Strictly's Vicky Pattison performs 'flat' and 'heavy' Charleston in week 3
'The judges have destroyed Vicky's confidence completely'
Strictly Come Dancing celebrated a night at the movies tonight (October 11), but Vicky Pattison and pro partner Kai Widdrington were handed a blow after their Charleston.
Saturday’s Strictly featured a special guest appearance from Wicked star Cynthia Erivo. However, any confidence she tried to instil in Vicky in training was quickly shattered as the judges gave their feedback.
Vicky Pattison performed her Charleston on Strictly
Vicky and Kai danced a Charleston inspired by The Great Gatsby. And she was hoping to impress Charleston super-fan Craig Revel Horwood. However, with her routine “lacking energy” and “swivel”, Vicky was in for disappointment when Craig gave his feedback.
He told her: “It didn’t have any swivel at all. There was no double bounce either, which made it look flat and that made it look heavy. However, my darling, you got through it, and all the lifts were absolutely brilliant.”
Motsi Mabuse then told her: “Vicky, don’t be disappointed. Just remember where we were three weeks ago girl,” as host Tess Daly wrapped her arm around Vicky in a show of support.
“Don’t be sad,” Tess told her. “You were magnificent.”
Shirley Ballas then gave her comments, telling her: “I know that you get nervous when you dance but I couldn’t see them today when you danced so you’ve checked that off your week.”
Shirley then agreed with Craig’s critique and added: “I’m not really quite sure why it looked a bit on the heavy side for me. It needed more bounce. It came across as a little bit heavy,” as Vicky – who has been under the weather this week – looked even more downhearted.
‘The judges have destroyed her confidence completely’
Over on the Strictly hashtag on Twitter, support and concern for Vicky poured in.
“The judges have destroyed Vicky’s confidence completely,” said one. “First of all, reminding Vicky all the time that she’s a nervous person is just going to make her more nervous. Secondly, the judges could see she was getting upset and still piled on the negatives without them being constructive,” said a second.
“‘However my darling, you got through it’ and ‘you can check that off your list’ and ‘it looked heavy’. The way I’d have an absolute meltdown if someone said that to me after I’d just tried my best. Those comments were so harsh,” said another. “Oh Vicky is breaking my heart,” another said of the star. “Oh bless her, Craig’s comments have really upset her,” another commented.
“Hope Vicky Pattison gets more confident as the competition goes on. She can do it!” another added.
‘The nerves got to her again’
Others agreed with the judges, though. “A good attempt at the Charleston from Vicky. A lack of swivel and fluidity was a shame. She had a chance to let loose this week and still either held herself back or the nerves got to her again. When you think of Balvinder [Sopal] last week, that was bouncy. This wasn’t.”
However, up in the Clauditorium as the scores rolled in, Vicky’s mood was boosted. While Craig gave her a 5, Motsi and Anton Du Beke awarded 7s, and Shirley gave a 6, leaving Vicky ecstatic.
Read more: Illness rips through Strictly cast as pro dancer ‘deteriorating’
