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Week 3 – The Quickstep

Another close shave…

What fabulous shows this weekend – Strictly does Movie Week – there’s nothing better! A veritable Hollywood spectacular from start to finish with fabulous dancing, music and even a special guest judge – the legendary Donny Osmond – to provide encouragement as we all take to the floor again.

I even made my directorial debut in the pro-dance…

This week we had the Quickstep to a wonderful rendition of ‘Don’t Rain On My Parade’. Judy had a fabulous sparkly get-up that made her look like a glamorous movie star, and I was most appropriately garbed in top hat, tailsuit and cane – all bringing the perfect amount of razzamatazz to our routine.

The steps were all pretty much there, mostly in the right order, and we made it through the routine with bravura to a deliberate and exhilaratingly illegal lift as the finalé! Something that didn’t go unnoticed!…

The judges weren’t quite as impressed as we were, although Donny did open the critique by saying we’d done ‘a beautiful job’ – we’ll take that! Len said, with a twinkle in his eye, “Judy you were fine, Anton you’ve got to improve!”; Bruno referenced Nelson’s column, but a statuesque posture is surely to be admired… and Craig unexpectedly appreciated our illegal lift, though mentioned rigor mortis – so pleased to have the rigour in my training recognised by the judges!

A total score of 23, however, put us almost at the bottom of the leaderboard, above Tim & Natalie, and joint with Jennifer & Tristan. Oh dear… the ‘danger zone’… but nevertheless, we were thrilled not to be at the very bottom!

We feared the Dance-off would be an inevitability, but, once again, when it came to the results show, our truly wonderful fans saved the day, along with our place in the competition! Thank you all so very much, you really are the tops! And it’s with renewed zeal that we’re back in training for our Tango.

Again, so sad to see one of our couples leave the competition: the delightful Jennifer and one of our professional new boys, Tristan in his debut Strictly series. It was also most unexpected to see Kristina and Simon in the dance-off… it all goes to show that everything can change when the scores are combined with votes.

I must also say what an honour it was for Joanne and I to dance to Donny Osmond’s live performance of Moon River… if you missed the Results show on Sunday, here it is again:

And so, best foot forward… Tango here we come!

Week 2 – The Cha Cha Cha

Only just ‘in’ – saved from elimination by our fabulous voting fans!

Here we go, round two… Our Cha Cha Cha to She’s a Lady had us all in a spin on Saturday night – especially when we found ourselves in bottom place on the leaderboard after our two dances’ scores were combined.

Not a good feeling: elimination in the first week being a distinct possibility.

Judy herself admitted there were a few foot faults… I, on the other hand, would prefer to call them ‘improvisations’ as she finds her feet on the dance floor. Hopefully our scores will start to lift properly over the net next week… it’s a bit too close for comfort so far! Elated wasn’t the word when Tess announced we were safe; think my reaction might have given that away!

Huge thanks to our wonderful fans and voting public – it’s down to your votes that we’re still in the competition and were saved from the dreaded dance-off. We can’t thank you enough – you’ve given us a crucial break-point so Judy can get into the swing of it and let her inner dancer emerge.

As for overstrung racquets, Craig, next week we’ll hit the sweetspot with our Quickstep, you wait and see!

Such a shame to see Gregg and Aliona eliminated – nobody wants to leave the show – especially in the first week, and Gregg certainly brought something fresh to the mix! Such a great guy – very sorry to him and Aliona leave so early.

And so it’s back to the grass roots of dance as we prepare for our Quickstep! Wish us luck… and don’t forget to vote on Saturday night!

Week 1 – The Waltz

All aboard the Good Ship Strictly as we Waltz our way to the Mull Of Kintyre!

What an extravaganza of a weekend! It felt absolutely marvellous to be back in the BBC Ballroom competing once again for that elusive Strictly Trophy. What a buzz! With Tess and Claudia at the helm, the ever-encouraging judges in their box, and Dave Arch and his fabulous orchestra and singers to trill and thrill us on our journey. The stage is well and truly set.

For a first week, I think you’ll agree that the standard was incredibly high across the board – there’s clearly some strong natural talent and musicality among this year’s celebrities (keeping us all on our toes), and let’s give a big warm welcome to our new pro dancers Trent Whiddon and Joanne Clifton, too. Series 12 promises to be entertainment at its best!

