Episode 23 Strictly - It Takes Two

Coming up on Wednesday's It Takes Two - Alesha crowned him King of

the Tango - HRH Harry and Queen Aliona will be joining me. Devil

Woman Anita and her partner Robin are here. Holly and Artem will be

swanning in for a chat. Plus, Ian's back to dissect this week's

training in Waite's Wednesday Warm- Live, from Television Centre, this

is Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two. Please, welcome, your host,

Zoe Ball. Hello. Welcome. Our ten remaining couples are busy working

very hard for this weekend and tonight we'll get the first look at

their training, which includes the first Charlstons of the series.

Then I'll chat to Harry and Aliona, after this reminder of the rather

tasty tango. Full of intent and purpose. Thought it was fantastic.

I want to see more than eight bars in the tango hold. What's annoying,

when you are in hold, you are great. Harry, intense, hypnotic, erotic.

You created a beautiful piece of dance. The king and queen of tango

tonight. I'm so pleased, because for some reason it's getting harder.

The comments were lovely. The scores were great. Another ten.

choreography it was so good, so hard to put so much in hold, but I

totally understand what Len is saying. I can dream tonight about

tens. Give it up for Team Hali! APPLAUSE

Harry, you went from being a drummer, to being a very good

drabgcla. Did you enjoy yourself -- Dracular? Did you enjoy it? Yes, I

did. You did divide the judges in their remarks. Len said he would

give you a seven and wanted more in hold. You got another ten and some

people were saying it was more of a shows dance. What were your

thoughts? I felt to dress up and do a regular dance for Hallowe'en

didn't make much sense, so a bit of production is in order and that's

what we have done. There was a bit of tango and other things, but

altogether it was a tango, but a bit of theatrical production.

For Hallowe'en. On the plus side, and this is very exciting, Len said

you are one of the best male ballroom celebrities he's ever seen.

I know. I know. It is true. It's amazing. I couldn't believe it when

I heard him say that. Thank you, Len. Indeed. Any idea that you

could dance this well before you did this? Absolutely not. I must

say, I keep forgetting to say it's pretty much down to Aliona's

amazing teaching. She is so patient and it takes hours and hours, so I

don't think it's necessarily natural. It's a lot of hard work.

From both though. Obviously you are putting in the hours too. Have your

friends and your lovely bandmates noticed a difference in you?

They've noticed that they don't see me any more or speak to me. They

see me on TV on Saturday nights. I'm very busy, but in this period

of time you have to be very focused and work hard. Are you dropping in

any dancing lingo along the way? Yes. For example? I know, do a

check. Good lines. That wasn't a good line. I just smacked that.

Expensive piece of equipment. You revealed although you train most

hours, you spend 50% of the time eating or messing about and further

investigation has gone on to show us that there's an awful lot of

time wasting. You look like some kind of animal, but it's not a

ghost. Shrew? What's that? A sloth. Yes, that's it. I haven't had

enough sleep. Try to stay up. That's it. Come on, sloth. Still

not finished? One move and we're done. I go like that. I can't wait

for a massage. Come on, sloth. on, sloth! It's the perfect

nickname for you. This week it's the samba to this music. Stevie

Wonder. Fine choice. Yesterday, Harry, you tweeted, not that I'm

stalking you or anything, that the samba is hard, "Help, anyone.". Bit

of a challenge for you this week? It's been really tough. The good

thing is, the more frustrated I get the more Aliona finds it hilarious

and the more angry I look the more sloth-like I look. It's been really

tough. We can show everybody at home just how hard he's finding it.

Check this out. This is so hard. I want my mummy. Why? Why does it

have to be so hard? You are right. Look at her laughing. Well, your

wish is our command, Harry and hopefully on the line is Harry's

mum, Mrs Judd. Hello. Are you enjoying the show, Harry's mum?

Love it. Do you have some words of wisdom for your boy? I'll hand you

over. Hi, mum. Hi, darling. Look, Harry, come on, just pull yourself

together. I will, promise. Think about it. You know you can do it.

You know you can do it. Just keep calm and keep going. Thanks, mum.

