Brian: I wasn't terribly interested in him last year, but this year I'm quite liking him.

James! I've disliked him quite strongly since his first couple of years, since he could be quite unpleasant to his partner. But Cherie last year seemed to change his attitute, and the whole 'treating the celebrity with respect' thing seems to have carried on to this year too. Long may it continue.

Chris and Ola. I've always liked Ola but she has been a bit reserved sometimes, and last year things with Andrew didn't go so well . But she has been really bubbly this year. I hadn't heard of Chris but he has been very entertaining and good humoured.

Ricky Groves and Erin. I thought Erin had got a dud this year, but Ricky has tried to both entertain and master the technicaliities. Not a great dancer, especially when compared with Austin, but giving it everything. Erin has been more relaxed this year and seems to be enjoying herself more.

Vincent. I've not been very keen on him in the last two series, but it's suddenly dawned on me (a bit late I know) how well he seems to get on with all of his partners and how he manages to get the best out of them. Unlike other posters I've also got to like Flavia more. I know she has problems with Craig's nerves and but she is trying to be supportive.

Jo, I thought I would find her irritating but I like her.

Ola, this year's pairing has bought out another side and I'm liking her.

Anton, his cheesiness never bothered me before but it's now beginning to grate.

And to be honest although I already liked Tuffers I thought he would begin to grate after a while, but he hasn't.

Bruce from ignoring him to wanting to throw things at the telly, can't he at least learn to pronounce the names it's not OHla.

Biggest disappointment - Ricky W - but there's time and I am ever hopeful.

Me too. I've not liked her in the past, but this year she's growing on me.

Ola is the big suprise for me I did like her with Kenny but Kennys big personality swamped her a bit........cant stand Andrew Castle so was glad when they went out.......this year I think she is a revelation.....she and Chris are perfectly matched in personality they kill me on ITT they have such a great relationship in training ....so GO CHRIS AND OLA

Anton........always liked him but now I dont care if I never see him again .....its partly the racist thing but before that became knowledge I thought there was no connection between him and Laila on the dancefloor I dont think he has got what it takes to teach.

Alway loved Erin thought she was fab with Austin last year but even fabbier (I know thats not a word) with Ricky.


In the words of Chris and Ola on ITT 'Back Forward Chaaaaasseeee kick babe'

Loving Ola this year - about time she went a good way into the show with a partner who could be capable of a real journey.

Kristina - how much of what she's doing is for publicity? She isn't doing herself any favours with all the "showmance" talk plus all the Vincent business. Some things should be kept out of the limelight!

Brian - Liked what I saw of him last year but loving him this year - what a genuinely decent bloke and can I feed him cakes please?

Brendan - has someone removed Mr. Angry from his makeup? We like the new Brendan!

Flavia - I agree, she doesn't seem bothered this year does she?

Vincent - I'm sorry but he still irritates the life out of me!

Hoorays

Ola, an absolute delight this year and who'd of thought she could be so funny!! Love her and Chris.

Brian - didnt make much impact on me last year (Heather was quite serious), but love love lovin him this year

Ian Waite - camper than ever..Brilliant

Aliona - facial expressions, confused face, and sideways glancing - hilarious


Boos

Kristina - could have become even popular this year but blew it with the romance

James - Coupled with Zoe, are the most steel faced couple ever - yuck

Natalie - always looks like she has issues with her bowels (her eyes could pop out at any minute) and she just doesnt seem to fit the Strictly family...

Mathew - abscence of herewith.. not fair

Oooh I like what you did there, will steal, if you don't mind

Hoorays

Ola - has found a sense of humour! Her & Chris cracked me up on ITT yesterday

Erin - so much more relaxed, think she genuinely likes RickyG. Gracious and supportive, such a lovely lady, have now decided I want to be her when I grow up.

Craig RH Who'd have thought it! Very constructive criticism this year, actually gives critiques of the dances instead of cheesy one-liners (that's aimed at you Bruno)

Brendan - has turned into nice young man who goes round his nan's and puts up shelves for her.bless.


Boooos!

Flavia - do you really have to look quite so miserable? No wonder CraigK looks like he's being tortured.

Brian - was sweet with Heather, all seems a bit letchy this year.

I don't think it's that or the fact that she knows she won't get to the final with him. However much you like someone it must be dispiriting to each them all week and then have them stuff up a routine due to nerves - it must make you question why you're bothering and I think this year is a dead loss. Maybe they're both too quiet as people to bring out a more dynamic side in the other one if that makes sense.

Improving

Uncle Len -quite calm and even tempered so far!

Ola - Less of the writhing choreography and more personality -keep it up!

Vincent -has calmed it considerably, thank god.



Sliding down

Anton -only because of his godawful cha cha cha -poor Laila.

Flavia - cheer up dear. You'll be out soon.

