Im absolutely SURE they knew who they're partners would be..... Strictly is not AS manufactured as Xfactor etc, but it is to an extent...

Dont believe they didnt know till the Weds show...

Not only did I notice that they all ended up with their right partners at the end of the dance, I'd anticipated that would happen and said so to my girlfriend before they'd even started to dance.

The show wasn't exactly live was it? If so some pro dancers got changed in 10 seconds flat! I know they're quick but not that quick! Highly likely that the dancers had a speedy run through of that final dance then went for a take. Would explain everything.

Am I right in thinking that all he would need to learn is 'thank you' in Polish and Russian to cover all bases?

I think the poster is right who said that the pros are the ones who in the break between filming re-arranged the ending - some of the celebs DID look a bit confused when they saw who they ended the dance with.

I think this happened too. All the celebs were in some order and the pros had to rush to get the right place coz I noticed Flav doing a quick run round and all the pros seemed to be scrambling to get into position at the end.

Flavia and Vincent's newsletter tonight suggests otherwise - the pros only guessed Paul and Ola and got all the other couplings wrong, so clearly they didn't know!

I'm willing to bet there was a considerable gap between filming the reveals and filming the celeb group dance though, so the pros could sort out the ending.

Wasn't live!!!!! I'm staggered, I really thought it was live until of course I found a post from someone at 00.34 ish Saturday morning to say who Anton had been blessed with.

Or, it may just have been one of those things that came up when they were doing all the training for the group dance. They did all appear to be mingling and chatting.

I noticed this too, i also saw Vincent hurrying to get in place.

Ola's reaction didnt look too convincing either lol

I thought when you compare it to her reaction backstage, her reveal reaction was entirely her having fun - she wasn't surprised but doesn't mind too much, she knew she'd get a dud, and her 'surprise' was more funny than anything else, I think it was intentional. Of course I'm sure she'd rather have had a winner, but she's as competitive as ever judging by the interviews and sounds like they'll be good fun

There's only two pros small enough to dance with Paul and that's Ola and Flavia and even Ola is a bit taller than him. I suspect he also learnt a bit of Italian as well in case he got Flavia!

I think alot more than the end was chaotic!... i caught a quick glimpse of Anton in the middle of the dance and his face was a picture!... he had a look of complete and utter as if he 'hadn't a clue what was happening' look on his face......

According to the Assistant Producer:

"The celebrities practiced one ending only to the routine; however the professional dancers rehearsed seven different endings - one for each potential celebrity. Just before the routine was performed, the choreographer was able to quickly remind the dancers which ending they had to dance - but as professionals they could adapt easily."

(Taken from the BBC site)

So I was close, but no cigar. I thought they would have rehearsed 7 different complete dances, not just 7 endings. It might have looked less messy at the end if they had.

With only two girls with foreign native tongues in the line up, I'd have thought it was easy to have a phrase in Polish or Russian to hand. Also, I'm sure someone such as Paul has worked in other countries than this one. He's probably picked up a smattering of several languages even if it's only "please" "thank you" etc etc..

Maybe it was just me but the way the couples were paired up did it make anyone else think of a swingers party? Or what i imagine a swingers party would be like lol lol with all the male or female dancers lined up, paired up with someone they dont know and then sent on their way up to the tower lol

*hides*

There are 5 girls who have foreign native tongues, so 4 languages - add Italian for Flavia and Lithuanian for Katya. Russian covers both Kristina and Aliona.

Although only Ola, Flavia and Kristina were ever likely partners for Paul due to height, and I think from the amount of times he was dancing with Ola in the group dance rehearsal footage it wasn't too hard to guess he would be getting her...

Does it matter?

Wash your mouth out. Of course it matters. It's just that because the thread title is a bit vague I've already forgotten what the one thing is. But yes, it matters a lot. Whatever it is.

Forums exist for debate, so yes, it matters. If it doesn't matter to you, there are other threads you can post on!

Does what matter ,? Your Post ? probably not .

Can I borrow your stapler?

Definitely no coincidence! It is possible - just - that the celebs didn't know who they were partnered with, but will bet that the pro dancers definitely knew, if only to give some of them time to rehearse their "ever so pleased" grins while churning with despair inside.....

Just realised, there's not one English girl among the pro dancers.