Strictly Come Dancing: Scott triumphs, Ann flies!

Strictly Come Dancing: Scott triumphs, Ann flies!
Strictly Come Dancing: Scott triumphs, Ann flies!

The fourth week of Strictly Come Dancing 2010 has brought with it more memorable moments as the remaining couples performed the Charleston and tango. And once again it was a great night for Scott Maslen and Matt Baker, both of whom tied at the top of the judges' scoreboard with 35 points out of 40. The pair have now tied with Pamela Stephenson, who also scored 35 last week, for the highest score of the series so far. And Scott landed further accolades when the judges said that his tango with partner Natalie Lowe was "the best routine of the series so far". "I thought the performance was strong and dynamic," said Craig Revel Horwood, "you made great use of the floor." And Alesha Dixon agreed. "You're oozing confidence and I feel like you mean business," she told him. Matt Baker, meanwhile, scored highly for his Charleston with partner Aliona Vilani - which saw him donning a fake moustache and her appearing on stage with an umbrella. "It was not perfect," Craig told the couple, "but I have to say I loved it!" "I loved the routine," added Alesha, "it was effortlessly done." Pamela Stephenson - who topped the judges' scoreboard last week - also fared well, dropping just one point from last week when she scored 35 out of 40. "You've done four dances now," Len Goodman said of her tango, "all to a high level, all consistently good." Bruno Tonioli, meanwhile, described her as "like Catwoman". There was also praise for Kara Tointon's Charleston and Felicity Kendal's tango, with the latter receiving her highest score so far this series. And Tina O'Brien returned to the dancefloor after missing last week due to chicken pox. The former Coronation Street star also had her best week yet, scoring 29 out of 40 for her Charleston with partner Jared Murillo. "You make a cute little flapper," Bruno said, "it's great to see you back." Also receiving her highest score yet was Ann Widdecombe, who picked up 21 points out of 40 for a tango which saw her flying on to the dancefloor on wires. While Craig compared it to watching "dancing hippos", the other judges were kinder. "You're taking Strictly to a whole new level," Alesha said. "I love that you're trying and I love you." And Michelle Williams, who narrowly escaped elimination last week, fared better this week despite having to get to grips with a new partner. Ian Waite performed the tango with her after Brendan Cole returned to New Zealand following his father's death this weekend. "This dance is definitely your thing," Craig said. "It was so much better." However it wasn't such a good week for Gavin Henson who found himself near the bottom of the scoreboard for his tango with partner Katya Virshilas. "You looked a little bit out of your depth," Alesha admitted, while Craig was even less kind. "You fell down the steps at the beginning," he complained, "and that set up a whole stack of problems." And Peter Shilton - who was in the bottom two a fortnight ago - found himself at the bottom of the scoreboard with just 17 out of 40 for his Charleston with partner Erin Boag. "You look like a little penguin stuck in the mud," Bruno said of the performance. "You went to town on your outfit tonight," added Len, "I wish you'd gone to town on your dance." The results will be revealed on Sunday evening's show, with one more couple leaving the competition for good.

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.