Semi Finals

Cricketer Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy, rugby star Matt Dawson and Lilia Kopylova, ex Spice Girl Emma Bunton , the bookies underdog and Darren Bennett are the three couples passionately competing in the semi finals in the hope of making the Grand Finale next Saturday night.. A wonderful atmosphere of excitement, brilliant costumes, incredible live musice and a classy ballroom setting, presided over by the formidable judges, was the battle field

Each couple danced the very sensual Argetine Tango in addition to one other dance. Matt and Lila were romatically beautiful to watch as they held us enraptured with their remarkable Foxtrot.. Judges Comment: Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire of the evening. Emma was not on form tonight. Her dancing was rather dull and lacked vibrancy. I really cannot understand how she made it through to the semi finals. We were really looking forward to seeing Louisa Lytton and Vincent Simone dancing the Argetine Tango but we should be seeing them in the Christmas Special.. Mark and Karen stole the show with their interpretation of the Argetine Tango, bringing the house down with huge applause and standing ovation. Even the judges applauded and rewarded them with the long awaited ten, three times over with only Craig giving a nine. They said Mark danced like a professional and it was phenomenal. Their superb performance was flawless, fast moving, sizzling and exciting. One judge said that it was the first dance worthy of the finals. Emma’s salsa was the dullest salsa I have ever seen. It is usually a very exciting dance but she seemed to be dancing more to her self, excluding her partner and going through the technical motions without the precision and snappiness essential for this dance.. Arlene said she was technically correct but that was all. No passion or fire and yet she gave her a nine.

At the end of the first half of the evening, after two dances each, Mark and Karen were top of the judges’ leader board with 73, Emma and Darren with 69 and Matt and Lilia with the undeservedly low score of 65. Who will be the two best couples making it through to the Grand Finale next Saturday??

Part Two

After more than two point six million votes, Emma Bunton who had been publicly vying for woman power support, pointing out that she was the only female dancer left in the competition, was once again voted into the bottom two with partner Darren, joined by Matt and Lilia. Emma and Darren were the couple chosen by the public to go home so we will be seeing the fantastic Mark and Karen and very smooth Matt and Lilia in Saturday’s Grand Finale. Who will be the reigning champion of the 2006 series of Strictly Come Dancing.???

This article was written by Evelyn Lewis. Thanks E!