Dancing on Wheels: Euro Champs!

A recap of the show first and James and Caroline learn the good news - they have five dances all in quick succession! Which is all good, except for Caroline's injured toe and James' injured wrist, but they get there ok. James expecting more than Caroline, who doesn't want to get their hopes up.

Di and Mark are bringing dance to disabled children and the kids are brilliant - and then they tackle Mayor Boris and he promises to look into funding to allow wheelchair dancesport a place in the 2012 cultural Olympiad.

At the championships Caroline has an attack of nerves, intimidated by the experience and dedication of the other competitors. But other nations see potential in her and James! And they're off: Samba; Cha Cha; Paso Doble; Rumba; Jive. (Great music choices too!) They don't make it straight through and dance off again for their last chance at making the semi. It's a no - but to be fair it was a big ask and they do beat Germany and Finland to come 15th out of 17!

Go on-line at www.bbc.co.uk/dancingonwheels for information on how to participate in wheelchair dance.

Dancing on Wheels: The Final

James and Caroline versus Diana and Mark; two routines each, a ballroom and a Latin. James not keen on the jive song they've got; I sympathize, I can't dance to songs I don't like either. Di unhappy when Mark has to miss out on a morning's training. Brian sends some tough love their way! But then he relents and lets James choose 'Do You Love Me' - Ola probably will! He gives them a break from training and takes them indoor skydiving - I want to do that!

Showtime! Di and Mark rumba first - not a favourite of mine, I have to say, but well done. Blimey, Ade just said exactly the same, spooky! Mark's posture made it a little uncomfortable.

James and Caroline Viennese Waltz - I loved that, thought James presented Caroline beautifully and really enjoyed it - Ade saw that too! For me, it's 1-0 to these two at the moment.

Onto their stronger dances, Di and Mark with a fabulous Quickstep, full of energy and fun, real sparkle and a standation from the audience! It's 1-1!

James and Caroline jive and it's a WOW, Caroline danced a blinder, James brilliant. It's 2-1 for me to these two - but I've a niggling feeling it'll go to Di and Mark.

The judges deliberations aren't filling me with confidence about James and Caroline's chances - I think Ola and Ade are veering towards Di and Mark, with James for his namesake and Caroline, who expresses her fears over their lazy reputation, although Ade now seems to be wavering. It's unanimous and judging on their strengths - so I'm still thinking Di and Mark's ballroom may get it when they announce it's James and Caroline! Yay!!

Last one in the series next week, we'll see how they got on in the Championships!

Dancing on Wheels: Semi Final!

Pep talk - a warm tribute to Harry the morning after; Mark and Di, as you were - James and Caroline, work harder!

Harry and Michelle have a samba and Harry learns to shimmy! But he's not so keen on the burnt orange top - but agrees it's better than what they've given James! They've nothing to lose so very positive, we don't see an awful lot of the routine except the great shimmies! Slight slip from Michelle, not great technique but they make up for it in chemistry.

Di and Mark with a slow waltz and there's adrenalin overload for Mark as tiredness sets in - but it's all forgotten at the tea dance, where their routine is roundly applauded, and in the show itself it's beautiful, very touching, Mark dancing the best I've seen him and a terrific trick ending.

James and Caroline have salsa ... and a gorgeous puppy! Until he did whoopsies on the dance floor, into the play pen with you! Caroline forgets the routine at the salsa club but it's all about getting the feel - which they do! Their routine is a real WOW, timing great, full of tricks, brilliant. Even with James in a Bruno cast off!

They're still having a dance off - the one couple straight through is James and Caroline. And I don't see how they could possibly let Di and Mark go - they don't, it's unanimous, although everyone is so sad to say farewell to Harry and Michelle. At least we get to see more of the samba.

Final next week, with the big prize up for grabs!

Dancing on Wheels Week 3

But first, some Do's and Don'ts for contestants on reality dance shows:

1. Do stick a smile on your face, regardless of how bloody annoyed you are.

2. Don't ever, ever express your own opinion ... on anything, even the price of carrots.

3. Do toe the party line.

4. Don't take offence at any personal insults thrown your way, you're not the star, no-one cares.

5. Do ensure your family and friends never portray you as anything other than a throughly nice person with a sunny disposition.

5 (a) Don't let your loved one be duped into listing your faults on camera, it will be used against you.

6. Do not Rock The Boat. Ever. It'll be the last thing you do.

7. Don't let the cameras catch you having a five minute strop within a twenty hour training session - it's all we'll see when they edit. (Jade Johnson anyone?)

