Forgetful Lulu tanks on Strictly as Holly Valance and Anita Dobson emerge as early favourites

Where's the boom bang-a-bang? Forgetful Lulu tanks on Strictly as Holly Valance and Anita Dobson emerge as early favourites

By Andrea Magrath

Last updated at 11:23 PM on 30th September 2011


After the first episode of 2011's Strictly Come Dancing, the contestants to beat are Holly Valance and Anita Dobson.

The Australian pop star and former EastEnders actress tied first place on the premiere episode of the season with a score of 28.

Miss Valance was the first to take to the dance floor and despite looking gorgeous in a tiny glittering gold number and bouffant hair, the 28-year-old showed her nerves.

Flop: While Lulu had a lot of fun on the dance floor during the first episode of Strictly Come Dancing, she forgot most of her choreography and received the lowest score of the night

'I'm struggling with the Cha-cha-cha,' the Kiss Kiss singer, paired with last year's winner Artem Chigvintsev, said. 'Artem doesn't give out compliments willy-nilly. Artem's been hard enough to please, hopefully I'll impress the judges.'

She needn't have worried. Dancing to Who's That Chick by David Guetta, Valance dazzled the audience and judges with her natural rhythm.

Judge Alesha Dixon gushed over the performance. 'You are a very good dancer, you look sensation and you've got the sexiness down,' she enthused. 'Your technique is already at a very high standard. You're going to be sensational!'

Impressive: Holly Valance was the first to perform and received the tied highest score of the evening, a 28 for her Cha-cha-cha to Who's That Chick

Len Goodman admitted, 'It's not the best first dance I've ever seen... but it was close. It could have been a bit crisper. The rest have got to be bloomin' good to beat that though.'

'You are eye candy,' Bruno Tonioli told Holly, 'but you need more bite. You need to go for it with more strength - go for it because you've got it.'

Craig wasn't too harsh either, telling Valance she needed 'sharper arm placement throughout. A lot to work on but a lot of good actually.'

The judges awarded Holly and Artem a high score of 28, with Alesha's eight the highest individual score of the evening.

Sizzling: The Australian popstar looked gorgeous in a tiny gold dress and bouffant hair

One to beat: Holly showed some nerves after the performance but needn't have worried, winning high praise from the judges

Former soap star Anita Dobson gave Holly a run for her money with an elegant and emotional waltz to Three Times A Lady.

As her husband Brian May beamed proudly from the front row, the 62-year-old drew cheers as she sashayed in a white gown.

'You're beautiful to watch and that was the most sincere dance of the night,' Alesha told her.

Craig was uncharacteristically generous, telling her that: 'You do need to sort out your head placement but I thought that whole routine was gorgeous.'

Judges' favourite: Former soap star Anita Dobson gave Holly a run for her money with an elegant and emotional waltz to Three Times A Lady

High praise: Even Craig was uncharacteristically generous, telling her he 'thought that whole routine was gorgeous'

'Elegant, beautifully acted,' said Bruno. The judges all awarded seven each, giving a score of 28 to match Holly's.

But while many were expecting good things from singing superstar Lulu, hers was the worst performance of the evening.

The 62-year-old, wearing a short purple frock, forgot most of the choreography, giggling as she made up moves in between.

'It had the energy, but the steps went down the toilet,' Bruno said.

Giggles: While many were expecting good things from singing superstar Lulu, hers was deemed the worst performance of the evening

Entertaining: 'It had the energy, but the steps went down the toilet,' Bruno told Lulu and partner Brendan

It was a complete dance disaster,' Craig scolded her. 'You made it up from beginning to end.'

Len said: 'The was plenty of boom bang-a-bang but nothing to shout about. You've got to work on nailing the choreography... but it was lots of fun.'

Alesha didn't seem to mind too much, telling Lulu: 'Thank you for getting the party started. I know it went a bit wrong but it doesn't matter, you've got the first one out the way.'

