It's going to be very hard to predict the winner this year I think. Because of the new voting rules, we are much more likely to have 2 very good couples in the dance off. Jade and Ian this week and Zoe and James the week before for example. They, together with Ali and Brian and Ricky W and Natalie should be odds on favourites to reach the semi final if not the final itself. But a dance off early on between two of those couples, with viewers voting, for example, to "make sure" Craig gets to Blackpool would unbalance the outcome very much.

At the moment, all things being equal, I see Jade, Ali and Ricky W in the final. I'd like Jade to win, but don't think she has enough public support so the final dance off would be between Ali and Ricky. It's very hard to say who would win that. Public sympathy is very much with Ali rather than Ricky W at the moment, but that could all change.

I agree I'd love it to be Jade as she's done the most so far to combine ability with entertainment value but I worry about her support having been in the dance-off. I wouldn't like to predict it this year a lot of the middle tablers seem to have a lot of support and Ali comes across as a nicer person but Ricky W has more of eye candy appeal going for him amongst the ladies and the fact he wasn't in the dance-off despite being marked lower than Jade would suggest he has some support. Ricky G might go a lot way but I can't see him winning unless he really improves.

I wish I knew who my winner was.

Around this time in all previous series, there has been at least one stand out couple that I have jumped on the bandwagon of. This year, I still haven't. I can't make up my mind whether it's because there are so many good ones to choose from, or whether it's because the technically stronger ones aren't winning me over with their personalities.

I like my winner to have the whole package. Technical ability, performance decency and likable personality.

Last series, I was fully behind Austin and remained so until he was knocked out. Once he left the competition, my vote went to Tom. I didn't think he was technically the best (I thought Rachel edged that slightly) but I found Rachel so dull, it put me off. Couldn't warm to Lisa either. At that, I went for Tom.

Then, we got a reasonable final and I ended up going along throughout it going "That was good. I don't mind who wins" to all of them. Until the showdance. Once Rachel had performed hers, I thought "That was nice. Decent enough to win, if Tom's isn't the best of standards". Then, Tom came out and did that showdance. Once I'd seen that, I decided I wanted Tom to win.

Given that I don't have an outright favourite yet this series, I can see that happening again. The showdance will no doubt be the deciding factor for me. Unless someone suddenly starts producing the full package week after week between now and the final. At the minute, it seems to be "likable celebs vs. technically good celebs". I want someone who is a morph of the two. I don't see anyone like that, right now. Sadly.

Ali and Brian for me

The only couple that has wowed me so far and i look forward to watching them every week.

Craig kelly.Its got to be

Hard question.

I think the best are Ali & Brian, Jade & Ian, Ricky W & Natalie or Zoe & Ian and, based solely on ability, the final should be between any three of those four couples.

I must admit, though, that I'd like the three finalists to be Ali & Brian, Jade & Ian and Chris & Ola.

I'm not sure who I'd actually like to win, as this tends to change from week to week for me.

I really, honestly, for the first time ever don't think I know.

Usually by this point it's fairly easy to see who the winner will be. You have a good idea which person is likely to come out on top.

But this year it's much closer.

Ali, Ricky W, Jade and Zoe have the dance talent to do it. Laila is excellent in ballroom, her remaining Latin dances are a bit of an unknown factor though.

On the other hand, Ricky G, Chris and Phil seem to have far more likeability than any of those. None of them are horrible dancers and they all have potential to improve.

At the mo, it's really hard to predict who's going to get to the final. Although I will say that if one of the three 'nice boys' suddenly finds his mojo, then he'd be a shoe in for it.

Bhoy your back now be a good bhoy

Ricky&Erin, they're my most favourite couple in it at the moment.

I'd quite like them & Zoe&James and Laila&Anton to be in the final I think.

I have always been a good boy on the SCD forums.Its elsewhere on another forum where my evil twin took over that I was not so good.

I have apologised to the mods and everything is fine again

Completely agree.

I'd say quite a lot hinges on Ricky G and Erin's rumba ...

Ah....well be a good bhoy anyway

actually I would like this final too , whilst I can appreciate that the others are better dancers I haven't warmed to Ali, Ricky W or Jade

I also like Tuffers and Chris so I am definaely in the personality camp this year rather than best dancer !

Craig has to go next for me as he really cant dance bless him , and natalie after that then I think we need a real surprise so that at least one of the not so good dancers can get to the final instead of the good but , for me , not likable dancers !

The way things stand at the moment Ricky Whittle should win hands down, but its early days yet and there are snappers catching up at his heels. Great dancer and based on current performances I wouldn't say no to him winning, but we'll see.

You're fun bhoy and I'm pleased to see you back. I've found nothing offensive about your posts.

Just be careful - some look for affront where none is intended.

Ricky Whittle is my winner at the mo - despite the fact that he's apparently arrogant and desperate!

But my fave is Chris - love him with Ola - Oh yeah Baby!