I am so proud of Judy. What a gal. For a non-dancer sportswoman to step out in front of millions in heels and a big ball gown and make it through her very first competitive dance so gracefully – I couldn’t be happier with her performance. A few nerves and jitters may have crept in, but I put it down to the doubtless distraction of my kilt and slightly off-kilter sporran. I’m sure it’s a wonder Judy could concentrate at all and surely explains any unchoreographed moves!

All the judges encouraged her to come back more strongly next week – awarding us a solid 18 points for our Waltz – and that’s exactly what we’ll do. Judy’s game for the Cha Cha Challenge… Week 2 here we come!

Week 8 – The American Smooth

What a weekend… what a journey! Well, I feel like I’ve just disembarked from an eight week First Class ride, having travelled further than in many a Strictly year of late! How marvellous to have departed the competition in Blackpool of all places – the spiritual home of Ballroom – and with a particularly fitting routine to send us on our way.

Here’s what happened…

We took to the floor – the Tower’s rather wonderful sprung floor, no less), with a perfectly themed and styled routine to Sinatra’s “Come Fly With Me”. I stepped out in full Captain’s uniform accompanied by my Air ‘Hostesses-with-the-mostess’… before spying First Class Fiona requiring my attentions before our flight.

Our lovely American Smooth took us on a grand tour to all four corners of the dance floor, and I though Fiona danced like she was floating on air. I couldn’t be more proud. Granted, there was a little turbulence in the take-off to our finalé lift… Fiona did indeed get airborne… but we were to come down with a bump.

The judges’ comments rightly praised Fiona’s First Class attitude, though Len said the movement was more business class, and the lifts: economy. Darcey loved the style and detailing, and Fiona’s middle-section solo went down a treat with both her and Craig. Not half bad, we thought, and we received a total score of 29 – our second highest score this series. Hurrah!

Only it wasn’t quite enough. The standard is already so very high this year, that we were placed joint bottom on the leaderboard. …And on Sunday evening we danced head to head with Mark & Iveta in the dreaded Dance-Off. Tense moments followed as one-by-one we heard the judge’s final verdicts. Craig wanted to save us, but Darcey, Len and Bruno chose our competitors, but said it was very, very close.

Sad to be leaving the competition, but thrilled for Mark & Iveta who once again delivered a thoroughly entertaining performance, Fiona couldn’t have expressed it better: “It’s like being a guest at the best party in the world”. I couldn’t agree more! (Noting for the record, that much hard work, long hours, and cups of tea were involved too!)

And so, our arrival at the Tower Ballroom saw us heading for the Strictly Departure Lounge. What a wonderful, wonderful journey it’s been this year – the atmosphere, the music, the singers, the production, the celebrities, fellow professionals and of course Sir Bruce, Tess and Claudia… everything has been electrifying, inspirational and thoroughly top class.

Thank you to all of you who’ve been voting for Fiona and I this series, and thank you Fiona for being such a fab-u-lous partner – you’ve been a joy and delight to dance with, and I’ve simply had the most marvellous time, and I hope you have too. To reach Week 8 with you – I’m on cloud 9. You are a star!

With much love,

Week 7 – The Paso Doble

Rather ‘bullish’ comments this week from the judges, we thought, and to my mind, Fiona performed like a true caped crusader!

Whilst Craig may have deemed the dance ‘adequate but forgettable’, Darcey called Fiona a ‘very convincing dramatic diva’ creating energy and attack – that’s more like it! Bruno, Len and Darcey all complemented her on her lovely Spanish lines, the flamenco touches, and cape work too (or ‘wafting’ as Len put it)!

…However, the resulting 26 points left us third from the bottom and we were on tenterhooks right until the last moment in the Results show as we were the last couple to be saved. What a relief! I think our faces said it all! Again, your votes have kept us safe.

This week’s Dance-Off pitched Mark & Iveta against Dave & Karen… and both couples danced as though their lives depended on it. But rules are rules, and somebody had to leave; sadly it was Hairy Biker, Dave, who will be very much missed – what he may have lacked in technique, he more than made up for in entertainment value!

