Karen and Camilla retired

Matthew out week 1
Lillia out week 2 *has she upset someone at the BBC shes had rubbish partners since series 3!)

BRendan is with Jo Wood so out soon and Darren is with Lynda and will be out soon too.

I have a feeling it will be Brian, Natalie or James that will bag the title this year.

I have a feeling it's done on purpose to give the non-winning pros a chance to shine.

Lilia and Darren are due a fighting chance next year. So annoying.

Yes, I thought that too. Be nice if it wasn't one of the new pros though, they should have to earn their stripes

That's what I think. Brian, Kristina and Hayley weren't given an easy ride last year. Looks like Aliona won't be this year but Natalie and Katya have either a fantastic dancer (with previous experience?) or a "likeable" personality.

I think if a pro has to win who hasn't won it before, it should be Ola, James or Flavia. I think Vincent has had two out of three good chances.

I thought the selection of pros was strictly based on height? Methinks this is a conspiracy theory too far.

It must be disappointing for the pros who do get weaker partners every year but if I was Matthew or Lillia I'd be looking forward to getting more of a personal showcase each week in the pro dancers ... although it seems to me that we are getting a lot of Vincent/Flavia and Brian/Kristina there - not complaining though as I think they are both wonderful pairings.

I'd say that, on paper, Lilia has never had a 'decent' partner. Aled, bless him, had never danced before (didn't even dance at his own wedding IIRC), Darren was like a wardrobe the opening week (and many would argue for ever after ), Dom was, well, Dom *bleeegh*, Don was lovely but never going to go far, and Richard, sweetie that he is, was awful.

Lilia's never come within a sniff of getting a Ramps or a Ricky - the fact she's done so well with unpromising material is a testiment to how good a teacher and choreographer she is.

It is based on height. I don't think it's a conspiracy theory, I do think they want to give the pros an opportunity as equal as possible.

Matt Dawson? I think he's the best ballroom dancer the show has ever had.

And a brilliant dancer too! Her body moves so fluidly. Wanted to give her a big hug when she said that thing about learning to ride a horse on Saturday.

Agreed - Erin or Ian for the glitterball please!


I agree with this too - Lilia is lovely and obviously a wonderful teacher. I wish she hadn't won with Darren Gough though because I felt he shouldn't have won, and it lessens her chances of getting a really good partner and winning with someone who really deserves it.

It's bad luck for a lot of the pros, who might get someone really good one year, get knocked out, and have to take duds for years to come. Vincent is an example: with Louisa and Rachel he was really unlucky (Rachel was probably the best dancer her series, though not my favourite) - though it's arguable that he's not the best teacher/choreographer. Ian is another - Zoe Ball and Denise were in with a serious shot at the trophy. Erin is a third: she's had to cope with Martin, Julian, Peter, Willie and now Ricky to get Colin and Austin, with both of whom she was really unlucky.

Knew there was someone I forgot he got very, very good at ballroom, but it took a while, and his Latin, although never great improved significantly from the first show - judging by the first show dance you'd never have put him as top two

I'd get bored seeing the same pros lifting the glitter ball year after year and it wouldn't be fair on the others.

I can't blame Karen and Camilla for leaving either. Once you've won, I guess you realise that the chances of doing so again are slim, so there's less incentive to stick around.

Plus, after so much exposure, other opportunities arise.

isnt it time for vincent to win?

Absolutely

I'm still gutted he missed out last year (and with Louisa)

I don't fancy his chances this year.

I don't know how much the show producers can influence which pro will get a good chance - look at how badly Joe has turned out and wasn't he a pre-season bookie's favourite?

I think Anton will still be waiting after this year too. His latin will see him fall half way through I reckon. I don't think Jade is good enough for Ian to win (but she may improve).

I would like to see Ian or Erin win but I don't think it will happen this year (and age is catching up with both and I'm glad Camilla got hers when she did).

Maybe Kristina is a rubbish teacher? SHe may be a great dancer and come up with great routines but she is lacking something to get Joe motivated (surprising when they get on so well in other non dancing matters!)

Maybe they will go off and have babies......how cute will their kids be.

Of all the pros we're talking about I think Ian may be in with a shout, and Ola too. I think Zoe will be good but I can't see the public supporting her and James for some reason, she may be this years Lisa Snowdon.

I thinkit's all Alesha Dixons fault : )

I have to say it would be nice if one of the pros who's always had rubbish material to work with came through and won it.

Ola's got a definite chance with Chris and look at some of the dross she's had - Andrew Castle and the egregious Kenny Logan, not to mention a rather undeserved early bath with Spoony. So my vote goes to her as a girl who's served her time, learned her lessons and started putting together some great stuff

I'd be delighted if Brian won with Ali though, or even Anton with Laila, though I don't like her much. Natalie's a new girl and shouldn't expect props first time out

Come to think of it, have we had a first-time pro win it since Darren?

Damn straight. They remain two of the best choreographers on the show and never, ever give their celebs anything less than 100% commitment and support. Stop punishing them for that niceness and get them some freakin' contenders!