Do as your told for once. You will do really well. Love you. Thanks,

mum. Thank you, Harry's mum. APPLAUSE

Good luck with the samba this weekend. I don't want to scare you,

but some of the highest scores of samba have been scored by yours

trulyy. And Matt Baker. We got oath 38.. Both 38. Now, our

professionals love a bit of chit- chat, but do you know which dancer

they are goss ipg about? -- gossiping about? This dancer wears

the highest heels out of all the professionals at three-and-a-half

inches. This person loves chocolate and cannot walk past a chocolate

much inand say no. I want this person to be the mother of my

children. This dancer is the quickest, the sharpest, the most

beautiful one in Argentine tango. Who do you think it is? Find out

later in the show. It's Wednesday and that can mean only one thing,

my dancing partner in crime is here. It's time for the Wednesday warm-up.

Please, welcome back the batman to my Robin, it's Ian Waite.

APPLAUSE My family are in tonight. Yeah,

you've got them all with you. Did you enjoy the weekend? All I can

say, it was fanningdabbido zey. Trn Lulu is doing well. She starts off

in a very upright position, comp isn't so great, but as she is doing

those crosses she goes into this position, which, I'm going to draw

it for you, that position. It's the banana shape. I love that. If she

can maintain this throughout that is fantastic. With taking that,

that way, she needs to balance it up with the hips underneath, so as

the head goes that, the more the hips should come underneath and you

should be balanced. Sometimes she does look as though in Brendan lets

go she falls over. Lift it up a little. Russell and Flavia are

dancing the paso doble. Will this be matador or matadon't? Good.

Another characterful dance. He excels at these. I want to show

this. If I - no, I want to highlight that. Come on. Look at

his arms. I want to emphasise the arms. Good arms, or bad? Yes.

Fantastic arms. Look at the fingers. Even the fingers, it looks like he

has cast nets in his hands. -- castanets. He has the curved shape,

so creating the character very well. I was concerned at the beginning of

this dance that he's messing up the steps. That is the only worry I

have. Sometimes he does forget his steps. He really needs to nail them

on the live show. I think Flavia will work on that. That's only

yesterday. Robbie and Ola. Back in the ballroom. Excited, because he's

a ballroom boy. They are dog a waltz. I think it suits him. His

hold's improved again. His quality of movement is very good. Here, Ola,

has taught him some outside changes in waltz and here he does - I'm

going to draw around that - because here he does a clonking great big

heel. That is a promenade step. I've never heard of that move

before! It's a promenade step and you have to go into a toe. There

are lots of outside changes there, where he should be doing heel, toe,

toe. Everybody, heel, toe, toe. Heel, toe, toe. I'll be doing that

all night. That is the rise and fall. If he's not doing that, he's

not doing the basic technique of waltz. I would say if Len was there

he might pick that out, but he's away this week. Jennifer Grey is

there this week. Remember that, Robbie. Think of Dorothy. Jason and

Kristina are doing the rumba. He was back on top this week. How is

this looking? Continuing to be very good. Continuing the success of

last week. Amazing rumba walks there. He has that sort of dance in

him. He's just good. He is the dance. Look at that leg. It's

straight as a poker and turned out. He looks like a dancer. He has the

lovely arms, which are creating the space all the time. The thing that

he has to be careful of is that in rumba you have to stay in that

movement in your body, so he doesn't want it to stay still.

Don't do a move and stop. Keep it going. If he puts the arm out, the

body still carries on. Like a little snake? Yes. Alex and James

are doing the quickstep. How is our little Welsh wonder looking? Well,

very good. All I would say is more balls. She is looking slightly

flat-footed in this dance. As we know, quickstep is very light and

fluffy and bouncy and to create that you have got to stay on the

balls. With flat feet it's not going to happen. Again, this is an

intricate dance and she looks like she is struggling to keep up, but

like last week, I said in the paso doble, this is more difficult and

more complicated and she is struggling to keep up, but, she

took it on board. What a great night last Saturday. Maybe this

will be the same. She'll take it on board. Chelsee and Pasha doing the

Charlston. How will it be looking? It will really suit her. I want her

to slow this down, because it emphasises how in sync they are

together. She is completely copying Pasha. That is the essence of the

perfect couple. If they completely match each other then you have got

that special bond where you look - they even look like each other. If

you put pictures up next to each other, they look like brother and

sister. I notice a couple of differences. That is looking really

encouraging. Tuesday's footage and they are matching so well already.

Audley and Natalie are doing the Viennese Waltz. Is that exciting?

