James Jordan's Strictly Preview: Week FIVE
Joshua Kerr 
Strictly Come Dancing hall of famer, James Jordan, is back to preview Week Five, providing Free Bets with his expert insight, analysis and predictions throughout the series.
Despite only being a few weeks into the series, James has seen enough to sharpen his predictions, call out a few over-marks, and lift the lid on what life is really like for the pros. Here's this week's predictions and scores from Movie Week.
Who's going to win and who is next to be shown the door?
You’ve seen everyone at least three times. As of right now, who wins based on what you’ve seen?
James Jordan: Really good question. On dancing it should be either Lewis or possibly Amber. But I just feel they’ll go with someone like George, because he’s not as trained. If I had to stick my neck on the line, I’d probably say George. There are others who could slip through the net too — for example La Voix and Aljaž — they do an amazing job.
Let’s get into jeopardy. Who’s in the drop zone this week and who goes? Your calls have been decent so far — you said you’d put your house on Ross King not going in Week One, and he didn’t. Then he went Week Two. Last week Balvinder was in the bottom two, which surprised some people, especially after Chris survived the week before.
I think Chris will go. I definitely think he’s going to be in the bottom two. As for who joins him, I haven’t looked at the dances they’ve been given and that really matters, but Stefan & Dianne is a good possibility.
When people come back from a week off, they don’t seem to get the same support — I don’t know why. It could also be Harry & Karen — I love him — or Alex & Johannes, depending on what they get.
There are certain people it’s not going to be, but Chris in the bottom two feels nailed on.
The live band divides opinion each year. Sometimes a track soars live; sometimes people say it sounds off. Should Strictly ever use the licensed recording instead?
It’s live music and the show’s always been that way. It would be a shame to go to track. The band is so versatile — the different types of music they have to play is amazing when you think about it.
That would be like asking me to do ballet, hip hop, contemporary, street, ballroom, Latin — all of it — and be great at every genre. Almost impossible for a dancer, but they somehow do it with the music. I tip my hat to them. Will some numbers be less successful than others? Of course. But keep it live.
What do you make of some comments online that the judges are a bit “cringe” this year — bigger antics, chasing spotlight instead of just judging. Have you noticed that?
Yeah, I have, but I think it’s always been like that a bit — it’s an entertainment show. If I was on there, would I be doing the same? Possibly.
My only real thing is it’s all gone a little bit PC and the judges have softened with their critiques. There’s nothing wrong with being honest.
The antics are them trying to create good Saturday night TV. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
Let’s go behind the scenes. What do pros and celebs actually eat on a typical show day? Is there a recommended “dancer diet”?
Not really. Everyone’s different. Some try to eat healthy — and that includes pros — others are on pizzas, chips, burgers because you’re burning so many calories. I’m not saying that makes it healthy, but you’re not worrying about the number so much — you want the energy. It’s the dancer’s and celeb’s own choice.
At home, I’m salmon fillets, loads of veg, sweet potatoes, chicken and beef for protein. On tour I’m eating badly — service stations, McDonald’s, KFC, late-night pizza in the hotel. It’s very different when you don’t have time to prepare food. It’s about balance and keeping the energy up.
Quick logistics one: the Saturday and Sunday shows. They record the results after the main show. What actually happens when everyone’s stood for ages waiting “up the top”? What if someone needs the loo?
Back in the day you’d be standing under the spotlight and halfway through you’d get released because there are other bits going on — it’s not recorded live, so there are breaks.
Up in Claudia’s area I used to hate it. It’s a long show and I can’t stay in one place for too long, so I’d walk off shot, go down the stairs, disappear for a bit, then come back. I always got told off! I look at them now and think: wow, they’ve been up there for two hours.
I’m sure if they need a pee, they can disappear. Otherwise… maybe they’re all wearing nappies.
Scores and Analysis - Movie Week
Amber & Nikita — Foxtrot/American Smooth
James: I gave them an 8. Judges gave 8, 9, 9, 9.
Classic song, beautiful costumes, lovely production and the benches worked. I enjoyed it so much — I’d happily watch it in the West End.
The choreography using the benches — stepping from one bench onto his knee and to the other — was clever. But it’s supposed to be Foxtrot/American Smooth.
The show’s drifting from beautiful ballroom and Latin into musical theatre, jazz, contemporary, street. I’m torn: I loved the dance, but there wasn’t enough foxtrot content and that disappointed me.
Chris & Nadiya — Paso Doble
James Jordan: I gave them a 3. Judges 4, 6, 6, 6.
Positives: good music, good theme, good costumes. They had red capes at the start — why not use bigger capes and give him proper cape action?
Paso can be one of the easier dances for a man, especially with no dance experience — masculine, bold — and I thought it might suit Chris. But the choreography didn’t let him show that.
