I'm confused. Matt was in the dance off with Gethin, he wasn't saved. And due to the stupid rules and maths equations, Gethin could've quite easily (and probably did) topped the public vote and still ended up in the dance off.

Oh. I was sure that was the one where he got voted through. In which case I'm wrong again.

I think you're thinking of the previous week (the QFs) where Matt and Flavia got voted through after he forgot the end of their routine and ended up sitting on the steps, thus pushing Alesha and Matt into the dance off.

I checked on Wiki, and I was. again.

I think there's still hope for Jimi. He's a natural mover and performer. His technique just needs ironing out.

And I'm convinced Gavin will do a Gethin!

I hope I'm right anyway, because apart from Scott none of the top four mentioned in the OP are doing it for me at the moment.

I knew we'd end up disagreeing eventually Sid - Scott's my least fave of the top four. All's right with the world again

No criticism of you for saying it, don't get me wrong, I admire your knowledge of the show so much, but reading that fact really depresses me and puts me off the show. Probably a kneejerk overreaction, but what is the point if it's just a competition for people who could dance when they started? I don't mind sometimes people winning who are good from the beginning, I'm not set against them on principle, but the people who are learning should have an even chance as well.

Normality restored LL

Right, I have done my Wiki research this time and I don't think that under-30 scores debar you from the final stages of the competition, even if nobody's ever won from that position.

James and Camilla, Gethin and Camilla, Christine and Matthew, Jodie and Ian, Natalie and Vincent...all examples of couples who've reached the last few without an over-30 score in the initial stages.

Plus Darren Gough and Chris Hollins tooks ages to get another score over 30, even though they scraped just that score in the first weeks. It turned into a big thing for Chris IIRC.

A journey is not over in the first two weeks - which I think was my original objection to this thread anyway

What about Matt Dawson?

Did he manage to score over 30 during his first two appearances?

Kara seems to be Judges favourite so I can see her falling out the competition as she gets over mared by the judges and the public hate that

Agree on the first one but I can't see the second one happening although I do think he'll do a good tango on Saturday.

I hope you are right too........but Gethin could always do the steps (Camilla said that she was proud of him that in all his dances he never ever put a foot wrong) it was always the performance he had to work on, I am not sure that Gavin can actually do the steps aswell as the performance but I live in hope.......he did dance a good waltz so I am hoping the Tango will be his dance.

I'm not a big fan of Kara & Artem's but I don't think they're being favoured. If anything, I thought the judge's marks for their Quickstep were a bit reserved.

Ditto.

Matt Dawsons scores were as follows

19
30
28
25
34
37
28
34 + 27
29 + 32
35 + 30
38 + 31

Suprisingly low scores actually all the way through and Marks were not that much better until we got to the very final couple of weeks.

Thanks Jan x

And I've just realised that Jimi managed a 30 for his Foxtrot so it's all still to play for!

Actually, using the Gospel According to Monkseal, who else does that rule in apart from the four in the OP? Is it just Jimi?

...

...

yeah it is

I would say the winner will most likely be Scott or Matt. I wouldn't completely rule out Jimi just yet. I would rule out Gavin, though.

Maybe the winner will be Anne Widdicombe. Don't forget, do dance off this year.

**runs out before she gets slaughtered for suggesting it**

I think the top 4 are the most likely winners but it's too early to rule anyone out - Jimi may be the most likely & hr seems to be popular too.

No, I agree with you..perhaps adding Jimi as an outsider. Those four are also the favourites with the bookies, with odds between 5/2 (for Matt) and 11/2 (for Pamela).
Jimi comes in at 10/1, then there's a big gap to Tina and Gavin (both avaiable at 33/1)
From past years, it seems the generally accepted wisdom that a female celebrity has got to be VERY good to win the public vote. Therefore, I think the winner is likely to be either Matt or Scott. This year both male frontrunners have the "likeability" factor. Scott has probably been the biggest surprise, not just because of his talent..he also comes across as a decent guy with a great sense of humour.
The winner ?..too close to call at present.

Those four seem like the strongest. But I think your forgeting the person the media talk about most -ann! And remember it is the public votes. So I reckon she may be there till the semi-final!

And vice-versa a 30+ score early on isn't a guarantee. Gabby Logan managed it. Don Warrington did. Peter Schmiechal did. No guarantee, and after all something only "always happens" til it doesn't, but it's just how it's gone so far.

Kara is doomed to be the "Judges Per" however she scores. She's the only pretty young woman amongst the front ranks, they're always the Judges Pet. The only way to avoid it is to be surrounded by other talented young women with less appealing personalities so they get it in the neck first : Natasha had Claire, Jill had Denise and Sarah, Alesha had Gabby, Kelly, and Penny. Lone girls like Zoe and Kara are doomed. (Personally I'd say judges favourite was clearly Pamela, but we'll see how her scores move forwards).

I agree, he needs to up it right now. He needs to pull it out the bag tomorrow.

I think Kara, is more likeable than most girls who have done Strictly and I suspect she may end up winning.