I was starting to think that Chris wasn't actually going to improve and justify my enjoyment of his work so far, but last night's foxtrot was a definite step up. The hands were FAR better, and while he still pulled some very odd faces, there was definitely a bit more finish to the whole thing.

I've started another thread where I've questioned whether the issue is now Ola's choreography. I don't find it particularly inspired and this is going to hurt Chris as the level keeps going up.

It was an all rounded better dance routine by Chris last night & think he has put the work in to achieve it.

I'm not a fan of Ola and tend to think she prefers to have her talents highlighted rather than share the stage. She wants her partner to be there to support her and fails to allow him mirror some of her more intricate steps. I feel she gets irritated in practice when he fails to do the move correctly not for his benefit but because it will affect her performance. In other words she's not a team player but more out for herself.

I'm not sure if they are being under marked or some of the rest are being over-marked

Thought Ricky should have got a few more sevens last night rather than just the one from CRH

I would like to see how Chris would've coped with Ricky Whittle's 'Rock'n'roll routine .. then I could really judge how good or otherwise he is.

Most of his dances are all about Ola .. he doesn't really dance much, he had few dance steps in his charleston .. it was more like a clown's routine .. which was apt for the dance .. but it was no-where near as complicated as Ricky's routine.

On the VW .. he was no-where near as good as Ricky.

He gets by on charm and charisma .. and because he and Ola have worked hard on their partnership .. with catchphrases and slogans etc.

His dancing is on a par with Phil Tuffnells and I think the marks reflect that.

Of course they are.Shes the one thats gaining most the votes

What utter cobblers.

Chris is the "cheeky chappy" and has endeared himself - and I'm sure he is a really nice guy - he certainly makes me laugh. But when all's said and done his dancing ability is not in the same league as some of the others as evidenced by the VW.

A lot of people have complained that his charleston should have been marked higher than Ali's - I don't think so, although the swimming thing at the end was amusing. However, even if it had been marked higher, the VW would have let him down and he would still have been in second place. So the ultimate result would have been the same, surely.

What is irritating, personally, is the amount of squealing that goes on when they get through - from Ola, admittedly.

He's now the only contestant not to have been in the bottom two, so we know how pleasing the two of them are to the public.

It all comes down to whether we see this as a dancing competition or not. I do, and will continue to vote for the best dancers on the show.

Different contestants bring different qualities to the table and a clever pro choreographs to their strengths.

Ricky's RnR may be outside Chris's abilities, but I'm sure had they been given that dance Chris would have managed a routine equally as enjoyable as their Charleston. Conversely Ricky, despite technical excellence, doesn't really have the same aptitude for conveying a sense of fun so, given the Charleston, might have struggled a little with the performance, but delivered a very professional and intricate number.

It's horses for courses.

Yes, you are biased. I like Chris & Ola, especially their Charleston last night but technically they aren't in the same league as Ali and Ricky. To get top scores from the judges a routine needs to be more than just fun to watch.

^^ This

and in answer to your question; YES!