Because Matt simply isn't very charismatic and lots of people don't seem to feel too strongly about him. And because the BBC needs to sustain ratings after Ann's exit.

If acted, then he's a hell of a better actor than anyone had previously suspected!

Thing is, all of his dances so far have been, choreography aside, fairly well danced. They were danced well enough to get good marks, and if they failed to get 10s, then that was just because those silly judges just didn't get it. Last night was the combination of bad choreography, bad technique and just plain bad dancing, and thus the judges could go to town on him. If he comes awt tonight and does a really good Tango, then he has "one bad week", "coming back from a bad dance", "sympathy vote" in the space of 24 hours. I doubt it's going to do him much harm, all things considered.

After Matt discussing what a brilliant showdance Aliona was preparing during ITT last night, it must have been a shock to realise he is NOT a nailed on certainty to make the final

Me too.

He did look like he was going to cry or throw a paddy.

If it was genuine then he's a big girl's blouse (imo).

If he was acting, then he looked like a big girl's blouse (imo).

Hey you

I didn't notice the judges being overly picky towards Gavin and Kara, or praising Pamela and Scott too much (they criticised their dances as well), but they were noticeably more negative about Matt.

I don't think we'll ever agree about Gavin though! His hips were OK (not great), but everything else about his Samba was sub-standard. I thought he was lucky to get just a mark less than Matt to be honest. He's done well given he has no background in dance or performing but his dancing would look out of place in the final alongside Kara and Matt. He's not improved as much as other sport stars have in previous years in my opinion.


Hey sexy x

Aliona has let Matt down badly. I think she's cost him the title now.

I was merely over-exaggerating to make a point, a common tactic here or anywhere else. I didn't have children in mind, if anything it was more a passing reference to the Andrew Sachs/ Russell Brand affair.

Was it just me, or did anyone else find that the cameras panned unnaturally close to Matt's face throughout the comments? Every pore and bead of sweat seemed to drip off my TV set.

Either that, or I found his reaction so unbearable that I magnified and slow-mowed it in my mind, like you do when you see a terrible accident about to happen.

Well I reckon he is after last night.

I couldn't watch it. It was unnecessarily cruel.

Even when the judges have been talking about Ann in the past they've always done it with a laugh and a joke.

Len's expression was horrid. It looked like he hated Matt.

I don't think it was Matt's best dance but I think it wasn't as bad as they said.

As for the tears - I thought Matt might start to cry - he looked gutted. But for me, it was totally genuine.

People hate cry-babies, a real vote-loser.

Oh Sid , how come I didn't get a hey Sexy

I did think they watch a different dance from me for Scott, as far as I could see there was a lot of standing still and leanig from him intersperced with not so good lifts and yet I was told it was really good

Kara was denied the 10 by Craig as she lifeed her foot off the floor for a nanosecond and when you consider all the liberies with lifts this year and all the ignoring of Pamleas wobbles and mistakes , thats just wrong

I certainly dont think gavin is a good dancer BUT he tries hard , has improved and last night actually had good hip action which was not remarked on

I don't agree with you. We've become a nation where no one dares to criticise children in case their self esteem is damaged, and if anyone tells it as it is they're accused of "unnecessary cruelty". Matt's quivering bottom lip will have the outraged voting in their droves. How often do you hear people say these days "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all"?

Well Matt did'nt cry so that's ok then.

He managed to hold it in, so it's not so bad, vote wise.

He looked under severe pressure. Maybe his schedule's been too much for him - everyone has a breaking point, after all.

I don't get it - what's wrong with showing upset or disappointment? Is it more 'manly' to keep it all in?

lol - It wasn't intentional 'sexy'

I didn't think Scott's AT was his finest moment either, and neither did the judges given their comments. I could see where Bruno was coming from, but even as a more understated AT, it didn't quite work for me so the 9 was on the generous side. 8's were fine though. It was still better than Matt & Gavin's offerings.

I much preferred the look and feel of Kara's VW compared to Pamela's (although I loved hers too). I guess if Craig did see her foot come off the floor then he was forced to deduct a point. I do wish the judges were more consistent though.

He wasn't crying, but even if he was, I don't think it would lose him votes in the circumstances. If anything loses him votes, it would be the VT before the dance, when he stated how determined he was to win. What has happened since will probably make people forget that.

I agree!

I thought he looked shattered - physically and emotionally. The judges, particularly Len, were harsh imo. He's obviously giving it his all and he looks tired out.

Yep 8 for Scot I will agree , 9's were stupid but Matt and gavin probably also deserved an 8 or 2 also as neither danced that badly

Cleverly done.

Ann leaves. BBC are left with a bland front runner. Ratings might dip. Put on a VT making said bland personality seem a bit arrogant - then get the judges to knock him back. Quivering lips. Puppy dog eyes. Public outrage. People tune in tonight. Sympathy vote. Ratings stay high. Simples.

I hate to be cynical but I'm inclined to agree with you sooty.
(about the manipulation not necessarily Matt's reaction).

With Ann's departure, they needed new storylines to keep the level of drama topped up. They played a blinder last night.

Mark my words, the judges will rave about Matt's Tango tonight and everyone will be celebrating!

I'm not entirely convinced that, if he'd snarled "why you haten?" at Len & Co and swaggered up to the Tesspit declaring, when asked his opinion of the judges, that "they is buggin innit" he would have endeared himself to the viewers....this, after all, is not "the other channel".

I agree..sort of. But Matt still had to "say" all that stuff, it wasn't just clever editing. So, I guess they all just follow instructions ?