I noticed when the BBC decided to get rid of a lot of pro dancers, (Matthew, Ian, Lillian etc) they kept the dancers who were more argumentative and aggressive e.g. Brendan!! A lot of this is pantomine, I am sure Craig is actually a lovely bloke but he has to play the villian in the programme. Remember how awful James was when he first appeared on Strictly to his celeb contestant. She was in some hospital drama or something I cannot remember her name but he had her in tears in the rehearsal halls and since then he has calmed down a lot as it was not appreciated by the viewers of the show!!!! NOBODY likes a bully.

I agree that Craig is really quite charming when he's not being otherwise, on ITT for example, and sometimes on SCD. I did say I loved him but I was not well when I posted and kept editing so you probably missed that part.

I don't hate James as much as many seem to. He is quite protective of Alex, which is a nice trait, and seems to be whinging for her sake rather than his own, although others are free to see it differently. It's just a discussion and I thought I would join in to support James as he seems to have few supporters. Some may say 'for a good reason' of course!

I just love your word 'snarky'!

James vs Craig is good it keeps us entertained it is far better than Craig vs Brendan.

I agree. I was upset when the lovely Matthew, Ian, Lilia etc. were given the order of the boot. I still miss seeing Matthew burn up the floor and have noticed they have kept in the agumentative, aggressive and Diva-type dancers there to annoy us. James Jordan is all of these so therefore must be the blue-eyed darling of the BBC but I remember how he spoke about John Sargeant and bullied Georgina. I don't think he is the brightest star in the sky or the sharpest knife in the drawer - his saving grace is he can dance. If he would just do that and keep his mouth shut - I might appreciate him a little more. Strictly is pantomime and poor Craig has been cast as the Wicked Witch - an act he does to perfection - but I wish he hadn't made the remark about Harry's foot and I think he can be a little bit too picky. I would rather that though than James Jordan's "look at me" act. I think the BBC are grooming him - why? I have no idea - yes, he can dance but he is no Matthew Cutler. BRING BACK MATT.

To be truthful Georgina was lazy and couldn'y be bothered and John Sergant deserved what James said about him.

I agree, I haven't had a problem with James until this series.

But for some reason, this year he keeps going a bit weird, and I mean aside from the obvious strops at Craig's judging comments. Just some of his comments to Alex on ITT, or during training, strike me as though he is suddenly turning nasty on her, but then she always handles it really well with a joke and the moment passes...

And I don't care how bad she was to start with, I can't believe what he said himself on ITT, that he cried over how rubbish he thought she was after one of their early training sessions Boo who, get a grip!

I think the dance was quite poor and worthy of a 6 to be honest. To argue is really quite ungracious of James. I actually thought the choreography was quite poor to be honest and a bit repetitive.

I think James was seriously expected a score well into the 30s and was surprised at how rubbishy his dance turned out.

Hmm..


I wonder how many of the situations involving James would occur, if the cameras weren't around?

Apart from the live show, all the clips of them in training are selected by the director and they can project any image the choose.... of anyone.

Some people forget this is just an enjoyable pantomime with diverse characters, playing parts for much of the time.
It isn't "real."

I'm not convinced that rude James is an act. I think he isn't used to people speaking back to him but at 33 he should grow up.

I can't really explain this well but to me bad Brendan and bad James are not the same - I think Brendan is/was fiery but I think this was played on a lot and even if this was true at least he's had the sense to grow up.

Totally agree about ITT etc showing what they want to show you though (and many people fall for it). I'm sure they could make Mother Theresa look bad given the right editing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBwepkVurCI

Reminds me of this brilliant Charlie Brooker sketch

Thanks for that, it might help a few people understand how this pantomime and much of TV is just "smoke and mirrors."

Possibly fewer, but no one can put up a false persona all the time. Strictly is real life for the pros and celebs. Probably most of the time it isn't 'an enjoyable pantomime' for them, it is just hard work and stressful when things aren't working!

Just watched Saturdays show with the commentry and actually James and Alex were under marked

And Alex said "leave 'im James, 'ees not werf it!"

Nah!
When Craig gave his opinion, James replied;

"You talkin' to me?

In fairness to James when he did his charleston with Pamela last year which was truly horrible he got good marks with it so he must have been really confused onSaturday to have pproduced similar choreography and got damned for it