Perhaps they'll 'get' each other, since both came from the 'South'? I don't know, I think Brendan is no spring chicken when it comes to the SCD lark. He's won the first series and done quite well with Lisa Snowdon, though I don't want to talk about their ridiculous bacafoil showdance, ever!

Oh right, I understand now. Aussies and Kiwis aren't famous for getting along though ?

This!!

Saves me typing it all out!!

Chelsee and Harry, are almost certainties imo, even though I don't like Harry there's no way he won't be there, and tbh I can't think of anyone I'd want there instead of him.

The third place is between Jason and Holly, I actually think Holly is more likely, as I think with how seriously Jason's taking it he's going to burn out like Scott last year, but without the excuse of a busy schedule. Although it depends on how well Holly and Brendan work together, I think they should have been paired up from the start so if they are paired for the rest of the competition, I think it will push her into the final.

I don't think anyone should ever feel pressured into withdrawing though if they didn't want to even at the expense of 'better' dancers. For someone to reach the final stages must mean that they are getting voted in by thousands of people, so they must be doing something right to deserve their place in the show.

I think if someone is working hard each week to progress in the show, then they should be considered worthy of a place in the later stages/final just like any of the others who have obviously worked hard to get there too....Russell is taking this competition seriously, and is working long hours to do as well as he can each week, so while I really don't think he will be in the final, I don't think I could say he didn't deserve to be there.

I think the final 3 will be...

Harry
Chelsee
Holly

Depends entirely who votes. If its people who like Jason he will get there. If it reflected internet following Ola and Robbie will be very very difficult to remove, Harry has massive support from a twitter fanbase and Holly will beat Jason on hers .,By the final stages, this series could be very tight content wise between Harry, Jason, Holly and Chelsee and time to train, luck, dancing order, choice of dance and having a pro who knows how to win, might matter a lot - even if the voters do follow the dancing,

For the sake of winning the show, they might try to get along. Aussie and Russian doesn't sound like likely bedfellows too.

Holly's ideal combination might be artem choregraphing it and Brendan teaching her to dance it and being able to look happy or romantic without it being all over the Sun frontpage in an upset Kara story......

That too. I think Holly and Artem were trying not to create stories for the gutter press and over-compensating it and STILL the gutter press wrote junks about Kara's supposed green eye monsters nonsense. *sigh*

I agree, they shouldn't be pressured to leave.
But personally, I can't imagine staying in any kind of competition if I saw other contestants leaving who were clearly streets ahead of me in terms of ability..regardless of the voting public. If it was close call, it wouldn't bother me, but sticking around as the "novelty" act..no way.

I wont laugh I think he could make the final if he can avoid the maths......if he gets to the final 4 he might go home even if he gets the highest public vote if he is bottom of the leader board and the ones above him are not in the correct order of public/judges scores to help him avoid the chop....but at the moment I can see him being at least 4th.

Do you know I dont think he would withdraw myself....and this year (SO FAR I hasten to add) we havent had too much back lash against him him, so I think they would stay.

Russell is having an absolute ball doing Strictly, so as long as they keep getting the votes and as long his knee holds up, I think he'll stay in and honour his commitment to doing Strictly. I don't see why he should feel a need to do otherwise.

Watching something or other on BBC1 on Sunday afternoon, inbetween shows the continuity announcer was trailing SCD and said something along the lines of 'Audley, Lulu and Russell are the bottom 3, who will go' - now I didn't watch the result show so don't know what order they were called, but if Russell was last called safe - then okay, maybe it didn't mean anything, if he wasn't last called safe he might be in a bit more danger of going sooner rather than later.

No, but nobody really popular/good has been thrown out yet.
In fact, he's arguably still there on merit. Audley can leave without any problems, and possibly Alex..then it starts to get serious.

I actually think its becoming less and less likely that Jason will be in the top 3. I think Harry and Chelsee should definitely be there, but Holly might beat Jason to the 3. Jason started off so well, but everyone else has caught up with him.

I don't think Holly will win though. I think the audience has taken to Chelsee more than Holly for some reason. Plus I'm not sure how the change of partner (no matter how long it lasts) will affect her votes. I'd love Harry to win, but for some reason I think Chelsee's going to lift the trophy.

Chelsee - I think people have really come round to her, she's a good dancer and she's still improving
Harry - Considered hot, good dancer
And Jason or Holly:
Jason - good dancer, but he's bit up and down like Scott was last year, and he's a little bit boring for some people (including myself)
Holly - don't think we've seen her best yet, but a lot depends on how things pan out with Brendan and Artem

I agree. In addition, I think Jason may suffer with the public vote. A lot of people appear to feel (perhaps wrongly) that he has come in with an unfair advantage, having taken part in some high profile musicals..though how much dancing was involved, I don't know.
With Holly, her laid back attitude doesn't appeal to everyone..I quite like it myself, much better than all the gushing, over-excited luvvies normally seen on the show.
So, I think it will be between Chelsee and Harry. Harry may lose votes due to the anti-Aliona faction (if it exists outside the DS forums)..therefore I'm tipping Chelsee.

That could well be his gracious get-out clause, if inside he ever felt he shouldn't carry on. But it seems from what he's said that he feels if the public wants him there, he should/has every right to stay.

Chelsee to win
Harry as runner up
Jason goes out in the semis (or is a 3-some for the final?)

Everyone seems to be going for Harry, Chelsee and Jason, with Robbie and Holly as possibles.

I think Harry and Jason, but am going with Robbie as a third and adding a new name as a possible, Anita.

The older contestants over the last few series have been a bit of a surprise package, Cherie Lungi, Felicity Kendall. For her age Anita is doing really well. She also has the advantage of being more accessible as a person. Both Cherie and Felicity came across as a little introverted or even hawty. Anita's enthuseasm and sheer joy of being in the contest could be the deciding factor that gets her to the same place or even the furthest in the competition for an over 50 which is third place for Lesley Garrett in the first series.and Pamela Stephenson last year.

I hope Chelsee wins

Harry as runner up

3rd place to either Holly/Jason/Robbie/Anita/Russel

Jason, Chelsee and Harry. Jason to win.

In 3rd place... wot no Audley?

Agreed