Strictly Come Dancing / Alan Dudman / 21 November 2008 /

She's been bad, she's been brilliant, Alan Dudman wonders which Kidd is going to show up on Saturday night.

"The King is dead, long live the King". Well not quite, but John Sergeant has done the decent thing and walked. It makes Strictly slightly less fun you will agree, but the cuddly one really shouldn't have lasted as long as he did.

The level of press coverage has been great for SCD and the BBC, and even I got a comment posted on last week's column, so thank you Joy and Robert Cross, drop me a line again sometime - comments are always welcome!

I agree with our posters' words, the situation had become farcical, and trying to tip in the contest had become a nightmare (see previous articles!). The competition had deviated away from the actual dancing, which is not what SCD is about. Although I think headline news, radio bulletins and intervention from Peter Mandelson was perhaps taking the whole thing a wee bit too far.

Plus The Sergeant's smugness was gnawing away at me (probably applicable to both political figures).

With the old fella gone it means there are no weak links (bar perhaps Jodie Kidd). The standard last week was breathtaking, as personal bests are being achieved with regularity. So it's farewell to Funtime Frankie and hello to, errr, Serious Steven (sorry couldn't think of anything else).

With competition now at fever pitch, it may be worth one or two looks at the winners market, which has centred around Austin Healey for the whole series.

The cheeky rugger man has barely hit twos in nine weeks, which is testament to his ability. I still don't see him as a value [2.60] chance, Rachel's 39 points showed this last Saturday. It is a strong field behind and I have not swayed from my original stance in that I am laying him at that price.

Tom Chambers has been my pick to win outright throughout and was far bigger a month ago than the current price of [3.30]. However, SCD is so dependent on the public vote (as John has proved), that some markets should be treated like a hornet's nest.

The ladies can still have a say. Rachel most certainly will, her raunchy number on Saturday got her three 10s, and was promptly cut to [6.40] to lift the crown. Lisa Snowdon and Christine Bleakley come next in the betting, trading at [12.0].

Those two are interesting as Lisa is the better dancer, but Christine is very popular. Bleakley of course is my personal fave, and not only has her dancing improved (31 and 34 points last two dances), but she will have the whole of Northern Ireland voting for her, plus the One Show masses phoning in their droves. Ok perhaps not the whole of Northern Ireland.

Moving on to Saturday's show, and looking at all the markets it appears the layers are keen to get at Jodie, who is favourite in the Elimination, Lowest Score and Bottom Two markets.

Kidd has been a hard one to read, one moment she is useless, the next brilliant. Big, tall and gangly, she is not built for this, but again showed massive improvement to put in a pretty decent Quickstep...which would not have been suitable.

This week the Jive is waiting for the seven foot tall model, who has been suffering from a bit of a cough this week. Jodie is worried the dance won't be her best routine, and so am I. Although she is a fighter (most nobility are), it is hard to see her surviving.

Mind you, I have said this every week!

Note to Jodie, I too have been suffering from cough this week. Granted, those Marlboro Lights don't help.

This weekend's theme is Saturday Night Fever, arguably one of the finest films ever made. And for once I am looking forward to the music as well as the dancing. Ah
ah ah ah Staying Alive Staying Alive, ah ah ah ah...........

Rachel Stevens was blown away last week with the judge's comments, her 39 was the best yet. Her dance was rude and indecent... and Craig loved it. Mmmm, so did I.

I read a story recently that she has been suffering from carpet burns due to the dancing. This is the only time you will hear Rachel Stevens, carpet burns and Alan Dudman all in the
same sentence. Sideburns maybe...(mine not hers).

She has the Foxtrot.. flirty and romantic are must-haves, she'll be alright.

Elsewhere market leaders Tom and Austin have the Tango and the Cha Cha Cha. Chambers needs to get into 'acting mode' for his dance, whilst Healey should display all his cheekiness (and winking) for his quick number. Yes that was winking.

Brendan has been very pleased with Lisa's work in preparation for her Quickstep. She put in a really poor performance last weekend and will need to turn those negatives into positives. She has a pretty complicated routine next up, she may be one to go after her shock dance-off last week?

And finally, luverly luverly Christine. If ever a dance were suited to a particular dancer then it is this one. She has the Cha Cha Cha, which needs to be fun and flirty, and oh my she is!
She is of interest in Week 10.

Week 10 Recommendations:

Back Jodie Kidd [1.78] Lowest Score and @ [2.40] for 10th Elimination
Back Lisa Snowdon @ [2.24] in the Bottom Two Market.

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