2009 - Series 7 facts and stats

• Series 7 saw quite a few innovations in 2009, only some of which became permanent
  • The introduction of 3 new dance styles: Charleston, Rock ‘N’ Roll; Lindy-Hop (only Charleston was retained beyond S7)
  • The establishment of a mid-season show from the Blackpool Tower Ballroom (“Blackpool Week”); previously the S2 Final had been broadcast from here (as the S9 Final would also be)
  • A scored group dance event in which couples all danced together in a particular style to earn additional individual points (the ‘Group’ dance, later known as ‘a-thons’)
  • The addition of Darcey Bussell as a 5th guest judge for the last 3 shows (resulting in 3 perfect routines that scored 50 rather than 40)
  • The elimination of a couple by public vote, rather than dance-off, at the Semi-Final stage
  • A ‘joint’ Final night dance where couples danced the same style at the same time to the same track and were both scored (a Lindy-hop by Chris & Ola and Ricky & Natalie). This was never repeated
• Week 11 saw the first competitive group dance for points; a Viennese Waltz that was ‘won’ by Ali & Brian for an additional 10 points
• Both Rock ‘N’ Roll routines (Natalie & Vincent and Ricky & Natalie) ended up in the Week 11 dance-off which might explain its short-lived appearance
• Ali & Brian performed a 50-scoring American Smooth in the Semi-Final but were still eliminated after scores were combined with the public vote
• Ronnie Corbett made an appearance as presenter in Week 9 as Bruce Forsyth was was ill
• S7 also includes the only occasion where half a dance was performed and scored; this was in Week 9 after Laila Rouass sustained an injury and could only dance part of her Rumba routine with Anton
• 2nd placed Ricky Whittle becomes the first male celebrity to make it into the ‘Thirty Dancing’ club; an exclusive group who score 30 or more for every dance performed. Other members are: Emma Bunton, Alesha Dixon, Rachel Vincent, Zoe Lucker, Kara Tointon, Natalie Gumede, Frankie Bridge, Daisy Lowe, Louise Redknapp, Molly Rainford, Tasha Ghouri and just one other male celebrity, Danny Mac
• Ali & Brian perform a perfect Viennese Waltz in Week 8 – this is the earliest perfect score awarded outside a Final (Jill & Darren’s Jive in S2 earned 40 in the Week 8 Final) and will remain so until S17 sees Debbie & Giovanni receive 40 in Week 7 for their perfect Tango