Great, because Audley is a good ballroom dancer. He never ceases to

amaze me. His musicality is extremely good. Because he's such a

big guy we expect him to be not good, but the musicality is

exceptional. Also, he has a great quality of movement. What I would

like to see is here, his arms are slightly behind his back. Not good?

He tends to drop them. Where should they be? Really they should be up

more to the girl, so he needs to dance. Let me show you. His arms

are in front and then he takes the girl almost like he is cuddling her.

Then you still have the big circle and our arms are towards each other.

Like a cuddle. Everybody needs a little cuddle. Ian, you are a

fountain of knowledge. Can I just stay here for the next link? Let's

hear it for Ian Waite! APPLAUSE

In a moment I'll catch up with Anita and Robin, but first here's a

reminder how their tango was so good. Put me down. I never knew you

could play so evil. I really liked it because there was a lot of tango.

I need to perfect your hold. Apart from that, brilliant. Acting ten,

top line, three. I loved the routine though. I was petrified it

was going to be a disaster, because I thought she has forgotten

everything. As soon as you start it all came back. It was my favourite

one. Look at what I'm wearing. I'm a dream. I would like to say to the

judges, thank you very, very much. Please, welcome, Anita and Robin.

Hello, you two. Welcome back. So, a week ago there you were you were a

starlet, and now terrifying vixen. Is there a character you can't

play? I don't know. Keep throwing me the challenges. We are making

you a list. Overall, the judges absolutely loved it. Well done to

both of you. Craig said acting, ten, top line, three. Are you working on

the frame? I had a chat and what kind of happened she has spent

years and years and years perfecting a way to stand up to be

an actress and this dramatic actress, it's all about how you

stand straight and all of a sudden I want her to tip back and it's so

foreign. That's not what your brain has been taught? No, nearly 50

years of standing like that. It's hard to unlearn something. I didn't

even think about that. That's good. Forgetting technical terms because

you have your own language of dance in the training room. There are a

couple of words that have come out. Tell me more. You mean doodle flip

and flap. That means a step that I've got wrong. As soon as I say,

"Can I do the doodle flap?" he knows what I mean. You are in tune.

All the kids will be saying that on the streets now. You are doing one

of the series first cheeky Charles stons. I love this dance. This is

what you are dancing to. -- Charlstons. I love this dance. This

is what you are dancing to. Good choice. How is training going?

a challenge. It's something -- you have to keep going over and over

and over it otherwise you don't learn it. But it's great fun.

Terrific fun. It is really good fun. Looking at this. You are perfectly

in time. This is only from yesterday. This is Tuesday. That

stands you in good stead. It's the first dance where the lady can lift

the chap. Should she fancy. Will you be doing that? Are you seer

yution? Look at -- serious? Look at Robin's face. Can you manage 0

kilos, love? We can try, if you want. Come on. Jennifer Grey is

stepping in to Len's shoes on Saturday. What do you think she's

going to be looking for? Well, to get it technically correct, as much

as possible, I guess. And to actually evoke the feel of that era.

The 20's feel. The flapper style. Is it exciting? A new judge or is

it quite scary? I think it's going to be a little weird. As long as

no-one puts her in the corner! got it in first. Last week, we gave

you a sweatband to help you in the studio. I did wear it. It worked.

We have seen that you put it to good use. Look at this.

# Let's get physical... # I'm not sweating that much today. It's

actually working. They are really good. Thank you, Strictly Come

Dancing: It Takes Two. Yeah, thank you. It's quite funny, because

Robin says it works. That is why they are called sweatbands. We have

made you a little T-shirt to go with it. Look at this. You have to

wear it. Next week it's going to be hotpants. Don't think Anita the way

you dress in the studio and when you are in training we love it.

Here's three of our favourite looks. Access rising with a bow. We

wondered if you had any tips for dressing nicely in the training

room? No, I think wear something that is comfortable and if you are

doing an upbeat number why something colourful. That's just me.

We had the sleeves left over, so we made you this beautiful piece.

love it. Gorgeous. Thank you. I will wear it with pride. We get

gifts. We'll come again. These two must be great at Christmas. Your

leaderboard has been chequered. You were joint second an then fifth and

joint ninth. Who is your biggest rival, do you think? Everybody!

of them? Sno one in particular? -- no-one in particular? No, we are

having a ball. Good luck on Saturday. We can't wait. Thank you.

