It's in the lap of the Gods really how a pro does and you can't predict who will be good and who won't. People are blaming Flavia because Craig isn't on paper someone who should be bad but you could say that about Joe who went into this show the favourite and was obviously given to Kristina as a ringer to compensate for JS - and is probably worse than Craig. Kris is being blamed for Joe's shortcomings too - Brendan and Darren are safe as they've won proving their ablity to perform with the material as did Darren's stint with Leticia Dean. How you do in the competition is down to a lot of things - how good your chereography is and how suited to your celeb's ability it is, how you come across, how well liked your celeb is, how well you get on with your celeb (another thing in the lap of the gods - people click or they don't and actually I believe a lot of pro/celeb partnerships do form close friendships as you are in such a close relationship with someone for if you do well such a long period of time although it's obvious some people never want to see each other again after the show is over - Brendan's had a few partnerships like that, James and Georgina were a complete clash of personalities as soon as you saw their first VT intros you thought 'this isn't going to go well' and I suspect that Gary Rhodes was a big part of why Karen didn't come back this year). I think that Craig and Flavia probably get on fine but they don't have the obvious connection that Vitalie and Cola or this year's two rumoured showmances have. Kristina again is being lambased by the rumours that a showmance might have interfered with her ability to teach which I think is probably just down to the fact that Joe just can't dance.

I agree - my colleagues at work all think Flavia is lovely and the best professional dancer so they're obviously not seeing the same things as some others are.

Perhaps instead of just concentrating on 'blaming' Flavia we should look at some of Craig's shortcomings too. I'm not saying he isn't training hard but I'm not convinced he's listening to whats being said. Its been mentioned before -and I know its a silly nitpick - but he consistently stands in the wrong spot whilst talking to Tess, he can't hit his mark. As an actor he should be able to take direction but is he listening to what he's being told?

In interviews he comes over as very personable, humourous and likeable but not necessarily good at including Flavia. Of course, if Flavia was a 'louder' personality she wouldn't allow this to happen - and she probably doesn't mind, after all the interview should perhaps be about getting to know the celebrity but it does show a lack of something on Craigs part.

Sorry this has ended up a bit of a rant against Craig and I didn't really intend it to be as I don't dislike him and appreciate his effort but I just feel its a bit unfair for Flavia to get the blame directed at her. Yes she's the professional dancer but he's also in a similar profession and he should know how to present himself.

Its also a bit unfair to look at Flavia's past SCD history as this is the first year we've seen her with a poor to middling celebrity - we need to see her with a few of this type with different personalities before we could attempt to judge.

But I think she is working well with what she has been given - very well in fact. Nobody can solve Craig's basic problem, but Flavia has managed to choreograph routines for Craig that he performs to the best of his ability.

Will someone please tell me what it is that they think another pro could have done to make Craig a better dancer than he is now under Flavia's tutelage?

Please note I am not being facetious, I am asking a simple question.

You have hit the nail on the head there buddy!
Think that about sums it all up

...sorry can't think of anything!

For me Buddy it is simply down to the personality. A different pro, while not necessarily being able to make Craig a better dancer, would possibly have allowed Craig to just relax more and have some fun with the whole thing.

I am not doubting Flavia's dancing and choreography, but most of the time she looks every bit as scared and nervous as Craig, it is like they feed negativity off each other. Matt suffered in a couple of his routines too as I recall, so there is a precedent.

Ahh yes more fun...so the laughing in training and story behind the dance and allowing him to make up 28 beats of the dance himself...that's all just made up...doesn't matter?

So Chris was feeding negativity off of Ola the two weeks he messed up...as was Laila and any other person who has had trouble with nerves??? Matt was terrible with his nerves, it was commented on a lot last year...and they got to the final and he got the only 40 of the series...is that down to negativity from Flavia?

There is no precedent....other than the precedent of nerves in nearly every single contestant on the show...but other than that...nope

Chris was probably hyper-nervous due to expectation. He had an exceedingly good first week. Laila has had all the well publicised shenanigans behind the scenes yet of all the contestants has actually contained her nerves the best, in my opinion.

Yes Matt was terrible with his nerves, one if not the worse before Craig. That was exactly my point, Flavia being the common denominator.

EDIT: SCD isnt about the pros, yet some people are getting a little precious when they feel Flavia is being slighted but meanwhile ignore the fact that the thread title is a gross insult to Craig.
Last edited by Smokeychan1 : 25-10-2009 at 23:03

Look give the guy some slack here.Everyone is too busy trying to figure it out why Craig is still in when maybe its just simply the public like him.

He is on one of the biggest soaps on TV.

He was in Queer as Folk which was one of the biggest shows of the decade

He is a reasonable good looking guy

He is a trier

He does seem to be a likable ordinary guy

The Flavia factor makes me laugh as if she as as popular as you think she is how come she went out week 1 last year?

Remember folks this ultimately is about who the public like the best not really who is the best dancer

The best dancer does not always win SCD

Remember last year Rachel was a better dancer than Tom yet Tom seemed to have the public support

I don't see it that way at all, but I respect your opinion.

