General Chat

Well, am I the only one to watch tonight's strictly? Where are our regular contributors - Brummie Helen, Ann in Glos etc. etc. I watched the show tonight and thought overall it was ok. Fear for Jodie and Christine mostly tonight but the public are so unpredictable, you never know. Where will the 'John' votes be spread - if they come in at all that is. Thought the farewell dance and speech by John was very dignified and that Kristina was very sweet and obviously a trifle tearful. Will wait with interest as to who goes out as I truly couldn't even hazard a guess tonight.

Yes Julia, I remember Ray McVay on the Wireless..

Happy Days!

Mo

There's nothing better than dancing to a live Big Band, beats records/tapes/CD's hands down. I remember all the old band leaders by name, and once dance to Ray McVay in Derby
Julia in Derbyshire

Big Bands - love em

Remember the Ilford Palais, with Phil Tate. from late 1940's to 1960's and what music.

Love big bands (and military bands - have a fairly large collection of military band CDs.

In the 80s, unitl about 1994 when we lived in Bedfordshire (and even after we moved here) we used to go to a monthly big band dance held by a local PTA, well actually the school was in Herts. We had some great bands play for us and some memorable dances, especially New Years Eve. These dances were always packed/sold out, mostly over 50s, at the first note everyone would be on the floor until the last dance was played. Great times!

Ann
Glos

For all your Strictly Fans out there - can I recommend the CD ( think it's a recent one)

Strictly Come Dancing - music from The Strictly Come Dancing Band (and, as a bonus Learn to Dance with Len Goodman) BBC Records.

If you like the Big Band Sounds, it's great! havent tried the CD inn the computer yet, but will later on.

Jac XX

Well what news we've had today.

JOHN PULLS OUT.

John Sergeant has decided to pull out of the competition.

Following his unexpected departure from the show, announced today, John has issued a press statement.

John said he was sorry to say he had decided to leave Strictly Come Dancing, adding; "It was always my intention to have fun on the show and I was hoping to stay in as long as possible. The trouble is that there is now a real danger that I might win the competition. Even for me that would be a joke too far. I would like to thank Kristina and all those viewers who have been rooting for me through the series."

In response Jay Hunt, Controller, BBC One said; "John has told us of his plans to leave Strictly Come Dancing and we are very sad to see him go. He has been an entertaining contestant and is hugely popular with the viewers. We would have liked him to stay but we respect his decision to leave. "


I think he's done the decent thing.

God Bless Mo for the memories
Julia in Derbyshire

JULIA
I was in my teens in the late 1940's, and we used to learn to dance at a dancing school run by Bobby Moore(the West Ham and England Footballer) first wife Tina's Aunt and Uncle.
This was in Barking.Essex.(East London now).
Happy days, can still smell the Evening in Paris perfume we all seemed to wear Also the boys/men in their smart suits and white shirts, with nice ties., Us in our full skirts, nylons and twin set and pearls.

Bing Crosby was my favourite, and then came Frank Sinatra.

Those gorgeous dresses, what a difference to the ones on Come Dancing, and the Victor Sylvester days. Always thought the girls looked like ostriches with their full skirts and if they had skinny legs, this added to the similarity.

OH and I just simply adore Strictly Come Dancing, and now off for an early tea so we can watch Claudia.

Regards Mo

Teddys Girl - you are so right. Are we from the same era then. I've never got past Frank Sinatra et al. Elvis,Cliff,Englebert and Tom Jones seemed to pass me by, but I don't mind abit of Mike Hucknall these days. Did abit of the old dancing myself in me day, but not like this stuff, and never those gorgeous frocks. Oh well, a gall can dream, and go into raptures on a Saturday night
Take Care
Julia in Derbyshire

Every time I see Tom, I think he is like Cary Grant, and Christine reminds me of Audrey Hepburn.

Mo

Tom will do very nicely for me!! as will Austin!!!!

I've just heard on our local radio station, from the lips of Tom's very own uncle, that Tom is doing the Tango next week. That will do nicely for me
Julia in Derbyshire

I do wish they would give John a disco dance - something from Saturday Night Fever!!!! That should be worth watching

*waits for the shove, a la Dick Emery*
x

As I say though, I am not a cynic, oh dear me no.
:-)))) or should it be :-(((( ?
(Said in a humorous way)

Mo - he hasn't got big boobs and miniskirts!
*runs*

What a farce- As John and Christine are both on The One Show, what happens if she is out and he is in, will there be bad feelings.

I think that if the rules are not changed, we will not get another Strictly Come Dancing, as the professionals and judges,will be fed up with it all, which is such a pity, as we do look forward to it.

As I said before, think John out of decency should feign an injury or illness to get out, same as Jimmy Tarbuck did when he realised it was affecting his heart.

By the way - Bruce and Anton were good, enjoyed this, and for a man of 80, what a performer. Cant understand why Bruce has not been knighted, suppose he is not in with the powers that be.

Mo

you are awful Glenys - but I like yu!!!!!!!

*tries to reach Helen's eyes to scratch them out, lol*

I very much feel for John and his dancing partner; they must feel so embarrassed about it all. I, too, think he should have more up-tempo dances.

I wonder if this is somehow "engineered" to ensure a very large audience at home! Hey, it makes good TV, doesn't it! Not that I'm a cynic, you understand lol.
x

I wonder if somebody is working on how to change the rules in some way for next year

Ann
Glos

Theresa Tread Anywhere - no actually it doesn't spoil the results show for me. I just like to know without having to wait 24 hours or more. I don't know why I prefer to know asap but I do BUT I certainly wouldn't whisper a word to anyone who much prefers to wait till the Sunday show.

As for the result - I said earlier I feared for both Lisa and Cherie but do agree that I think John should have been joined in the bottom two by one or other of them. There was nothing to choose between Lisa and Cherie in the dance-off but I personally would have preferred Cherie to stay but only because I personally can't 'take' to Lisa. As for John - well as suggested by many he could 'resign' but apparently Kenny Logan wanted to pull out in favour of Gabby last year, but the BBC wouldn't allow it. The contestants do after all sign a contract and presumably there must be some clause in it prohibiting this, I don't know. Unfortunately I don't think James did the chances of John being voted out any favours by bringing it to the fore on live tv when he himself was going out, because the GBP do not like (a) being told what to do and (b) what they interpret as 'sour grapes' by someone voted out. Up to now they seem to have enjoyed literally putting two fingers up at the judges and being perverse - due to some of the unnecessary caustic comments meted out. Much as I agree it is now beginning to spoil the show and put its credibility in jeopardy, we can only hope that the GBP start either this week or next to vote for the folk who gave the best performance. I have a feeling John could go this coming week, fingers crossed.