Strictly Dance Fever fever

"Lana! Lana! Lana! (Oggie! Oggie! Oggie! Oy! Oy! Oy!)"

We could have been forgiven for thinking we were at a West Ham home game, sitting in the atrium of the Lakeside shopping centre yesterday evening. The fans were out in force to support homegirl Lana in the presentation dances of the finalists prior Saturday's closing contest, and the noise at times was stupendous.

Nevertheless, quick thinking on our part and an early arrival netted us railside seats two floors above the action. After a 2½ hour wait for a late start to proceedings, during which we had endured the attentions of the warm-up MC (and his warm-up before him), Graham Norton finally arrived to present the three couples, who would each perform their highest-scoring dance for us, in full regalia, and then give us a sneak preview of their new freestyle routines for Saturday's dance-off.

Ben and Stephanie's Lindy Hop was a little ragged, but full of energy. Stephanie was particularly impressive, and looked a far more complete dancer than Ben, even taking time to acknowledge the crowd mid-routine. Darien and Hollie's Milonga (I think) was smooth and sexy, and they worked well together, but it was missing the energy that Ben and Stephanie brought. Darren and Lana's Milonga, on the other hand, was almost chaotically energetic, no doubt because of Lana's desire to please her home crowd. Unfortunately it was all over the place, and had lost the passionate intensity it had when they first performed it, but I'm sure it'll be back for the final.

I won't say too much about the freestyle routines, not wanting to ruin the final for those watching it on Saturday. Let me just say that both Ben and Stephanie and Darien and Hollie had routines filled with stunning lifts, jumps and throws, and were marvellous to watch, if needing a little polish. Darien and Hollie were especially good, stealing my wife's vote after her vacillation so far. Darren and Lana disappointed a little. Although their timing was superb, their routine was a little simple, and needs to be kicked up a notch to complete with the other two. I can only hope they left out the tough stuff on purpose to avoid mistakes in front of Lana's family and friends, and that we have a pleasant surprise in store.

It was a very short show for such a long wait, but worth it, in the end. We're looking forward to the final all the more for having seen the finalists in live action.