Keeping my fingers crossed that Ola's recovery continues to go well and she gets dance fit in good time for rehearsals starting.
I also hope that she is paired with a celebrity and allowed to do the excellent job she has done in previous series in the same way as she has always done.
What drew me to Strictly in the first place is that at its best, it is an excellent test of character.
The two links I listed earlier to illustrate Ola and Andrew Castle's partnership is a perfect illustration of what I mean. Ola angrily gave him a dressing down for whingeing and not believing in himself and said she wasn't going to let him give up on himself. After having that 'spat' they became a strong team and even danced on for weeks when Andrew had broken toes and Ola had a broken bone in her foot.
I'm not in favour of the 'have another cushion - and would you like a nice cup of tea?' approach to Strictly celebs. I like it to be a test of character.
All the pros don't have to be the same, but to get the best from some celebs, you need a pro who can drive them on to achieve their maximum - like many sports coaches would do. Ola, Aliona and Katya Virshilas are examples of pros who are great at coaching celebs to achieve more than they would with a 'softer' pro.
I'm not in favour of the 'have another cushion - and would you like a nice cup of tea?' approach to Strictly celebs. I like it to be a test of character.
All the pros don't have to be the same, but to get the best from some celebs, you need a pro who can drive them on to achieve their maximum - like many sports coaches would do. Ola, Aliona and Katya Virshilas are examples of pros who are great at coaching celebs to achieve more than they would with a 'softer' pro.
Up to a point I agree with you, but as a dance teacher myself, I know that different students often have to be treated differently.
Occasionally if there is someone with little or no confidence (tends to be adult learners rather than children) a teacher who is too forceful can simply make them freeze altogether & lose what tiny bit of confidence they may have, or even send them out the door never to return, whereas a bit of gentle coaxing can, and often does, work wonders.
Other students, of course, thrive by being driven.
Up to a point I agree with you, but as a dance teacher myself, I know that different students often have to be treated differently.
Occasionally if there is someone with little or no confidence (tends to be adult learners rather than children) a teacher who is too forceful can simply make them freeze altogether & lose what tiny bit of confidence they may have, or even send them out the door never to return, whereas a bit of gentle coaxing can, and often does, work wonders.
Other students, of course, thrive by being driven.
It really is a case of horse for courses!!
Of course.
I'm not suggesting any of the pro's only have one way of teaching. Ola didn't push Paul Daniels much. Aliona was perhaps easiest on Tony Jacklin and pushiest with Matt Baker (because he was the fastest learner she has had). Aliona says herself that she adjusts her teaching to the student she is teaching. Katya used different techniques to draw Gavin out of his shell and to get Phil to put some effort in - even reading his autobiography to try to find what motivates him.:D
Lilia Kopylova is another pro who has a range of teaching which includes the sort of driving that sports celebrities are often used to.
I love Flavia (she is one of my favourites) - great dancer, teacher, choreographer, but not a hard driving type of coach. I thought Craig Kelly was an example where some stronger coaching would have worked better.
In Strictly, the objective is not to teach them to dance but to provide entertainment. People being out of their comfort zone is part of that.
Really, really pleased to see little Ola back for another series. I have never seen her to be anything other than fully committed to her celeb, and focussed on the task in hand i.e. getting her partner as far as she possibly could, whatever she had to do to achieve that end - even if it meant getting the cat suit out!
That's how I've perceived her too. I've just quickly read throught this thread and am amazed at how much speculation from last year is now been spouted as fact!
This board never changes. The posters might be different, but there's always a few who would have been quite at home sitting around Madame Guilloitine during the French Revolution doing their knitting! LOL!
This must be the earliest ever we've had speculation about Ola being pregnant! If she ever does announce she's expecting a baby, I've no doubt some posters will be convinced it will be a boy named Damien!
Ola's still recovering from a nasty accident. She probably hasn't been able to work out the way she normally would, so she's perhaps not as toned as she usually is. If that's the case, I imagine she'll be back in shape as soon as she's able.
Ola's still recovering from a nasty accident. She probably hasn't been able to work out the way she normally would, so she's perhaps not as toned as she usually is. If that's the case, I imagine she'll be back in shape as soon as she's able.
Ola looked to me like she had kept her weight down well before that trip to Sandals. I guess she was maybe socialising more with their guests because she wasn't doing the dance teaching with James. Its only a few pounds and she can easily get rid of that in time.
