Strictly Come Dancing 2014 continued at the weekend with the remaining couples dancing at Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom.
During Sunday night’s results show we had to say goodbye to Judy Murray and Anton Du Beke as they were eliminated during the dance-off against Sunetra Sarker and Brendan Cole.
We caught up with Robin to talk about Judy Murray’s exit, Simon Webbe’s show-stealing performance, and his return to the show for Christmas.
On Sunday night’s results show Judy Murray finally left the competition. Do you think that was the right decision?
We finally said goodbye to Judy. It was the right decision and I was actually happy for her because she went out on what was, for me, her best dance. There was a lot of content in there and she was actually dancing. I think the best way for her to leave was on a high, quite literally because she was taking off with a bunch of balloons. She’s had a rough journey but she’s stuck it out and gone out on a high.
Do you think the public maybe kept her in so she could get to Blackpool?
I had a feeling that Judy wouldn’t get any further than Blackpool although there was a period when I thought she was going to get to the final. Watching the show on Saturday night I knew she would be going home because the standard was so high you couldn’t not vote for the good dancers.
Sunetra Sarker was also in the bottom two. Did she deserve to be there?
I thought on Saturday’s performance that she would be in the bottom two. It was quite sloppy and a bit messy and she did make some mistakes. I felt like Brendan was pushing her around the floor to make her keep up. She’s through and I’m sure she’ll be back in Ballroom next week, which she excels at.
Someone else who was down at the bottom of the leaderboard this week was Steve Backshall. What did you think of his routine?
I thought Steve had a great routine. I just think the 6 couples in front of them on the leaderboard were just amazing. It left the three couples at the bottom dragging behind. The couples at the top of the leaderboard just outshone everyone else.
At the top of the leaderboard was Simon Webbe & Kristina Rihanoff and Pixie Lott & Trent Whiddon…
Simon and Kristina were the standout performance of the night, if not the entire series. Where on earth that came from I do not know. The chemistry that was between them, the routine was amazing and they both danced incredible. It all came together on the night. I can’t believe Craig only gave them an 8. For me it was four 10s and they stole the show.
Simon seems to have finally found his groove the past couple of weeks…
Yes. What’s happening every week is that a different couple is jumping to the top of the leaderboard and outshining everyone else. It’s so exciting for the viewers at home because you just don’t know who’s going to do a good job. All it takes is one slip up and it’s goodbye from the competition. It’s so fiercely fought that one mistake could end it all.
Mark Wright got another high score this week. What did you think of his Charleston?
I loved Mark and Karen’s Charleston. It was very together, very clean and very tidy. I would have liked to see a little bit more oomph but nevertheless I thought it was a fantastic routine. There’s something about that man that when he smiles most of the country just melts. He has the most incredible smile.
Jake Wood tied with Mark for third place on the leaderboard. He really came back fighting at the weekend didn’t he?
Jake had a fantastic night. Incredible lifts again from Janette. That split where the two boys threw Janette into Jake’s arms was incredible. I thought the actual Foxtrot content could have been better but as a performance and as a number it was fantastic.
Frankie Bridge & Kevin Clifton and Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev came joint second on the leaderboard at the weekend. What did you think of their performances?
Frankie and Kevin looked like they were dancing on hot coals. They they were flying around the Tower Ballroom and they looked like they were having a great time. It was a fantastic routine. The only thing is that it got overshadowed by a couple of numbers later on in the programme but nevertheless it was fantastic.
I knew we were going expect something fantastic from Caroline this week after she’d been in the bottom two. I absolutely loved her Jive. It had great kicks, flicks and energy. It got a little messy here and there but the energy that was coming out of her…you can see she really wants it. I also just love Pasha in a fur hat!
As we approach next weekend’s show, do you think anyone is safe now or could any of the couples find themselves in the bottom two?
I think we’re getting to the stage where any couple could end up in the bottom two. No one is safe. One slip-up, a wrong foot or dropping the performance level now is unacceptable. They’ve got to go out there and give 100% every single week otherwise they’ll be out.
It was announced last week that you will be back on Strictly for the Christmas special and you’ll be dancing once again with Lisa Riley. How excited are you to be back?
I’m ecstatic that I’m coming back for the Christmas special and even more ecstatic that I’m going to be dancing with Lisa again. We’re such good friends and we’ve already started rehearsals. We’re having a wonderful time and getting into the Christmas spirit nice and early. I just can’t wait! You may see me on the show sooner than you think.
Strictly Come Dancing 2014 continues at 7pm Saturday on BBC One. Watch Simon and Kristina’s Argentine Tango from Blackpool below:
