Strictly Come Dancing is actually pretty similar to rally driving: there are ups, downs, highs, lows, tricky negotiations, lack of traction and spectacular crashes.
And crash is exactly what Blogzilla did last night, although it wasn't exactly a high speed crash: he was stuck in first gear, after all.
Rally ace
Gugu Zulu became the fifth celebrity eliminated from
Strictly Come Dancing 5 on Thursday night, after he and partner
Sarah Cooper predictably lost the first dance-off since
the heady highs of last week, when Gugu was saved and anything seemed possible.
The reaction of judges and presenters alike last week left nobody in any doubt this week as to what would happen should Gugu end up in the dance-off, and so it came to pass.
When the judges' scores and viewer votes were tallied, Gugu and Sarah came head-to-head with 5FM's
Anele Mdoda and partner
Brandon Eilers le Riche in the dance-off.
After the dance-off, the judges chose to keep the following of the two celebs in the competition:
Tyrone Watkins: Anele (with a warning to pull up her socks next week)
Salome Sechele: Anele (for understanding dancing and the potential to be in the final)
Dave Campbell: Anele (because of the vibrancy she brings to the show)
Head judge
Lilian Phororo did not have to exercise her deciding vote.
Gugu will be disappointed but he did about as well as he could have hoped - the rest of the contestants are all much stronger dancers and their various fan bases would have been alert this week following the events of last week.
He wasn't ever going to win the competition and as it is he caused quite a stir this season, making him one of the more memorable characters the show has ever had. This despite the fact that hardly anyone knew who he was before the show, except for fans of the motor racing world.
He had his moment of glory last week, he threw himself wholeheartedly into his blogging, inspired emotion in others and generally got himself involved, right in the thick of things. SCD 5's errant child, who did more than his fair share of entertaining.
His number was up this week, and few could argue unfairly so.
Viewers' votes account for 50% of the final scores. As per usual, when judges' scores and viewer votes were tallied, the two couples with the lowest combined scores had to perform their routines again during a dance-off.
The judges' scores (before viewer votes were added) were as follows:
Tessa van Duuren & Grant Esterhuizen: 30
Rob van Vuuren & Mary Martin: 29
Cindy Nell & Jonathan Broadway: 28
Garth Collins & Hayley Bennett: 27
Anele Mdoda & Brandon Eilers Le Riche: 26
Gugu Zulu & Sarah Cooper: 20
The show included a tribute to Mama Africa, Miriam Makeba, who passed away earlier this week. The tribute was performed by
Judith Sephuma, who returned to the Strictly stage after she was voted off the show
a few weeks back.
It was a night for elegance, with all couples performing the (deceptively simple) Viennese Waltz, a style characterised by multiple rotations, couples dancing the 1-2-3 swings closely together, and, of course, the rises and falls.
First up was Anele, who believes that practice makes perfect. Dressed in a feminine, beautiful brown corset, Anele and Brandon interpreted the style creatively to deliver a performance that succeeded in delighting and entertaining.
Lillian thought they started well and that Anele needs work on her shoulder line and neck that seems way too tense. Dave was less impressed and remarked that she seemed to be “hanging on to a merry-go-round that was spinning out of control”.
Salome suggested Anele “keep her ears away from her shoulders”. Tyrone suggested bigger strides.
After performing in the dance-off last week (much to everyone's surprise, considering their track record),
Tessa van Duuren and
Grant Esterhuizen were back in top form, once again scoring the night's highest points.
Dressed in a romantic wide-sleeved turquoise gown, and for the first time with the hair down, their dance got a mixed response.
It left Dave “stone cold”, although he did acknowledge the fluidity and grace. Tyrone noticed good technique and thought that the chosen theme was in line with the character of the dance.
Gugu and Sarah bravely attempted something different, sending him out on his own for the opening steps of their rendition.
The couple seemed hesitant, however, and Salome had to remind him that this competition was about showcasing what you have learnt in a short time. She felt uncomfortable on his behalf.
Dave called it the worst waltz he had seen in his entire life.
Garth Collins and
Hayley Bennett delivered a performance inspired by Disney's Beauty and the Beast. All judges loved the way he settled into the challenge the show poses, and commended “the King of Perseverance” for his commitment.
His commitment is something TVSA can definitely attest to - not only has he thrown himself wholeheartedly into the show, he's become a regular face on the blogs, fully embracing the concept of breaking the fourth wall and engaging with his audience on a personal level.
It doesn't hurt that he has his very own manager, entourage and backing band rolled into one in the form of Jax, his greatest fan and staunchest ally. (We mean that in a good way, Jax).
Cindy Nell graced the floor in a dashing red gown and strategically chose an Afrikaans number (Randall Wicomb's “Dans met die Rooi Rok”) to accompany her competent effort.
Lilian liked her beautiful posture and it was a successful dance, also considering her nerves were shot before entering the Ballroom.
Rob van Vuuren, despite leaning more towards the Latin dances and finding the waltz quite boring, once again succeeded in bringing a star performance to the floor.
He and dance partner
Mary Martin made the most of the limited moves the style offers and Dave went as far as saying they've now got the title in sight.
The group number was a gumboot dance. Tyrone thought that nobody delivered an impressive performance, although Lilian did indicate that Anele was her favourite from the group; and Salome
almost saw potential in Rob's effort.
Guest performers The Parlotones got the party started, but the night's showstopper was Judith Sephuma peforming Miriam Makeba's “Pata Pata”.
Check out what the celebs have to say each week in their TVSA blogs (or use the banner at the top of the page to access all the celeb blogs at once):
AdilAneleCindyGarthGuguHlubiJudithShugasmakxRobTessaOther SCD 5 links:Strictly Come Dancing 5 Mini-SiteOfficial Site
| STRICTLY COME DANCING 5: EPISODE 7 |
Gugu Zulu and Sarah Cooper
Gugu Zulu and Sarah Cooper
Gugu Zulu and Sarah Cooper
Anele Mdoda and Brandon Eilers Le Riche
Anele Mdoda and Brandon Eilers Le Riche
Rob van Vuuren and Mary Martin
Rob van Vuuren and Mary Martin
Cindy Nell and Jonathan Broadway
Cindy Nell and Jonathan Broadway
Tessa van Duuren and Grant Esterhuizen
Grant Collins and Hayley Bennett
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