黑洞社区

It was acknowledged by winners and losers alike as the fiercest dance-off ever seen in construction. True, it was almost certainly the only dance-off ever seen in construction, but this didn鈥檛 mean the industry held back when 黑洞社区, with an eye for the topical and a penchant for sparkly suits, challenged it to put forward its finest to take part in our Strictly 黑洞社区 tournament.

Of the brave (or foolish) souls that turned up to shake their groove thing, some struck up partnerships that would make Egan break into a cha-cha. Gill Parker of fit-out design firm BDG Workfutures tangoed the day away with Kevin Arnold from QS Gardiner & Theobald as if there鈥檇 never been so much as a disputed quantity between them.

Also flying the flag for cross-industry collaboration was Francine Vella of contractor Forcia, who sashayed in perfect sync (most of the time) with General Demolition鈥檚 Colin McLoughlin. It was as tearjerking as anything on Saturday night TV. So for those who, sadly, couldn鈥檛 be there or were too afraid (or sensible) to risk ridicule, here鈥檚 a step-by-step account of that dazzling day.

Rehearsals

Our dancers have fox-trotted their way, footloose and fancy free, to the Mission Room in north London. Outside it is freezing cold but the curtains are drawn and in the room the temperature is rising. The 11 couples vying for the coveted title of 黑洞社区鈥檚 ballroom champions are tense and concentrating hard as Simon Lister, the dance teacher (and one-time world number 33 in Latin American dance) is patiently teaching them the moves they hope will bring them victory in the afternoon鈥檚 competition. They carefully mirror Simon鈥檚 steps as he commands in his New Zealand accent: 鈥淲e are going to go left, close, left, tap and then right, close, right, tap.鈥�

Neil Stanley of Trident is concentrating hardest of all. His neck is craned as he follows Simon鈥檚 every move. Unfortunately, while the rest of the group is doing as Simon says and moving like a slickly oiled machine, Neil keeps stomping off confidently in the opposite direction. He narrowly avoids crashing into his partner, 黑洞社区鈥檚 Muireann Bolger, whose expression changes swiftly from concern to alarm. It鈥檚 not boding well for this couple, who have never danced together before. Or with anyone else, by the looks of things.

Other dancers are more confident 鈥� some might say overconfident. Colin McLoughlin, for example, effortlessly waltzes across the room while checking his BlackBerry.

Near-disaster strikes 黑洞社区鈥檚 own Dan Stewart and Sophie Griffiths early on, as Sophie suddenly runs from the room, clutching the top of her dress. She soon returns, however, with a strategically placed corsage which has apparently solved her 鈥渨ardrobe malfunction鈥�.

Round one

The practice is over and it鈥檚 time to see what the dancers are made of. Our judges take their seats. They are Graham Watts, head of the Construction Industry Council, one-time ballet dancer and part-time dance critic, Michael Willoughby, 黑洞社区鈥檚 Mr Nasty/Craig Revel Horwood, and Simon, our dance teacher. Silence descends as the first couple 鈥� Dan and Sophie 鈥� take the floor.

The salsa music starts up and the competition begins. In truth, it鈥檚 not a bad effort. Sexy shoulder-jiggling seems to be this couple鈥檚 forte, and there鈥檚 plenty of eye contact. By the end, the judges are impressed. 鈥淭here was a spark between them,鈥� says Michael, perhaps maliciously trying to start an office rumour. All three judges award the couple seven out of 10 鈥� although Graham concedes: 鈥淚 gave Dan an extra point in case he writes something bad about me.鈥�

Next up, it鈥檚 Muireann and Neil. Muireann鈥檚 earlier misgivings are entirely borne out. There鈥檚 a manic tangling of limbs and the pair look more like they鈥檙e fighting than dancing. The performance leaves the audience in stitches. Graham tries to be encouraging 鈥� 鈥淭hat was, er, a very courageous effort 鈥︹�� 鈥� but the scores say it all: five, four and five.

