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Dec
24
Week 13 – The 2019 Grand Final!

Week 13 – The 2019 Grand Final!

What a simply spectacular series this has been. My goodness, Strictly Come Dancing 2019 will certainly go down in history for me as a record-breaker! Tens at last… highest scores ever… and going all the way to the Grand Final. In so many ways I feel like a winner… but of course, my real winner is Emma – without whom I’m sure I wouldn’t be writing this now. What a privilege it’s been to perform with her each week – and a thrill for us to receive such wonderful support from you all in return. Over the past 15 years I’ve had the great pleasure of dancing with a succession of fabulous celebrity partners, but this year, the stars really did align!

In our very last week of Strictly 2019, the pure elation of making it through from the Semi Finals into the final three alongside Karim & Amy and Kelvin & Oti quickly turned to nervous excitement as we began to learn and polish not one… not two… but three dances for the Saturday live show!

Now, two of these were reprises of numbers from previous weeks, but the third was a terrific showdance which I felt would play to all Emma’s dancefloor strengths. Whatever was to happen on the night, we were to go out with a bang! This wasn’t a night to hold back – and I had a feeling these three dances would be real crowdpleasers to give us a winning shot at that Glitterball Trophy!

Anton and Emma with the Strictly 2019 Glitterball Trophy

For our first dance, the judges had chosen our Charleston from Musicals week. We’d scored a wonderful 39 in week 11 and had high hopes of raising this to the perfect 40 – even Craig had said that he’d have his ’10’ paddle at the ready!

Anton and Emma's Final Charleston

Anton and Emma's Final Charleston

Once again, Emma nailed it. Well and truly. She danced it beautifully – back to the Twenties in our bid for a 40! We both loved performing this number and what a dance to kick off our campaign for the Title. Such a pacey number, it felt like it was over in a flash – and then the audience, along with Motsi and Shirley, were all on their feet!

Bruno said Emma was his “favourite flapper ever!” Craig said the routine was “fantastic” and would be “at home in the West End.” Motsi loved the detail and energy, and Shirley got back on her feet to applaud the “last lady standing,” in one of the most enjoyable Charlestons she said she ever seen… and even said I was fabulous!

Anton and Emma's Final Charleston Score

We were of course hoping for a nice round 40 when the scores came, but who could grumble at a 39! (Actually, we were both rather relieved that we hadn’t scored less than last time!)

Then came our Showdance: a Fred & Ginger-inspired Hollywood number packed with panache, glamour, glitz… and props – with a cane-ography middle section! Lots of work to do on getting this routine polished ready for the big show, but again, another fabulously fun dance to keep things on a high. Emma came in from on high, too, as she descended from the rafters on a moon! This number was just my cup of tea, a real classic from the golden age… and right up Emma’s street – she loved it – the theatricality of it but also the sheer exuberance of the dance. It really was a delight to perform!

Anton and Emma's Final ShowDance

Another standing ovation – including Shirley once again who said she totally enjoyed it! “Hooray for Hollywood!” announced Bruno… Craig: “all-out, full-on Hollywood – I loved the dance!”… Motsi: “classy, like a timepiece from the good old dancing that we love!”

Anton and Emma's Final Showdance Score

As for the scores, Craig started with an 8 (sync issues, apparently), but the others all held their 10s aloft! More 10s! I was in heaven!!

Then came our very last dance of the series. My last Strictly dance with Emma. This, I knew, had to be one to pull the heart strings. Together we decided that our week 4 Viennese Waltz to ‘Send In The Clowns’ was the perfect number for our finalé. Something pure, classic, theatrical, and beautifully moving.

Anton and Emma's Final Viennese Waltz

Every step, turn, phrase, expression, touch, pause… everything was choreographed to convey meaning and enact the story of the song. It was such a pleasure to perform this with Emma, a privilege in fact. Just perfect for us to end our Strictly journey with this, as our last, most beautiful dance – and at the end as the music drifted into rapturous applause, we took a moment to take it all in – before heading over to the Judges for our very last critiques.

Motsi – “Absolutely stunning”… Shirley loved the sensitivity and beauty of the dance, “soft, slow, quiet, stunning.” Bruno said the storytelling was immaculate and acted extremely well – and the dancing was just as good – “Musicality, phrasing… absolutely beautiful!” Craig had apparently found some missed heels, but summed up with “Class beyond class… so very beautiful and gorgeous.”

Anton and Emma's Final Viennese Waltz Score

A 9 from Craig and 3 more marvellous tens gave us another 39. (Alas, no ten from Craig after our three dances, despite our very best efforts. That perfect 40 will have to be saved for another series!)

So, after all three couples had danced their three dances – and what simply fabulous dances they all were – we placed third on the final leaderboard.

2019 Strictly Final Leaderboard

What a nail-biting wait we all had whilst the voting and counting was going on! The viewers had the incredible prerecorded group dance to help with the suspense – such a feat of choreography – combining the best bits of everyone’s dances…

…followed by a marvellous performance from Taylor Swift, whilst everything was being organised to announce the winner!

2019 Group Number

When the announcement came, it was a rather surreal moment. We’d taken our places and the audience were clapping out a rhythm which I’m sure was only half as fast as our heart rates. I knew there might be a chance of our names being called – I’d never given up hope of that… but I also knew that to reach the final three, and to take part in the Grand Final was such a remarkable achievement. Each couple was truly a winner in their own right, and to be stood there at the final reckoning after pairing up with our non-dancer partners three months prior, was an immense reward in itself.

After a pause which felt like an eternity, Kelvin and Oti’s names were announced, and our 2019 Strictly Champions were crowned!…

What incredibly worthy winners indeed. And what magnificent dances they’d given us – not just in the Final… but every single week of the competition without fail. What an achievement!

2019 Strictly Winners - Kelvin & Oti

Karim and Amy are of course to be congratulated too, for all the marvellous and mesmerising performances they’ve given us over the weeks – such a joy to watch.

But, to Emma: my Strictly Queen of Ballroom, my Grand Finalist, my dance partner… my friend: you put your heart and soul into every dance, each a pure joy to perform with you. You’re my winner!

Strictly 2019 has been the most wonderful experience, quite simply because of Emma. Never before have I scored a ten on the show – let alone fifteen of them! Nor have I reached the lofty heights of 39 points – not once, not twice, but thrice! Just incredible. To have a partner who gives her all to each dance is all I could ever ask for on this show… but for that partner to take flight and blossom into a wonderful 10-point Grand Finalist dancer takes Strictly to a whole new level for me. And for that, and her wonderful spirit, enthusiasm and personality, I am both incredibly lucky and incredibly grateful. Long may she continue to dance!

Huge thanks are also due to you, my loves, for all your marvellous support – and votes! – this series. You saved us from the dance off when it was looking dicey on the leaderboard on a number of occasions; we sailed through from one week to the next all thanks to you. It gave us both an incredible boost each week to know that the public was behind us – it meant such a lot, and I’m sure played a huge part in building Emma’s confidence in dancing to allow her acting skills to come to the fore and her performances come to life so very beautifully.

The Glitterball Trophy wasn’t to be, this year… but whilst I’m still dancing, and as long as the BBC keep inviting me back, I’ll keep having a crack at it!

And so, after a very busy and exciting year, I’m looking forward to a lovely Christmas break with my family – and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas too. Hopefully you’ll be whisked away to the Buckingham Hotel for a rendezvous with Raymond De Guise if you’ve received one of my novels – ‘One Enchanted Evening‘ and ‘Moonlight Over Mayfair‘ – as a gift! Enjoy, if so, and do let me know what you think! Likewise with my favourite moments on DVD with “Anton’s Truly Madly Strictly!”

