Ive just seen something on Greg's twitter, he said people have been asking him why he isn't practicing his dancing and he said Aliona has given him some homework to do why he's away. I feel a lot happier now

Do any of you guys feel in favour of a Gregg and Aliona thread? Or would it be too short-lived to make it worthwhile?

Cards on the table: I don't exactly support them to win but I have always rather liked Gregg's humour on Masterchef and appreciated his reassuring presence for the contestants. I have hopes Aliona will be able to make something of the partnership, despite all obstacles. Last year, her training sessions with Tony were some of the best shown, IMO, because of her patient attempts to bridge the gulf between Tony and someone actually capable of dancing. Aliona's understanding and her ability to put together something were rather charming.

In my secret hopes, Gregg will suddenly turn out to have poise, elegance and all the moooooves and he'll zip round the ballroom, winning surprised applause and plaudits. Not expecting it but it would cheer me up. (I don't like any of the contestants to come and go from SCD without having enjoyed the experience)

Like your secret hopes, I would prefer it if things work out that way.

I am currently assuming the most optimistic stance I can on the forum.

I know what Aliona is like. I'm still waiting to find out what Gregg is like.

I'd definitely be up for it, Pet Monkey. And anyway, there are another two weeks to go before anyone is voted out (next weekend, when it starts, no-one is going).

I kinda feel the need to defend Gregg as I have seen nothing to dislike in the man - despite the attempts of others on the MF to blacken his name. I really like him on 'Masterchef'!

Pet Monkey, I don't think a Gregg and Aliona thread will last quite as long as the Matt Baker and Aliona thread, but give it a go!

hehe, wouldn't that be great? Would certainly shut a few people up on the MF who are more inclined to believe the ever so honest newspapers than give him the benefit of the doubt

I would be up for it Pet Monkey. Same as you, I want everyone to enjoy their strictly experience even if it is short-lived. I don't know why, but I always feel dancing can make anyone happy, it definitely makes me happy watching it.

I liked Aliona in my first year of SCD watching (with Matt I think), but I've gone off her for some reason in the middle, I think it was because I didn't like Harry and supported Chelsee, not Aliona's fault. But I've always liked her in pro dances. This year I'm really looking forward to her and Gregg's dances. Also, Gregg needs some support with all the hatred going on in the main forum.

first steps video looks ok for day one, Gregg is clearly trying his hardest and wants to do well, I think they will be ok (I hope)

I think its a good thing that he was/is nervous

I think he's going to stay nervous.

Distinct lack of chemistry and Aliona really looked like she didn't want to be there, I'm hoping she is just setting up the teacher/pupil boundaries........

Looks to me like she has him on a very short lead.

Aliona's being slagged off again on the strictly page of facebook, their saying she's miserable on the training video and the BBC should get rid. Whatever is going on with these two it looks like Aliona is getting all the flack it's like poor Greg having to put up with her get him a happy pro

well, to be fair, she does look miserable!

I love Aliona to bits and think she is a wonderful, kind, caring lady and an amazing dancer and I will always support her but on that video, she dont look happy!

Maybe its first day nerves for both of them, maybe she has heard some of the rumours and doesnt want to be seen to be - I dont know, I just hope that it was just first day nerves for both of them, establishing a boundary between teacher and pupil, I am sure they are getting on ok and that Gregg will be a good student

Trying to remember back… I feel like she was this way with Johnny too (to some extent) -- a little nonplussed. Gregg and Johnny are both talkative and a bit decided in their ways. Maybe for Aliona that 'public persona' approach doesn't work??? Has she got on better with people who are quieter and more in-the-moment responsive rather than Talkers?

Felt a bit sorry for both of them that it wasn't especially working but I really liked the 'waves of the sea' moment because it showed how even with sparse pickings in terms of personal connection, there was real teaching going on. I liked that when he copied her hip movement without thinking about it and without being too Tigger about everything he got the action, and then Aliona saw it and told him to remember the phrase. At first it looked like an awkward exchange where he was trying to deliver a compliment that she didn't want but then something good came of it.

