Strictly Come Dancing / Alan Dudman / 07 November 2008 /

By his own admission, Alan Dudman got it hopelessly wrong when he tipped Jodie Kidd for elimination last week but, albeit cautiously, he thinks she might struggle this round. Meanwhile Lisa Snowdon is beginning to look the real deal and will john be offski?

There have been many moving moments on TV for me in the last week. Notably when Celebrity Scissorhands came on, I promptly moved from the front room (I believe posher people would call it a lounge) to the garden shed. In fact, it was the quickest I have moved since I broke my leg in January.

Celebrities in the salon are pretty thin on the ground, and at one point I counted that I did not know who four of the 'celebs' were. I have since been informed that one of them is/ was a recording artist who was once in 5ive.....I don't know who they are either.

Not so for Strictly, as we are blessed with some of the biggest names in
Tennis...oh no I forgot, Andrew Castle was dumped out last week. Damn, there goes all those tennis gags I have been stockpiling. Anyway, Andrew goes, and
I have to say was most gracious in defeat, manners cost nothing, and the GMTV star came out with his head held high (and his backside sticking out).

We are now down to the last nine, with the competition really beginning to crank up. Layers are still taking no risks with Austin Healey, who is trading at [2.40] to win outright, his dance last week was brilliant, and is unsurprisingly favourite again for this week's top score.

Having got it right last Saturday with John Sergeant predictably getting the lowest score (and the [1.81] price looked way too generous), I got it hopelessly wrong with Jodie Kidd - the tip for elimination was way off the mark as she totalled
31 points.

The Kiddster was elegance personified with Ian as they floated around the floor like Walter Pidgeon and Greer Garson, reminiscent of the screen classic 'Blossoms in the Dust'. It brought back memories of an old girlfriend, and a tear or two was shed... as she too looked like Walter Pidgeon.

Moving on to this Saturday and Sunday it is very hard to see Heather Small and John not being involved in the dance-off, both trade short at odds-on in the 'bottom two market', and it is impossible to look elsewhere in this area.

I am getting pretty bored with Heather. Ok, she's up for elimination every week and must be losing confidence, but boy is she miserable. She is looking like she doesn't want to be there, and if she has a personality she sure as hell isn't showing it. Boring, boring, boring.

John, meanwhile, has a personality, but is the world's worst dancer...hopeless. He is [1.06] for this week's lowest score, and is probably the biggest certainty since the last time I backed Vijay Singh to be 'top Fijian' at the US Open.

Public voting is again key here, Heather is trading at [2.11] to go, whilst cuddly John is available at slightly higher odds of [2.50].

It may be best now to run through each pairing and the dances they have in store this weekend.

Austin Healey and Erin:

Top marks last week with 36 points, and was the daintiest I have ever seen a rugby player move. This week he tackles the Rumba and has promised to be raunchier. Will the women get to see the guns?

Tom Chambers and Camilla:

34 points last week and is hot on the heels of Austin. He probably would have won seven days ago if it wasn't for that stupid cape. This weekend Tom has the Quickstep, and will unleash a rather bold move in the shape of a solo tap dance (one which he is
choreographing himself). A high risk manouvere, if it comes off he could top the charts. Slight shoulder injury to worry about from this week though according to reports.

Jodie Kidd and Ian:

Brilliant last Saturday and one of the biggest improvers with a healthy points collection. While her strength is in slow Waltzes, this weekend's dance is the quicker Samba, of which Jodie has already said: "this could be a disaster'. Could struggle
(he says).

Lisa Snowdon (Clooney ex) and Brendan:

Very impressive last Saturday with 35 points, beginning to look the real deal. Needs one or two to underperform to lift the highest score, but with the Viennese Waltz, could be time for her to spring a surprise.

Cherie Lunghi and James:

Losing her magic, made errors two weeks in succession with quicker dances. However, she has the Ballroom to look forward to where she will be far happier. James says she is aiming for her first 10. Needs to recapture form from earlier.

Rachel Stevens and Vincent:

I disagreed with Len last week, her jive was spot on. She is a little fox, not sure this week's dance of the American Smooth is her strong point though. Grrrrrrr.

Heather Small and Brian:

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

John Sargeant and Kristina:

Has the least suitable dance ever in the shape of the Cha Cha Cha. Will be bye bye if the public don't vote in their droves. Nailed on for lowest score, if the phone vote leaves him in the dance-off, he'll be offski.

Christine Bleakley and Matthew:

Gorgeous Christine must stay in! Still the one with the potential to surprise.

Week 8 recommendations:

Back John Sargeant @ [2.50] to be eliminated.
Back Lisa Snowdon @ [8.10] for top score this week.

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