Strictly Come Dancing: Running Commentary, Week One, Show Two!

The Latin round! Be prepared for a complete turnaround - this format ensures it's going to be mighty close! There'll be those that are more comfortable, those that will have a blast, those that will be more tense. Lynda makes the biggest entrance, lol - real diva stuff!

Ianade up first this time for a cha cha - walks out with attitude - a sexy start -and, ooh, funky! Work it girl! Bit untidy again but how groovy? Full of hips and rhythm, loved it! Len: feet a little bit flat but legs strong - hip action -fun, enjoyable, liked it very much; Alesha: really suits you, excellent rhythm; Bruno: You are fit! Those legs could crack walnuts, enjoyed it; Craig: Legs could've been straighter - great split, fanatstic body roll, exuberance and energy. Score: 27, combo: 52 - should be safe.

Alian next out for a rumba, looking very nice in training, aw, they're so endearing together - lovely shapes, little bit stuttery in places but in others fluid movement - one of the sweetest rumbas I've seen, I'm not a great fan of them. Len: Lots of posing (no, Len, sorry - seen more static ones than that); Alesha: simply stunning to watch; Bruno: Have you any idea how amazing you can be? Could be one of the best dancers we've ever had! Craig: Loved all the posing, made it for me. Everyone talks amongst themselves for a bit whilst Craig and Len argue ... Score: 30 combo: 60. Safe. Very, very likeable couple.

Darrynda bring on the cha cha! Lynda's here to entertain - showing terrific rhythm up on the stage but sadly left it there and tensed up on the floor. Lost her way a bit - but - she has lovely arms! Alesha: Great enthusiasm; Bruno: Like watching Carry On Strictly Matron, playful; Craig: Sharp, neat, personality shone through - vast improvement on last night; Len: Entertain us you did! Score: 23 combo: 44 - probably safe, because at this stage it's all about how they make the audience feel - and she makes you feel good.

Ravona rumba - no wonder Rav's smiling again, very smooth, nice hips and hands. I think he's cracked it with that, much better. Bruno: Smouldering hulk, control, improvement; Craig: Awkward - unnatural - Aliona did all the work (but did enjoy the filth ridden gyrations - I take it he means the hip action?) Len: By and large, pitched it about right; Alesha: hip action, seductive eyes, weird arms. Score: 22, combo 41. In trouble I think - Aliona may come to rue the points docked for that lift. Tess manages to keep her hands off Rav's thighs. But only just!

Chrola will rumba - and, oh - it's just come to me who Chris reminds me of: Michael J Fox! You see it don't you - just a shade pudgier around the face but that same cheeky chappie charm -anyway, Ola loves her job, she said, with her hands on his hips! Strong partnership, I'm liking them a lot already. Really comes across in this dance, for a non-actor he's really believable, lovely dance, manly and yet sensitive! Craig: Rather brilliant, fantastic storytelling, a real emotional connection (didn't I just say that?) Just cut those fingers off! Len: That was good, Chris! (it was the way he said it, Uncle Len seriously impressed, methinks!) Alesha: Showcased Chris really well - moved Ola around effortlessly; Bruno: You're a dancer! Excellent. Score: 30, combo 56. Should be safe, good, musical routines plus likeability.

Jostina have cha cha - but, for all the gossip, I'm not seeing a connection - it's clear Joe adores Kristina - possibly this is why he forgets to dance, he's so captivated. Very stiff, no rhythm. Len: Came back and gave a commendable performance, maybe a slow bloomer; Alesha: More personality, well done; Bruno: Footwork poor; Craig: (To general boos) Rigor Mortis. (I'm sorry to say I can't disagree) Score: 16, combo 32. There's a lot of people going to be red-faced if he goes first week; bookies will be happy.

Mattina rumba, bit floppy, not very fluid between moves, almost there but not quite. Didn't make the same impression as the other rumbas. Alesha: Flyaway arms, soft quality about you; Bruno: Some beautiful shapes, falls apart in transition; Craig: Liked the routine very much, but blocky, flat footed, nice ronde, handshaping gorgeous; Len: Work on toning, very nice to watch. Score: 24, combo 46: Will be in trouble.

Rickin have cha cha - and there's a glimpse of rhythm in training! Keep smiling, keep ... er, ok, stop with the mouth ... or at least sing along properly; it's like feeding time for littlun's goldfish, hilarious but FUN! He's just saved himself with the quip about Erin "She's coming on a blinder!" Talking of Erin - did the hairstylists leave early? She's normally so elegantly coiffured! Bruno: forget technique (he did Bruno, he did) rest was fun; Craig: That mouth of yours, gave it some welly; Len: I was smiling from start to finish; Alesha: Most entertaining dance of the night! Score: 26 probably a bit high, but they'll be safe anyway.

I've got my votes in - Alian, Ianade and Chrola all the way for me! Think they'll be safe anyway - gut feeling is Jostina and Mattina for the dance off, with Mattina saved. Whilst the votes are cast, we're treated to a sassy demo from the new girls: Aliona with Matt, Natalie with Ian, and Katya with Brendan - having lost Camilla, Ian apparently was able to try out the new girls and given the choice - he took the tallest ...

Craig reckons the biggest improver was Ricky; Len praises the all-rounders - Chris, Ali, Jade; Alesha lets the audience pick the most entertaining - Ricky again; Bruno says Ali has the most potential.

The other professionals return with a medley from Sweet Charity - watch out for Tom and Camilla, that's where their showdance song came from - I didn't know Big Spender was from that - you see, Strictly is educational as well as entertaining - and Rhythm of Life has long been my pick for a showdance (see my Jottings!) A more relaxed Tom this time, did however, mean the lifts were a little shaky, but what a fab dance. A year on, still tingling.

Tess reckons Rav will be reconstructing last night's Mambo on Crimewatch, we meet Darcey - whose earrings are to die for; Jade and Ricky stood out for her - Bruce tells her her chance to dance with him will come, lol. Special guest Katherine Jenkins sings I Believe and lovely though she is, we want to see Flavia, whose outfit is amazing, and Vincent, perfectly demonstrating what the judges mean by core stength, with an immense final lift. Interviews with the celebs reveal their reasons for wanting to continue - Ali and Chris the only two to mention their partners, I'll say no more! It's The Moment of Truth: Safe - Alian! Yay! Chrola! Yay! Rickin - a nice "thank you" to camera; Ianade! Yay! Darrynda; Jostina - it's Battle of the Rumbas, Ravona v Mattina. I prefer Ravona's, but thinking back to the comments, Mattina may get it. Alesha is damned one way or t'other - favouritism if she saves Mattina; disloyal if she doesn't - give the message boards a miss tonight ... The judges agree there's improvement - Craig and Alesha save Mattina, Bruno elects for Ravona - Len says the greater improvement came from Ravona - they're through! Sad to lose Matthew, but the right decision I think.

Well then - only a week to go, start the coundown again!