Ive avoided the forums all night but just wanted to say Im so happy Ricky stayed in and his dance in the DO was brilliant. He must have been under so much pressure and so nervous I can understand him going wrong. Natalie C, although she gave it her all, deserved to be sent home tonight, she was the weakest. I really felt for vincent tonight.

It might be too much to ask for, Im just hoping for a scandal-free week next week with great dances and hopefully Ricky, Ali and Chris will get through then.

Its a real pity that this programme is now so up itself someone who has improved goes out to someone who is no better than they were week one. Still, there we go.....

Perhaps we the public can get an improver to the final. We have just one left!

Regardless of progress, Ricky is the better dancer. Natalie was the weakest dancer there tonight.

Right result, as much as I love Nat and think she was a real asset to the show. She wasn't up to an Argentine Tango for example, it was definitely the right time. Bless her, and bless Vincent! I loved their friendship and her passion for the show.

Dances of the night were Chris and Ola and their fun charleston and Ali and Brian and their amazing choreography! If she was on 100% top form that would have been outstanding!

I thought Ricky and Natalie's R&R was just really bizarre, I hated it and I'm not sure why. He just doesn't suit R&R, he's too hard and imovable in a way, and I thought Natalie wasn't on form tonight. Considering how much talent they both have that was mystifylingly mediocre all round. I also thought Anton and Laila's Charleston was just...ok. Nothing special, and I'd have preferred to see them in the bottom two overall.

WHAT was that VW about? Len marks it? HUH? WTF? The man who never marks below a 7? That was totally pointless and a waste of time. Never, ever again please!

Dear God...those two hideous singers were so FLAT, I had to mute the sound. The worst performance ever on the show, it was sheer embarrassment. My ears are literally bleeding.

I can't say I'm looking forward to Darcey Bussell next week, it feels like another random and ill thought out add on to the format that's not going to add anything. We shall see though, I suppose, and I may change my mind.

The judges would have looked ridiculous saving Natalie, Ricky was by far the better in the dance off.

The judges discussed it and agreed the votes. Len just announced them.

Yep the right person went tonight....I know we`v moaned alot about strictly but all things considered the final 4 is a decent line up

I think they should keep the Charleston is as a 'later in the series' dance. They were a great break from the norm and not only were so enjoyable to watch but really brought out the best in their personalities - though Ali came across brilliantly in hers - always found her to be very serious and a bit wet before. LOVED THEM ALL.

People here who make snide remarks about fat/thin/average size dancers/celebs must have the perfect physique, also they must be amazing dancers themselves to boot....

Criticize their dancing by all means if it wasn't perfect for you - but slagging off a woman for being the same size as yourself/sister/friends/girlfriend - shame on you.

Natalie deserved to go tonight because technically she wasn't as good - no other reason

I actually thought Laila and Anton`s Charleston was the dance of the night.....and I`am certainly no fan of Anton`s.

Really? I heard that Len was going to be marking as head judge...?

Well anyway, it was still pointless.

I am no Laila and Anton fan either but their Charleston was my favourite dance of the night (and I hate Charleston's )

Sad to see Natalie go but it was the right result. Aww at Vincent crying

Loved Chris and Ola. I liked all the Charlestons which surprised me because I didn't expect to. Didn't like the Rock n Roll.

My thoughts on tonight..

Laila + Chris = 10
Ali = 9
Ricky + Natalie C = 7

I thought Laila was really undermarked.. I know I'm biased but I really really loved that dance from her..

Natalie didn't improve all that much, but in any case how does the worse dancer losing the dance off mean the show is up itself?

I concur...though I confess they're my favourite couple in terms of 'personality'.

When it comes to the 'acting' aspect of a dance, I think Laila comes out on top this series by simply pitching her performance correctly.

It's not. Compared to previous standards - it's terrible. You have Ricky, one that really stands out but can't stop making mistakes and consistently has underwhelming or poor choreography, Ali who is good at ballroom but is so nervous and meek (she often physically shakes as she dances) she will never be capable out of hold or in latin and then that leaves two very, very average performers, who have both had dances that were train wreck bad.

Who do you think will pick up Natalie's votes now. Hopefully it will be Chris and Ola.

Laila was top draw stuff tonight...She was elegant and her lines were soooooo smooth and yet the Dance retained that all important Charleston vibe.

I'm a Natalie fan, and am really sorry to see her go, but agree it was probably her turn.

I found the way the VW was scored was very disappointing, though, and open to "fixing". Because they conferred, the judges were able to guarantee no tied scores, thus making it far more difficult for the bottom place couple to avoid the dance off.


A non elimination week would have been nice, because a two couple final is going to be a bit rubbish for me.

I just had a super evening ,.I loved every single minute , a great fun night
The thre Charlstons were just so much fun to watch and I am delighted with the last four standin g
After a bad week of news the night was Simply Great

It will be if it is between Ali and Ricky. Find both of them a bit boring.

Look at the VW scores for the individually scored dances and then look at the scores for tonight.

If you x4 the one score for tonight it is as close as it can get to the original dance score.

Ali and Ricky were identical, Laila dropped one point, Chris dropped one point and Natalie gained a point. The leader board Ali/Ricky/Laila/Chris/Natalie on the individual scores read Ali/Ricky/Laila/Equal Chris and Natalie after tonight.

As I said "all things considered".....Apart from Jade who forced to leave and Zoe who fell victim to the public vote then I think it`s fair to say the final 4 are a decent line up....It may not be as good as previous years but that`s just the luck of the draw.....No one knows how the celebs are going to perform or progress when they are invited onto Strictly....It`s a lottery....We can never be guaranteed a series with a host of celebs who can actually dance.

Good grief - he is massacring this song.