muscles were removed for the cancer surgery so my arm movement is a little bit restricted. I have these huge scars on my back and the costumes are very revealing and they are going to work with me to hide them or make them less visible.”

10m Watch Launch Show

An average of 9.3m viewers watched the Strictly launch show on Saturday, a massive 46% share of the available audience. 

According to the Evening Standard, the audience peaked at over 10m, and overall was up 600,000 on last year's launch.

Sir Bruce Hopes To Return

Sir Bruce Forsyth hopes to return for this year's Strictly Christmas and charity specials, having missed them last year due to poor health.

Sir Bruce had surgery for an aortic aneurysm in November, and further surgery in February. 

A friend told the Daily Mirror: “Strictly is really special for him, so that’s Bruce’s target – it’ll help him push on to get back to full strength. He’s been resting, but it was major surgery and it hasn’t been as easy as people might have hoped – but he’s a very determined man.”

The Couples!

Saturday's launch show saw this year's Strictly celebrities get partnered with their pros.

For the most part, I think the couples are well matched. I guess we'll find out for certain as the show progresses. Here are my thoughts about the couples...

Louise Redknapp & Kevin Clifton: Having made the final three times in three series with Strictly, I thought it might be time for Kevin to get a duffer, but he seems to have done well again. I think Louise is a good match for Kevin, and she should have some dance ability. I think he'd do well to make another final, but they should do OK.

Naga Munchetty & Pasha Kovalev: I think this will work. Naga is very composed and elegant, and Pasha is one of the less tactile pros. I think they will have a very professional and respectful partnership.

Anastacia & Brendan Cole: I think this will be a great pairing, if they get along. Anastacia is just the right side of crazy. She has been through a lot, but is a survivor. Brendan 2.0 of the past few years is patient and kind. If they have fun, they should be aces on the dancefloor. This was one of a number of age-appropriate pairings this year. 

Laura Whitmore & Giovanni Pernice: Another good pairing. They look good together, and I think they could do well.

Melvin Odoom & Janette Manrara: Based on height, there was no-one else that Melvin would be partnered with. News has come to light that Melvin used to be a dance teacher, so could this be more of a partnership than a traditional student/teacher hierarchy? Interesting...

Greg Rutherford & Natalie Lowe: Again, a no-brainer based on height. I'm pleased for Natalie that she has a partner actually taller than she is. Expect the usual 'length of bone' and 'jive doesn't suit the tall' discussions.

Robert Rinder & Oksana Platero: We don't know anything about Oksana's teaching style, but Robert was looking for a Russian who could keep him in line, and he's got a Ukrainian who I'm sure will work him hard.

Danny Mac & Oti Mabuse: Based on her reaction, I think Oti must have seen something she liked about Danny in the group training session. She was beside herself with excitement. Anthony's injury held back Oti's choreography last year, so I can't wait to see what she can really do.

Claudia Fragapane & AJ Pritchard: Another age-appropriate pairing. Claudia is so little that any pro would tower above her, so the best thing is to give her someone close in age. Claudia should be good, which will give AJ the chance to shine in his first series.

Daisy Lowe & Aljaž Skorjanec: I was surprised to see that when they stood together, that they are not hip-to-hip. Daisy's legs are really long! I'm sure that won't hinder them. And of course, they look amazing together.

Lesley Joseph & Anton du Beke: After finally making a final last year, it was back to normality for Anton, once again being paired with a more mature lady. But, again, this was the most age appropriate choice. Lesley doesn't appear to be a duffer like some of the dead weight he's dragged around. I hope she can hold her own.

Tameka Empson & Gorka Márquez: Tameka is a big personality, and a massive fan of the show. I'm not sure how I would feel in her shoes being paired with a newbie pro. Tameka already appears to be somewhat of a fan favourite, and Gorka will have to give her the choreography and experience that a Strictly superfan deserves.

Ore Oduba & Joanne Clifton: Having sat out last year's competition, and previously not having the most gifted dancer in Scott Mills, I thought Joanne might get an obvious ringer like Will. I like Ore, and I think they'll be a good match. Joanne is an excellent teacher.

Ed Balls & Katya Jones: When it came down to Karen and Katya, I was convinced that Karen would be paired with Ed. I suspect that Ed will be out of the competition quite quickly, and so we won't get much chance to see what Katya can do. I am also gutted that we won't get to hear enough of Katya's fantastic mixed-up accent. A worthy replacement for Ola.

Will Young & Karen Clifton: I was convinced that Karen would get Ed. This was mostly because I didn't think they'd give a brand new pro a duffer. I can't wait to see how this partnership develops. Will is obviously less tactile than Karen, so there will definitely be some exploration of physical boundaries. But he is a professional, and having seen him in the west end run of Cabaret, I know he can pull it off.

On the face of it, the team seem to have done a good job partnering the couples.

So, what of the group number?



It's clear to everyone that Ed was the weakest one, and made noticeable mistakes. The standout performer for me was Tameka. She was on it throughout and looked fantastic. Anatstacia and Lesley looked good, but might have to work on their arms. Robert wasn't as bad as I feared he might be. Everyone else looked reasonable in the limited amount of screen time they got.

This could be a very good year...