You are supposed to vote for the Celeb not the Pro!!

It is a difficult sittuation as Craig has no dance ability everyone I know says it and my dance teacher!! I think Flavia is embarrased to still be in the comp. with such low votes etc. I played it back several times and she is saying you she does not understand. I definatly think she will be motified if he is saved again and somebody better goes (as they are all now better than Craig now that the bad ones have gone)
I just think at this rate Craig may well be the JS of this year and if people keep them in Flavia may well get a backlashing and how is she going to cope with that!!

As for saying Flavia is hung out to dry I find that a bit unfair it does not seem to matter that James, Brendon, Natalie Lowe are taken to task regularly - with what is said about them - thats what you call hanging them out to dry!!!

Do you think all pros feel like that? Cause I know of one who definitely didn't care how they stayed in the competition

I think I can vote for whoever I like Carol, and if that happens to be the pro then thats my right to do so!

You're basing it on two people? Everyone is nervous on that show, she can't be as he got over his nerves and went on to become runner up. And Craig has got over his nerves as he has said in his blog, he really enjoys it but he obviously just can't get this across, as the quality of his dancing can be a bit cringy.

So what you're saying is that before coming on the show to do something completely new to them that they had never done before, both matt and now craig suddenly got a terrible case of nerves which put matt off two of his dances when he had a bad week, and craig who just can't dance...all because Flavia was their partner...? Right...

And for those of us to love the pros, the show is every bit about the celebs, mainly as so many of the celebs are unheard of and the pros are absolutely amazing at what they do. In the appreciation section of this forum every pro has an appreciation thread, they all have fans as they are brilliant to watch.

ETA: if SCD isn't about the pros then why do the perform pro dances every week...and why do they have a whole tour coming up next year?

Thanks Buddy.

We are in agreement over in the Tess's dress thread btw

I just replied!

Bye the way I posted a reply on the "Flavia's abs" thread a kind of take on my thoughts on the DS rules etc.

Please have a look and see if I got them right as I seem to be standing on a lot of people's toes in here today

(Just like Craig before anyone else says it)

Re: Nerves... EVERYONE's been suffering (badly) with them this year, so its not just a Flav thing... you could almost say that it is the general atmosphere around the celebs on the day might be causing all the nerves...

Plus I think to compare Craig and Matt's nervousness is a little unfair. Matt was nervous as he hadnt done ANYTHING of note live before, he'd only worked on TV, not even in theatre before, so not only was dancing, but also live work was new to him... Craig is a v experienced theatrical actor...

It seems to be the case that any celeb who is below par and ends up staying beyond their welcome ends up getting a real pasting on Strictly!

As I like Flav and Craig, for this reason (as well as fairness!!) I hope they go this week.

He doesnt deserve to go to Blackpool just because he's pleading with the audience...

Thanks for posting this information, as it had gone through my mind that Craig's nerves in the first few weeks could have been made worse by not having worked on a live show before.

He's been naked on stage and apparently he didn't find that as scary as SCD!

Actually he said he'd been naked in front of 350 people - so I hope it was on stage and he hadn't forgotten to get dressed one morning. That would be bad.

I did not say you could not Dilly. I just said from what information I had gathered about SCD over the years and people I speak to one generally votes for the Celeb.

I think I would find that less scary than meeting some of the posters on here who are maybe not Craig's greatest fans

You said "You are supposed to vote for the Celeb not the Pro!!"

...which to me implies that you're under the impression that its against the rules to vote for the pro, and I was pointing out that, No...I can vote for whoever I like, and if that so happens to be a pro instead of a celeb then I can.


There isnt a single celeb in the show this year that would inspire me to pick up the phone and vote so I consider it fortunate that I have a favourite pro where I can show my support.

My fav pro was the one who danced with the policeman.There was something sexy about her but I still wanted Martina to beat her in the dance off cause I have alway liked Martina's legs mmmmm

Hi Dilly I probably put that wrong I did did not mean it as to tell you what to do just my own opinion gathered from things I have read and people in general that one does normally vote for the Celeb.

Of course there are no rules about voting and it is your right to do as you please . Its just my own view in fairness to the Celebs and the qualtity of their dancing as to who one votes for.
My favourite male Pro is Matthew Cutler but I would not vote for him if he had a Celeb who I felt could not dance as I would feel it unfair to the ones who could.

However that is just my personal view as we are all entitled to have.

Well said I agree....some people on here can't take a criticisim about Flavia ,they refuse to see any wrong on her part.I believe Flavia is too serious,too shy and is so determined to be the best her partners simply feel under so much pressure the buckle.Matt Di Angelo was close to a nervous breakdown on live tv with nerves,but through the whole competition it was pressure to get Flavia to the final.Every week it was all about Matt needing to get her to the Final.....Flavia could have said look this is about you doing well, just enjoy the journey but she didn,t.fact is Flavia will only be suited to someone who is an amazing dancer,or has the ability to be.....anyone else with little ability....which is most celebs every year hasn't a chance with her.