With a dismal two from Craig and five from the rest of the judges, Lulu and partner Brendan Cole walked away with the lowest score of 17.

Stiff: Presenter Lobb performed a romantic waltz but was criticised for not showing enough love to partner Katya, and was told he 'looked like Adrian Chiles on the sofa'

Still impressive: Despite the criticism Lobb walked away with the next highest score of 24

Presenter Dan Lobb and boxer Audley Harrison both received fare remarks from the judges after earlier expressing their nerves.

Lobb waltzed to Are You Lonesome Tonight, and was criticised by Bruno for not showing enough love to partner Katya.

'Mr Lobb, technically it was quite accomplished for a first go,' he said. 'But you looked like Adrian Chiles on the sofa.'

'Very elegant. I know you were so nervous but you have nothing to worry about you should be proud of herself,' Alesha told him.

Surprising: Boxer Audley Harrison said he was nervous but did very well with his waltz to Angel, receiving a score of 20

Powerful: 'You are so graceful for someone the size of Everest!' Bruno remarked

Len said: 'It was a bit wooden, it lacked musicality. But the footwork was good. For a tall man you did well.'

Craig was full of technical criticisms for the pair, who he said were 'hideously rigid.'

Lobb had said earlier: 'I'm fearful of the dancing aspect of Strictly Come Dancing. If it was strictly come going down the pub with your mates, I'd be alright.' He didn't do too badly though, winding up with the next highest score after Holly and Anita with 24.

Audley scored 20 for his own waltz, to Angel. 'You are so graceful for someone the size of Everest!' Bruno remarked.

Standing still: The judges were unimpressed that Robbie Savage's partner Ola Jordan did most of the dancing while he stood still for much of the routine

Blondies: 'At least their hair matched,' said Len Goodman

'Not for me I'm afraid,' said Craig. 'It was bizarre and all flat footed.' Len certainly disagreed with this critique, telling Audley: 'Punch Craig as you walk by, I liked it!'

The judges weren't as thrilled with footballer Robbie Savage's attempts, unimpressed that his partner Ola Jordan did most of the dancing while he stood still for much of the routine.

'On the football field if you forget your position you have ten other teammates yelling at you, but on the dance floor there's no one to remind you,' Robbie complained before taking to the dance floor to perform the Cha-cha-cha to Bad Boys.

'It was all very Abercrombie & Fitch,' Craig said. 'You standing while Ola danced around you isn't what I call Cha-cha-cha.'

'It couldn't have been camper if you tried': Russell Grant received a standing ovation for his performance to Venus by Bananarama

Robbie Savage you left the Cha-cha-cha completely ravaged,' joked Bruno.

Alesha was more forgiving, telling the sportsman: 'A for effort its not easy for a bloke to do Cha-cha-cha especially a footballer. There's plenty of room for improvement.'

'You had in with good intent and plenty of attack. there's been three footballers on Strictly and you're the best so far,' said Len.

They scored a 19, with a disappointed Robbie saying he'd let Ola down on her birthday.

The final contestant to take to the dance floor was astrologist Russell Grant, performing a camp Cha-cha-cha to Venus.

Dazzling: Craig was less complimentary, saying 'That was the birth of something darling, it certainly wasn't Venus'

The routine received the only standing ovation of the evening and a good score of 21.

'Let's go clubbing together, you're the man to get the party going,' said Alesha.

Len said: 'Don't worry about Robbie Savage and Audley, this is macho.'

'It couldn't have been camper if you tried,' said Bruno.

But Craig was less complimentary. 'That was the birth of something darling, it certainly wasn't Venus.'

Tomorrow night the remaining dancers Jason Donovan, Nancy Dell'Ollio, Harry Judd, Chelsee Healy, Alex Jones, Edwina Currie and Rory Bremner will take to the dance floor.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2043937/Strictly-Come-Dancing-2011-Lulu-tanks-Strictly-Holly-Valance-Anita-Dobson-emerge-early-favourites.html#ixzz1ZTzf8Zl0