So many threads and messages seem to be focused on getting the right order of marks so Chris gets through or ensuring there's a three team final again so Chris wins.

If his dancing improves then he'll go through wont he......

I think he;s a poor dancer but if you think he's so good then you have nothing to worry about.

I'm not after a fix.

I would like a fair contest.

But I am wary of the judges manipulating situations to suit their own agenda.

I want Chris to get through in the manner of the old system we used to have ie, a majority vote so I would like there to be no dance off at all. If Chris or indeed anyone left on Saturday it would be because the public liked the other 3 more which reasonable people can accept.

I would rather the result was 'fixed' by a public vote than 4 people sitting at the side who seem to think it's a private contest for them to judge.

I enjoy his dancing enormously. I liked Tom last year too.
I don't know what the "best" dancer or "singer" might be. How can you say that Madonna is better than Diana Ross or vice versa? Nonsense.

I don't want to fix anything but I'd like Chris to win. I also like Ali.

It's no good you know. This whole website is operated out of Chris Hollins' loft by a rotating shift of fervent supporters - there's nothing you can do to stop it, it's just a waste of energy.... a bit like posting half-baked conspiracy theories on the internet.

What I can't stand is the blatent fixing - and if anyone wants to know what I know - then PM me and I'll fill you in. Suffice to say I am outraged at what that unholy lot are up to

More "whispers" eh, Footygirl?

Not a fix- like Sid says a fair contest though! *smooches Sid*

I have just sent something to Beeb suggesting that another Austingate would not be good and maybe a straight combined scores exit may be more acceptable to all- that way the judges don't have more power than the people paying money to call. Or a three people final as they have had time to instigate contingency!

To the OP Austingate killed the series last year for lots of us and it was hard to stomach- two years in a row would be a killer I think

I'm not sure how I feel about the... orchestration of the whole thing, but if he goes through/wins, then I suppose that'll be fair enough - the public have the right to vote for whoever they like, regardless of whether I necessarily agree.

I think you've not understood the way this system functions - what people have rightly pointed out is that there are many scenarios where Chris could get 1million votes, Ali 1 and Ricky 2 in total, but they would go through instead of him. The further on we go in the competition and therefore the fewer couples we have left, the more control the judges have over who stays and who goes.

People are asking for that balanced to be returned to a more equal footing.

Chris isn't the best dancer I have ever seen but he's a TV presenter with dance-coaching. Ali is alleged to have had ballet-training and Ricky, and my assumption may be wrong, is a stage-school graduate and must have done dance before.

So Chris (IMO) is doing a good job and is a good dancer under the circumstances. I remember Celebrity Fame Academy and people who couldn't sing (Ray Thingy, Ruby Wax, Tara Thingy) but gave really heartfelt performances which were more touching than the singers who could hold a tune.

Cor blimey, "Come Dancing" passed away years ago. D U L L. Give me Cola!

It is, he isn't, he hasn't.

And there was I thinking (hoping!) that the anti-Chris tirade might have subsided ...

OP, are you being inflammatory or just naive with your use of the word 'fix'?

There is no way the viewers can 'fix' anything. As if!

The only people guilty of 'fixing' anything on Strictly are the producers and judges.

From the fact that he has yet to be in the dance-off, I think we can safely guess that Chris has the strongest public vote. If you are irked because this might threaten your own personal favourite, tough. Nobody is trying to deny you an opinion, but what exactly is the point of trying to wind up Team Cola supporters?

I just think a final that doesn't have a place for the person with the most public support to that point would be poorer for it.

Yes, Monkseal, I have looked him up and he has a sporting background.

American football. Now I think I like him even less!!!!!! ;o)

Actually I'm just not bothered. He is so "meh".

Where's Jimmy Savile when you need him? Is he dead yet? Maybe he could fix it for Cola...

I believe they're lining him up to partner Lilia next year.

Where's the little dynamo Lilia needs? Who could it be?

Biggins? Jack Dee? Prince Andrew? We haven't had royals on a game-show for a long time.

There's nothing we can do to fix it. All we do is vote.

YEAH, BABY!!!

I firmly believe that they should drop the dance off at this stage. It still wouldn't be the one with the least public vote going - the judges would get half the say and they could still give their least favourite the lowest vote, but they couldn't make it impossible for any contestant to stay in. That seems to me just (and I have no real favourite this year).

If you think it shouldn't be a public vote contest at all fair enough, but that's a different show. As it is, as the public are paying their money to vote, it should count for something. A winner who is there because the judges bumped off the most popular person (and I've no idea who is the most popular person and nor do any of us) isn't a very strong winner.

Oh the system's beyond stupid and should definitely be changed, and not just because it's possible to lose the public favourite. For instance one scenario (that should make the Cola fans happy) :

Ricky 4 (judges) + 1 (public) =5
Ali 3 (judges) + 2 (public) =5
Laila 2(judges) + 3 (public) =5
Chris 1(judges) + 4 (public) =5

Ricky vs Ali dance-off : Ali goes home.

But, in an alternative Universe, Ali is discovered in flagrante with Vernon Kaye, her fans all realise that her Alian showmance is a lie and so refuse to vote for the home-wrecking slapper

Ricky 4 (judges) + 2 (public) = 6
Ali 3 (judges) + 1 (public) = 4
Laila 2 (judges) + 3 (public) = 5
Chris 1 (judges) + 4 (public) = 5

Ali vs Laila dance-off : Ali stays.

Ali stays because she's a ho and everyone hates her. How is that a fair system? Bring on the DWTS system that's what I say.

V good post and the words I've highlighted are the words the Strictly producers should think about most carefully ...

Monkseal- the best expanation of the inadequacies of the system to date

I have emailed the beeb about doing away with the dance off for many reasons... will let you know if they bother to respond- they will be scratching their heads as I have complained about a programme that hasn't aired yet!!

These are all very good points and over the weeks I have come to the conclusion that Chris is progressing nicely, whereas Ali was always good (with admittedly a few weak moments) and Ricky started out better than he is now. So I would also like Team Cola to win and will be voting for them.

What was the issue about Austin's exit? He went out fair & square as I recall.