I wonder if this years tweets from judges, contestants and professionals seem to be having undue influence on the voting.

I'm neither a tweeter nor a twitterer, but I'm reliably informed that both Jason and Phillip have used this vehicle to criticise Sharron and tonight Mel begged for votes on the grounds that Mikey just wasn't up to the physical challenge of skating again.

Almost as bad as Colleen's daily begging bowl on Loose Women last year.

Mikey, nor Mel, needed to beg on Twitter for votes. They were going through with or without Twitter.

I think the majority of people who would read Mel`s twitter during the break would be big fans that voted for them anyway.

I don't really see a problem with it. Most of the contestants use twitter to communicate with their fans, which I think is a nice thing to do.

Pretty much all of them ask their fans to vote for them, so its not like there's some big unfair advantage to one person. Colleen was different because she was using a huge platform not available to the others.

The only time I thought things were unfair was when Jason used his twitter account to slate Sharron while voting was underway. But then Jason is a bit of a [insert word here]...

Everyone has the right to tweet. Whether they use it or not is their own choice.

I agree, it is a nice thing.

I got a reply from @Gary_Lucy a while ago He just tweeted to say "Hey hey! Hope you're well! XX" because he knows I'm a fan. Just a little bit

You'd probs vote for the people you follow or like anyway so I dont think it has that much influence. They've been on facebook the past few years as well and that didnt seem to affect things, no more so than someone having a injury anyway, people knew Mikey had it so they're going to vote.

I don't dispute that - but does anyone think it unduly influential.

Mobilising the fans to vote is one thing - but trotting out injury to garner the sympathy vote smacks a little of manipulation.

But they do that on the show anyway, so anyone who is going to vote will be voting...

Do you honestly think if Mel hadn't tweeted (considering the amount of viewers that wouldn't even go on Twitter) Mikey wouldn't have gotten through?

ITV seemed to be doing a good job of that without Mel`s twitter

Not all of them do so - but perhaps I should hold up the white flag - guess I've attracted the Mikey fans.

And not just for Mikey!

We had about 10 minutes on Keiron's burst lip.

No lol Im not a Mikey Fan, you can't just dismiss an argument like that. It doesnt matter to me who it is, if you like them you'll vote anyway (I never vote regardless)... I'm just saying that if you are checking Mels twitter during the interval you are a fan and are therefore going to be voting anyway. You would also already know that Mikey is injured at that point as well. So I dont think it makes any difference whatsoever...

Wrong. I like Mikey but Gary is my favourite.

I just think you're wrong.

It wouldn't be the first time.

Daniella is my favourite

^^^^^^^^
This seems about right.

Then you're both happy bunnies tonight.

Mikey was weak but survived - Daniella underperformed but survived.

I happen to think Mikey is the weakest skater left in the competition - but that doesn't take into account his personality (which is charming) and his fanbase (which is extensive) - strong assets to bring to the table.

Mikey will make the final I think. He reminds me alot of Kyran (though not as consistent a skater) and of Donal.

I know.

You like talent, I've gathered. I'm more of a personality girl (though a certain amount of capability is needed, but not much).

On that basis, we'll probably never agree

Agree with this. Thought it was very unprofessional of jason to do that last week.

Mel has less than 3,000 followers so I expect it made hardly any difference.