She has James there to provide encouragement - which he is good at. Maybe he will get fully dance fit too to help her - but her recovery has to be judged just right - as fast as possible but not too fast.
Matthew Cutler and Ian Waite were also binned despite being hugely popular.
Popularity guarantees you nothing on SCD, which is why Ola's return was far from a foregone conclusion.
Back then, there was no real way to measure the popularity of the pros. With things like Twitter/instagram...things have changed.
Ola has the most followers/fans out of all the pros left so far and there's been several articles on how social media numbers count towards someone keeping a job in showbiz..especially on shows like this.
That's how I've perceived her too. I've just quickly read throught this thread and am amazed at how much speculation from last year is now been spouted as fact!
This board never changes. The posters might be different, but there's always a few who would have been quite at home sitting around Madame Guilloitine during the French Revolution doing their knitting! LOL!
This must be the earliest ever we've had speculation about Ola being pregnant! If she ever does announce she's expecting a baby, I've no doubt some posters will be convinced it will be a boy named Damien!
To be fair though - just because some posters are harsh in their judgements of her - that doesn't mean they're wrong - or no more wrong than those who think she's fantastic and think she can do no wrong. I actually never used to mind her - never my favourite pro but I thought she added character and verve to strictly - and I thought that made up for her sometimes unimaginative choreography, but last series I was bored to tears of her and that was mainly because IMO she looked bored and jaded. I wasn't convinced by her partnership with Steve.
I'd have preferred to see either Iveta back or a new pro - just someone who can bring some enthusiasm and fresh ideas to strictly.
Back then, there was no real way to measure the popularity of the pros. With things like Twitter/instagram...things have changed.
Ola has the most followers/fans out of all the pros left so far and there's been several articles on how social media numbers count towards someone keeping a job in showbiz..especially on shows like this.
I don't agree that Twitter is an indication or proof of popularity - Just because you follow someone on Twitter it doesn't mean you're a fan of them and there's been quite a few celebs who have got huge Twitter followings but that hasn't translated to them doing well on strictly.
Up to a point I agree with you, but as a dance teacher myself, I know that different students often have to be treated differently.
Occasionally if there is someone with little or no confidence (tends to be adult learners rather than children) a teacher who is too forceful can simply make them freeze altogether & lose what tiny bit of confidence they may have, or even send them out the door never to return, whereas a bit of gentle coaxing can, and often does, work wonders.
Other students, of course, thrive by being driven.
It really is a case of horse for courses!!
An example from DWTS where there is a bond grown between coach and student.
Rumer Willis and Val Chmerkovskiy. I like to see them become a team.
To be fair though - just because some posters are harsh in their judgements of her - that doesn't mean they're wrong - or no more wrong than those who think she's fantastic and think she can do no wrong. I actually never used to mind her - never my favourite pro but I thought she added character and verve to strictly - and I thought that made up for her sometimes unimaginative choreography, but last series I was bored to tears of her and that was mainly because IMO she looked bored and jaded. I wasn't convinced by her partnership with Steve.
I'd have preferred to see either Iveta back or a new pro - just someone who can bring some enthusiasm and fresh ideas to strictly.
I didn't mean people are not entitled to their opinions, just that the forum is the same now as it was long before I stopped lurking. My post was more musings of reminiscence if that makes sense. I've definitely had my downers on celebs or pros over the years, although I do try to keep my comments on the nice side of nasty! I've also championed my favourites, keeping quiet when their halos slipped!
PS I will definitely miss Iveta on the dance floor, but if I'm honest, watching her on ITT last year did put me off her a little bit.
I didn't mean people are not entitled to their opinions, just that the forum is the same now as it was long before I stopped lurking. My post was more musings of reminiscence if that makes sense. I've definitely had my downers on celebs or pros over the years, although I do try to keep my comments on the nice side of nasty! I've also championed my favourites, keeping quiet when their halos slipped!
PS I will definitely miss Iveta on the dance floor, but if I'm honest, watching her on ITT last year did put me off her a little bit.
Yes, they did seem to push Iveta quite a lot on ITT last series but I think that was to make up for the disappointment of her early exit - I didn't mind it because I liked her eccentric sense of humour - rather her than Anton or one of the annoying ex contestants, but I can see that it could be grating, especially if you aren't massively keen on her.
