The Y Factor

It happens every year with these TV Talent shows. One act is so awful to such an infinite level, that they progress much much further than any sane world would normally allow. But... we don't live in a sane world do we? The proof is there for all to see.

Previous World-Class terrible acts that have featured on the X Factor have included Chico and the Cheeky Girls, but twins John & Edward, this year, have taken the art to a whole new level. When it come to the genre of awful performances, they are surely Galactic if not Universal Class.

But... they are entertaining. This is the Y Factor and they have it in huge great big spades. Each week I cross my fingers they will be voted through, just to see the car wreck they will perform the following week.

If they win the whole competition, Simon Cowell will surely break down in a flood of tears. Good Luck to John and Edward! I probably won't be buying any of your albums though.

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Giftware & Collectables

BBC Strictly - Week 4 - Lisa Snowdon & Brendon making headway

Week 4 of BBC Strictly Come Dancing saw Lisa Snowdon and professional dance partner Brendon Cole make some serious headway. After a mediocre opening week, their Rumba scored an impressive 32 with the Judges to put them into provisional third place.

On Saturday, the pair perform the American Smooth. With the increased momentum fueled by week 4's great performance, it would be interesting to see the couple improve again to threaten the established leaders. This promises to be the closest competition of all six series so far and Lisa could well be the dark horse.

Courtesy of the BBC and YouTube here is their Rumba from Week 4 which has really given them a solid platform to work off.

Remember to watch Strictly Come Dancing this Saturday night. Will Cherie Lunghi top the leaderboard again? Will Tom Chambers finish ahead of Austin Healey? Will Rachel Stevens blast everybody away? Will John Sergeant get a perfect 40 from the Judges and be signed up for an 8 season run on a sell-out Broadway musical?

All is waiting to be revealed!

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BBC Strictly - Week 4 - Heather verses Jessie

Following my previous blog, here is how the result played out between Heather and Jessie in the Strictly Come Dancing Dance off,

Both struggled, but the decision was unanimous for Heather, I think as she struggled the least.

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BBC Strictly - Week 3, Rachel looking good

Despite being outscored by fellow contestant, Cherie Lunghi, Rachel Stevens still remains favourite of the women to take the title. She is bound to improve through the weeks and probably has the most scope for doing so. Her first showing, dancing the Salsa, was a solid performance.

Week 3 sees the men dance for the second time.

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BBC Strictly - Week 3: Latest Odds

So now we are into week 3 of the Strictly Come Dancing Competition. Here are the latest odds to win after everybody has danced their first performance.

Austin Healey 3/1
Tom Chambers 7/2
Rachel Stevens 7/2
Cherie Lunghi 6/1
Christine Bleakley 8/1
Lisa Snowdon 12/1
Mark Foster 16/1
Heather Small 16/1
Andrew Castle 16/1
Jodie Kidd 25/1
Jessie Wallace 40/1
John Sergeant 50/1
Gary Rhodes 50/1
Don Warrington 100/1

Big movers in the market are Cherie Lunghi and Christine Bleakley both receiving positive support and are now placed 4th and 5th in the market respectively.

Jessie Wallace drops slightly to 40-1 from 25-1 and Gary Rhodes edges outwards very marginally. John Sergeant continues to flip-flop between 50 and 80-1. I would be very surprised if he gets knocked out this week though.

The top three in the market remain solid and quite frankly, the Bookies do not want to know anyone else. According to them, Austin Healey, Tom Chambers or Rachel Stevens will win. I hope they're wrong, there's nothing like a good upset for a bit of drama.

Week 3 sees just the men perform.

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BBC Strictly - Week 2: Jody Kidd v Gillian Taylforth

Here's how the final vote panned out with the judges yesterday between Jody Kidd and Gillian Taylforth. Both had to compete this week in the dance-off for survival.

In the end the decision was unanimous. Jody's improvement over her first dance was remarkable.

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Gillian Second out

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BBC Strictly - Gillian Taylforth Second out

Gillian Taylforth becomes the second celebrity to be voted out of BBC Strictly come dancing.

