I didn't watch the show live (I know, I know...I hang my head in shame ) - I recorded it and watched it later. I'd seen lots of comments about how awful the showdances were.

So - it was with trepidation that I watched the showdances - but I didn't think they were that bad!

True - each of them were flawed and probably won't go down as contenders for the greatest showdance ever. But they weren't (in my mind) total disaaaarrrrssstters! They certainly were not up to bacofoil standard!

Matt and Aliona - people seemed shocked that he did a lot of gymnastics! What did they think he would do? It's called playing to his strengths. I loved the break dancing and the contemporary feel to the dance. Yes, it could have been more fluid - but I enjoyed it!

Kara and Artem - loved the music and loved the theme. What a shame they put the back flip in - it spoilt the rest of the dance as Kara was obviously in pain. She did well to finish it. Great energy and dance steps.

Pamela and James - as the judges said - played to their strengths - showcasing beautiful dancing styles. Yes, it could have been more death defying and wow! But I thought it was lovely.

Most importantly, I thought all the showdances gave us a flavour of the finalists - what kind of dancers they were. So well done to the pro's for choreographing them.

The only thing that spoilt the final for me was the judges negativity in a show that was supposed to be a celebration.

Just me then!

(I had had a glass or two of sherry!)

No, not just you

I certainly agree with you about Matt and Aliona's. The more I watch it, the more I like it. Very contemporary and i liked the fact they took risks.

Just a shame they were slated for risk taking whilst others were commended for it by the judges.

Probably MamaB

I think it has a lot to do with expectations, it was in my case. I think a lot of people expected more somehow. They showdances were either too safe, too risky or not as "out there" as people expected them to be (good or bad)

I'm glad the final dances were in fact the VW and the AS as that gave a much more balanced idea about their dancing skills.

I liked Kara and Artem's SD. It's a shame they didn't quite nail it, if it had gone to plan it could have been one of the greats imo.

I liked Pamela & James's showdance, so that wasn't just you. The other 2 disappointed me, but I think that was more the choreography than anything else, and Kara did fantastically well despite injuring herself halfway through!

I liked them too though I found P&J a bit dull tbh. Just watched the other two couples again and they really did some very difficult stuff very well.

Glad other people think there were some positives.

In Matt and Aliona's showdance, I thought it was actually Aliona who looked a bit unsure at times - Matt seemed to be having a thoroughly good time!