When this series of SCD started I was expecting Lynda to do quite well and survive for a good few weeks due to her popularity (Loose Women, well known actress etc etc). However last night as we know she ended up in the dance off. I'm wondering if the fanbase that were prepared to vote for a plucky older woman giving it a go are voting for Jo instead. The only thing I knew about Jo was the situation concerning her breakup with her soon to be ex husband, but despite her sometimes cloying behaviour she seems to be popular (well popular enough to avoid the dance off).

What do others think?

It's very plausible...but I think there is a whole multitude of complex factors that affect the voting and it's very difficult to quantify them...added to which I suspect these factors change from week to week.

Last night, for instance, if a significant number of viewers saw it as I did, Lynda's vote may have been affected the way she was overmarked.

Good thread OP.

I think they are about in the same place right now. Both are trying hard and making progress, but neither will last more than half way through the series because the standard is so good. I don't think either has massive public support, but just enough to keep them out of the dance off just yet, although not for much longer.

Jo has surprised me as I like her and thought she would drive me up the wall, but her vulnerability is endearing and I'm sure a lot of the public have taken to her for that reason too.

Lynda has shown she can do the steps of a dance and this is earning her points from the judges, but she is lacking the flare to perform the dances well. If she does the Salsa next week she could be in real trouble, as I think it will be too fast for her and a slow dance will look terrible the way she is likely to perform it.

I'm not sure I'd say Jo has stolen any of Lynda's thunder, as I think some people expected Lynda to behave like Coleen did on DOI and fortunately Lynda is nothing like Coleen.

I could be completely wrong of course!

I think Lynda will be doing ballroom next week as she did Latin this time. Or is that choice made by lottery this series?

I'm not sure we know what will happen next week with all the changes in this series or whether there are any rules like that. Logical as it may sound, it hasn't always worked like that in the past. I guess it will leak out bit by bit as it did this week.

Yes I was thinking along the similar lines OP.

For some reason, I do tend to be drawn towards supporting the more mature ladies on the show. And I fully expected to be backing Lynda. But she's done nothing for me (if anything, I've found her increasingly irritating).

Jo, on the other hand, has been quite the revelation. I think she's surprised a lot of people by being very likable and seems to be trying really hard (whereas Lynda just seems to be relying on her acting skills to progress).

I initally warmed to Lynda fairly quickly, also due to the fact or who her partner was, but even I have got to admit Jo does have some good, likeable qualities emerging. Not that my votes or loyaty will differ between the two but the reasoning behind it for others I can understand.

I much prefer Jo to Lynda, both in her dancing and character.

Sid I think Lynda is technically better than Jo and that's why she gets higher marks from the judges. For me it is her acting skills and her plumptious figure that are letting her down. It is Jo's sweet personality that is keeping her in I think, although she is getting slowly better. <smooch!>

Afternoon Buddy <smooch!>

To be honest, I see very little difference between Jo and Lynda in technical terms.

And I see Jo attempting more steps and moves.

I'm not sure Lynda's figure is an issue either. Natalie is a slightly larger girl but is still managing to impress people with her performances.

What annoyed me was Lynda announcing on her VT that she hoped to get through another week by acting her way through her Paso. It implied that the dancing was secondary to her. That she just wanted to blag it. And that sort of attitude turns me off.

Another reason that Lynda was in the dance off could be a switching of her votes to Craig, as I think Loose Women and Coranation street probably share a similiar audience and alot of her voters might have switched to Craig as they wanted him to avoid the dance off. But i could be totally wide of the mark.

Also Jo could have alot of very rich friends as over the years she must have mixed in some quite exclusive circles.

I think that you're right about the vote being split between them. They're both going to attract the same demographic of voters and Jo seems to be coming over more likeable than Lynda is at the moment. I didn't mind Lynda at first but to me it's coming over that she's deliberately trying to make comedy faces to attempt to get the "oh isn't she hilarious!" vote, rather than just getting on with the dancing. It just seems rather forced.

My sentiments exactly.

I find myself cringing and couldn't bring myself to watch her Paso again.

If there is such a demographic as those who vote for older women then I think Jo is probably winning them over. I didn't know anything about her before strictly but did have a slight prejudice based on an assumption that she would be a fame seeking WAG (I also thought she was quite a bit younger!). I have to say though I'm finding her very endearing. Her dancing isn't amazing but I really like her attitude and think she deserves to stay in for a wee bit longer because of this.

I agree, and I also find her endearing, as is her partnership with Brendan, which is a bit of a first for me.

Can't say I feel the same about Lynda, as yet.

I think Jo might be getting a bit of a sympathy vote. She comes across as being 'little girl lost' and not very bright Linda is this year's John Sargeant: the lovable clodhopper, no hope of winning but great fun.

Jo seems like she dances with her head tilted down all the time. I just wish she was a bit more enthusiastic and give it some oomph.
Lynda was told to use her acting skills in her dance by the judges. Now people say she is overacting - I think she's damned either way depending on your opinion.

I think that is a good point. I quite like both Jo and Linda, but if I was going to vote for the older bird trying really hard, I would vote for Jo.

I enjoy jo's personality more than linda's

yes, I agree - Also I feel sorry for her partner as she's so rigid in her movements - Must be like trying to dance with an angry coffee table...... Jo is a softer more fluid mover. If I was a voter I'd be more likely to vote for Jo but I'm more likely to vote for the best dancer when it comes to competitions like this.

Not sure why people are voting for Jo at all - she always seems slightly pathetic to me and not fun at all. To be honest I'm not sure why she is on the show at all - maybe this "entrepreneur" aspect of her life why people vote for her. The little girl bit is annoying and, as always, better dancers are going ahead of her. Just wait until someone really popular and engaging (like Phil Tuffnel) is voted off while Jo stays.

Lol I think Jo is just a lighter and easier person for her pro partner to manoeuvre around the dancefloor -

I liked Lynda and although she was unlikely to last long I was sorry to see her go.

I cannot take to Jo; but then I've always felt uncomfortable watching the cloying behaviour of grown women acting and speaking like children.

Me too, I find her very artificial, the 'poor little me' act is beginning to grate.

I`m still trying to work out if it`s an act or not.