Strictly exclusive: who had the time of their life?

Wow! What a week it was all round with the sensationally themed ‘Hollywood Greats’.

From Woody in Toy Story to the great Mary Poppins and even Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing, we were taken back in time to enjoy some really fantastic legendary movie moments.

Denise van Outen won top marks for Toy Story

Some of our celebrities rose to this Hollywood challenge but others fell into the trap of over characterising the role instead of actually getting on and dancing.

Sid’s bad hair day

Sid attempts to rock out

The first one guilty of over- characterisation had to be Sid Owen when he recreated a moment from Rock of Ages – Here We Go Again… and he nearly went himself because – with all that hair, the guitar, the smoke, and the running around on set – he actually forgot to get on and do some dancing. And he was inevitably eaten up by the judges. Luckily the errors were this week so let’s keep our fingers crossed he doesn’t make the same mistake for Halloween next week!

Sensual brush

In contrast, way up there had to be the standing ovation moment when Louis Smith and Flavia reenacted that memorable performance from 1987 when Patrick Swayze pulled ‘Baby’ out of the corner and performed that legendary dance ‘Time of our Lives’ in Dirty Dancing (main image).

Louis most certainly nailed the intimate chemistry moment especially when he delivered the classic sensual brush of his hand down Flavia’s arm. I think it’s safe to say many of us have had a go at that move at least once in our lifetime. If you haven’t the Christmas party season is almost upon us so don’t hold back – go get that partner of your dreams and go for that ‘sensual brush’… You may end up with a slap round the face after but don’t worry the adrenalin rush to have a go at it will be well worth it!!! And if like Louis you’ve never even seen the film… go rent it today as it’s a sin if you haven’t!

Lisa Riley thoroughy enjoyed a bit of Hanky Panky

Victoria Pendelton performed her rumba well

Dani Harmer was a magical Dorothy complete with Toto

Fern Britton didn’t wow the judges this week

Jerry vs Michael

With the dance off back in this year, and the judges pretty tough from the word go, you at home decided the head to head dance off would be between the Hollywood Queen herself Jerry Hall and the sporting legend Michael Vaughan.

Michael looks the part at least

Technically they’re both as disaaaarstrously bad as each other, so well done at home for spotting that. The judges made a call based on the entertainment factor alone.

Jerry was the lady in red but didn’t deliver

Even though there were many quick steps in her Quickstep… sadly Jerry’s performance was falling way short of an Oscar nominee this year. Yet this gorgeous Queen of Glam will be sadly missed on the show. And with only about 5% of Michael’s performance actually on time, despite delivering some great technical ‘Check Forward Walks’, Michael was very lucky for it to fall his way.

In my eyes either one could have gone but let’s see how Michael picks himself up and comes back next week.

Speak soon and, if you haven’t already, get booking those dancing lessons as the party scene fast approaches…

Love
Karen Hardy

World Masters, United Kingdom, International
And British National Champion of Latin American Dance
Carl Alan & BDF Award Winner for Services to Dance
Winner of Strictly Come Dancing Series 4
Director of the Award Winning Karen Hardy Studios
Find out more about Karen’s dance studios at www.karenhardystudios.com

What did you think of the Hollywood Greats theme? Do you agree with Karen that Michael Vaughan was lucky to survive? Let us know below.