Strictly Come Dancing / Alan Dudman / 15 October 2009 /

This wife of rock royalty is dead Wood on Strictly, say Alan Dudman in his weekly look at the betting

It's farewell to the 'Oxo mum' after last weekend's foxtrot. More trot than fox having
laboured her way through Neil Sedaka's 'Calendar Girl' - which was rather a nice touch,
as I had in my mind the November 1936 one. Linda Bellingham is no more, but Laila and Ricky are.....long live the King (and Queen).

It's already week five on Strictly and we've had a good month now to realise who is a million
dollars, or who's a million lira. Notable points from last Saturday were once again Ricky W.
The Whittlemeister (does that work?) let it slip during his salsa. He made two bad mistakes,
his performance was way too under-rehearsed (due to a fairly meaty storyline in Hollyoaks
apparently) and he still collected 32 points - from a routine which Alesha described as 'disappointing'.

Wow, if someone lands the third top score from being below-par, then god only knows what is going to happen.

Whittle didn't budge in his price last week from about [2.40] in the winner market. I say go in again, he'll come back with a huge dance this weekend. Meanwhile, Rouass trades at single figures for the first time this series at [9.60] to land the pot.

Rouass collected the top score in week four with a beautifully classy and confident foxtrot. Zoe Lucker wasn't bad either just one point behind. Lucker is the rapid improver once again. These two are gaining ground fast on Ali Bastian. Her salsa was all a bit stiff. It was good, but she needs to let herself go a bit. Bastian is looking slightly vulnerable at [4.00] to win the series.

This week's two dances are the jive and the Viennese Waltz. When I mentioned the latter I'm sure Natalie Cassidy's ears pricked up. Natalie, I did say Waltz not swirls. Although admittedly, they are lovely biscuits. The jive is the 4/4 time quickest of all the dances, whilst the Viennese is the turning dance, smooth travelling whilst spinning at the same time.

The angle of attack is simple this week. We get at 'crazy cat' Craig Kelly, Joe Calzaghe, and Jo Wood. This hapless trio are about as exciting as a root canal.

Calzaghe looks like he has constipation. Jo Wood does nothing and gets dragged around by Brendan whilst Kelly must be the most boring man on earth. His foxtrot on Saturday was truly awful - uncomfortable, boring, boring and boring. You can all go.

Calzaghe is good material for lowest score again. He reminds me of my Dad at weddings, no connection with any music. If he has the jive to contend with, a score of about 19-21 should do the trick. However, he'll be ok with the phone vote and will be saved again. Avoid him in the 'week five elimination market' and bottom two. Joe trades favourite at [1.70] for the lowest score, which I think will happen - I wouldn't call the price value though.

Wood meanwhile is getting on my nerves. Her dancing consists of Brendan. I think she could be a goner with either dance here. Forget the jive with this oldie, whilst her co-ordination is perhaps the worst of the 12 left so she'll have no chance with the Viennese Waltz.

Woody is [3.50] to get the boot, [2.50] in the bottom two, and [1.90] for lowest score. The best play here is to back her for the bottom two.

And finally, to Kelly. Everything he does is a disaster. He can't bluff it either with his personality - as he hasn't got one. He has been lucky to survive this far. God only knows what is going to happen with the two dances this week. If the jive don't get him, the waltz will.

Meanwhile Ricky W is gonna bounce back with a bang this week. No one else can do a back flip out of this lot. He is amazingly [1.80] for top score. C'mon Ricky.

Week five recommendations:

Back Jo Wood in 'Bottom Two' market @ [2.50]
Back Craig/Jo in 'Bottom Two Combo' market @ [4.50]
Back Ricky Whittle in Week Five Highest Score market @ [1.80]

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: