Source: BBC
Hi everyone!
Well, week nine and our lovable Scot, Kenny, has bitten the Ballroom dust. Despite two hugely impressive performances, despite him being possibly the most improved dancer in the competition, it was Kenny and Ola’s turn to face the music and dance for the judges against Letitia and Darren. After nine triumphant weeks, during which the person most blown away by his new sense of rhythm was Kenny himself, Saturday was their time to leave.
As the joker of the pack, he will definitely be missed by the rest of the gang, particularly by Gethin and Matt who saw him as a bit of a mentor/ father figure (Matt affectionately called him ‘Gramps’). Ahh, as our Brucie would say, ‘shame!’ Later Ola said she could not have hoped for a better partner, and that Kenny is like a brother to her now. Fortunately they will be reunited soon, as the husband and wife duos – Kenny and Gabby and James and Ola – are due to appear on the Graham Norton show, and Kenny told me later that he can’t wait for the chance to dance again!
Letitia survived the dance-off despite being so unwell. The poor love had dreadful flu and it was touch and go as to whether she’d make it through her routines without throwing up, never mind having to do it all over again in the dance-off. But, ever the pro, she got through it in style. After all, this is live TV, and as they say – the show must go on! Get well soon Tish xx
Didn’t you just love Flavia and Vincent’s Waltz? It was mesmerising. So poignant and emotional, from two such flawless dancers. I loved it.
But the revelation of the night had to be Gethin’s Salsa! Holy smoke! The dragon was so hot, he was on fire! Mouths were dropped open – both from us backstage and those in the studio audience. We absolutely loved it. Where on earth did that come from? That single two-hour acting lesson had worked miracles. Look out Mark Ramprakash, there’s a new Latin love god in town!
My three-year-old Phoebe came to the dress rehearsals on Saturday. I was almost as excited as she was! Her love of Strictly has now grown into a full-blown obsession! You never know, it might be something to do with the fact that she was in the womb in series one, and the show has been a huge part of her life ever since. She loves to watch it on the telly, she’s forever singing the theme tune, and she’s learned all of the dancers’ names.
It was wonderful seeing her joy at recognising the dancers and professionals in the flesh – she thought she knew them all! The lovely John Barnes was back, filming behind the scenes, so there were lots of hugs and kisses from him. Kenny lifted her in the air above his head to sample the iconic Dirty Dancing lift, and Camilla was letting her try on her sparkly sequined bracelets. She couldn’t believe her luck! And of course the icing on the cake was giving her ‘Prince’ Brucie a big kiss.
Backstage was all a bit calmer this week now that we were down to just five couples. All of us were sorry to lose poor Kelly and Brendan from the competition, and so sad for Kelly’s loss. I’m so glad for her that her father got to see her do so wonderfully well in the competition, and I’m sure he was very proud of her.
All of our male professionals were foaming at the mouth with excitement at the chance of performing with our guest, Kylie Minogue. And didn’t they look fabulous? I think Kylie enjoyed it almost as much as they did!
True to form, Matt and Flavia performed two spectacular routines. And well done Matt for getting the highest male celeb score ever for his Rumba!
And finally, after a marathon 35 hours of training for their two dances, Alesha and Matt went out and tore up the dance floor with two sizzling performances – all that dedication certainly paid off.
So, after a week that saw two dances with twice the original training and twice the pressure, there are just four couple left standing. It’s quarter finals time this week, and I can’t wait. See you there!
Until next time,
Keep dancing!
Love
Tess