Strictly Come Dancing: Running Commentary, Week Three

Fourteen couples, head to head, Tess looking very Grace Kelly, Aliona had an oops! moment on the stairs! They all look stunning for their Dramatic Paso or High Speed Quickstep.

Alian up first for their QS *fingers crossed for the ankle* It's an absolute delight and full of confidence too! I got a kick out of that! Len: That was right up my alley, lack of body contact ... after what I'd read in the papers, that's a surprise! Alesha: Classy routine, beautiful song; Bruno: You bring to the stage the soft glow of a summer sunset (Isn't that the loveliest, most poetic thing you've ever heard on this show? Or am I being soppy?) Craig: liked it very very much, hit all the accents in the music. Score: 32 Possibly more had they not been out first. Backstage Tess askes Brian what his secret weapon is, he replies simply: Ali. Awwww. *loveheart*

Darrynda next and for some reason Bruce reminds us she's Lynda Bellingham - is there another Linda in it and I misheard it as Natalie or something? Darren's been waxed! Devil Woman the song and she went for the character, a very sedate Paso! Len: All the ingredients, needs a bit more flavour, but your best dance yet; Alesha: Character in abundance, good use of hands; Bruno: How long do I have to wait for the fire inside? Lynda: It's coming, it's coming! Craig: Hitting classic lines, more movement needed. Score: 25 There's not going to be much between them tonight.

Chrola are quickstepping, but first: Kenny turns up in training with cake! What a guy! Great song but, ooh, looks like he's taking penalties with those charleston kicks! But it's an enjoyable effort and a real shame he lost some of the steps. It's apparent he can dance and it's another strong routine from Ola. Alesha: Dancing comes naturally but ... ; Bruno: Dived in and messed up ... there is a dancer there; Craig: Footwork dodgy, face completely selling it, energy. We're down to just three judges now, due to time, in case you think I'm ignoring Len! Score: 25 will need us to make him safe!

Zojam have a great song You've Got the Love - but not for a Paso. I liked the start but I'm waiting for an explosion and the music never gave them the opportunity to explode. A very quiet Paso. Well done, but too quiet. Bruno: This worked, in spite of being restrained, beautiful figures; Craig: Completely in control, shapes and line strong, not many accents in the music; Len: Highly talented dancer, needed a little more passion and drama. Score: 31 Think they'll be safe but that wasn't what you'd call a crowd pleaser.

Ravona and did you know, the quickstep is very fast! Nice tail swings, charleston a bit stiff, Rav came alive with it, having a great time, finishing with a cartwheel BUT I dunno, Aliona seems to be strangely uninvolved - and that could cost them; at this stage, the partnership is more important than technique. Craig: Oh dear, disjointed, choreography needs to be more tailored; Len: Captured the fun of the dance; Alesha: bit cheesy, Rav left alone too much. They all loved the cartwheel! Score: 20 in the danger zone again.

Vinalie have a terrific traditional piece of music and there's improvement in Natalie's top half, bit lazy legged though, not very elegant. Vincent plays to his partner's strengths though. Alesha: You do it with conviction, loved the Flamenco; Bruno: When you get your bum into gear, it's great; Craig: Arms inconsistent, loved the content, not completely realised. Score: 28. Could end up in the danger area.

Cravia and Flav's winding Craig up, literally, with an imaginary key in training, which had looked good (the training, not the key). Very tense again, though quite lightfooted but not comfortable on his own, timing out, and still not smiling. Great song, real shame. Bruno: A disaster, so much went wrong; Craig: Lacked musicality; Len: The trouble is, it's like a snowball, once it goes wrong, you can't catch up. Score: 21 another anxious wait.

Ricalie: It's sexy, it's masculine and I'm not wearing pink, says Ricky! Oooh, a big flourish to before the start - traditonal, strong, musical - OH YES! Now that's what I call a Paso, that's much more like it! Fab-u-lous, loved it! Craig: Yes! Yes! Yes! Len: You could smell the blood and the Spanish onions; Alesha: Never seen anyone in any series come out and do a Paso like that (I'd have to say Goughie there!) Score: 35 Safe. Nothing will beat that tonight.