It felt weak and awkward. There was a step like pat-a-cake with their legs and chest-banging — not for me. I laughed out loud at three sixes. Can someone explain that?
George & Alexis — Street
James Jordan: I gave him a 6. Judges 6, 8, 9, 8.
I’m a traditionalist: hip hop, street — whatever it was — has no place on Strictly for me.
I wasn’t a fan of the costumes or music. That said, he did a very good job, and she’s doing great as a new pro. I love their partnership.
George is so likeable and a genuine contender to win. I just want to see them do more ballroom and Latin — what the show is supposed to be about.
La Voix & Aljaž — Waltz
James Jordan: I gave them a 7. Judges 7, 7, 7, 7.
Lovely song, lovely production and graphics, beautiful traditional costumes, and Aljaž choreographed it properly with lots of content in correct frame. It was beautiful, soft and actually quite touching.
I’m pleased they didn’t add comedy — it wasn’t needed. He loses his neck at times; needs to stretch through the spine. I also want more flexion through the knees for softer movement. Overall, really liked them this week.
Ross & Jowita — Paso
James Jordan: I gave them a 4. Judges 4, 5, 5, 5.
I hated the music, the theme, the costumes. This is where Strictly can feel unfair: sometimes the “underdogs” get terrible production and costumes, while the expected high-scorers get good tracks and themes.
Why not flip that? Non-dancers end up with the joke numbers. That said, he did a really good job this week and compared to, say, Chris & Nadiya, it was better choreographed. I just couldn’t get away from them looking like Smurfs.
Balvinder & Julian — Foxtrot
James: I gave them a 4. Judges 7, 7, 6, 6.
Tough one because Julian seems lovely, but at times I struggled to see who the pro was.
It didn’t drive across the floor; it felt “meh”. Their Charleston will probably be their best dance of the series. Ballroom here wasn’t good. They need to raise their game. Disappointing.
Karen Carney & Carlos — Cha Cha
James Jordan: I gave them a 5. Judges 4, 7, 7, 7.
First, please stop those restaurant “confidence” VTs — training gives confidence, not four hours filming tea.
I think she peaked Week One with the jive — the football background helped.
This cha-cha was too advanced for her and showcased him more than her. There was a big section totally off time and the judges didn’t mention it. Carlos needs to rein it in and pitch it to her level. Overmarked for me.
Jimmy & Lauren — Rumba
James: I’d have given him a 5. Judges 7, 7, 6, 8.
I love this pairing, and the song and styling were great. He’s trying hard with the basics, but a non-dancer can’t learn rumba in a week.
His arms didn’t finish; I didn’t buy the connection. Not their best, and overmarked in my view.
Vicky & Kai — Charleston
James: I gave them a 6. Judges 5, 7, 6, 7.
I love this couple. She’s clearly had no formal dance training and that’s what Strictly is about. Jam-packed content, difficult lifts, great track and costume.
She faded towards the end — needs more speed and clarity in the legs and was a touch behind the music. Needs to be punchier. Still, I really enjoyed it and she’s totally exceeding expectations.
Ellie & Vito — Samba
James Jordan: I gave them a 6. Judges 6, 7, 7, 7.
Technically, I could pull it to pieces — there were a lot of mistakes — but they’re so infectious as a couple.
I loved the performance from start to finish. Vito was clever with the balance of basic steps and personality moments, hitting the highlights and the little subtleties.
She’ll still struggle more with the serious ballroom like foxtrot.
Alex Kingston & Johannes — Quickstep
James Jordan: I gave them a 6. Judges 7, 8, 7, 8.
I loved the acting-heavy opening, though maybe a bit long — felt like about 30 seconds before proper quickstep — and they kept breaking hold.
But with Johannes she has a natural softness; he never overpowers her like some pros do. I wanted more energy and fight sometimes, but I also liked the easy quality. I know that contradicts itself — but I enjoyed it.
Harry & Karen — Salsa
James Jordan: I’d have given a 6. Judges 8s.
I love Harry and his cheeky character. Some really nice lifts, executed brilliantly. But overall it felt monotonous, and I wasn’t as excited as I should be by a salsa. I wanted more traditional salsa basics and earthy grounding.
The music was boring and tough to choreograph to. I want him to do well — he’s great — but four eights was ridiculous.
Lewis & Katya — Paso
James Jordan: I gave them a 9. I think the judges went something like 9, 10, 9, 9.
Another well-choreographed piece from Katya. There were moments he looked exceptional — the jumps, the dramatic final lift — huge impact.
I’d still like more strength through his body at times; a couple of places felt a touch weak. But then he does things I’d never be able to do. Absolutely brilliant overall.
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