I’ll be back in rehearsals before I know it as Erin and I prepare for our 2020 Tour which runs 24th January to 22nd March as we ‘Dance Those Magical Movies‘ – we so look forward to seeing you in the audience in theatres up and down the country this coming Spring!

I’ll sign off now, but once again, thank you so very, very much for your marvellous support, my loves, and here’s wishing you a wonderfully Happy Christmas – and a truly tremendous New Year!

Anton X
Dec
13
Week 12 – The Semi Final!

Week 12 – The Semi Final!

From Strictly leaderboard to leadership election – what a week this has been for counting votes! After placing third of four in the Semi-Final leaderboard last Saturday, no-one was more surprised than Emma and I to learn that the public had voted us straight through! We must have captured the hearts of viewers with our two dances, and are simply amazed and thrilled by the public support we’ve been receiving! One more night of voting to come: it’s the 2019 Strictly Grand Final tomorrow… Emma and I have made it to the final three… and, after seventeen series, that glitterball trophy has never been closer!

Hot on the heels of our 39 point Charleston in Quarter Finals week, Emma and I were both ready and raring to start training for the Semis. Those three tens came at just the right time to give us the oomph to go from learning just one dance in a week… to taking on two!

You can imagine how the pressure – and nerves – could quickly build, trying to get two routines learnt and polished in the same space of time – Emma, however, is just a natural! I’m sure it comes from all the line-learning for her day job, but we had an exhausting but fantastically productive week with our Cha Cha Cha and Waltz – two very different dances indeed. Emma embraced them both with open arms – and was all for getting the party started with the Latin number – just the ticket, as it turned out we were to open the show! And the Waltz, well, we’ll come to that later, that was something very special indeed.

The week itself was a whirlwind. It felt like we’d barely begun training before we were suddenly at Elstree making all the preparations for the live show. The excitement among the couples on Saturday was, put simply, off the scale. We all knew what a big night this was – we were all so incredibly thrilled to have made it this far in the competition, but equally, we were all acutely aware that one couple would be going home… perhaps on the worst possible weekend for elimination: a mere week away from the final! High stakes… high spirits – we were ready to put on a show!

Anton and Emma in the Semi Final

With the pre-records done and everyone all dressed and made-up ready for their first dances, the Semi Final was live to the nation – and we were up! My, what a dash we cut – visions in gold as the band struck up Jess Glynn’s ‘Hold My Hand’ to open the show – what a number! What a jacket, too… the judges were certainly going to be mesmerised one way or another!

Anton and Emma - semi final Cha Cha Cha

Anton and Emma - semi final Cha Cha Cha

Anton and Emma - semi final Cha Cha Cha

Anton and Emma - semi final Cha Cha Cha

I had every faith Emma would win their approval with this dance – she literally exuded latin energy and strictly sparkle. The rhythm was driving throughout the whole number and it worked its way up through the floor, up through her body, all the way through to her fingertips – everything was moving! All at speed, too – pure exhilaration! (Perhaps a little too much at times, as I managed to split my trousers mid way through!) We timed our finalé to a tee, right to the very last beat, and I could tell Emma had loved the dance from the look on her face… even more so when we saw the audience up on their feet!

“A massive improvement” over our first Latin, said Shirley, who was impressed with the rhythm, personality and chemistry! Bruno said it was a very strong performance – and “Every move had a face!” Fabulous, I think…! Craig of course wanted more hip action but said the isolations and energy were fantastic – and that “the performance was exceptional.” Motsi then rounded it all up very nicely indeed: “Absolutely amazing.”

Wonderful reviews, off to a great start, I thought – and we bounded up the stairs to Claud and the gang for our scores!

31

A 7 from Craig, and 8s from Shirley, Motsi and Bruno for a total of 31. Not so high as last week admittedly, but I don’t mind divulging, it was my highest score for Latin – so we were still heading in the right direction!

For our second dance of the night, the Waltz, we’d been given the very beautiful classical piano piece by Satie – his Gymnopédie No.1. One of those instantly recognisable pieces, and one which has the remarkable ability to create an incredibly still, dream-like atmosphere.

The gentle melody in slow 3/4 time is almost hypnotic, and I knew this number could be truly special – the potential to make a ‘moment’: one of those dances where everything comes together to make a real performance piece, one that really moves an audience. This was the dance I’d waited 15 years to choreograph on Strictly. The right dance, the right music, the right partner – the stars had aligned at just the right time in the competition. It was going to be classic ballroom: no need for complexity – a beautiful showcase of pure ballroom grace.

I was right – we had a moment! You could have heard a pin drop; we were floating on air, the music drifting across the floor like a gentle lullaby – it was as though we’d been transported to another world – just us, the music, and nothing else. Magical, and emotional.

Anton and Emma - semi final waltz

Anton and Emma - semi final waltz

Anton and Emma - semi final waltz

Anton and Emma - semi final waltz

“Etherial , beautiful, musical… gorgeous,” from Shirley… “Natural elegance, hypnotic beauty,” from Bruno who’d also picked up on the challenge of the accent being on the second beat of the bar. Craig found some points to complain about… but conceded it was “very beautiful!” Motsi loved the pure dancing, no tricks, and appreciated how much work had gone into this performance.

I had everything crossed for a good score – and wasn’t disappointed: 8 from Craig, 9s from Shirley and Motsi, and… wait for it… a triumphant 10 from Bruno! Total: 36 – fabulous, especially that 10!

36

All the couples performed to such a high standard that night, and it was a privilege to be dancing among them. We placed third of four on the leaderboard, below the ‘Special Ks’ – Kelvin and Karim, but we all knew how the public vote could turn things around…

Week 12 leaderboard

So it came as an incredible surprise in the Sunday evening results show to learn that we’d miraculously escaped the dance-off, and made it straight through to the Final alongside Kelvin & Oti! My goodness me, we hadn’t anticipated that at all – and it’s clearly all down to your votes. Once again, tremendous thanks for each and every one of them – your continued support this series has not only seen us make it through from one week to the next – they’ve also kept us safe from the dance-off! Just remarkable!

Emma was beside herself with joy at making it through – don’t forget, she’s been a Strictly Superfan from the start. For us now to be Grand Finalists… I’ll say that again… GRAND FINALISTS!… is beyond belief – just terrific!

Chris & Karen and Karim & Amy weren’t as lucky, and had to dance once again for the Judges. What valiant performances they each gave, with Chris’ Rumba being to my mind, another ‘moment’ on the show. Karim’s wonderfully high performance level ultimately won out and he became our third finalist – huge congratulations to him and his partner Amy, and huge commiserations to Chris & Karen – what a time to go… but no mean feat to have made it this far!

It’ll be my second time in the Final – I made it there with lovely Katie Derham in 2015 where we did a very dramatic show dance to ‘O Fortuna’ … oh we were so close to the glitter ball trophy… and had had such a consistently good run through all the weeks – but we’d only made it to the final four, not the final three.

The journey with Emma has been different in that there’s been a steady upward trend, plus we’ve been awarded some magnificent scores – personal bests in fact! All this bodes very well for the Final!

