Episode 5 Strictly - It Takes Two

Welcome to Friday's It Takes Two. Tonight, it is all about the boys

hoping to smooth over the judges after last week's chatter job, it is

Ashley and person Ola! Juliet and Janette are here! Plus, I will have

an exclusive onset catch-up with Ben, Kristina, Mark and Iveta in

Elstree. What a lovely bunch. This is It Takes Two.

Live from London, this is Friday's It Takes Two. In

There is another tattered tart in the Devon area, where Deborah

embraces the Latin spirit. And they hazy fog is causing problems over

Birmingham, where Rachel Riley, bless her, struggles with the

salsa. Fingers crossed, it is a clear sky by tomorrow night.

Finally, damp and drizzly patches in the Watford area as they saturated

Tony struggles with the speed of the child and training.

We have just heard that the Brucie is feeling a bit under the weather,

so he will not be on the show tomorrow night. It will be Claudia

and Tess Daly. Get well soon, Brucie. If, like me, you are a fan

of this year's new look strict Lee opening titles, here is a look at

how they were made. Today is an important day. We are doing the

identical photos, everything you will see for the whole show. The

titles are played at the top of every show, so we want to get it

right. We have to choreograph every bit, so it is exciting. I would be

like -- I would like to be doing them in six weeks' time after a few

lessons. We are doing all of the couples against a green screen

background, and then we will fill in the sparkly sets. Three, two, one,

action! I am having an amazing time. I turned up wearing doll clothes,

and this magical thing happens. The frocks and hairdos are lovely. Every

time I remember the bit about the dancing, I get this fear. I have got

James Jordan! I am absolutely chuffed. I can understand that. I am

going to watch him now, get the scorecards out. These professional

dancers have got a job on their hands with all of us. Don't lean,

don't do this, do that. I am having my bosoms sewn into the dress so

that they don't fall out and give James the fight of his life. Wow!

Pasha and I are about to have a publicity photo taken as a fully

formed Strictly couple. So he is going to shuffle me into various

positions. Make it look natural. I am really nervous today. She has not

done much photo shooting in her life. We are doing all the bits and

pieces that go into making the beginning of the show, when they

say, here are Fiona and Anton. Do a salsa step. As if I know what I am

talking about! He is amazing at golf. But the dancing, he will have

to work. I am already telling him off to stand straight. He will have

to get used to that. His moves are unique. I think he is a natural. The

there is evidence of working hard. Or I am really heavy. Just kidding.

Do you mind? We are doing a deal. And cut! On Friday night, Ashley's

dance did not dazzle the judges, but he did manage to catch the eye of

one Mr Craig Revel Horwood. I will be chatting to him and Ola in a

minute, but first, here is a recap of their performance. Could have

been a bit crisper, but Ashley, sail on. Your timing was very good, and

your face, when you were admiring Ola's Derry air, that was a

picture. Very confident first dance, really impressive. Your hips are a

marble -- admirable, darling. Easy on the eye. Five. Six. Seven. Seven.

I am glad we have done it. We did it! Please welcome Ashley and Ola!

Congratulations on the birth of baby Mason. Round of applause! It was

very easy! How other family? My incredible Mrs Karen is fine. It is

so nice that the baby is there now. When the phone goes, I don't have to

start shaking and sweating. Happy times. Baby aside, let's talk about

dancing. It is all going on. Last week, you had mixed remarks from the

judges, some great, some not so great. What have you taken away from

it? As soon as I had done the dance, that was just a massive

relief. I could not breathe. I could not

even speak. So I was just hoping they didn't ask me anything. It went

in one ear and out of the other. I have listened back to it, and it is

all constructive criticism. I will do my best. You are right, your

mouth gets so dry that your lips get stuck to your teeth. Ola, how hard

has it been to loosen Ashley's hips up? He is quite hard. We are working

on the footwork, hips, arms, everything needs work. So there is

only one place to go, it can go up. You sound quietly confident. Um,

yeah! Well, snake hips or not, the viewers at home love you. Sandra

says if week one is anything to go by, this chap has definite

potential. He has with and acting skills, should go far and easy on

the eye, to . Which was said by a lot of people. You do have the

acting background. As that given you any kind of advantage? It should

give me an advantage. Being on a stage, you are used to performing,

but it is an alien thing in a ballroom. So I can relate to the

song, and that will help. The song is easier for me with the next

dance. Whereas the One Direction song was very cheesy and it was hard

to smile all the way through that. Am I really dancing to One

Direction? But yeah, you get used to an audience. I find it easier if

there is an audience, because it gives you something to smile at,

whereas in rehearsals, I can't smile. You give yourself quite a

hard time. It is something I feel I really have to work on, my body as a

whole. I have got these big, long, ape-like arms. And these long,

spindly legs. Spaghetti legs. I just looked like a big jelly dance. A bit

like Bambi on ice. I find it hard to make myself look good when I dance.

I can't be bothered any more! Sue you are doing the American move

tomorrow. What type of Americans move is it and how is he getting on?

