Under the chandeliers and glitterballs of the Blackpool Tower Ballroom the voting public finally lost faith with Craig Kelly and his partner Flavia Cacace on Strictly Come Dancing last night.After getting the former Coronation Street to his home town of Blackpool, Kelly's Cha Cha Cha failed to impress the judges or the public as he lost out in the dance off to Ricky Groves and Erin Boag.
It was a setting worthy of great performances, a glittering 40 ready to grace the floor of this traditional ballroom. And it came as a slight surprise that it was not favourite Ricky Whittle and his partner Natalie Lowe but last week's dance off survivors Ali Bastain and Brian Fortuna that saw four 10 paddles appear from behind the judge's desks for the first time this series.
After her narrow dance-off escape last week Ali and Brian delivered a faultless Viennese Waltz, gliding around the large ballroom floor with a poise and ease that even lead Craig Revel-Horwood to grudgingly admit that he could find no fault.
Ali's main rival, Ricky Whittle, started off the show with a passionate Tango, earning a respectable but not-quite-as-good-as-last-week 35. Following Ricky and Natalie was the other Natalie, EastEnders actress Natalie Cassidy and her partner Vincent Simone who performed a lively Quickstep. She may not match her rivals in dancing technique (receiving a score of 31 on the night) but the sheer levels of energy, excitement and the smile she brings to the floor each week is deserving of a place in the competition.
Next up was Jade and her partner Ian doing the Jive, a possible recipe for disaster for the tall couple. Surprisingly the couple's height seemed not to harm their performance, a energetic series of kicks and flicks left them with 33 points.
After Ali and Brian's perfect performance Ricky and Erin had the hard task of following and actor's novelty seems to be wearing thin with the judges and the public. Ricky and Erin scored a weak 25 for their Salsa, he may come to entertain but whilst others excel Ricky's problems with his dancing technique are becoming more apparent.
Next up was Laila Rouass and Anton Du Beke with the Paso Doble, a Latin dance more suited to the actress than her poor previous efforts in the Jive and Samba. Laila gave a professional performance, keeping in character throughout but only received 30 from the judges - a score that undeservedly left her near the bottom of the leader board.
Another couple dangerously close to the bottom were Phil Tufnell and his partner Katya. They performed a reasonable Rumba, Phil's cheeky smile once again carrying him through a routine. With only 28 points, Phil's cheeky chappy personality guided him through to the next week but like Ricky Groves, his weaknesses are becoming more exposed as the competition heats up.
Following Phil and Katya onto the floor was Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan, a couple that have been slipping down the leader board since their week one performance. But the couple's Foxtrot re-ignited their Strictly chances, leaving them third with 34 points.
Whilst the night started on a high with Ricky and Natalie it finished, in terms of dancing ability, on a low as Craig and Flavia only scored 17, their worst tally to date that left them adrift at the bottom of the leader board.
After last week's shock dance-off it was the two worst dances, Ricky and Erin and Craig and Flavia who were rightly facing the axe after the public vote. After both couples performed again the judges unanimously saved Ricky and Erin, deservedly sending Craig and Flavia home after weeks of terrible attempts at dancing.
Next week Strictly returns to London and the television studios where each couple will dance for their future. We have now passed the half-way point and after the glitz and glamour of Blackpool the final stages of the competition are in sight.
Whilst there are a few couples struggling near the bottom, the ever-changing top of the leader board shows just how tight and exciting Strictly has become. We may witness a few more dance-off shocks in the coming week as the competition becomes too hard to call - Ali's dance-off drama to dazzling perfection is testament of that.
After her narrow dance-off escape last week Ali and Brian delivered a faultless Viennese Waltz, gliding around the large ballroom floor with a poise and ease that even lead Craig Revel-Horwood to grudgingly admit that he could find no fault.
Ali's main rival, Ricky Whittle, started off the show with a passionate Tango, earning a respectable but not-quite-as-good-as-last-week 35. Following Ricky and Natalie was the other Natalie, EastEnders actress Natalie Cassidy and her partner Vincent Simone who performed a lively Quickstep. She may not match her rivals in dancing technique (receiving a score of 31 on the night) but the sheer levels of energy, excitement and the smile she brings to the floor each week is deserving of a place in the competition.
Next up was Jade and her partner Ian doing the Jive, a possible recipe for disaster for the tall couple. Surprisingly the couple's height seemed not to harm their performance, a energetic series of kicks and flicks left them with 33 points.
After Ali and Brian's perfect performance Ricky and Erin had the hard task of following and actor's novelty seems to be wearing thin with the judges and the public. Ricky and Erin scored a weak 25 for their Salsa, he may come to entertain but whilst others excel Ricky's problems with his dancing technique are becoming more apparent.
Next up was Laila Rouass and Anton Du Beke with the Paso Doble, a Latin dance more suited to the actress than her poor previous efforts in the Jive and Samba. Laila gave a professional performance, keeping in character throughout but only received 30 from the judges - a score that undeservedly left her near the bottom of the leader board.
Another couple dangerously close to the bottom were Phil Tufnell and his partner Katya. They performed a reasonable Rumba, Phil's cheeky smile once again carrying him through a routine. With only 28 points, Phil's cheeky chappy personality guided him through to the next week but like Ricky Groves, his weaknesses are becoming more exposed as the competition heats up.
Following Phil and Katya onto the floor was Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan, a couple that have been slipping down the leader board since their week one performance. But the couple's Foxtrot re-ignited their Strictly chances, leaving them third with 34 points.
Whilst the night started on a high with Ricky and Natalie it finished, in terms of dancing ability, on a low as Craig and Flavia only scored 17, their worst tally to date that left them adrift at the bottom of the leader board.
After last week's shock dance-off it was the two worst dances, Ricky and Erin and Craig and Flavia who were rightly facing the axe after the public vote. After both couples performed again the judges unanimously saved Ricky and Erin, deservedly sending Craig and Flavia home after weeks of terrible attempts at dancing.
Next week Strictly returns to London and the television studios where each couple will dance for their future. We have now passed the half-way point and after the glitz and glamour of Blackpool the final stages of the competition are in sight.
Whilst there are a few couples struggling near the bottom, the ever-changing top of the leader board shows just how tight and exciting Strictly has become. We may witness a few more dance-off shocks in the coming week as the competition becomes too hard to call - Ali's dance-off drama to dazzling perfection is testament of that.
Picture from BBC
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