Sunday 3rd February.
Strictly Come Dancing evening performance.
Starting off with the traditional theme music and a little dance from Kate Thornton and judges Len Goodman, Arlene Phillips and Craig Revel-Horwood, the performance was under-way.
The stars of the show came down to "meet us" and then the dances began, starting with the Ballroom:
Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova - Foxtrot:-
A great Foxtrot to Big Spender. Loved the music and the choreography. Great start to the evening.
Denise Lewis and Matthew Cutler - Quickstep:-
The music for this dance was fab (it was Sing Sing Sing from Chicargo). Lighting was great. It was a shame about the mistake she made half-way through which was obvious to everyone, even if you weren't paying that much attention. The most disappointing performance of the night.
Christopher Parker and Nicole Cutler - Tango:-
Much better than I expected. Apart from using Kate and Anton's Paso Doble music (Somebody Told Me by The Killers), the performance was good, and I think either he has been practising or Nicole has worked him very hard.
James Martin and Camilla Dallerup - Waltz:-
A lovely Waltz. James was always much better at the Ballroom. Camilla and him make a good partnership and the dance was certainly his best (better than in the series).
Letitia Dean and Darren Bennett - Foxtrot:-
Dancing in her Waltz dress to Call Me Irresponsible, Letitia Dean trotted round the floor like she was a proffessional. She might not have been the best dancer but she certainly put everything into her performance. Really good.
Louisa Lytton and Vincent Simone - Argentine Tango:-
In a sparkly short-cut red dress, Louisa Lytton took to the floor and the whole place erupted. I didn't think she would be able to cope with the passion of the Argentine Tango, but it was fabulous. One of the best dances of the night. And the lifts were amazing.
Matt di Angelo and Flavia Cacace - American Smooth:-
As Kate Thornton announced "Here's what they've been up to since the final" before the video clips, two women behind me giggled "We know what they've been up to!". Great lifts and a good all-round dance.
Zoe Ball and Ian Waite - Tango:-
Great. I loved this dance on Series 3, and seeing it live was amazing. Craig rambled on about a timing issue that made him not give a 10, but I didn't notice it, unlike Denise Lewis' mistake.
After a Latin masterclass from the professionals it was time for a break, and we could vote. On the first round performances, I voted for Louisa and Vincent, and Zoe and Ian.
After the break, the performace restarted with a Vieniesse Waltz by all the couples to Perfect Day, which was enchanting and absoloutely beautiful. And then the Latin round began.
Darren and Lilia - Paso Doble:-
This was when my final vote was cast. It was truely inspiring to see a crickiter to be able to dance like he did in the dance. The costumes were also amazing.
Denise and Matthew - Rumba:-
To the sound of My Heart Will Go On, Denise rumbaed amazingly. Apart from a small wardrobe malfunction when her leg got caught in the dress (which Kate Thornton commmented on by saying "We nearly saw your gold medals, Denise!"), I was amazed by her change from an average Quickstep to an amazing Rumba.
Chris and Nicole - Paso Doble:-
Hmm. It was OK. Running round the MEN Arena with a cape around your neck like Batman must need a lot of courage. And, like he said, Christopher Parker's Strictly journey wouldn't be the same without the Paso Doble. I just wish it had been better!
James and Camilla - Cha Cha Cha:-
A few changes from their original: Camilla wore the dress she wore with Gethin for her Jive this year, and they danced to the track Camilla and Ray danced to in Series 4. Wasn't that good. Then when he went for the results, he told us all about his chicken-wire underwear. Hmm.
Letitia and Darren - Jive:-
Amazing. She put in more than 10000000% and it was soooo worth it! Bouncing around like she was Louisa Lytton, she got the whole of the MEN Arena into a party atmosphere with Real Dead Ringer For Love.
Louisa and Vincent - Jive:-
In Craig's words: One word - A-Ma-Zing! Best dance of the night.
Matt and Flavia - Salsa:-
It looks so much better on TV. It didn't really get me in the party atmosphere, and the tricky move where Matt looks like he kicks Flavia over and then pulls her up: that went a bit wrong and it looked like he did kick her in the head! Another disappointment, after a great American Smooth.
Zoe and Ian - Samba:-
This is my favourite ever Strictly dance, and the couple performed it really well. I loved it and I was even singing along to it! Great, great, great!
The phonelines close and while we wait for the votes to be counted, we are treated to some great dances. Flavia and Vincent perform an expert Argentine Tango with countless leg-flicks and lifts to an awe-inspired silent crowd, ending with great applaus. Special guests James and Ola Jordan performed a Latin medly (Paso Doble, Rumba and Cha Cha Cha) in great outfits. And all the couples performed the Dirty Dancing medley, with Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova perfoming the famous lift.
And then the results were in.
The final three couples were Darren and Lilia, Louisa and Vincent and (much to my annoyance) Matt and Flavia. Matt and Flavia went out first.
Tension built massively as Darren faced off with Louisa. Louisa was announced the winner and she jumped into Vincent's arms as fireworks and sparks flew everywhere. The night was finished off with
