We'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

Just as someone like Len can guage the level of training an individual has had in Ballroom or Latin dancing, I assume someone who is a trained ballerina can do the same when it comes to spotting whether someone has had experience in ballet.

I'm not suggesting it's a fact, but I do take into consideration what Sara had to say because I respect her judgement as a trained bellerina herself.

I doubt it will affect her chances. Prior experience didn't harm Jill after all.

I'm not surprised she couldn't. Passion or aggression don't seem to be in her make-up, either as herself or in the acting roles she's had. She's just a bit too... wet(?) for the paso.

Do you know anything about Sara as a ballerina beyond what she said on ITT?

Sara Cawood has been a presenter, rather than ballerina, for as long as I can remember. To try to give her opinion the authority of Len's is absurd.

I've been trained in ballet, so perhaps you should be listening to me.

Sara Cawood said she was a ballerina , or did ballet , or was a a trained ballerina ?? Do you remember ,?
And even if she is it still doesnt give any more proof as its still only her opinion .Nothing more .,

I might if you had anything worth listening to

If you don't want to take on board what Sara said, that's fine. Your perogative.

I'll make my own decisions and come to my own conclusions though.

I would calm it more calm and gentle as opposed to wet ..

Yes, I remember - trained ballerina.

It's not proof, but then I don't think I've suggested it was.

I do value her opinion though.

You can value it , but not quote it and then say that she had " extensive training " as if it s a proven point .

I think you should come to your own conclusion.

But I don't think you should be saying Ali had extensive training when it's just the opinion of your memory of an opinion.

And if you're going to use Sara Cawood as your authority, you should quote what she said exactly.

In any case, the idea that she is an authority of Len's standing is laughable.

Why? What evidence has she given that her opinions on such matters are sound?

What exactly did she say on ITT? Did it even have the word "extensive" in it?

Thanks for the posting tips

At least we have discovered just how flimsy the poisonous claim that Ali's had extensive training actually is.

I give up

So do I!

Feel like we're going round in circles anyway.

Even though my opinion means nothing, I think it is very likely she trained in ballet. I can just "tell", not helpful but that's my ten pence.

I loved her VW, just not as much as Alesha's. It was flawless though, just boring.

Practice doesn't produce natural talent.

Can you "just tell" that the Mirror was wrong in saying her ballet training was for several years as a child?

oh stop being so grumpy.

*hands hot water bottle and lollipop*

As someone who doesn't know the first thing about dance, I have to agree. I knew that the paso doble had something to do with matadors and bulls, and I think I would have recognised that from Laila and Anton's actions and dress. The interpretation might have been simple, but I thought it was effective.

The start of the dance was great, and I liked the powerful control dynamic. I think Laila could have pushed more towards the middle and end, but over all, in my naive opinion I think it deserved a nine or two.

Are Laila and Anton getting undermarked?

Loved it, and it was a much more authentic paso than Ali's. Thought Anton looked great doing it too, great job all round.

Yes, but that's because of the 'lifts' tonight. Shame.

Tbh I think so.

I didn't think the paso of Laila and Anton was the best dance of the night - but I certainly thought it superior to that of Ali and Brian last week.

imo A&B lacked the fire and drama that we saw from Laila and (surprisingly) Anton tonight.

Shame about the lifts - has Anton been taking a leaf out of bad boy Brendan's book?

Perhaps Anton wanted to move the topic of discussion about them by creating a bit of controvesy
I thought their dance was very good BTW

Yes brompton I'm aware you didn't mention it before, so sorry, but once someone mentions 'the past', 'the problem' the whole thread is taken up with that and the dancing is forgotten. But don't you think this is the best year Anton has had for ages so something must be right