If we thought last week was intensive, this week beats it hands down. Three dances to perfect!! We have the Judges’ choice: The Charleston (with a bit of new choreography as we won’t have the backing dancers this time)… then we’ve got our Showdance to the Irving Berlin classic ‘Let Yourself Go’… plus our own choice which we’ve just revealed on It Takes Two this evening… the Viennese Waltz to ‘Send In The Clowns’! What a Grand Final this is going to be – just you wait!

Here’s hoping for a perfect 40 for us at some point in the proceedings… But remember, the Judges’ scores are just for guidance in the Final – the overall result is solely down to the public vote. It’s all in your hands, my loves – you have the power!

…Fifteen years, seventeen series… just saying…!

So, lots to do in readiness for tomorrow’s show. Emma has danced her socks off this week and I’m so proud of how far she’s come and how beautifully she’s dancing. It will give me such great pleasure to take to the Strictly dance floor for one grand, final night with her tomorrow evening.

All the finalists are winners, really, but there’s only one glitter ball trophy of course! So, just in case you don’t already have them!…
Mobile: 6225202
Landline: 09015225202
Online: bbc.co.uk/strictly

Tune in, 7.05pm BBC1 for an unmissable end to Strictly Come Dancing 2019 – and have your votes at the ready, my loves!

Anton X
Dec
6
Week 11 – The Charleston

Week 11 – The Charleston

Well, what a roaring success! The Charleston is a dance full of joy – it’s cheeky, packed full of character, can take a degree of comedy, and generally goes like the clappers! Dancing this in week 11, the quarter finals, with a semi final place at state, this was no time to get into a flap – we were determined to bring the Twenties to the dance floor… and tens to our score!

Musicals Week

Ah, musicals week – what a thrill! From start to finish this was a top-billing evening of entertainment – just my cup of tea – and I had the very great honour of both opening, and closing the show! The night got off to a rollicking start with a group number featuring yours truly and Kevin from Grimsby delivering a song at the start of wonderfully choreographed medley! A stand-out number in itself… but in effect the overture to the main event – the Strictly Quarter Final… with 5 couples giving their all to reach another week closer to that coveted glitter ball!

Anton and Kevin

There’s no denying this week’s rehearsals were exhausting, but I have to say, we had such fun learning this routine! The classic 1920s Charleston is pure exuberance, and both Emma and I were thrilled to be dancing this at this point in the competition. It certainly played to Emma’s strengths and as soon as rehearsals started, I knew this was going to be a terrific number.

Practise, practise, practise – everything had to be perfectly timed – the synchro sections, the swivels, the kicks, the spins, arms, hands, feet – and expressions too! Emma was determined to get a positive reaction from Craig and worked so hard to make this her best dance yet.

Anton & Emma, week 11

Her hard work certainly paid off. Everything came together perfectly on the night from start to finish in such tremendous style. From band call, to dress run, to the live show, she had the dance off pat and each run through was more exciting than the last. Especially with the extra dancers too – a real team effort ensemble number – just like in the musicals – we were putting on a show!

The routine was packed with content, and with its speed, like the Quickstep the week before, one wrong move could throw a section out of step. But with Emma’s steadily improving technique and growing confidence, such slips were a thing of the past – plus, it’s the quarter finals – these were risks worth taking!

Anton & Ermma's Charleston

Emma lit up the floor – she lit up the entire studio! The hair, make-up, costumes, music, staging, everything in fact was marvellous and took us right back to 1922, the height of the New York jazz age, with Millie and her typing pool boss, Graydon, in fabulously high spirits! Emma quite rightly stole the show for me – this was her dance, and she gave it everything!

Anton & Ermma's Charleston
Anton & Ermma's Charleston
Anton & Ermma's Charleston
Emma in the Charleston

To reach the end of the routine in time, on time, and having been in sync throughout with ne’er a step out of place, at this stage of the competition is certainly by skill and not luck – the audience knew this – and were on their feet in rapturous applause!… As were three of the Judges!

What a way to close the show! It felt tremendous, and I could tell from Emma’s beaming smile that she’d enjoyed it just as much as I’d hoped she would.

The judges I’m delighted to say, couldn’t have been more complimentary, Shirley even wagering Emma was a contender for the Final: “Personality, authenticity, delivery, footwork – fantastic!” Bruno said it was a true classic Charleston pitched perfectly and loved our Josephine Baker step, too! Motsi said it was the icing on the top of a fantastic evening, and Craig, bless him, gave Emma the ‘Fab-u-lous!’ she’d been hoping for all along! What a triumph!

We rocketed up the stairs and were so very excited for ours scores. Now there’s a first! When Craig announced his 9 this broke yet another record for me… and I knew this was going to be good. Neither of us expected the three tens that were to follow! Three tens!… All in one night!… Thirty nine! Highest ever score, 1 shy of perfection… and the most wonderful commendation for Emma.

39 points

Emma had danced her heart out… and won those of the judges in return!

This placed us third on the leaderboard overall, as near to the bottom as to the top and so our elation quickly gave way to trepidation as we knew how vital the public votes would be.

Week 11 Leaderboard

We understood there was a technical glitch with the online voting, so all the couples really were on tenterhooks not knowing how the final scores would play out. With so few couples left, we knew it could be any of us in the dance-off – we were all at risk.

And so, when Tess called out our names as being through to next week, we were beside ourselves with joy – what a tremendous result!! Knowing how the leaderboard can turn on its head when votes are combined, we are both so hugely grateful for your support – every single vote is vital when it comes to the crunch. Once again, sincere thanks, my loves, this is all simply remarkable!

Of course, the night didn’t end so well for one couple. The dance-off this week followed the main show’s leaderboard with Chris & Karen and Alex & Neil dancing for the last place in the Semis. And what wonderful reprises they both gave of their performances for the judges. It was a close call, the first fully split decision of the series I believe, but with the Head Judges’s casting vote, Alex & Neil took their curtain call and stepped out for their final dance on the Strictly dance floor. What a fantastic competitor she’s been, just wonderful to watch this sportswoman blossom into such an incredible dancer! Hats off to Neil too in his first series as a partnered pro!

The pressure’s well and truly on now as we prepare for the Semi Finals. Two different dances in one night – for us, a Waltz and a Cha Cha Cha. There’s going to be a battle on the ballroom this Saturday for those places in the Grand Final, that’s for sure!

Tune in, 7pm tomorrow to watch it all unfold… meanwhile Emma and I will be on It Takes Two tonight at 6pm too with all the scoop on this week’s training.

Counting on your support once again, my loves, that glitter ball is so very, very close!

Anton X
Nov
28
Week 10 – The Quickstep

Week 10 – The Quickstep

Strictly is going up a gear each week! The pace is high, the race is on – physically, mentally, emotionally… everything is heightened as the glitter ball gets ever closer! This stretch between Blackpool and the Final is like the last 100m of a great race with the finishing line now in sight! None of us couples want to be eliminated before reaching the end – including yours truly and his gem of a partner, Emma – with a sparkling week 10 Quickstep helping us go the distance through to …the Quarter Finals!

If ever there was a dance to start a dash to the end, it’s the Quickstep! Set to ‘Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend’, with the wonderful Moulin Rouge twist, we couldn’t resist going all out with Hollywood pazzazz especially as silver screen goddess Marilyn Monroe was a particular icon of Emma’s! The Strictly team didn’t disappoint – by the time we were in costume, with the stage all set, we felt like stars ready to dazzle!

Anton & Emma - week 10 quickstep

After a faultless dress run there in the studio under the glittering canopy of chandeliers, we were all set for the big night. Nerves steeled, focus sharpened, routine nailed. After all, we had big shoes to fill following the tens scored the week prior in Blackpool.

