'Love, love, love!': Natalie Gumede gets straight nines for sultry Rumba leaving dance partner in tears as they top Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard
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Love was certainly in the air for the contestants on Strictly Come Dancing who were all determined to show their softer side as they took to the dancefloor for their third time of the series.
Wowing the judges with their sultry Rumba was Coronation Street star Natalie Gumede and partner Artem Chigvintsev.
They pair looked sensational as they danced to Rihanna's Love The Way You Lie, leaving it hard to distinguish who was the professional.
Top of the table: Natalie Gumede and Artem Chigvintsev wow the judges with their sexy Rumba
Wearing a revealing blue dress, the 29-year-old was praised by head judge Len Goodman who said the routine was 'fabulous'.
'Love, love, love,' was all Craig Revel Horwood could utter, while Darcey Bussell praised her ability to use her entire body in each move.
It was nines across the board for the couple, causing Artem to well up as the pair spoke to presenter Tess Daly.
Straight nines: The actress was praised for her fabulous technique
Abbey Clancy was the first to take to the floor after admitting that she found last week's performance a 'terrifying' experience, but was happy with the judges comments and scores.
After taking partner Aljaž Skorjanec to her home town of Liverpool, the pair danced a speedy Jive in cute black sequined outfits, which included a pair of white knee-high socks for the leggy beauty.
Len said he thought her energy and enthusiasm was great, but that she needed a little more 'swivel', but had done a 'good job' overall.
Bruno Tonioli said she was 'groovy', however Craig said she lacked a little bit of 'attack' before they were given a score of 28.
Fun and flirty: Abbey Clancy and partner Aljaz Skorjanec take on the Jive
After some enthusiastic comments from the judges last Saturday, Patrick Robinson was keen to get back on the dancefloor to perform the Foxtrot.
The 49-year-old actor and Anya Garnis started off their routine sat at a grand piano before gracing the floor to Nat King Cole.
Looking smart in a pinstriped suit, the Casualty star made a few mistakes with his footwork, but was praised by hard-to-please Craig who said he oozed 'style'.
Darcey said he kept it a little safe but had panache, and the connection between the partners was great.
Len added that the dance was difficult, but he had performed it elegantly with a huge smile on his face, before they were awarded 27 points.
Style: Patrick looked suave as he danced the Foxtrot which received a good response from the judges
Giggles arose from the audience after Bruce Forsyth revealed Dave Myers would be performing the dramatic Paso Doble this week with partner Karen Hauer.
Karen told the Hairy Biker that he needed to find his passion, so he persuaded her to jump on the back of his motorbike for a quick spin with him.
After manically throwing his heart-print cape around, the TV chef got down to some dancing which proved to be a dramatic affair as he swung Karen around the floor.
Before hearing from the judges, Dave said Craig looked like a 'bulldog eating pickles' who later kept his critique to one word: 'dreadful'.
Darcey said she loved his conviction but 'nearly cried', while Len said the dance was lovely when it was over, but called him the 'peoples champion'.
They were given a score of 16.
Passion: Dave Myers didn't look put off by his low scores as he performed the Paso Doble
After stepping onto the wrong leg by mistake last week, birthday girl Fiona Fullerton and partner Anton du Beke were determined to impress with their smooth Waltz.
Dancing an elegant routine, which included some small foot flicks, the partners looked relaxed as they sparkled across the floor.
Darcey praised the former Bond girl by saying she had turned into Grace Kelly, had showed no nerves and therefore looked more comfortable than ever.
Len said they were 'playing snakes and ladders', and they were back up this week, before Bruno said he liked the nice routine.
Apart from her timing being out, Craig said her dance was elegant, and they were given 28 points.
Grace Kelly: Fiona Fullerton and Anton du Beke looked elegant as they performed their Waltz
Rachel Riley, who said she needed to focus on her sharpness after less than positive comments last week, took to the floor with partner Pasha Kovalev for their fast-paced Cha-Cha.
Looking gorgeous in a tiny blue dress and hair extensions, the Countdown star looked confident during the routine before Len congratulated the star for her great timing.
Bruno said she was moving in the right direction, while Craig said she was 'plonking herself down'.
The couple achieved a score of 27.
Cha-cha: Rachel and Pasha looked confident as they took to the floor
It was smiles all round for Mark Benton and Iveta Lukosiute as they danced the American Smooth to, It Must Be Love, by Madness.
