Strictly Come Dancing: Alesha Dixon steps up her game while Natalie Cassidy sizzles with Vincent Simone
By CHARLOTTE SPRATT and LIZ THOMAS
Last updated at 1:10 AM on 26th September 2009
She may not have been dancing last night, but all eyes were on new judge Alesha Dixon last night.
Her performance last week was slammed by critics but this week she seems to have been given plenty of guidance on how to up her game.
Her scores were virtually identical to hardliner Craig Revel Horwood, and she gave instruction on posture, technique and how to handle the pressure to the second group of contestants, who included ex-EastEnder Natalie Cassidy, actress Laila Rouass and Hollyoaks star Ricky Whittle.
Fighting off the critics: Alesha Dixon gave a confident performance on Strictly Come Dancing last night, giving contestants technical advice and encouragement
Natalie, who wore a pink and black dress to perform the tango with partner Vincent Simone, pulled out all her acting skills to give a dramatic performance of the passionate dance.
Natalie, who was spotted having a goodbye kiss with Vincent in a car park after rehearsals several weeks ago, joked before the performance: 'I have to pretend to like Vincent in this dance. So that's really hard.'
She scored 24 out of 40 in the dance, which gave her fourth place, which the judges branded a 'very good effort'.
Alesha told her: 'What I like about you is that you've decided to take this competition by the scruff of the neck.
Drama: Ex-EastEnder Natalie Cassidy gave a strong performance of the tango with Vincent Simone, bringing plenty of drama to the passionate dance
Natalie was praised for her neat footwork and ladylike performance
'Your body contact was OK but don't be afraid to push up against him. I know it's uncomfortable. It's tricky. You can work on it but well done.'
Senior judge Len Goodman said the performance was 'as neat it was precise'.
Craig Revel Horwood added: 'The sharp heads were fantastic. There was lots of drama at the beginning and the end but in the middle it sort of lost its real intent.'
Before the performance, Natalie said doing Strictly was 'a dream come true' but said she didn't know if she would be able to cope with her nerves.
She added: 'One thing I don't want anyone to think is that I'm doing this to lose weight. I'm happy as I am. I don't care about it.'
Top of the leaderboard was Hollyoaks actor Ricky Whittle, who was singled out in the group dance last week.
Graceful: After winning praise in the group dance last week, Ricky Whittle gave a confident and elegant waltz with partner Natalie Lowe and was tipped for the final
Bowled over: Cricketer Phil Tufnell impressed with his waltz and said he 'actually nearly enjoyed' the performance with Katya Virshilas
Despite slipping during his waltz with partner Natalie Lowe, the judges tipped him for the final.
Bruno Tonioli told him: 'That was a dream come true. That was the most stunning debut of anyone we've had.'
Alesha pointed out how he had great control despite the difficult music, while Len said they could be 'the most formidable couple ever'.
Ricky said after the performance: 'I didn't breathe during the whole thing.'
Bruce Forsythe lavished praise on Alesha throughout the show, telling her: 'What a week you've had. And it's been so unfair.
'The whole crew want to wish you good luck, not only for tonight but for the whole series,' he said, emphasising the world 'whole'.
She replied: 'Ah thanks Bruce. I'm strong though.'
Laila Rouass and Anton Du Beke gave a sizzling tango, and came joint second
Fellow Footballers Wives actress Zoe Lucker scored joint second with a waltz
But she looked shocked at the end of the show, when he drew attention to her yet again, saying: 'Alesha, you've been wonderful tonight'.
Since her debut on the show last week, more than 1,000 complaints have been made about her performance on the show.
Surprises of the evening included cricketer Phil Tufnell who said he had 'come here to prove that cricketers CAN'T dance' after Mark Ramprakash and Darren Gough both won the competition in previous years.
Partnered by new dancer Katya Virshilas, who has trained Richard Gere and Antonio Banderas in the past, he danced the waltz and scored 29.