It is Hollywood glamour, beautiful. We are enjoying it. I think it will

be a good dance for Ashley. It is based on the F. This is the music

you are listening to, Beyond The Sea, the Robbie Williams version. It

has been a hectic week. You have had a baby and had Hollyoaks, have you

done much training? We are training on Monday nights. I got in at 12.30

and then my wife came in and said, I think I might be going into labour!

So Tuesday was just a write-off. So was Monday. On Wednesday, we had

some time. To be fair, the relief of knowing that my Mrs is OK and the

baby is healthy made me smile a lot more. It is a relief. I am impressed

at how much training you got in. We got you a little present for baby

Mason. That is lovely! Good luck tomorrow, Ola and Ashley! Tomorrow

night, that the first time in strict Lee history, you can vote for your

favourite couple online for free. Just head to the BBC website to

register your details, and you can get voting when the lines open

tomorrow night's show. I asked you earlier which one of the judges you

would like to see on the dance floor. Ashley? It would have to be

Craig. I would find something to say. Len. I can reveal the results.

38.9% of you wanted to see Craig on the dance floor. Sadly, it might not

happen, but we can put pressure on. But earlier today, I headed to the

Strictly set for an exclusive chat with Ben and Christine and Mark and

Iveta. But first, let's do to know more about Iveta. Take it away, Ms

Lukosiute. My name is Iveta Lukosiute, and I am originally from

Lithuania. I have literally been dancing from the moment I started to

walk. I have been teaching since I was 18. All personalities, different

levels, from beginners to professionals. So I hope that will

help me. On last year's Strictly, one of the dancers got injured, and

I stepped in, and that gave me a taste of what it is. I can't wait to

get my teeth into it. The non-Strictly is a dream come true.

-- being an Strictly is a dream come true. Here we are on the Strictly

set for the first time. And as it is Friday, it is the last chance our

couples have rehearse for the big night. Over there are Ben Cohen and

Kristina, waltzing. # What the world needs now is Love,

sweet love. # It's the only thing that there is

just too little of. How good does that look? Ben Cohen

and Kristina Rihanoff, have a seat. Nice to meet you.

It is looking good. First, let's talk about your first weekend on

the show. You are a sportsman and you are used to performing under

pressure. Did it help? Absolutely not. I was completely out of my

comfort zone and it was completely alien to me. No matter how much

rehearsing we had done, it is hard to explain. I had only danced for

12 days, it was not really dancing anywhere. I have only done a

drunken stumble before. Do you think the judges could have gone a

bit softer in the first week? I know, they were very tough.

Watching it back out thought it was a good dance for the very first

time for somebody like him who has never danced before. I thought they

were really mean. Especially Craig. Why is he so mean? You will win him

over. What do you two little ones make of their daddy? They are

surprised. What are you doing on TV? They are supportive and they

come down and watch. Do they practise with you at home? I try

and practice with them, yes. Tomorrow you are going to be

waltzing. How are you adapting to this most graceful dance? You have

to be a gentleman. Yes they are all dental men. I was daunted when I

was out there because chat chat chat is about footwork. I enjoyed

the waltz. I am going to get it right. I had been working on my

frame and I have had ballet lessons this week. We are looking to get it

right. We missed a few days of training and he did an amazing job

to catch up. Ian was pointing out how good your frame is. Are you

more comfortable in a dance that is less showy? This is all new to me.

I don't even have a comparison. This is all a complete first

experience. I am embracing it. Dressed up in sequins and like rat

and a spray can. Do your rugby unsporting mates if you are a hard

time about the spray tan and the sequins? Or are they enjoy it?

Joking apart, a lot of them have sprayed cans and they take good

care of themselves. They will all be down Saine, look at that outfit.

We were all dressed in our sequins and our like rare and we were all

saying to each other, you look really good. In it is totally

infectious. How was your first sprayed tan? It was an experience.

You did not double dip like Artem. He is one of the fittest

celebrities. Is that working out for you? Are you pleased? Ben and I

have a similar attitude towards work. We have the same birth sign

and we are very good with rehearsals and we are very focused.

At the same time when we have a cup of tea we have a good laugh. It

definitely shows and good luck on Saturday. Ben and Kristina. Over

here, as I live and breathe, it is Mark Benton and Iveta. And

regulations on a tremendous tango last weekend. You are one of the

big surprises. Did you surprise yourself? I did a bit because you

are so nervous before and I was standing behind the screen like

this. Then she said watch your left foot, but have fun. She is great.

That is an incredible impression. The judges were so impressed. Even

Craig said he got into it. Were you expecting those reactions? You are

so relieved to have got through the dance. It was such a blur. I knew

they would be nice, but when I listened back afterwards it was

great. You work so hard and you get that. It is encouraging to take you

on to the next week. Online you have created a stir. Mark was

always going to be good because he is so funny says Michael. Katie

says your performance is exactly what Strictly is all about. That is

nice. Did you have faith that is the reaction he would get? From the

first day I thought, he has the rhythm, so let's do the dancing.

