Completely agree with this; in fact I couldn't have put it better

Having watched her aussie series' I can say she'd have no trouble with a Craig or Joe. She has got worse to the final before and Ricky was by far the best contestant she's ever had.

I was one of those most vocal in my dislike of her attitude last year up till the week she danced that fabulous Foxtrot with Ian to 'You Don't Send Me Flowers'.
I suddenly realised that she has a real passion for dancing and is a perfectionist who can't bear to see her passion mishandled.
The expressive way she danced gave me goosebumps and I warmed to her after that.

She was also one of the new girls and as such she would have wanted to make her mark knowing the affection most of us have for the likes of Lilia and Flavia - and not end up being another Hayley.

I still didn't want her and Ricky to win as a couple, but I am hoping that she and Scott can pull out all the stops this year.
(Absolutely nothing to do with the crush I have for Scott btw )

One of the few things I liked about series 3 was that of the (obvious and inevitable since two weeks in) Final Three, every single pair thought they deserved to win, and weren't particularly shy about showing it from the beginning. Both sides, pro and celeb. As nice as it to see people learn and grow, it was nice to see people battle it out, rather than kind of drift into the win/towards the end as has become more commonplace.

Darren I think is actually the one of those who hasn't lost their edge completely. I found him a bit much when he was with Emma, but I liked when he made his stand over Lynda being voted out over Craig. Such a futile gesture in the grand scheme of things (she would have lasted what, two more weeks at most?) but at least it showed he cared, when I think someone like Erin would now just throw her hands up. It's why I had hoped for Katya when she was clearly on the verge of throwing a MAHOOSIVE wobbly when Phil was cut, but she just kind of remained oblique about it, albeit obviously p'o'd.

I totally agree, she and Ian were a great couple, and I can't see it working with Brendan. They should have ditched Brendan and kept Ian, he is a much better dancer.

I grew to really like and admire Natalie last year.

Watching all the training footage, and all the handy tips she gave Ricky, she struck me as a very good teacher. And her record on Strictly (both the Australian and UK versions) is excellent.

I feel a bit sorry for her. Once again she has a soap star that will probably have quite a hectic work schedule that she will have to work around. Time is precious.

At least her celeb is working in London this time.....if she doesnt get ITT time again though it will be wrong. I have no idea what the true story behind Ricky and Hollyoaks and the BBC was but whatever it was it was a huge mistake that should not be repeated.

I personally dont understand what's wrong with being competetive. The most successful people in the world in whatever field they are didnt get there by having a "its the taking part that counts" mentality.

Hollyoaks probably thought that Strictly worked the same way as DOI where they basically give the actor the weekend off to do the rehearsals on the Saturdays & perform on the Sundays and then it is up to the actor when and how long they train. With DOI they start training before the show starts though I think it is 3 months but not 100% sure.

Ricky was leaving and therefore had a massive storyline coming up so it seems that they could only train around his very long hours & by the final he looked exhausted.

At least with Scott working in Eastenders so with them being in London they should be able to do ITT.

Wow, amazing how judgemental people (e.g. the OP) can be about someone they've never actually met. I'm with katie_p there, it makes my feminist hackles rise a little when it's deemed not OK for women to be competive, and when they are expected to take the role of being downtrodden by simpering and whining, which most people also loath. We can't win!

I have met Natalie a couple of times and she's delightful! She's also struck up a great partnership and friendship with Ian and I'm gutted they are not dancing together this series.

OP, are you just looking for things to have a dig at? I could give you a few far more worthy suggestions...

I too have met her a couple of times and from not particularly liking her partnership with Ricky (I thought he was very arrogant) I completely changed my opinion once she started dancing with Ian - that was a magical partnership to be sure!

Maybe she's doing that good old Aussie pastime of trying to freak out the opposition before the competition even starts lol. I can well see that some of the celebs might be quaking in their dance shoes already and to have Natalie say that Scott is very good and she's hoping to win this time could well make them feel there's not much point in trying too hard!! The more of the opposition you can wipe out early, the better really. I think it's quite funny!!

Not to be taken too seriously OP. Brendan has already said he hopes to win with Michelle - are you going to have a go at him as well?

You mean when he said that "they (the pro dancers on the show) were the Robbie Williams' of the danceworld" ??