Bruno congratulated the actor for his 'beautiful' story-telling, however Craig said he had to work on his hands which were ruining the overall look.
Darcey said she missed the glamour and flair of the dance, and that he should use his height more, but generally supported his partner well.
Len said he captured the 'essence' of every dance, and that he loved watching him. They were given 26 points.
Madness: Mark Benton was praised for supporting Iveta Lukosiute well
Ben Cohen, who spoke about his family when faced with the subject of love, took on a very sexy Rumba with partner Kristina Rihanoff.
Wearing a loose bow tie, the Rugby hunk looked confident as he carried his partner across the floor during the show.
The audience were on their feet after the couple performed, which was a feeling shared by Craig who said he wanted to love the contestant's dance, and he did.
Darcey said she saw connection between the pair and that the 34-year-old had managed to loosen up and move his hips.
Len said it was nice to see a 'big butch bloke being gentle' before Bruno said the dance was a series of 'erotic freezes', and that he should continue what he is doing. They scored 28 points.
Smooth: Rugby star Ben Cohen wowed the judges with his sexy Rumba
Things were even more emotional for Sophie Ellis-Bextor who performed the Samba to her wedding song, Lionel Ritchie's All Night Long.
Dressed in a bright, multi-coloured number, the singer lit up the floor with her speedy footwork alongside dancer Brendan Cole.
Darcey said the dance content was fabulous and that the 34-year-old had natural timing, and was sure to go far in the competition.
Bruno said it was sophisticated and chic, and that she looked good without even breaking a sweat. They were an impressive score of 31.
Samba: Sophie Ellis-Bextor embraced a carnival theme for her third performance on the show
After being in the bottom two last week, Julian Mcdonald brought the love of his life, his dog jake, into training for inspiration with partner Janette Manrara.
Posing as criminals, the pair donned dark black sunglasses for their fun Jive, which included some high leg flicks.
The designer, who said he'd been dancing in his sleep, was praised by Len for his best routine to date while Bruno said it was full of 'wacky attitude', however instilled on him that he must focus on his timing.
Craig compared him to an excitable three-year-old but did manage to compliment the star on his energy, before they were awarded a score of 22.
Smooth criminal: Julian Mcdonald was praised for his energy and 'wacky attitude'
Prior to their dance Susanna Reid and partner Kevin Clifton were seen heading to Selhurst Park to practice their Viennese Waltz on the pitch.
Looking stunning in yellow, the BBC Breakfast presenter was perfectly in time with Kevin as they performed their graceful routine, which led Bruno to call her a 'natural' and 'very versatile'.
She was told to keep her chin up and shoulder down by Craig, while Darcey said her technique was great but she needed to use her shoulders more.
Len said he was in love with their waltz and it was the best performance he had seen on the night, scoring them an impressive 34 points.
Natural: Susanna Reid wowed the judges again with her smooth Waltz
After enjoying her performance last week, Vanessa Feltz was left on a high until it came to practising the Tango.
Alongside James Jordan, the radio DJ, who was decked out in purple sequins, appeared to give the dramatic routine her all,
However she failed to get a positive review from Craig, who said her head looked as if it didn't belong to her body.
While Len said there was a lot of content but it lacked a 'little bite'. The couple were given a score of 20.
Pretty in purple: It was a dramatic performance for Vanessa Feltz as she took on the Tango
Ashley Taylor Dawson said getting positive comments from the judges, including his first nine, last week had boosted his confidence going into the Samba.
It was all about the hips for the actor, who also revealed his chest for the sensational routine, as he spun Ola Jordan around the floor in a sea of red and pink.
Darcey said he kept the rhythm going throughout and Len said he had coped well with a very difficult dance.
'Those hip rolls were absolute filth, but I loved it,' commented Craig, and the pair were given a score of 31.
Samba: Ashley Taylor Dawson got rave reviews from the judges
Last to perform on the night was Deborah Meaden and Robin Windsor, who took on the Quick Step, and appeared to enjoy every minute.
The Dragons Den star, who looked gorgeous in a elegant blue dress, was told she had improved on last week and that she had even managed to put a smile on Craig's face.
Len said it was her best dance to date, and the pair looked pleased with a score of 28.
Last but not least: Deborah Meaden's routine even managed to put a smile on Craig's face
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2456280/Natalie-Gumede-gets-straight-nines-sultry-Rumba-leaving-dance-partner-tears-Strictly-Come-Dancing-leaderboard.html#ixzz2hXwbsrKE
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