Being picky, "the rules" don't say that - the press release says that. Although I imagine that this is now a valid precedent.

And it's not unreasonable - it's simply the SCD version of standard sick leave. You're excused from work if you have a sick note from a doctor.

Right. OK.

I assume you're not saying that these rules have just been made up?

So you're saying that they just made up the sick leave thing on the spot?

Is that what you're saying?

If so, what's wrong with reacting to an unexpected circumstance? What would you have them do instead?

What I'm 'saying' is how delighted I am that Strictly has such clear and comprehensive and well thought out and readily available 'rules' which cover all possible eventualities and aspects of the show and leave no grey areas or room for doubt about on-the-fly, ad hoc rule-making.

I did read 'the rules' and couldn't find anything - same as on the DWTS website. I guess the producers can do what they want.

I agree there should not been a dance of tonight

I thought something similar happened on DWTS. When A dancer had a death in the family and didn't perform the judges scored her with 1's and let the audience decide from there. They made it through to the following week.

I agree as well. And personally I would have chosen Phil and Katya.

Oh good. Well thanks for clarifying that.

I'm not sure about a death, but in the last season of Dancing with the Stars celebrity Steve-O injured himself at the end of his dress rehearsal and was told he couldn't dance. Instead, they showed his dress rehearsal to the judge's who marked it, then he went to the public vote as normal. The same thing happened with Melissa Rycroft in that season.

Forgive me, but please, PLEASE, your 'of' should be 'HAVE'.
I'm not being finicky but it drives me insane.

You are being finicky!

I honestly don't understand what you're saying.

Are you suggesting that Jade and Ian should have been eliminated because of her injury?

And how does this relate to last years semi final?

People slag off Bruce but without him the show imploded. It was a mess. Firstly, the manipulation of the leaderboard by the judges couldn't have been any more blatant - to try and ensure both Ali and Ricky W were safe. Strictly descended to X Factor levels of contrivance.
With Jade injured and Laila struggling and unable to complete her performance, we then had one of the most charismatic couples in the comp being eliminated despite performing an excellent ballroom. It is my belief they wanted Phil out because they knew he was a public favourite and could have jeopardised their dream Ricky W vs Ali final.
Phil's performance got lost tonight in the drama of Jade pulling out, and Laila's tears.
The real loser is the show itself cos Natalie and Ricky G offer far less than Phil & Katya, and in one night the show now looks like a foregone conclusion with a lot of the competition obliterated.
Chris's paso was poor but middle England loves this guy for some reason, while the support for Nat beggars belief. Her foxtrot was over-marked, but that was no surprise as she has been over-marked every week.
If Jade is out the comp they should re-instate Phil. There shouldn't have been a dance off tonight.

I feel strongly that Phil should still be there - but clearly tonight he was not a favourite with the public; otherwise he wouldn't have been in the dance off.

But none of those factor's would have changed whether Bruce was there or not. Jade would've still injured herself. She would've still got a bye. Laila would have still fallen down the stairs. The judges would have still marked Ali and Ricky W highly. Phil still would've gone.

I thought it was the best show of the series without the inane witterings of Bruce, but guess that's down to opinion. I thought everyone coped excellently with disaster after disaster, so more show's like this the better IMO.

my point was that Bruce's absence's had a karmic effect - part of chaos theory, isn't it - a butterfly's wings setting off a tsunami? It's like when the boss is away and the underlings are asked to step up and fill the role, and it rapidly descends into mayhem.
Bruce is like the godfather of the show and without his presence things fell apart. No coincidence to my mind.
The point about the judges is, admittedly, another issue. Len giving his big speech about Ricky W needing the public's vote to ensure he doesn't become another Austin Healy. The leaderboard was so pre-planned it was ridiculous. They're disrespecting the viewers by pushing for the best dancer should win.

I hope you're not advocating we put marbles on the stairs and oil on the dance floor to increase the drama.

I thought they made an excellent job of a total dog's dinner of disasters last night! I felt they should have explained the situation with Jade possibly competing next week better - we were all saying 'is she or isn't she?' in our house.

My only real whinge is that Tuffers was eliminated on a dance-off cock up (which he did make), whereas Zoe was eliminated on the basis of Ali's overall potential (she made many cock ups in her dance off). I know injury was a factor, but I do like consistency from the judges.

Of course they want the best dancer to win - that is their job. They're there to show us who they feel are the best dancers and its up to the public if they want to vote on others factors.

If they could just stop showing such blatant favouritism to Natalie i might even believe they want the best dancer to win lol

my point is, they're manipulating the leaderboard now for the sake of protecting their perceived best dancers. They did the same last year with Rachel and Lisa. It makes a mockery of the show. It's a light entertainment programme and the whole point of Strictly, originally, was that the public got to vote for their favourite, and their favourite had a chance to win.
Now, the judges have gone completely against what the viewers want, and are blatantly trying to ensure either Ali or Ricky W win. It makes the entire series a straight forward dancing competition and takes away any element of surprise. They may as well have handed the trophy to Ricky W after week 1.

Actually I think Chris and Ola's public vote grows and grows, and they'll make it to the final, and possibly even win unless Brian and Ali fall into each others' arms for a snog after their showdance. (Come on Brian, you know it makes sense!)

I read somewhere that there's a rule stating that an eliminated couple can be re-instated in the case of injury to another competitor. Can anyone confirm or deny, preferably giving a link to the chapter and verse?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedan...t/voting.shtml

There are a number of contingencies which could occur during or before each show, as with any other live television programme. Contingencies cover withdrawal of any celebrity, professional dancer or judge for health reasons or other unforeseen circumstances or outside the control of the BBC. The remedial actions may include, but not be limited to changing the format of the show, including, removing, substituting or adding professional dancers and or judges; and cancelling, suspending or altering voting at any time. In the event of any contestant leaving the competition at any point prior to the quarter finals, the BBC will decide on whether to reinstate previous contestants i.e. the person with the highest score eliminated from the previous episode or equivalent, or to take other actions in accordance with the BBC's contingency plans as it deems necessary and appropriate to the circumstances.

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedan...t/voting.shtml

I think that they should not have had a dance off this week and had a double one next week if Jade came back if she didnt then carry on as normal.........however having gone ahead if Jade cant come back then Phil should definately come back and should continue training in my view .

Len voted Phil out in the dance off to protect Ricky and Ali just like he voted out Austin to protect Lisa and Rachel...He knows Ricky Groves will be gone soon anyway after being in the dance off 2 weeks in a row he saw his chance and took it.

I don't understand what you arguing to be honest. The public can still vote for their favourite and that favourite still has the chance to win. The judges are there to mark on who are the best technical dancers and the public vote on who they like best.



Anyone can still win.