IMO they are obviously rehearsed. Re; the Dumbo 'joke' - she was clearly trying to get it in, but Bruce spoke over her, went on to the Red Arrows comment and she missed the moment: but Ann is nothing if not dogged and was determined to get the self deprecating 'elephants fly' comment across and in doing so exposed a lack of spontaneous wit.

The lady is no JS.

It does annoy me when the contestants and/or professionals reply back to the judges or just keep nodding when they are being told where they can improve. There are some occasions when it is appropriate but usually you just want to hear the judges comments and get on with the show!

My thoughts exactly. She was forcing it in and it was not relevant. It came out of the blue.

Ann had so obviously pre-prepared her comebacks. The exchange with the judges was very contived. As a former politician, I expect her to think on the spot!

I hoped to enjoy Ann in the same way I did Kate Garraway and John Sergeant. But the spontaneity is lacking with her. It's all too forced for my liking.

Like so much else this year, fake, forced, gimmicky and over-done.

I liked Kate Garraway. She was rubbish but she danced proper routines rubbishly at least.

I gave Kate my own private standing ovation after her Foxtrot!

Is that a euphemism Sid you rascal?

It's called self preservation. Either you get in first or you get hurt.

But she didn't get in soon enough - timing is everything.

I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the show was scripted.

You could owe me a new keyboard.

I love Ann, she even has Anton lost for words.

I get the impression though that she would secretly really like to be able to dance

No, that's your filthy mind!!!

yeah yeah

*juvenile snigger*

I agree that her "jokes" are prepared, I do think she's a slightly better dancer than JS.

You can't mean that.

maybe she really does find it hard to stand in front of Craig and the others, knowing what's coming ? I'm not defending her... just thinking that it must be hard to take some of their words whoever you are... no-one is perfect or immune to criticism, even if they give that impression.

People are waiting for her comebacks to the judges and she knows it, of course she is going to pre-plan a few one liners in advance. It's a live show, lol.

I agree it felt forced, and the timing was off, but she's not a comedian and she is not giving a stand up performance, lol. Her comedy timing skills were on a par with Bruce last night. But if you were in her situation, would you not prepare a little something? Lol.

Ann is trying hard and training hard, so much so she is falling asleep on the train home at night. I have a feeling she is going to put in a good dance performance this week.

Bruce talks over EVERYBODY - he has to get his dreadful jokes in.

I thought the Dumbo joke was quite good and a good retort to whatever insult Craig had just delivered - but flamin' Forsyth was wittering on and on over all the repartee (as usual!).

Ann is actually pretty good at one liners and put downs - she was good on Have I Got News For You and I've seen her in action at political meetings dealing with hecklers, so i wish Brucie would just let her get on with it - she's funnier than he is!

Agreed, Ann is truly the devil's reincarnation, and is on a satanic mission to destroy a saturday night entertainment show.

Bruce kills the spontaneity every time, if it's not him making one of his unfunny jokes he sure as hell isn't going to let anyone else get a look in.

Thats more than a little harsh, you must be thinking of someone else. The reason the ratings are so high is that the viewers are tuning in to watch their favourite Ann Widdicombe.

I love how people think she's a charming old granny... they should take a look at her political career!