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 Come Dancing WEEK 10 Blog

Picture courtesy of the BBC

Strictly Come Dancing Blog WEEK 10

‘Musical Week’ as we reach the last few stages of this years competition and our seven gallant couples become six which of them is going to be all Broadway glamour and who will be walking the Yellow Brick Road home, an amazing opening from our professional dancers to ‘Anything goes’ from the musical of the same name which has been running for over seventy nine years and still makes you want to get up and dance, it really is getting difficult to pick the finalists from this years celebrities as the bar is so high, I think we are going to be in for a few disappointments over the next couple of weeks so KEEEEEEP VOTING!

Patrick & Anya Charleston C8  D10  L10  B10  T38

For energy alone Patrick deserved tens, it just never stopped or faded, great style, great presentation and great energy, I did however find the music very difficult to follow and easily find the Charleston swing, but Patrick smashed it.

Natalie & Artem American Smooth Foxtrot C9  D9  L8  B10  T36

Beautiful fluid movements with perfectly finished lines and musical interpretation made this a true professional performance, however I did feel that the ending lost energy and emotion somehow, and I did agree with Lens comment on the Foxtrot content, an American smooth should still be two thirds Foxtrot and one third lifts and breaks in tradition hold, but you cannot help swaying around on the sofa when watching these two together.

Mark & Iveta Samba C7  D7  L7  B8  T29

A true Samba showing great content and a good standard of technique, there were a few stonking heels at times but I loved the presentation and Marks ability to make me smile when I’m watching him dance.

Sophie & Brendan Viennese Waltz C9  D9  L9  B9  T36

A lovely rotary Viennese Waltz with perpetual natural and reverse turns, a little lighter lilting action and a little straighter in the legs when closing the feet would have created a slightly smoother rotation and help to keep Sophie from leaning backwards as all the judges commented on it but none of them helped to correct it, but I loved the choreography and movement.

Abbey & Aljaz Salsa C10  D10  L10  B10  T40

WOW, I loved the presentation and constant energy levels, Abbey’s performance was incredible, I personally would have preferred to see the Salsa danced deeper into the floor, as they were quite light on their feet and the Disco music actually gave it more of a Hustle feel than a Salsa, but Abbey keep working this hard and we will see you in the final.

Ashley & Ola Rumba C8  D9  L9  B9  T35

Rumba is very difficult for a male to look masculine yet fluid and Ashley performed it perfectly there was some nice content and feeling to their routine it was clean and tidy and for me Ashley it was right on the money.

Susanna & Kevin Quickstep C7  D8  L9  B9  T33

This was one of the best Quickstep presentations we have seen this series, fast and furious with more content packed in than a tin of sardines, Susanna has wowed us and dances like she has been dancing for years, I crown Susanna Reid the dancer of the BBC award 2013!

Sunday Results Show

A Fame musical opening from our professional dancers that would look at home on any West End stage, but for the third time we see Mark & Iveta in the dreaded dance off, along with Ashley & Ola but Ashley and Ola make it through to the Quarter Finals. Mark you have been a star and strictly A1 performer, I hope you keep dancing.

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