that was a telling comment this weekend
when he said the judges just don't like me

His i'm better than you think attitude, i personally believe does hinder his celeb partners and leads them to get lower marks

anyone else think the same ?

No. And as I saw it, it was once again a jokey comment.

He did a marvellous job with Alex, and there was a real warmth to their partnership. With the likes of Jason, Harry and Chelsee (and to a lesser extent, Holly), there was no way (short of an injury) that Alex could have made the final three. They could have done little more.

Interesting Question....

I am not James biggest fan, I dont like his attitude and I dont think he comes across as funny at all, whether he is trying to be or not - for me, it just doesnt come across that way so yes, his attitude does, for me, hinder is celeb partner. I find myself muting the tv whenever he is on ITT and I dont take alot of interest in their dances BECAUSE OF HIM

^This. Exactly.

That is exactly how I feel about him.

I think the comment was light-hearted.

And the evidence for me would be: no. He got Pamela to the Final last year and Alex to the Semi-Final this year. If there are people who dislike him, it wouldn't seem to translate into the viewing public choosing to not vote for his celebrity.

I don't think so, I think he's been very clever with his "poor, undermarked Alex" act. He managed to draw attention to what would've been very forgettable performances otherwise, and gained them votes in the early stages, I think. Like many on here, I don't like it and don't think I could ever support a JJ partnership, but I do think it works for many voters (well, it must, how else could they have made it to the semis?)

James goes up and down in my estimation from year to year.....this year has taken the biscuit for me and I am done with him. I think that he and Ola (yes sorry Ola too) have been dull and predictable in their choreography and their antics, its time for them to go and have people more dynamic.

I think it is a shame that James' image, some of which does stem from his ways but also IMO from the way in which they are manipulated and exaggerated by the producers, might spoil the chances of any celeb partner. FWIW I think that the "real" James is better gauged by the way in which he expressed his pride almost tearfully for Alex on Saturday night.

I don't think Alex would have gotten as far with anyone else, and certainly not farther, so they were a good match.

I think James is joking and it is an actand I assume it's encouraged because Brendan was the "bad boy" once and now he's taken that role. His choreography is largely forgettable though, and it would have been nice to see at least some creativity.

well maybe he should drop the "Im trying to be funny" image and let us see the real James more of the time

I agree, he was lovely towards Alex but I am afraid, for me, it is overshadowed by his idiocy, temper and annoyingness

James has got on with some of his previous partners like Gabby, Cherie, Zoe and Alex (all of which seemed to like him) and so it could be argued that his attitude hasn't always hindered his own personal relationship with his celeb dancer (on or off screen). But for some reason it seems that it's just James on his own (regardless of whether he clearly looks to get on with a celeb) that stops him from being more liked than he could be. From talking to my own circle of friends and then reading online forums, he still seems to be a pro that divides opinion more than the rest (maybe even more than Brendan now). I can see that he can be nice and get on with his celeb but, for some reason, he has other traits which don't help his popularity. The fake comedy act prob doesn't help him (because it looks so unnatural) and the huffyness at judges for unwanted scores can be dropped too (because there are times when it looks like a fake outburst over that situation as well).

He needs to drop his "I'm funny me!" attitude because he just isn't funny. He also needs to drop the Craig thing - I don't think Craig particularly dislikes anyone, he just plays his part on the main show - on ITT he has a totally different personality.

[quote=olivej;55244787]well maybe he should drop the "Im trying to be funny" image and let us see the real James more of the time

I think so too, but I think he will need the support of the producers in that, I think they encourage it to some extent in order to court controversy.

I remember on ITT a couple of years ago and after Zoe Lucker had exited earlier than her talent probably merited, James posited the question that maybe viewers had a problem with him and if so he would have to take a look at himself.

I think he did then re-evaluate how he may be coming across and thus mounted a massive charm offensive when with Pamela last year. Unfortunately at times this year he's fallen back into his old ways and complains too much when things don't go his way. It's compeltely unnecessary, rather graceless and can only harm his celeb partner. I think Alex's popularity was despite his gripes not because of them.

Alex herself though seemed to really love working with James.

I like him, but I guess that's just me! He has been fantastic, with Alex this season, and as much as I like the girl, she would have been out much sooner with any other pro. He's made it fun for her, she said so herself, she's had a great time. and most of that must be down to James.

Today's best "sweeping statement?"

Yes, and then he went on to say that Craig was probably jealous of his ass... clearly joking.

And how was Alex hindered? She was a very poor dancer and with James' help she managed to make it this far.

I don't think Alex would have got this far with any other partner. He was the interesting one of the two. He was more like the celeb. I like him, he has attitude. Because she is quite bland, she would have been really boring with anyone else, except Brendan maybe

Exactly. How anyone can watch ITT tonight and say he hindered her is beyond me.

+1
Word for word.

I'd say the only one of James's partners who went out earlier than they should was Gabby Logan and I don't think he had anything to do with that. There is always a tendency on this forum to credit the pros with far more influence than they probably have, whether helping or hindering their partners in the public eye. I imagine there are a few people who vote for Anton or Pasha, rather than their partner, but not enough to make a difference. I have never seen any evidence to suggest anything other than that people vote overwhelmingly for the celebs.

Personally I always find James a hoot, even when he's being daft and he appears to be a popular figure in the backstage community of Strictly, especially with the other male pros and the male celebs.
Last edited by Pasta : 12-12-2011 at 19:02

The fact that Alex got to the semis and Pamela to the final I think means that James neither hinders his partners nor the voting public

I dislike James and it does put me off voting for anyone he is been partnered with. Luckily, he has never danced with any of my favourite celebrities.