8. Do pretend to camera that everything is fine and that nothing is too much trouble.

9. Don't ever let the cameras see you so much as mouthing "I'm not sure I can do this" or any other negative phrase.

10. Do remember that the Powers That Be like to court controversy and will edit their show accordingly.

Anyway, moving on. Pep talk and de-brief, Brian saw different to me and the judges with regard to Simone's performance last week, tension abounds throughout. James and Caroline having trouble meeting up for training means a lack of, well, training. Harry and Michelle attempting a move that leaves Harry a wreck, but he's being brave because the Show Must Go On. Di throws a strop at Simone. Brian spent the week at the Jason Gardiner School of Charm, presumably; Simone puts forward her viewpoint succinctly, calmly and reasonably. What is she like? Apart from knowing she's clearly leaving the competition this week (think Hayley on SYTYCD and Sharron on DOI).

Simone and Kevin out first for their Viennese Waltz, it's a lovely dance, Kevin much improved this week, but Simone finding it hard to put a smile on her face, knowing she's out.

James and Caroline perform a Paso Doble, it's full of energy, Caroline really throws herself into it, makes a mess of the wrist-ripper or bum thingy as James calls it.

Michelle and Harry are the happiest couple, much improved posture for Harry and Michelle shows such joy in a very nice routine.

Di and Mark with a WOW Paso Doble, powerful and full of attitude and crowd pleasing tricks.

So who'll be in the dance off with Simone and Kevin (not that it matters, obviously). No wake-up call for James and Caroline; Di and Mark straight through, let's make the one we want to save with the potentially damaging move do it again, Harry and Michelle. But we know who's going.

Told you so.

Dancing On Wheels Week 2

It's the rumba and foxtrot this week and the couples in various stages of readiness: Michelle working hard to keep Harry positive; Heather training alone while Paul enjoys Glastonbury; Di has ditched her prosthetic legs and is enjoying the freedom; Kevin and Simone working on the luuurrrve factor; James concered for Caroline, who spent the night before the show puking up!

Di and Mark out first for an impressive foxtrot, setting the bar for the evening, Di loving every second, great partnership, very musical, a shoe in for next week. Paul and Heather much improved on last week, although I think Heather was counting! It wasn't enough to save them from the dance off again though their rumba was better the second time around. Simone and Kevin also had a rumba and Simone once more gave a lovely performance, Kevin's arms a bit poncey but they have so much potential and the judges put them through. Harry and Michelle's rumba a bit messy and although also improved on last week, it doesn't keep them out of the dance off; kudos for Harry, carrying on with his legs in spasm. James and Caroline take Performance of the Night, both shone in their lovely foxtrot, the only couple who managed that.

So with James & Caroline, Di & Mark and Simone & Kevin all safe, Harry & Michelle took on Paul and Heather in the dance off, with Harry and Michelle's improved performance and potential getting the nod from the judges.

It's all pretty even now, going into week three!

Dancing on Wheels

Strong Language warning??!! James? No, it's Brian ... and the contestants *looks shocked* I'm kidding, Dancing on Wheels is an altogether different beast to Strictly Come Dancing, much more earthy and the documentary style narration reflects this. We're told their stories and there it stops, none of the repetitive VT's the other shows force feed us. There's simply no need, we know what these contestants have gone through to get here and it genuinely is all about their journey to come.

With Brian's Fame-style pep talk in their ears and with just four weeks training behind them, the couples took to the dance floor. The girls had Tango, with Simone, all major vampy attitude and her partner, Kevin setting the bar for the remaining weeks. Kevin a positive revelation - until you remember he's probably getting some in-depth personal tuition at home! But very impessive; I hope they let him do Strictly.

Closely following them are Mark and Diana, another top notch, full of attitude and a great connection, incredible spins. Is it unfair to say that was the best I've seen Mark dance? Diffferent kind of pressure, I guess, much more relaxed.

Carolyne and Martin couldn't quite match the aggression of the other two tangos and subsequently ended up in the dance off, with a slowish routine which I thought did hold the intent though. Judges James, Ola and Ade couldn't agree either.

The lads have a cha cha and unfortunately we're seeing more of the celebrity girls shaking their things. Michelle and Harry began well, but nerves took hold of Harry as they went along; Paul and Heather went off time unfortunately, which put them in the danger zone, while Caroline and James performed the best Cha Cha, James an improvisational contemporary dancer, full of confidence which showed in his assured performance.

It was Carolyne and Martin who lost out in the dance off to Heather and Paul, the judges taking through who they believe has more potential for improvement. Carolyne says she will continue to dance though, now she knows she can.

If you haven't previously read about the format of the show and the couples, you can catch up on my earlier post here.

Snippets ... DOI, SCD, DOW,

Dancing on Ice's Jason Gardiner has been forced to apologise for his outrageous comments to Sharron Davies on Sunday, quite rightly too!

The Blackpool Tower management are in negotiation with Strictly Come Dancing to stage the whole show there next year ... will we see a one off show back at BBC TV Centre, with a celebrity pleading "Just let me make it to London, please get me to London ..." and a nice article here with the SCD Band's Hayley Sanderson.

