Graeme and Oti
So glad to see these two back in ballroom, no so glad about the sailor suits, especially when you're using the Denise Lewis quickstep of yore song too. There were some stumbled but it kept its lightness, and I thought the transitions in and out of Charleston were pretty seamless - and when you've already done the Charleston you might as well milk it in your quickstep! I am afeared for Graeme this week...
Ashley and Pasha
After last week's chiptastic jive, you'd think they'd struggle to keep up, but no, wind them up and watch them go! Rave fans, feathers on the bum, a samba roll that was pure filth, Pasha is living his best life right now. I agree it probably did have a bit too much attack in it, but that's also a sign of someone having the time of their life. Haterz gunna hate.
Faye and Giovanni
Faye appears to be wearing a maroon sack, but thankfully Gio is in tails and it didn't distract away from this classy ballroom number. It was a nice tranquil moment, and the break of hold didn't feel too unnecessary for once. A waltz rarely sets the world on fire, but this was smooth and looked effortless when I doubt it was at all.
Joe and Dianne
The build up to this on ITT was weird, because neither of them seemed particularly in control of the routine. Things I liked about this routine: Dianne's bunches, hearing the start of Jump Around with a live horn section, the fact that they had a little sit down. That's about it, this was a terrible routine which suggests to me this was not this couple's choice.
Charles and Karen
Proper tango outfits on these two, a dramatic song, and plenty of attack - we're doing quite well with the dances-that-look-like-dances this week. This had flashes of greatness, and Charles gave good smoulder to the point of flaring his nostrils. But it was a bit rough around the edges, including the posture. Charles has been on the up recently, and while this wasn't terrible, it wasn't the most exciting of things.
Lauren and AJ
I did not expect Lauren to suit the salsa, and this did all feel a bit awkward. She was back to looking like she was thinking about steps, rather than embracing the daaah-ance, as CRH would say. She still also isn't great at lifts, despite having done quite a few dances with lifts this series.
Stacey and Kevin
I had no idea what to expect before this, and I'm still not quite sure what I just watched - but I was captivated. Great music and costumes, is this the week of the fan? Kevin did this very cleverly, he had more to do than her, but to hold that mood and do all that skirt swishing without collapsing in giggles I applaud her. Seriously, this could have easily come crashing down at any second, and that's why I loved it.
Lindyho-a-thon
Well that was like being trapped inside the wardrobe department's washing machine, there were legs and elbows all over the place. Alas, no one got kicked or fell over, boo, but it was all very jolly and fun. I would say I think Faye and Gio did very well in the middle of it all and stayed in sync, and whilst Graeme looked very stylish in his vintage outfit he did basically drop Oti at one point. Not much else to say about the dancing, but the car-crash of the scoring was definitely a series highlight!