BBC Strictly Come Dancing - Week 4 - Rachel Stevens

Even before the competition commenced, Rachel Stevens was the favourite of the female competitors to win this years BBC Strictly Come Dancing competition. Again, she performed almost flawlessly, but was outscored by actress Cherie Lunghi for a second time. Here is her Quickstep routine courtesey of the BBC and YouTube.

Rachel, who is a joy to watch still remains favourite of the women at 7-2 and Lunghi has gradually closed to gap and now stands at 9-2. Despite scoring higher each time, the view is that Rachel has the most scope for improvement with dance partner Vincent. In these competitions it always best not to peak too early as the viewing public always seem more supportive of people coming through or underdogs.

If Rachel is to win the sixth series however, she would need to topple both Austin Healey and Holby City Start, Tom Chambers. May she can. This years competition definitely looks between Healey, Chambers, Lunghi and Stevens.

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BBC Strictly - Week 2, Lunghi leads

7-2 to go out first, before the show, now seems such ridiculous odds for Cherie Lunghi. Cherie and dance partner, James Jordan, made an impressive first performance to lead the table after the Judges vote. They scored 33, two points more than one of the hot favourites, Rachel Stevens. It was the best thing that could have happened and now the competition is well and truly set!

The scores after the Judges vote are,

Cherie Lunghi & James Jordan 33

Rachel Stevens & Vincent Simone 31
Chistine Bleakley & Matthew Cutler 27
Heather Small & Brian Fortuna 26
Jody Kidd & Ian Waite 25
Lisa Snowdon & Brendan Cole 22
Gillian Taylforth & Anton Du Beke 22
Jessie Wallace & Darren Bennett 20

As predicted, Gillian Taylforth and Jessie Wallace find themselves in the bottom two after the Judges vote. It is close. After the viewers vote is added, I believe any of the bottom four could find themselves in the dance-off this evening. It will be hard for Jessie to escape it, but Gillian and ever-popular Anton Du Beke may steal enough votes to be safe. This could leave Lisa Snowdon or Jody Kidd vulnerable.

Jessie Wallace looks favourite to go, but this week could be a very close one.

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www.jenkin7.co.uk

BBC Strictly - First week for the women - Latest Odds

If you have been following Strictly Come Dancing this year, you will know that this week sees the women contestants compete for the first time. Below are the latest odds in the market for who will be voted out first.

Gillian Taylforth 7/4
Jessie Wallace 11/4
Cherie Lunghi 7/2
Jodie Kidd 5/1
Heather Small 7/1
Lisa Snowdon 20/1
Christine Bleakley 20/1
Rachel Stevens 40/1

Cherie Lunghi is a little short at 7/2. In practice she has looked pretty good and I don't think there is much chance of her bailing out on her opening week. Clips of her with partner, James Jordon, show her to be impressive. A BBC biography from several years ago described her as "skilled at ballet, ballroom, jazz and tap-dancing". Hmmmm, could be an unfair advantage there. Although some time ago, it appears that Cherie Lunghi is a trained dancer. This is something the Bookies don't seem to be taking into account in their calculations.

I think the public will vote for Gillian Taylforth if she finishes bottom after the Judges scoring so my prediction for the bottom two this week are Jodie Kidd and Jessie Wallace. Make sure you watch the show this Evening !!!

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www.jenkin7.co.uk