Len told him 'I'm bowled over', while Alesha said: 'Some people have the tendency to see what steps are coming next but you weren't. I was enjoying it with you. Well done.'
Craig added: 'This show is always full of surprises and i have to say Mr Tuffnell you are one of them in a very respectable way.'
After the performance, Phil said: 'I actually nearly enjoyed that. Floating around... it was lovely.'
Jockey Richard Dunwoody, who has problematic shoulders from his racing days, was called brave and was praised for his effort, but not his style, in the waltz
Actresses Zoe Lucker, in a flowing blue ballgown, and Laila Rouass, in a sexy red dress, starred as rivals in Footballers Wives and were up against each other last night. Both scored 30 points, putting them in joint second place.
Zoe was told by Craig: 'It was sickly sweet, saccharine and filled with heinous sentiment at the start. When you started to dance it became elegant, simple... it's like you have always danced.'
Alesha told Laila, who danced with Anton Du Beke, 'It had drama, passion... your hand does droop occasionally, get the tension all the way to the fingers, but Laila that was wicked.'
Craig added: 'I do agree about the hand - it was like some limp, wet fish. But you responded brilliantly to those multi-directional changes.'
Flavia Cacace looked as stunning as ever in her Bangra take on the tango, but actor Craig Kelly struggled to lead her with enough conviction
Jo Wood tamed badboy dancer Brendan Cole, and said: 'He's a piece of cake. I've been hanging out with bad boys all my life.'
But her tango was criticised as 'lazy' with poor footwork and the highest praise from Bruno that it 'wasn't a total disaster'.
Coronation Street actor Craig Kelly turned in a respectable performance of the tango, to which Bruno said, 'you went out with the determination of an assassin but it gets rough around the edges'.
Champion jockey Richard Dunwoody performed the waltz, which was slammed by Bruno and Craig and scored 19 points.
Jo Wood struggled in the tango with Brendan Cole but was told her performance was not 'a total disaster'
The group who performed last week, including favourite Ali Bastian and Joe Calzaghe, didn't have a complete break, performing all together a Michael Jackson tribute. EastEnders actor Ricky Groves pulled out a near-perfect moonwalk.
Those who performed last night, will perform a Latin dance this evening, either the rumba or cha cha cha, and one couple will then be evicted from the show.
Two couples will be chosen through a combination of the lowest number of viewer votes and points, and then the judges will pick one duo to go through to the next round.
Complaints about Strictly have topped 5,000 since the show started last week.
Viewers are furious about Alesha's performance as a judge, a scheduling clash with The X Factor, and the decision to axe Arlene Phillips.
Alesha, who appeared as a contestant and won the show two years ago, has vowed to face down critics.
The dancers who performed last week, and survived the knock out on Saturday, did a group number in tribute to Michael Jackson
EastEnders actor Ricky Groves performs a near-perfect moonwalk
The BBC confirmed that so far 1,093 viewers have complained about the 30-year-old’s performance as a judge, while thousands more deluged BBC internet message boards.
Miss Dixon replaced Miss Phillips who has been a choreographer for more than 40 years.
The BBC was accused of ageism over the change and has received 4,220 complaints about it.
The broadcaster also received 118 complaints about the Saturday evening scheduling clash with The X Factor.
This brings the total number of formal complaints to 5,431, although some were made before the series started.
In an interview in the Daily Mail’s Weekend magazine Miss Dixon said her tough childhood and difficult personal life meant she could cope with the pressure.
She said: ‘I believe there is nothing I can’t do if I set my mind to it. If you visualise
yourself doing something you can make it happen.'
Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC1 from 7.25pm to 9.05pm.
The second group's scores for last night, as they go ahead to their second dance this evening. One couple will be evicted tonight
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1216181/Strictly-Come-Dancing-Alesha-Dixon-steps-game-Natalie-Cassidy-sizzles-Vincent-Simone.html#ixzz0SF4MOzSG
