Strictly Come Dancing / Alan Dudman / 11 November 2010 /

Things are getting complicated on Strictly Come Dancing, so who better to unravel the market mysteries and select some intriguing bets than Alan Dudman?

The shockwaves were felt following the exit of Jimi Mistry last weekend, with ramifications unsurprisingly centering around Ann Widdecombe. Resulting question: Is it a now dancing competition?

Well I know my colleagues who are working on the 'X' Factor have the very same problem following the events from last Saturday on the rival show. As I understand it, Treyc was the better singer, better than Katie Waissel. In Strictly, Jimi was so far ahead of Ann in the dancing stakes it was embarrassing. Mistry tabled a personal best 32 points for his quickstep (his best dance of the series). Ann got 17 for her Charleston. The actor found himself in the bottom two with Michelle Williams, and the rest is history.

Jimi was matched for small money at [3.00] in the top male market, and was visibly shaken by his exit. It was sad to see the ex-Eastender go, and his tears were real. Being the fifth celebrity to depart also means I won't be able to see my favourite professional - Flavia Cacace dance anymore. Gutted.

The BBC have received criticism for the show's format from fans and on messageboards. The concept (which has been changed for this series), now means it's not the two lowest scoring couples, but the combined judges score with the phone votes that seal the departure. The fact that Williams has survived twice now at around [2.20] in the elimination market, throws up one of the trickiest markets ever.

Trickier then even Big Brother Finland 2010 - in which Petri is now clear favourite at [2.22]. Who apparently is dishy. Petri dishy you could say.

Anyway, the concept is favouring Ann Widdecombe, whose scores have been 17, 12, 18, 21, 17, and yet has never been in the bottom two. The worrying news now for Widde-bek backers though are the questions about her dancing. Comparisons with John Sargeant continue, although Brendan Cole said on TV this week that: "Okay she's not the best, but Ann is brilliant in many ways." She is [12.00] to win it, and [3.20] for the top female. The price that intrigues me most is the top three market - for which she trades at [1.87]. I would bail out of that asap. The time to have had Ann was at those massive prices.

It is now a crucial time for Widdecombe. As she has to start improving and ride the storm. The week six markets are very similar to the previous week's. Michelle is [2.06] favourite to go, followed by Felicity Kendall [4.60], Gavin Henson [7.60] and Patsy Kensit [7.20]. Henson's off the back off his best dance ever - the cha cha cha. He actually moved his hips, but was ever the ungracious participant after. Henson tackles the quickstep this Saturday, in a dance that partner Katya has promised to be silly and fun. He takes himself too serious, and therefore is too big in price.

Felicity has a salsa and once again could be looking at the bottom two. The salsa requires those famous tricky arms, of which I am not sure she has mastered. Plus I am getting rather tired of her partner Vincent - who seems to be the show's egomaniac. If there is to be a shock and Willams survives again (she has the paso doble), then Patsy could be dragged into the mix. However the paso doble
along with the salsa is one of the toughest dances ever.

Scott Maslen is on a recovery mission, and he shockingly received a four last week from Craig Revel-Horwood. It's clear he struggled with the rumba, and is far happier in hold and on ballroom. Pamela dances the cha cha this Saturday, and again she is better in hold. Her worst dance was the jive, so be against her at [4.20] for top score. Scott incidentally is [3.35] to get his mojo back.

Kara Tointon produced two exceptional moves seven days ago, and with her tackling the beautiful Argentine tango for Saturday's show could once again reap rewards in the top score market at [3.50]. Her partner Artem is the best routine planner (or choreographer), and is pushing the actress all the way in training. She is also overpriced in the winner market at [7.00].

Week six suggested bets:

Lay Ann Widdecombe in top three market @ [1.87]
Back Felicity Kendall in elimination market @ [4.60]
Back Kara Tointon top score @ [3.50]
Back to lay Kara in winner market @ [7.00]

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: