It was back to the Strictly Ballroom for our couples this week, following last week’s flying trip to Blackpool.
Our stars kept up the high standards of performance that they reached in the Tower Ballroom as they all strived to stay in the competition for another week.
Pixie and Trent’s glittering Charleston to ‘Sparkling Diamonds’ from the soundtrack to the film Moulin Rouge received the first big score of the night. Craig enthused that Pixie “danced with absolute precision, I’m dumbfounded how you do that!” and Len announced the dance was “full of razzle dazzle!” Bruno handed them the first 10 of the night, while the other Judges all gave nines, to give them a total of 37.
Frankie and Kevin’s dizzyingly delicious Viennese Waltz to Tom Jones’ ‘What’s New Pussycat?’ was the next big score of the evening. Len said that Frankie was “one pussycat that wasn’t going to be put out tonight!” while Bruno declared that he was “purring in absolute pleasure”. They scored 38, with both Len and Bruno giving maximums.
They were matched by EastEnders star Jake Wood and his partner Janette Manrara. Their Samba to the ‘Macarena’ by Los Del Rio saw the much-anticipated return of Jake’s Latin hips. Their dance had the crowd on their feet and the Judges gushing with compliments. Bruno called the routine “out there, mental fun!” and Craig went further, saying Jake’s bottom “went off like a jackhammer”. Darcey and Len dished out the 10s, while Craig and Bruno gave nines.
At the other end of the Leaderboard, Steve and Ola’s Jive was left rock bottom. Their American football-inspired routine to ‘Little Bitty Pretty One’ received only 23 points, with Craig handing them a lowly four, calling it “stompy” and Len admitting the dance was “tough for a big chap”.
Sunetra and Brendan were seven points clear of them, on 30. Their Waltz to Paolo Nutini’s ‘Last Request’ was generally well received: Bruno remarked “I love a lady who travels first class, so elegant” and Darcey added “there was a great improvement, gliding across the floor, it suits you”.