Aliona Vilani – hot stuff

It’s looking increasingly like Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani are going to emerge as the eventual winners of Strictly Come Dancing’s Series 9 at Blackpool’s world famous Tower Ballroom.

The news that Aliona is highly likely to be in the competition all the way to the finishing line is great news for most of the males tuning in each Saturday evening.

To put it simply, Aliona is pretty hot stuff! Alongside Ola Jordan and celeb Holly Valance, Aliona raises a few temperatures each week, so the longer she’s shaking her stuff in the contest – the better many of us men will like it!

Like a lot of other professional ballroom dancers, Aliona comes from Russia originally, but her family moved to America when she was thirteen. She had been asked to go to the States to join the Kaiser Dance Academy in New York, where she started learning Salsa, Hip Hop and Jazz in the Broadway Dance Center.

With her dance partner Harry Judd, the McFly drummer, Aliona has really stolen the show this series. The pairing have been favourites more or less all the way through the competition and are now available only at 1/2 in the Strictly Come Dancing odds.

Aliona made her first ever appearance on Strictly back in 2009 when she partnered Rav Wilding. The pair only survived until Week 3.

Then in 2010, the Russian temptress partnered Matt Baker, thankfully making it all the way to the grand final as males all over the UK sat glued to their screens – suddenly taking much more of an interest in ballroom dancing than they had ever shown before!

The pair impressed the judges in the final with a fine Samba, but it wasn’t quite enough to tip the scales in their favour in  a contest eventually won by Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev. Those looking at the Strictly Come dancing winner odds will be wondering if she can do better this time around.

It looks like the Russian doll will go one place better this time around.

Little Mix will win X Factor, says Goldie

Former X Factor contestant Goldie believes that Little Mix could win the show this year.

The flamboyant singer, who quit after she was put through to the live shows, told the Manchester Evening News: “I think it will be the girls now, Little Mix to win it, but I will be cheering everybody on.”

Goldie, who reportedly left the programme after she was deemed to be the joke act in this year’s competition, will be back on stage to perform during this weekend’s final – and she has admitted she’s very excited about it. Those looking at the X Factor odds should remember this.

“I can’t wait to see Gary again. I’ve got my outfit especially planned for him,” she said, adding that she will be performing an as-yet-undisclosed song.

She said she has received numerous messages of support since quitting the show. “It will be good to go back because hopefully it will answer a lot of questions to people,” Goldie told the newspaper.

Goldie isn’t the only person who has been keeping a close eye on this year’s competition, although she’s far less famous than some other fans.

Earlier this week, Prince William and Kate Middleton revealed that they are keen viewers of the show.

Speaking to finalist Marcus Collins, who was at his mentor’s Royal Albert Hall gig, they admitted to loving the programme.

Marcus told The Mirror: “They both said they watched The X Factor. How amazing is that? … Kate said she was amazed at how much stronger my vocals were live than on television. I just can’t believe it.”

The royal duo also managed to make a big impression on former finalist Olly Murs – the current Xtra Factor presenter.

Wills apparently told him that some of his friends had Justin Bieber posters up in their homes, but they had taken them down to put this up – hmm, it’s difficult to imagine anyone of the future king’s pals being Bieber fans in the first place!

Social media experts claim Little Mix will win X Factor

Social media experts Elemental have predicted that Little Mix will be triumphant in the X Factor final this weekend.

Following the announcement that the girl group, Amelia Lily and Marcus Collins would all be progressing to the show at Wembley, the consultancy firm carried out analysis of social media activity. People looking at the X Factor betting may want to bear this in mind.

According to The Drum, the experts found that Little Mix acquired the highest number of new fans over the weekend, with 21,786 people joining their ranks, including 3,584 new Twitter followers.

In comparison, Amelia Lily got herself 19,909 new fans and Marcus’s fan base grew by 13,540.

Surprisingly, following her axing from The X Factor, Misha B also gained new fans, with hers hitting the 10,000-plus mark for the first time since the bullying allegations surfaced.

