Back to the 80s for some Strictly Dirty Dancing: Louis Smith and dance partner Flavia set to recreate famous scenes in Saturday’s show
- Gymnast prepares to follow in footsteps of late heart-throb Patrick Swayze
- He and Flavia Cacace will reproduce routines by Swayze and Jennifer Grey
- Photographs from rehearsals show that pair's training is going well
By CHLOE THOMAS
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Well, either that or an Olympic gymnast. Louis Smith looked more than happy to take on the challenge as he practised with professional dance partner Flavia Cacace this week.
The pair are set to recreate some of the famous sequences from the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, starring Swayze and Jennifer Grey.
Turning back the clock: Gymnast Louis Smith and his dance partner Flavia Cacace (left) are to recreate some of the sequences made famous by Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey (right)
It takes two: Flavia and Louis look into each other's eyes (top), just as Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey did in the 1987 film (bottom)
Miss Cacace, who was partnered by astrologer Russell Grant last year, seems – understandably – to be making the most of having Smith as her dance partner.
The 23-year-old, who won silver and bronze at this summer’s Games, has impressed the judges so far, and he and Miss Cacace are currently joint top of the judge’s leaderboard.
No doubt keen to maintain that position, the pair have spent hours this week training for their take on Dirty Dancing.
Photos released from rehearsals show them recreating the well-known scenes in which Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman, played by Miss Grey, is put through her paces by Swayze’s Johnny Castle.
Poised: Louis and Flavia prepare for Saturday's show on a balance beam (top), reminding movie fans of a scene in which Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey move on a fallen tree trunk (bottom)
Practice makes perfect: Louis and Flavia (left) get into position as they seek to recreate another famous move from the film (right)
Up in the air: Louis lifts Flavia in the training gym (top) in a move similar to one performed by Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey some 25 years ago (bottom)
Flying high: Leading men Louis Smith (top) and Patrick Swayze (bottom) lift their partners in matching poses
On last week’s show, Smith’s waltz to the song Puppy Love left the judges gushing with praise.
Len Goodman described it as ‘the best dance of the night’ while Bruno Tonioli praised Smith’s ‘great movement and musicality’. And Darcey Bussell spoke of his ‘calm confidence’ and ‘ease’ on the dance floor.
Meanwhile judge, prima ballerina Darcey Bussell spoke of his ‘calm confidence’ and ‘ease’ on the dance floor.
And despite being tipped by the bookies to win the show, Mr Smith said before that he did not feel like the favourite.
Technique: This wider photograph of Louis Smith's lift shows how the gymnast keeps his legs apart to ensure Flavia Cacace can remain balanced above
Take your partner by the hand: Flavia and Louis prepare to practise another dance move
High five: Flavia and Louis touch hands to help them balance on a beam during the practice session
Impressive: Flavia was partnered by astrologer Russell Grant last year and appears to be making the most of having Louis as her dance companion
Well suited: Louis certainly didn't look out of place on the balance beam during the training session
Stretching out: Flavia draws a smile from Louis with a seductive pose on the balance beam
All smiles: Olympic gymnast Louis Smith and dancer Flavia Cacace have clearly enjoyed working together
Guidance: Choreographer Jamie Hughes Ward watches on as Louis lifts Flavia into the air during practice for Saturday's performance
Speaking a few weeks ago before the first live show, he said is learning like everyone else.
He said: ‘I am learning the cha-cha-cha at the moment and it’s really hard work because it’s so quick.
'I haven’t quite nailed the routine; it’s not realty my dancing skill set.'
But judging by these pictures it seems the Olympic gymnast could end up ‘pommelling’ his way to the final.
Assistance: Choreographer Jamie Hughes Ward helps the pair to get into position as they prepare to take part in Strictly Come Dancing for a third week
Past masters: Flavia and Louis are recreating the well-known scenes from Dirty Dancing where Frances 'Baby' Houseman is put through her paces by her hip-swivelling bit of rough Johnny Castle
How it should be done: Louis laughs as choreographer Jamie Hughes Ward shows him how to perfect a difficult move
Here if you need me: Choreographer Jamie Hughes Ward stands ready to help as Louis tries the lift again
Preparations: Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace have spent hours in training for their take on Dirty Dancing
Graceful: The athletic dancers practise two more lifts in preparation for the competition this weekend
Muscly: Louis and Flavia practise the lift again, but this time the gymnast decides to do it with his t-shirt off
Symmetry: With her arms outstretched in a graceful pose, Flavia looks ready to take on the competition
Well, he is a gymnast... Louis Smith impresses his partner with a backward roll during practice for Saturday
Playing around: Flavia and Louis grin as they roll about on the floor during practice for Saturday's show
Chilling out: Louis and Flavia take a break from practising, but still cannot keep their eyes off each other
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2219865/Strictly-Come-Dancing-2012-Louis-Smith-Flavia-set-recreate-famous-Dirty-Dancing-scenes.html#ixzz29juPMdtv
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