The cast of
Strictly Come Dancing 5 pulled out all the stops to deliver a nail biting quarter-final episode last night (20 November 2008), which saw ex-Gladiator
Garth Collins becoming an ex-dancer after a head-to head with 5FM's
Anele Mdoda.
This was the first occasion where the final five were expected to bring two flawless attempts to the dance floor, from a selection of styles chosen from the Latin and Ballroom genres.
When the judges' scores and viewer votes were tallied, the two couples who failed to impress the judges also failed to make an impression on the voting public.
After the dance-off, the judges chose to keep the following of the two celebs in the competition:
Tyrone Watkins: Anele (for her natural rhythm)
Salome Sechele: Anele (for her discipline and timing)
Dave Campbell: Anele (for understanding exactly what is expected in this competition)
Head judge
Lillian Phororo did not have to excercise her deciding vote; immediately eliminating Garth and his dance partner
Hayley Bennett from the competition.
As 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
First Dance: 37, Second Dance: 37 (Total: 74)
Rob van Vuuren & Mary Martin
First Dance: 30, Second Dance: 32 (Total: 62)
Cindy Nell & Jonathan Broadway
First Dance: 29, Second Dance: 30 (Total: 59)
Garth Collins & Hayley Bennett
First Dance: 26, Second Dance: 25 (Total: 51)
Anele Mdoda & Brandon Eilers Le Riche
First Dance: 24, Second Dance: 26 (Total: 50)
Garth and Hayley brought a Cha Cha and Rumba to the floor.
When commenting about the first dance, judges agreed that although there had been a vast improvement in his skill, he was still lacking technical refinement, although the couple did manage to capture the fire the style prescribes.
As always, there was consensus that the couple's extravagant and over-the-top outfits was a ploy to draw attention away from their shortcomings.
Their 2nd attempt with the Rumba left the judges ice cold.
Tessa van Duuren's Rumba with partner
Grant Esterhuizen got the season's highest score to date – 37 out of a possible 40. Even the judges applauded.
Their confidence and victorious attitude remained during the Waltz, equalling the Rumba's score. With the trophy in sight, Tyrone suggested they dig deep to rekindle the "sizzle".
Rob van Vuuren and
Mary Martin's dedication to winning was again illustrated by their Cha Cha, which was fun and playful and enjoyed by all the judges - except for Tyrone who got jaws dropping when he described it as "spastic".
Their Rumba did manage to embody the passionate Latin-lover the style is supposed to depict in a delicate, sensitive and intense dance to Kelly Clarkson's "Because of You". Lilian was in tears.
Judging from the audience reaction to Rob's efforts, we can probably expect to see him in the final.
During
Season 2 of the show,
Tamara Dey dramatically injured a knee ligament while performing with dance partner
Brandon Eilers Le Riche.
This year Brandon once again chose Evanescence's "Bring Me To Life" for his Rumba with current partner, Anele. And once again the seemingly jinxed track accompanied her falling flat on her face.
Judges applauded her courage and professional conduct when she got up to "let the show go on", but also found her paces bland.
Dressed in a creamy dreamy gown for her second dance, the Waltz, she redeemed herself.
Cindy Nell and partner
Jonathan Broadway chose a convincing Waltz for their first dance.
Their second was a delightful Quickstep and the judges loved it... except for Tyrone who thought she "will have to pull a rabbit out of a hat if she wants to see the final".
Sandy Ngema tried to get Cindy's opinion about the judges' comment, but the beauty queen opportunistically chose to rather punt her new slimming salon.
The heat is on for next week's episode - the producers also hinted at a surprise twist to the proceedings. The Tango, Paso Doble, Jive and Foxtrot are the options for the dancers, and they will have to do the two they haven't yet attempted during the series.
Gang of Instrumentals will be the show's special guest act.
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 8 |
Garth Collins and Hayley Bennett
Garth Collins and Hayley Bennett
Anele Mdoda and Brandon Eilers Le Riche
Anele Mdoda and Brandon Eilers Le Riche
Tessa van Duuren and Grant Esterhuizen
Rob van Vuuren and Mary Martin
Cindy Nell and Jonathan Broadway
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