Strictly Come Dancing contestant Will Best risks missing out on the Glitterball Trophy unless he corrects a minor ballroom quirk, according to body language specialists. The Big Brother presenter has been balancing hosting duties on the ITV reality programme alongside rehearsing his Strictly choreography and becoming a new father to a baby boy.
His performances on the dance floor have remained strong, and the 41-year-old has successfully reached week eight of the BBC's dancing contest, supported by professional partner Dianne Buswell. Last week witnessed Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu become the sixth pairing to depart from Strictly, after a dance off against Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby.
Body language expert's warning
The surviving couples are preparing to battle for their position in the competition this Saturday evening (November 14), though body language specialist Judi James suggests Will might lose out on viewer votes if he continues his "distracting" mannerism.
Speaking to Paddy Power, Judi said: "Will badly needs to correct one body language trait that is spoiling his chances of a win. Instead of flaunting what could be his matinee idol good looks that would add an extra Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire spin to his waltzes and some sizzle to his tangos, he tends to dance with his mouth gaping wide open in a 'Guppy' gesture."
She continued to suggest that this open-mouthed facial expression might be affecting viewers' decisions. "It's distracting and it will be losing him votes. Dianne needs to get him rehearsing with a pencil chomped between his teeth to get him looking more chiselled cheekbones and less surprised guppy," Judi added.
Praise for Will's commitment
However, the expert also highlighted Will's massive successes in the contest. She said: "With his work commitments plus a new baby, Will must be running on fumes right now, but his effort shows every week as he comes back with hyper energy and commitment levels that show total commitment to the competition," reports Wales Online.
She continued to say that he is "eager, chatty and he throws everything into his dances, performing with none of the inhibitions that celebs like Lacey, Dani and Jamie suffer from as he adopts the 'look' of every style of dance he learns".
Audiences at home have likewise expressed admiration for the new father. Following his Quickstep routine to This Love by Maroon 5 last week, one fan praised: "This was a hard dance which Will danced brilliantly." Someone else posted: "I'm not sure how you'll top this next week...but you will," while a third viewer added: "This was brilliant guys amazing. Well done Dianne and Will. You should be so proud of yourself Will." One last admirer chipped in: "Awe inspiring! Unbelievably proud! Keep on dancing into that final!!"
Strictly Come Dancing continues tonight at 6.25pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