I hope whoever Ola gets this year - she's able to bond with them better than she did with Steve. She needs to put aside what happened between James and the producers - and I realise this probably won't happen but it would be good if they could both stop feeding stories to the tabloids - I'm not a fan of the current producers - I think they've by and large spoilt the show, but both of them owe their fame to the BBC - it just comes across as ungrateful and arrogant, them biting the hand that fed them for so long. If it hadn't been for strictly they would be largely unknown, probably mostly just teaching ballroom and wouldn't have had the many opportinities they have had now.
Yes, they did seem to push Iveta quite a lot on ITT last series but I think that was to make up for the disappointment of her early exit - I didn't mind it because I liked her eccentric sense of humour - rather her than Anton or one of the annoying ex contestants, but I can see that it could be grating, especially if you aren't massively keen on her.
I hope whoever Ola gets this year - she's able to bond with them better than she did with Steve. She needs to put aside what happened between James and the producers - and I realise this probably won't happen but it would be good if they could both stop feeding stories to the tabloids - I'm not a fan of the current producers - I think they've by and large spoilt the show, but both of them owe their fame to the BBC - it just comes across as ungrateful and arrogant, them biting the hand that fed them for so long. If it hadn't been for strictly they would be largely unknown, probably mostly just teaching ballroom and wouldn't have had the many opportinities they have had now.
Actually, this is going to sound a bit daft, but two things on ITT were slowly making me go off Iveta - the hip hop thing (and her wardrobe to do it it in) and how pushy she was when she was on a couple of times with other female pros, answering questions and doing little demos. The others never got a word in. I had really taken to her before that, so it was a bit of a disappointment for me!
I'm not sure exactly who is feeding the tabloids, but I suspect someone from the show does as part of their job. Unlike many on here I'm definitely not convinced the Jordans have a hot line to the press and feed the media a la Katie Price to stay in the public eye. A lot gets regurgitated as fact or something new. I would like James to stick to tweeting during the show, because he says a lot of good things, but it did get out of hand last year. The problem for me was only hearing James' side. I don't disbelieve what he said or anything like that, but all of the other parties staying silent made the situation worse. I'd rather a statement had been made so a line could be drawn under what ever was going on and I blame the BBC for that. I also wish James had not done BB, as I think that was a big mistake.
I'm disappointed she's back. She's not a good choreographer and I didn't think she had a good year last series without James by her side and for identity.
Having written this I see no reason for Anton or Brendan to continue as pro dancers either. I think both of them seem as tired as Ola.
I'm not sure exactly who is feeding the tabloids, but I suspect someone from the show does as part of their job. Unlike many on here I'm definitely not convinced the Jordans have a hot line to the press and feed the media a la Katie Price to stay in the public eye. A lot gets regurgitated as fact or something new. I would like James to stick to tweeting during the show, because he says a lot of good things, but it did get out of hand last year. The problem for me was only hearing James' side. I don't disbelieve what he said or anything like that, but all of the other parties staying silent made the situation worse. I'd rather a statement had been made so a line could be drawn under what ever was going on and I blame the BBC for that. I also wish James had not done BB, as I think that was a big mistake.
Do you think it was just a coincidence then that Ola was papped when she was injured coming out of the hospital on crutches? And then when the pro line up is announced they run a story about her 'sensational' comeback from injury - from what I can remember, when Aliona, Natalie and Robin were injured, the tabloids never covered their injuries in so much detail.
Also I don't know who leaked the story about Karen's alleged 'bullying' of Ola - but it would seem a bit weird if someone from the BBC leaked it as it wouldn't exactly reflect well on them.
Well, if we're going to have Pro FanWarz may I point out that most of the pros loved Iveta and she avoided being part of any backstage faction, whereas they are all super-inhibited around another female pro in case a story is leaked to the press or they are slagged off all over a certain Twitter account. A certain faction was not very nice to another pro in her first year on Strictly. When that pro gained her own posse in her second series that faction had their noses put out of joint and were not happy. When that pro finally snapped and stood up for herself during an argument the story went straight to the tabloids and a photographer just so happened to be on hand to catch a certain other pro crying in the street.
Well, if we're going to have Pro FanWarz may I point out that most of the pros loved Iveta and she avoided being part of any backstage faction, whereas they are all super-inhibited around another female pro in case a story is leaked to the press or they are slagged off all over a certain Twitter account. A certain faction was not very nice to another pro in her first year on Strictly. When that pro gained her own posse in her second series that faction had their noses put out of joint and were not happy. When that pro finally snapped and stood up for herself during an argument the story went straight to the tabloids and a photographer just so happened to be on hand to catch a certain other pro crying in the street.
