SERIES thirteen already, it only seems like two minutes since I was strutting the Come Dancing boards at the tower with Angela Rippon, and it is so nice to see two great female presenters Tess and Claudia doing an amazing job in presenting the BBC’s longest running and most entertaining family show.

But could this be the year when all the lunar stars are aligned for a fellow professional to win the Strictly Glitter Ball Trophy? Knowing his luck in the past and this being series thirteen, and thirteen weeks to the final, I might even have a little bet myself, as this really feels like it could be the year of the ANTON!!!

Both Friday and Saturday’s shows were completely amazing and the standard of dancers, singing and production right down to having 3D lighting was truly a credit to everyone, that being said it is still a dancing competition and technique, presentation and performance play a huge part, on the whole I was impressed and I had to pinch myself several times in remembering it was only the first week.

Friday

Kellie & Kevin Tango C6 D7 L7 B7 T27

A great interpretation of the Tango, I loved the power and performance, Kelly has a very strong leg line which she showed to her full, if anything because the music was so lively Kellie was getting a little jiggy with it and created a little bounce action, which for me just proved that her Latin dancers were going to be amazing as well. Team Kevin go go go!

Anthony & Oti Jive C4 D5 L6 B6 T21

To say Anthony is not really built for Latin with his long long legs (obviously no jealousy on my part) I thought he did an amazing job, yes his kick action could have been a little cleaner in places but his energy levels were off the scale and right on the money.

Helen & Aljaz Waltz C7 D7 L7 B 8 T29

Beautiful, endless and smooth an amazing standard, a just one little mistake I just hope Helen can keep this perfect level for another twelve weeks, see you in the final.

Carol & Pasha Cha Cha C2 D5 L5 B4 T16

Carol has a great little hip action and although she was nervous which then caused her to get a little stage fright half way through and ended on the wrong foot, for me this is what the Strictly journey is all about. “Carol you are with the right teacher, now try to keep off your heels in the Latin dances and push your feet into the floor more.”

Daniel & Christina Waltz C4 D6 L7 B7 T24

Good use of rise and fall from Daniel with a good strong lead and frame an elegant approach that was very well danced.

Anita & Gleb Cha Cha C6 D7 L7 B7 T27

Anita has such a natural flare for dance, but would have benefited from a straighter leg action a little more as she did tend to stand on slightly bent knees, but her performance was full of energy and pazazz.

Saturday Jay & Aliona Cha Cha C5 D8 L7 B7 T27

Dancing to ‘Reach Out’ and they certainly did! A great cheeky Cha Cha with good strong leg action presented with strong lines and poses.

Kirsty & Brendan Waltz C4 D5 L6 B5 T20

Kirsty had some good footwork and well controlled rise and fall, she was however very nervous but I am sure now she has the first dance under her belt and the nerves subside she will be one to watch.

Jeremy & Karen Cha Cha C2 D6 L6 B5 T19

Jeremy the hips vine! A very well executed and powerful performance, a little work now needed on the leg action but what a great showman.

Georgia & Giovanni Jive C6 D7 L7 B7 T27

A great lively, light and uplifting Jive, great action from Georgia a little stronger kick action would have made it perfect for me, but very, very well danced.

Ainsley & Natalie Tango C4 D5 L6 B5 T20

Ainsley and Natalie are going to have a ball and that was already starting to show in their performance, although his shoulders did rise and the styling became a little bouncy, I thought it was a very convincing attempt.

Katie & Anton Jive C6 D6 L7 B7 T26

A very pleasing, strong leg action from Katie extremely well performed, very light and convincing, these two are the ones to watch!

Iwan & Ola Tango C3 D5 L5 B4 T17

I found their Tango to be a little stompy with some strange choreography, the standard overall is the strongest ever this year, and I do feel that Iwan and Ola need to try and find all the time they can to rehears, that being said I am sure hard work will pay off.

Jamelia & Tristan Waltz C4 D6 L6 B5 T21

A beautiful Top Line from Jamelia if only she would have straightened her leg line more, it would have been priceless, a well demonstrated Waltz just a little more work on the technique.

Peter & Janette Cha Cha C7 D8 L8 B7 T30

Peter should not have any trouble with the performance value and that was truly amazing however the control of the foot action or lack of for me really let him down, a longer leg line and more control of the knees would give him a smoother more natural hip action, one knee bent one knee straight at any one time, Peter work on your technique to enhance your whole Strictly experience, in the past the leader of week one with the highest Judges vote has always had the kiss of death, I know how determined and how much of a hard worker you are, keep it up.