Strictly 2023

I don’t know where he has said this but the very fact that he has verbalised these feelings demonstrates why some people find him unlikeable. At this stage all of them are working hard, it isn’t a cakewalk for anyone. But out of all of them a trained musical theatre performer is probably in a better position than most. 

I actually quite like Layton, but I'm getting a bit fed up of the body rolls, gymnastics and sticking his bum out and winking. I loved his quickstep, but recently they've felt a bit like show dances with a few of the relevant steps added in. The jive didn't feel like a jive to me. Hopefully he'll have more traditional ballroom again soon, and dance mainly in hold.

I suppose next to Nikita his Latin technique will always look weaker, because it's a direct comparison. It would be really interesting to see what he'd look like dancing lead with a female pro.

Nice to see he hasn't forgotten his Billy Elliot choreography though.

The lack of jive feel was partly the music as it was never going to feel right. But also the choreo was, as others have said, a show dance with some flicks and kicks rather than a jive with some tricks.

She can act and dance so would have a fair few stage options plus she is a "name" and if she could hold a tune she'd be an interesting option for musical roles. There isn't an immediate role that jumps out to me for her to play but I'm sure there are several which would fit her skillset. She'll likely do the Strictly tour, would get lucrative panto offers for next winter, Corrie guest return, possible plays, musicals or the holy grail good TV roles post leaving Corrie.

This is a fair criticism for sure, though one that should be aimed at Nikita and the other Strictly choreographers, more so than the contestant. It seems the main way Strictly seek to level the playing field with dancers of different experience levels - by giving them different difficulty levels in their routines. Krishnan is not going to be called upon to do a standing back flip in a dance, but because Layton is capable of challenging lifts and flips they keep putting them in his dances.

And I can see this being perceived as 'showing off' but it also means there's more margin for error - I remember AJ was doing great in S19, then she messed up a complicated lift in her Salsa and it landed her in the B2 for the first time. I'm not so much of a purist that I mind the flashy moves. But it is also not only Layton and Nikita that are doing this. Kai will look for opportunities to have Angela R go into the splits because he knows a 78 year old woman doing that is very impressive and bait for votes. It's not actually needed for the dances. But Layton and Nikita have an AT next week so will be back in hold for the most part. 

And yeah they really drilled those Billy Elliot moves into those kids, right? I've seen Tom Holland whip out the same flips and spins years later too.  

What a surprise, Angela Rippon has avoided another samba or salsa. She has got a paso though so it could be as deadly for her.

I wish AT music choices were more appropriate

That doesn't mean that it should be Libertango every time

But it is a dance that works best went it has the authentic sound of a smoky bar in Buenos Aires.

Tattoo just evokes a completely different atmosphere

I suspect Krishnan and Annabel have been given Sambas to nudge them into bottom two territory so the producers can keep Angela R in the contest for Blackpool week.

Angela R, Annabel and Krishnan look to be the 3 in danger looking at the various dances. Angela S should score well with the waltz and now we know she has sexy knees.

If ever any of the older contestants wanted to pull an injury angle it would be this week. I still think it will be Angela R and Krishnan in the dance off if I was put on the spot. They will still play on Annabel's couples choice and the emotion there and JoJo would get a lot more votes than Kai or Lauren would get.

Or they have the backing dancers dressed up as Eric or Ernie?

If the idea is to get Angela to Blackpool wouldn't it have made sense for her to have her couple's choice this week. If that scores well it gets her to the Tower Ballroom.

They would have to announce this before the public vote goes live otherwise they will be taken to OFCOM.