Totally agree espically the timing in the samba which wasn't a minor mistake, same for the Jive at wembley but he gets pencil passed.

No collusion but a bit of over-excited semi final over marking, but all were affected and I can't see how all the judges would agree to colluding to fix the final? They know that what the public wants, the public will somehow get!

Strictly history shows that is far from true, unfortunately ...

In Series 6, the judges were clearly on a mission to make it a Rachel Stevens vs Lisa Snowdon final, even when it was always clear Tom Chambers was more popular.

In Series 7, the judges wanted Chris Hollins out so that it would be a Ricky Whittle vs Ali Bastian final (and Len even effectively told the public they should vote for Ricky over Chris) - even when Chris obviously had the public vote.

It's pretty clear that the producers - for it is them to whom the judges work - want Harry and Chelsee in the final ... probably with Jason. They've also being doing their damnedest to make sure other exits have been choreographed, the only wildcard they couldn't foresee being Russell's departure.

Strictly has become ever more scripted and staged, and this year is no exception.

I think they colluded last year to fix it but dont see signs of that this year.

You could maybe argue Chelsee and Harry's positions or Holly and Jason's, but unless there is a strange result when the public vote is included, I dont see the scoreboard positions as unreasonable.

With the positions the way they are, the public still get to decide at least which of the bottom three go through and possibly more than that.

I believe they collude every week - on instruction from Moira Ross - to avoid ties. Apart from the first few weeks when it mattered less. However unlike in series 6 I don't think there's anything underhand or insidious about it. We all know how the series 6 semifinal tie upset the apple-cart, and how they struggled to rectify the 4 person tie at that year's xmas special. Now they do everything they can to avoid tied couples. This was pretty obvious last week (or the week before?) when Bruce asked them what they were talking about after Jason's dance, and Alesha and Bruno rather too quickly said "nothing, just chatting"

A big huge yes from me. Jason was overmarked as a ploy to keep him in. His phone votes wouldn;t have kept him safe.

I'd be absolutely gutted if Jason made it to the finals to Holly.

The collusion may have more to do with the reprised dances for the final if they follow last years format of re-doing the highest scorer plus one of their own choice & an unlearned dance.

I think that will be hard this year can't see Harry and Aliona picking a Latin at all not sure Chelsee and Pasha would pick a Latin (might be forced to do V.Waltz) The others are more balanced.

I think they should just be made to pick their favorites from each discipline something like this

Alex- Viennese Waltz, Paso, Showdance, Argentine Tango

Chelsee- Quickstep, Jive, Showdance, Viennese Waltz

Harry- Quickstep, Samba, Showdance, American Smooth

Holly- Argentine Tango, Paso, Showdance, Samba

Jason- Tango, Cha Cha, Showdance, Salsa

Given the marking for Jason's last dance, the only "professionals" in attendance last night, were the members of the band.

Anybody know if Jason and/or Holly is committed to the Strictly Tour?

I actually voted 'Yes' in the poll, despite usually finding the conspiracy theories very irritating, because I was bewildered by some of the scoring last night. It's obvious that the producers manipulate things to try and grab the ratings (running order, music, dances choices etc) but I always thought the judges went their own way. But I'm really struggling to understand why:
* Holly's complex and gorgeous AT was worth significantly less than Jason's???
* Jason's AT was judged perfect when he mostly just stood around - good routine overall (Kristina was great) but he barely danced and he's the one they're supposed to be judging
* Jason was forgiven for lack of timing because of the energy and fun, fun, FUN, but the same should have applied to Alex and didn't
* Scores of 40 for about the 7th best dance of the series (love Chelsee but that wasn't her best at all and her arms went wobbly in places) and about the 20th best (as above, Jason did next to nothing)

My tv must have switched off after they mentioned timing issues then since I heard about no other.

Hollly didn't even deserve the mark she got for her AT let alone a 40, it was nothing special, and she spent too long just sitting on the chair. But don't let that fact get in the way of the Jason-bashing that goes on on this forum!


Agreed, And it wasn't as if they'd spotted an issue and then gave him a 10! But again, it goes with the Jason-bashing approach adopted by some on this forum.


I thought Holly's AT was neither complex nor gorgeous, and was totally overmarked by the totally inconsistent judges.


