Strictly Come Dancing: Happy Robbie can land long-shot win

Strictly Come Dancing / Alan Dudman / 20 October 2011 /

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Robbie is one happy blonde

"The layers will be very brave if they take Nancy on again. She has the paso doble, with a promise of plenty of lifts from the impossibly annoying Anton du Berk."

The man with the mane is loving his Strictly experience and could just come home with top marks in week four, says Al Dudman

All hail the plodding mule. The mule being Nancy (as described by Craig recently), who survived week three despite a 20 point tango. I have mixed feelings from last Saturday and Sunday, obviously pleased with the Italian stallion staying, but annoyed at not following through with the gut instinct on Dan Lobb.

Lobb, the former tennis pro, is a marvellous case of nominative determinism. I had set him up for an exit in weeks four and five, so he is the one that got away - although he won't be missed.

Jason's price has contracted once again, he is [2.72] in the winner market and is clearly the golden boy. He gained the highest marks of the series last Saturday with a 36 point tango, a dance CRH described as stupendous. Holly and Harry are still playing catch up, and need to start hitting 9s to be taken seriously in the competition.

Alex Jones was excellent in her waltz. Her best score yet achieved with 32 and is clearly made for the ballroom routines. Simple, elegant and beautiful. Rory Bremner also clocked a decent 31 point quickstep, and again has shown up better in the ballroom discipline. But do we really need the Sean Connery impression every single show? It's like Les Dennis doing Mavis.

Robbie Savage is going great guns, and has surprised me. His tango was full of spirit and attitude, he is a fast improver. The former footballer is clearly loving it, as are the Derby fans now their midfield has got some pace in it.

On to week four, and plenty of posers. All the celebs will have different routines, with once again Dell'Olio trading as the favourite to go at [2.22]. Audley, as always, is just behind at [2.92], but it might be worth targeting a surprise in the bottom two.

Lulu can be backed at [5.7] for third elimination. She has the samba, the notorious dance which includes lots of speed changes. And being nearly 70, the pint-size singer may struggle.

Anita [13.0] has the American smooth, which is the old Hollywood dance. She can definitely bring the old into it, but she hasn't quite kicked on as hoped. Her moves need to be tidier, but ballroom is her discipline. Rory (or is it Sean?) has the cha cha cha, so will be dragged out of his comfort zone. He learns his steps well, and has been accurate in the ballroom, time to see that in the tougher Latin.

But what do we do with Nancy? She is still dynamite viewing, and once again the tabloids are covering her and nobody else. I really do hope she stays in for Blackpool, but can we squeeze another couple of weeks out of her? The layers will be very brave if they take her on again. She has the paso doble, with a promise of plenty of lifts from the impossibly annoying Anton du Berk.

And Audley? Well the ship passed in the opening two weeks. He has the foxtrot this Saturday, but I thought he would have gone sooner.

Regarding the top score market for the weekend, it might be worth taking a chance on Robbie at [11.0] for his jive. He is doing well in training, and this fast dance with lots of quick steps looks good for him. He is a trade anyway, but he could get a 32-34. Savage would need Donovan to under perform, who once again is favourite for top marks
at [1.9] and he'll be the bullfighting matador for his paso. He can act the part (which wasn't always the case in Neighbours), and can slip in and out of character, but we need a surprise or two to get this series going.

And it could be bravery again with Nancy.

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