Anita and Robin. APPLAUSE

Last weekend Hallowe'en was crammed full of disguises, however it seems

that a couple of you picked up on some unexpected look-alikes.

ringing to see if anyone else looked like Brendan looked like

Aled Jones on Saturday. Wondering if Craig Revel Horwood models

himself on tin tin with the extraordinary hairstyle? I hope he

does. He looks lovely. Thank you very much. Up next, I'll talk to

Holly and Artem, but first here's how their weekend performance

ruffled a few feathers. You look incredible. This is my favourite

concept so far. I think you have gone mad, but you succeeded. More

in hold, but you know I'm always on about that, but what a number.

high-risk, but you made it work. broke the 30 curse. That alone

makes me happy. It's a breakthrough for us, because the past four weeks

have been tough. I had a couple of things go wrong, so I was mad at

myself. I hope they enjoyed it. If we get through, then I can't wait

to get started on Monday morning. Welcome our gorgeous feathered

friends, Holly and Artem. APPLAUSE

Brilliant performance from you both on Saturday. You did it. You scored

over 30. You got 35. Were you very pleased? It was such a relief and

that we not only moved, but moved up. I know. A long way up. Yeah.

Great. It was such a great performance and you had a very

special guest in the studio. I did. My friend, princess B came along.

She wanted to watch. I nearly fell off my sofa. She is your friend?

Yes. Did she enjoy it and is she voting for you? Yes, she is under

strict instructions. It's the only time I can boss a princess around.

Good evening. I am bowing. Great judges' comments for you as well.

Alesha says you are a contender and you can win this. That must be

great to hear from a past winner. It's a full-on comment. I was

really flattered. I didn't remember the win part until tonight. That's

a big thing to say. It's scary too. It is quite hard to remember what

they say, because you are so relieved? Yes. Artem, Swan Lake,

never performed on Strictly before. You were nervous about taking such

a risk? Well, yeah, of course. I thing the song is difficult to core

graph, because it's ballet and really big moves. It was a big

challenge, but it came across well and we got good comments back.

really did pull it off. We were disgusted you weren't in tights.

Karen praised you and Elizabeth on- line says, "That has got to be the

dance of the series. It made me cry." That's amazing. Pretty good.

Good evening there. You are doing the jive and this week you are

dancing to. Buen know Mars. What clever core -- Bruno Mars. What

clever choreography have you got this week? It's quick. I know. I

picked up when you two came in, you sat down like this. You are

exhausted from training. How is it going? Are you liking it? I love it.

I was dreading it because it was so fast. I thought I'll be wonky on

this one, but I'm enjoying it. I love the song. It all helps and it

peps you up. I can't wait to hear the band play this, because they

are great musicians and it will go Bez eshing. -- beserk. Is she

keeping up with you? I think at this point. I think the first

couple of days was tough. Because - I didn't. Going from Swan Lake to

jive - I love it. He is there with the Russian drive. Anything to work

on? Attitude. No, I this I -- no, I think it's great. We are changing

bits. We are polishing things tomorrow. Hopefully it's perfect.

Has it got to the point where Holly can chip in with suggestions for

dancing or are you - They are uninvited, but they happen. Look at

his face. Let's put it this way - it's good to know the opinion of

your partner. The things they like to do and don't like. It helps to

core graph and helps to feel good about it. Make you comfortable.

suggestions are always great. I never decline any. Send them on a

postcard. Don't expect a reply. fax them overnight. We have a guest

judge on Saturday night. Jennifer Grey is going to be here. How does

that make you feel? Exciting prospect for you? Very. It's nice

to have flesh blood. She is an icon in the dancing world. Really cool.

Bring a new dynamic to the evening. -- to the evening. Are you

encouraged to be away from Len? Is that a good thing? Well, this week

we have a jive. It is quite a bit of a jive content in it, but Len

would probably say something about it. I'm quite happy that it's going

to be Jennifer. A Len break. We have Jennifer on the show tomorrow.

Good luck this weekend. We know you are going to be great. Holly and

Artem. APPLAUSE

Earlier in the show, we asked you if you could guess who our

professional dancers were talking about. It's now time to redevelop

their identity. You guess ited it. It's me. -- you guessed it. It's me.

Holly got it right. Thank you to all my guests. I'll be back

tomorrow when Russell and Flavia will be here, to talk about their

paso doble. Jason and Kristina will talk rumba and there will be a