Strictly Come Dancing favourite John Nellis could be “struggling” after a “tense” moment, according to body language expert Judi James. The BBC dancing competition is well underway, with three celebrities eliminated and the likes of Lacey Turner, Delta Goodrem and Cach Mercer battling for the glitterball trophy.
Among the stars taking part is content creator John Nellis, who stunned the audience and judges during the first live show, hitting the top of the leaderboard with 31 points with professional dancer Katya Jones.
Body language expert warns of struggle
Despite being an early favourite, Judi James has warned of John’s struggle after their Paso Doble to Bon Jovi’s It’s My Life. Speaking to Paddy Power, she said: “John was the early surprise star of this season, but doing well in week 1 often means going downhill from then on in terms of expectations.”
She added: “He struggled a bit last week and this week there were subtle and not-so subtle signs that the heroic and magnificent Katya, who could get a winning dance out of a dead cactus, might be getting nervous too.”
Signs of inner tension
James pointed to the exploding guitar with a firework stuffed into the neck as a possible time-wasting device. She said: “Great drama, but it meant John didn’t have to do any dance steps for about twelve seconds. This kind of device is usually a time-wasting get-out for any real clodhopper celebs but seeing John doing it to waste time suggested his dance talent might secretly be eroding a little.”
She also noted a “massive ‘tell’ from Katya’s body language” during a balcony interview, describing her left hand with “fingers held splayed, stretched and spiked in an anxious rigidity.” James observed Katya bringing her hand over her mouth and a look of shock at Craig’s measly 6 points.
John's Strictly journey
John previously shared that he had “never imagined” his career would take him to Strictly, telling the BBC: “The goal was never particularly high and then to transcend social media and to end up on actual media or the TV that we all grew up watching - it wasn't part of the plan - but I am buzzing it is happening because every day I am living someone's dream and I'm coming in and learning to dance with one of the best in the world.”
Addressing the show’s challenges, he added: “I think the first week or two was almost like the honeymoon phase of coming in, learning a new dance… and I was top of the leader board somehow, so it was this real high. I think coming in the week after and you have to delete all that because we're going again and starting from scratch and this time you've got four days and your body is really tired and sore… it was a real moment of like 'oh wow this is a lot'.”
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6.30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