Ianade are gonna do the quickstep in 45 seconds, lol. That standing jump in rehearsal - how high?! Much better once in hold, Jade behind Ian a couple of times, but overall, lovely routine, well executed, lots of long jumps, loved the song! Len: Tall people etc ... really really well; Alesha: Liked all the flying around the room, great balance between personality and technique; Bruno: Topline and arms much better, loved the leaps. Score: 31

Jostina - Nice belt! Nice cape! Fantastic song, well choreographed, a definite improvement in his movement. I sense the timing there somewhere! Alesha: An improvement, definitely, showed more expression; Bruno: Listen to the music, so it goes within you; Craig: Starchy, stiff, did have more movement than a dead man dancing. Score: 19 Joe, to his mum: Hope you enjoyed it in some way! Safe before, don't think that will lose him fans!

Lainton quickstep, and whilst you sense Laila is terrified, she can't stop smiling. Very nicely done, elegant and traditional, bit of a wobble in there. Bruno: Elegant, shame about the mistake; Craig: Very very Anton du Beke, classy; Len: A diamond, a little lu clip (can't read my writing, if you've any idea what he actually said, please leave a comment) beautiful arms. Hiccup!!! LOL - just got it! Only cos I've used it in the next one and spotted it! Score: 30

Jodan and can sweet little Jo be aggressive enough - try thinking about Craig! She wasn't but nice attitude through another well choreographed routine, with a great song choice. Another improver - and that's both "aggresive" dances out of the way! Should take confidence from that and would imagine she'll have the foxtrot next week, safe in Brendan's arms. Craig: Central core failing you, some improvement; Len: Your best dance to date; Alesha: really acted well, work on ankles. Score: 20 again, safe before, so ...

Phitya, another with injury woes but it's luvverly jubberly, perfect song choice; he put on a happy face and covered a mistake well in another bright routine. Len: The footwork was good, OK not KO; Alesha: Lightfooted, lovely flair, still beautiful; Bruno: Happy go lucky, great chemistry, sailing away until you hit the iceberg. Score: 24 Should have been higher, sure he'll be safe though. You don't abandon them for one mistake!

Rickin and That Paso we've been promised - attitude coming up: Hup Hup Hup! Speedy it is, he looks the part. Oh Wow - what a performance! Strong, fun - he can really move, great footwork and a genius song for him. Alesha: That was genius, never thought I'd see comedy in a Paso, spot on, so excited; Bruno: Rampant bull in the mating season, I want it and I want it NOW! Craig: Wanted a little more finesse (hoots of laughter from everyone) very strong, a Paso you should be proud of. Score: 29 Safe.

My bottom two prediction: Rav (the lack of connection between him and Aliona) a shame because I felt that was his best performance, and Craig (still too serious) although - the voters can't save everyone so may see one of the other low scorers there. Before we find out there's a beautiful pro foxtrot to Fly Me To The Moon - the timing at the end, sublime.

The judges summary - Rickin shone for Craig "what this show is all about, coming out and diving in, releasing inhibitions, more important than technique *Hurrah*; Len agrees that Rickin are dark horses emerging, along with Lainton, Ianade and charming Phitya - also wanted to credit the singers and band for a fantastic night; Alesha says no individual couple should be more worried - no-one's safe; Bruno emphasizes how important it is to bring your personality to the floor - reveal personality through the character of the dance and engage the audience. My votes went to Alian, Chrola, Ricalie, Phitya and Rickin.

We're treated to a Pro salsa by the Richard Marcel dancers and the wisdom of the teeny tiny pro dancers of tomorrow, Andy Williams sings Moon River, accompanied by the gorgeous waltzing of Matt and Aliona and Darren and Lilia.

It's The Moment of Truth: Safe - Jostina! Chrola, Yay! Rickin, Yay! Alian, Yay! Phitya, Yay! Lainton; Ricalie, Yay! Ianade,Vinalie, Jodan! Zojam - they were getting very worried! Cravia, oooh! It's the Darrynda Paso versus the Ravona Quickstep. Darrynda are better second time around; Rav mucked up the beginning and made it obvious - he does tend to show his frustrations too clearly - it's a clean sweep for Darrynda.

It's a shame, I think Rav could have done well - have to say I haven't warmed to Aliona the way I have to Natalie and Katya, Rav's body language in the final dance suggests all was not well; a perfect illustration of how important the partnerships are.