“If contestants and their mentors are able to summon their collective love from fans, win new fans and tap celebrity friends to pass on the word, it could result in a positive tipping point,” Elemental director Tim Gibbon told the news provider.

So it looks like Little Mix could win it and since they’re the bookies’ favourite too, there’s really a big chance they will be crowned 2011 X Factor champions.

Gibbon suggested the finalists need to take advantage of all the hype to win precious votes at the weekend. Anyone placing an X Factor bet should remember this.

Little Mix apparently even have support from X Factor mogul Simon Cowell himself, if their mentor Tulisa is to be believed.

She claimed, in an interview with The Mirror, that Simon told her he “really liked the girls” and was backing them to win the competition.

Despite all the support for the singers, the only people who can ultimately help them win the show this year are the voting public, who have proved to be fairly predictable up until now – meaning Little Mix will probably win!

Misha B blames bullying claims for wrecking her X Factor chances

X Factor hopeful Misha B believes that show judge Tulisa Contostavlos is to blame for the public not warming to her on the programme.

The singer, who undeniably has one of the most unique and strongest voices in the competition, has ended up in the bottom two three times in the live shows. Anyone who has placed an X Factor bet will know this.

And Misha believes this is down to Tulisa’s earlier claims that she was bullying other contestants backstage.

Tulisa hit out at the 19-year-old on one of the live shows, telling the hopeful that some people had complained about the way she was acting behind the scenes. Fellow judge Louis Walsh also waded into the row, saying he had heard the same thing, while Kelly Rowland and Gary Barlow tried to diffuse the situation by saying she should be judged on her singing ability and nothing else.

But since that point, Misha’s luck has gone downhill on the show and she has had to sing for survival more times than any other contestant and she thinks this is down to Tulisa.

Speaking to The People, the Mancunian singer said it was “obvious” those watching the show would listen to the judging panel. Those following the X Factor odds should bear this in mind.

“I know if I was watching the show and someone accused someone like they did, without knowing the facts, then that would make me change my mind on the person.”

Even though Louis was quick to apologise to Misha about the damning accusations, Tulisa seemed to be far slower off the mark.

Even though she claimed to have spoken to the youngster in private, clearing the air with her, she hasn’t at any point issued any kind of public apology, which presumably only further fuels the allegations.

Janet Devlin denies rift with X Factor mentor Kelly Rowland

X Factor hopeful Janet Devlin has denied falling out with her mentor Kelly Rowland.

Reports earlier this week suggested a clash between the two, with the Northern Irish youngster said to think Kelly favoured Misha B over her.

The 17-year-old was also apparently concerned about Kelly spending more time with recently returned singer Amelia Lily than her, as well.

However, when she was at the premiere of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1, she told Glamour magazine that it was all lies.

“I didn’t even know about [the rumours] until I went online and saw the story. It’s crazy. It’s totally made up and completely ridiculous,” the hopeful said.

Despite denying a rift, the singer went on to say she would pick Gary Barlow to mentor her if she had a choice. But that’s only because “maybe then he wouldn’t shout at [her] so much”!

Gary has been fairly critical of Janet in recent weeks, calling her boring after she performed a similar-sounding song yet again last weekend.Those looking at the X Fator betting should remember this.

With Gary on her back, and Misha B and Amelia Lily in stiff competition with her, Kelly is said to be worried that Janet could end up in the bottom two at the weekend.
According to a source who spoke to The Mirror, Kelly is preparing Janet for the worst, just in case.

The insider claimed that Kelly has warned her she needs to be ready to sing for survival. “Janet is really worried she’s going this weekend and Kelly fears the worst too. She would be devastated if she is given her marching orders,” the source said, adding that Kelly is giving Janet extra rehearsal time to prepare.

According to the bookies’ odds, Janet is the second favourite to go this week – after Misha B – but with judges Gary and Tulisa Contostavlos always being impressed by Misha’s performances, she could well end up facing the axe.

Is Anton a dancer or a celeb?

