HomeTVStrictly Come Dancing 2014 week 5 recap

Strictly Come Dancing 2014 week 5 recap

Strictly Come Dancing 2014 continued tonight as the remaining 12 couples danced once again to impress the judges and secure the public vote.

Last weekend we had to say goodbye to Bargain Hunt’s Tim Wonnacott and his partner Natalie Lowe. Although he’s been very entertaining on the dancefloor, he was one of the weakest dancers in the competition.

Tonight the competition was more fierce than ever and judging by the way the public have been voting this series anyone could end up in the bottom two tomorrow night. We know who we want to leave this week…

Keep reading to find out how all of the couples got on during tonight’s live show.

Jake Wood & Janette Manrara

Jake Wood & Janette Manrara
Credit: BBC/Guy Levy

EastEnders actor Jake Wood has been doing consistently well on Strictly so far this series. He’s one of the strongest dancers in the competition and he has an incredible relationship with his pro partner Janette Manrara. Tonight Jake and Janette danced the Quickstep.

The dance: A lively start to the show. There’s no doubt that Jake is a good dancer and his technique is impressive. We just wish he would show some personality. A couple of the tricks in the routine were a little sloppy but overall a good start to the evening.

The comments: Len said it was ‘light, bright, fun and fast’ and commended Jake on his footwork saying he’s set the bar high. Bruno said it was like Jake and Janette were stuck together and warned Jake to watch his top line. Craig said Jake lets his frame lead the dance at times but told him well done. Darcey agreed with her fellow judges and told Jake to be careful with his shoulders.

The score: 31 out of 40

Sunetra Sarker & Brendan Cole

Sunetra Sarker & Brendan Cole
Credit: BBC/Guy Levy

Casualty star Sunetra Sarker has been slowly rising up the leaderboard but last week she wasn’t at her best on the dancefloor. From what we’ve seen the past four weeks, Sunetra is definitely more at home with the Ballroom and her pro partner Brendan Cole is working wonders with her. Tonight Sunetra and Brendan danced the Viennese Waltz.

The dance: Much better this week Sunetra! Ballroom really is the style of dance for Sunetra and she whirled around that dancefloor like she owned the place tonight. Stylish, elegant and graceful! She got a standing ovation for her efforts too. Good work!

The comments: Bruno said it was spot on for content but told Sunetra to watch her shoulders. Craig said he thought it was absolutely beautiful. Darcey said that Sunetra needs to finish her lines better and agreed about the shoulder critique. Len said he thought Sunetra was terrific and commended their fleckle.

The score: 30 out of 40

Scott Mills & Joanne Clifton

Scott Mills & Joanne Clifton
Credit: BBC/Guy Levy

Scott Mills is definitely getting through the competition this year on his personality rather than his dance ability. Last week Craig told him that he was proof that you can’t teach everyone to dance. Scott and his pro partner Joanne Clifton has put in all the hours he can to make sure he does better this week. Tonight Scott and Joanne danced the Charleston.

The dance: Well that started off better than it ended. We really thought Scott was going to pull it out of the bag tonight but there were too many mistakes. He hesitated a few times and we worried about Joanne’s safety in a few places.

The comments: Craig said there was no attempt from Scott to do the swivel and told him a 3-year-old could have done a better job. Darcey said Scott ‘weirdly pulled this off’ but told him she worried for Joanne at times. Len said Scott was fun and entertaining and always puts his all in. Bruno said Scott’s dance abilities are unique and told him he could be the love child of Ann Widdecombe and John Sergeant.

The score: 19 out of 40

Thom Evans & Iveta Lukosiute

Thom Evans & Iveta Lukosiute
Credit: BBC/Guy Levy

Thom Evans showed really progression last week and was commended for putting more personality into his dance. During training this week Thom introduced his brother to his pro partner Iveta Lukosiute. Tonight Thom and Iveta danced the Cha Cha Cha.

The dance: Thom showed a lot of rhythm tonight but we didn’t overly love the routine. It was a cheeky and fun performance but we don’t think it’s the best he’s danced in the series.

