STRICTLY 2013 THE FINAL

Picture Courtesy of the BBC

Strictly first ever all girl final, it only seems like two minutes since we were meeting our celebrities for the first time, I remember predicting that Natalie & Artem were the ones to watch, but now I think it could be anyone’s game, all week I have being asking people who they would be voting for on Saturday night and the replies were really mixed, it is just going to go to the lady who performs her heart out the most.

A slick cheeky Cha Cha opened the first part of our Final from all our professional dancers and the four remaining finalist Natalie, Abbey, Susanna and Sophie.

Susanna & Kevin Judges Choice Quickstep C8  D9  L10  B10  T37

Susanna danced very high on her scatter chasse’s and looked so relaxed throughout the whole routine, her timing and footwork were excellent and made me smile from start to end.

Show routine C9  D9  L9 B9 T36

A beautiful American Smooth Waltz very emotionally portrayed, Susanna you started this competition sat on a sofa and have become a beautiful dancer.

Abbey & Aljaz Judges Choice WaltzC10  D10  L10  B10  T40

For me this has to be the most perfectly danced Waltz ever to grace our screens, beautifully styled, the simplicity, poise and control was unbeatable and a real tear jerker.

Show Routine C9  D10  L9  B10  T38

Great drama, great performance, great dance, I did not understand the bit when they stood on the giant BBQ and were smoked but a very powerful Paso.

Natalie & Artem Judges Choice Cha Cha C9  D10  L10  B10  T39

A lovely Cha Cha performance with amazing strict timing on the syncopations coupled with amazing arm lines finished in true professional style, I personally did not understand why the judges chose this dance for them as it was not one of their strongest and I personally would have liked to see a slightly straighter leg at times from Natalie  but it did give Artem a chance to wear his traditional costume again.

Show Routine C10  D10  L10  B10  T40

This has to be the performance of the night a true show dance performed with pizazz, poise and perfection, amazing changes of rhythm danced with ease and a relaxed style that made every movement look perfect.

Sophie & Brendan Judges Choice Viennese Waltz C9  D10  L10  B10 T39

Maria Von Trapp’s favourite things and Sophie this was one of my favourite Viennese Waltzes of the series, a much improved Top Line than we have seen in previous weeks, there was a little stumble on the rotary reverse turns towards the end of the routine but effortless and beautiful.

Show Routine C8  D9  L9  B9  T35

Sexy Samba show dance time! A wonderful light and airy routine maybe a little careful when approaching the lifts but they really were wowalicious!

Then came the part nobody wanted to watch, who was going to leave at the very last hurdle?

She has had an amazing time on Strictly but we said goodbye to Sophie who I know will continue dancing and will treasure her time on the dance floor for years to come.

Susanna & Kevin Own Choice Paso Doblé C9  D10  L10  B10  T39

I loved this routine the first time and loved it even more the second, an amazing traditional Paso creating all the drama of the bullfight, Susanna whatever happens you should be very proud of all your performances.

Abbey & Aljaz Own Choice Quickstep C9  D10  L10  B10  T10 

This has to be the liveliest Quickstep routine of the series, full of pure technique with very advanced step patterns and an energy level that was off the scale.

Natalie & Artem Own Choice American Smooth C10  D10  L10  B10  T40

PRICELESS!!!!

Before our 2013 champion was crowned we were joined by all our series eleven celebrities, one last time, It has been the highest standard series ever, with routines that would look at home on any competition floor, but there could be only one winner and the 2013 Champions were Abbey & Aljaz who were very deserving but to be honest any of them could have lifted the trophy.

So for 2013 it is just left for me to say thank you, for reading, have a wonderful Christmas and I wish everybody all the luck in the world for 2014, do not forget the best of series eleven highlights BBC Red button, satellite and cable viewers, Monday 23^rd December, the Festive Special Christmas Day at 5pm BBC1 and the Live Strictly tour at an arena near you early next year, do Keep happy, Keep healthy and Keeeeeeep dancing!!!!

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Strictly 2013 week one

 Picture Courtesy of the BBC

 

Strictly Come Dancing Blog 2013 Week 1

 

A great new studio set, brilliant new professionals to join our Strictly family and a celebrity line up that I think is really going to wow us this year, and no real joker in the pack everyone looks determined and as if they are in it to win it.

