2014 Partnerships

Janette Manrara and Jake Wood

Sweepstaker: Katie

Pose: La ¡Manrara! demonstrating the Rihanoff Thigh Clamp Of Joy there - suggesting she's quite happy with her man.  She's even teased a half-smile out of him...

Fashion dahlink: It looks like emus are in season.

Prospects: Further than you'd think. Am calling it on "The Journey".

Kevin Clifton and Frankie Bridge

Sweepstaker: Beth

Pose: “I'm flying Jack!” - well, in slightly embarrassed and stiff ballroom form.  

Fashion dahlink: That angle doesn't seem quite enough to deal with hiding Kevin's Trouser-Grimsby.

Prospects: It's going to be a hard fight for a place in the final, but surely Frankie Saturdays can't be discounted.

Natalie Lowe and Tim Wonnacott

Sweepstaker: Isabelle

Pose: Programmed to Angelina Jolie leg-mode.

Fashion dahlink: Natbot always bags the best dresses, doesn't she? Just gorge.  I can't quite see whether they've diamentéd his glasses chain.

Prospects: You know what, with Nats on the case, Tim could well see off Gregg and even a surprise random.  Week 2 or 3.

Iveta Lukosiute and Thom Evans

Sweepstaker: Terry

Pose: HELLOOOO?!  AS IF IVETAMAZING WASN'T GOING TO GET HER LEG OVER, I MEAN COME ON!?!!

Fashion dahlink: No-one's looking at any clothes here, let's face it.

Prospects: I've already paid Terry the winnings. 

Brendan Cole and Sunetra Sarker

Sweepstaker: Louise

Pose: Hashtag awks.

Fashion dahlink: Sunetra looks lovely, but I'm not entirely sure Brendan's done all his holiday sit-ups.

Prospects: "I just want to make it to Blackpool/Wembley".  Mid-way.

Ola Jordan and Steve Backshall

Sweepstaker: Dan

Pose: Steve's been more comfortably hands-on with a deadly cobra than here with little Ola... But look at his lovely grinny face.

Fashion dahlink: I'm not sure I've ever seen Mrs Jordan so covered up.  Saving it for the calendar, no doubt.

Prospects: Unlikely winners, unless they miraculously channel Olachops The Hollins Years. But they'll make it well past week one - and for Ola, this year, that's worth the glitterball.

Kristina Rihanoff and Simon Webbe

Sweeptaker: CAD

Pose: Ve vant to vin.

Fashion dahlink: The Lesser-spotted Scarlet Emu meets Spray-on Liberace.  And what a pointy fro.

Prospects: They'll be excellent, but the Great British public won't take to either of them (much to Kristina's obvious anguish).

Trent Whiddon and Pixie Lott

Sweepstaker: Justine

Pose: The non-sexual non-chemistry of Ken and Skipper.  

Fashion dahlink: The year of the lace-up yellow mirkin in need of a major trim, apparently.  Also, Trent appears to have the kind of hair Sue Sylvester likes to obsessively torment. (YES, that was a Glee reference, several years too late. AND?)

Prospects: Pixie can be as amazing as she likes - ringers don't win.

Karen Hauer and Mark Wright

Sweepstaker: Jo

Pose: The Only Way Is Caj, Mate.

Fashion dahlink: Karen may have purple streamers hanging out her arse, but she looks absolutely smoking.

Prospects: Essex's going to charm the lot of us, isn't he? *grumble grumble*  A strong chance of hitting the semis, at least.

Tristan MacManus and Jennifer Gibney

Sweepstaker: Holly

Pose: Whatevs - I just noticed how preeety Tristan is. 

Fashion dahlink: Like they've Strictlyfied an M&S hold-you-in full-body undergurdle - but in a good way.  The boys are totally having a tighest trews competition aren't they?  I fear chaffing. 

Prospects: 'Irish Charm' versus 'Potentially Insufficient Fame' makes this a very tough call.  But on balance - fairly early doors.

Aliona Vilani and Gregg Wallace

Sweepstaker: Abi

Pose: Aliona may have mastered her sulky face, but she's totally ready to knee Gregg in the Wallaces at any given moment.

Fashion dahlink: She's hidden razors and staples in those feathers, I guarantee it.

Prospects: I suspect we're all praying for a first week exit. Aliona included. (Hell, Aliona most of all.)

Pasha Kovalev and Caroline Flack

Sweepstaker: Vix

Pose:  "And LUUUUUUNGE..."

Fashion dahlink: Caroline, like Valance before her, gave it a good go, but eventually those high-waisted shorts will hitch up and bite you in the camel toe, strategically-placed ribbon or no strategically-placed ribbon.

Prospects: Already a fan favourite, so it seems...  Probably the right balance between natural ability and no obvious stage-school training to go very far indeed.

Aljaz Skorjanec and Alison Hammond

Sweepstaker: Laura

Pose: The rest of us are thinking it, she's already grabbed it and rammed it across her ladyarea.  YES ALISON!

Fashion dahlink: This is all about the pose, babies.  Let this set the trend - more men being (full-consentingly) womanhandled please!

Prospects: She'll be brilliant, but I fear the rumba will scupper her chances a few weeks before the final.

Joanne Clifton and Scott Mills

Sweepstaker: Jules

Pose: Comfortably chum(s).

Fashion dahlink: Personally, I wouldn't have hidden such an awesome dress behind a purple velvet jacket, but Scott looks so happy to be a P.I.M.P.

Prospects: Oh Scott. You're going to have to rely on adorablility and the yoof vote.  (It's not looking great.)

Anton de Beke and Judy Murray

Sweepstaker: Ben

Pose: Judy's already showing improvement since the group dance. Sure, the level there was... um... er... Anyway!  Promise is promise!

Fashion darlink: Only Natbot has a better dress.  Anton's wisely opted for a looser trouser.  Still, none of us can unsee what we saw last year.

Prospects: Even post-referendum fall out and limited dance ability can't stop Anton's crazed damp-gusseted lady fans and their serious phone clout.  We'll have Judy around for a few weeks yet.