Ever heard the expression ‘deja vu’?
That was very much like the feeling I had on Saturday, standing there with Flavia, as the hot spotlight shone in our faces. I’d said to Flavia after our marks in the foxtrot put us in the middle of the leader board, that I had a feeling that again we’d be in the bottom two, but felt sure that we’d come through it. However they couldn’t have made it more dramatic if they’d tried. First Craig, then Alicia chose Lynda but I never stop believing that my initial intuition was right. When Bruno chose us I could have jumped for joy as I knew that because of Len’s casting vote it gave us a fifty fifty chance of surviving. As my Dad (who was in the audience) pointed out afterwards, if Len were to save us it would seem like a dramatic come back. A bit like Liverpool’s comeback victory against AC Milan in the Champions League final in 2005.
The Foxtrot
The day had started so well and I had a very good feeling about the foxtrot. This was going to be my breakthrough dance. As it turned out, it didn’t exactly set the world alight but it was the first time I had really enjoyed myself on the live dance floor so for me that was a breakthrough. I got into the moment, the music and dancing so much that I technically slightly let myself down but was so enjoying this new found freedom on the dance floor that I just went with the flow. It was only after, when it was pointed out to me, that I realised I had looked at Flavia quite a few times in hold and this, along with my slightly droopy right elbow meant losing precious marks from the judges.
Winning yet another dance off was a great feeling but I really hope I’m not there again this week. It’s not an easy thing to deal with and it’s certainly no good for my blood pressure. We’ve had a great time this week as ever. I’m really excited about the upcoming jive. This really could be the breakthrough dance! Fingers crossed. Toes crossed.
Thank you so much for all your support. As ever it means a lot to me. Hope you enjoy my dance on Saturday.
Bye for now, Craig
Stumble it!
Themocracy
Nice question
Hi Craig – just to let you know that we are supporting you all the way from Australia! My dad is recording each episode then posting them to me with a bar of fruit and nut. What an experience you’re having – I’d love to have the opportunity to dance with a professional every week. Keep up the great dancing and send love to Flavia from the Barclays (us) as we are great fans (she doesn’t know us but what the heck!).
Looking forward to our next instalment to arrive
Love Alex xx
Best of luck for tonight Craig..We’re rooting for you all the way..As a certain Stuart Alan Jones once said to Vince Tyler…’You’re fantastic!’ xx
Hi Craig
Just to wish you all the luck in the world tonight doing your jive. You never deserve to be in the bottom two and tonight you will prove it! Keep going, we want to see you in Blackpool.Have a great birthday at the end of the month, hopefully you will still be dancing.x x
Im in a rubber dingy,in the isle of dancing drinking and drinking and drinking….I ended up in a little shabeen last night oh jesus…You and Mrs Kelly have to come to Ireland to this place……………ITS LIKE A RUBBER DINGY PUBEEN IN THE MIDDLE OF A FIELD!!
Okay less of me and my jolliment….Craigeen let me tell you something
you have nothing to lose now
dignity tick
dancing tick
(NOTE HOW I PUT DIGNITY BEFORE DANCING)You have really improved your dancing and you know what you were still in the dance off with that oxo woman…So lets do it like a mathematical equation
dancing and dignity = Team Kelly beaming with pride
iF you get top marks = Team Kelly beaming with pride
if all the judges cant mark cos they get some disease called mutemarks disease. = Team Kelly beaming with pride
if you are in the dance off =Team Kelly beaming with pride
So to end my maths jive lesson + LOADS OF YOUR SPIRIT AND FUN AND BRING THESE CAREFREE EQUATIONS TO TONIGHTS DANCE COS NOT GIVING A SHIT IS THE MOST ATTRACTIVE THING IN THE WORLD
AND REMEMBER IWILL KNOW WHERE I WAS THE NIGHT CRAIGEEN DANCED THE JIVE….OR WILL I? SHABEENS ARE DANGEROUS.
XX RD
Craig,
i REALLy think that the jive will be the dance that blows them all away. Keep your focus and GO! GO! GO! this saturday is YOUR night so get out there and do a good show, alright?
Hi Craig! Can you give my nerves the week off this week please? LOL. You are doing great – nobody is safe out there – and Flavia is a fantastic partner. Just enjoy every second and go for it!
King of the Dance Off lol ….. so happy you made it through but please no more cant stand the tension and my heart beating out of my chest feels so strange.
This Saturday is your first chance to show the fun side of your personality and i am really impressed that Flavia has gave you “24 beats” of choreography for your Jive, she must really trust you which hopefully will instill confidence in yourself and you can go out on that dance floor and blow them away.
Good Luck to you and Flavia for the weekend …. bring it on
I was so nervous waiting for the judges decision on Saturday so can only imagine how you must have been feeling. Glad to hear that you managed to enjoy the foxtrot and hope that this carries through to the Jive too. We will all be rooting for you on Saturday. Go for it….you can do it.
Good luck x
Keep going Craig!
I can only imagine how nerve wracking the whole Strictly experience is for you….Its bad enough for us at home, and standing under that spotlight for those few minutes must feel like an eternity.
You managed to enjoy the Foxtrot even when ‘Under Pressure’ so do the same again this week in the Jive. Let us at home see how much you enjoy it by laughing and smiling your way through it.
Try and keep calm, and dance like you’re back in the ‘comfort’ of the training room. Flavias a wonderful teacher and you’re in good hands there.
Enjoy !! xxx
Craig just keep on doing what you are doing, I was so happy for you getting through the dance off this week, I am not a dancer at all so the only thing I noticed was that you looked tense and didnt smile at all, I really hope you come out all guns blazing on saturday and give us a brilliant jive. I will be rooting for again as ever and I know you can do it.
Good luck to you both xxxxxx
Craig – go for it! Saying being in the dance off “is not good for your blood pressure”…?!! What about ours!????
Anyway having said that, I thought the foxtrot showed an improvement (although the hold was a tad shonky at times – but it wasnt as bad as Craig RH was saying). You certainly showed more emotion/confidence in your face – just relax your shoulders and then you are almost there.
We are still voting for you – even though it might not look that way. I really hope you go out there and prove the critics wrong – and that the Jive is your dance. Have fun – and every time you kick and flick… just pretend its one of the judges – its amazing how good the Jive is for aleviating frustration!
Good luck to you and Flavia.
You go for it Craig!
I admire your calmness about the whole thing. I would be in bits. Actually I am —at home, second hand!
I am glad that you feel that you have broken through that ‘live stage’ barrier and I wish you and Flavia all the best for the Jive.
Good Luck!