Emma Bunton was probably the best dancer in her competition, seconded by Mark and then probably Louisa. Lisa was an amazing ballroom dancer just not so good at Latin, I didn't watch SCD in Zoe's series so can't comment. But I'm sure she was better than Darren Gough. In my opinion the winners in each series should have been..

1. Natasha.
2. Jill.
3. Zoe.
4. Emma.
5. Alesha.
6. Rachel.

But that's just on dance ability, I suppose you need the complete package.

Well that's what I think is interesting about this year and makes it harder to predict.

The dance talent is with Ali, Ricky W, Jade, Zoe and (to an extent) Laila.

The popularity/likeability however seems to be with Ricky G, Chris and Phil.

I voted for JS, many times, because I enjoyed his performances, far more than I enjoyed the others. His Paso is going to be one of the dances I will remember for ever, it still makes me smile, it was a fine performance indeed and very enjoyable to me. His American Smooth was very good indeed, also enjoyable which I'm sure, if the dancers hadn't been so wrapped up in hating and outrage, they would probably have seen.

He had sparkle and personality in a set of celebrities that had neither, they were all very bland last year, as, unfortunately, they are again this year.

I know the dancers out there don't understand and that's fine, but to assume that people were only giving him votes only because he was an underdog is far from true.

I spent most of last night rewatching Alesha's dances on YouTube, no-one since has come even close to her.

I would still rather see John and Kristins doing their 'mamma loves Mambo' samba than Ricky and Natalie doing theirs. John's made me laugh and clap Ricky's didnt get that response at all.

This thread is getting slightly fluffier Maybe these rant-fests are good to draw the poison.

Just listening to a discussion on 5-Live re. Marlon King and a caller has brought up the subject of black role models and how Marlon King has reinforced a stereotype whereas someone like Theo Walcott confounds the view.

I'd say (& have said with tedious regularity) that Ricky W. should, in an ideal world, be celebrated for his work ethic, ambition, affability and impeccable manners. But this is not an ideal world - it's planet SCD &, for 3 months of the year, it consumes me

Marlon King is clearly a T*at of the highest order (as is Gazza and every other man who feels the need to beat up someone who isn't as big and strong as they are). I feel very sorry for his wife and kids.

I was shocked to find out about Phil Tufnell's past in this respect - second chances are all good and well, but it has definitely coloured my view of him.

Hold on to your ear muffs, because I'm going to use the dreaded J-word!

When I read a good novel, or watch a well-realised drama, it's the characters and the conflicts, and the ups and downs that keep me interested. I want to see something that makes me keep turning the page or tuning in to watch next weeks episode. If something plods along pedantically, and doesn't give any pleasure at all, or if it's well written but all too samey then my devotion to the plot will not be the same.

Emma, Lisa and a few others previously mentioned were undoubtedly very good, very precise, pleasing to watch (barring one dance that I really would rather wipe from my memory ie. the cat-on-heat Paso from Emma) but elicited little emotional reaction on my part. I just could not connect to them at all. Equally, charmless no-hopers (and I will not mention names because one person's underdog is another's hero/heroine) and non-triers don't make me want to pick up the phone and vote.

And here it comes, the dreaded 'journey' that everybody pulls their hair out over, as if it's something to be despised or wiped off the undersole of a shoe! It's a cliche, but there's usually truth in cliches. The people who make me want to vote are the ones who just want to see how far they can go in the contest, who have some determination but are aware of their failings, are not superhuman and are vulnerable, but can palpably dance well and show signs of improvement over the course of the series. The ones who overcome the lows and kick on, who have a great partnership...the ones that make you want to stand and punch the air with joy (and drop a tray of food over yourself, as I once did ) when they finish the dance.

Emma, Lisa, Rachel - and alas, much as he seems nice enough - Ricky W did not connect with me emotionally. They've danced some amazing steps, but they never left me wanting to turn the page of that novel.

Sums it up very nicely Miah and a large part of the reason why i became i fan of the show in the first place.

The first year i watched was Darren Gough and i loved every second of his journey from embarrassing no hoper to triumphant champion. I never cared a jot about Colin Jackson and his skillful displays.

