Judi and Grazi
Starting with an appropriate theme and dance, hurrah, plus Judi was perfectly cast and will probably be playing Mama Morton in the West End this time next year. This was a great routine from Grazi, I think it's the most detailed choreography so far and Judi has worked on her stamina. I could have done with a bit more swivel, but she's still good for a complete novice. I'm hoping as we go on we can see a bit more versatility from them as the weeks go on, as she's building up the experience and confidence.
Dan(iel) and Nadiya
I love these two together, they're dorkish and wholesome, so going full Disney Princess made total sense. Yes, there were mistakes, but it's a bloody foxtrot and he was clearly trying his best, I feel like Dan puts so much work into his dances. He clearly does feel better in hold though and I am very worried about looming party latin. Saying that, the routine was totally charming and I'm sure every nan and child in the country will be voting for it.
Sara and Alijaz
After two relatively sensible routines, the theming comes crashing onto the dancefloor. Saying that, it was an oddly routine samba with plenty of content and basic steps, so the Shrek outfits looked even more surreal! Plus Sara has really come on in her latin, considering how hard the samba is she came out all guns blazing with bounce and rhythm. That woman can shimmy!
AJ and Kai
This was probably the number I was most excited about when I saw this week's numbers, but I was not expected to actually be moved by this. Great routine, perfect costumes and casting, but I didn't think AJ could have brought the acting elements so well in week 3. Plus she handled the lifts really well and moved in and out of them perfectly, more more more please!
Robert and Dianne
The very definition of 'from the sublime to the ridiculous', bring on the Muppets! Although like the Shrek samba, this just felt like a normal quickstep in ridiculous costumes. If anything, I could have done with it being more manic, the performance just didn't feel nippy enough for a quickstep like this. Robert's clearly putting in the work with his ballroom though, just still needs to tidy things up.
Greg and Karen
Now, this was probably my favourite performance of Greg's so far, but I also don't think it really got off the ground, even with the superfluous snowmobile. Karen put together a great paso routine to the light and shade of the song, but like Craig said, Greg doesn't really dance through the movements. There also wasn't enough of a Spanish line, but I did like the flamenco arms interlude and some very Confident Clapping from Greg.
Tilly and Nikita
Thank goodness the BBC has learned there are songs in Hairspray other than You Can't Stop the Beat! This was a peppy delight, I think I actually enjoyed it more than last week's Charleston. Plenty of content and kicks, Tilly seems more confident in the choreography department as weeks go on. Yes, a couple of mistakes, but I didn't think they were as obvious as Dan's. Whether Nikita accidentally whacked her in the face remains unanswered...
Rose and Giovanni
These two look absolutely delightful, what a great way to start Rose on ballroom. I genuinely do forget she's not listening the music, this was just a lovely piece of classic ballroom. Plus her top line and hand placement was perfect! Also, extra points for dancing to My Heart Will Go On and not making it a massive cheese-fest. Who would have expected the foxtrot to have a massive rebirth this year?
Ugo and Oti
...and then came along Couple's Choice to darken our door once again. Saying that, Ugo took to this routine like a duck to water ('arf 'arf) and I think this was the first time Oti didn't completely overshadow him. Plus he threw her in the air for those lifts like it was nothing! Saying that, I think he could have had a similar breakthrough with a salsa, or even a Charleston...
Tom and Amy
Lovely to have these two back, along with the perfect routine for Tom! Thankfully, this overshadowed the terrible Back to the Future routine Lee Ryan did a few years ago, plus Amy got to wear a variation on Lorriane's iconic prom dress rather than some odd Doc outfit. Despite the fact I spent most of the beginning shouting 'put the guitar down!' this was a pretty good jive. Tom did an amazing kick sequence with swings in it near the start and they kept the energy up.
Adam and Katya
Boom, rumba in week three! I don't care how weirdly themed it was, we got a rumba! I personally think Adam had a pretty good stab at it, it obviously wasn't Kelvin-standard, but he was doing some hip action and some good extensions. Saying that, it was a bit awkward and jerky in places too, plus the costumes were mightily distracting! Although, I think this is the only time the CGI set pieces actually worked!
Katie and Gorka
After last week's under-rehearsed jive, this felt much more suited to Katie, she clearly loved camping up every second of that. Plus Gorka as a dalmatian was hilarious. It wasn't the best piece of ballroom and much better out of hold than in it, plus it was an American Smooth so where were the lifts? But it's hopefully given her a bit more confidence after being in the bottom 2.
Rhys and Nancy
Couple's Choice part 2, where I spent the whole time thinking 'this could have been a Charleston'. They also missed an opportunity to have Rhys literally bouncing off walls. On the plus side, Nancy looked ridiculously cute in her sporty outfit and 90s hair buns.
John and Johannes
I wasn't bowled over when this theme was announced, but oooft John and Jojo went at this full pelt! Great control and Spanish line from John, just as good in and out of hold, the only thing that was missing was a cape, but yay for the kitschy glitter cannon! These two work so well together as a team, it really adds to all of their performances, there's going to be so much more from them to come.
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