On the other hand, he is now holidaying in Italy

Matt and Harry were both quieter, she seemed to click instantly with both of them, she is a fairly quiet lady herself so maybe, I dont know, I just hope the awkwardness eases otherwise it might make for some uncomfortable VT's

He is back this afternoon

Maybe the quietness is the key thing then. Public manners are good to camera but maybe not so good face-to-face if you aren't a 'public persona' kind of person yourself.

Good to hear he'll be back. Actually just in terms of learning to dance, I thought Gregg looked like he'd be a good pupil. In the group dance, his biggest fault was being over-enthusiastic and a bit Tiggerish so maybe Aliona's coolness will help rein him back. A bit of unlearning to do as well as a lot of learning…

Aliona got on well with Johnny, and his liveliness was something Aliona accepted straight away.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e-irLgmVyw

Gregg does look like he could learn to dance, but to me the message of the video is clear, and it has nothing to do with his dancing abilities.

Its possible that there may be another cause for the effect we are seeing, but the video IMO does fit with Aliona thinking Gregg shouldn't still be on the show, and her being pressured into working with him.
I think the remark about Gregg being nervous about coming to work with her being a good thing was something she wouldn't normally say.

I didn't want to be thinking this, and I'd like it to be that I owe Gregg an apology for having said that, but the video is too good a fit IMO to a report about something Gregg was alleged to have said. I hope you'se are all correct and I am wrong, because I am one of the few who think as I do.

I know what you are referring to and as much as I hate to think that he said it, I am thinking maybe he did I am more than willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, which I have done but having watched that video, seen Alionas clear dislike of being there and read reports of what someone said that he is said to have said, I think he may have said it - phew, does that make sense!!

I too, hope that its all a big misunderstanding but as they say, the camera never lies!

In a way its a relief to read that olivej, because Aliona is probably going to suffer even more abuse about her attitude and I think it would matter a lot to her if she was in that position if people who know her understood why she is behaving so out of character for her.

She has never been like this with any of her celebs before.

we dont know the circumstances of course, it may have been said in jest (not a funny thing to say IMO), it could have been lads banter and someone over heard him say it, who knows - unless someone else comes forward or there is more evidence, I really dont know

All I know is what I have seen on that video and IMO Aliona isnt the happy, smiley Aliona I know which makes me sad - she loves doing Strictly and she loves teaching and if she is going to be unhappy or uncomfortable doing either then tbh I would rather she didnt do it

If what the video is telling me is true, then the producers have cast Gregg as the good guy who didn't say it, so Aliona becomes the bad one for not treating Gregg as a normal celeb and acting like she thinks he's great and its OK to be hands on with her.
I think she will be feeling very alone and unsupported, but we know that she is honest and stands up for what she believes in.

I dont know, I just sense tension from Aliona and its not like her at all - may be she just wants out so she doesnt have to dance with him *shrug*

she seems ok on twitter

There are other possibilities for what is going on, but I would have expected the video to eliminate that possibility, and - for me, it didn't - in fact to me, it seems a good fit.

Its a situation where I could be influenced by having read the report before and if I hadn't read it I wouldn't be thinking that could be a possible explanation.

It is not like Aliona at all, but if she doesn't have a good reason for being that way, then I don't know her well enough.

I'm going to stick with my strong gut feeling even though I admit there are other possibilities.

I feel very sorry for Aliona. I've been a fan of hers for a number of years now (2010 when she partnered Matt) and seen her with numerous partners, she's never looked like this. If something has happened backstage then this should be dealt with, at the moment it's Aliona who looks in the wrong and people are calling for her to leave the show when really she could be the victim.

I don't think any of us can make a judgement as to what is going on, unless we are on close terms with either. And none of us are, as far as I am aware. I think it is best not to speculate but to wait and see if they turn in the goods on the dance floor. If there has been a problem then I'm sure it will all come to the surface in time. But best not to jump ahead in my view.

They have the prospect of spending quite a few hours per week with each other. Individual private dance lessons bring you as physically close to someone as you'll ever be without them being a family member or a relationship, although after a while you think nothing of it. Ballroom in particular is extremely close. So you don't even have to hate someone or for them to have done something wrong for it to be uncomfortable.

I hope they do well just to prove people wrong (and I like an element of surprise in Strictly). I prefer Aliona's dancing to some of the other female professionals' as I find her quite elegant and so would like to see her stay a bit longer.