Strictly Come Dancing / Alan Dudman / 09 December 2010 /

Alan Dudman likes Pamela, although he thinks her Viennese was over-rated, and he doesn't like Gavin. So who will prevail from this weekend's punting minefield?

So the 'Dalek in Drag' has gone. Ann Widdecombe finally departed (gracefully) last Saturday with a stirring 14 point American Smooth. Ok maybe not so stirring, but we got a run for the money having tipped her up at [55.00] in the beginning. With Wagner gone in the X-Factor, and Widdie departing the ballroom, all we need is the fantastic Stuart Baggs to win 'The Apprentice'.

Harness me, says Baggs, harness me.

I'm still fairly angry from last Saturday's show. As good as Pamela's Viennese was, should it have got the perfect 40? If it warranted top marks then so did Kara's brilliant Tango. The scoring for the actress last weekend clearly highlighted Len's inability to dish out high ones to Tointon.

Remember the time he gave her a six? And seven days ago he was still highly critical of a perfect dance. Now Len is the one you can rely on for good points and fairness, but I don't think he sees her as the winner.

I am not the only one. The stunning Karen Hardy revealed on ITT this week that she feels Kara is being under-marked. She is the best dancer here, but I fear Pamela had her 'Chris Hollins' moment last week. Can Pamela win it? Well the market has her at [6.00], and that is trading gold dust with a path to the final nearly assured. The market disagrees with Len though, Kara is second fav at [3.30].

And what the hell is Gavin Henson doing here? Surely the worst ever dancer to make the semi-finals. So wooden, he is the 'fever' in Saturday Night Fever'. I was thinking the flu. He is [55.00] to win and [17.50] for top male. No chance in either.

Saturday's punting is a bit of a minefield, with three dances for each contestant (including a last man/woman standing group swingathon) and two set to leave the competition. This might be one of the weakest semi-finals in recent seasons though.

Henson should be included in all exit bets this Saturday. He'll be hopeless in the group dance, and his Samba will be the weakest. Although he is better in hold and will get higher marks for the Viennese Waltz. His two other dances will surely get him in the bottom two. The two to go combo market has Gavin/Scott at [2.50] and Gavin/Pamela at [3.50].

Matt is favourite to win at [2.32], but is slipping. This is a big week for the market leader, as his dancing hasn't quite hit the heights. He needs a big one. If there is to be a shock, Matt and Gavin as a combo is around [26.00], and this could be worth a couple of quid. Baker has a Tango as one of his dances, which might be his best one.

Eastender Scott Maslen seems to have got his energy levels back up again, and danced well for that James Bond style number last Saturday. His two individual routines might actually be good this week, and the Charleston will bring out his cheeky personality. He is an in-and-out dancer, but capable of a huge one. He needs it.

Kara has a Viennese Waltz and is top score price of [2.00]. No one has better armography than Tointon, and no one has better choreography than the daring Artem. I still think they win it. That brings into play an amazing [2.32] on offer for a female winner. We will have Pam running for us too as Len seems to love her.

Pamela surprisingly is odds-on in the two to go market at [1.70]. Staggering considering her perfect score seven days ago. She'll be dancing the Paso and the Quickstep - two really tough dances. Her posture though will stand her in good stead.

And did anyone else see the interview with Shaun Ryder revealing he was close to dancing on Strictly? What a shame at the last-minute he was ruled out. Now him and Bez doing the Quickstep would be fun to watch. Better movers than Henson anyway.

Week Ten semi-final bets:

Back 'female' in female/male winner market @ [2.36]
Back Gavin/Matt in two to go combo @ [26.00]
Back Scott highest score @ [5.00]

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: