'It's time to give up the day job!' Susanna Reid is urged to ditch breakfast TV for the ballroom as she impresses the judges on Strictly Come Dancing
PUBLISHED: 19:01, 5 October 2013 | UPDATED: 21:40, 5 October 2013She's known for her role on the sofa as she brings the nation its morning news on BBC Breakfast each day.
But Susanna Reid has been urged to ditch breakfast TV for the ballroom after impressing the Strictly Come Dancing judges for a second consecutive week.
Kicking off the evening's proceedings on Saturday night, Susanna and her partner Kevin Clifton wowed with a practically faultless Tango to Bruno Mars' Locked Out Of Heaven.
Queen of the ballroom: Susanna Reid has been urged to ditch breakfast TV for the ballroom after impressing the Strictly Come Dancing judges for a second consecutive week
Happy customer: Kicking off the evening's proceedings on Saturday night, Susanna and her partner Kevin Clifton wowed with a practically faultless Tango to Bruno Mars' Locked Out Of Heaven
But the journalist admitted fitting in the gruelling training schedule around her filming commitments was proving difficult.
She said: 'The moves in the Tango are quite hard for me to get my head around and it's challenging trying to fit things into my busy schedule.
'I start at 4am so Kevin has to come everywhere with me, those two hours are the perfect opportunity to get some practice. Interviewing the Prime Minister is just part of my day job, but it's not as scary as this.'
Impressive moves: The journalist admitted fitting in the gruelling training schedule around her filming commitments was proving difficult
Gliding across the ballroom: The couple scored an impressive 31 for their tango routine
But Susanna could soon be giving up her day job if judge Darcey Bussell's comments were anything to go by.
Delivering an impressive score of 31 for the couple's tango, she said: 'I'm loving your conviction. I think you should give up your day job, you've got it! You're enjoying every minute.'
Len Goodman added: 'You put the go in Tango there. Your frame sometimes is a little bit loose and you lose a bit of connection. But so far, so fabulous.'
Working it: Delivering an impressive score of 31 for the couple's tango, Darcey said: 'I'm loving your convicition. I think you should give up your day job, you've got it! You're enjoying every minute'
Time for a career change? Susanna was told she should give up her day job and take to the dancefloor full-time
Bruno Tonioli gushed: 'You have the fire, the flare and the attack but you have so much attack, which is why your frame goes a little bit. If you add control to your spirit you'll go a long way.'
And Mr Nasty Craig Revel Horwood was uncharacteristically nice, saying: 'I'm loving your conviction. I think you should give up your day job, you've got it! You're enjoying every minute.'
But former professional golfer Tony Jacklin and his partner Aliona Vilani weren't so lucky with their comments.
Tight schedule: Susanna admitted she was struggling to fit in training
Here come the girls: Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman presented the show in the absence of Bruce Forsyth
Prior to taking to the dancefloor, he conceded: 'It wasn't very good last week. I was very nervous and really wanted to get it right. I thought the judges were a bit harsh. In my pomp I was used to being at the top of the leaderboard but there's only one way to go from here.'
Bruno didn't mince his words, saying: 'The most exciting thing about that was the jumper. The timing was off, there was no movement in the feet. It wasn't the Charleston.'
Craig was equally critical: 'Unfortunately your effort was limp, lame and lacklustre. It was devoid of any real characterisation.'
Good effort: Former professional golfer Tony Jacklin and his partner Aliona Vilani weren't so lucky with their comments
Battle of the panellists: Darcey Bussell and Len Goodman appeared to disagree over something
Good cop, bad cop: Craig was particularly cutting in his comments, and Bruno came up with a number of witty one-liners
Darcey had some praise: 'Your confidence is better, you hit each lift. You had a smile on your face and the improvement from last week is a god-send. You looked like you enjoyed it. It's a hard dance for week two. So much better.'
Meanwhile, Len was pleased with his effort for his age: 'I've been golfing for 50 years and I'm still terrible! At 69, to come out and dance a very energetic dance, I commend you for that. It wasn't the most sparkling performance but well done for getting out there and having a go.'
Receiving a score of just 13 for his Charleston, Tony said: 'I hope I didn't mess up too badly. I was in my own world out there.'
Trying his best: Receving a score of just 13 for his Charleston, Tony said: 'I hope I didn't mess up too badly. I was in my own world out there.'
Daring move: Unfortunately, Tony found himself at the bottom of the leaderboard
Former Coronation Street star Natalie Gumede and her partner Artem Chingvintsev had better luck with their waltz, receiving a score of 34 and 9s from Darcey and Bruno.
Craig said: 'I was moved, a gorgeous top line, fantastic rise and fall. Breathtaking!'
Darcey added: 'You have the quality, the feeling and a beautiful swan neck. You composed yourself brilliantly. One to watch!'
Len explained: 'I love the feel of it, the grace, the elegance. Absolutely corking, well done.'
Step perfect: Former Coronation Street star Natalie Gumede and her partner Artem Chingvintsev had better luck with their waltz, receiving a score of 34 and 9s from Darcey and Bruno
Effortless elegance: Natalie looked utterly breathtaking as she positively glided across the dancefloor in her stunning scarlet gown
Bruno said: 'Natalie, you have incredible control and confidence. You have incredible fluidity and expressiveness. You tell a story with each flicker of your lift.'
After being slated by the judges for his performance on last week's show, Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers was determined to prove them wrong with his American Smooth to How Do You Like Your Eggs In The Morning? alongside partner Karen Hauer.
Darcey said: 'You've tamed the excitement and found some control. It's a same you had to use a chair to get into a lift. There are glimpses of Fred Astaire.'
Elegant: Craig said of the dance: 'I was moved, a gorgeous top line, fantastic rise and fall. Breathtaking!'
Len added: 'It was a bit like flying on a budget airline. I little bit bumpy and uncomfortable, but you got there eventually. I love the anticipation, I get more excited about watching you than anyone. You're fun to watch and you make me smile.
Bruno explained: 'You're cooking up a stink, rather than a storm, my darling. You've got to listen to the music. You try, but it doesn't come out right. I appreciate the fun factor.'
Craig was typically mean, stating: 'I thought you were dancing by numbers, quite frankly. It lacked style, horrible hands. The lift was lumberjack-ish, but I like you and I like your personality.'
Out to impress: After being slated by the judges for his performance on last week's show, Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers was determined to prove them wrong
After receiving a rather mediocre score of 17, actor Patrick Robinson took to the dancefloor with an energetic tango to Michael Jackson's Beat It, for which he received a not too shabby 27.
After impressing the judges all round, Len delivered his verdict: 'You danced with a lot of energy and this week you've done a great Tango. You'll be hanging around for weeks.'
Bruno added: 'Strong, gritty and very grounded. You're going the right way.'
Craig said: 'Your bottom does stick out a little bit, sometimes you arch your back. It had fantastic attack and your timing is impeccable.'
Cooking up a storm? Dave performed an American Smooth to How Do You Like Your Eggs In The Morning? alongside partner Karen Hauer
Funnyman: Dave was praised for his humorous routine
Darcey gushed: 'It's strong, it's masculine. You are one to watch, you really are.'
Next to take to the dancefloor was fierce Dragon's Den star Deborah Meaden and her partner Robin Windsor, who performed a cha cha to Aretha Franling classic Respect.
Praising her energy and spirit, Bruno said: 'I love your bubbly and feisty personality. It was so much better, darling. You still have to have much more hip action and better placement of your feet but it was the right way to go.
Impressive: Actor Patrick Robinson took to the dancefloor with an energetic tango to Michael Jackson's Beat It, for which he received a not too shabby 27
Looking promising: The actor was told he was 'one to watch' in the competition
Craig was particularly harsh: 'Dragon vs drag queen, darling. Be careful! You did have great attitude, but it was very stompy.'
Len said: 'You get my respect, it was a cheeky cha cha cha. Now for the complete package, you need to work on technique.'
Countdown maths whizz Rachel Riley and her partner Pasha Kovalev put their all into their sexy salsa to Get Lucky, but scored just 20 for their routine, with the judges comparing the blonde beauty to a 'rag doll'.
Pretty in pink: Next to take to the dancefloor was fierce Dragon's Den star Deborah Meaden and her partner Robin Windsor, who performed a cha cha to Aretha Franling classic Respect
A bit harsh! Deborah was told by Craig that she resembled a 'drag queen'
Explaining her nervous routine last week, Rachel said in her VT: 'I was calm, but then the music came on and I was paralysed by fear. I was too careful. I don't really do sexy.'
Delivering their somewhat damning verdict, Craig said: 'I thought you were wriggling around like a slug in salt. It was out of control, the lift was very messy. It was very awkward at times.'
Darcey added: 'There is lots of sugar but not a lot of spice. I want to see you flirting with Pasha, he's easy to flirt with. There were a few messy beginnings and ends.'
Tangerine dream: Countdown maths whizz Rachel Riley and her partner Pasha Kovalev put their all into their sexy salsa to Get Lucky, but scored just 20 for their routine, with the judges comparing the blonde beauty to a 'rag doll'
Va va voom! While Rachel looked great, the judges didn't seem to be too impressed with her routine
Len said: 'To be honest, I thought you were working your assets quite a bit out there, shaking your thing. You've just got to have a little more precision and attack.'
Bruno explained: 'It was like watching a gorgeous rag doll. The attitude is right but you need to work on control. You look like you're about to drop to the floor any minute. Work on your control because you've got the beauty.'
Worlds away from her performance last week, Vanessa Feltz and her partner James Jordan well and truly impressed with their romantic waltz to Whitney Houston's Run To You.
That's better! Worlds away from her performance last week, Vanessa Feltz and her partner James Jordan well and truly impressed with their romantic waltz to Whitney Houston's Run To You
Tough times: Vanessa wiped away the tears as the judges delivered their verdicts
In fact, Vanessa was so overcome with emotion that she broke down in tears on numerous occasions during rehearsals.
Explaining her disappointment at last week's scores, she said: 'Maybe I should have taken my own shirt off, that would have given them something to worry about. I don't know what I could do apart from hand over my heart on a plate.'
But it was clear she had put her all into the routine this week.
Wiping away the tears, she said: 'I didn't really realise that dance could take you over so dramatically. Like everyone else, I've had quite a hard time with a broken heart in the past. I've never experienced anything like this before, I know what people talk about when they say they really love it.'
All a bit much? Vanessa was so overcome with emotion that she broke down in tears on numerous occasions during rehearsals
There there: The bubbly blonde had to be comforted by her partner James as she felt overcome with emotion
Impressing the judging panel with her emotional routine, Vanessa broke down once again as she received her critique.
Darcey said: 'You expressed the emotion, the romance. Go for it, cry your eyes out. All you need to do is soften the knees. A huge difference from last week.'
Len said: 'It was heartfelt, poignant, there was a little story going on. You just need to work a little bit more on the details for it to be a complete package.'
Emotions running high: Impressing the judging panel with her emotional routine, Vanessa broke down once again as she received her critique
Bruno added: 'You're connected, involved, you feel the music. And by doing so, you're moving better. Well done!'
Craig said: 'I don't want to see you dance Latin ever again, you're evidently more comfortable in ballroom. That was a lovely job.'
Fashion designer Julien Macdonald and his partner Janette Manrara received less praise for their tango to Lady Gaga's Applause with a score of just 18.
Not so successful: Fashion designer Julien Macdonald and his partner Janette Manrara received less praise for their tango to Lady Gaga's Applause with a score of just 18
Trying his best! Julien was told his routine was more 'Wimpy than Big Mac'
Len said: 'You're an orchid and a delicate bloom. You gave it your best shot but it was more of a Wimpy than a Big Mac.'
Craig fumed: 'The posture is ghastly, you need to sort that out. It was like watching the Leaning Tower of Pisa, not your best darling.'
Former Bond girl Fiona Fullerton and her partner Anton Du Beke struggled with nerves throughout her cha cha, which resulted in her kicking him in the shin mid-way through the performance.
Double-oh heaven? Former Bond girl Fiona Fullerton and her partner Anton Du Beke struggled with nerves throughout her cha cha, which resulted in her kicking him in the shin mid-way through the performance
Oops-a-daisy! The judges said Fiona failed to pull her routine back after she stumbled mid-way through
Craig said: 'I thought you were very good up until the part you kicked Anton in the shin.'
Len added: 'There was that incident at the end, and you never quite recovered. You just need to keep your concentration.'
Meanwhile, actor Mark Benton was told by partner Iveta Lukosiute to find his 'inner sex god' for their salsa.
He lamented: 'I need to find my inner sex god. I'm 48, sweaty, got a dodgy knee, an achey back. What am I supposed to do.'
Shake it! Actor Mark Benton was told by partner Iveta Lukosiute to find his 'inner sex god' for their salsa
Multicolour mayhem: Len Goodman admitted he was a particular fan of Mark's energetic routine
But the judges were impressed and awarded the Waterloo Road star a score of 22, with Len saying: 'Through the darklest clouds, a ray of sunshine appears. You're a joy to watch and you make me feel good!'
Bruno joked: 'I wasn't sure if I was watching a pyschotic incident or a pyschedelic rave. It wasn't a salsa but it was fun to watch.'
Singer Sophie Ellis Bextor well and truly dazzled the panel with her impeccable Charleston alongside partner Brendan Cole, despite the pair having encountered a spot of bother earlier in the week when Brendan dropped her on the head.
Golden goddess: Singer Sophie Ellis Bextor well and truly dazzled the panel with her impeccable Charleston alongside partner Brendan Cole
Daredevil of the dancefloor: Sophie even performed a backflip at one point during her dazzling routine
Scoring an impressive 36 and 9s across the board, Darcey said: 'The Charleston is made for you, it was just perfect. The best performance tonight so far!'
Len added: 'It was a great routine and beautifully danced.'
Bruno gushed: 'Stylistically perfect, you popped out of the Great Gatsby all guns blazing.'
Craig was in awe, saying: 'Brendan, you were rubbish. Sophie, that was fit darling.'