The comments: Darcey said she worried that Thom wasn’t going to warm into the dance but told him he got there in the end. Len said that Thom didn’t know what to do with his arms at times but told him he performed it strongly. Bruno called Thom ‘the toy boy for any occasion’ and told him his personality is emerging more and more every week. Craig said it was ‘pigeon-toed’ but told Thom that he was marvellous at grinding.

The score: 27 out of 40

Frankie Bridge & Kevin Clifton

Frankie Bridge & Kevin Clifton
Credit: BBC/Guy Levy

The Saturdays singer Frankie Bridge opened the show last week and found herself getting another amazing score. During training this week Frankie told her pro partner Kevin Clifton that she was missing her son a lot so he came along watch her rehearse. Tonight Frankie and Kevin danced the Foxtrot.

The dance: That was another strong performance from Frankie. Kevin choreographed a light and breezy routine that felt really fresh. Frankie looked like she was dancing on air at some points.

The comments: Len said Frankie floated across the floor like ‘butter on a hot crumpet’. Bruno said that the content was a proper Foxtrot but told Frankie to push out of her waist. Craig said it was a wholesome performance and told Frankie it was ‘enchanting’. Darcey agreed with her fellow judges and told Frankie ‘well done’.

The score: 32 out of 40

Alison Hammond & Aljaz Skorjanec

Alison Hammond & Aljaz Skorjanec
Credit: BBC/Guy Levy

Alison Hammond was told she got her mojo back last week and she entertained the socks off the audience. During rehearsals this week Lisa Riley stopped by to give Alison some advice and to help her with her body aches and pains. Tonight Alison danced the Tango with her partner Aljaz Skorjanec.

The dance: Ballroom isn’t really Alison’s dance style but we have to give her credit for the attack she brings to the dancefloor every single week. She is a great mover and you can tell she’s put the work in. Well done Alison!

The comments: Bruno said he was intrigued by Alison’s Tango and told her he could see the work she’d put into it. Craig said the routine lacked drama and told Alison she took forever to get into hold. Darcey said if Alison was crisper and cleaner in the transitions it would have been a stronger dance. Len said the routine took a while to get started but commended Aljaz for getting the best out of Alison.

The score: 23 out of 40

Mark Wright & Karen Hauer

Mark Wright & Karen Hauer
Credit: BBC/Guy Levy

TV personality and radio presenter Mark Wright found himself in the bottom two which was a bit of a shock considering he scored his highest score to date. Mark admitted that his confidence took a bit of a knock so his pro partner Karen Hauer took him out dancing for an evening. Tonight Mark and Karen danced the Samba.

The dance: Another fun and smiley dance from Mark. He can really move those hips can’t he? We loved the start of the routine where Mark danced solo. No way he will be in the dance off tomorrow night!

The comments: Craig said he could have done without the ‘vulgar gyration’ on the judges table but told Mark he did it brilliantly. Darcey said ‘those hips know how to party’ and told him it was brilliant. Len said Mark came back from the dance-off and did his best dance. Bruno said that Mark was a natural and commented on the way he worked his bum.

The score: 33 out of 40

Simon Webbe & Kristina Rihanoff

Simon Webbe & Kristina Rihanoff
Credit: BBC/Guy Levy

Last week Simon Webbe came back fighting after finding himself in the bottom two during week 3Ā of the series. This week Simon took his pro partner Kristina Rihanoff on tour with him as he joined the Blue boys for some live shows as part of The Big Reunion. Tonight Simon and Kristina danced the Viennese Waltz.

The dance: A beautiful performance from Simon tonight. He’s really gaining in confidence and his partnership with Kristina is one of the best on the show. He’s coming into his own as the weeks go by and we think he’ll be safe again this weekend.

The comments: Darcey called Simon an ‘elegant, suave gentleman’ on the dancefloor but told him it was a little too skippy. Len said Simon looked classy but told him it wasn’t a classy performance. Bruno said that Simon needs to keep the dance floaty rather than pouncing. Craig simply told Simon his right thumb was up and agreed with the other judges.

The score: 28 out of 40

Judy Murray & Anton du Beke

Judy Murray & Anton du Beke
Credit: BBC/Guy Levy

What can we say about Judy? We really aren’t convinced that she’s actually trying all that hard. Her pro partner Anton du Beke is doing the best he can with her but she really, really needs to get through one routine and look like she knows what she’s doing. Tonight Judy and Anton danced the Charleston.

