James Jordan’s Strictly Preview Week Nine
Joshua Kerr 
It's that time again, and ahead of Week Nine, Strictly Come Dancing hall of famer James Jordan is back with us to preview another weekend of ballroom drama, providing the team at Free Bets with his expert insight, analysis and predictions throughout the series.
With the final is looming upon us, it's time to get down to the business end of the series and see who James is backing to be in with a shot of the coveted Glitterball Trophy.
Reaction to Vicky's Exit
Vicky’s exit really shocked a lot of people. As someone who’s been on the show, what was your honest reaction to her going?
I felt sad for them because they were, in my opinion, the most improved couple in the whole series. Whatever anyone says, they were the most improved. She had the jive on a week where everyone else had dances that suited them more, and for a non-dancer, the jive is one of the hardest. She messed up in the dance-off, and the judges were right to save Balvinder because she delivered the cleaner routine on the night.
What bothered me most wasn’t the elimination itself, but what it says about Strictly right now. It used to be about watching someone improve, and this year, the person who improved the most left earlier than she should have. That’s sad to see.
La Voix to Miss Blackpool Through Injury
Let’s talk about La Voix missing Blackpool. Do you think there needs to be a rule change around injured celebrities getting a pass to the next week?
I feel really sorry for them because the whole VT last week was about going to Blackpool, and I know how excited they were. She was dancing in flats, so clearly there was an ankle issue.
But the big thing here is the rules, or lack of them. No one really knows where the line is. At what point can you not get a free pass? Could you get injured in the semi-final and still go to the final? Is there a cutoff?
I’ve been on the show for eight years, and even we weren’t told what the rules were. It’s a TV show, so I understand they can’t have three people drop out and suddenly have no cast left. But I do find it bizarre that someone can get a free pass and another person still gets eliminated that same week. That’s not fair.
If it were up to me, if you’re injured, then you’re out, unfortunately, and there’s no elimination that week.
Same number of dancers the following week, no one gets punished unfairly. Simple.
Balvinder Deserves BIG Respect
Let’s move on to Balvinder. She’s survived four dance-offs now. How do you feel watching her go through that?
I feel so sorry for her. She’s been in the bottom two four times. That must crush your confidence. You start thinking no one is supporting you, even though that isn’t true. It’s just that the public have their favourites.
But she deserves respect. Ending up in the dance-off four times and surviving four times? That is impressive. Every time she’s been in the dance-off, she delivered a cleaner routine than the other couple, and that’s why she’s been saved.
There’s a part of me that would love the public to get behind her this week and to keep her out of the bottom two so she can breathe and feel appreciated.
Realistically, especially with La Voix not dancing this week, I think she’ll probably go. But I’d love to be wrong.
SCORES & ANALYSIS FROM WEEK 8
Balvinder & Julian – American Smooth
Judges: 6, 7, 7, 7 | My score: 6
This was a lovely production. The music, the costuming, the staging, all of it looked great. But when you strip away the gloss, it wasn’t a great dance.
Technically, the foxtrot content lacked accuracy. The timing was questionable, and although the judges praised her footwork, it wasn’t actually correct. The movement across the floor wasn’t fluid, and I didn’t see the soft rise and fall or sweeping travel that this style demands. The lifts looked stiff and laboured, as if she was bracing her whole body through them.
It also didn’t help that they opened the show. It wasn’t strong enough to make an impact in that slot. As a viewer, it felt a bit “meh”. It was perfectly pleasant, but underwhelming in a week where everyone is desperate to get to Blackpool.
I also think Julian needs more support choreographically. It’s his first year, and ballroom is not his strongest area yet. He shouldn’t be afraid to ask other pros or choreographers for input. That’s how you develop. All in all, the routine didn’t do her any favours.
Amber & Nikita – Paso Doble
Judges: 9, 10, 9, 10 | My score: 9
As a performance, this had it all! The flames, the costumes, the drama, everything contributed to that big, cinematic Paso moment. Nikita choreographed an impressive routine, and Amber committed to every beat of it.
But despite the spectacular presentation, she still needs more traditional paso shaping. She can be quite stiff, especially through the torso, and that stops her from hitting those iconic lines with full power. The upper body softness just isn’t there yet, which means the shaping sometimes looks placed rather than lived.
Another issue is something missing in the partnership. I can’t decide whether it’s connection, chemistry, or characterisation, but something about them doesn’t fully convince me. It’s not that they’re doing anything wrong as they’re excellent, but there’s a slight disconnect.
Even so, it was one of the standout dances of the week. Brilliant performance value, superb energy, and incredibly entertaining. But, for me, it wasn’t a 10.
Alex & Johannes – Waltz
Judges: 8, 9, 9, 9 | My score: 7
This was a gorgeous routine visually. Traditional music, traditional choreography, traditional styling, the kind of dance I love. Johannes always pitches these classic numbers beautifully, and this was no exception.
