Ah, Blackpool – one of my most favourite places in the whole wide world… the Vegas of the North and the true spiritual home of Ballroom Dancing – Blackpool’s like a good ol’ friend to me. And to have made it to ‘Blackpool Week’ in this series of Strictly after the rollercoaster ride Katie and I have had up and down the leaderboard, it’s a huge achievement in itself. That said, the true thrill was to come: performing to the nation with Katie on that world-renowed dancefloor in Blackpool’s majestic and resplendent Tower Ballroom.
Talk about rollercoasters though, we were both hoping this week wouldn’t be a Big Dipper. Leaving the competition in Blackpool last year with Judy, and in Series 8 with Ann, left a spectre of doubt in one’s mind and added extra pressure. But, if anything, it steeled us both with the determination to deliver a first rate performance and break through the Blackpool barrier.
As mentioned last time, it’s been a while since I’ve made it this far in the competition – and all praise must go to Katie for this – it’s like going up to the top of the Tower: the air is somewhat rarefied! And with that subtle Rat Pack reference, let’s talk about our dance this week: the American Smooth to Dean Martin’s classic ‘Ain’t That A Kick In The Head’.
It couldn’t have been more perfect. The Tower Ballroom, the American Smooth, a tremendous Fred & Ginger-inspired routine (with some top technique tips from my wonderful professional partner, Erin Boag), a sassy song, backing dancers, me dapper in top hat & tails and Katie, ‘rocking’ the most wonderful feathered frock! As the song goes… “How lucky can one guy be?”
Hair: ✅ Makeup: ✅ Costume: ✅ Let's go! #strictly @thekatiederham https://t.co/K7JHH7Pxhb
— BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly) November 21, 2015
The production this week was phenomenal, and quite simply, Katie and I felt like we were stepping out onto a Hollywood movie set in the golden age of film. Spectacular! Katie started the number solo, and our dancers and I made our entrances from behind the screens. She took my arm, and we were off! After some lovely formation steps to set the scene, we were in hold and traversing the grand ballroom apace – the moment swept us away, it was like dancing on air.
.@thekatiederham & @TheAntonDuBeke, kicking up a storm in the Blackpool Ballroom! #Strictly pic.twitter.com/Ehc6wMsPid
— BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly) November 21, 2015
Katie’s frame, lines, posture… all just wonderful. Her smile was even more glittering than her dress and it didn’t leave her face throughout. She completely owned that dancefloor. The turns, the spins, the lifts… and as the music crescendoed to the end, Katie spun from one dancer to the next with split-second timing, finally being held aloft like a screen siren with a true golden-era flourish, and to a standing ovation from the audience. Tremendous!
The Judges were equally as enthusiastic! Darcey said it was “exquisite” and that Katie had “pure film star style from beginning to end… with plenty of wow factor!” Len said it was a “fitting dance for this wonderful ballroom… elegance, glamour and sophistication. Your best dance, no question!” Bruno said “stylistically it was impeccable… a great tribute to the dancing queens of the Hollywood golden age,” with Katie being “absolutely fantastic in hold,” and “looking a dream.” Craig said Katie “certainly had the elegance we expect,” and that with some of the slight slips ironed out (he’s a hawkeyes!), it’d be “absolutely gorgeous!”
Did you get a kick out of @thekatiederham & @TheAntonDuBeke’s American Smooth? #Strictly pic.twitter.com/N0frEYRCLH
— BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly) November 21, 2015
What wonderful comments! …And the scores were just as fabulous: an eight from Craig, and… wait for it… nines from Darcey, Bruno and Len for a grand total of 35!! What’s more, I’ve checked back and this is my highest ever Strictly score! All credit to Katie – what a record breaker! (I think I’m still in shock!)
We placed fifth out of eight, midway up the leaderboard, with Georgia & Giovanni at the top with 38, and Peter & Janette at the bottom with 29. As we all know, halfway up is still not a safe place to be, but once again, thanks to our wonderful voting fans, we promenaded through to week ten – hurrah! We’d made it to Blackpool… and beyond!
Someone is happy after that American Smooth! @TheAntonDuBeke & @TheKatieDerham #Strictly https://t.co/9CPO54y3uP
— BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly) November 21, 2015
The results show saw Jamelia & Tristan go head-to-head with Peter & Janette. Three of the judges voted to save Peter but in the first dance-off panel split this series, Len said he would have saved Jamelia. It was a close call – to be expected at this stage of the competition of course with both now being such capable dancers. But with three votes to one, Jamelia sadly left the competition after a Quickstep she should be very proud of. Having already survived the dance-off four times, Blackpool was to become the final destination in her Strictly journey and we’re all truly missing her infectious smile and energy.
Now at week ten, the competition is becoming fierce. Not only are the calibres of the other couples as high as can be, characterisation, musicality and interpretation are all being polished and showcased beyond the underlying technique. It’s getting serious. And not just that… this coming weekend we’ve all got two dances to perform: aside from our main routine, it’s the Quickstep-a-thon! All seven couples will be hot-footing it around the dancefloor trying desperately not to collide at breakneck speed. It’s like a semi-choreographed group dance… we’ll all need our wits about us!
Our main dance this weekend is the Argentine Tango: high drama at its best. Cue lights, cue music… cue Tango face. Tune in on Saturday night and let’s face the music!
