High drama on Strictly this week, says our insider

It was an interesting and inspiring week.

I am totally bowled over by all the messages I keep receiving. Many of them tell me a little about people’s own history and how Strictly cheers them up at the weekend and how much they love to see Flavia and I take to the floor. As ever, thanks for all your encouragement and generous support.

Talking about Flavia – she really is a joy to be with. At once uplifting, motivating, inventive and with a total focus on what needs to be achieved each week.

I found this week’s dance – the Paso Doble – quite difficult. It has its roots in the intense colour and drama of the Spanish bullfighting arena and is based on the type of music played at the entrance of the matadors. The bullfighter’s role is played by the man and traditionally the woman takes the part of the matador’s cape. But our version was very, very different. More of which in a moment.

Wednesday evening saw me down at the local rugby club. As you can imagine there were some hilarious moments. And you may not know it but I am often on BBC Radio 5 Live talking about non-league football and sometimes cricket. I take a deep interest in all sorts of sport but especially non-league football and always have done, so it comes as a surprise to a lot of people to hear me talking footy. So I enjoyed chatting about the FA Cup 1st round this week and what surprises it might hold.

So… the Paso Doble. It was my passport to another week on Strictly. I hope you enjoyed the comic interpretation of this dramatic dance that Flavia and I produced on Saturday night.

From Anita’s Charleston to Chelsee’s Charleston we were treated to a spectacular evening of ever increasing standards and styles. As the weeks fly by I am sure you’ve noticed the work levels rising and the performances becoming more and more exacting and exhausting.

We are all hoping Artem’s painful injury will ease over the weekend. I feel sure his determination to carry on will carry him through, but we all have to be careful and it just goes to show that even the fittest and most highly trained can sometimes be taken by surprise. Nevertheless Artem danced his way through the pain barrier and carried on to produce a “Cool and sophisticated” jive that captivated us all with its energy and intensity. Holly and Artem deserved every one of their 34 points.

Topping the score board were Chelsee and Pasha with a “pleasing, teasing” brilliant performance that our Craig proclaimed “FAB-U-LOUS” and so it was!

As far as points are concerned it wasn’t Jason’s week and it wasn’t Robbie’s either but we all know that there are some dances that bring out our best and some we find more difficult and challenging. Even so both gave us wonderful performances and both were receptive to the advice and guidance of the judges.

Flavia and I were the eighth couple to take the floor in a light hearted interpretation of the Paso Doble. Once again Craig was reduced to a single “ASTONISHING!”. Jennifer, standing in for Len thought it “entertaining” Alesha “loved it”. Bruno caught the essence proclaiming: “it was a Benny Hill version of a Paso Doble – demented and fabulous.”

Sadly, each week we have to say goodbye to one of our company. This week it was my friend Lulu and her partner Brendan. We will all miss them and we will remember her stunning Halloween performance.

It’s a long journey each week from north Wales to London and back again, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Thanks to everyone at our local Porthmadog supermarket who turned the store upside down searching for nail varnish remover! My wonderful make-up department gave me black fingernails for the Paso Doble. Rushing for the car I forgot to take it off before leaving Television Centre. Amazingly I had none at home. My god-daughter Lucy came to the rescue in the end – you can always rely on her!

And so on to the next dance. American Smooth to I Am What I Am – rather me don’t you think?!

Thanks for being there!

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