General Chat

I'm waiting to see if Craig's latest whinge will be something like 'I don't want to be voted off in front of my family and home town' !!

Hurray - at long last Craig has gone. I was amazed that he still can't accept that his dancing isn't very good. Thought Ali and Brian were delightful and was pleased for Chris that he put in a good performance. I wasn't as enamoured with Laila's performance as the judges seemed, but overall I thought it was a good night and I enjoyed the show

Justice at last! Poor Craig was just not up to the level of the other dancers, (even Ricky Groves).

Great to see that none of the really good dancers were in the dance-off this week. I hope that common sense prevails next week too.

Looking forward to next weeks show as usual.

Tess

Yes, thought the right one went last night but I thought Alesha was a bit nasty with her comments.

I really enjoyed the show last night and I expected Craig and Ricky to be in the dance off.
Poor Craig really did think he was a good dancer, I agree Alesha was a bit harse in her comments, she looked like she didn't actually like him ...imo

Haven't a big enough favourite at the moment,although I was pleased to see Ali and Brian with 10s!! they look beautiful together.

Think Ricky G. and Tuffers will be battling it out next week.

I also think Craig thought he was a good dancer, and in all the weeks he was on, he could never take what he was doing wrong, always wanted to say he deserved better. Not like the others who agreed when they went wrong.
I also noticed that he did not seem to fit in with the others, all seemed to have a good banter between them, and laughed and joked with each other not being too serious. Even on the coach going to Blackpool, he seemed like a fish out of water.
I think the Judges were all so fed up with last week when two good dancers were in the dance off, and Zoe had to go, that is why Alesha said what she did, and what the others were thinking.
Even good natured Len had to say he could not dance.

Yes, I agree, it was time that he went and the right two were in the dance off. Loved Ali's dance last night.

What is happening to everyone?

Bruce is ill. Jade too injured to take part ... she even said that she was worried about being well enough to resume her athletic training in January, so seems to be rather serious.

Laila with a sprained ankle and unable to complete her dance.

Phil having some problems with his knee, he had to put ice on it we ease the swelling.
Ricky W said that they had made the dance slower because of his legs ( I don't know if they were giving him trouble or if they just can't go that fast anyway).

I missed seeing Jade dance. Didn't cast a vote this week as I didn't want to be influenced by the injuries. I also felt that if Laila had been in the dance-off, she wouldn't have been able to perform. Which would have meant that the other person would have gone through.

I wonder what will happen next week, if Jade has to give up. And Laila needs another week off


Well done Mau at the coast in getting the correct people for the dance off this week..
Do you think that the right person went

Yes indeed - what a peculiar show this week. I felt desperately sorry for Jade as her injury looks potentially more serious than the usual run of the mill strains etc. The minute L|aila did the crying bit I knew she would go through - mainly on sympathy in my opinion ! Although I have supporte him since day one, I was disappointed in Chris' Paso - I didn't feel the choreography suited him - all that stamping was down to Ola. She didn't include anything that would show him in a proper Paso stance and walk but I am at odds with the judges here as they quite liked it. However, I am glad he went through. As for the dance-off - I don't think either couple performed particularly well, but on balance I would have put Phil through ahead of Ricky. I do hope it is a 'full house' next week with everyone returning. Tess and Claudia were ok as replacements but I cringed at Ronnie Corbett - he just wasn't the right person to fill in - why on earth didn't they ask someone like, say, Paul O'Grady who is a Strictly fan and much more capable of carrying on the show with his ad libs ?

I think Ronnie Corbett was asked because it was very last minute and he is a great friend of Bruce's. I thought he did well enough considering I doubt he ever watches it. Maybe others were not available on a Saturday night. And I thought Tess did as well as Bruce and Claudia was fine. I like Bruce but can't say I actually missed him.

I agreed with the judges that in the dance off Ricky was better than Phil, neither of them are good and I was not surprised that theyw ere in the dance off, to be fair to her injury or not Laila didn't deserve to be in it although I am sure she did get part sympathy vote. Having had a sprained ankle and walked on it round Paris some years ago I don't know how she danced in those high heels it must have been excrutiatingly painful and it showed on her face.

I felt sorry for Jade, that is quite a serious injury for an athlete, it is quite possible that she wont be allowed to dance next week. Hopefully Laila's ankle will be better if she rests, but that means she can't rehearse.

Aww what a disappointment last night to see so many injured,it totally changed the format! poor Laila looked in agony, and wearing high heels to dance in was asking for trouble,but style of dance warranted heels.

