I've seen a lot of Natalie-bashing here, a lot of it being mainly directed at her size and/or perceived state of attractiveness and/or for her daring to like her figure enough to not cover it up or diet. So, I'm having my little rant in response to some of the things I have seen written here tonight. It's just my opinion, but there's a fair chance she reads this forum, and I thought I'd even the balance.

Natalie was my 'favourite' (and I don't normally do favourites – I judge by dance, but her dancing personality won me over). As much as I would of liked to see her go through to next week, it was her 'time' to go imo. I will miss her on the show though. I also don't think she was a "bad" (as I keep seeing said here) dancer at all, she just wasn't as good technically as some of the others. I did think two weeks ago she might have turned a corner, but her last two dances have let her down, and she was starting to lag behind. Either way though, she is a fun little dancer and a thorough joy to watch.

I really do not understand this obsession with her weight. She is not that 'big', I actually like to see a curvy woman. Her and Vincent had a lovely partnership, but he was not strong enough for her in energetic lifts. It's nothing to do with her weight - Jade Johnson probably weighs as much, if not more than she does, but Ian matched Jades mass. I did cringe for her when she messed up her leg-through slides, as I knew people would start sniggering and making fat comments, but I have seen seriously bigger woman do this move effortlessly with bigger/stronger partners, so it's not her size per se, it's a mismatch of body mass in her partner. I'm glad Vincent picked her up tonight at the end of the show, and swung her round, bless him.

I also actually liked her outfit, in terms of the shape (not the pattern though). It was flattering for her size, it emphasised her waist, and showed off her hourglass figure. But then again, I don't get in a flap about the size of a person like some people here seem to. And shock-horror... dare I say I personally prefer to see a woman with meat on her bones!!!

She's a beautiful woman, was fun to watch, and added something positive to the show. Whilst I regrettably agree that she should have gone this week, I'll miss her contribution. Well done Natalie and Vincent for getting as far as you did, you weer both entertaining, and both made this years 'ho-hum' season of Strictly, interesting.

Very well said.

Ditto

Yep totally agree

well said hun1

Here here! Sorry to see her go, but in fairness, tonight was the right night.

It was great to see her enthusiasm, and to see a normal looking woman in the competition. I loved that she didn't play all "self conscious" and worrying about the "revealing costumes" looking for the sympathy vote. She danced to her strengths and while she's not the best dancer in the competition, she was one of the most entertaining.

I shall miss them.

My opinions of her have changed vastly

The SCD hit-and-run driver did not deserve to be saved tonight.

The GBP showed what they think of him and the judges obviously voted for him in a vain attempt to keep the programme from completely hitting the skids.

What a farce!

I'm glad she's gone....she was ruining the show for me!

As for being 'the same size as Vincent'....NO she's not! She's not even the same height, let alone size! She has always thought she's better than she is and smaller/slimer than she is!

It was HER that said she's a 'size 12 girl' not us.....and that annoyed me. I don't care what size she is, but don't lie!

And she is not 'curvy' she's apple shaped, and that's not even healthy!

The female dancers are "healthy". They are not skinny and last time I looked most of them had decent racks.

Why can people not see that these women are the "normal" body shapes and Natalie Cassidy is not.

and did you see him hobble off at the end?

As someone who has had no more than a passing interest in the show, I thought Natalie was endearing if a little annoying - she drove my hubby to distraction, in the few episdoes we've seen.

I loved her enthusiasm, and admired her guts. She is alot larger than me, and I'd be very self conscious dancing like that, I REALLY admire her confidence and attitude. Yes, it was her time to go, but the girl did good, and she should be very proud of herself, she didn't let todays size zero criticisms prevent her from doing something she REALLY wanted to do and felt passionate about, and I admire that, well done Natalie, I would love half her self-belief and confidence.

Maybe because most people live in the real world and you don't? Most of the female dancers are sticks. A size 6/8 is most defninetly skinny unless you have an exceptionally small frame. Given that the tele puts at least 10lbs on someone, they must be walking skeletons.

Natalie is normal. There is nothing wrong with a size 12/14. She isn't even medically overweight and she is a lot smaller than the average British woman. Anyway, with grown ups, physical appearance isn't that much of a problem. They realise that there are more important matters when choosing someone they want to spend time with. Natalie doesn't lack male admirers.

To the op, well said. I totally agree with you.

I found it hard to get past the gapmouth and the constant over-talking; and last week she looked so petulant in Tess's place.
but

I thought she was a nice, normal shape - and last night's dress really suited her.
I was really impressed that she gave it her all, worked with great energy.

I think it was her time to go but no shame to her for having come this far.

I think so too! Dancers like Ola and Lilia have a perfect physique - slim, toned but still shapely.
Natalie's size isn't my idea of healthy or "normal".

A normal woman, one whose intake of calories matches her output will look like Ola et al.

A woman whose intake is much more than expenditure, Natalie and most women will end up a chubby lass.

Why cannot some women accept this.

Because there is no norm, it's a cultural and social construction and depends on what is fashionable at the time (Rubens etc.). However, this is not part of the thread. For most of the time, I enjoyed their dances and she seemed to really enjoy herself. Her partnership with Vincent was great, and I don't really care how much she weighs or not.

Old saying from a wise cat

"Never be ashamed of who you are"

@ OP
hear hear

she was what the show is about - enthusiasm, joy, happiness, she really cheered me every week. watching the standing ovation for them filled me with real joy and i joined in. she was a brilliant contestant.

I'm really sad to see her go. I don't think I've ever seen a celeb so enthusiastic about the show before. She was a joy to watch.

Not a good post on a pro Natalie thread, Spidey!!!

Because it's not remotely true. Why can't some people accept that everyone is different? If two people ate the exact amount of food one person could be slim and the other could be chubby. Everyone has different metabolisms and the amount of exercise you do makes a huge impact as well, someone who dances for several hours a day is undoubtedly going to be in a lot better shape than someone who works in an office.

Some people are naturally a size zero, but others have to starve themselves half to death and not even get anywhere near size zero. As long as someone isn't medically overweight why can't we accept that some people are just going to be naturally larger than others.

I once went on holiday with a friend and we ate, drank and exercised identical amounts for ten days. When we returned I had put on 4lbs and my friend had lost 2lbs. QED.

How sad that a thread started to say 'well done' on the entertainment Nat and Vincent gave us has turned into yet more Nat bashing.

She left the competition last night and her popularity was clear for all to see - so can't we allow her a dignified exit, instead of turning it into another debate about her build and weight.

She had more personality shining through her eyes than many of the skinny lizzies.

Well done Nat and Vincent - you brought lots of enjoyment to the show and made many of us smile.