Strictly Come Dancing is past the halfway point, with the remaining nine couples set to take to the floor in a bid to impress the judges. As the competition heats up and the panel scrutinises every detail, the celebrities are under significant pressure.
EastEnders star Lacey Turner, who has impressed the judges week on week alongside her professional partner Vito Coppola, finished in a respectable fourth place on the leaderboard last week, just one point behind Delta Goodrem.
Body Language Expert's Warning
Body language expert Sean Johns spoke exclusively to Wales Online publisher Reach about how Lacey's shyness could cost her a place in the latter end of the competition. He suggested her habit of "leaning on Vito" continues to be one of her biggest sticking points.
Sean said of her latest appearance on the show: "Vito has a hand on Lacey in almost every shot of the weekend, and she lets herself be held. On Saturday, his arm stays round her waist through all four judges. On Sunday, waiting for the results, he stands behind her with both arms wrapped round her middle; the week before, he had one arm across her shoulders, side by side."
Signs of Nervousness and Relief
He noted how Lacey's sense of relief each week is clear, adding: "At her 30 on Saturday, both hands go flat to her chest and her eyes go up to the ceiling. On Sunday, when her name is read, her hand covers her mouth, her eyes squeeze shut, she turns her face into Vito, and both hands go back to her chest."
"She did the same when she was called safe last week, so this is how her relief looks, and the eyes closing each time suggests she wasn't expecting good news. On the sofa afterwards, she leans forward, talks with her hands and rolls her eyes up laughing about watching Shirley's videos all week. Her body loosens completely once the verdict is out of the way, which suggests how much of her weekend's tension sits on the result."
Advice for Lacey and Delta's Reactions
His advice to Lacey would be to "find one moment where Vito steps away and she holds the floor on her own with her chin up", adding: "The judges want to see her stand without him, and so far her body hasn't shown them that."
Sean also pointed out Delta Goodrem's reactions, saying: "Watch Delta's hands when she is called safe first on Sunday. Her mouth drops open and both hands fly up to cover her face before she moves anywhere."
"It is the third week running her hands have gone up first, so for all her scores she is still bracing herself every Sunday." He did note that, whilst reflecting on her success on the sofa, she talked "with both palms open and turned up, and throws her head back laughing", which is a sign of progress in her confidence.
Sean concluded: "Open palms and a body angled towards a partner are signs of someone at ease, and that is new for her on a results night. My advice: bring that sofa body to Saturday. Relaxed shoulders and open hands will help her."
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One on Saturday at 6.25pm.
