Strictly Come Dancing / Alan Dudman / 31 October 2008 /

Alan Dudman finds that he and Tess Daly share things in common, warms to TV's middle-class man, looks forward to a bit of American Smooth and fears for the Manageress.

I bumped in to an old magician friend of mine the other day - Paul Daniels. I asked him if he thought I got anything right in the column last week and he answered: 'Not a lot'. A predictable answer perhaps, but there is nothing predictable about 'Strictly' at the moment.

Heather amazingly escaped the dance-off (having tipped her to go) in Week Six, which again tells us how hard it is to read the public vote. Despite featuring in two previous showdowns, she was spared the anguish, and was first through to week seven, so well done Heather.

I can never tell how the public are voting these days, an opinion shared with Tess Daly who said: "You can never tell how the public are voting these days".

And again I missed the top points score by one. Cherie two weeks ago, and this time Tom...who may have been struggling with all that Champers from his wedding. I hope he will be alcohol free this week, as I am convinced he is the one to nail Austin. And farewell to Mark Foster, your torso will be missed, your moves will not.

This week is tricky as the contestants all have different dances to contend with, some suitable, some not. I have been busy beavering away all week, trying to come up with solutions.

I still believe Austin is too short to back as outright winner at [2.88], although I may have got it wrong last week, I just can't see the value. Tom is a much better price at [4.88], and lest we not forget, he danced as a youngster and should be the more natural.

I owe another apology. There was me thinking Lisa Snowdon was a Royal Photographer, I was wrong. She is actually well known for dating George Clooney...I wasn't aware of this. Was anyone? Perhaps she needs to tell a few people and let them know..........

Betfair have a new market, and a welcome one at that. It's the 'bottom two market' for this weekend, where Andrew Castle [1.37], Heather Small [1.52] and Jodie Kidd [2.62] find themselves at the top. This really is a layers paradise as three trade very short, and three in to two don't go.

Andrew and Heather showed the most improvement last Saturday, whilst Jodie still looks a bit stompy and awkward.

Castle is an intriguing character, actually quite likeable in a middle-class kinda way. He described himself this week as a 'cockroach that won't go away'. I sort of had something similar along those lines if I were to describe him.

Anyway, the GMTV man finds himself 40-love down this week (a phrase he would be very familiar with), and has to put in a good Samba to avoid exit. With bum-gate behind him, he should be up to the physical and mental demands of the dance, but will he capture the public vote?

Heather has the Cha Cha Cha this weekend, and is certainly more
upbeat and confident after the latest results. However, the singer has struggled with the moves in training over the past few days and, with quick steps and timing needed for the Cuban steps, she could be in trouble again.

Tom Chambers has been chanting 'it's Paso time' during his practice sessions since Monday. Zany.

Last week's Paso Doubles were all poor. The dance has to be aggressive and
angry and most contestants struggled with it. It is not in the eyes and the face it is in the body, and Tom needs to change from happy happy Tom, to Mr Nasty Nasty.

Lovely Christine has the American Smooth in store and will be far better at this as she just cannot be angry. Bleakley amazingly got a three from Judge Craig last week..how dare he? With the whole of Northern Ireland behind her, aswell as The One Show, she'll enjoy the beauty of this dance more so than the Paso.

John Sargeant was described by partner Kristina as the perfect antidote
to the credit crunch this week. I would probably disagree with that, a ton of cash and a job would be far better than a balding fat bloke marching around your living room.

John has the foxtrot and has been baffled by the moves over the past few days. I am as baffled too by his [1.81] for lowest score, yet [5.66] for elimination. The phone vote is the key to him.

Although I like Cherie Lunghi, her dancing is good too, she could actually struggle with her Salsa. The manageress is all about style, grace and sophistication (just my sort of woman). Having showed signs of missing a few steps last week, she is now feeling intimidated
by the speedier steps of the Salsa and is finding training difficult.

Recommendations:
Back Heather Small @ [3.25] for Elimination
Back Jodie Kidd @ [8.60] for Elimination
Back John Sargeant @ [1.81] for Week Seven lowest score.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: