Strictly Week Two: Leader Board
From spicy hot Salsas, to whimsical Waltzes, and charming Cha Cha's to… breakdancing! What a night of dancing it has been.
Popstar Jamelia and her partner Tristan MacManus got us all hot under the collar with their sizzling Cha Cha to ‘Don’t’ Cha’ by The Pussycat Dolls, although Len said she needs to “work on her technique.” Technical points aside, the performance factor was most certainly present in this Superstar’s dance, earning her a solid 21 – the same score as last week – bringing her total up to 42.
From one popstar to another, The Wanted’s Jay McGuiness and Aliona’s Waltzed to See The Day by Dee. C. Lee, which was a spinning success (and so was that brand new haircut!). He blew Darcey away with his style, technique and romance. The other Judges were bowled over too, with Len declaring “it takes a lot” to get him excited, but Jay had managed it. Jay received a whopping 31 points, the highest mark of the series so far, and is nestled in second place alongside Helen George with a total of 58 points.
Other contestants weren’t so lucky on the dance floor tonight. Although Iwan Thomas gave it his all, he failed to impress the Judges with his Cha Cha (and breakdancing!) to LMFAO’s Sexy And I Know It. Bruno branded it “murder”, while Len thought it was full of too much “attack.” Craig went as far to say that Iwan had wasted 21 and a half hours training, resulting in the lowest score of the series of 13 points.
Ainsley and Natalie served up one spicy hot Salsa to Don’t Touch My Tomatoes by Josephine Baker. It was packed full of enough shimmies and shakes to earn a tasty 26 points and ninth place on the Leader Board. Craig devoured the routine, declaring Ainsley did a “brilliant job” bringing the dance to life. Darcey was also after a second helping, admitting that she was “totally transfixed” by Ainsley’s moves.
Albert Square’s leading landlady, Kellie Bright, pulled out all the stops with her Cha Cha to Don’t Go Breaking my Heart by Elton John and Kiki Dee. She and Kevin certainly stole the Judges’ hearts, maintaining a consistent 27 points, the same as last week, bringing them to joint third place alongside Anita Rani and Katie Derham.
Anton cancelled that cruise he’s got booked for November as Strictly success came ever closer to him for the first time in… too long! His and Katie’s tantalising Tango to Telephone by Lady Gaga engaged the Judges with Craig claiming that he “really loved the drama in it.” Hold on to that one Anton! They scored a very respectable 27, bringing them to joint third place on the leader board.
Up to the heady heights of the top of the leader board, Peter and Janette were making themselves comfy for the second week in a row. With his feet moving ‘Insania-ly fast’, he put the quick into Quickstep, earning himself 30 points again.
And just below them, maintaining their runners-up position for the second week, were Helen and Aljaz, scoring 29 points for their Cha Cha to Uptown Girl by Billy Joel. Len, commenting on Helen’s straight legs, said her ballet experience gave them a slight wooden effect but Bruno summed it up when he said he was “watching an uptown bombshell!”
But of course, tomorrow night sees the first of our Strictly couples leave the competition. Who will it be? Join us tomorrow on BBC One at 7.15pm to find out.
