Having been forced to back pedal because of the backlash after the AS scoring - did the judges finally get their own back on Matt?

Harsh and scathing comments and an unduly detailed critique of Matt's perceived failings - good job he did not forget the routine!

Talk about kicking someone when they are down .

What rot!

I think they were just honest really. It sounds harsh because they went on for a while but everything they said is what I thought during the dance, sorry.

No, they didn't get their own back and I don't really understand what they would have to get their own back for. His salsa was poor, by far his worst dance, and they were just being honest.

Nah, when you compare it with their comments and scores for Scott's dance (the AS) where he forgot the whole dance, it is unfair. But that's because they were ridiculous about Scott's dance, not because they were unduly harsh with matt

Alesha said "and that grinding on the floor was totally unneccessary"


That was as cutting as it comes!

Matt is going out on a limb and these moves are not easy for him to do in a public envirnoment and then for someone to say that, its cutting and very embarrassing too, for someone like Matt.


If you can't see that, you are either unfeeling or have an unreasonable dislike for someone you don't even know.

I think the judges just don't get why the public ( and esp the audience in the studio like it so much) They just don't seem to "get" Matt, it has happened before in other series! I think this is why they are soo harsh. I think they were frustrated that what they perceive as awful by Matt's standards still got a standing ovation from the audience!

Matt has had a standing ovation pretty much every week. Aliona puts in wow choreography ( lifts unicycles etc) to please the public I don't think she gives a hoot about the judges scores tbh!

Agreed, her wording made it seem like the dance was distasteful! i wasn't in awe of that Salsa but it wasn't distasteful or vulgar as Alesha alluded

I've seen the judges shuffling positions before, and Ann got eliminated. Matt was low on the board then.

They may be worried about Gavin getting to the final, and that may be influencing them.

Unfortunately, I think Matt does. If Aliona is in a pissing content with the judges, then fine, but she shouldn't be using her celeb partner as body armour.

yes, I think that was particularly crushing for Matt, as it maybe was a push for him to do the sexy stuff.

If she'd said it was disgusting, I'd have said that was cutting and too far. All she said was that it was unnecessary, which I agreed with - it was. I don't think anything the judges said was uncalled for. I think they could have been more succinct as opposed to going on and on at him but as for what they actually said, nothing wrong with it at all - they were truthful and totally right in my opinion.

No, they weren't just honest. Len's face would make milk curdle. They were downright unpleasant apart from Craig who was honest. Alesha and Bruno rarely mark as low as him.

Clearly Matt's name came out of the hat before the show for a trashing. After all they have to trash someone otherwise they cannot justify their fee. Now Ann has gone they've turned (this week) on Matt.

What do other forumites think about scoring one dance out of forty and the other out of five?...... Logical? No I don't think so either.

Perhaps Bruce was letting on more than he should have when he said that this could be the last time we see a swingathon.

I'm just guessing but that's what I think, cos in the past when Len has said "Why did you put that in?" she has said "oh we knew you wouldn't like it"

Personally I don't think it's harming Matt in the competition, it's just a diff tactic. Natalie tries to please Len in the hope that perfect technique will gain a 10 from Craig, whereas Aliona is going for the public vote, similar to Ann and Anton but with a good dancer!

But i do see what you're saying, i think Matt would like acceptance from the judges and Aliona's tactic of pulling out all stops and wowing the average viewer is not helping in this regard!

Probably when Matt looks back what will be most important is getting to the final and they obviously have a lot of public support so in that respect her tactic is working!

like in all these shows, the judges have their favourites.

Clearly Pamela, who is a good dancer but I can't abide as a person, Kara and Sccccccccccccot.

Those are the 3 they want in the finals. Its as plain as the nose on your face.

Matt didn't deserve those comments, not at all.

agree and I've e-mailed a complaint to the bbc about it.

Matt's performance was frankly disappointing, the judges were expecting better and didn't get it. So they marked him down.
On previous occasions others have got disappointing marks, but that's the way it goes. It ain't a popularity contest with the judges.
Matt will get through, his Countryfile fans will keep him in. Either Pam or Scott to go out with Gavin.

Kara fortunately, is in an unassailable position for the result in the studio tomorrow.

For me, she won this weeks ago.

Matt is used to being the BBC's "Blue-eyed boy" and couldn't hack the criticism tonight. Gavin gets slated every week and handles it much better and he has no "presenting" experience to handle unexpected situations.

Actually think most of their comments were really directed at Aliona who had an "I don't care" look on her face.

It wasn't Matt's best, but it certainly wasn't as bad as made out by the judges. I couldn't really believe how Len spoke to him, he was damn right rude. It's certainly not something i enjoy seeing and i felt awful for Matt, he looked crushed! (as would most people if they got such a verbal bashing)

They all get standing ovations every week. It isn't necessarily because the audience genuinely think they are good but because the floor managers tell the audience to stand up at the end of the routines and they do as they're told.

Spot on.


I agree. It is how they spoke to Matt more than what they were saying that I had a problem with. I was shocked at Len tbh.

don't worry I sent an e-mail complaint to the bbc. Can't help that they want a lame final. Thanks a bunch bbc and Moira Ross.

I really wouldn't worry. Matt had a solid fanbase to start with and the way the judges were tonight will have cemented his place in the final.

they really have taken the mickey tonight(the judges). Put it this way they can't have it both ways.