Strictly Come Dancing / Alan Dudman / 29 October 2010 /

Strictly's most wooden competitor signed professional terms with London-based Saracens this week - so is his time up on the dancefloor? Alan Dudman scours the odds for the best bets

I can't help but feel I arrive a week too early. Having been all over Michelle Williams to head through the exit door for the past three weeks (at prices of [15.0], [11.0] and [5.7]), it appears the fat has been chewed off the bone with the odds, and I apologise for such
a clumsy and ugly metaphor. Williams is favourite to go this Saturday at [2.7], but is doubtful to appear due to an ankle injury.

Meanwhile my eagerness to release Gavin Henson from dancing duties also manifested itself last weekend, and at a fairly chunky price in week three, he was a runner in the elimination market. Henson survived though, as there was absolutely no way Peter Shilton
could have stayed in with his one-step (slow step) Charleston. His costume also made him look like a butcher. Poor, old Shilts.

Henson in the meantime is warming up in the elimination market at [4.7], and the tanned one will be hoping Williams is fit, otherwise he could be gone.

Last weekend there was some high-scoring dances. I made it eight personal best scores. Felicity 29, Scott 35, Matt 35, Tina 29, Kara 32, Michelle 27, Ann 21, and Patsy 28 all achieved the high marks. Pam nailed her Tango with 34 (but she was a point better the week before).

I wasn't totally sure what to make of Ann Widdecombe, as I never quite know what dance she is supposed to be doing. However, she is still the most popular
and has halved in price to win it at [26.00]. She has the paso doble next up, although it might resemble a rumba.

On to Saturday's show (BBC1, 18:25) and the dancers have some tough ones to deal with this week. The Argentine tango, paso doble, Viennese waltz and the jive lie in wait, and the judges are becoming more liberal with the marks, although the quality has certainly
improved.

Pamela has the jive, and having featured on the midweek ITT show, she is absolutely loving it. It's a dance that needs to be mighty fast, but her lines are so clean and accurate that a score of 33-34 should be expected. She is [4.0] for the weekend's top scorer.

Kara was told by the judges she needs more oomph and welly. However, her dancing is excellent and I really like her. All her steps are accurate, and her partner Artem always arranges a decent choreography. Her top score week might be around the corner, and she trades at an intriguing [4.2] for her paso doble - the dance of her dreams apparently.

Elsewhere Matt Baker [3.25] and Scott Maslen [3.40] can barely be split for their dances to register the highest marks on Saturday. The former has the Argentine tango - which should be full-on with the gorgeous Aliona. The latter should do well in his Viennese waltz, as he flows with extreme confidence. Felicity might get a decent score as well, as the Viennese waltz should suit.

Meanwhile Gavin has taken on board the judges comments and enrolled in acting lessons, he needs to do something as it's the same every week. The judges are bored, I am bored, he never says anything interesting. His dancing is so wooden you can smell the varnish. He would make a great hatstand. His one saving grave could be the paso doble, as it's the macho and manly dance. It needs to be simple and effective, whilst letting his emotions out. The latter part is slightly problematic for Henson who has the charisma of a fridge freezer.

On the plus side he has signed for Saracens.

Michelle might be missing from Saturday if she hasn't recovered from her ankle injury, and she didn't train on Thursday. The singer is tackling the jive, and with her balance issues and lack of public support, she could be leaving at [2.7], and Gavin needs her fit!

Week 4 suggestions:
Back Pamela top score @ [4.0]
Back Felicity top score @ [34.0]
Back Michelle for Week 4 exit @ [2.7]

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