I tend to agree with this. I've been trying to figure out why I remained so totally unmoved by this pair, despite recognising that Ricky is very good.

I think you'll find I didnt decry the OP. I stated that a lot of the times the great british public dont like successful people and I felt that was the reason behind people slagging off Ricky's attitude.

The 'caveat' isnt irrelevant, perhaps I should have explained more. Yes, I find Jo Wood annoying...but I this is the first time I posted my opinion on her. I would rather comment on the dancing than the personalites.

And who have I 'accused' of being disingenuine exactly? Jo Wood? I dont doubt for one second her act is actually genuine, but I dont care. I would much rather focus on the dancing...which is perfectly relevant considering we are watching a dance show.

Tom and Ricky have both delivered on the dancing front and seem to be nice enough guys to boot - what more do they have to do? It's asking them too much to work on how they're coming across as people, as well as the dancing. It would be false of any contestant to try to tailor their personality to what (some of) the public want. They are as they are, we can't like everyone, but if we don't it's as much about us as it is about them.

Of course it's to do with us, how we see them as dancers, and essentially as people too, after all the dance expresses their personalities as well as the character of the dance.

He may improve, but to me Ricky Whittle doesn't connect properly to Natalie or to the audience, it all looks great, but feels 'empty' to me.

And of course others may think differently, that's to do with their perceptions, which are not mine.

Its reminding me very much of Rachel and Vincent (and IMO Erin and Austin) last year. Her performances left me so cold and there was no 'connection'. I mean, I can see the connection between Ricky and Natalie on the dancefloor more so than Rach and Vincent.

Anyway, its all early days aint it and Im just looking forward to all the fun of the shows and the dancing and the dresses!!!

I warmed a bit more to Ricky after the paso, which I thought was fabulous, but I still struggle to like him much. It's the same problem I have with Ali, whom I've always found deeply, deeply bland and seeming like she tries far too hard to be deliberately inoffensive. Maybe it's the media training Hollyoaks dish out?

Ricky's also unlucky to be swamped by celebs with enormous personalities this year - Tuffers, Chris H, Ricky G, Natalie, Lynda et al are the ones you'd go to for a quote, not the bloke off Hollyoaks who's mainly famous for showing a lot of underwear

His pre-show comments were a lot funnier than he's currently being allowed to be on screen, so maybe there's more to come - but at the moment he's a victim of his own reluctance to show too much emotion on screen.

It's interesting - last year it took time for Rachel to 'engage', she was reserved, but she got there in spades for me, I thought they were a fantastic pairing by about half way through. Although I know that others didn't agree, of course.

Perhaps Ricky W will, I don't know, aim less at looking good and perfect and just 'feel' the dance more as he goes through the competition.

I'm looking forward to it all unfolding as well.

It is interesting to reflect back on last year with regard to Tom and his support.

Tom in truth never really had a huge or fanatical following on this forum and yet, according to the insider source which some believed and others were suspicious of but which I felt had credibility, Tom was way out in the public vote apart from the weeks of Sergeantgate. The source said the the victory margin of Tom's vote in the Final was the biggest of any series winner. His persona ("smug" etc.) appears to have made little impact on the voting public who probably just enjoyed watching him dance the most.

I believe Ricky W. is the most exciting to watch with Ali a close second although I await with interest how she deals with a full on Salsa. On the evidence to date, I hope Ricky W. wins.

We the British always build up the British competitors to win the big tournaments like England to win the World Cup or Andy Murray to win Wimbledon and when they fail they get slated.

Ricky is brillant, noone can deny that. He is a fun character and he does have chemistry with Natalie. Yes he may not have engaged as much as some other couples but that isnt his fault. Its Natalie's as she is the one choreographing the dance. If they dont interact much its her fault. Anyhow i felt they have engaged very well in all their dances so far.

Why is Ricky being picked on on here constantly and noone else has? Its not fair to single someone out. Ali is just as good but she isnt getting stick. Maybe its because she is connecting with Brian on and off the dancefloor. Everyone knows what i mean by this. It reminds me of Charlie from BB this year who was castigated at every opportunity or Chris Fountain and Jessica Taylor from D.O.I who couldnt win even if they had an absolutely faultless performances. Even if he had started bad and went on Matt Di Angelo style journey then he would still be hated.

Is it:

because he is good from the beginning

he is deemed the shows totty

or

because he's better than your fave

Well, for me it's Natalie. I'm finding her very hard to warm to, even though my head says she's a very good choreographer and dancer. This means that when I see her dancing with Ricky, as good as he is, I'm left cold. Coupled with the fact I find him rather lacking in personality, I just don't find watching him dance as enjoyable as it clearly should be.

Great post shortiefluff there do seem to be an awful lot of "anti" Ricky threads started on here. IMHO the guy hasn't put a foot wrong on the dance floor or in interviews, yet he's being slated left right and centre. Could it be that the CT's are in full force and people are trying to alter the betting odds!

It's probably because the judges have put a lot of pressure on him already and he wants to maintain a high standard.

Do you think its the judges putting pressure on him ? I would have said his pro partner is one very goal orientated lady and is not exactlly a walk in the park .

I like Zoe and Ali - but on the evidence as to date -

Ricky and Natalie have my vote.

Loving their connection, dancing, routines and music. All round great couple to watch.

He`s reminding me of Ray in so many ways from DOI - good from the start and just kept improving all the time.

He could be as good on Strictly as Ray was on DOI. The thing that he's missing a connection with Natalie, Ray and Maria had a lovely partnership.

I appreciated how good Ricky W's Paso and Ali's Quickstep were.

But I'm still not drawn to them. I don't find myself sitting there on a Saturday getting excited about when they will be on, or re-watching their routines on iplayer like I do with some of the others.

Also, I don't find their interviews engaging and for me, enjoying the couples away from the dancefloor is just as important as enjoying their performances on it.

Couldnt agree more Kips really liking Ricky he seems a genuine nice guy who is good at dancing unlike the aforementioned Tom!

I keep forgetting it's only week 2.
It's astonishing to think Ricky's this good already. Very exciting.

lol, great thread title, i couldnt have put it better myself!

Yes but I cannot believe how he is getting bashed. He comes accross to me as quite anxious when getting his scores etc not a bit big headed. If he was saying he was doing good people would not like that.

Yes the public do not like anyone who does well they prefer to get behind somebody that it is not good, does not make sense to me.

I think him and Natalie have a lovely partnership and look forward to more dancing.

It is said deliberately in the hope it will stifle any criticism of him.

I think being the stand-out performer so far causes a problem for Ricky.
At this stage last year, he would have been one of six all at about the same level (with Tom, Austin, Cherie, Lisa, Rachel).

When he says things like everyone else is so good and I have a long way to go but I've got a good teacher etc. Last year that would have sounded OK.
This year, I almost expect him to burst out laughing just after he finishes.

Some people are coming from further back though, and if they keep improving, he may have something to genuinely worry about then.

He comes across as genuine but not particularly sharp to me. At the moment he and Ali are the only ones whose dances I actually get excited about watching.

Well another magazine interview in the DS headlines and on Greytops.

'I am not interested in coming second' Oh dear think it if you want but dont express it outloud.....nothing more guaranteed to put off the great British public than someone being too driven to win.

He is a good dancer but dull off the dancefloor, with no connection with Tina Sparkles (sorry Natalie)

All previous winners have had personalities that made them stand out from the crowd to a certain extent be it bouncy and bubbly, larger than life, or just down right humble and sweet but always something.....not bland which I am afraid Ricky is.