 

Friday Night Show

Ashley & Ola                      Cha Cha                                C 5  D6  L7  B7  T25

A very lively Cha Cha routine to open this year’s series, full of tricks and stunts, Ashley has a good strong presence on the dance floor and combined with a very carefully choreographed routine means that the hard work has already started for the celebrities who want to do well in this year’s competition.

 

Tony & Aliona                   Waltz                                    C2  D5  L5  B4  T16

Tony is very light on his feet, although a little hesitant in places, he shows good shaping in the arms, a little more relaxed in the shoulders though would help the overall appearance to his performance, but very good for first time out.

 

Mark & Iveta                      Tango                                    C5  D6  L7  B6  T24

A very well dramatised and characterised standard Tango with a great little storyline, it was obvious how much work had gone in to making this routine, and it paid off.

 

Susanna & Kevin              Jive                                        C6  D7  L8  B7  T28

O’ Susanna you little minx! A great lively Jive routine with great rhythm and timing and a surprising cartwheel at the end which gave her a deserving standing ovation from the studio audience, and to think that the BBC keep her stuck to a sofa all week, they just do not appreciate the talent they have working for them, I am really looking forward to see what Susanna has in store for us!

 

Sophie & Brendan           Waltz                                    C7  D7  L7  B7  T28

Some lovely shaping along with footwork and presence in this graceful Waltz routine which was portrayed beautifully.

 

Natalie & Artem               Cha Cha                                C8  D8  L8  B7  T31

One of this year’s bookies favourites to go all the way in the competition, and you can tell why.  Natalie if your Ballroom is half as good as your Latin then see you in the final, a truly week ten performance.

 

Saturday Night Show

The show was opened with one of the best performances from our professional dancers we have ever been graced with on Strictly, a real Las Vegas feel opening.

Ben & Kristina                   Cha Cha                                C3  D5  L6  B5  T19

A very good positive performance from Ben, his showmanship really shone through, there is still quite a lot of work needed in the studio but well danced.

 

Fiona & Anton                   Tango                                    C5  D6  L7  B6  T24

Once a Bond girl always a Bond girl! Fiona looked like a view to a kill, stunning, and performed the Tango characterisation beautifully, If anything I thought the routine, for a week one dance, was a little too full of content and a little over complicated but I cannot wait to see what else these two Moonraker maker.

 

Dave & Karen                    Cha Cha                                C2  D5  L5  B4  T16

A very lively, fun interpretation of the Cha Cha and I do feel that dancing Dave is going to keep us all amused and entertained for quite some time, but the little bit of Cha Cha content that he did dance was actually not at all bad, watch this space!

 

Rachel & Pasha                 Waltz                                    C6  D7  L7  B7  T27

This really was a beautiful interpretation of the Waltz, I always admire Pasha’s teaching skills as he does teach his partner to dance and to become a dancer, Rachel looked amazing moving around the dance floor and if Pasha works his magic on her Latin next week they could be one of the dark horses of this year’s competition.

 

Julien & Janette               Cha Cha                                C3  D5  L6  B6  T20

I thought Julien’s Cha Cha was very strong and masculine which did surprise me a little as I was expecting a softer approach to his dancing, there was so great line and shaping and now if he works on his leg action could have the makings of a real contender.

 

Deborah & Robin             Tango                                    C6  D6  L6  B6  T24

Their routine started off very well I thought with a strong entrance and confidence feel, but a few little mistakes half way through made it lose its energy and attack but overall a very good first attempt at one of the more difficult dances.

 

Patrick & Anya                  Jive                                        C7  D7  L7  B7  T28

I loved there routine as it made me smile from start to finish, Patrick has a great kick and flick action combined with true soul and rhythm, I loved the storyline and the fluid body movements, another real contender but very careful scoring from the judges I thought.

 

Vanessa & James             Cha Cha                                C3  D5  L6  B5  T19

A confident little Cha Cha routine, Vanessa’s timing was good but for me it was a very careful routine with a bit too much emphasis on gimmicks, but I did find the judges’ comments quit harsh and a little uncalled for a this early stage.

 

Abbey & Alijaz                  Waltz                                    C8  D8  L8  B8  T32

A stunning couple with an amazing beautifully told Waltz routine, graceful, elegant and pitched perfectly for an opening number, these two are definitely going to give Natalie & Artem a run for their money, I cannot believe she has had no previous dance experience, Wow!

 

Next week the voting starts, who will be the first dancing flop and who will be the leader of the pack? Next program is Saturday 6.20pm BBC 1

 

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