The band struck up with a trumpet fanfare, and Emma struck a pose at the top of the stairs looking for all the world like Ms Monroe herself! She was a vision in pink as she came down to greet her audience – what an entrance! What stage presence!

I dashed over, took her hand, gave it a kiss, and we were off! At that tempo, too, we almost literally took flight – a good quickstep is nothing if not quick!

Such an exhilarating dance – quite a feat of coordination and synchronisation, on top of maintaining one’s frame, balance, speed, and footwork! Emma took all this in her stride, even to the point of fabulous tricksteps like the pendulum. I hadn’t realised but Emma was so in character that she’d timed the words ‘Come and get me, boys’ to a tee, delivering the line direct to camera in the middle section! What a pro – such detail!

Anton & Emma - week 10 quickstep
Anton & Emma - week 10 quickstep
Anton & Emma - week 10 quickstep

Add to the mix the thrill of the live audience and it’s perhaps no wonder that momentum on the night allowed a small slip to creep in – a hop on the wrong foot – quickly corrected, but of course, one that didn’t go unnoticed by the judges. Back on track, and having rocketed around the floor covering all four corners, the routine built to a fabulous finalé. The band crescendoed with our promenade runs to bring us to final positions where my wonderful blonde bombshell struck another classic Monroe pose – such refinement, such panache!

Anton & Emma - week 10 quickstep

And the jewel in the crown?… The audience were on their feet! Tremendous!!

I thought Emma danced it wonderfully – more than that, it was a gem of a performance, and I could tell that her confidence had taken yet another leap since last week to make this so special.

I’m delighted to say the judges were on the same wavelength, too – a hop away from brilliant, one might summarise…

Shirley spotted the slip, but very encouragingly said “what an improvement, keep moving forward!” Bruno said the bits that were right were “pure bliss” and that it would be spotless if we danced it again. Even Craig said “it could have been fantastic” and would love to see it as intended – ending with a solid “Well done!” Motsi said Emma did a great job – she loved her top line and frame – “brilliant upstairs” – but that Emma’s feet needed to be a little clearer.

Very positive overall, I thought, and felt we were still very much in the running. I knew straight away that Emma was frustrated at her slip, but it’s so easy to focus on the negative and not hear the positives – of which there were a great many!

The scores were in. A 6 from Craig, a 7 from Shirley, and very welcome 8s from Motsi and Bruno for a total 29.

Week 10 scores

Not bad at all, placing us 4th on the leaderboard… in other words, two from the bottom.

Week 10 leaderboard

Remarkably, with ties at the top and bottom, just 3 points separated first and last places by the end of the show which meant it could all turn on its head with the viewers’ votes.

And that’s just what happened: the shock dance-off this week was between leaderboard-topping Karim & Amy, and Saffron & AJ. The news that we were safely through came as an incredible relief to us, perhaps more so to me, given my reaction! Pure elation!… Simply overjoyed that we’d get to dance another week!

Thank you so very much, my loves, it’s just thrilling to know that you’re supporting us so wonderfully – and enjoying our dances each week. It really does mean the world!

The dance-off was particularly emotive this week with our Strictly family getting ever smaller. After two marvellous performances, the judges saved Karim & Amy and very sadly Saffron & AJ had to take the floor for their very last dance. They’ll be much missed – and I do so hope Saffron continues to dance, especially after getting so far in the competition.

And so, five couples made it through to week 11… and Emma and I were one of them!… Through to the Quarter Finals, no less! And what’s more, it’s Musicals Week – a genre very close to both our hearts!

We’ll be dancing a Charleston to ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ – marvellous combination there – and we’ve got everything crossed that it’ll be a real crowd-pleaser! Like the Quickstep, the Charleston’s another energetic dance – so there’s no letting up in pace in our race to this finish line!

See you on the dance floor Saturday night my loves, 7:10pm – there’s a glittering place in the Semi Finals at stake!

Anton X
Nov
21
Week 9 – The American Smooth

Week 9 – The American Smooth

Stars aligned last Saturday. Seventeen series in the making… fifteen years of steadfast determination and commitment to the glitter ball… there in the world famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom – celebrating its 125th anniversary – and with ‘lucky seven’ couples left in the competition, our number was up on Saturday night. That number was a ten… and not just one, but two!

Not to over-egg the situation, but I’d go as far as to say Strictly history has been made! My first ever 10 – from our head judge Shirley … swiftly followed by a second ten from Bruno! My reaction, I’m sure, conveyed it all!

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Anton and Emma week 9 at Blackpool Tower

Let’s get straight to it: what a stellar performance Emma gave! Talk about stars aligning, we couldn’t have had a better number to perform there in that magical grand ballroom. The American Smooth was a gift – and, set to the Irving Berlin classic ‘Let’s Face The Music And Dance’, who wouldn’t be inspired (and moved) by the original Fred & Ginger number from the film ‘Follow The Fleet’? Released from the requirement of staying in Ballroom hold throughout, this dance came at just the right time to give us the freedom to fill every inch of that voluminous dance floor!

It was pure joy. Pure Hollywood style, glamour, elegance, panache. Emma carried it off beautifully… with complex fast-paced choreography, and our all backing dancers to negotiate too – and what about those lifts, launched skyward, light as a feather, holding her pose so marvellously. Such finesse!

Of course, I’m very at home in top hat and tails, and Emma looked simply terrific – then, to dance such a magical ballroom number, in such a magical ballroom, well like I say, the stars were aligned – there was magic in the air!

Anton and Emma's American Smooth in Blackpool
Anton and Emma's American Smooth in Blackpool
Anton and Emma's American Smooth in Blackpool

When the music shifted to the minor key just before the end and we began our dizzying sequence of pivots, we were in the home straight. One more big lift for Emma as our finalé, bathed in the spotlight …and we’d done it!

Anton and Emma's American Smooth in Blackpool

The audience erupted and rose to their feet – and as we glanced across to the judges’ desk… so too had Shirley and Bruno!

Surely we’d done alright? Surely this was enough to win the judges’ approval? Any trepidation was short-lived.

Bruno effused “Glamorous, glossy, classy, sophisticated… 1940s movie queen… had the character down to a tee. Wonderful finish, great lines.” My goodness – what a starter! Craig then went on to astound us: “Absolutely beautiful movement around the floor, elegant, graceful.” He took exception to Emma’s expression, calling it a “china doll look” of all things, but wrapped up by saying we “hit some absolutely fantastic lines!” Motsi kept up the praise, saying that Emma looked divine and that the dance was “amazing, all about the music, looked as light as a feather. I think that was your best dance!” And finally, head judge Shirley tied it all up with a lovely ribbon: “You covered everything, and I thought your face was correct for this dance. Beautiful footwork, pivots: gorgeous, by far your best dance so far.”

At that, I was floating on air, and instantly compelled to dash up to the desk and give our Shirley a kiss after such wonderful comments!

We were bubbling over with excitement as we headed up to the Clauditorium. Then, when the scores came: 8 from Craig… 9 from Motsi… and then – in my seventeenth run at the glitter ball, seventeen different partners, 118 Strictly dances gone before… it happened – it finally happened! It was one of those slow motion moments – I can still re-live it now – as Shirley with a glint in her eye, announced “Anton, Emma… TEN!” And leapt off her chair with the Ten paddle in hand.