I would like Ali and Jade in the final but afraid now it's in the lap of the Gods' isn't it? I feel the energy and practice they give is what puts Strictly head and shoulders above Xfactor ( imo of course)

Do hope everything's back to normal next week........when Craig was being interviewed you couldn't miss Lionel Blair peeping behind him lol....now he could have been a very good stand in for Brucie!!
....have to add I did think the right person went

Keeep dancing :O)

I hadn't "clocked" Lionel Blair in the audience. It would have been great to have him on the show, as he is a dancer and has a good line of patter!
Maybe next week if bruce isn't well enough.

I even wondered (near the end) if Tess was okay. She was supporting herself on the Judges desk to the dismay of Bruno on the end! (He couldn't see the camera).

Will be watching Take Two with extra interest this week, to catch up with all the news. If Jade is unable to come back I would like to see her dress rehersal of her dance (before she got injured).
I know that it isn't quite the same, but it might be our only chance to see it

When is Darcy Bussell becoming a Judge? At this rate we will have more judges than contestants

Well, some quite low scores this week, so sad that Jade is out of the competition but wise for her not to risk permanent injury in her profession, you could see she was really upset. Pleased Laila's ankle was well enough for her to dance, surprised in a way she was in the dance off but the right one went I think.

dAgree that the show as a whole seemed to lack a bit of sparkle this week. I too agreed that the right person went out and was in total agreement with the two couples who were in the dance-off. I thought Jade was very brace sitting there no doubt wishing like mad that she was still a contestant. However, she had little choice but to pull out as her athletics career is so much more important. Good luck to her in the future. This does mean however that we are back to a two-contestant final which does detract from the excitement a bit. Never mind, it can;t be helped.
P>S> Where is Brummie Helen ? She used to contribute regularly to this thread. I hope she isn't poorly again.

I am sure I saw Helen on another thread yesterday, maybe she has lost interest in the contest. Yes a 2 couple finish is not as exciting but almost inevitable that somebody will be injured as they do so much more than they are used to.

What a pity Jade has had to drop out,she was beautiful to watch,just hope her injury doesn't hamper her career.
Seeing ITT tonight of her and Ian's dances through the weeks, showed how she had really progressed.
I loved Jade's comment about herself..." I was a girl and now feel like a woman"..aww..hope we do get to see their last dance (in the final).

I also thought it was Ricky's turn to go,but must say he has been entertaining!

Looking forward to the Jive/Rock'nRoll next week....absolutely loved Darren & Lilia's show dance :O))

Hi folks,
Sorry I've not posted for a while, starting to get abit busy with extra hours at work and a family problem as well.
Was very torn last week when Phil and Ricky were in the dance off, makes me wonder how Phil would of coped this week. Felt sorry that Jade had injuried her leg and was hoping that she would be ok this week. I felt that she had a good chance to be in the final 3.

I too felt that this weeks show was abit of a let down, although I must admit I did like Ricky Whittle's performance, This was the first one of his that I did like.

I just wish that Chris would sort his facial expressions out, I think they spoil his routines and they would probably score him higher.

Not looking forward to the final now as it will be a 2 couple race for the trophy and I think we all know who that is going to be.

I tried posting on Sunday but then clicked on the wrong thing and sent my message out to the ether!

I was very disappointed that Jade was not ablr to continue in the competition. She was improving each week, was able to oerform (act) the dances as weel as dance them. She was a real contender.

Some of the fizz seems to have gone out of the program too. Perhaps it was not a good idea to have held it in Blackpool so early.
It was almost bound to have been a bit of an anti-climax following such a spectacular venue.

This week, besides Jade not taking part, Natalie had an "off" week, she is usually one of the people who brings a smile to my face.

Hopefully she will enjoy her dance on Saturday.
Although I will miss Ricky G I do think that it was time for him to go he should be very proud of what her has achieved.

I am now hoping that I will get to see Jade doing the lon jump next year (live if she comes to Birmingham).

Also hope that she is able to dance her Tango in the final

Hoping that it is more uplifting next Saturday, I shall be watching as usual

P.S.

Maybe on Saturday Chris should wear a Craig Revil-Hallwood mask.

Just might be easier than trying to sort out his facial expressions.

Anyone watch ITT tonight? sad,bad news again!

On Monday Ali fell damaging her right foot badly while practising the Charleston.
When interviewed Brian looked really miserable and said Ali hadn't been able to walk for three days!! It would be a major disappointment for them (and their many fans) if she couldn't compete. Let's keep fingers crossed that she's given a bye this week and is okay for next.