An excellent article by Viv Groskop in the Guardian online, regarding the new celebrity status of choreographers!

And Mark Foster, soon to appear on Dancing on Wheels, shares his thoughts on Digital Spy.

Dancing On Wheels

The date for airing this series on BBC3 has been announced - it's all systems go on Thursday 11th February (How pleased am I it's not on at the weekend!)

The wheelchair dancers are Carolyne Underwood, Diana Morgan-Hill, Harry Maule, James O'Shea, Paul Jacob and Simone Milani, partnered by celebrities Heather Small of M People, world champion swimmer Mark Foster, TV presenter Caroline Flack, Hollyoaks actor Kevin Sacre, actress and singer Michelle Gayle and rugby league legend Martin Offiah, with judging duties given over to James and Ola Jordan and paralympic athlete Ade Adepitan.

Together with their wheelchair partners, the couples are competing to represent the UK in the International Wheelchair Dancing Competition in Tel Aviv.

Week One will see three couples dancing a cha cha, with the remaining three a tango. Here's the preview:

Dancing on Wheels: Press Release! It's coming soon ...

... as copied from the BBC Press Release itself (check out the video there).

Wheelchair Dance Sport is something few Britons have heard of, even though it originated here. BBC Three aims to change all that with Dancing On Wheels, a glitzy and ground-breaking new series in which celebrities partner wheelchair users for a dance competition with a difference.

The couples must learn from scratch the art of Wheelchair Dance Sport. Although it started in Britain in the Sixties it never really caught on here, instead becoming popular internationally with competitions and championships held around the world. This series aims to put the sport back on the UK map with the eventual winners going forward to represent the UK at the Wheelchair Dance Sport European Championships.

Coached and choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing’s Brian Fortuna with help from his professional partner Kristina Rihanoff, the celebrity dancers – Heather Small, Mark Foster, Caroline Flack, Martin Offiah, Michelle Gayle and Kevin Sacre – partner wheelchair users from around the country, none of whom have ever attempted wheelchair dancing before. Their dances, which include the waltz, cha cha cha, tango and rhumba, are judged by Strictly’s James and Ola Jordan and Paralympian Ade Adepitan who must choose which couple to eliminate from the competition each week.

The Dancing On Wheels website features information about the sport, while the exciting interactive You Be The Judge application allows users to test how well they can judge the skills and compare their views with choreographer Brian Fortuna. There will also be videos and updates on all those involved in the show and the opportunity for discussion and debate on the BBC Ouch! website.

Brief news on Mandy Montanez of So You Think You Can Dance.

News in Brief: DWTS, SYTYCD, DOI

Trav's thoughts are in on this weeks Dancing With the Stars, who are now down to their Top Five! And So You Think You Can Dance has already whittled down to 16!

Dancing On Ice has had more celebrities leaked! Apparently Hollyoaks Keiron Richardson, former Corrie star Danny Young, Eternal's Kelle Bryan, actress Emily Atack, actor Jeremy Sheffield, and Sinitta will be joining those already signed up - I make it about 48 celebs so far - better make sure I'm doing nothing all day on a Sunday from January!

SYTYCD's Mary Murphy is also now joining Burn the Floor for a turn. Tara Jean Popovitch wins SYTYCD Canada.

Dancing Round The World - the Axis Dance Company in Oregon paves the way for Dancing on Wheels.

The dance world honours Patrick Swayze with the Rolex Dance Award.

News in Brief: DWTS, SYTYCD, DOW

Mark Foster talks about his time on Strictly Come Dancing and his involvement in Dancing on Wheels, which will air on BBC3 in January. Somebody in the Beeb is a dance nut!

Dancing With The Stars will pay tribute to Patrick Swayze in their results show on 23rd September.

And So You Think You Can Dance will air a special programme profiling their Top 20, as proposed by Nigel Lythgoe and embraced by the fans!

Anton's emergency op, Brian Fortuna and Dancing on Wheels

Strictly Come Dancing's Anton Du Beke is recovering following an emergency operation for a twisted colon, after being taken ill on holiday in Italy. And while they were down there, they took his appendix as well - but there's no stopping Anton and four weeks later he was back and in attandance at dancer partner Erin Boag's wedding. Wonder who choreographed the first dance and what they danced to?

Fortuna's Fantastics fantastic blog popped up today - if you took a fancy to Brian during the last series (as did I) get yourself over there and check out their Youtube account! Brian is also involved with a new series being filmed for BBC3 - with the working title 'Dancing on Wheels', the show is filming now with a transmission date of January 2010. Able bodied stars taking part include Brian's Strictly partner Heather Small, plus Mark Foster from last year's SCD celebs, together with Kevin Sacre, fiancee of 2008 Strictly winner, Camilla Dallerup. Check out the blog link up there, for further info about Wheelchair Dancesport, with which Brian's mother, Sandra is heavily involved.