Tricky for Vicky
It was Vicky who stormed to the top of the judges’ leaderboard with a brilliant, 39-scoring tango, and a series-defining moment for her so far.
While the judges’ scoring chart ebbs and flows each week, with Vicky on the rise in week 7 and Alex facing her first serious slump, one thing remains constant in this series of Strictly: George, as an immovable, short-priced favourite to win.
He has the famed dance of death tomorrow night in rumba. But, crucially, he has a great song for a heartstring-tugging, tender routine, and the combination of music, lighting and camerawork can go a long way in selling an emotional rumba.
‘Somewhere Only We Know’ is his choice of song due to what it means to him. His sister sang it at his grandfather’s funeral, this will no doubt feature in the VT, his mum may well be in the audience… All the clues are there for something evocative and impactful. This all looks teed up as a home run for George and potentially his first pimp of the series.
One thing remains constant in this series of Strictly: George, as an immovable, short-priced favourite to win
There has been an overriding sense of Alex earning exaggerated praise and generous scores in previous weeks but her paso was an inescapable damp squib, and a big reality check.
It was also a call to arms for her fans to support her as she found herself under threat, joint-second last on the judges’ leaderboard, sealing the fate of Harry and La Voix as the bottom 2.
Week 7 – judges’ leaderboard:
Vicky & Kai – Tango – (8) – 9, 10, 10, 10 = 39
Amber & Nikita- Salsa – (7) – 9, 10, 9, 10 = 38
Lewis & Katya- CCC – (1) – 8, 9, 9, 9 = 35
Karen & Carlos- Charleston – (2) – 8, 10, 8, 9 = 35
George & Alexis – VW – (6) – 8, 8, 9, 9 = 34
Balvinder & Julian- Couple’s Choice – (5) – 7, 9, 9, 9 = 34
Alex & Johannes- Paso Doble – (3) – 7, 8, 7, 8 = 30
Harry & Karen- Samba – (9) – 7, 8, 7, 8 = 30 – eliminated
La Voix & Aljaz- Foxtrot – (4) – 6, 8, 7, 8 = 29 – bottom 2
Looking ahead to tomorrow we may well see a reversal in fortune again. Alex has the safe territory of a slow waltz to regain the judges’ plaudits and high scores, whereas Vicky has to negotiate one of the toughest of fast Latins in jive.
Vicky’s week 3 Charleston wasn’t her strongest routine and jive demands a similar quick-footedness so it could easily be a week when Vicky finds herself lower down on the judges’ leaderboard.
Karen’s ace card, in comparison, is her fast feet and leg speed, as showcased in her week 1 jive and last week’s Charleston. Her big issue moving forward is dances in hold when she struggles with the requisite frame. An AS for her allows Carlos to choreo some showcase lifts and for him to camouflage this weakness.
Alex has the safe territory of a slow waltz to regain the judges’ plaudits and high scores, whereas Vicky has to negotiate one of the toughest of fast Latins in jive
Balvinder, like Karen, is tasked with AS but is due the earlier r.o. slot, and is coming down off her CC high point. Balvinder has looked pretty good in training, however, and has a fighting chance to survive week 8.
La Voix has been handed a CC which, much like Balvinder’s last week, looks a free pass on the week, allowing her to make it to Blackpool. The show couldn’t have been more transparent in its handling of La Voix and making sure she gets to the hallowed Tower Ballroom, booking her place for what could turn out to be the Michelle Visage Memorial Slot, and her big farewell performance.
Lewis was tasked with opening the show for the second time in three weeks last Saturday, following his brilliant CC the week before. This felt like an intentional applying of the breaks. His tango might not be the main highlight of the night either but looking ahead Lewis has some strong cards still to play in salsa, samba, Charleston and AT.
Amber’s salsa was too good and highly scored to put her in trouble last week. A paso might be a different story and it wouldn’t be a surprise if she ends up the one delivering the last rites on Balvinder in tomorrow night’s dance-off.
It looks on paper like Balvinder and La Voix are most likely to exit the competition in the next two weeks, but there’s rarely any certainty attached to these things.
As we reach the business end of the competition, this is the time in the series when you need to be perusing the chart of remaining dances among the perceived main contenders, with the top 6 vying for only three final places.
Looking ahead Lewis has some strong cards still to play in salsa, samba, Charleston and AT
A triumphant rumba for George may well see him go even shorter in the betting as favourite, but much more significant dances lie ahead in the far more critical weeks to come.
Please do let us know who got your week 8 vote(s) when the exit poll opens at the end of tomorrow evening’s show.
Week 8 dances & songs:
Alex and Johannes – Waltz – Weekend in New England – Barry Manilow
Balvinder and Julian – American Smooth – My Guy – Mary Wells
La Voix and Aljaz – Couple’s Choice – Don’t Rain on My Parade – Barbara Streisand
Vicky and Kai – Jive – Sound Of the Underground – Girls Aloud
George and Alexis – Rumba – Somewhere Only We Know – Lily Allen
Karen and Carlos – American Smooth – You Don’t Own Me – SAYGRACE
Lewis and Katya – Tango – 12 to 12 – sombr
Amber and Nikita – Paso Doble – Dream On – Aerosmith
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Looking ahead to possible future dances, Karen is the one who gives me the most red flags. None of Samba, Salsa, waltz. Viennese Waltz or Foxtrot look like they are in her wheelhouse. I know she does have a CC left to perform and I wonder if that’s intentional for hers to be later on. Lots of obstacles for her to navigate though.
George and Lewis both have salsa and samba and whilst I see the latter revelling in these, I think George will be far more awkward and uncomfortable. I think Lewis’ Charleston could be another diamond thanks to Katya. I do think both the men will be in the final (or one will be nobbled in the semi)
Vicky’s biggest test is the Jive and if they big up the positives and allow Craig to nitpick then I think she will be the chosen female for the final .
Alex has samba and salsa out the way which are positives were they to navigate her to the final. However, knowing the voting public, getting her to the title is a hard hard push and did not need the bump in the road last Sat.
Amber is Amber and will excel at anything they throw at her. She will be used as the assassin as and when needed.
You would think Balvinder is the obvious choice for elimination on Sat but if her AS far outshines Karen’s then perhaps the latter might be in trouble. I had a few quid at 21 on BF and see today she is 9.
La Voix will be pimped to Blackpool and waved goodbye on the night.
Vicky looks pretty good from what I’ve seen in the training video. Think we get another weekend of her topping the non dancer scores at least.