that's alright then mate.

I wasn't ignoring your post intentionally.

understand that totally mate.

Actions have consequences. The consequence of a sympathy vote for Matt is that someone who did a far better job will go home. It could be Scott, who did better, or it could be Kara or Pamela. Its doubly risky because Gavin may have a vote unrelated to his performance too which could mean two of the best 3 going home.

Not sure if its choregraphy or what happens when she is faced with getting him to perform something different. You would think something more basic and moderate would do and not expose his bad acting but perhaps she just thinks he would be too dull doing that and wants to make him look more lively?

Given its true that both females have been better, why would the judges send out any other message? Scott is often better too except those weeks when he mucks up. I can't see much case for giving Matt more than 7 tonight, and whatever you give him, he was behind Kara, Pamela and Scott in dancing, performance or acting terms.

fuming about the judges marking tonight, I have to say and e-mailed a complaint to the bbc of Len's rash treatment of Matt tonight. Actually I reckon they should remove Len for next season and I don't actually think he is happy either. Craig seems the only one who gets on with the producer well to my books anyway.

As long as he is in the leaderboard between Gavin and Scott - which is where his dance was - it doesn't matter whether they give him 7 or 7.5 or 8. There's no way we know of that they can fix the mark so it will just make a one mark difference and no more, and looking like Desperate Dan appearing on Dancing On Ice might well suggest 7s rather than 8s to the judges?

Erins showdance ... i would be thinking more along the lines of Brendan and Lisa's classic showdance Surely that has to rate as the worst ever.

I'm not a fan of Alionas choreography but he deserved more than 7s and not the harsh words.

You see BBC this is what happens when you fire the talented choreographers and good teachers (Lilia and Karen) and replace them with generic, robotic clones.

they just wanted a change in my books.

Yeh but a change for the worst. Most of the new pros have been found wanting in the choreography department:

Aliona - this one doesnt need much explaining, bizarre, unsuitable choreography, never listens to judges comments.

Natalie - never has there been such a selfish, look at me, pro on the show. Consistently tries to outshine her partner. The hair flicking I find particularly annoying.

Jared - his p*ss poor attempts at choreography have been a disgrace. My mother kept commenting that he is worse than some of the celebs. Tina stood no chance in the competition.

Robyn - average, generic, certainly not worth the place of Matt or Ian. Every latin dance looks like disco. His inability to notice Patsys non-existant hip action drove me mad. This is basics and should have been sorted in the first few weeks.

Kristina - her choreography has taken a nose dive and her ability to teach is questionable.

Katya - bland, boring. I cant remember one special routine she has choreographed in the two years she has been on the show. Shes the one pro i keep forgetting about.

When I compare the newbies to the pros who have gone there is no contest. Karen and Lilia especially were fantastic teachers and imaginative choreographers. Ian and Matt brought an element of class and style to the show which is sadly missing this year.

Fabulous pros like Flavia, Vincent and Ola get screwed again this year in the celeb selection. While the lesser talented newbie pros get the pick of the bunch. Is it any wonder we still have Aliona, Natalie, Katya and Artem in the final 5. Only James Jordan has survived. I'm pretty sure this is some sort of fluke because I get the impression that no one knew Pamela would turn out to be such a good dancer.

They may have wanted change but it hasnt been for the better. Its ruining the high standard of choreography that used to be on the show. The new pros have been found wanting. I can only imagine what Karen or Lilia would have done with Matt and Scott. The only new pro worth anything is Artem. Hes the only one who should be kept on from the new pros. Bring back some of the oldies and start shopping around for some quality new pros to add to the show.

Great post Larkenn. I agree about Artem who choreographs some great dances.

Artem has been a fantastic find by the producers. Its a pity they weren't so choosy about the rest. I won't be surprised if he lifts the trophy in his first year on the show.

Kara has been so lucky to be matched with him. She could have been stuck with someone like Robyn or god forbid Jared

smooooooch Sid - you always make me giggle!

In a good way!

Again, it is not Aliona's fault if Matt doesn't spend enough time in the dance studio because he is gallivanting around the country shooting video everywhere.

Matt's "Salsa" technique is as bad as Scott's and Gavin's latin technique. They all look rather amateurish.

Especially Matt's underarm turn, which was done as I'd expect a rank amateur to do his first night in a club.

The rock steps were too big, Matt (like the other guys) tends to want to lead with his hip (which is wrong - the hips are supposed to *rotate* in 3 dimensions), and so on.

I like Matt. He's got so much going for him, yet he doesn't play the arrogant celebrity that is so common with fame. He's the "good guy". Of the three remain gents he's the best dancer (though I have to say it looks like the women are going to run away with this.)

But he has to spend more time on dance technique if he is to win.

I'm wondering if there is anything in Ricky W's bit in the newspaper that the whole thing is fixed.Matt is undermarked every week. Last night's score was a disgrace

The judges really do not seem to like Matt do they.
Matt and Aliona have always been one of the most exciting couples every week in my opinion.

I'm not sure its Matt the judges dont like but more so Aliona. They seem increasing frustrated with her choreography. Who knows maybe they have spoken to her off camera but shes still doing her own thing.

Either way their issue seems to be with Aliona so why take it out on Matt. He didnt deserve it. How is it his fault that there are no arm movements in the salsa. Very unfair of the judges.

I couldn't identify the dance. It was very poor. There's no point the judges pretending it was wonderful if it wasn't.

Agreed. I just posted in the "disadvantage" thread that his biggest disadvantage is the judges somehow expecting more from him than the other male celebs. Scott in particular, who seems to manage to get away with murder on the dance floor (9s for that disaaaaster the other week), whereas they'll knock marks off Matt for the slightest thing.

I agree with most of your post Sam, especially the part in bold.

I have always felt that Matt dances like a hard working beginner or a gangly teenager and unfortunately I have not seen much improvement in his Latin.

I thought his Salsa was poor. His steps were far too big, they should be small and contained under the body. His arms were dreadful, he went off time and made mistakes. I think he is quite robotic in Latin, like a Thunderbird puppet.

I do not think think that he's the best gent left in the competition.

That's how I feel.

Missed last nights show ....grr and it seems that he maye didnt dance well and content wasnt great.
However the judges have throughout seemed not to like Matt and be quite harsh. Len and Alesha in particular.

I'm dreading this evening's effort because it's too late to change anything - and there will certainly be a lot that needs changing

This series of Strictly has been ruined for me because I see in Matt a thoroughly decent, versatile young man who is potentially a lovely dancer but who has been hamstrung by a terrible pro partner who clashes with him in every way

I do agree that Matt didn't dance the "salsa" very well - but within that awful routine his errors of style could have been put right by a better teacher.

I know, he often looks really hurt and confused, and the judges do seem to give him a rough ride - he may not be perfect but he's pretty damn good and I don't get why they're so mean with him.

A question for dancers...

I would love to see what would happen if the celebrities were matched with a different pro for one week only near the end of the competition.

It would be fascinating to see what would happen to the likes of Matt (I'm finding Aliona's choreography odd - but then, I don't know what I'm looking at!) and maybe, Gavin, with a different pro.

I just think it would be such fun to add an extra week to the competition, bring back the likes of Erin, Ola, Anton etc. and put them with the celebs.

Would this be impossible, do you think? Do you build up such a good rapport with one partner that another would be a disaster?