Strictly Come Dancing / Alan Dudman / 17 October 2008 /

Al Dudman has been charmed by Cherie and can see the Mrs Robinson-a-like surprising in this week's Strictly odds.

There is something about an older woman - well that is what one of my friends used to tell me on a regular basis. And after Saturday I would have to firmly agree with him.

Step forward Cherie Lunghi, and did you see that Rumba last week?! Wow was my verdict, and I was not alone. The 50-something, who looked ravishing in black and white, glided across the dancefloor like Eddie Gray through the thick 1970's mud. Effortless, graceful, sexy and radiant - as was Cherie. I am fast becoming a fan of the former manageress (remember that? What a series!).

Mrs Robinson, sorry I mean Lunghi, hypnotised all the backers as well as judge Arlene, and was promptly cut in the outright market to [5.50], whilst a pretty short price of [2.72] is now available to back her for the top female, just behind little Rachel Stevens [2.42].

Unfortunately I backed the wrong horse last week as Jodie Kiddstayed in, then again I have never been able to read women...perhaps that's why this cat is still single?

I was thinking that maybe Lunghi could be my ideal woman - I would certainly be confident in her meeting the parents - in fact she would have a fair bit in common with them, what with the age thing.

Week four gone, come in week five...

So all 12 couples go head-to-head this weekend, and this is where the competition really hots up. As will the half-time interlude this Sunday too hopefully - PLEASE NO MORE SIMPLY RED!!!

The dances on offer this time will be the Samba and the American Smooth. And for those punting this Saturday/Sunday, it is always worth delving a bit further in to what kind of dance each is, and who will suit it best.

Strong favourite Austin Healy is the same price he was last week at [3.22] in the outright winner market, and also trades as fav in highest score and top male categories for round five.

Healy has the Samba this time, the national dance of Brazil, and one that needs to be flirtatious and exuberant. The former England rugby star has been training very hard this week with Erin and has reportedly been struggling slightly with the more physical aspect of the dance.

I wouldn't take too much notice of that. The guy tackled 20-stone lunatics during his time as an international athlete, therefore he'll have no trouble in dealing with a quick couple of minutes whizzing round the floor.

He'll score high, but I have a feeling he could be in for a shock this week.

Cherie, along with partner James Jordan, has a great chance to enhance her claims as outright favourite when she tackles the American Smooth - a dance that combines all four aspects of the ballroom discliplines.

It's a classic number, and one that will allow Cherie to excel in the Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Tango and Foxtrot. She will be suited to this absolutely perfectly and I will back her this week for top points at [4.40].

The vibes are pretty good too, James described her as 'the perfect partner - one that always listens and learns'. He also promised that their routine could be 'one of the most beautiful ever seen on Strictly Come Dancing'.

Arlene was brought to tears last time, such was the beauty of Cherie's Rumba, and she'll be crying again after Saturday. This could be an absolute stonker (perhaps the wrong word?), and I think we could all be welling up come evening time.

The same dance lies in store for headbutting tennis star Andrew Castle. The former British number One, ranked 545,978th in the world at one stage, should be safe this week, but he is gonna be a million miles away from the lovely Cherie.

With regards who could be eliminated, Mark Foster could be interesting at [4.60] to get the chop - and that is probably the only time you will hear the words interesting and Mark Foster in the same breath.

The Olympic swimmer has the body of an Adonis, but the moves of Demis Roussos. He badly lacks confidence, something that is needed for the Samba. He's been told to let himself go and explode this week - if he doesn't, then I would back him to follow Jessie Wallace.

The Sergeant meanwhile is odds-on for lowest score this week [1.50]. He is no Samba
machine, but the public seem to like him so he could be staying.

Recommendations:

Cherie Lunghi highest score week five [4.44]
Mark Foster to be eliminated [4.6]

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