I'm sure it's been mentioned before but Matt Baker is


Surely this is going to give him a huge advantage over the other celebs? I know ballroom dancing isn't gymnastics, but even so, he's got natural ability to move his body in a graceful way. He must have some advantage.

Michelle is a trained Dancer is this fair? oh and Gymnastics does not help with Dancing at all I can't belive this has started already

Oh for Goodness' sake. Everyone has to learn the specific moves, I could be a former French A* student, but I wouldn't necessarily know how to most advantageously conduct myself in France.

Anyone trained in dance or stuff that seems similar-ish shouldn't be on the show. Matt Baker did a somersault as he leapt onto the stage! This guy has a big advantage. For that reason I hope he doesn't win!

I Knew it !!! I knew there had to be something that made him dance like a professional tonight. My jaw dropped! That WAS NOT the standard of a novice. I've never even heard of him, no youngsters at home to watch blue peter, but I'm IMPRESSED.

imo the somersault actually detracted from his overall performance.

I'm sure he has more to offer than the odd somersault, cartwheel or handstand.

Len hates all that type of stuff so time to move on from this argument....

... next it will be Felicity has had years of wearing sequins and fancy dresses and make up how unfair is that?!

He's also a ballroom champion. He's the 2008 Iranian ballroom champion. He doesn't like to mention this cos he doesn't want to brag.

But I know, Matt! You've been found out!!!!!!

Being a gymnast doesn't give him any advantage apart perhaps from physical fitness. It is a very different skill.

Fair?

Anne Widdecombe once shuffled awkwarldly side to side at a school disco. Is this fair? It certainly shows she has had previous dance training. "Its a fix I tells ya"!

Sorry for being flip, but being a gymnast doesn't necessarily mean he's going to have great rhythm - although he does seem to. Actually I'm not sure what my point is [wanders off trying to remember why she came into this thread].

Is that true?

and no that is nonsense

It's not the bloody Olympics! It's just a bit of fun.

Who cares if anyone's had previous experience in gymnastics or dancing or synchronised swimming?

But what if they visited Blackpool once as a child Surely that would give them an unfair advantage?

No, the Iranian ballroom champion comment was a joke.

Hee hee.

It's perfectly fair if the audience know about it and can adjust their expectations accordingly. To be honest, it's the fact that he was a professional disco dancer that colours my opinion more than the gymnastics stuff (even more so if he were being choreographed by Anton!)

Disco champion?

Man, Paul Daniels has got no chance now!!

Oh he's a cheat too (mock indignation)

"In 2000, McGee and Daniels set up Ballet Imaginaire to produce ballet shows and tour them around the country.[5] Ticket sales were reportedly poor, despite preparations being recorded by Louis Theroux and broadcast on television."

See it is a fix. I can just see him in a tu-tu.

Nor Goldie!

Seriously who cares?! :yawn: Can't we just all enjoy it- at the end of the day the viewers votes will knock out some of the good dancers in the end anyway so Blackpool Finishing School Dancers may not make any difference anyway!

And he's a BBC employee!!!!

And a BBC presenter!!!!

And he's got a Blue Peter badge!!!!

This is bias of the worst kind. What's the email for the show? I'm emailing them a complaint!!!!!!

Are you kidding? Seriously? or just being a bit naughtly?

Sorry, I've been had; just noticed your subsequent post He did look professional however, so you can blame me for taking you seriously

When he was in Only Fools on Horses he was one of the few who was an accomplished rider. He still went out half way through.

Previous entrants of Strictly were athletes and had an advantage over others & yet they've never managed to win - although a couple have made the final.
Don't forget Gaby Logan was also a gymnast & she went out VERY early on.

No, it's all true. What's worse is that he uses the livestock on Countryfile to practice his routines with!!!

Well by the same token Kara Tointon should be barred from taking part as she already danced for Sport Relief a couple of years ago.

I don't care if they have some basic knowledge of dancing, it's the taking part that counts.

Hasn't every series had someone who you could say has an advantage? It might be unfair to some, but it all adds to the mix and i don't see a problem ( as long as they are not ballroom champs in Iran of course )