Well, in all these years, I’d never once given up hope, but it always seemed to unattainable. Not any more! My marvellous ballroom belle Emma Barton had gone and got me a TEN! Then, what should happen, but Bruno only went and gave us another!! Two Tens! TWO TENS!! Astonishing!

Tens from Shirley and Bruno

I was overcome, much like an out of body experience, such was the shock and elation. Bear in mind… 118 previous dances, and never a ten before… until that night – there in the glorious Blackpool Tower Ballroom, live to the nation, after the most wonderful Hollywood inspired number with my simply fabulous partner, what a team! We’d done it!! …And achieved my highest ever Strictly score, to boot!

Emma was so over the moon too – it had been such an ambition of hers to reach that landmark: Blackpool (as it is for every contestant), but I don’t even think achieving a ten was on her wishlist. The celebs generally aim for a 7 until the Strictly bug bites, and then, if we’re lucky, they get as competitive as us pros – and Emma’s definitely got the bug! But I must say, even though we’re competitive, we’re all so supportive of each other – everyone was so thrilled for us. What an incredibly special moment, such an achievement – two tens (just to remind you!). A moment that will be with me forever.

All credit to Emma for her hard work and dedication, for mastering the steps, and for losing herself in the magic of the moment as we whisked around the Tower Ballroom as though on air. Such a tremendous result for a tremendous joint effort!

We didn’t take anything for granted as the final leaderboard took shape. Third place with our 37 points was a very nice place to be overall, but could still leave us at the mercy of the dance-off without the viewers’ support too.

Week 9 scoreboard

Once again, the wonderful viewers came up trumps, giving us their votes and seeing us safely through to week 10!

Huge thanks, as always, to you all for each and every vote – it’s just so marvellous to be reaching these higher rounds, and to be able to work with Emma, seeing her technique and confidence growing so fast from week to week. She’s blossoming into a real 10-point dancer – and I couldn’t be more proud!

Blackpool 2019 has been such a game changer for me – what a momentous weekend. I’m experiencing things on the show I’ve never experienced before… after all these years, reaching such new heights with the scores! And it’s all down to wonderful Emma Barton along with the kind and generous support of the viewers and their votes. Thank you all!

Each week’s tribulations are of course dampened by the trial of the dance-off. On this auspicious weekend, the bottom two couples – Michelle & Giovanni and Saffron & AJ had the unwelcome pleasure of having to reprise their dances for the judges’ final say. Both embraced that wonderful dancefloor like professional couples and gave wonderful performances. Sadly, Michelle & Giovanni’s boundary pushing ‘Vogue’ Couple’s Choice lost out to Saffron & AJ’s Quickstep. A much admired couple thus left the competition and took the floor one last time under the soaring ceiling of the Tower Ballroom.

And then there were six.

Didn’t I say it was like a rollercoaster?…

…Oh the things I do for my craft!

Our week ten dance is none other than the Quickstep! (Erin’s favourite dance, I might add.) And we’ve another perfect piece of music to skip around the floor to… Just you wait and see! Let’s see if we can keep our scores as high as our spirits – there’s only one more milestone left in this year’s Strictly… the Final… and it’s getting very, very close!

Tune in to BBC1, 7pm Saturday, and keep your fingers crossed for our sparkling quickstep to a gem of a number from ‘Moulin Rouge’!

Anton X
Nov
14
Week 8 – Couple’s Choice

Week 8 – Couple’s Choice

If last week felt like a rollercoaster, then the ride’s not over yet – the thrills keep coming! In the rarefied reaches of these higher weeks of Strictly, the excitement keeps building – and there are even new dance experiences to boot! I’m enjoying this series as though it were my first. Thrilled with Emma’s dedication and progress… ever grateful for the viewers’ votes and support… and simply over the moon to be heading off to compete in Blackpool!

There’s a first time for everything, and last weekend brought my first ever Couple’s Choice routine on Strictly. Introduced just last year, unfortunately Susannah and I left the competition far too early to be able to give it a whirl, but this year, to have been given the opportunity with Emma was just a dream!

Choosing between Contemporary, Street/Commercial and Theatre/Jazz, it allows the couples to try something outside the ‘frame, hold and lifts’ rules of the Ballroom and the current 12-dance repertoire. It also provides a wonderful opportunity to choose a dance which plays directly to our partner’s strengths – high scores for these dances are, as a result, not uncommon!

For Emma, having played the role of Roxie in ‘Chicago’ back in 2009, and being no stranger to treading the boards, it simply had to be theatre/jazz. It’s a musical theatre style, blending elements of modern theatre, soft shoe, tap and perhaps even burlesque. It’s something of a favourite genre of mine too – for those of you who’ve come along to my annual tour with Erin Boag, we always include a number in this style and it goes down a treat. You can have real fun with the staging, costumes and choreography and they’re such great fun to perform. You can imagine how excited we both were, after the Rumba, to learn that this was our next dance… just the tonic!

As is customary with Couple’s Choice, the producers bring in specialist choreographers to help us perfect our routine. We were gifted the remarkable talents of Alan Burkitt assisted by fabulous Sarah Faith-Brown and together we devised a marvellous, sophisticated, modern dance number with cues and inferences from the work of Hollywood legends, and multi award-winners Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. Fosse, you may already know, was the director and choreographer of those incredible classics ‘Cabaret’ and ‘Chicago’ – and Verdon had been his third wife and somewhat unsung collaborator. We were in our element!

Rehearsals were a joy, and so much fun. Ian Waite’s Gold Star for Emma’s progress in It Takes Two was the perfect boost to banish nerves as show-day approached, and excitement continued to build as we tried our fabulous matching costumes – including sparkly bowlers – in the dress run.

Anton & Emma's Theatre Jazz number

On the night, we were sixth in the running order, and watching so many high calibre couples perform before us – and with Blackpool at stake, the pressure really was on!

Set to ‘Right Now’, the Pussycat Dolls version (though I’ll admit, I was more familiar with Mel Tormé’s fabulous version from 1966) it was a perfect choice for a modern blend of 1930s styling with contemporary production. And with Strictly set magic and a finger-clicking spotlit intro, we tipped our hats, locked arms, and stepped to the floor in sync!

Anton & Emma's Theatre Jazz number

Anton & Emma's Theatre Jazz number

Anton & Emma's Theatre Jazz number

What fun we had on the dance floor! I particularly enjoyed the mirroring elements, but I also enjoyed watching Emma as she performed – and what a performance she gave. Sharp, sassy, stylish, wonderfully in character, and a master with the hat – and the leg extensions too – she had me wowed.

So impressive, I thought, how she kept in time independently when I was out of sight behind her – her confidence had clearly grown in leaps and bounds with this week’s dance. Plus, I’m sure having her parents in the audience must have made it all the more special.

Emma gave a truly fabulous performance, brimming with theatricality, dynamics and real flair – perfectly pitched to the subtlety of the routine. If the judges enjoyed it half as much as I had, we were surely on to a winner.

Bruno was very enthusiastic – “Great dance, loved the Fosse references, and the hat trick,” and went on to say that Emma was in her element and despite a few sync issues she did “a fantastic job.” Can’t ask for more than that! Even Craig ‘got it’ too: “Understated, stylised – your dance, my darling.” Music to our ears! Motsi said she really loved it – the timing, the music, the subtle movement, and even Shirley said it was “one of [our] better dances” and remarked on the detail included.

Eights from Craig, Shirley and Bruno, plus a very welcome 9 from Motsi give us a triumphant 33 points – 11 points more than last week!

