I don't think you can judge Anton's Latin based on last night, as he was clearly 'marking time' waiting for Laila to sort herself out so that they could pick up the routine again. At least, that's how I saw it.

I don't think that his Latin is anywhere near as bad as received wisdom on here would have you believe. His ballroom is certainly sublime at times, especially when dancing with Erin. In last night's pro dance, some of the other couples looked quite ragged, but E&A were beautiful to watch.

I hear my name being taken in vain! If he'd won with Laila (scaled to take into account the differing numbers of celebs in each series), his finishing average would be better than Matthew's. As it stands it's close, but slightly below it.

Scaled average finishing position (after this year's competiton) will be :

1. Natalie Lowe
2. Brian Fortuna
3. Erin Boag
4. Vincent Simone
5. Brendan Cole
(Ola if she wins)
6. Ian Waite
(Ola if she's 2nd or 3rd)
7. Lilia Kopylova
8. Darren Bennett
9. Katya Virshilas
10. Matthew Cutler
11. Anton Du Beke
12. Kristina Rihanoff
13. Flavia Cacace
14. James Jordan
15. Aliona Vilani

I have to say I certainly don't think Laila would have made it this far with someone else. I think, as much as she struggled with the Latin, she also often struggled with the Ballroom, but people gave her the benefit of the doubt simply because she was paired with the "Ballroom King".

How much of all of this was due to Anton, and how much to do with Laila is of course up for debate.

Here's one just for fun. I wonder how much further Zoe might have got this year if she'd been paired with the popular Mr du Beke rather than the heretofore unpopular Mr Jordan?

Mea culpa, Monkseal - I was quoting your answer to Mini on last week's blog.

I think there's a strong possiblity Zoe could have won, or at least finished a popular second to Chris & Ola if she'd been with Anton. Her storyline ("I need support and nurturing") fits naturally with his "I make awkward (because of age or shitness) ladies feel good about themselves" box.

Except she'd be young, and be able to dance, and there'd be no "race scandal", and all the people who've been waiting for Anton to do well could pour their hearts into their phone at will.


I said his position was "on a par with Matthew's" I think, which it is. Certainly not better, although as Matthew's got the lowest average partner age of all the pros (save the newbies), and Anton has the second highest (after Kristina), you hardly expect it to be.

How well Anton or indeed any of the pros do in a series is not just associated with their dancing, anton cannot dance Latin it is not a myth but fact - he didnt compete as a junior and only learnt Ballroom competively. This aside the years have marched on he is well over 40 and his ballroom is even showing that and it is time to hang those dance shoes up (in this show sense)

I've said many times before the longest serving male and female pro should leave at the end of each series and allow other pros the chance of being on SCD.

Anton, Erin and Brendan then?

tbh I wouldn't like that at all, because I do like Brendan and even worse, Darren, Lilia and Ian would be for the chop next year.

I don't care how long it takes I want Ian to be in it to win it, until he and his partner finally lift that glitter ball.

Is he interested any more in the hard work?

Yes, those three have more then there fair share of time on SCD. I'm sure there are excellent pros in the UK who would love the opportunity of appearing on SCD.

I couldn't help but feel that Len's "they have the will to win but not the skill to win" comment in the judges' VT before Laila & Anton's Salsa was a pretty damning condemnation of Anton's Latin. I know that Erin and Natalie are both ballroom specialists as well but I tend to feel that they make more of an effort with their Latin than Anton does: he really doesn't seem to like it, does it?

I would agree but they seem to be replacing them with crap. Katya was great with Phil and I'd like to see her back but even I can see her below standard in the pro dances. Aliona just needs to go now, if she needs a mode of transport my foot will work fine. Natalie, insincere, overcompetitive, rubbish at latin and frankly if I was Ricky Whittle I'd hate her, he have been a shoe in with another pro (Erin springs to mind). Kristina, get your bleach blonde trampy arse back where it came.

Onto the men, if its time for Anton to go then bye, bye Brendan. He either needs to get a no-hoper if he gets someone with a cats in hells chance he's going to throw a tantrum and ruin it. Matthew is 35+ which seems to be the cut off point (sorry is that just for women). Even if it means losing Ola James Jordan has to go he is the kiss of death for a female celeb, I think Jill Halfpenny would've left early paired with him.

Thank you to whoever started this thread I feel like a whole new woman now!

I don't think Anton is that bad at latin. His choreography may be basic but surely that is a benefit to an dancing novice?

The only time I do cover my eyes is when he jives but that's only one dance and his ballroom more than makes up for it.

Most of the pros produce rubbish salsas so he's not the only one.

Yes, oh yes. Someone else has noticed!

Is Anton being groomed to take the mantle over from the sainted Bruce

I think there's Brian and the female pros tend to do well (Top five scores are all male celebs).

Does help much this series that I've start watching with my Mum who danced in her younger days and even now you can see is a natural dancer, so she notices every little mistake.

I think the reason the top five scores are male celebs are less to do with the dancing and more to do with the hip action/shoulder shimmies/see through shirts.

Further.

Works for me. Though wouldn't have thought it would work a 10 out of Len!

Nope.

He doesn't have the experience imho to manage a live tv show.

And after his recent gaffes it will be interesting to see what further gigs he's offered...

Logan's Run meets Strictly Come Dancing?

Could be a ratings' winner!

I prefer the pro's who have been there longer so I wouldn't like any of them to really leave
Anton's latin is weaker but I love his ballroom and I would miss him if he were not on SCD anymore.
I'm determined to see Ian/Erin win a series so I'd be gutted if they left now.

Then you should address your concerns to the Producers - they are the ones who control who is engaged.

In general, there has always been a turnover of pros. No Hayley Holt this year, etc etc. There has already been several threads on this

JJ

Anton's latin is not great certainly not on par with the other professional dancers BUT I think Laila ruined it for them last night. She went wrong as soon as they came to the floor. How can that be blamed on Anton? I actually felt sorry for him. I think Laila had a mental block when it came to latin. I do not think she liked it and I think she much preferred ballroom. I don't think she could do faster latin routines. I believe she would have been no different with any other professional.

To answer the question should he come back, I think he should. Hopefully he'll have a partner who is comitted to both latin and ballroom it may then bring out the best in him.