Strictly Come Dancing, Saturday 7pm, BBC One

Posted by Jane Murphy

Last week they flounced off in disgust halfway through the judges’ less-than-flattering comments. But this week, rock chick Jo Wood and her partner Brendan Cole were voted off Strictly Come Dancing for good - having received just 14 points for their “futile and ineffectual” (Craig Revel Horwood’s words, not mine) samba.

Truth be told, the pair knew their time was up the second they found out they were in the dance-off. Their opponents? Olympic athlete Jade Johnson and Ian Waite, who’d received an impressive 32 points for their show-opening samba. How they ended up in the bottom two is anyone’s guess, but being first to perform can’t have helped. After all, Strictly is on for so long at the moment, it’s easy to forget what happened back in the mists of time when you first switched on the TV.

Strictly speaking (no pun intended - honest!), Coronation Street star Craig Kelly and his sidekick Flavia Cacace should have been in the dance-off: the couple’s samba only managed to secure them 18 points, their lowest score to date. Still, Craig looked completely crestfallen by the judges’ harsh comments - so he could well have won himself a flurry of sympathy votes.

At the other end of the scale, The Bill’s Ali Bastian and her partner/”special friend” Brian Fortuna pulled out all the stops to come top of the leader board with a super-stylish American Smooth - earning themselves 37 points from the judges, including a very enthusiastic 10 from Bruno Tonioli.

Meanwhile, former Footballers’ Wives star Zoe Lucker fought back from the confidence-crushing experience of being in last week’s dance-off - and turned in an accomplished American Smooth with partner James Jordan. A clearly impressed Len Goodman told her: “If you’re in the bottom two after that, I’ll dance the Lambada with Craig next week.” Ah, what a lovely image that makes!

So did Jo and Brendan deserve to go? And how the hell did Jade find herself in the dance-off? Have your say here.

Picture: BBC

SEE ALSO:
Last week’s Strictly - Joe packs his bags >>
Craig Revel Horwood gets jiggy with Camilla >>
More must-see entertainment shows >>

Comments

[at home]

Do think it was their time to go, Jo was rubbish and don't think Brendans attitude exactly helps the situation. He knows what he's getting into when he signs up so why then throw a strop and throw his dummy out when you know what is going to happen happens. He might just stand a chance of winning one year if he ever manages to get over himself.

Nobody really sparkles in this years competition certainly nobody that makes you go WOW but if I had to go for anybody it would probably be either Ali or Ricki, although I do think the East Enders guy is extremely entertaining and just who he is.

I've been watching the "other" show in favour over Stricly however after the total debacle that has become I will from here on in be watching Strictly in it's entirety on the night.

[Bridget]

I'm glad to see Jo and Brendan off. He's the only pro dancer rude and arrogant enough to answer back to the judges and last week's exit backstage in the middle of judging was pathetic. All the comments about Jo's lack of core strength are entirely valid - she looks like a rag doll being guided around the floor. Brendan would be doing her a favour to listen and act on the criticism rather than rush to her defence so quickly. He doesn't always know best.

[Deborah]

Sorry but yes, also Jade should never have been in the dance off, what are the voters thinking?

[rory]

Jo never really stood much of a chance once Revel-Horwood had decided in week 1 that he that he didn't want her there. What a pity that he, and that other pantomime dame, Toniolli couldn't be voted off, infact, isn't it time to get rid of the whole sad mess at the end of this series?.

[jagiwatch]

although she tried hard she was NOT good enough to stay in...

[jagiwatch]

They should change the format...EVERY couple should do the SAME dance for it to be a fair competition

[Jan]

I think it was Jo's time to go,but she went out fighting, It couldn't have been easy to come back each week after being savaged, you could see her confidence suffered because of it, I also think if the two who should have been in the dance off (had been Jo and Craig) craig would have gone.
How Jade and Ian ended up in the bottom 2 is hard to understand, I think people don't vote for the higher scoreres as they think they are safe and just vote for the under dog.

[kdsgirly]

You can just tell which contestants are trying and taking it seriously (which is better for us viewers) than those sleepwalking through it.

[Media Luvie]

The voting is manipulated which is why the BBC wont release the actual voting numbers received by the contestants. It's useful when they wish to get rid of someone.

[Debs]

It seems to me that every year the same thing happens, I almost wonder whether it is fixed in some way. Its the same with X-Factor, crummy acts staying in, when other more talented people get sent home. I know the strictly people dont have the same motivation that the X-Factor finalists do, but none the less it is a dance competition and the general public should remember that when they're voting. I wish it were left to the judges, things would be totally different then.

[Astaroth]

Who cares?

[Hilary]

This is a dancing competion Not a personality one, if I was recieving better scores and comments and was pushed out by someone who is more popular I wouldn't be to pleased so come on voters remember what its all about

[Don]

Each week "they" pick a good performer and a poor one for the dance off. That makes it much easier for the judges to select the winner. Simple !!
To 'ben macduff' nothing could be sourer or dourer than your comments.

[Mary Locke]

Too right she should have gone weeks ago. Sorry but I hope Craig goes next hes not that much better either

[ben macduff]

good riddence ta the sour faced auld hag with her forced smiles and dour looks

[lizzy]

I know Jo has had problems learning the dance routines over the past few weeks but I absolutely love her personality and am really sorry to see her go. Well done Jo, you gave it your best and I think won a lot of respect and fans. Well done Brendan too who has always fully supported Jo.

[Elaine]

Jade found herself in the dance-off beacuse the VT prior to her fabulous samba showed her acting like Prima Donna and unfortunately her ice maiden persona has not yet been completely thawed. She looks haughty & aloof and unless you notice little things like her squeezing a competitors elbow in encouragement during show 2 etc you wouldn't see much warmth there. Sure, it's a dance show but personality counts - and she's a sportswoman so has no ready-made fanbase like the Soap stars. Similar to Zoe last week. They dance well so the public don't feel any real motivation to vote. I agree, it's not fair but the fact remains it's not just a dance show,it's an entertainment show and a popularity contest.

[Dance fan]

Some fantastic dancing last night but some really bad dances too. Sadly yet again we saw a top performer in the dance off. I don't think it is fair that reference is constantly made to Craigs wish to perform at Blackpool as it will only, Unfairly entice the public to vote for him, and they did. Had Craig been in the dance off with Jo I believe the outcome would have been different as i feel Jo actually danced far better than Craig and the judges may have voted in favor of Jo.

[Bubbles]

Exactly how did Jade find herself in the dance off. God only knows.They will have to find a better way of judging this. We all love Joe I think she is a fantastic girl but I am afraid she was the right one to go.I loved the way her partner stood up for her all the way.