Strictly Come Dancing / Alan Dudman / 10 December 2009 /

A teary Al Dudman is preparing to bid adieu to Ricky Whittle, far and away the best dancer in Strictly Come Dancing, but now paying the price for his off-ballroom indiscretions

How can it all go so horribly wrong? With a combined 95 out of 100 last Saturday for the foxtrot and cha cha cha, Ricky Whittle should be in pole-position ahead of this weekend's semi-final. He isn't, he amazingly can be backed at [6.20] having traded as low as [1.82] to win the competition. And despite his prowess and skill as a dancer, it all appears to be slip, slip sliding away.

I couldn't quite believe the markets this week. But then again, the seeds of doubt have been sown with Whittle since his adverse news headlines and arrest a couple of weeks ago.

Finding himself in the bottom two on more than one occasion definitely shows us the public have deserted him - which is a huge blow considering he is by far the best dancer out of the trio left. Voters are a strange breed, but one thing any viewer wouldn't like (stuffy or not) would be an arrest. Whittle has shot himself so badly in the foot - his next role ought to be in Mafia film.

As we move on to this Saturday's show, the Beeb have again decided to tinker with the format.
This is beginning to really annoy me. This time we have no dance-off. So with the judges' scores combined with the phone vote - two will head into the final without having to compete against each other, a change that will almost certainly favour the gurning Chris Hollins.

The pocket-sized sports reporter would be a popular winner for the BBC. If you want to be back him now you have missed the boat sadly. He is [1.79] to win it, and [1.26] for top male. I really hope he doesn't win (pocket speaking and not). He is the worst dancer of the trio, and his face-pulling still hasn't been sorted. Mind you, I would be pulling some sort of face if I was dancing with the ultra-hot Ola Jordan.

Right then, on to the semi-final. Sadly, Lilly Allen will be performing on the show - possibly THE most annoying of any person in the world (and you can tweet that). Musically about as talented as Andrew Ridgley... the power of Wham.

Every couple dances twice again this Saturday and all three will tackle the Argentine tango. A dance I really like.

Chris and Ola have always looked well connected. Whether or not they can repeat Rachel Stevens and her amazing AT last series is doubtful. But it's a dance that should suit Chris, it's small, dynamic, quick and compact. Training has gone well too.

Their other dance will be the rumba - and Hollins absolutely loves the rumba - it's his best dance. It's extremely passionate and romantic, and it will be attacked with quick pace. A brave move.

Whittle has worked on some really difficult moves this week in training for his Argentine,
including one called The Octopus. His second dance is the Waltz, an outstanding choice for the actor. He should beat all the others with the routine, not sure he will beat the public. Top score should be his.

Ali Bastian meanwhile has been banned from saying the 'f' word around Brian Fortuna ('f' word being final) of which they are two dances away. Bastian is a big price at [3.15] considering Ricky looks gone. Incidentally I have been banned from using the 'f' word concerning Laila.

Ali is still a bit light and fluffy, and the sexiness and aggression was again lacking from last
Saturday's samba. She needs to get down and dirty with the Argentine tango now - she has the chemistry, she just needs to get us going ga-ga. Meanwhile her lines and steps will suit her second dance perfectly with the American smooth, and she should make it to the final.

It's a really tough week punting, as I have been with Ricky all series. The market says no,
the public are saying no, but boy can he dance. I am not a fan of Chris, and no way would
I be backing him odds-on. It means by default, Ali makes her way in to my portfolio this week, purely from a value point of view. But my heart still remains with Whittle.

Suggested Semi-Final Play: Back-to-lay Ali in winner market @ [3.30]

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