I think that she has improved each week and am looking forward to seeing her and Brendan again next weekend.

Is flying back, I expect he leaves this morning if he was thinking in NZ time, it must take well over 24 hours from Christchurch so he will no doubt be back in London tomorrow.
I doubt if he is just coming back just for SCD, he also has a tour to organise, his brother has a dance school and dance classes to run and his wife probably has work commitments too.

Until last night I couldn't understand why someone who looks like her was so un-elegant dancing. And someone used to performing on stage.

I have decided it's the size of her feet. They're huge and out of proportion with her body.

She just seems to fling her legs about hoping for the best but her feet are so big and heavy. Poor girl.

Ian had clearly worked at her posture, but as the dance wore on, I felt that she was working so hard at maintaining it, that she became very stiff.
I'd love to see her do well, but I am begining to think that she doesn't have it in her.

She is clearly trying so hard, but she is still like a new born foal trying to work out what to do with its legs...

mimi I agree. I wonder why the judges or her coaches haven't suggested extra training in certain disciplines for her ? Maybe she does other forms of exercise already ? Most of the Pro's do more than dancing alone to maintain strength - I wonder whether she has time to try other things to help her ?

For me, whilst watching, I did notice she had improved, she seemed to have more control. She held her posture better and a lot of her movements were less frantic than in previous weeks. She has obviously been working hard. The dance actually started out pretty well. Overall, she kept her dance tidier than previously.

But as the dance progressed, she lost some control, and got a little more frantic. She seems to have a habit of just flinging herself into position, and there was one point when she flung herself I thought Ian nearly dropped her. Her main issue I think, is she lacks fluidity and a delicate touch – you can't just fling yourself into your partners arms. She needs more muscular control, she seems to be dancing more from the joints and not using her muscles to control the smoothness of a given motion.

I thought this dance suited her 'jerkiness' of movement, so perhaps that is why I feel she had improved. Will be interesting to see if the improvement carries over into another style of dance.

Totally agree with you Sid!

I thought the Tango suited her this week mainly because she is quite stiff and the Tango is sharp staccatto type moves. She's not a great dancer, which I must say I found surprising. Had she been in earlier seasons of Strictly she wouldn't look so bad but this year, as with recent years, the celebs are very good from the get go. She is not going to have time blossom, to be honest I'm not sure she will blossom, I think she is finding it very difficult.

Michelle was excellent tonight, I was so pleased for Ian but disappointed she was in the bottom two - but she is still here!
I hope she is placed a bit higher up hext week. We Brits like a trier and she is certainly that.

She reminds me of the ballarina dancer in a jewllery box. It wobbles when you flick it.