Practically perfect: Sophie and Brendan scored an impressive 36 for their routing, with 9s across the board
All smiles: Sophie and Brendan looked utterly thrilled as they received their verdict from the judges
Rugby hunk Ben Cohen and his partner Kristina Rihanoff had improved on last week's attempt with their waltz to What The World Needs Now by Dionne Warwick.
Len said: 'I liked your footwork and your frame was good. You're like Stonehenge, you look magnificent but you don't move much.
Craig explained: 'You can't help your rugby butt, delicious as it is. You need to inject a little bit more personality into it.'
Darcey said: 'There was so much more confidence there and I think the ballet class worked. I would just like to see more connection and more romance between you both.'
A better attempt: Rugby hunk Ben Cohen and his partner Kristina Rihanoff had improved on last week's attempt with their waltz to What The World Needs Now by Dionne Warwick
Much better: The judges told Ben he had improved on last week's effort
After dazzling the judging panel on last week's show, Abbey Clancy took to the dancefloor alongside partner Aljaž Skorjanec to perform a cha cha to Jennifer Lopez hit Let's Get Loud.
Recapping on her impressive result last week, she said: 'It still feels like a weird dream, I can't even remember doing it. I can't believe I even got 8s but I'm so happy. To hear Len say it was the dance of the night was just so shocking to me because I was so nervous.'
But for the cha cha, Abbey explained she was having to work on her 'energy, passion and connection' with her hunky partner.
Dancing queen: After dazzling the judging panel on last week's show, Abbey Clancy took to the dancefloor alongside partner Alja¿ Skorjanec to perform a cha cha to Jennifer Lopez hit Let's Get Loud
And although it initially seemed as though Aljaz was gushing over how much he liked the Liverpudlian model, it soon became clear that he was talking about her football player husband, Peter Crouch.
He said as the camera panned across to the lanky striker: 'Those legs they just go on forever. The connection between us is just perfect... isn't it, Pete?'
But Abbey admitted she was finding her cha cha more challenging, saying: 'I'm finding the cha cha way more difficult than the waltz. We have to focus and hopefully it will be OK on the night.'
Model behaviour: For the cha cha, Abbey explained she was having to work on her 'energy, passion and connection' with her hunky partner
After taking to the dancefloor in a skimpy pink cut-out minidress, Abbey received an impressive 30 from the four judges.
Bruno said: 'Don't worry, there is plenty to fancy about Miss Clancy. The attitude, the sex kitten, the nonchalant Brigitte Bardot. You look fab! You did a tiny little stumble at the end but I tell you, so good.'
Craig added: 'I thought it lacked a little bit of hip action. The whole thing was actually very very enjoyable.'
Pink to make the boys wink: After taking to the dancefloor in a skimpy pink cut-out minidress, Abbey received an impressive 30 from the four judges
Rocking the dancefloor: Abbey's routine was certainly energetic, and she put her all into perfecting her steps
Darcey said: 'You can dance, Abbey. You just have to trust your partner and relax. You have it all, just believe in yourself. You're working really hard.'
And Len was also impressed: 'I thought it was loud and proud, full of attitude and rhythm. You're a good dancer, Abbey, you are.'
But Abbey seemed less happy with her performance, saying afterwards: 'I just messed loads of it up and missed stuff out.'
One for the ladies! Aljaz delighted the female crowd by baring his toned torso for all to see
Impressive result: But Abbey seemed less happy with her performance, saying afterwards: 'I just messed loads of it up and missed stuff out'
Ashley Taylor Dawson and his partner Ola Jordan rounded off the evening with an American Smooth to Robbie Williams' Beyond The Sea.
Despite only welcoming his second child, Mason, into the world earlier this week, the Hollyoaks hunk impressed the judges with his routine, receiving a score of 32 for his efforts.
Craig said: 'There are some problems. But I'm amazed, there was so much content in there - a fantastic showman!'
Smooth customer: Ashley Taylor Dawson and his partner Ola Jordan rounded off the evening with an American Smooth to Robbie Williams' Beyond The Sea
Talented pair: Ashley and Ola received plenty of positive comments from the judging panel after their flawless routine
Darcey added: 'Amazing dance content, I don't think you missed one move. The whole thing was fantastic, so impressive. You are going to go far.'
Len gushed: 'You put the ooh in smooth. It had lovely flow. Each week you have to be better than the week before, that's what you've done.'
Bruno added: 'You couldn't be smoother if you tried. It was all about Hollywood and showbiz, and you two had that.'
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One on Sunday night, when one celebrity will become the first to leave the competition.
New dad: Ashley's attempt was even more impressive given that he only became a father for the second time earlier this week
Dapper dad: Despite only welcoming his second child, Mason, into the world earlier this week, the Hollyoaks hunk impressed the judges with his routine, receiving a score of 32 for his efforts
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2445760/Susanna-Reid-urged-breakfast-TV-ballroom-impresses-judges-Strictly-Come-Dancing.html#ixzz2gtWB3BE8
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