Technically though, it lacked the drive and fluidity a waltz needs. Her posture was stiff and the head position awkward, just little technical things that make a big difference in a dance defined by elegance and smoothness. There was no real softness in her spine, which meant the rotation didn’t look effortless.
The pivot section, in particular, fell flat. It didn’t travel, didn’t build momentum, and lacked the power needed to elevate the routine. That section should glide, but this looked static.
There were lovely moments, especially her footwork and the way she came out of the first lift. But when you compare it to others who scored nines, the quality wasn’t equal. A really lovely dance, but technically a good seven.
Vicky & Kai – Jive
Judges: 6, 7, 7, 7 | My score: 6
This was a heartbreaking week for them because the jive is one of the toughest dances for a non-dancer and that showed. The routine was heavy, flat-footed, and lacked retraction in the kicks. When you don’t have that sharp snappiness, the jive immediately looks flat.
The music didn’t help, the choreography didn’t suit her natural movement, and overall, the dance just didn’t come together. But honestly, that isn’t Kai’s fault. There was only so much he could do because she simply wouldn’t have been able to cope with more complex content at this stage.
Last week she delivered one of the best dances of the entire series, so this felt like whiplash. I really thought the public would back her based on the journey she’s had, as she was, after all, the most improved contestant this year.
It was a surprise to see them in the bottom two, but once they were, the right person was saved. On the night, in that dance-off, her mistakes were too obvious. Still, absolutely gutting.
Karen & Carlos – American Smooth
Judges: 7, 8, 8, 8 | My score: 7
Karen is brilliant at fast, sharp, powerful dances as that’s her natural strength. But when she has to soften and glide, the lack of fluidity becomes obvious.
I loved the music and the overall concept, and Carlos once again delivered lovely choreography. But the performance didn’t match the choreography’s potential. She didn’t finish her lines to the fingertips, her torso was stiff, and her posture wasn’t clean.
There were moments where it looked like she was hanging onto Carlos rather than dancing with him. In a Smooth, movement should float and sweep, but this felt blocky and forced.
American Smooth should be smooth. This wasn’t. And in a week this important, that lack of softness stands out even more.
George & Alexis – Rumba
Judges: 6, 7, 8, 8 | My score: 6
Emotionally, this was beautiful. It had connection, storytelling, softness, and a genuinely touching quality. I loved the music, the choreography, and how invested he was emotionally.
But it wasn’t a rumba. Maybe three or four bars of actual rumba steps, and even those weren’t technically strong. The routine was predominantly contemporary.
So, while the performance moved me, as a judge I would have to score it as a rumba, and on that basis, it has to be lower than what was marked. The public, though, won’t care whether it was technically authentic. They care how it made them feel. And they will reward emotion over technique every time.
In that sense, Alexis was clever. I don’t think that was the intention, but the emotional pull of the choreographic style absolutely played in their favour. Beautiful to watch, but not a rumba.
Lewis & Katya – Tango
Judges: 9, 10, 9, 9 | My score: 8
This had all the trademarks of a Katya Jones routine; brilliant concept, clever staging, and choreography that punches straight through the TV screen. The opening spotlight sequence was stunning, and once again they gave 100%.
But for Lewis, this wasn’t his best technical dance. His frame slipped a few times, which you can’t afford in tango. He can also be stiff, and this week that stiffness crept into the transitions.
The biggest issue, though, was his movement. His steps were too big, and because he wasn’t driving through the standing leg properly, he became skippy. In tango, that completely breaks the style.
Even so, the commitment and drama were fantastic. It was one of the best dances of the night, but it wasn’t worth a 10.
La Voix & Aljaž – Couple’s Choice
Judges: 7, 8, 9, 9 | My score: 7
This was a really fun routine. She’s a brilliant entertainer, she’s naturally funny, and she always brings joy to the show. Their partnership is one of the most likeable in the competition.
But I’ve never been a huge fan of Couple’s Choice because, compared to standard ballroom or Latin, it just doesn’t have the same technical difficulty.
When you line it up beside the proper technical dances performed on the same night, this just can’t compete. It was enjoyable, well performed, and full of personality, but it wasn’t technically strong.
I feel really sorry for them missing Blackpool. Everyone knew how much it meant to them. And I genuinely believe their samba would have been a brilliant, party-style showstopper. Instead, they’ve lost that moment, which is a massive shame!
Who Makes the Final?
As we’re closing in on the final, what’s your prediction on who goes this week, and ultimately, who makes it to the final four?
With La Voix out injured and Balvinder struggling for votes, I think Balvinder will go. Unless someone else completely collapses, she’s the only realistic option.
As for the final four, Lewis, Amber, George… and then either Karen or Alex
Based on odds and momentum, probably Karen.
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