Just as a matter of interest, did you think the same about Harry's AT? Because I felt that Harry did simply stand around, whilst Aliona did all the gancho's etc. I do see what you mean about Jason, but the dance was breathtaking to me, and it just seems that this forum has a sizeable number of people who wil find fault with Jason, whatever he does.

Aside from the over-marking, where I have some sympathy with your view, I can't see your argument for Holly being better on the the night than Jason.
Even if you put Holly and Jason level for their AT'S (and I agree both were excellent) I can't see that Holly's Charleston was better than Jason's Samba..even with the timing issues. But I'm more of a traditionalist, and thought her Charleston was awful..and I've always much preferred Holly throughout !

I think you and I will have to agree to disagree on most things - on the scale they were on last night, I thought Holly was undermarked and you clearly feel otherwise - but, to answer your question, yes I agree that Aliona took on too much of the work in Harry's AT.

As far as Jason-bashing goes, I really try to keep it to a minimum because I recognise that the earnestness that I, for some reason, find annoying isn't actually a character flaw and I'm therefore being unfair. But it's a gut reaction I can't seem to get over and when the judges treat him as if he's the second coming of dance, which he clearly is not... well, my reactions are not pretty.

well it did before Bruno called it messy and Craig said Daddy dancing then

If the judges give it negative remarks I expect those to be reflected in the score

No negative remarks for me should have equated to a better score for Holly

Four 10s were denied to Kara.
Given to Jason.

↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑
this made me laugh

Poor Kara...I'm sure she will forever languish in despair that she wasn't good enough to get a 40. However, as she never danced against Jason it is impossible to compare.

I'd agree with this and I'd add that, depsite a long list of beefs I have with La Ross (see other threads! ), she is obviously an unashamed populist who I don't think would ever go so far as to go against public opinion as her predecessor, high priestess of arrogance Sam Donnelly, did. The judging remains scripted, of that I have no doubt - but I doubt Ross (or her successor) would be so stupid as to create another Snowdonia ...

Jason has been over-marked throughout the series - gurning should not be marked over the quality of the dance! I feel the producers have manipulated the running order to keep him in. Last competitor is remembered better than the first. Also putting Alex before Holly was also a ploy to get her higher marks and keep the two overseas competitors in.

I believe the judges did score in order to make sure certain people wouldn't end up in bottom 2 and others subsequently would. And rightfully so, we cannot just trust the GBP to make the right decision and vote not only with their hearts but also with their heads. It's entertainment sure but the final also has to have a certain level to its dancing. Hopefully Blackpool will give us the climax at least I've been waiting for...

People keep saying sack Alesha....but I don't see what good that would do....I'm certainly not her biggest fan, but at least she tries to give a 'feel good' vibe to mortified celebs and that evens out the sometimes horrendous comments Craig makes. Look, the Beeb chose Alesha to replace Arlene (few years ago now) so that's a done deal.

If the running order was manipulated to favour anyone by having them go last, it was Russell Grant. However, I suspect that is more to do with the fact that by and large he used bigger and less manouverable props so it was just easier for the production crew if he went last as they didn't have to worry about clearing the floor for the next performance.

What I don't get with all the conspiracy theorising is what possible motive Moira Ross could have that she should seek to manipulate the results to ensure Jason stays in. Why does she care? Or is the reality (as I believe is indeed the case) that there is no fix and that all that is really happening is that those who don't like Jason so think he should be last on the leaderboard think it is fixed in his favour, those who don't like Harry and think he should be last on the leaderboard think it is fixed in his favour, those who don't like Chelsee and think she should be last on the leaderboard think it is fixed in her favour etc etc.

Yes. Full marks usually appear in the semis. Last year Pamela was the lucky one . They wanted her in the final but she was not very popular. She got 40 for a walz. Alesha in her year was the runaway favourite picking up 2 tens for a lot of her dances. Matt got 40 in the semis.His walz was good but not as good as Harry's VW last night. I think to try and make it look more of a competition Craig often brings out his 10 paddle. . Last night was no different. Chelsee's footwork was not perfect and her posture was not right. I remember Len pulling Alesha up for the same thing in her Paso. Jason did create the drama of the AT but I am still waiting to see some AT footwork. I predicted while people were agonising about who would get the top and bottom marks that the marks on the night does not always reflect the standard of dancing and last night did nothing to change that.