I never realised how close Brian and James are. It was touching to hear how James had looked after Brian when he came to the UK. I was very moved by Brian's comments in today's ITT and Ali is such a trouper. When Brian said its not just a TV show its STRICTLY you could see how proud he was of the show.

Couldn't agree more! I wasn't sure about Brian before but he seems a genuine guy. Let's be honest, I think we're all disappointed - even disillusioned perhaps - with this series of SCD and the way things seem to be going with it. So it's nice to be reminded that there are many, many great qualities about it. I abhor the concept of X-Factor and have never watched one second of it so it has pained me to see it wiping the floor with SCD in the ratings and wining the PR battle. But I'll hazard a guess that you'll see nothing so full of integrity and value as you saw on ITT tonight. I really hope that the BBC get their act together on so many aspects of the show and allow it to continue along the path we all want it to. I am not interested in sexing it up and trying to out-reality X-Factor and I would be delighted not to read anything in the tabloids about SCD. I hope that waverers (and I number myself, I confess) will rally round and get behind the show in terms of viewing figures and support in general.

I've always thought Brian and James were nice guys.

I honestly do not feel 'disappointed - even disillusioned perhaps - with this series of SCD and the way things seem to be going with it.'

This series is a dream compared with Series 6 and I'm just loving it - and ITT has never been better. I'm either easily pleased or less cynical than many posters on here, but I can live with that!

Nice post BuddyBontheNet.

I haven't watched ITT yet but, I do agree with you about this series in comparison to the last. I almost didn't watch this year because I was so disappointed with series 6. I also agree that ITT has been great as well. I enjoy that we're back to the dancers and pros and not some celeb who's only on there to promote "whatever".

You forgot to mention family, best friends and dog.

I think its lovely that James was so good to him when he came over here but i really like James anyway and think he gets a lot of unnecessary grief.

I really loved the way Brian talked about the show

We haven't talked to our families, we haven't gone out with our friends, we haven't gone out for a drink - its STRICTLY

Its not just a TV show to us, its more than that - its STRICTLY

He made me feel almost patriotic about the show

Sorry to be a cynic but it's showbusiness and he's a pro. Of course they work hard and do a great job but, please, if he 'hasn't gone out for a drink' what are all the photos in the papers, if 'he hasn't talked to his family' what is his mum's blog about? It IS a tv show, a really enjoyable show for us and a lucrative one for him but it isn't the life and death experience they were talking about. Let's all get over ourselves a bit here, especially Brian!

I don't agree.

They start training August time up until the end of December (if not eliminated - but still the pro dances) thats 4 months and if the pro's go on tour then that 6 months out of a year been involved in Strictly. Yes, its only a TV show. But its their life for that time. If you worked on something - putting all your energy and most of your time into it - wouldn't you be invested in it? Just because its 'showbusiness' doesn't mean he shouldn't care.

I don't look at the papers so i don't know what the pictures are. Are they out drinking alot? I've read his mum's blog and it doesn't read to me like she gets the chance to speak to Brian all that much and if she does its a few minutes here and there. Well thats how it reads to me. Does he get chance to speak to other family members? or spend time with his friends? Who knows. I don't really think he meant it so literally.

So, no. I don't think he should get over anything. He obviously loves the show and the people on it and i thought it was lovely how he spoke about it.

^^^^^^^
I agree.

I was very moved by Brian on ITT. It looked like he finally realised the show is a popularity contest and not a dancing competition bless him.

It wasant nice seeing Brian like that on yesterday's ITT, he was so quiet and sad.

It was upsetting to see but also lovely that we got to see the real Brian and not the showman.

Me too. I prefer this year's to last year.

Love Ali and Brian both are so sweet.

I was moved too, I really felt for Brian.

"More geese than swans now live, more fools than wise"

(From Orlando Gibbons, 'The Silver Swan')

Sorry I wanted to find the vomit bucket....all this lovely dovey gets my goat. Just get on and dance for god sake...

CAS! How could you? What if it had been the delightful Mr Cutler in Brian's shoes?

The amazingly sexy Mr THEE hips Cutler would never have gushed over his celeb. Any way he looks wayyyyy better than Brian so can get away with soooooo much more.

Im getting abit sick of the "who can gush over the celeb the most"...its yawningly boring.

Did you see Thee Cutler...wowww now thats how ya dance

Thats exactly what I think, Last year taking part in scd to Brian was an adventure, this year means alot more. My heart went out to him.

I knew you were still delusional!

That dance was hot - not so keen on him dancing with Aliona - would prefer him with Natalie or even Katya.

Cutler's so camp he makes Graeme Norton look like George Clooney.