Is it just me who can't see past Scott Maslen winning?

I can't see anyone in Strictly this year with as big a fanbase as he has. He wins Sexiest Male and Best Actor at any Soap Awards whenever the public can vote. And I'm pretty sure his fans will be voting for him en masse every weekend during Strictly. He's also got that Cheeky Chappie thing going on and he probably won't come across as having zero personality.

Coupled with the fact that his waltz was quite strong for a first dance, anyone else thinking it's a foregone conclusion already?

Well yes.

Widders has it sewn up already.

Oh hold on:

Who?

No, I don't think it's a foregone conclusion. I think some of the others either already have or are building up good fan bases as well. I'm not going to start predicting winners until all the contestants have done both a Latin and a ballroom dance and until we see how much the public vote affects the leaderboard next week.

nope - see various other threads where people can't see past matt or kara winning. Last year, Hollins was the bookies favourite to go out in the first week and loads of people on here had no idea who he was, but they still voted for him.

My own personal view is I don't watch soaps so didn't know who he was and I didn't get any cheeky chappie vibes form him not that that would make a difference. His personality or dancing didn't grab me by the throat but that's not to say that in the coming weeks that they won't as everyone is nervous first week. After the first week, it really is impossible to tell.

Nope not at all - anyone could win! my money is on Ann

I may be alone in this, but it astounds me how anyone can possibly claim it's a foregone conclusion after seeing one dance!!

For one, we've only seen them dance one genre - Scott could be rubbish at Latin for all we know at the minute! And I personally didn't rate his ballroom that much either, so I certainly wouldn't say he's a cert to win. At this stage I'd guess he'll make quarter or semi-finals if he can do Latin, but I don't see him as a finalist. I didn't have a clue who he was before the show and to be honest don't find him that attractive either!

As someone else has already pointed out, Chris was favourite to be eliminated first last year, and it wasn't a foregone conclusion that he would win until the semi-final. It was clear long before that that he and Ola had incredible public support, but that doesn't guarantee a win as the likes of Chris Parker and Julian Clary have proven.

My predictions for finalists (I won't predict the winner because I can't see a cert at the minute) as it stands are Matt, Jimi and either Kara or Pamela, with Scott possibly in 5th place, but that may change depending on their proficiency in the second genre. I changed my list completely after the weekend's shows, so may do so again this Sunday!

I think it's too early to say it's a foregone conclusion, but I do think he is a contender, for the very reasons that you state here.

It was very annoying to see much better actors miss out on a Soap Award because of Scott's fanbase (the guy totally messed up in the Live episode for heavens sake!), but I hope it's not too much of a factor during Strictly.

What's so exciting about this series is that there are lots of potential contenders. Matt and Kara are the early favourites but the likes of Jimi, Scott, Michelle and Tina will improve in time and catch up with the frontrunners I'm sure.

Given that Scott has a lot of fans from Eastenders & from his waltz he is likely to be good at the Ballroom dances at least, means he will do well & will probably be there in the latter stages.

However, doing well is not the same as him being a dead cert to win. We don't know what his Latin will be like yet. Also, I think pre existing fanbases can only get you so far on these shows - as the show goes on 1 or 2 couples will emerge who are big favourites with the public and as people have pointed out with Chris Hollins that's not necessarily those who were very popular beforehand.

Don't forget Pamela! If her Latin is as good as her ballroom then she could also be a contender.

To be honest, I barely noticed what Scott was doing in the waltz, I just felt bombarded by Natalie's flamboyant choreography and her hair being flung all over the place, so I really don't know whether he was any good or not.

Yes, I'd add Pamela to that list if she performs a half decent Salsa. Fingers crossed!


Same here Red.

Natalie was too much of a distraction. I could understand it if she was partnered with a dud, but she should be showing Scott off as much as possible. He was like a pole that she was dancing around.

Not everyone is into soaps. I never watch them.

I had the same problem and to be fair, he looked a wee bit stiff, so I wasn't thinking that he was winning material.


I don't, so I will judge him on his dancing and partly his personality on the show.

Scott's biggest problem IMHO is Natalie. People really didn't like her last year. She is so hard to warm to.

Although people who saw Natalie on tour really liked her.

I wonder if it was her partnership with Ricky that put people off her? There was perhaps something lacking in that pairing (chemistry, personality - I'm not sure exactly what) so she might be more popular with Scott.

Possibly... we will have to wait and see.

I spat tea all over my telly when that happened and then he did it again!

Is it wrong to hope for another live tv memory fail during his next dance?

Not wrong rossyrahrah, just honest with your thoughts. I have the odd image pop in from the dark side too

I can't take to Scott Maslen. I went right off him the moment he met Natalie for the first time. He was like a kid who'd won a giant teddy from the funfair and was eyeing it up and down with such ardour and eagerness I was creeped out!

I don't think he'll even make it to the semis.
Bigger (and better) slebs than him in there.

I thought that too, but after meeting her at the tour and a cabaret I really changed my mind. She's actually quite shy, and she just wants to get the very best out of her celebrity so the public get a great show.


I think you're on to something there, I definitely thought there was chemistry lacking, and I didn't warm to Ricky at all. Plus he was always too busy for them to get any time on ITT, so he suffered in that respect too as it was harder for his personality to come across.

I'd put money on Baker and Tointon. In fact, I have.

anyone remeber series one and the Chris Parker fan base effect?

I would not say it was a forgone conclusion as we have only seen them all do one dance. However I do agree how popular Scott is I think this is the third or fourth year he has been voted sexiest male at the awards. I thought him and natalie look good together and loved their waltz also natalie is a great teacher so I do think he will go a long way with his fanbase.

No neither do i, i have no idea who he is!, and as for sexiest male!....... not in my book he isn't!......

Not a foregone conclusion for me. I thought his and Natalie's waltz a bit too " different " to be honest, and as I'd never heard of him before Strictly I've not really warmed to him. I think the three guys to watch are Gavin, Jimi and Matt. I think there's going to be a bit of friendly rivalry going on there !