Pro dancers all tend to be highly temperamental. As with top class actors, singers, etc., it's part of what makes them what they are, and gives them the passion and drive to do what they do best.
But that temperament can also lead to all sorts of tears, tantrums and spats between partners, between other dancers, even between coaches/teachers. But, like with kids in a playground, friction can change back to all sweetness and light pretty rapidly. People who are actually part of the real dance world, understand this and know it seldom means anything - unfortunately the media, especially certain rags, just love to make a few tears, or a sharp word, etc., into a big story.
Pro dancers all tend to be highly temperamental. As with top class actors, singers, etc., it's part of what makes them what they are, and gives them the passion and drive to do what they do best.
But that temperament can also lead to all sorts of tears, tantrums and spats between partners, between other dancers, even between coaches/teachers. But, like with kids in a playground, friction can change back to all sweetness and light pretty rapidly. People who are actually part of the real dance world, understand this and know it seldom means anything - unfortunately the media, especially certain rags, just love to make a few tears, or a sharp word, etc., into a big story.
This is all no doubt true...but somebody has to supply the tabloids with the 'story' in the first place.
This is all no doubt true...but somebody has to supply the tabloids with the 'story' in the first place.
That is very true, but think about how this really works. It only takes one person working on the show in any capacity to have an agreement with a journalist to supply details of anything 'newsworthy' for cash. It happens all the time. Ola getting out of hospital could be another example of this (somebody from the hospital being the 'leak', as is so often the case.), but it was a good news story so I don't see anything wrong with her agent telling the media. There's no doubt the media became more interested in the Jordans after James left and Ola stayed, with James then doing CBB (mistake) and the problem between Steve and Ola.
The show has always been a hot bed of stories for the tabloids with some pros and celebs being much higher profile than others, but that doesn't automatically mean some use the press in the way that has been suggested on here. Social media has a lot to answer for when it comes to what appears in the media, especially Twitter.
This is all no doubt true...but somebody has to supply the tabloids with the 'story' in the first place.
Exactly. James and Ola may seem high profile to the serious Strictly fans on here, but I don't think any paper would send paps to wait outside a hospital for them, or outside their house to see them getting out of the car, or to see James putting out his pizza boxes, without an arrangement with the two of them. If they use the media for that, I have no trouble believing they also use them to leak other stories or twist existing ones to their advantage (i.e. the 'crying in the street'). I also think its not necessarily social media that has a lot to answer for in what appears in the media, but the people who write on it. James knows exactly what he's doing on that front.
Exactly. James and Ola may seem high profile to the serious Strictly fans on here, but I don't think any paper would send paps to wait outside a hospital for them, or outside their house to see them getting out of the car, or to see James putting out his pizza boxes, without an arrangement with the two of them. If they use the media for that, I have no trouble believing they also use them to leak other stories or twist existing ones to their advantage (i.e. the 'crying in the street'). I also think its not necessarily social media that has a lot to answer for in what appears in the media, but the people who write on it. James knows exactly what he's doing on that front.
Not so sure I agree. The papers know how many people follow just about anything or anyone to do with Strictly. They're not interesting in selling news - they're only interested in selling papers! And anything Strictlyfied sells. Just think how much Strictly is still talked about now - nearly 6 months after the last show ended, and about 4 months before the next one starts.
Certainly not unlikely at least one journalist kept in touch with Ola's hospital & persuaded someone there to let them know when she would be leaving.
I'm disappointed she's back. She's not a good choreographer and I didn't think she had a good year last series without James by her side and for identity.
Having written this I see no reason for Anton or Brendan to continue as pro dancers either. I think both of them seem as tired as Ola.
I agree with you, I have never been wowed by Ola's choreography, its all very samey and repetitive and she really gave the impression last year that she was hating every single second of being on the show
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I also hope that she is paired with a celebrity and allowed to do the excellent job she has done in previous series in the same way as she has always done.
What drew me to Strictly in the first place is that at its best, it is an excellent test of character.
The two links I listed earlier to illustrate Ola and Andrew Castle's partnership is a perfect illustration of what I mean. Ola angrily gave him a dressing down for whingeing and not believing in himself and said she wasn't going to let him give up on himself. After having that 'spat' they became a strong team and even danced on for weeks when Andrew had broken toes and Ola had a broken bone in her foot.
