I just rewatched last week, because it was probably the first week I felt there were some really standout dances. I still maintain that Chris & Ola's, Ali & Brian's and Laila & Anton's Charlestons were very good.

I'm normally a Chris and Ola fan, but I have to say last week the judges seemed to have it in for Laila. Craig's 6 was unbelievable (compared to Ricky and Natalie's 7) for the main dances. Furthermore when it came to the VW, Laila and Anton were very good. Now as far as I can see, the reason for giving them the 8 was because Anton was driving her around the floor. However, the same could be said for Ali and Brian (plus driving into other people). I have to say I'm not the biggest Ricky fan, but his VW seemed to be as good as Ali and Brian's (with the disadvantage that he had to lead).

This is not a Ali or anyone else bashing thread (I think Ali is a very good dancer and a lovely person), what interests me is why the judges have one rule for one couple and another for another. So if you penalise Laila for being "driven" by Anton, why not penalise Ali (in addition to Ali's raised arm, which was picked up by people on the forum and James Jordan).

Apologies if this has been done to death, I had a quick search and couldn't find anything.

I completely agree with you. I thought Laila was beautiful in the VW and would have put her first with Ricky. It did seem like there was an assumption from the judges of "oh you were great, but why wouldn't you be with Anton". Of course, if you tied Laila and Ricky you have a tie on the leaderboard, which they maybe didn't want. I thought Ali's 10 was ridiculous, based on the collisions and that left elbow (which I notice she's still doing for tango). I would have scored Laila and Ricky 9, Ali and Chris 8 and Natalie 7.

I would have marked Ricky 1st in VW Ali 2nd (her action better than Laila's) and Laila third

Charleston I would have tied Chris and Ali

Is that taking into account the collisions bendy? Just wondering whether you would count them against Ali as it was Brian's fault?

I couldn't believe Chris got the same mark from the judges for his VW as Nat Cass did. I like Nat Cass but she was appallingly stompy in the VW and Chris had to lead. I think actually the blokes should have been marked higher in the VW because they had a harder job of trying to master floorcraft and I know it's not Ali's fault but aren't the competiting couples supposed to be a partnership. Brian's lack of driving skill should have knocked a point or two of Ali's score.

Agree with all if this.

I thought Ali's Charleston was the best dance of the night but that Viennese Waltz should have had her about third or fourth. Both Ricky and Laila should have been marked higher and Ali should have had a couple of marks deducted for the collisions - I think there were two? Len's always harping on about the fact that it doesn't matter who makes the mistake as it's a partnership. I remember him deducting points from Kelly and Brendan's Tango even though their mistake was caused by Brendan momentarily forgetting the choreography.