Is that the dive or the fish-trot? Ashley Taylor Dawson and Ola Jordan take their Strictly rehearsals under the sea
By JUDY COGAN
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As the competition moves into week nine on Saturday it seems it's sink or swim for one contestant and his dancer.
For Ashley Taylor Dawson, who on the last episode danced the Paso Doble to Bon Jovi’s You Give Love a Bad Name with his dance partner Ola Jordan saw rehearsals go with a splash on Friday.
The pair look their training to Sea Life Aquarium in Manchester to practice dance moves and perfecting posture under the water.
Wet step: Ola Jordan and Ashley Taylor Dawson try out a bit of ballroom under the water wearing heavy divers helmets that also allowed them to breathe under the surface
Sink or swim: Strictly Come Dancing stars Ola Jordan and dance partner Ashley Taylor Dawson emerge from the water after practising dance moves under water with at the Sea Life Centre in Manchester
Actor Ashley Taylor Dawson follows in the footsteps of Ali Bastian and Ricky Whittle in making the leap from Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, to the set of Strictly Come Dancing.
Ashley tweeted on Wednesday night: 'Final rehearsal with @The_OlaJordan over! Just got into bed, my heads fried! Lookin forward to seein all the Strictly Massive tomorrow!'
The next day he traveled to Manchester to cram in some more practice before returning to London to appear on It Takes Two on BBC2.
Paso Turtle: Ashley Taylor Dawson larks around under the water as the pair practice dance moves while sea life swim by
Underwater moves: Ashley Taylor Dawson practises his dance moves under water at the Sea Life Centre in Manchester keeping his toes pointed
The fish-trot: Ashley Taylor Dawson practices their dance moves under water at the Sea Life Centre
Jazz hands: Ashley practices his jazz hands and seems very comfortable under water
On Saturday night, which is week nine the pair will perform the Waltz in front of the judges and a live studio audience and they have been practicing hard with Ola cracking the whip!
On Friday she tweeted: 'It's going to be a loonnnggg day today!'
And late on Wednesday night she posted: 'Still in training. Working hard with @ashoztd. Can't wait for Saturday!!!'
Sea legs and hands: Pro dancer Ola Jordan and Ashley Taylor Dawson used heavy helmets to keep them on the floor of the tank as they danced
Shell we dance: Ashley practises getting his posture just right under he water at Sea Life, Manchester
Ashley and Ola have done well to stay in the competition with a host of talented celebrities fighting it out to win the trophy.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who danced the Foxtrot on Saturday night to classic Cheek to Cheek, is the new favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing, according to Ladbrokes.
With another show-stopping performance the singer now finds herself and Brendan chalked up as the 6/4 favourites to land the title.
Going under: Ola Jordan emerges from the water after practising her dance moves under water still managing to look glamorous with her red nails and blonde locks
Coming up for air: Ashley emerges from the water after practising his dance moves and joking around under water with dance partner Ola Jordan
In joint place at the top of the chart were Abbey Clancy, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Natalie Gumede on Saturday, who all scored a 35 out of a possible 40.
At the other end of the scale, Fiona Fullerton's given a 2/1 chance of being eliminated next, along with Deborah (7/2) and Rachel (5/1) who are also in the running following poor performances in week four.
Ashley and Ola's underwater escapades will be broadcast on Saturday night's show on BBC1 at 6.30pm.
Wet suits on: Ashley Taylor Dawson leave the changing rooms before practising in a unique way
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2511890/Strictly-Come-Dancing-2013-Ashley-Taylor-Dawson-partner-Ola-Jordan-rehearsals-sea.html#ixzz2lUnlhOm5
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