Had a few people asking where are your comments on this year's Strictly? So as the final is this weekend thought better get them in quick. I posted at the start but been so busy recently that the world of sequins and glitter has got a bit lost. OK catch up
So now we know who is in the final and I think it is going to be a goodie. Thought last year was a bit meh with Lewis whathisface stripping off to a leotard in order to win. Yes I know if you have got it, flaunt it, but a little flaunt goes a long long way...
Natalie and Artem. I do worry about Artem and feel he may not have enough shirts in his wardrobe and perhaps I ought to send him a couple. He is always half dressed and he really should be careful he does not get a cold on his chest though it is usually protected by his female partner draped all over him so perhaps I am worrying too much. Great pair, impeccable dancing and simply stunning to watch. I always love their routines but there seems to be a lack of chemistry between them. Difficult to explain why, they seem to get on and like each other very much but it doesn't quite work somehow. Same with him and Holly V last year, you really need the Vital Spark. The public don't seem to take to the pairing either, witness the perfect score last week and ending in the dance off. It seems she has had dance training in the past (which shows) and she will suffer for this as did Miss Van Outen last year as the Great British Public do not like somebody with an Unfair Advantage.
Also the fact that she fainted, had a slipped disc and yet was dancing merrily the following week has caused a lot of Oh YEH around the nation. BBC talked it up and dramatised it and this may not have done Nat much good. We shall see.
Abby and Alijaz - she has really turned into a great dancer. At first I was a bit unsure of her and thought she was just another empty headed WAG but seems she has a steely determination and has worked incredibly hard at this and it is clear she is having a great time. Gorgeous posture, shaping and grace. She is the one to watch I think. Her habit of hopping and twitching all the time, the tossing of the tousled hair and the continual checking of herself in the monitor can get a tad irritating but I rather like her. Of course having such a stunning partner helps and most of the time she looks at him as if she is dying to rip his clothes off and get a room. So do we all dear...
Sophie and Brendon - beautiful, elegant, graceful and classy. All the things that most of the other finalists are not. Brendon seems slightly in awe of Sophie which can only be a good thing but is thrilled to bits to have such a wonderful partner (after the past two he has had to drag around the dance floor, Victoria Pendleton and Lulu hardly surprising) but, as per, he does tend to shoot his mouth off a bit at the judges. Note to Brendon: this is never a good thing. James Jordan does it regularly too and who did he get partnered with this year?
However, his choreography has been wonderful and delighted that we will be seeing her stunning Charleston and their beautiful Viennese waltz again. They deserve to win. And please note, she has avoided the I have been Tangoed look which is wonderful.
Unlike the other finalist, the Cuprinol Queen, Susanna Reid who gets more orange each week and is now the colour of mahogany. Utterly ghastly and add that to her incessant gurning and her slightly mad Latin dancing and I am staggered she got through. I think the real reason is her partner Kevin from Grimsby, who is doomed to be called that for the rest of his life methinks. We Brits think the fact he comes from Grimsby very amusing, why I do not know and this moniker has stuck with him. He is a total and utter sweetie and everybody loves him and I think this is the reason the orange one has made the final. I wonder if he would have the same allure if he was Kevin from Clackheaton or Kevin from Little Dipping or Puddlington in the Marsh?
Final thoughts. Dear Sir Bruce you must go now. This series has been particularly cringeworthy to watch, with his laboured jokes, his fluffing with the autocue, the names of the contestants and even addressing Darcy as Dave. I am now beginning to understand Tess Daly's slightly manic grin and terrified eyes as it seems she has the ear piece in all the time and has to steer Bruce around and look after him. She must be petrified he is going to fall over.
And re Tess - can somebody get her a stylist or replace the one she has? An endless series of frocks that do her no favours and I find it puzzling that somebody as tall, slim and lovely as her always looks like a dog's dinner.
Claudia Winkleman - her of the mad fringe and Dusty Springfield eyes. Yes, she is totally potty and though this habit of galloping on to stage and standing with her toes turned in and looking winsome, is acutely ANNOYING, she has a natural and witty style which Tess lacks. May not to be to everyone's taste but I think she and Tess make a good team. In the paper this morning Len Goodman said he thought they made a great team and why shouldn't there be two front women? Not necessary to have a man there.
I love Len...
Tomorrow night my friend Rosemary comes round for supper and we sit and watch and criticise and yell and scream. It has now become a ritual and we will be getting out the spray tan, the glitter and the sequins and hair spray. I may whip out my old gold lurex top from the charity shop bag and put my pink bustier on in honour of the occasion.
Or I may not bearing in mind that I drive Rosemary home afterwards.
For me, it should be Sophie and Brendon. But I feel I am doomed to disappointment.
We shall see.