She said from the beginning that she wanted to show people I could

dance as well as being funny. When you started the tango people

thought, he is being funny. But people think he is funny and he can

dance, a bonus. You have an interesting technique to get his

head position. He would always look at me for security. I found our way

to fix that. I got Craig's face and I put it on my face and it worked

writer wakeful stock fantastic. This weekend is the salsa. We saw

you in action last night. How is the body rippled going? It is going

well. Mine is better than hers. She will be up to scratch tomorrow. Is

Europe in a sex god emerging? He is there. I am already picking up the

vibrations. Do you have characters bore this dance? Yes. I guess it is

loosely based on Austin Powers, the 1960s fund. You have got great

music. Let's hear it now. How do you feel when you hear this music?

I have got shivers down my spine. Hopefully you will keep Craig

onside this weekend. Mark and Iveta. This weekend somebody has to go

home, but nobody wants to be the first. Being on Strictly has been

an incredible adventure. Getting knocked out in the first week would

be awful. It is pressurising enough having to dance in front of a live

audience to the thought of having a dance off to compete for your place.

You think you have done your dance to the best of your ability and or

of a sudden you have to do it even better than that. This could be the

last time I ever dance on television. All I can do is give

100%. I do not want to be the first one to leave and I do not want

anyone else to lead either. It is a bit like the tale of the unexpected,

you can never predict what is going to happen on that night. I am

trying not to think about the pressure and the possibility of

leaving. I can only hope if I got in the bottom two they would see

something in me and keep me in. I am having such a lovely time that

somebody might say you have to leave. It is not pleasant. I really

love the competition. I had been bitten by the bug. I love this

experience. The ante has been upped and there is a great deal at stake

and I do not want to go home. I would love to stay in the

competition. It is great fun doing something you cannot do. If I was

the first person to leave, I would be heartbroken. I am loving

learning to dance. I do not know what I would do with myself if I

was the first to go. We are back in the glitter Dome. My next guest has

been buffed, waxed and covered in 25,000 crystals or in preparation

for coming on the show. Before I reveal him, let's take a closer

look at his dance partner Janette Manrara. I am Janette Manrara and I

am from Miami, the Latin capital of the USA. Latin dancing is in my

blood. I began my professional dance career went I was 24 and it

has been amazing ever since. What I like most about dancing is you can

let your body do all the talking. I am full of energy, so whatever you

give me whether it is sexy or soft, I am going to give it to you.

Strictly is their dream come true. This means everything to me. Please

welcome the fabulous Julien Macdonald and his partner Janette.

We saved the best answer last this week. Did you enjoy your

performance last weekend as much as we did? No, I absolutely hated it.

I had a fabulous time. He is excited again. Breathe in. How do

you think he did first time out? It is nerve-racking to go out and

dance in front of millions of people. He designs stresses for

this gorgeous women and his job has never been to be on television

doing something that is out of his comfort zone, so I think he did

great. I wanted him to forget about everything and embrace the first

night, which you did. Were you worried about what the judges were

going to say before you went out there? We had spent such a long

time learning the dance that when I came to do it I was so excited. It

was as if somebody had blown up a big balloon and went bang. Then it

was all over and then I have got big balloon and went bang. Then it

the judges. I cannot remember, it was so quick. I thought I want to

enjoy myself, I am trying to learn how to dance. I am not the best

dancer, but I hope I will get better. I am having the time of my

life. Janette, Craig was a little bit mean. He said he was very flat

footed. Len said it was more a women's weekly than Vogue. Do you

take that personally? Do you know, I do not, because I do not disagree.

But it is ATV show and his job is to critique. He was harsh with

everyone, but I like Craig and enjoy his company. I could not

disagree with most of his opinions. Could he say it nicer? Maybe.

Possibly. It is not just the judges who are scary on the show.

Sometimes the dancing can be scary as well. This is the most

terrifying thing ever. Touch my fingers. Ready? That is really hard,

etc. This is quite scary it. I do not want to do that. You are so

scared. I am not going to look at myself. Julien is scared. Stand

where you cannot see yourself. Terrified! Why are you so scared?

If you come closer to me, I am so afraid. No, no, Julien. You are

priceless. It is the tango tomorrow, how is it going? It is very hard.

It actually is terrifying. This is all about being masculine and butch

and very strong with a strong upper body, which, frankly, is everything

I am not. Have you got interesting training techniques? I tried to get

anything I can to help him. There were two sandbags and he has a

problem with shoulders and posture. I put them on his shoulders to keep

him down. It was so funny. We will see tomorrow if it has worked. This

is your music. Lady Gaga. Let's see that face. Can you maintain that

for the whole dance? I am going to try my utmost best otherwise Craig

is going to say it is a disaster. Vicky said you had been pestering

her for more crystals on your costume. Everybody would love you

to say raffles. Raffles. That is what we wanted. Does everybody

remember what a go date is.? We all do, but we have not got time. Good

luck. A huge thank you to all of my guests. Strictly is on tomorrow

night at 6:20pm on BBC One. Join me on Monday when we will be saying

goodbye to the first couple who