After the initial judges vote, she found herself in the bottom two with Jessie Wallace. Wallace escaped after the viewers vote was added, as often happens with the competitor who finishes initially last. The phenomena also happened to Gary Rhodes the previous week.

Taylforth and partner, Anton Du Beke, faced Jodie Kidd & Ian Waite in the bottom-two dance off. Jody improved massively over her first performance and arguably shouldn't have featured in the dance off anyway. The Judges decided unanimously to save Jody.

Gillian wasn't bad in the competition, but I think it was the right decision. The skill level of the Celebrities seems to go up every year, and Gillian probably wouldn't have gone out as early other years.

So here we are... two down, who will be next?

Cherie Lunghi was the revelation of the first dance and it will be interesting to see what her odds are to win on Monday. Before her first appearance, the Bookies didn't fancy her at all, but I strongly suspect they will be changing their minds pretty sharpish.

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Phil Daniels First Out

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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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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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BBC Strictly - Come on John Sergeant !!!

Ever since the Celebrity lineup was announced for this season's Strictly Come Dancing, John Sergeant has been one of the rank outsiders. He first opened up at 80-1 with the Bookies, then after a competent performance in week 1 moved in to 50-1, but this week has since drifted out to 66-1 despite escaping the bottom two in the opener.

His performance shown above, courtesy of the BBC and YouTube with new dance partner, Kristina Rhianoff, was a good first week opener where the older celebrities have a history of going out early.

It looks as if John's odds will continue to fluctuate between 50-1 and about 80-1, but I'm hoping he goes a lot further than expected. He will be good at the slow waltzes and other classic ballroom dances, but anything a bit quicker could be a problem. The public always vote well for amusing performances or spirited efforts despite the odds and difficulties so this could well play into his favour. Get voting for John !!! :)

Gillian Taylfoth is still favourite to go out first in the women's section on Monday. She is reportedly carrying an injury. Will this win her a few extra votes... most probably.

Related Stories
Taylforth losing Favour

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BBC Strictly - Taylforth losing favour

Monday saw Gillian Taylforth 33-1 to win this years BBC Strictly Come Dancing show.

Just two days later, her odds have now gone out to a weak 50-1. These are the same odds as John Sergeant, former political editor of ITN. If the odds can be believed, she is now a very strong favourite to voted out first of the women. 50-1? Is she really that bad. Seems hard to believe. The nearest competitor for this week to her is Jessie Wallace at 25-1.

Gillian Taylforth is quoted at 7/4 to be voted off. It maybe famous-last-words time, but I think she has a good chance of survival.

Gary Rhodes and other past celebrities have shown, if you are bad enough, the voting public will keep you in.

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BBC Strictly - Phil vs Don

Following on from my latest Strictly Blog, here is a recording of how the final vote panned out.

Phil Daniels was perhaps a little unlucky, but that's the nature of the competition. There wasn't much to choose between Don and Phil in the end and really, Gary Rhodes should have been in the bottom two instead of Phil. That's just my opinion of course, and the voting public strongly disagrees!

This Saturday see the female celebrities strut their stuff for the first time.

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BBC Strictly - Week 2 - Latest Odds

The first week is complete and now we are into week 2, which sees the female contestants dance for the first time. Latest odds with WilliamHill to win the sixth series outright are,

Austin Healey 3/1

Tom Chambers 4/1
Rachel Stevens 4/1
Lisa Snowdon 8/1
Christine Bleakley 8/1
Mark Foster 10/1
Heather Small 14/1
Cherie Lunghi 16/1
Andrew Castle 16/1
Jodie Kidd 20/1
Jessie Wallace 25/1
Gillian Taylforth 33/1
Gary Rhodes 40/1
John Sergeant 50/1
Don Warrington 100/1

Austen Healy has become the new favourite after his first performance. Rachel Stevens still looks string at 4-1 and John Sergeant has moved in to 50-1 from 80-1 a few days ago. According to the market, Gillian Taylforth looks the most vulnerable of the women to go... but... who knows ?

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BBC Strictly - Phil Daniels First Out

Phil Daniels has become the first celebrity to be knocked out of this years Come Dancing Competition.

