When I think back to the launch show and Brendan's face when he was partnered with Michelle (a cat with a big bowl of cream), he must be really disappointed with her gawkiness. He's very supportive of her (as he's been with all his sleb partners, to be fair) but in one way he's the least suitable partner for a woman with such a fragile ego, since he rather panders to it with his incessant carping about negative criticisms from the judges.

Rumour has it that Michelle is so unhappy with her reception here that she will walk away from Strictly, which, if true, explains why the judges were walking on eggshells when critiquing her woeful performance. Having said it was bad, I must stress that it doesn't begin to approach the level of awfulness that was Lisa's and Brendan's showdance...

I was wondering if that might be the case. She's not happy with the criticism and she's homesick. I'm not sure she'll be so uncontrolled as to lose it on live TV like some FMs have suggested but I can see her walking away from Strictly.

I think Brendan had already been punished enough! He had to dance with Michelle dressed as a turd! That was a full practical character assasination. no further criticism was necessary!

That's not going to do her reputation any favours if she does. Very poor form to throw a strop and flounce off just because you're not the best and can't accept anyone pointing that out.

this was the first week I had seen Michelle dance - given she looks fantastic in her photo stills was completely astonished. Wobbly and awkward and as someone said - given she was a singer- no feeling for the music. She seems so angry and defensive and imervious to her ineptness. Its as much a suprise as Martina Hingis last year - but at least Martina seemed like a nice person.I thought the judges really held back on an awful performance

Wardrobe have got a right sense of humour on them this year. If only the producers had shown a similar sense of the absurd by teaming Brendan up with Ann, what a show we could have had.

I keep thinking back to Brendan cutting back on her sugar intake and wonder if this has been the reason for her changing from the "Come to Mama" personality that we saw on the launch show.
After all she was taking 12 sugars per cup of coffee

I agree but I think that losing it on tv will do her reputation even less favours than walking off will. Withdrawing can be spun (homesickness, a diplomatic illness, unspecified personal reasons) while having a strop on live tv can't be spun quite so easily. It's a lot harder to spin something that's there on record for everyone to see exactly what happened.

Bumping missing post

In previous series, the judges have made constructive suggestions to have a celeb take a ballet class, or an acting class, to address certain issues. I think a ballet class might help here as well for her legs.

It's a shame Ian isn't still a main dancer, I adore Brendan but I feel with a celeb as delicate as Michelle somebody with Ian's gentle ways may have got a bit more from her. She is bad though, and the sulking, silences and folded arms on the TV will be as much of her downfall as her poor performances.

Actually, Arlene was the only judge to do that. I don't want Arlene back but I find the fact that none of the other judges have stepped up to take on that role has left a big hole. Last year, I didn't feel any of the celebs improved from start to end of the series precisely because of that. I could just imagine Arlene telling Natalie Cassidy to go to a ballet class to learn to point her toes and telling Chris Hollins to go to a ballet class to sort out his splayed hands and to a drama class for help with his facial expressions. We need a judge who will give that kind of practical advice. I know it can be said that the pros should know what's needed but they're so focused on trying to get the celebs through a new dance each week, they probably can't see beyond that.

Little bump 4 the thread. How unanimous can it be. Everyone on this thread reckognises the horrendous nature of her movements and I honestly would be surprised if, provided she wasn't voted off last night, she is capable of producing an acceptable routine in the next weeks.
The only reason I threw Brendan and Lisa's showdance from hellinto the mix is because the shocking horror of what was put in front of me last night (totally unexpected) brought back hilarious memories. Big difference to me though was that Lisa could dance very well, hence her being a finalist that year. Brendan just managed to tank any chance at the trophy by choreographing that....that....hm... dismay on display:yawn:

This year Brendan is at his wits' end because Michelle can't move gracefully (forget dancing) and has brought new meaning to the word stiff. He can't tap into his usual feisty defending mode, because he knows the judges are right in their critisism. If it is true that Michelle is holding the show and the beeb hostage by threatning to leave if the bad comments don't stop.....well then I say don't give in to the highly strung C-artist. Let her leave and let's get on with the people that do wanna enjoy themselves and don't worry about perception or getting their hands on the trophy.

This thread explains why the judges were so kind to Brendan and Michelle last night:
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s....php?t=1369904

Sorry to hear about Brendan's dad. Does explain his 'laissez faire' expression. Poor guy's mind was someplace totally different; unfortunately so was Michelle's during the dance for totally different reasons. Condolences to the Cole family ofcourse. Wonder what happened in the result show now. I mean as iffy as it may sound this could be a way for her to leave without that much poo-hah if Brendan chooses to attend his dad's last farewell

If Brendan goes back to NZ for his father's funeral and if Michelle doesn't use that as an excuse to withdraw, I can see her being paired with Ian next week, as she won't have a chance to rehearse with Brendan.

I thought Brendan was really involved in the show yesterday. When the other couples were getting their scores, he was in the background reacting. I noticed this particulary with Pamela and James.

Knowing this, I don't know how he did it. He's a professional alright Maybe he had to throw himself in there to stop thinking about the day.

He is on his way back to NZ now and Michelle will be partnered by Ian until Brendan returns, that is if she is still in the competition after next week:

A Strictly Come Dancing spokeswoman confirmed: ‘Brendan Cole's father has passed away and Brendan has gone back to New Zealand to be with his family.

‘Michelle Williams will continue on Strictly Come Dancing and will be partnered with Ian Waite for this weeks show until Brendan returns the following week. Our thoughts are with Brendan and his family.’


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...#ixzz12cVZLit0

I had a feeling Michelle might be paired with Ian this week. Thanks for that, Liz.

And I think that if anyone can turn around Michelle's attitude, Ian Waite can. But that itself could be an issue for the needy Michelle once Brendan returns.

Ian and Michelle? Interesting. Hopefully he can sort her out.

Michelle had shown signs of improvement last week, but they will have both been affected by the sad news yesterday - they get on well. Apart from the producers, and it appears the judges, Michelle was the only one who knew about Brendan's father. She isn't a good dancer, but not quite as bad as she was last night. So, even if she does better next week, it isn't only down to Ian, but also to the work Brendan invested in her .

(((Brendan))) Will be an interesting show seeing how Ian works with Michelle especially given the Tango disaster he had last year with Jade.

I doubt Ian will try the level of choreography with Michelle that he planned with Jade. Not only is Michelle not at Jade's standard at this time but didn't Jade's tango come later in the series, when she had more dancing experience?

Nah didnt like it one bit, the girl cannot dance for her life. Hopefully she will be out soon