I felt the same about Zoe, Emma, Lisa (and surely THAT final dance has to go down as the worst ) and to a lesser extent Rachel and i feel the same this year about Ricky. I don't dislike watching him dance but nothing hes done so far has moved me at an emotional level.

miah & bobbla - nice posts I do understand what you say about emotional connection - I too supported Darren G. from his first dance as I was wowed by his musicality when my preconceptions were that he'd be clumsy and, even though Colin was the better dancer, I stayed with Darren throughout.

With Ricky W. in his group dance, his moves made my heart beat a little faster so he was the Apricot chosen one for this series but I'd never diss anyone for not feeling the same.

I defend him on here when I feel the criticisms go too far or are baseless but, of course, people are free to criticise as they see fit - that's what forums are about

Guardian newspaper blog......pretty much sums up how I feel about Ricky

http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-rad...e-dancing-live

The joy of being part of a forum like this is that what moves us about the celebs is personal and subjective to each individual therefore generating lots of healthy debate (imagine how boring it would be if we all agreed on who we liked lol)

But i don't like it when the criticisms become personal or they are ripped to shreds because of how they look

Says it all really and we are not alone on DS thinking this .

Funny blog!

I liked these bits:



And this:


Are we in a darker, madder reach?

In spite of myself, it made me smile

I said his popularity was due to a combination of factors - and yes he himself persuaded a sizeable number of fans to pick up the phone for him (including me - several times!)

I think that the diehard "dancers" need to realise that a competition like SCD isn't just down to being the "best dancer" - if it was we would have a properly qualified judging panel who really know their ballroom dances backwards forwards and inside out. Having the highly experienced show dancers like Craig & Bruno and the past winner Alesha who have no recognised ballroom dancing credentials on board shows that the BBC consider it 3/4 entertainment 1/4 competition. The past winners have all been very capable dancers by the end of the series, but most of them had (* shh I'm going to say it!!* )journeys through the competition, as well as something else to them - be it a dazzling partnership with their pro partner, sheer love of dance, and being a judges underdog.

My winners from the series so far would have been

1. Natasha (but it would have been less clear cut had Lesley been there with her - dazzling partnership with Brendan and a journey as well!)

2. Denise (I'd have liked to call it a draw between her and Jill, but for me Denise edged it as she came from the sports (ie limited dancing experience ) background rather than the showbiz one - she had more of a journey - as well as a great partnership with Ian).

3. Colin (again I would have called it a draw between him and Zoe - but for me she was the judges pet and favoured to give her an edge - IMHO her Samba in the final was no better than Colin's Rumba, and had they drawn on the Latin - he may have won (despite Muppetgate!) Colin had the bigger journey of the 2 of them. Darren had the personality, the great partnership and the journey that series which is why he came through.)

4. Mark R (fabulous dancer the shy man who came to life on the dancefloor. Far and away ahead of Emma who could do no wrong with the judges and got high marks even when she fell over - Louisa outdanced Emma in just about every show but always came off worse on the judges leaderboard. They had to manufacture a "dance off between her and Emma to get her out and she SHOULD have been in the final with Mark)

5. Alesha (There was never going to be anyone else winning this series - Gethin should have been in the final with her though.

6. Tom (The all round package - the great partnership, the personality, the journey, the story (did you know he got married during the series??:P ) and a good dancer as well. The judges saved Lisa at Austin's expense. That said - I don't think Austin would have beaten Tom - once he had got through the semi final fiasco - he was always going to win as he had the public vote - as was shown when Lisa was knocked into 3rd place in the final - he was unstoppable!)

7. Who will win this one?? Its anyone's guess at the moment - but unlikely to be Ricky W unless he manages to turn the public round. He is a bit like Rachel last time - he seems to be a personality void, and pairing him with the highly competitive new pro Natalie hasn't helped him. I can admire his dancing - but he completely lacks any of the other elements

for me it's:

2. Jill (loathe denise lewis)
3. Colin (still distresses me - and Zoe should have been in the final with him)
4. Louisa (never 'got' mark and karen but Emma staying in over Louisa will continue to wind me up, and Matt Dawson has got increasingly irritating over the years)
5. Alesha - hurrah! Gethin should have been in the final, my outrage over Matt D'A never abates
6. Rachel for me - she was a little robotic but was by far the best dancer, didn't mind tom winning though
7. Ali or jade or chris PLEASE

My favourite has won every year apart from last year when i supported Austin

I would have prefered Zoe or Colin in series three but could understand and not be miffed about a Goughy win.