Week 8 scores

At that stage in the show it placed us second in the scoring… but with two excellent dances to follow ours, we slipped a little and ended the show in 4th place. Dangerous middle ground, with just 8 couples now left!

Week 8 leaderboard

Sunday this week was Remembrance Sunday and the Results Show was particularly poignant. After a wonderfully emotive group number, followed by a haunting rendition of ‘Bring Him Home’ from Luke Evans, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house. Wonderful tributes to those whose memories we honour, and to whom we all owe so very much.

In regard to the results, I don’t think there’s ever been such a demonstration of the power of the viewers’ votes: everybody at home must have been assured that Michelle & Giovanni were safe having reached 2nd place on the leaderboard – but there was a gasp of astonishment in the studio as it was announced they were in the dance off.

They were to dance against Mike & Katya who had likely braced themselves for this fate, having placed last in the live show. Nobody had expected this duel… but the outcome reflected the Saturday scores as the judges voted Michelle & Giovanni through, and Mike & Katya took to the floor for their last dance. In true Mike style, he launched into a conga and we all joined in! Tremendous!

Well, my loves, Emma and I were absolutely thrilled to bits to make it through – and each week it all hinges on your votes – for which we are so incredibly grateful! This week, of course, we have the huge bonus of making it through to Blackpool! What a landmark!

I’m so proud of Emma’s progress and how she’s steadily growing in technique and confidence from week to week – and now for her to have the opportunity to experience dancing on the world famous Tower Ballroom dance floor, well, I simply couldn’t be happier! This is something each year I wish for all my partners… and when that wish comes true, I feel incredibly lucky and honoured to have had the partner, and support of the public, to get us there.

This coming Saturday we’ll be dancing an American Smooth at the Tower, and are already filled beyond words with excitement and anticipation. Emma’s doing simply marvellously in training, and I think this is the perfect number for such an auspicious night!

“Let’s Face The Music And Dance” is our song, and, all set to bring a Hollywood-style performance to the ‘Vegas of the North’, that’s exactly what we’ll do!

Tune in this Saturday, 7:05pm, BBC1 as just 7 couples take to the floor. Let’s hope the Blackpool lights shine down favourably on us as we edge ever closer to the Grand Final… have your votes ready, my loves!

Anton X
Nov
7
Week 7 – The Rumba

Week 7 – The Rumba

With the competition getting ever closer and the coveted landmark, Blackpool, just around the corner, ‘rollercoaster’ is certainly the word when it came to our week 7 dance: the romantic Rumba. Perhaps the most challenging of all the dances, Emma and I hoped our scores would keep climbing after the solid performances of previous weeks, but hadn’t anticipated taking such a big dip!…

As we started our training for this new dance, we were mindful of comments from the judges in recent weeks regarding the chemistry and connection in the performances – or rather, the lack of it, in their eyes. We took this firmly to heart, and with a Rumba up next, this dance of love offered us the ideal opportunity to focus on these aspects and do our very best to show the judges how we could improve.

Connection and chemistry aside, there was still much ground to cover in the technique of this dance, too – and if ever there was a dance for stepping outside one’s comfort zone, it’s the Rumba. Emma, as ever, was up for the challenge!

Now, the Rumba isn’t everybody’s cup of tea. It requires much sensuality, a continuous flowing motion from step to step, phrase to phrase, with the careful shifting of weight from one leg to the other to to help create the coveted Cuban motion in the hips. As always, the devil’s in the detail too, with a sinuous action from tips of toes caressing the floor, to the graceful placement of fingertips! So much technique involved, so much to learn, and so much to concentrate on until the dance becomes second nature.

As it happened, show-day nerves did creep in and I’m sure Emma won’t mind me saying that those marvellous legs of hers had gone to jelly after our last run-through. It’s such a shift going from the training room to the studio and in such a slow, exposed dance, the slightest fault or unsteadiness will be magnified – especially to those looking for it.

Anton & Emma's Rumba

Anton & Emma's Rumba

Anton & Emma's Rumba

Our dance went beautifully, to my mind, and felt incredibly moving indeed. I so thoroughly enjoyed it, and was sure that our efforts to convey chemistry would cause a positive reaction. For even more dramatic effect we’d been able to include the most marvellous développé – a move which arose quite by chance in training when Emma’s leg sprung up as though a doctor were testing her reflexes! “We’ll have that!” I said – in wonder at such balletic ability – and she delivered it like a pro on the night!

Our dance, to the Streisand classic ‘Woman In Love’, had passion, intensity, a sensuous storyline, and without doubt: chemistry. As the music drew to its close, the pair of us, in our matching midnight blue get-ups, arose from the final clinch to see a true vision of beauty: the audience on their feet!

Anton & Emma's Rumba

The judges, however, didn’t share this appreciation. Without labouring, they all agreed we looked the part, but there wasn’t enough Cuban rhythm for Bruno – though he said we painted wonderful pictures, and Shirley took notable issue with timing. Then, although raising concerns over the free-hand and balance, Craig came to our rescue commending Emma’s développé and the storytelling. Some welcome acknowledgement, at least, for the hard work and progress this week!

It’s a difficult dance, that’s for sure, but the scoring did come across as somewhat harsh: fives from Shirley & Craig, sixes from Motsi & Bruno.

Week 7 scores

This had not gone at all to plan, and totalling 22, placed us squarely at the bottom of the leaderboard. Our hearts, once full from the thrill of the performance, had quickly sunk. We really thought our number was up.

Week 7 leaderboard

I could say, “Imagine our surprise” when we found out we’d made it through… but no need – it was all captured on film in the Results Show! You can see what I mean in this clip from It Takes Two this week…

Our safe passage to week 8, my loves, could only have come about through your kind, generous, and clearly numerous votes! Votes for which Emma and I are truly grateful – thank you very much indeed! We were overjoyed to know that the viewers enjoyed our Rumba so much that it won their hearts. It was a wonderful boost for Emma, and we’re both thrilled that we’re able to dance again!

Of course, that meant couples who placed higher on the leaderboard were now in jeopardy and this week the red light landed on Mike & Katya once again, along with Emma W & Aljaz. The judges found Mike’s to be the better performance in the dance-off, and our charming and delightful Viscountess had to take to the floor for her very last dance on Strictly.

This week, I feel the tides have turned in our favour. Emma has had more time for rehearsals which has been a real boon, but most marvellously, our dance is a Couple’s Choice… Theatre/Jazz. And yes, it really is as exciting as it sounds!

Playing to Emma’s strengths, and with more time for rehearsal, I’m confident she’ll be able to master the technical and the emotional halves of the dance – the steps and the character – allowing her to become confident in the performance. She can then banish the nerves and deliver a real showstopper on Saturday night. I, for one, can’t wait for you to see it!

If you saw It Takes Two last night, you’ll have been treated to a glimpse of us in training for Ian Waite’s eagle-eyed scrutiny… and I’m delighted to say he loved it so much he gave Emma his Gold Star for best progress this week. My chest swelled with pride, and it was perfectly timed praise in the wake of last weekend.

Strictly really is a rollercoaster – we’ve had a dip but we’re back on the up …and the Tower’s in sight!

Here’s to this Saturday, my loves! Tune in to BBC1 6.50pm… and have your jazz hands ready!

Anton X
Oct
31
Week 6 – The Tango

Week 6 – The Tango

Strictly’s Halloween special this year was certainly filled with tricks and treats aplenty! For Emma and me – rival King and Queen from a haunted pack of cards – our dance was a classy Tango to classical Bach… but could we play our cards right to win all the judges’ hearts? Most importantly: which couple’s Strictly dream was to turn into a fateful Halloween nightmare?