I'm not in favour of the 'have another cushion - and would you like a nice cup of tea?' approach to Strictly celebs. I like it to be a test of character.
All the pros don't have to be the same, but to get the best from some celebs, you need a pro who can drive them on to achieve their maximum - like many sports coaches would do. Ola, Aliona and Katya Virshilas are examples of pros who are great at coaching celebs to achieve more than they would with a 'softer' pro.
Up to a point I agree with you, but as a dance teacher myself, I know that different students often have to be treated differently.
Occasionally if there is someone with little or no confidence (tends to be adult learners rather than children) a teacher who is too forceful can simply make them freeze altogether & lose what tiny bit of confidence they may have, or even send them out the door never to return, whereas a bit of gentle coaxing can, and often does, work wonders.
Other students, of course, thrive by being driven.
It really is a case of horse for courses!!
Of course.
I'm not suggesting any of the pro's only have one way of teaching. Ola didn't push Paul Daniels much. Aliona was perhaps easiest on Tony Jacklin and pushiest with Matt Baker (because he was the fastest learner she has had). Aliona says herself that she adjusts her teaching to the student she is teaching. Katya used different techniques to draw Gavin out of his shell and to get Phil to put some effort in - even reading his autobiography to try to find what motivates him.:D
Lilia Kopylova is another pro who has a range of teaching which includes the sort of driving that sports celebrities are often used to.
I love Flavia (she is one of my favourites) - great dancer, teacher, choreographer, but not a hard driving type of coach. I thought Craig Kelly was an example where some stronger coaching would have worked better.
In Strictly, the objective is not to teach them to dance but to provide entertainment. People being out of their comfort zone is part of that.
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That's how I've perceived her too. I've just quickly read throught this thread and am amazed at how much speculation from last year is now been spouted as fact!
This board never changes. The posters might be different, but there's always a few who would have been quite at home sitting around Madame Guilloitine during the French Revolution doing their knitting! LOL!
This must be the earliest ever we've had speculation about Ola being pregnant! If she ever does announce she's expecting a baby, I've no doubt some posters will be convinced it will be a boy named Damien!
Ola looked to me like she had kept her weight down well before that trip to Sandals. I guess she was maybe socialising more with their guests because she wasn't doing the dance teaching with James. Its only a few pounds and she can easily get rid of that in time.
She has James there to provide encouragement - which he is good at. Maybe he will get fully dance fit too to help her - but her recovery has to be judged just right - as fast as possible but not too fast.
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Back then, there was no real way to measure the popularity of the pros. With things like Twitter/instagram...things have changed.
Ola has the most followers/fans out of all the pros left so far and there's been several articles on how social media numbers count towards someone keeping a job in showbiz..especially on shows like this.
To be fair though - just because some posters are harsh in their judgements of her - that doesn't mean they're wrong - or no more wrong than those who think she's fantastic and think she can do no wrong. I actually never used to mind her - never my favourite pro but I thought she added character and verve to strictly - and I thought that made up for her sometimes unimaginative choreography, but last series I was bored to tears of her and that was mainly because IMO she looked bored and jaded. I wasn't convinced by her partnership with Steve.
I'd have preferred to see either Iveta back or a new pro - just someone who can bring some enthusiasm and fresh ideas to strictly.
I don't agree that Twitter is an indication or proof of popularity - Just because you follow someone on Twitter it doesn't mean you're a fan of them and there's been quite a few celebs who have got huge Twitter followings but that hasn't translated to them doing well on strictly.
An example from DWTS where there is a bond grown between coach and student.
Rumer Willis and Val Chmerkovskiy. I like to see them become a team.
http://www.people.com/article/rumer-willis-dwts-bruce-willis-val-finals
I didn't mean people are not entitled to their opinions, just that the forum is the same now as it was long before I stopped lurking. My post was more musings of reminiscence if that makes sense. I've definitely had my downers on celebs or pros over the years, although I do try to keep my comments on the nice side of nasty! I've also championed my favourites, keeping quiet when their halos slipped!
PS I will definitely miss Iveta on the dance floor, but if I'm honest, watching her on ITT last year did put me off her a little bit.
Yes, they did seem to push Iveta quite a lot on ITT last series but I think that was to make up for the disappointment of her early exit - I didn't mind it because I liked her eccentric sense of humour - rather her than Anton or one of the annoying ex contestants, but I can see that it could be grating, especially if you aren't massively keen on her.