I got the result I wanted in series four and to be honest I don't think anyone winning would have made me happy.

I liked Matt in series five but I think Alesha ultimately deserved it the most for sheer consistancy. Come on Gethin fans it was a great final even if it would possibly been even better with him or Kelly there too.

I understood Gethin's fan a lot more in series six through the heartbreak of losing Austin but if he couldn't win I'm glad Tom did I have settled for Rachel until he did his showdance.

This year I'm probably behind Jade and Ian.

Mine would be:

1 - Didn't watch most of it, so can't comment.
2 - Jill (she's the reason I fell in love with SCD).
3 - Colin (Darren just wasn't any good - and all that "I'm a man's man"! )
4 - Emma (Mark :yawn:, Louisa - hugely overrated).
5 - Alesha (loved Gethin but Alesha was a better dancer).
6 - Tom
7 - ?

Well, Ricky W won't be encouraged if he chances to read this thread.

Mine:

1- Natasha-just loved everything the journey,the dancing the partnership.Also I developed my Pro dancer obsession (from programme 1)

2-Jill-best dancer we've seen on the programme.Just amazing to watch(and not just the jive) would have liked Aled to be in the final too though.

3- Zoe or Colin-would have been happy with a win for either.

4- I actually wanted Matt to win at the time but I loved Mark (just Karen put me off a bit)Liked Emma & louisa too so last four were perfect in my book

5- Alesha- a magical partnership with Matthew Cutler and consistancy.Would have been happier with an Alesha/Gethin/Kelly final

6-I know I'm in a minority on here but wanted Lisato win.Thought it was another strong final and any of them could have won based on the dancing.On showdances Tom nailed it though so no question a worthy winner

7- I can't really decide..I'd love to see Ian lift the trophy so would go with Ian & Jade,Ali & Brian and Chris & Ola as my last three

1 Natasha - but I didn't take it nearly so seriously then
2 Jill
3 Darren - I'm a cricket-bore and I thought he was a revelation
4 Ramps
5 Gethin - have never been an Alesha-lover
6 Tom
7 don't know yet

Series 1 - didnt watch it
Series 2 - dipped in and out and didnt get invested
Series 3 - Zoe but wasnt upset about Darren...except when he beat Gethin in 2008 Christmas special
Series 4 - Mark (but liked Matt and Louisa too)
Series 5 - Gethin but wasnt sorry that Alesha won and infact even if Gethin had got to the final a part of me would have worried that beating Alesha would have caused a terrible backlash that would do him no good in the end.
Series 6 - Austin I was really upset when he was eliminated after that Rachel.
Series 7 - oh dear I like Ricky Groves, Chris and Jade but would be happy to see Ali or Zoe win it but not Ricky W.

1&2 - I wasn't all that bothered really. Though I am glad Chris Parker didn't triumph as I suspect we'd never have seen another series, and Jill's showdance ruled the world.

3 - Colin only lost in the last 30 minutes, because of Puppetgate. But we've been there many, many times.

4 - Ramps was the man for me from the first group dance he did, when you could see the quality shining through.

5 - I am gonna break with tradition and vote Matt Di A, who overcame as many obstacles as Gethin in his own way, and was a far better dancer to boot. Alesha's a great, great girl, but I did not worship her dancing and I still don't.

6 - This was one of the few times an LL prediction came through. I was sure Austin and Tom would be the two to watch before the series started and I wasn't disappointed. I also knew Rachel would be dull as ditchwater.

However, I was surprised by two things; Rachel's rumba (easily my favourite dance of last series) and the fact Austin stopped improving in the latter stages.

I felt Tom was undermarked consistently, from his very first dance in fact, and was delighted he came through in the last 30 minutes of the final.

7 - The pattern is similar to the last series. Ricky W is my Austin, Ali is my Rachel and Zoe is my Lisa. Jade is my Tom, which I think bodes well, although I love Team Cola with a passion and my heart would adore them to win