Natalie Lowe addresses lack of Rumba dances on Strictly as she critiques Janette and HRVY

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Natalie Lowe, 40, has praised Janette Manrara, 37, and HRVY’s Rumba routine, which earned them 23 points out of a potential 30 last night. The dancing duo were the first pair to perform the Ballroom number this series.

Natalie, who left the BBC dance show in 2017, said pros try to avoid taking on the routine with a celebrity partner.

Discussing Janette and HRVY, she shared: “I felt the magic they were trying to create. Yes, it may not have been the most advanced male Rumba technique we’ve seen but I think it was a very very good effort.

“HRVY’s arm lines were soft and accentuated in the right places he partnered Janette beautifully to make her to do all the extra spectacular moves and he looked like he was really enjoying himself.

“It was a tough dance – there’s a reason why you don’t see many Rumbas and that’s because it’s so hard the pros like to avoid it due to how exposing it can be,” she added to OK! Magazine.

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“Try and convince yourself by saying that,” the show’s host Zoe Ball laughed, realising he wasn’t so confident.

HRVY admitted he had “no idea” what the Ballroom dance required as Janette reminded him there was nowhere to hide.

“Monday mornings are always a struggle especially this morning,” he revealed.

But despite his worries, the pair went on to impress the judges and viewers with their efforts.