Strictly Come Playing it Safe

Well just like many anticipated events - Christmas, a summer holiday in England, a new flavour of Haagen Dasz - when the build-up can be more exciting than the reality, so it was with Strictly last night.

Everyone played it safe - from Tess in the opening routine who seems to have given up all attempts at dancing and now just points, gurns and poses, to the tranquilised judging panel, to much of the choreography. The only hint at former sparkle came near the end, when we caught a glimpse of the formerly bitchy Craig, when he purred at Brendan "I feel sorry for you next week, darling".

The waltzes were nice, but are now slipping through my memory like water through my hands. Ali and Martina were better than expected, and Ali deservedly got the highest score of the evening, but more personality needs to show. Ricky was slightly undermarked; I thought he was elegant, light on his feet,and moved well around the floor to the best Waltz choreography of the evening. However, his posture needs work, and fast. He needs to be aware of it and correcting it every waking second of the day, not just when the music starts.

Jade was a slight disappointment, but there is potential there. The ugly clawed hand could and should have been sorted before the first show. Maybe the problem lies deeper, in her not letting Ian lead. We hear a lot about how hard it is for the male celebs to learn how to lead, but it is just as hard for a female celeb to learn to trust and let go, to let the man lead her, rather than trundle her round the floor, and to follow not anticipate the moves. Most sports people come to Strictly as their careers come to an end, but Jade is unusual in that she is still training, still competing. It must be hard for a driven sportswoman in a solo discipline to learn to relinquish control, but that could be the key to improving her ballroom.

The Tango is one of my favourite dances, but it is hard for novices to pull off as it requires an intimacy and emotional intensity that does not come easy. It was tough for the four celebs who drew it at this stage of the game. But whichever production flunky responsible for the music should be locked in a cell, bound and gagged and forced to listen to thrash metal for 24 hours! Three of those choices greatly hindered the contestants, and there is no point in choosing music to appeal to cool kids when the programme goes out at 8.30 on a Friday evening.

Rav was a bit better than expected, but Aliona over-danced, and the choreography did him no favours. Chris too was a pleasant surprise and the best Tango of the night. Both have serious bum problems! Lynda looked so much better in rehearsal, without the music, which was her underdoing. I am a big Queen fan, but the relentless Under Pressure does not a Tango make. If she had been allowed to dance to appropriate music, and allowed her acting skills to bring character to the role, she would have looked so much better.

Joe was the shock of the evening - a fearless boxer felled by a ballroom dance, the posture shocking, the lack of chemistry screaming loud.

The highlight of the evening for me was the pro dance - a gorgeous symphony in white, with latin and ballroom dances cunningly woven together in one great medley. Last year's opening dance, featuring all 16 pros, was an ill-judged affair, more reminiscent of 1970s formation style. But this was a triumph of dancing, choreography and staging.

So what will tonight bring? I am not convinced that the audience is going to be hooked for two nights, so the voting may be strongly skewed in favour of tonight's dances. That could let Joe and Jade off the hook, but could bode ill for the Rumba dancers.

Anyway, I am a glass half full kind of person, so despite the shaky start am looking forward to tonight. My boyfriend is going out, so I will be having a Strictly night in, with a large glass of wine (or 3) and a special treat - a Domino's just for me! What more could you want for a Saturday evening...