Halloween Group

The weekend’s thrills were matched with spills and I must start by wishing both Will and Neil swift recoveries from their injuries in training. Very sadly, Will announced yesterday that he must withdraw from the competition under doctors’ orders to allow his knee chance to heal properly. We all wish him the very best and hope that he continues to dance in the future – he’s been such an inspiration to so many in demonstrating that anything truly is possible. His incredible Couples’ Choice dance, beautifully performed and choreographed with Janette, is certainly a high to go out on.

For team #Emmton (to coin the lingo!), our training got off to a very good start as the excitement of learning the tango took hold of Emma. It’s one of the most iconic and popular dances for the celebrities to learn and one which always creates a thrill of excitement when they hear it’s up next. Strictly superfan Emma was no exception to this rule!

Now, leading on from the prior week’s Paso, there were elements which gave us some common ground in approaching the Tango: attitude and dramatics in particular. But returning to a Ballroom frame, with new posture, new rhythmic structure, and of course new steps all to be perfected, we were in many respects back to square one in learning this proper, classical Tango.

Classical’s the word, too, as our music was to be Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor – the introduction of which sounds like the opening to a good Hammer Horror film! It’s a strongly rhythmic, almost hypnotic piece with a crisp driving beat and a tempestuous tempo. Perhaps the most challenging aspect of it, though, for Emma, was that there aren’t any words! That’s an interesting point: for us professionals, lyrics are useful in providing a context, a narrative, and even inspiring the choreography too, but for our celebs the words can be a useful aide memoire for keeping one’s place in a routine and remembering what comes next!

The Halloween theming gave us a framework within which we could create our characters and their story – not perhaps the typical ghouls and demons of traditional scary fare, but something a little more sophisticated, I like to think!

Emma and Anton in Halloween costume

The routine was once again filled with technical content – it’s thrilling to see Emma pick up the steps so quickly and so naturally. The complexities of the routine, on a themed weekend, then go up yet another notch when it comes to wardrobe, hair and make-up. Emma, to my mind, took all these things in her stride – ever the professional, and by the weekend I was confident that our routine would deliver in spades and spare us any nasty surprises!

On the night, the treats kept coming as the running order revealed we were first up! There we were – me: Anton, reigning King of Clubs, on my throne, and Emma: Queen of Hearts by my side ready to contest me through dance! Cue the sinister organ introduction … Emma curtsied… and we stepped down to the floor together most regally to fight for the crown! The music then took off at a terrific tempo and we were off, in hold, spinning in time as we danced out our rivalry for this haunted card kingdom.

Emma and Anton's Tango

Emma and Anton's Tango

What a wonderful Tango Emma delivered – I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Her posture, frame, footwork, and remarkable drive through this dance were all to be applauded – a performance worthy of any competition dance floor, and I was incredibly proud of her! It really was a royal duel of a Tango… resolved as the music drew to its close with Queen Emma rising to the top of the pack, claiming victory, the throne, and rapturous applause from the audience!

I may have been deposed, but that mattered not when such an ace had been pulled from our sleeves!

The judges were, on the whole, enchanted; mostly. Shirley said Emma did very well – quite sharp, staccato, and she appreciated the technical content; Bruno saw classical beauty, grand production, and rhapsodied on the concept. Motsi commended Emma’s grasp of the complicated choreography, and her great posture and character but wanted her to push it even more. Craig, however, said he must have been watching a different dance as he thought it lacked aggression, drive, attack, and sufficient staccato. I’m sure for the first time everyone was agreeing with Craig – he must have been watching a different dance!

The scores were a mixed bag, starting low with just a 5 from Craig, 7 from Motsi and ending on more of a high with 8s from Shirley and Bruno.

Week 6 Scores

A total of 28 is certainly a score to be proud of, even if I do think the dance was deserving of more – but with such a high calibre of performances that night, it placed us seventh from the top of the leaderboard… and therefore fourth from bottom – the danger zone!

Week 6 Leaderboard

Sunday night brought the Results Show to our screens, with no let-up in the shocks and frights. Thankfully, and thanks to you for your wonderful and generous votes, Emma and I were spared the dance-off spotlight’s grisly red glow…

…But for two couples: Mike & Katya and Catherine & Johannes, the frights kept coming.

The Halloween weekend was certainly turning into a tale of the unexpected as the dance-off played out before us. Two thrilling repeat performances had the judges divided, and with both Craig and Shirley seeing more merit in Mike’s, it meant the nightmare became all too real for our wonderfully gifted ‘Aunty Cath’ – she and Johannes were eliminated and spirited out of Strictly. Not the first time this series that a serious contender for the title has fallen unexpectedly at an early hurdle, once again the result cast a spotlight on the viewers’ votes – every one vital to keep your favourites dancing!

If we don’t dwell on Craig’s 5 (and don’t forget, he did say he must have been watching another dance!) I think we’re doing incredibly well week-on-week: a steady overall climb in our scores and a flash of brilliance along the way with our Viennese which just goes to show what’s possible. And that’s exactly the attitude we’re taking forward with us: anything’s possible!

With the stakes ever higher, Emma and I are thrilled to be through to week 7 and we’re working on a beautifully romantic Rumba to win the hearts of all the judges this weekend… let’s hope!

Tune in this Saturday, 7pm on BBC1 – where I hope my wonderful Queen of Hearts will once again win yours!

Anton X
Oct
24
Week 5 – The Paso Doble

Week 5 – The Paso Doble

How wonderful it was to start our training for week 5 high on the scores of our Viennese waltz! To have scored three nines was beyond our wildest dreams and placing third on the leaderboard was the icing on the cake. That sweet treat was, however, sadly short-lived as the judges didn’t warm to our Paso in quite the same way. Their comments weren’t ones to savour… one, in fact, was somewhat starchy indeed!

This was no easy week, and no easy routine either. With Emma’s Eastenders schedule commanding the early part of the week, we were on the back foot time-wise – and given there’s no real carry-over from Waltz to Paso to fast-track our training, we had a lot of ground to cover!

Nevertheless, still buoyed-up by our recent success, we embraced the challenge of the Paso Doble head on – and with Emma’s clear talent for dance, I saw no reason to go light on the choreography. Emma has a remarkable ability to absorb and master the steps, and it’s thrilling to craft a routine which packs them in!

By the end of the week, Emma had the routine under her belt having worked tirelessly and with such dedication: I thought she was able to get into the character so convincingly and had such a natural ability with the shaping, the posture and the intensity of this dance. I was very excited to perform with her and felt for sure we were on track to keep our high ranking on the leaderboard!

Anton Du Beke & Emma Barton

As we took our places on the podium by the band, it felt electrifying. The lighting, the costumes, the hair and make-up (I’d even had a facial spray tan to complete my look!)… and the driving pulse of the music to come – the stage was well and truly set with a wonderfully authentic feel.

We began with a sequence of dramatic shaping, leading to a breathtaking back-bend from Emma, then interlocking arms and stepping down to the dance floor. And my word did we cover the floor in this routine. The pace and momentum seemed to lengthen and magnify all our movements – to great effect, I thought, this being a dance requiring strong gestures made with a driving sense of urgency.

