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Strictly Come Dancing 2023: Les Dennis in trouble as Samba revealed to be riskiest routine
Research from William Hill Vegas has revealed the Samba to be the most fatal dance on Strictly Come Dancing, putting Les Dennis in a precarious position ahead of this week’s first elimination.
The Brazilian routine has contributed to a whopping 20% of eliminations over the past five series, 5.5% more than the next riskiest dance, the Jive.
According to the data, the Cha-Cha-Cha is the third most fatal routine, contributing to 12.7% of eliminations since 2018, with the Tango and the Charleston (both 10.9%) rounding off the top five:
With last week’s bottom-points scorer Les Dennis and partner Nancy Xu braving the dance in this Saturday’s episode, things are looking ominous for the TV presenter, who is 3/1 with William Hill to be the first contestant to be eliminated from the 2023 series.
We explore the three trickiest routines and their previous celebrity casualties below.
The Samba: A Carnival of Complexity
Eliminations in the past five series: 11 (20%)
The Samba is often described as a carnival on the dancefloor, with its vibrant and energetic movements. However, this dance is also notorious for its complexity. It requires precise hip action, intricate footwork, and a strong connection between the partners. The fast-paced rhythm, coupled with quick changes in direction, leaves little room for error, and has contributed to the downfall of the likes of Alex Scott (S17), Jacqui Smith (S18) and Greg Wise (S19).
Celebrities like Les Dennis might find it challenging to master the unique bounce action and maintain the party-like atmosphere while executing technically demanding moves. He is 3/1 to be eliminated this weekend, making him the third favourite for the boot behind Nikita Kanda (7/4) and Krishnan Guru-Murthy (11/4).
The Jive: A Test of Speed and Stamina
Eliminations in the past five series: 8 (14.5%)
The Jive is a dance that demands both speed and stamina. It’s characterised by its upbeat tempo, sharp kicks, and flicks, making it one of the riskiest routines on the Strictly dancefloor. Contestants often struggle to maintain the required energy levels throughout the performance, with Matt Goss (S20), Adam Peaty (S19) and Ellie Taylor (S20) falling victim to its complexity.
Angela Scanlon, who alongside partner Carlos Gu will be performing the routine this Saturday, will need to work on their cardiovascular endurance, precision, and timing to avoid falling into the Jive’s elimination trap. She is 33/1 to be eliminated this weekend after a promising Ballroom debut last Saturday.
The Cha-Cha-Cha: Precision and Timing are Key
Eliminations in the last five series: 7 (12.7%)
The Cha-Cha-Cha is all about precision and timing. The quick syncopated steps and hip action require contestants to be in sync with their partners and the music. Any misstep or hesitation can be glaringly obvious and lead to elimination – as Lee Ryan (S16), Catherine Tyldesley (S17) and Kym Marsh (S20) all found out.
Eddie Kadi and partner Karen Hauer will be braving the Cuban dance this Saturday, and are 7/1 to be the first pair eliminated in Sunday’s results show.
Whichever way this weekend’s elimination pans out, we should be in for a treat…