There鈥檚 a manic tangling of limbs and the pair look more like they鈥檙e fighting than dancing. The performance leaves the audience in stitches.

More couples get up and strut their stuff. Some look considerably more professional than others. The couple from Apex do a workmanlike job, bearing looks of fierce concentration throughout. They score three sixes but Michael Willoughby has some harsh comments, which draw boos from onlookers. 鈥淚t was a bit too sensible for me 鈥� like the Ford Fiesta of ballroom.鈥�

The couple from Apex also draw a mixed response. The audience is laughing, and Louise Bratton looks slightly abashed by her partner, Kai Midgley, like she鈥檚 at a wedding and an embarrassing uncle has dragged her onto the floor. Not quite what the judges are looking for in a future ballroom champion.

Round two 鈥�

Six couples do it for the judges though, and they sail through to the second round. The Mott MacDonald pair are up first. This time, they are even heavier on the pizzazz, with outfits to match. Maurice Gidwani鈥檚 tie is glittering with pink diamant茅, while Rachel Hardisty is (just about) wearing a skimpy pale blue number with what appears to be a giant tail made of feathers. Could she have had some previous experience, perhaps?

The judges like it. 鈥淭hat was brilliant,鈥� says Simon. Graham agrees and pronounces himself 鈥渁bsolutely transfixed鈥� by Rachel鈥檚 outfit. Even Michael doesn鈥檛 have a barb to fling this time.

Gill and Kevin also impress, with a series of complex twirls and twists. It all climaxes in a sort of crash, however, with a painful-looking knotting of limbs and a bang on the head for Kevin. 鈥淣ice tangling there,鈥� says Michael, recovering his sarcasm skills. They don鈥檛 make it through 鈥�

Final round

Three couples are left: Mott MacDonald, Keltbray and 黑洞社区鈥檚 Dan and Sophie. The first dance starts. It鈥檚 the Mott couple, and they are really going for it. Rachel is twirling as if her life depended on it. One spectacular move elicits applause from the crowd. This is looking good. The dance ends with Rachel suspended diagonally between Maurice鈥檚 legs. 鈥淭hat was brilliant,鈥� says Simon, and Graham admits he 鈥渓oved it鈥�.

The bar has now been set somewhere in the stratosphere, and as Ian Sharpe and Victoria Lawrence from Keltbray take their places he gazes deep into her eyes. The routine ends with a spectacular flourish involving Victoria doing the splits.

Simon is rapturous. 鈥淭hat was the performance of the entire event!鈥� Graham鈥檚 equally dazzled: 鈥淚 loved the way you changed your routine throughout the day.鈥� Even Michael is bordering on enthusiastic: 鈥淭hat was 鈥� jolly good.鈥�

Last up, it鈥檚 the 黑洞社区 couple. The shoulder jiggling is in overdrive, and the pair even giggle in sync 鈥� until the end of the dance, which descends into a bit of a shambles. Graham鈥檚 still a fan, though. 鈥淒an gives hope to men who want to dance.鈥� Simon鈥檚 a bit tougher: 鈥淵ou鈥檝e got to keep in time with her, Dan, because she鈥檚 gorgeous.鈥� Michael, meanwhile, mutters something about a dancing pig 鈥�

The 黑洞社区 team gets three eights. Meanwhile, the other two are neck and neck, each scoring two 10s and a nine. So in time-honoured tradition, it鈥檚 over to the audience to cast the final vote. They raise their hands and, unbelievably, Dan and Sophie seem to be the popular choice 鈥� 鈥淲e like them because they have no idea what they鈥檙e doing,鈥� says Penny Fotherington of Overbury. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the John Sergeant factor.鈥� Um 鈥� thanks. But the final scores are based on the judges鈥� votes too, and once they are all totted up, the winning couple emerges. Graham announces that 黑洞社区鈥� ballroom champions (2008) are Keltbray鈥檚 Ian and Victoria. The couple beam as they pose for photos with a large bouquet of flowers and everyone else applauds. As Bruce would say: 鈥淒idn鈥檛 they do well?鈥