Strictly Come Dancing has been the TV phenomenon in the UK in the noughties. And it looks like continuing into the teenies or whatever this decade will be called.
And if there’s one dancer who is instantly recognisable, even to non-Strictly fans, it has to be the unforgettable Anton du Beke.

The 45-year old dancer hails from Sevenoaks in Kent. With a Spanish mother and Hungarian father, Anton’s heritage is an eclectic mix. He started dancing when he was 14, studying Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet and modern theatre dance. But he was also a junior boxer and county footballer. Those following the Strictly Come Dancing betting may be surprised to discover this.

Fourteen may sound young to start dancing, but by the standards of most of his contemporaries, it’s positively late in life – so the young Anton had a lot of catching up to do in the early 80s. And he did just that.

By the time he reached 17, Anton was an accomplished dancer, specialising in the Foxtrot like his idol, Fred Astaire.

Anton has so far appeared in all the Strictly series, but is yet to win one (bar the Children in Need 2008 Strictly Come Dancing special when he won the Golden Pudsey award with Tess Daly).

In the first series, Anton partnered opera singer Lesley Garrett, finishing third overall. In Series 2, he danced with Esther Rantzen – but only for three weeks. Next up, Anton and Patsy Palmer managed an overall fifth place and in the fourth series, he partnered actress-impressionist Jan Ravens, but the pair were sent packing in week 5. Anyone looking at the Strictly Come Dancing tips should remember this.

For Series 5, Anton was paired with TV presenter Kate Garraway and managed to survive to week 7. In Series 6, Anton and actress Gillian Taylforth tripped the light fantastic, but only for two weeks this time!

In Series 7, Anton and partner Laila Rouass hung on to week 12 before being voted out. Last year, the unlucky Anton bravely guided Ann Widdecombe round the floor; gamely hanging on until week 10. This time around, Anton and Nancy Dell’Olio made it through to week 5, the Halloween Special.
Maybe next time Anton?

A Strictly savage team

Let’s face it; Robbie Savage isn’t always well-liked in footballing circles. Savage by name and often by nature, his midfield ball-winning and play-breaking tactics for Leicester City, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers and Derby County (as well as Wales) have won him more than his fair share of enemies on the field and off.

He’s also not backward at coming forwards when it comes to criticising others in the game. Savage savaged former Wales national team manager, John Toshack, for example, and has been known to have a go at quite a few others. So you could have been forgiven for thinking that the former soccer star would have little chance in a popularity competition like Strictly Come Dancing.

But here’s the thing; Robbie is actually a remarkably good dancer. And his popularity is gaining by the week. And maybe the people who ring up to vote on the show each Saturday evening aren’t the same kind of people populating the football terraces on Saturday afternoons. Those looking at the Strictly Come Dancing odds should remember this.

The fact is that Robbie has proved a big hit with many of the women tuning in. With his dynamic dancing partner Ola Jordan, the duo are proving a force to be reckoned with.

Initially, though, the judges gave the team something of a savage reception, but the two blonds have quick-stepped their way back into recognition. Robbie’s agility from his playing days is helping no end as the pair improves week by week. Those following the Strictly Come dancing winner odds must remember this.

Last week, Robbie and Ola did an American Smooth number. Ola was “almost” wearing one of her trademark costumes, and Robbie remained on the subs’ bench for the first part of their dance. Nevertheless, the Welsh wizard’s eventual performance caught Bruno’s eye who commented on Robbie’s seeming ability to sway both ways.

If you also fancy Robbie and/or Ola, the pair is still available at a generous 20-1 to lift the final Strictly trophy in Blackpool in December.

Cher sticks up for Little Mix’s Jesy

Victim of cyber bullying, Jesy Nelson who makes up one of the last six X Factor to still be in the competition, has been contacted by Cher Lloyd who wanted her to shrug off any nasty comments she’s seen or heard about her.

Jesy has been the target of negative, size-ist comments on internet forums. Although she’s been criticised for being overweight, she’s actually just a normal size 12. But it seems that Jesy isn’t going to take these insults lying down, she’s speaking out against these negative comments, saying she is happy with her size and that being in the spotlight won’t change her. Those looking at the X Factor betting should remember this.

