Strictly Come Dancing’s Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu should not be written off ahead of the BBC One final this weekend, a body language expert has said.
The pair have fought to survive in the competition after repeatedly landing in the dreaded dance-off, but have managed to clinch one of the four places in the 2022 final.
Despite their dance-off track record suggesting doubts over their ability to lift the Glitterball trophy, body language expert Judi James has said all is not lost following a key factor of their appearance on spin-off It Takes Two on Wednesday.
Judi noted the pair’s clear ‘impetus’ in the BBC Two studio, as they chatted over what fans can expect from their dances in the final this weekend.
Describing it as the pair’s ‘secret weapon’, she suggested Molly and Carlos could be on track to pull off a massive upset in the competition.
She said: “It’s when the people in a comfortable lead suddenly get beaten by a challenger who has been lying behind but who manages to change gear and speed up at the last minute.
“Molly has been a rank outsider for most of this series: someone who gets praise and high scores from the judges but who still sees that red light consigning her to the dance-off several weeks running.”
Molly and Carlos were clearly ecstatic when they managed to dodge the dance-off last weekend, which instead saw Fleur East and Will Mellor battle it out, before the latter was eliminated.
Judi continued: “This might just have given them the extra burst of energy and commitment to create the impetus that could actually see them holding that Glitterball next weekend.
“While the other finalists are competent and regularly excellent, Molly and Carlos can now gather speed to take them all on.
“And this ‘last furlong’ burst could create a win for them if they find the viewers finally getting behind them and cheering them on.”
Judi said the pair’s ‘impetus’ was visible in their body language on It Takes Two, saying: “They both moved, gesticulated and spoke at a much faster speed.
“Their constant nodding was also speeded up, as though they’re impatient to get out there and show what they can do.
“When they sat listening, both performed a very tight hand clench, with their hands in their laps.
“This, plus the way they often sat towards the edge of their seat, suggested impatient excitement and anticipation.”
She added: “Both also threw the normal interview format to the wind and began appealing direct to the camera, looking straight into the lens to bypass the middleman.
“And both used a gesture of power and control when they raised one index finger in a commanding signal when they spoke.”
She concluded: “Their hand gestures went from precision rituals to suggest a close eye on detail to explosive hand gestures to show they really will be bursting out onto that dance floor on Saturday.
“Molly’s track record could have seen her the first one to be eliminated in the final but this impetus factor could see the couple staying in until the end.”