The dance: Well that was Judy’s best dance by a long shot. She still didn’t look like she knew what she was doing for most of it but she gave it a lot of attack. It’s nice to see her actually having some fun.

The comments: Len said that Judy has taken a step back this week but told her she was a joy to watch. Bruno said it was the Titanic of the Charleston. Craig said he was concerned but told Judy there was a lot of life in Judy’s performance. Darcey said that Judy has really worked on her performance level and told her it was a better performance.

The score: 18 out of 40

Caroline Flack & Pasha Kovalev

Caroline Flack & Pasha Kovalev
Credit: BBC/Guy Levy

TV presenter Caroline Flack has been one of the best dancers in the competition this series and definitely one of the female celebs to beat. She’s impressed every week with her partner Pasha Kovalev. This week Pasha took Caroline to a West End theatre to help her performance. Tonight Caroline and Pasha danced the Paso Doble.

The dance: That was a fierce Paso from Caroline and Pasha tonight. Caroline comes out every week and gives it her all. She has a natural rhythm and ability and she’s been an absolutely joy to watch this series.

The comments: Bruno said he loved the passion and the drama and he told Caroline she brings a feline quality to her moves. Craig agreed saying it was powerful and full of highlights. Darcey was almost lost for words and called it ‘so yummy, strong and dynamic’. Len said it was ‘fantastic’.

The score: 34 out of 40

Steve Backshall & Ola Jordan

Steve Backshall & Ola Jordan
Credit: BBC/Guy Levy

Steve Backshall has been one of the least consistent celebrities this series. After a strong week 1 Steve has really struggled to live up to the promise he showed. During the week Ola Jordan took Steve to a tea dance to get him into the right feeling for this week’s dance. Tonight Steve and Ola danced the Waltz.

The dance: Steve did one of his best dances tonight. It’s nice to see him doing something more in control and Ballroom suits him. If he danced like that every week he’d be at the top of the leaderboard!

The comments: Craig said it was nice to see a soft side of Steve through his dancing and told him it was ‘wonderful’. Darcey said she wasn’t expecting such elegance and told Steve he led Ola effortlessly. Len said Steve’s footwork was very good and told him he looked wonderful. Bruno said Steve has become a romantic lead and agreed with the other judges that it was wonderful.

The score: 30 out of 40

Pixie Lott & Trent Whiddon

Pixie Lott & Trent Whiddon
Credit: BBC/Guy Levy

Popstar Pixie Lott and her partner Trent Whiddon closed the show. The couple have been scoring very well this series and last week Pixie got a little emotional with her Rumba. During the week Pixie took Trent to an open mic night to get into the spirit for their latest dance. Tonight Pixie and Trent danced the Samba.

The dance: Pixie is quite the mover. We think that’s the best dance she’s done. It was full of energy, precision and attack. Pixie looked like she was having a great time and we enjoyed the routine.

The comments: Darcey said that Pixie transported her to another place and gave her all. Len said he was going to get his maracas out and told Pixie it was a proper carnival dance. Bruno said Pixie closed the show on a high. Craig said he couldn’t get over the shimmy at the start and told Pixie it was amazing.

The score: 35 out of 40

The leaderboard for the evening was:

Pixie Lott & Trent Whiddon – 35
Caroline Flack & Pasha Kovalev – 34
Mark Wright & Karen Hauer – 33
Frankie Bridge & Kevin Clifton – 32
Jake Wood & Janette Manrara – 31
Steve Backshall & Ola Jordan – 30
Sunetra Sarker & Brendan Cole – 30
Simon Webbe & Kristina Rihanoff – 28
Thom Evans & Iveta Lukosiute – 27
Alison Hammond & Aljaz Skorjanec -23
Scott Mills & Joanne Clifton – 19
Judy Murray & Anton du Beke – 18

Strictly Come Dancing 2014 continues tomorrow night at 7.20pm on BBC One. See all of the couples in rehearsals earlier today:

Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip is the owner and Editor of Entertainment Focus, and the Managing Director of PiƱata Media. With over 19 years of journalism experience, Pip has interviewed some of the biggest stars in the entertainment world. He is also a qualified digital marketing expert with over 20 years of experience.

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