I don't know why everyone is so bothered that he was upset.

He did a dance which he thought was good, but got slated. He was annoyed with himself or the judges and thought he might go out if he got low points. He couldn't see what he'd done wrong. He then had to go and get changed for the swingathon, so didn't have time to stop and chat, and didn't really feel like it either after being slated.

On Saturday night, he did a dance which used the adrenaline and annoyance left over from Friday, and got praised by the judges. The tears were tears of relief that he wasn't going downhill.

In fact its probably worse to be faced with disappointment from the judges, when you've previously been told you're a good dancer, than it is to improve steadily over the course of the competition.

I think all the tears are perfectly reasonable given the tension and the pressure, particularly when you start from a high point, and at this point in the competition. I know men were supposed to have this stiff upper lip (strops and tantrums aside, but Matt's reaction was hardly either - you should see my 14 year old daughters!!), but I thought we'd got over that silly idea!

I don't think Aliona's choreography does him any favours.

DS should let forumites rate posts, in this case I will rate this one five stars out of five.

Or, seeing there is no 'star smilie'.

Having had a 'lifetime dealing, speaking and managing people' doesn't actually make you any more qualified than the rest of us, you know (and I've had a 'lifetime' of similar - being quite close to retirement age now!).

I have dealt with hundreds of people in my job over the years and each one is different. It is impossible, therefore, to ascribe the behaviour of one individual to any other.

Interpretation IS the key here - and, of course, one's own opinion.

You have your opinion. Other people have theirs. No-one is automatically correct simply because they've been 'dealing with people all their lives' (and I include myself in that statement, too).

At the end of the day, maybe we should all just agree that we disagree - that no-one is right and no-one is wrong.

And anyway, it's 'just an entertainment show' - right?

I wish I've been so involved and progressively "upset" (for want of a better word) this time around.

And anyway, Cally's mum, unless we are hermits, we've ALL had a lifetime dealing with and speaking to people, haven't we

I was irate on Friday night! I wish I could stay out of all the drama, but I do tend to get myself involved!

*Keeps telling self 'it's just an entertainment show ... it's just an entertainment show' ...


Quite!

(I am pretty much of one when I get home at night!)

Getting involved is all part of the joy of the programme, a bit of controversy does wonders for viewing figures.

Unfortunately the judges decided to take it out on a completely knackered individual who had in his mind not done anything wrong because he believed he had followed instructions and their comments just knocked him for six. He just looked totally bewildered.

No, you are wrong! He's just p*ssed because he thought he was so great and can do no wrong. That useless girl-in-the-blouse, toy-out-of-pram pr*ck. Who does he thinks he is? You know what, this series we didn't use this one word enough and it describes him completely: Smug!

Yeah, you can have your own opinion, just that mine is better and actually mine is infallible because I spent a lifetime talking to people!

Me too I told myself that since my favourite pros had been kicked out this year I wasn't going to get into Strictly this time. Hmm, didn't happen!

And you were the one that told us we had to be nice and not bash other contestants! I am so shocked and disappointed in you! (even if you are being tongue-in-cheek, I won't let that get in the way of a good bit of outrage )

Did anyone listen?

I am glad you get my irony.

Finally!!!! I've been waiting for that one!

Glad you've finally dusted it off - I shall expect to see a thread entitled 'Matt is so smug' appear very shortly (and if it doesn't I shall be very disappointed!)

It won't take long now. Just we have to wait for the self-proclaimed infallible life-coaches to start those threads. If I start it people might get rightfully confused, because I DID start the thread about not bashing celebs (what was I thinking then?).

Yeah, maybe you really should have considered it more carefully! But I enjoyed it - I was even going to practise the song! (and scare the cats half to death ....) (and did we have a march or some kind of dance as well ...?)

And I'm already confused (it's my age! That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!)

I'm kind of glad, and interested, that this thread has widened out to people's reactions and perceptions.

FWIW I cry when I'm angry - for me, it is a healthy and safe way of letting out that frustration without it unduly affecting others (and I'll sneak away to do it if others are there).

Not sure if that is why any of the guys cried though - I'd suggest it was sheer frustration during the semi and relief at getting through. Agree also about Matt's reaction after the salsa could well be confusion about the reception the judges gave a dance he did to his best ability and in good faith (or to give that feeling of ambiguity its fancy name, "cognitive dissonance").


Don't think any less of him or the others for letting out emotion, it's been a long, tough process to the final for them all.

I prefer that too! Although to be fair I think she does appreciate Craig's views. At the end of the AS you can see her thinking 'Whatever' when the other three were going on, but Craig actually gave quite a technical critique and while Matt looked like he could not make head or tail of what Craig was saying, Aliona was listening very intently to what Craig was saying and nodding. So she isn't indifferent when she thinks what they are saying makes sense.