I totally agree with that.

I'd probably also add Ian- most of his partners start with a handicap in latin, being so tall, and it's to his credit that he's managed to choreograph around that twice to get to the final.

(I personally wouldn't include Camilla )

I don't like Camilla as a dancer, but I think her guys tend to do better than I would have expected them to do. I agree about Ian though, I'd include him over Camilla

I agree about Darren and Lilia who make the best of whatever partners they have, but I'm not convinced about Camilla, Vincent and Flavia. since I've only ever seen them do well when they've had good material to work with, or have I missed something here (a serious question)?

It is difficult to imagine Anton with a partner like Rachel, because we haven''t ever seen him given someone anyone remotely like her. The nearest was Patsy Palmer. I think the question is not so much 'how good a latin dancer Anton is', but more 'is he a good enough teacher?'. The two do not necessarily go hand in hand in that he doesn't need to be a brilliant latin dancer to tell his partner to do the right things . Also all dancers can call on choreographic help to ensure that their celeb's abilities are shown off to best advantage.

You could argue that a pro who is weak at latin will have less adverse effect on their celeb than one who is weak at ballroom simply because there is less dancing in hold.

So I've no idea whether he will do well this year - I will wait and see, but it will be interesting.

Can't wait. He is a good dancer.

I do actually think being an engaging dancer is part of doing well at Strictly for the pros because although it's meant to be all about the celebs, the reality is that some of the time you are watching the pro. And if they have that extra something when they dance, it feeds into your overall impression of the routine whether you realise it or not.
I think Camilla is a bit marmite- same as Karen. I would never count her as a strong pro, and I really believe she choreographed more for herself than for her partner, but as I've posted elsewhere I was convinced Tom would never win SCD6 as a result so what do I know?!

A&E did more pro demos last time round than ever before, even a latin one, which really surprised me, they usually stay well away. (I think it was the paso)

I am assuming that as Anton would dearly love to win this show he will take the latin alot more seriously this year. He was the first one to say that he found the samba to be a pointless dance.

Go Anton.

Karen choreographed the "I predict a riot" paso or was there another one....?

No, that was series five. Last year they only took part in the ballroom dances- I assume because it clearly wasn't working to have them in the latin dances too.

Here's a list of the group dances from the last two years:

Series Five
Week One- Medley (choreography Darren/Lilia): All except Karen
Week Two- Chicago Jive/Tango (choreography Ian/Camilla): Everyone
Week Three- American Smooth (choreography Vincent/Flavia): Everyone
Week Four- Paso Doble (choreography Karen): Everyone
Week Five- Viennese Waltz (choreography: Ian/Camilla?): Everyone
Week Six- Jive (choreography: Matt/Nicole): Everyone
Week Seven- Foxtrot (choreography: Anton/Erin): Everyone
Week Eight- Charleston/Quickstep: Anton/Erin
Week Ten- Latin Medley (choreography: Lilia): Everyone

Series Six
Week One- Foxtrot: Everyone
Week Two- Tango (choreography Vincent/Flavia): Everyone
Week Three- Rumba (choreography Darren/Lilia): Brian/Kristina, Matt/Karen, Vincent/Flavia, James/Ola
Week Four- American Smooth: Everyone
Week five- Paso (choreography: Karen): Brian, Brendan, Matt/Karen, James/Ola, Vincent/Flavia
Week Six- Samba (choreography- Darren): Darren/Lilia, Brian/Kristina, James/Ola, Matt/Karen to the Jersey Boys
Week Seven: Retro Jive (choreography Darren/Lilia): Darren/Lilia, Ian/Camilla, Matt/Karen, Flavia, Kristina
Week Eight: Remembrance Sunday routine (choreography Darren/Lilia): James/Ola, Anton/Erin, Vincent/Flavia, Matt/Karen, Ian/Camilla
Week Nine: Group Cha Cha (Choreography: Brian/Kristina): Brian/Kristina, James/Ola, Vincent/Flavia
Week Eleven: Group Quickstep: Anton, Flavia, Brian, Karen, Darren/Lilia, James/Ola
Week Twelve: Group VW (Choreography: Brian/Kristina): Brian/Kristina, James/Ola, Darren/Lilia, Anton/Erin, Matt/Karen
Week Thirteen: Group Jive: Matt/Karen, James/Ola, Darren/Lilia
Week Thirteen: Pro dancers with Chicago: James/Ola, Matt, Flavia, Ian, Hayley

Well lets face it, if he's ever going to win it then the best chance he's got is this year with the gorgeous Laila Rouass.

She has been on my Strictly wishlist for so long, i just hope Anton does not let her down. I'm definitely worried about the latin!!!! Espeacially as we have other pro dancers such as Flavia, Vincent, Lilia, Ola and James who are just so good at the latin.

it is not that he needs to take it more seriously - he just can't do it !! and is nowhere near a professional level - hve checked my dvd of last year and Anton did NOT do any latin dems btw

Bendy Anton may be rubbish at latin but he is pure gold for entertainment value.
I guess it may be that he knows he cant do it so he goes for the entertainment side of it deliberately.

I read a comment from him that it was nice to have a partner who didnt have a bus pass this year and somewhere else he said that if Alesha criticized him he would poke her with a stick.

I just love it. He was brilliant on Hole in the Wall last year as a contestant not sure how he will make it as a presenter but he should be ok.

Oh I do hope so.

I've always liked Anton and have enjoyed his rubbish partnerships (great entertainment value), but I want to see how far he can go with a decent partner.

People have written off his Latin but he's not been given a fair chance to show us what he's capable of in this department because his partners have been atrocious (you can blag it somewhat in the ballroom but the Latin really does expose your flaws).

So good luck to Anton and Laila. I hope they have a good run.

Did anyone see Laila on `Weakest Link` last night ?

She came over as a real fun person - so can imagine her and Anton will get on really well together.

Yes, I did. I agree that she came across well, and so that bodes well for Anton.

Yes I saw that and thought she was great fun!

I think her and Anton will get on very well.

P.S. That Rita came across as a bit bitchy, don't you think?!

In voting Laila off? Maybe it was the influence of Anne Robinson

He doesn't have to dance Latin at pro level on SCD though does he? I still think all Anton has to do with Laila is keep the Latin choreography simple, but perform it well.

It was the way she did it - out of revenge - poor Laila wasn't even the weakest link!

Anyway, Rita didn't win so I was happy

Sid is that you??

I suppose you've noticed that you have lost half of your name and an impressive posting record


xx < but only if it's really you.

Well I saw a clip of Anton on that Ballroom programme recently and saw a right nasty side to him which we didn't get on SCD.

Hi Red

Yes it's me!

I fancied a change

x x x

I suppose we shall just have to agree to disagree you see I find all that from Tony contrived and not the tony in real life who is far far from the happy chappy he portrays

I saw that too, was quite surprised especially as it was going out on national TV.

Tried to double quote but messed it up

I am aware that he is false and playing to his audience but the show he puts on is very entertaining and he does add quite a bit to the show because of that.

Have you been to the Blue Room, Bendy? You'd feel very at home there, they all loathe Anton as much as you do!