That had me giggling thanks

Surprises>>>Ola....I thought she could be a bit moody before,but she is amazing with Chris this year and very supportive hope she goes far.

Erin>>>same thing thought she could be a bit moody and stern,but she has proved she can get the best out of any celeb partner and that makes her an amazing teacher.

Dissapointments>> Flavia....one of the best dancers by far,but hasn,t got the personality for a show like Strictly.She is comming across as very serious,and not much fun,and cannot seem to bring out the best in her celebs.

Ola - Chris has helped to 'humanise' her. I love the way he parodies her accent - and she obviously doesn't mind, either.

Interesting to see what the 'right' partnership brings to light, isn't it?

I dont want to divert the subject of the thread but would just like compare the scores of Craig and Gethin at the start as you have compare them.....Craig has done 4 dances

Tango 22
Rumba 22
Quickstep 21
Foxtrot 24

Gethins first 4 dances

Cha cha 22
Tango 29
Samba 26
Foxtrot 31

so really Geth only really had the cha cha and the samba that were a bit iffy at the beginning as 29 for the Tango is a very respectable score for week 2 and he was already in the 30s by week 4 which many of the current celebs are not. After the foxtrot he never scored under 30 again. He did the VW in the same week as our current celebs are doing it and scored 36 so he certainly wasnt anything like as dire as Craig.

Hoorays:

Len
Craig R-H
Brendan
Ole
Brian
Ian (I've liked him since he was paired with Zoe B, but I love the way his more flamboyant personality is coming out this year)


Boos:
None, really. They've all stayed pretty much the same as I remember them (I never really liked Christina in the first place, Anton has always been a bit of a twit, James has always been a bit 'hard nosed' and I've never really felt that Vincent or Flavia have great personalities, so none of them has gone down in my estimation. I've always liked Erin and Darren, so they haven't gone up. Oh, and Bruno is just, well, Bruno - although he does seem to have taken over some of Arlene's 'sound bites instead of critiques', so maybe a hushed 'boo' there.) With the three new pros, it's too soon to tell.

I dont really think she's ever had much to work on with the exception of one celeb, and I would say she definitely brought out the best in him.
Jimmy and Phil really were no hopers from the off, and as much as I like Craig I dont think any of the pros with all the will in the world would be able to really bring Craig on any further than she has.
I think she's getting a bit of a tough time on these threads right now, basically for being pretty quiet and having a partner thats also pretty quiet

I dont think Craigs been the ideal match for her personality wise, but thats not really her fault...she never picked him, and hopefully next year she'll be given a bigger personality that will help to bring out her own a bit better.

She always seems to end up public enemy number 1 on these boards, when personally I think she's coming across as trying her best to get what she can out of Craig. I've yet to hear or read of anyone thats met her or worked with her to say that she's anything less than a lovely person and actually a lot of fun to work alongside....I've only met her once myself, but would say the same.

Anyway lemonlime...i'm sorry for attaching all this onto your post, as its really not directed at you, but just in general. I started to write just a short reply but it ended up growing and growing.....

I've said it already in this thread, but this year is the first year where I've actually quite liked Flavia, and I can't put my finger on why..?

Oh, I've got a whole list of reasons if you've ever got a spare 12 hours!! ........

Hi Dilly....I do understand were you are comming from about Flavia,and by no means is she a nasty or bad person and is by far one of the best dancers on the show.... as i always point out.The thing is like you say she is very shy and quiet,and this is really not the ideal personality for Strictly.I do understand she has had only had one shot at the title with Matt,but I honestly beleive this is because of him being so bubbly and he shone for both of them.I just think Flavia comes across as so serious.I think also she will not always get an amzing dancer, or the bubbliest of personalities and needs to know how to get the best out of these celebs or she will never get far in the competition.

I dont really see a great connection with a lot of the couples this year though, and dont think they are getting anywhere near the amount of flak that Flavia gets.

Joe and Kristina for instance on ITT the other night didnt look at all comfortable to me...Kristina was balancing on the edge of her seat and I got to thinking why no one was picking up on this when they are supposed to have this great big love affair going on....and yet Flav and Craig look perfectly at ease to me and are getting slated from every other corner.

I realise too though, I can be incredibly over sensitive when I see post after post of negative critisism towards her, which is exactly what happened here.

I now love:

Brian, Brendan, Ola, James, Erin.

I now hate:

Anton (not just cause of the race row), Kristina.

I no longer want to throttle Brendan and I've seen a fun side to Ola.

You`ve obviously missed the Ricky W and Natalie threads.

Flavia has had an easy time in comparison!

I'm torn with James: On the one hand, i'd like to believe that he's mellowed and softened up and James v2.0 is here to stay...but I do still get the impression his unpleasant side is just waiting to rear its head.

Really...

I think im better off sticking to my 'fluffy' threads then!!