I hope whoever Ola gets this year - she's able to bond with them better than she did with Steve. She needs to put aside what happened between James and the producers - and I realise this probably won't happen but it would be good if they could both stop feeding stories to the tabloids - I'm not a fan of the current producers - I think they've by and large spoilt the show, but both of them owe their fame to the BBC - it just comes across as ungrateful and arrogant, them biting the hand that fed them for so long. If it hadn't been for strictly they would be largely unknown, probably mostly just teaching ballroom and wouldn't have had the many opportinities they have had now.
Actually, this is going to sound a bit daft, but two things on ITT were slowly making me go off Iveta - the hip hop thing (and her wardrobe to do it it in) and how pushy she was when she was on a couple of times with other female pros, answering questions and doing little demos. The others never got a word in. I had really taken to her before that, so it was a bit of a disappointment for me!
I'm not sure exactly who is feeding the tabloids, but I suspect someone from the show does as part of their job. Unlike many on here I'm definitely not convinced the Jordans have a hot line to the press and feed the media a la Katie Price to stay in the public eye. A lot gets regurgitated as fact or something new. I would like James to stick to tweeting during the show, because he says a lot of good things, but it did get out of hand last year. The problem for me was only hearing James' side. I don't disbelieve what he said or anything like that, but all of the other parties staying silent made the situation worse. I'd rather a statement had been made so a line could be drawn under what ever was going on and I blame the BBC for that. I also wish James had not done BB, as I think that was a big mistake.
Having written this I see no reason for Anton or Brendan to continue as pro dancers either. I think both of them seem as tired as Ola.
Do you think it was just a coincidence then that Ola was papped when she was injured coming out of the hospital on crutches? And then when the pro line up is announced they run a story about her 'sensational' comeback from injury - from what I can remember, when Aliona, Natalie and Robin were injured, the tabloids never covered their injuries in so much detail.
Also I don't know who leaked the story about Karen's alleged 'bullying' of Ola - but it would seem a bit weird if someone from the BBC leaked it as it wouldn't exactly reflect well on them.
Pro dancers all tend to be highly temperamental. As with top class actors, singers, etc., it's part of what makes them what they are, and gives them the passion and drive to do what they do best.
But that temperament can also lead to all sorts of tears, tantrums and spats between partners, between other dancers, even between coaches/teachers. But, like with kids in a playground, friction can change back to all sweetness and light pretty rapidly. People who are actually part of the real dance world, understand this and know it seldom means anything - unfortunately the media, especially certain rags, just love to make a few tears, or a sharp word, etc., into a big story.
This is all no doubt true...but somebody has to supply the tabloids with the 'story' in the first place.
That is very true, but think about how this really works. It only takes one person working on the show in any capacity to have an agreement with a journalist to supply details of anything 'newsworthy' for cash. It happens all the time. Ola getting out of hospital could be another example of this (somebody from the hospital being the 'leak', as is so often the case.), but it was a good news story so I don't see anything wrong with her agent telling the media. There's no doubt the media became more interested in the Jordans after James left and Ola stayed, with James then doing CBB (mistake) and the problem between Steve and Ola.
The show has always been a hot bed of stories for the tabloids with some pros and celebs being much higher profile than others, but that doesn't automatically mean some use the press in the way that has been suggested on here. Social media has a lot to answer for when it comes to what appears in the media, especially Twitter.
Exactly. James and Ola may seem high profile to the serious Strictly fans on here, but I don't think any paper would send paps to wait outside a hospital for them, or outside their house to see them getting out of the car, or to see James putting out his pizza boxes, without an arrangement with the two of them. If they use the media for that, I have no trouble believing they also use them to leak other stories or twist existing ones to their advantage (i.e. the 'crying in the street'). I also think its not necessarily social media that has a lot to answer for in what appears in the media, but the people who write on it. James knows exactly what he's doing on that front.
Not so sure I agree. The papers know how many people follow just about anything or anyone to do with Strictly. They're not interesting in selling news - they're only interested in selling papers! And anything Strictlyfied sells. Just think how much Strictly is still talked about now - nearly 6 months after the last show ended, and about 4 months before the next one starts.
Certainly not unlikely at least one journalist kept in touch with Ola's hospital & persuaded someone there to let them know when she would be leaving.
I agree with you, I have never been wowed by Ola's choreography, its all very samey and repetitive and she really gave the impression last year that she was hating every single second of being on the show