Even though it was true, it was certainly a mis-judged comment on his part, and he paid dearly for it by being knocked out that week, which was a pity, because he and Clare Sweeney were very good - far better than Brendan & Natasha - and should have been easy winners.

On John's behalf, I need to point out that dancers (until they get used to being on scd) are not used to being interviewed by the media, and faced with a tv camera and microphone shoved into their face, sense can take a back seat, and they say the first thing that springs to mind.

There's been a few choice remarks made by other pros since [eg Anton's remark to Layla], but because they are now well known, they've been able to get away with it.

I think that any pro dancer who was not competitive and didn't want to get the best out of their celeb dance partner would be doing their partner a disservice. Hopefully all the pros are competitive. As I said, I though Natalie did a great job with Ricky and have no problem with her openly stating that she wanted to win. She was being honest.

Re: John Byrnes. Maybe his competitiveness was not such a bad thing since although Australian born, he had a successful career representing England and now coaches/supports other dancers in doing the same..

Sod the public - she's fabulous!

Well said Silverbird! We know what it's all about. Women should 'know their place' and not ever hold their head up and admit they have even the teeniest competitive streak. It's all a load of old fashioned, insecure chauvinist rubbish, and we know what's behind it.

She's a fantastic dancer and a strong focused woman. Those who feel threatened by that you should get over themselves. It's 2010 for heaven's sake!

I didn't like her much at all last year from her first interview where she talked about the 10 and expecting to win. It put me right off her. However, I grudgingly came to admire her. This year, I'm much more open to her. I hope she and Scott do well although I'm not sure if they'll turn out to be my favourites yet.

I agree with everyone who says that her dancing with Ian W. was so terrific. It's a shame it won't be repeated this year.

Yes, it wasn't about Natalie being competitive per se (there's nothing wrong with that) but she came across as a bit single-minded to begin with.

She mellowed as the series progressed though and became more likable as a result.

It's about finding a balance.

Natalie is a great addition to SCD, fabulous dancer and teacher.
I took a dislike to Scott in the intro programme but judging by their training clip he seems ok with the right attitude to training. I hope they go far.

Yes I felt Scott came across a bit robotic in the intro programme.....but we will see.....I hope for Natalies sake he shows some personality both off and on the floor.

Well said Silverbird and sofakat! I totally agree with you.

Natalie is a fabulous dancer and a great teacher!

What's wrong with wanting to win?

There's no point in taking part if you don't want to win!

"Applause" SB and sofakat "Applause"

Couldn't agree more!

When has it ever been a crime to be competitive, whoever you are?

I too didn't take to Natalie last series as I was not a fan of Ricky's. However, after meeting her several times (as Mystical says), she fully admits to being competitive and only wants to give the best performance she can do whoever she dances with, pro or celeb.

She is absolutely adorable and this comes across in her dancing, especially with Ian. Will miss them on the show this year!

To be honest, i just found her to be a bit vapid, for me there was just a bit of nothingness to her. She was obviously a great dancer, but nothing about her grabbed me.

However, I'm not entirely sure this was her fault, I didn't really take to Katya or Aliona either (who really suffered from being out so early).

Maybe its just something about being a newbie, although Brian and Kristina made a big impact pretty quickly ( and I liked Jared instantly for absolutely no logical reason)

I'm hoping that this year more of the three new (ish) girls personalities come across. I'm thinking that maybe, changing three dancers in any one series (especially if they are all same sex) leaves it really hard to form much of an affinity with them as you're trying to suss out too many people at once, and it becomes easier to focus on the old favourites..

It was only really last year that Ola (for me) became a firm favourite, so obviously the partnership element is a huge factor in how they come across...

We shall wait and see!
Last edited by BruciesToupe : 21-09-2010 at 21:46

I don't mind Natalie being competitive - all the pros and most of the competitors are.

I think that the looks of the dancers influence the viewing public. It shouldn't happen but it does. All the men seem to love Ola, for example. And Natalie who was stunning on the Strictly Tour is rather less attractive on the TV screen.

Natalie showed yet again last night clever choreography that showcases her partner, great music choice, fantastic dancing and teaching skills.

Although Jimi is my favourite and I love Patsy I wouldn't mind seeing the Aussie beauty triumph.

hear hear ignazio - nice to read some nice comments on Natalie lately. She is a fantastic dancer and an amazing teacher.

I to like other partnerships as well this year.