In an interview with Heat magazine, Jesy said she’d been surprised how upsetting some of the comments had been, and that the bullies had seemed to pick on the worst of her insecurities. She feels that being part of a girl band probably means that one girl is always likely to be more picked on by the public than the rest, and with Little Mix, she’s the one because of her curves.

Cher was doing a promotion tour for her new album, appropriately named Sticks + Stones, when she took the chance to share with viewers of This Morning that she had made contact with Jesy. When Cher went to the Cosmo Awards ceremony and talked to the other band members, she found out that Jesy hadn’t felt like facing the public that day. The other Little Mix singers – Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock – had told Cher that Jesy wasn’t feeling good about herself because of the online comments.

All her friends are standing by Jesy, too. Band mate Jade said that everyone’s different, and says her own insecurities are about her boob size – she’d like them to be bigger.

X Factor’s Kitty Brucknell ‘had botox to make her look less angry’

X Factor contestant Kitty Brucknell, 26, has reportedly admitted to having botox injections to make her look less angry when she sings.

The controversial hopeful, who ended up in the show’s bottom two on Sunday night only to beat Sami Brookes in the sing-off, doesn’t like the way she looks when she’s crooning, according to The Daily Mail. People placing an X Factor bet should remember this.

Apparently, it’s down to her genes how she looks. “My mum has permanent frown lines. It’s a genetic thing. I frown when I’m on stage and when I look back at tapes of myself, I look really angry,” she revealed.

So she has turned to botox in the hope it will make her more appealing to viewers – it doesn’t seem to be doing the trick just yet though, since she landed herself in the sing-off in only the third live week on the show. Those looking at the X Factor odds should bear this in mind.

She reportedly said: “I am 26 and I know it’s a bit young. I had liposuction done years ago, but other than that, I haven’t had anything else done.”

“It costs up to £300 but the cost doesn’t bother me. I have it when I feel like I need it,” she added.

Despite wowing the judges with her rendition of Paul McCartney’s Live And Let Die during rock week on the show, Kitty proved to be less popular with the public.
The Marmite singer sang for survival on Sunday night, winning the support of her mentor, Louis Walsh, who was forced to pick between her and fellow over Sami Brookes in the competition.

Louis admitted he would probably have to help make Kitty more appealing to the public, but said he felt she had more to give than Sami in the long run – only Tulisa Contostavlos voted for Kitty to go.

Alex Jones wins Strictly praise

Strictly Come Dancing celebrity contestant Alex Jones and her partner, professional dancer James Jordan, were the most improved couple in the Broadway episode of Strictly, after a routine that judge Craig Revel Horwood praised for being clever in its simplicity.

The choreography was described as simple but beautiful as the couple danced to Memories from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s popular musical Cats. The One Show presenter Alex has said she loves every minute of the show, and the couple are steadily going from also-rans to more serious contenders in the televised competition. People looking at the Strictly Come Dancing odds should bear this in mind.

One of the areas in which Alex is struggling however, is her steps, which are more Basil Fawlty than Darcey Bussell at times. The pair are training both before and after Alex films episodes of The One Show in an effort to get those steps nailed and keep moving up the leader board. Those following the Strictly Come Dancing tips must remember this.

The Broadway episode saw some fabulous outfits, with Chelsee Healey of Waterloo Road fame wearing a pink tassled number for her Cha Cha, which was made up of 1,500 bugle beads no less, each one threaded on by hand. Anita Dobson of Eastenders fame danced to a number from Hairspray wearing a bow-tastic candyfloss pink outfit that was reminiscent of Minnie Mouse, and not all that flattering if you’re above the age of 5.

Singing legend Lulu’s outfit was a black and white number for her Phantom of the Opera performance, with a soft and romantic silhouette and a distinctly 60s feel, while Aussie soap star turned pop star Holly Valance’s stunning outfit flattered her curvy figure to perfection and the slashes on the leg showed her dance moves off wonderfully.