Just idle speculation and just for fun, but how do we think the competition might've turned out if the celebs and pros had been paired up differently?

I can't help but think that Zoe would've got further with Anton than with James, as Anton has his own fanbase and would've brought out a more fun side in her. She also seemed to have a good work ethic and would've put the hours in. I know that people will argue about Anton's Latin, but it's not as bad as some make out and Laila's lack of interest in that area hasn't exactly shown it to best advantage. Nor was Zoe's Latin mindblowing under James's tutelage.

Contesely, I think that Laila might have benefited from a stay at James's bootcamp. No way would he have let her get away with slacking so she might've fulfilled more of the potential that I'm still sure she has. And her fun side might have softened him and made him more popular, in the way that Chris has done for his wife.

Other than that, I think that Ricky could have been more popular with someone like Erin (I would say Karen or Camilla, too, but I wanted to keep it to current participants). Like Anton, Erin has her own fans who would like her to do well. She is a strict teacher, but with a fun side. She also knows how to choreograph dances that please the judges and the public. Nor would they have been able to hint at any fauxmance. For me, Ricky has suffered by having a newbie pro who didn't have an existing fanbase; doesn't seem to choreograph crowd pleasers; and doesn't seen to have the sort of personality that shows Ricky's to best advantage.

Ali would've been good with Ian for similar reasons. He would've counteracted her insipidness and added some more of the fun that we say in her Charleston. With Brian, they are both just a bit too wet for my taste. That said, Ian and Jade are my absolute favourite couple
of this series, so I wouldn't have wanted him partnered with anyone else.

What do you all think about how the pack could've been shuffled differently?

Firstly nice to see a "just for fun" thread - welcome relief!!!
I agree about Ian & Jade they were my top pairing and i think perfectly paired up. My other favourite was tuffers and although I liked him with Katya, I thought at the start he would have been a great partner for Flavia and would have probably gone that bit further. This would've been a double-plus for me as Flav is also one of my favourite pros.
I could also have seen Matthew with Zoe I think that partnership would have been that bit more popular with the public and they would have been probables for the final

Great idea for a thread........its so interesting to think of different partnerships.....as a Gethin fan I was at first upset that he wouldnt be dancing with Camilla on tour but he and Flavia were fabulous together.

I was sorry for Zoe I think a big reason she went out was being with James and now he seems to have gone up in peoples estimation but too late. I like James so I wouldnt want her with anyone else just working out differently.

I think Laila would have done better with James or Brendan they would have cracked the whip more.

I think one of the 'worst' partnerships this year was Rav and Aliona I dont know if it was because I didnt like him or didnt like her but they seemed an odd mix.

Aliona didn't to know what to do with Rav, he may have done better with Erin or Natalie.

I think Rav and Natalie would have been interesting.

I also think Ricky W may have done better with Erin although that's pure conjecture. However, there wouldn't have been so many of the "I couldn't vote for Ricky as I can't stand Natalie" comments.

I'd like to have seen Phil with Lilia. I think Katya did a great job with him and I rather like her addition to the team but I think Phil and Lilia would have suited one another. Lilia's very good at getting the best out of celebs with fair potential. We haven't seen what she can do in that direction for a while - I'd like to have watched what she could do with Phil. However, it may have been too much of a cheesy Darren Gough parallel.

'Pure conjecture' is kind of the point of the thread, tabitha .

I do think Laila would have done better with Brendan..but she might not have enjoyed the experience so much. I also think Ricky Whittle would have done better with Erin..with someone of his natural ability, she would have produced a couple of real show-stopping routines by now.

That would have been a good pairing as she's had burly guys before. In fact, she's been more successful at getting them to the final than the better male dancers she's been partnered with.

I thought Mathew should have got Ali and Brian should have got Martina.

As much as I love Ola I'd want chris to be with Lilia because she's my favourite and I think he might win

I know!

It was another way of saying - I really don't know why I think that, I have very little to back it up with. In effect, I'm just throwing it "out there".

Careful, this is a family thread.

With due respect to both of them, and especially Matthew, who is a nice guy, Ali and he would have been a dreadfully dull pairing.

I'm quite thick...I thought burly = muscular?

missfrankiecat - I did think that too with Matthew and Ali but I think he would have tailored the routines a bit better. I loved Brian last year and thought some comments were harsh about him, but I can definately see what they were saying now when they said he outdances his partner.

Martina doesn't mince her words so I thought her and Brian would have been a better match.


Richmond blue - I am quite thick....just got the reference!
Last edited by cymrugirl : 08-12-2009 at 16:02

Sorry, I was ambiguous. I meant 'there's nothing wrong with pure conjecture on this thread'. I think we've all got so used to having to walk on eggshells!

deleted - didn't read post properly oops!

Tabitha - I just realised after I posted and edited it.
Need to proof read my posts in future!

I agree, Iam not sure how much further he would have gone but I think a stronger personality like Natalie would have been able to coreograph (sp?) better routines to suit Rav than Aliona managed to do.

Not sure Natalie could have done anything with Rav.

But fairly certain Ricky W and Aliona would have been sensational!!

I would have loved Ola to have dance with Craig as I never thought Flavia tried hard enough with him

I think Ola would have got him to the semi finals at least

Would never want to split Chris and Ola up. Maybe Ricky W would have done better with Lilia, as she is more outgoing and fun and has an established set of fans being with the show so long, same applies with him being partnered with Kristina although her fan base would not be as large as Lilia's.

I don't think there was much there with craig for anyone to have a hope with. Maybe Karen Hardy might have got a little more out of him but in his little world he was brilliant

I agree, Chris and Ola are the perfect Partnership. I honestly believe Chris would not have done as well with any other partner other perhaps Karen.

Ola has been fantastic, she has great sense of humour, picks fabulous songs and crowd pleasing choreography, what more could you ask in partner.

Ricky is the opposite, he would have done better with anyone other than Nat.

Lool. Ola is great but she can't perform miracles.

Saint Ola of Strictly. She performed the Miracle on the Pier.