Anton Du Beke & Emma Barton's Paso Doble
Anton Du Beke & Emma Barton's Paso Doble
Anton Du Beke & Emma Barton's Paso Doble

High drama, passion, fire, attack, precision, and incredible timing – the tension between was palpable us as we powered through the dance – it was truly exhilarating! I was overjoyed with Emma’s performance – and those in the know could tell as I was quick to get us over to the judges – no need to shilly-shally on the dance floor to eat into their comment time!

We professionals generally know whether a dance has gone well or not – the steps, the timing, the overall sense of the performance. I thought this was a winner! Which is why the judges’ comments did come as something of a surprise…

Alfonso – our guest judge, standing in for Bruno this week – said we gave it our all, but that he wanted more passion. Ah, that wasn’t the start I’d hoped for. Craig, to my dismay, concurred, going on say that Emma’s free arm was ‘haphazard’, and finishing by comparing Emma to a bag of potatoes at the end. Well, I declare – and barely a fortnight after taking a dig at my teeth! Motsi was quite rightly wowed by Emma’s strength and flexibility in the opening section, and commended her energy and character throughout. But then Shirley was in agreement with the boys and said it lacked passion, fire and detail in the arms. Granted, she liked the shaping and said Emma was a great dancer with great potential, but felt there was something lacking between us in this dance.

It became clear that our reduced rehearsal time, whilst not overly compromising the dance ‘technically’ perhaps didn’t allow the ‘performance’ element to fully develop. The scores certainly suggested something was amiss, and came as something of a blow after the highs of last week. 5 from Craig and 7s from the others for a total of 26.

Week 5 scores

Certainly a downgrade, not least as it placed us 4th from bottom on the leaderboard – dangerous dance-off territory!

week 5 leaderboard

The Results Show got underway with a particularly memorable pro dance as all the professional dancers’ inner divas came to the fore and delivered a catwalk show unlike any other! I do like to pop up on the red carpet!…

Excitement aside, it’s no wonder Emma and I we were on tenterhooks for the scores to be announced, and it came as such a very great relief to make it though. Thank you, again, for your appreciation and generosity in voting!

As always, two couples weren’t so lucky: this week, it was Mike & Katya and David & Nadiya who were plunged into the red light to face each other in the dance-off. Even being no strangers to the dance-off didn’t offer any advantage to David & Nadiya, as this weekend, their third was to become their final dance duel and their Strictly journey very sadly came to its end.

The competition is getting tighter now, and with another big weekend ahead: the Halloween special, the stakes are even higher! It’s going to be another incredible evening of dance, tricks and treats as the BBC will no doubt pull out all the stops… on which note, we’ll be performing a Tango to Bach’s masterpiece for organ: his Toccata & Fugue in D minor. The introduction alone is enough to give you chills!

And so, my loves, here’s to Halloween! We’re thoroughly enjoying our training and I’ve every confidence we’re going to resurrect our previous good scores. Our spirits certainly aren’t dampened – we’ll swap those potatoes for pumpkins and treat everyone – judges included – to a terrifyingly good Tango!

Anton X
Oct
17
Week 4 – The Viennese Waltz

Week 4 – The Viennese Waltz

Strictly 2019 is fast becoming a series unlike any other – at least from my perspective! My marvellous partner Emma and I are not only doing rather well performance-wise… we’ve already had some very memorable moments (for one or two reasons)! Following the success of our Austin Powers Salsa, #teethgate then added a certain frisson to proceedings. And last weekend, well, I wasn’t just in seventh heaven, I’d say Emma and I truly took flight – we’re both on cloud ‘nine’!

Teaming up a beautiful piece of music like Sondheim’s masterpiece in understatement, ‘Send In The Clowns’, with the swirling grace of a Viennese waltz, we had a winning combination from the start. I’ve wanted to perform this piece on Strictly for many a year, and was therefore determined to get it spot on, to make it special.

From the outset we worked collaboratively on the layers of our performance: the lyrical highs, lows and twists had to be conveyed in the dance – not just through movement, but through us both acting out our parts. Emma was instrumental in this aspect, and her mastery of interpretation paid dividends. Packed with regret, anger, heartbreak, sorrow, longing, resignation – so many emotions for us to portray in telling this story. I loved it!

Anton & Emma's Viennese Waltz
Anton & Emma's Viennese Waltz

Marvellous outfits, beautiful arrangement, atmospheric lighting – we were both in our element. And as the music began, those gently rippling quavers, we’d worked out a short dramatic introduction to set the scene before taking to the floor in our dance.

Anton & Emma's Viennese Waltz
Anton & Emma's Viennese Waltz

We didn’t skimp on technical content either – straight in with a Fleckerl, double pivot, natural turns – step after step after step – and spins galore. What was particularly special about this routine, for me, was the level of choreography Emma’s growing ability allowed me to include – it’s actually quite a thrill. In fact, it felt like the dramatisation came to the fore, and the dance was there to support it. Magical, really, and I think that’s why it connected so strongly with the audience. Every dance can’t be like that – it’s not always appropriate or relevant of course, so firstly to have the opportunity to dance this number… and then to be able to really deliver, these were rewards in themselves.

There were more rewards to come.

Bruno said it was our “Best dance yet!” and even admitted to having goosebumps! Craig more than made up for any indiscretions last week: “Classy, super stylish, loved the storytelling – gorgeous!” Motsi concurred: “She has arrived – the Queen!” And Shirley raved about Emma’s frame and said the dance was “Beautiful, atmospheric, stunning – best dance so far!”

I couldn’t quite believe my ears – what simply tremendous feedback, I couldn’t have wished for better!

Anton & Emma score 35

Still more rewards to come in the form of the scores. We’d secretly hoped for a couple of 7s and perhaps an 8, but Craig started us off with… an 8! “Hello,” I thought to myself, “now there’s a start!” And then 9s came in from Motsi, Bruno and Shirley. Just remarkable! Three nines… 35 when all totted up – a magnificent score which had us finishing 3rd *from the top* on the leaderboard. I haven’t scored more than 35 in all my years on Strictly… I achieved it most recently with Katie Derham for our Foxtrot in week 11, but never before have I ascended to such heights so early in the game! This could be a record-breaking series for me!

The Week 4 Leaderboard

The Sunday night Results Show, by contrast, was sobering and a clear demonstration of how important the public votes are: proof that you can be at the bottom of the leaderboard and still escape the dance-off (mind you, I do speak from much personal experience!).

Emma and I were overjoyed to make it through…

…and once again, thank you all so very much for your support – it really is invaluable and so important to us.

Nobody had expected Emma & Aljaz and Dev & Diane to be in the dance-off. I think that was when the precariousness of our positions on the show really hit home. After dancing again, the judges saved Emma & Aljaz and our Red Devils Dev & Diane had to take to the floor for their last dance. None of us wanted to see them go. Such can be the nature of Strictly – even if you think you’re safe on the scoreboard, it can all too easily turn on its head.

On to week five: it’s been a particular whirlwind – not least with Emma’s busy schedule, but also with the launch of my second novel, ‘Moonlight Over Mayfair‘ – read all about it here on my website… and a quick appearance on ‘This Morning’ today too!…

…But we were straight back to rehearsals afterwards and working hard on our dance for Saturday. Dramatics are needed once again, and a whole new gamut of emotions and characterisations from last week… it’s the Paso Doble!

Now, if you’re in the Ely area on Sunday evening, do come along to my book signing at Toppings, 7:30pm – details here.

…Otherwise I’ll see you on the Strictly dance floor on Saturday – 6:40pm, BBC1 – let’s hope we can extend our stay on cloud nine, I rather like it!

Anton X