Strictly Come Dancing 2012

[Tal]

Could all have been so different





Lost a couple of Quality Street wrappers recently? Think I found them:

[AndrewT]

Have to say that Louis (now favourite) came across really well and the audience went wild for him.

Nicky Byrne had a 'she's not the one I wanted' forced smile when he got paired up with the new one.

Brendleton will be a rollercoaster pair - he's notoriously demanding of his partners so expect plenty of blubbing.

I think Vaughan and Ball will be better than expected, with the real car crash being Jerry Hall - she has an inherent snootiness which means she'll not respond well to coaching and will not improve.

Aliona doesn't look as good with the blonde hair.

[Tal]

Brendleton.

Sold!

[tikay]

Did Kimberley win?

[MANTIS01]

Having assessed all the runners and riders for Strictly 2012 the clear favourite is Denise Van Outen. Did you see how she moved those hips on Saturday? Oh my gosh. Popular entertainer, a natural on stage, leading lady in Broadway/West End musicals, knows how to project and perform, and obv smoking hot. Importantly she looked devoid of any nerves or inhibitions dancing out on the floor which can often hamper performances. As a pro entertainer she will take it seriously and put in the work to produce when curtain drops. But most of all did you see how she moved those hips? She will smash the latin to bits.

Louis Smith is current fav at 5/2 but that is very short for somebody so stiff and wooden. Think he will be doing a lot of cartwheels and lifts to avoid the actual dancing part; and Len wont like that. Denise is 2nd fav at 7/2 which prob isn't value as there are a lot of trials and tribulations in these things so I wont be doing a tosh curry for fred. But she will be the best dancer for sure.

Thought Kimberley looked a bit weighty darling.

[Tal]

Denise wasn't exactly a big dancer in Chicago; did more sitting down than most!

She did have good hip movement and I expect her to be receptive to James's teaching style.

I agree she is the best right now from the little we have seen. Just a very long way to go.

 I will be interested to see Dani Harmer progress. She will lose the weight and she's used to long days and performing. Vincent will be a brilliant partner for her - remember Louisa Lytton?

[elstitchio]

Annoying and pointless x factor is better

[Tal]

Annoying and pointless x factor is better

#tryingtogetto300postsalert

[AndrewT]

Aliona has broken her ankle

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/19754666

Only a hairline break but she'll be out for a few weeks.

[Tal]

Aliona has broken her ankle

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/19754666

Only a hairline break but she'll be out for a few weeks.

A few weeks will probably be all Johnny has in the competition.

I'll be interested to see who comes in. Most obvious would be Karen Hardy, who had a regular slot last year on It Takes Two and does the red button commentary.

[Tal]

Johnny Ball's new partner has been announced:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/19770277

Iveta Lukosiute from the US version of So You Think You Can Dance will be JB's guide.




She seems likely to be good in the Latin with legs like that. Her ballroom might be where more critical eyes are passed.



This is her in Las Vegas, demonstrating - confusingly enough - a New Yorker. Fans of the Cha-Cha-Cha will see plenty of these about.

[Tal]

Songs for tonight's and tomorrow's performances:

Friday
Denise & James - 'With You I'm Born Again' Billy Preston & Syreeta -Waltz
Michael & Natalie - 'If You Don't Know Me By Now' Simply Red - Waltz
Colin & Kristina - 'I Got You (I Feel Good)' James Brown - Cha Cha
Fern & Artem - 'Signed Sealed Delivered' Stevie Wonder - Cha Cha
Nicky & Karen - 'I Wonder Why' Curtis Stigers - Waltz
Victoria & Brendan - 'Spinning Around' Kylie Minogue - Cha Cha

Saturday
Lisa & Robin - 'Think' Aretha Franklin - Cha Cha
Dani & Vincent - 'Open Arms' Mariah Carey - Waltz
Richard & Erin - 'You Don't Bring Me Flowers' Klaus Hallen Orchestra - Waltz
Sid & Ola - 'I Won't Give Up' Jason Mraz - Waltz
Johnny & Iveta - 'Drive My Car' The Beatles - 'Cha Cha'
Louis & Flavia - 'Forget You' Cee Lo Green - 'Cha Cha'
Jerry & Anton - 'Everybody Loves To Cha Cha' Sam Cooke - Cha Cha
Kimberley & Pasha - 'Domino' Jessie J - Cha Cha

[Tal]

Some absolute classic songs there; a few safe bets and, perhaps, an indication of the confidence the professionals have in their partners.

Louis will get the crowd going with a lively cha cha in Forget You. That will be Fab if he's on it.

Look out for songs that have a clear beat. We have a waltz: 1-2-3-1-2-3... and a cha cha: 1-2-3-chachacha-2-3-chachacha-2-3...

Clear beat is much easier to follow

[Tal]

Fern and Artem first up.

Apparently Artem has done a Rory McIlroy and turned up late, as he hasn't had time to put a top on.

He's also been beefing up over the Summer.

I expect her to be safe in the first few weeks. We'll see...

[Tal]

Ladies and gentlemen, the kiss of death!

 Forgot her way a few times but first dance over now.

Notice the professional has their weight right forward and the celeb is standing back. Early days