After the Judges votes yesterday, Daniels lay third from bottom and temporarily safe. Alas, when added to the votes of the British public, he slipped into the bottom two and was paired against Don Warrington in the dreaded dance off.

Gary Rhodes had originally placed last after the Judges vote, but found popularity with the voters (as often is the case with last placers) and leaped clear of the danger zone. This placed Eastend star, Daniels in an unenviable position.

After dancing again, Don Warrington was thought to be the better of the two, and survives to face week three where the men and women mix into the one competition. It was a close vote though, evens with the judges at 2-2, but Head Judge, Len Goodman had the final decision and halted Daniels progress.

Just how far can Gary Rhodes go? If he doesn't improve at all.. probably a long way. The public liked to be entertained and will often continually back an underdog.

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing is underway !

And so, the competition has finally begun! Saturday night saw the opener of the sixth series of Strictly Come Dancing on the BBC with the male contestants performing their first dance in front of the cameras.

Understandably some looked pretty awkward, but this is only week 1 after all and the name of the game surely must be survival in order to get more time to train and feel at ease with the whole process.

John Sargeant, the 80-1 shot and perhaps favourite to go out first before the start pulled out an accomplished performance to defy the bookies odds. Judge Craig Revel Horwood commented, "Very warm and Honest performance."

Maybe most shocking, later, Judge Craig scored celebrity chef, Gary Rhodes, a measly 1 out of 10. This is the lowest score it is possible to give. If Mr Rhodes had stormed out without his dance partner, set Bruce Forsyth on fire, rolled across the dance floor then spurted out Nazi propaganda, he still would have had to get a 1. 1, I felt, a little harsh... but then again, here is the footage,

This score, puts Gary at the bottom of the table as we look to add the viewers votes announced later today. If he gets through, he can only improve.

The scores after the Judges vote are,

Austin & Erin 32
Tom & Camilla 28
Andrew & Ola 23
Mark & Hayley 22
John & Kristina 22
Phil & Flavia 20
Don & Lilia 19
Gary & Karen 17

The bottom two in the table after the viewers vote is added will face the dreaded dance off and be at the Judges mercy for competition survival. With his popularity with the public, surely John Sargeant is safe this opening week. Don Warrington of Rising Damp fame looks vulnerable. In the past, viewers have tended to vote big for the celebrity in last place so it could make it awkward for Quadromphenia and Eastenders star, Phil Daniels.

Be sure to watch the results show on BBC1 this Sunday.

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BBC Celebrity Strictly Come Dancing - Starts Tonight !

Tonight sees the start of the new series of "Celebrity Strictly Come Dancing". Sixteen Celebrities this year compete in the BBC's top ratings, Saturday night show. All will wish to walk away at the end as the eventual winner. Of course, some have a lot better chances than others. But... you never know. With the voting public in charge of half the vote, there could well be some surprises along the way.

This years male contestants are,

John Sargeant, Phil Daniels, Don Warrington, Tom Chambers, Andrew Castle, Austen Healy, Gary Rhodes and Mark Foster.

And the female entrants are,

Cheri Lunghi, Heather Small, Jodie Kidd, Gillian Taylforth, Christina Bleakley, Jessie Wallace, Lisa Snowdon and Rachel Stevens.

The hughely popular show, hosted by TV legend, Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly will now be into its 6th year and it continues to get better with each revolution.

Tonight's opener sees just the men perform and next week, the women. One Celebrity will be voted off from each group until the men and women will compete together from week 3 onwards. Previously it has proved its not just the dance performance that can put a contestant through, but also the size of their fan-base with the public. Expect many of the contestants to appear on other random Television programmes as they attempt to drum up more support.

At this early stage, Bookmakers, William Hill, have Tom Chambers as the 3-1 Favourite to win with former S-Club7 singer, Rachel Stevens hot on his heels at 4-1. John Sargeant currently ranks as outsider at 80-1, but I think he could have a good run.

The Show starts tonight on BBC1 at 6:10pm. Don't miss it!

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