... now that they cant win...

I could almost detect the disappointment from Natalie. In the dance off twice, both Ali and Chris are more popular with the public. even if he sees off Chris next week, her wont beat ali...

Yes, even after topping the leaderboard he still ended up in the dance off.

He looked really defeated.... poor Ricky, best dancer by far but he's has to dance on knowing he was last with the public despite doing two 10 routines.

I'm sorry for them really because they are the best and people go on about Natalie BUT she didn't even speak this week.

I felt sorry for them too. I have to admit I'd have had Ali in the dance off this week.


I wonder how the betting odds have altered?

I'm not too sure what Ricky has done to keep getting in the bottom two. He's clearly a very good dancer, not my favourite, but still a good dancer. He was top of the leader board, yet in the bottom two. Is it because he's a bit too cocky, maybe that's it.

You see I don't see that either. He was very humble tonight

Is it the first time the top scorer has been in the dance off?

I think this might just go for him. Everyone could see the "genuine" disappointment and I'm sure he tugged a few heartstrings. Maybe not enough to win it but, hopefully enough for the knockers to lay off of him a bit.

You guys keep on forgetting what was so blantantly clear last series... this is not a dancing competition, I wish it was, but it isn't.

Or they need an angle like Ola and Chris and Ali and Brian have. There is nothing to milk with those two. They need to start sayign how much they love eachother or something, or crying whatever it takes to get votes.

I don't think the problem is with him its her. She is very cocky & looked so gleeful when the judges were voting for them - no modesty whatsoever.

I dont think so = Alesha was also in a dance off after being top of the leader board

This is unfortunately very sad to see, but I'm beginning to think that it's true - it's a dancing competition - aaarrgghh!!

Ricky is a good dancer, but my problem with him is his insercerity and not making eye contact with anyone, he just comes across as a bit shifty.

Maybe I have misjudged him, I will be open to debate.

She blatantly is the one who keeps him calm though. They balance well. I have feeling that he has a tendency to be negative and defeatest and she just has to be strong (which is what she's paid for so whatever). Ying and Yang.

Well Alesha was in the dance off ONCE, Ricky and Natalie have now been in twice...

The minute they were confirmed in the dance off the game was up IMO...

I think theyll be finalists but I think they havent a hope in hell!

Rickey and Natalie leave me COLD. I actually left the room to go to the kitchen while they were dancing.

I'd like to think you're right, Laura. Unfortunately if the general mood on the forum over these past weeks is anything to go by, Ricky's fate is already sealed. For whatever reason, he seems at present to be failing to engage enough of the voting public, even while he is clearly - when he is on form as he was tonight - a cut above anyone else in this series.

I really do think that Natalie is the problem. I dont like Ricky he just doesnt do it for me but Natalie just leaves me totally cold, I find her hard nosed and desperate to win, she is coming over really badly and has done right from the off when she wanted 10s in the first week.

I think they are right to be very worried, they just dont seem to have the public support and although I am sure the judges will make sure they are in the final I dont think they have a hope of lifting the glitterball.

Well you missed two fantastic dances that put the others to shame. Still I suppose it makes it easier to dislike someone if you don't actually see with your own eyes how good they are.

They might both be good dancers (although I think he's overrated, personally) but he's dull and she's too competitive to garner full public support. It's much easier to warm to Chris and Ali who seem to have the right balance of taking the show seriously without taking themselves too seriously.

And it will be her that has the hardest job this coming week. She has to keep him motivated when she must know that really their is little hope now. However she didn't even speak this week; just to Ricky.

I'm sorry for them both to be honest. They have the hardest job of all. With his full time job. Her alone in Liverpool. But they never complain. People may not like her but they do a good job.

Excuse me - I have watched them for weeks and they have done nothing for me. You like them. I don't. I won't be loosing any sleep over it.

I'm such a geek I didn't need too look it up. She was 2nd that night, Gethin topped the leaderboard.