My choice has to be Patsy Kensit.

Pamela and Patsy - I never liked the way they came across in interviews.

And now? They're my two favourites

Gavin, but mainly for the unexpected lulz.

Zoe Lucker and Kara Tointon. I don't know why, but I didn't expect either of them to be so likeable.

EDIT - Oh, are we just talking about this year?

This exactly. I don't know if he's doing it on purpose but it cracks me up

I dont know about NEVER expected to like because often I dont know who they are and those I didnt like before have never so far made me change my mind.....however this series I wasnt too struck by Scott (never heard of him before Strictly) from his reveal show VT's and I am pleased to say I was wrong......he has proved himself to be a sweet genuine guy and a great dancer so he has won me over.

Gavin and Patsy. I fully expected to detest Gavin but i find his honesty and non-luvvie attitude very refreshing. With Patsy I do wish she'd stop the ott expressions on getting through though.

In contrast I fully expected to love Scott, Pamela and Jimi (especially after the launch show) but have found all 3 more annoying as the weeks progressed

Unexpectedly liking Gavin lots !!! Thought I would have liked Jimi more than I did

Kara. I couldn't stand her back when she was on Eastenders, and I fully expected her to be another Lisa Snowdon for me. But she's turned out to be completely lovely, and I like that she'll admit that she's not always having fun. I find myself looking forward to her and Artem's routines every week.

Also Gavin. I was prepared to really dislike him but I'm loving him more and more.

Yeah I thought Kara would be another Lisa Snowden/Rachel Stevens, but I think she's fantastic. Wasn't sure I'd like Patsy or Tina but I do/did.

Expected to like Scott and Matt but they irritate me more each week, they are the Lisa/Rachel of this series.

For me the biggest surprise was Jodie Kidd - I fully expected to hate her, not sure why but she ended up being one of my favourites.

Am also surprised that I like Kara & Gavin this year - and that Natalie has really grown on me this year.

Didn't expect to like Tina, but I did.

Didn't expect to like Gavin as much as I do.

This series t is Gavin. Totally didn't expect to like him at all but he has made me laugh more than any of the others and I look forward to his dances

Thought I'd like Pamela and Fliss but they're irritating me with their gushing girly acts.

Thought I'd hate Kara after seeing her in EE, but I find I'm liking her more and more, she's talented, hardworking and unassuming.

This year, I never expected to like Kara, but she's my favourite at the moment by quite a bit.
Also, I never expected to like Scott... and sure enough, I don't

I never expected to see myself liking Scott or Patsy, ever!

Gotta be Gavin! I wanted him to be out for the first few weeks, but I've changed my mind!

From this series Patsy and Gavin

from the past Austin partly because as a northampton supporter it's my duty to dislike leicester players and I'd always found him a cocky so and so but I liked him a lot, Jodie Kidd and Penny Stewart who were both just lovely

I expected to like Craig kelly but in the end he just made me want to kick the tellly

Kara and Patsy. I thought Kara would be another Ali-like wetend and I had had preconceived notions about Patsy ever since she was married to Liam Gallagher. I'm happy to say I was totally wrong about both, they're both quite lovely.

Another one for Kara and Gavin. Fully expected to find Kara being another Rachel/Ali or a Lisa, but she's lovely, hardworking, fun and a very talented dancer - love her attitude - sometimes it's not fun

Gavin, expected to hate and could never understand what the bright and sparky Charlotte saw in the plank. Never expected to find him hilarious, endearing and, slowly, developing as a dancer

Kara, again thought she would be like ali/Rachel/Zoe lucker. But I adore her now.
Gavin, he is so funny, unintentionally that he becomes sweet.
Patsy, I thought I would hate her so much, and I really like her.

Scott, well, I thought I would not like him and still can't warm to him. Not sure why.
I thought I would love Pamela, and can't stand her now. Find her a bit fake.

patsy and kara

I thought I would like Scott but I really don't

Has to be Gavin and the funny rolling eyes

Kara and Patsy.

Didn't think Kara would be so grounded and honest. Patsy is soooo needy she drives me wild but equally I can't help but love her - I can see how she has had so my husbands! Also, James and Anton have gone up in my estimation - James for putting up with the twotter from Pamela with a pretty good sense of humour and Anton for his superb comic dance routines and good humour.

On the other hand, I thought I would like Matt more but he winds me up for some reason. Pamela I liked before but her constant twittering (not the online type) hits on my nerves. I haven't warmed to Felicity, and though I would.

yeah I thought I'd love Felicity and I don't mind her too much, but not a big fan really.
Maybe its the nose twitching or something