And so: Blackpool beckons, the wonderful Tower Ballroom awaits… and Fiona and I are very, very excited!!!

See you next weekend from the spiritual home of Ballroom Dancing!

Week 6 – The Charleston

Jeepers Creepers!… A chilling (well, more cheeky) Charleston and we’re through to week 7! Now that IS spooky!!

Fabulous costumes, makeup, music and an audience spellbound by this weekend’s devilishly good set design helped us swivel our way out of the pumpkin patch and along the yellow brick road to a wizard finalé!

Another sterling performance from Fiona, with both Craig and Len praising her beautiful swivel action (and she’d an ankle mishap during the week… my Bond girl is made of strong stuff!). Whether or not it was like Halloween at Doris Day’s house as Bruno suggested (which I happen to think sounds like a mighty swell time!)… or perhaps a little ‘polite’, the storytelling and overall performance met with general approval and scored us 28 points.

We may have slipped on the leaderboard this week, but Darcey said we’re still on the way up – and that’s good enough for me!

So sad to see two such fabulous couples in the dance-off this weekend, and I do believe it wasn’t Rachel & Pasha’s time to go. Thank you so much for your votes – every single one counts – they’re keeping us in the competition!

Here’s to week 7…!

Week 5 – The Quickstep

Our best dance yet, hurrah!… 30 points and a standing ovation to prove it, too!

“Finally fabulous, Fiona” said Darcey, and I wholeheartedly agree. What a performance. Fiona was light and flighty on her feet, had a new-found grace, and her characterisations were simply first class. I couldn’t be happier with her performance!

Such wonderful support too – the special message from Sir Roger Moore surely put a spring in Fiona’s step before the dance, and of course to have all you wonderful fans voting for us each week is truly marvellous. No wonder Fiona danced her Quickstep to a tee!

“More confidence, more focus, plus more content equals more points, well done!” said Len… I think we’ve turned a corner, don’t you?! Such a relief to be through to week 6… November here we come!

Shock result for the couples in the dance-off though, and it was such a shame to see our friendly resident Dragon dance for the last time – it really wasn’t Deborah’s time to go. Very well done to Patrick and Anya, though, for making it through after his injury and last minute rework to the routine – the makings of a true pro’!

Best foot forward… back to training… and have we got a corker of a dance in store for next weekend!!

Week 4 – The Rumba

Well, that was a close shave!

Talk about snakes and ladders up and down the leaderboard these past weeks, we were both heartsunk to have slipped down to bottom place on Saturday night with 22 points. Not to say 22 is a bad score – Rumba is such a hard dance to learn, embody and perform and again, I’d like to congratulate Fiona for giving it her all and dancing it so beautifully.

The judges, I feel, were a little harsh with their marking, but the feedback is of course taken constructively! Hips, balance, connection… and focus. (That calls for more tea!)

I must say, though, the hugest Thank You to everybody who voted. Being placed bottom by the judges means that your votes spared us from being in the dreaded dance-off, and have given us the opportunity to dance again next week… A rather joyous Quickstep!

As always, it’s sad to see our Strictly family get smaller each week – this time saying Goodbye to marvellously exuberant Julien and Janette. Somehow I think he’s got the dancing bug… don’t you?!

And speaking of family, some wonderful news has been announced by Erin this weekend – have a read over on her blog… If you haven’t already heard, I shan’t spoil the surprise, but huge congratulations and very best wishes are much in order! …And I rather think ‘Uncle Anton’ has a nice ring to it 😉

What a weekend!!

Week 3 – The Waltz

Darcey likened Fiona to Grace Kelly… And Tess likened me to a lothario. I’ll take that!

A rather wonderful waltz from Fiona… all the steps in all the right places, and, danced to ‘True Love’ it was true grace indeed. We even scored my age (ish) in points – a staggering 28 – which placed us in the top half of the leaderboard… And that hasn’t happened for a while!

It was Fiona’s birthday wish to make it through… and your votes have helped make it come true – thank you very much indeed – she’s over the moon!

Sorry to see Vanessa go, especially after her emotive waltz last week; it can all so easily hinge on the dance.

And on that note… we’d best get our feet into action!

Until next weekend,