I appreciate that it would probably be a bit boring but for fairness they should all have to use the same prop(s) as one is always deemed more difficult or less spectacular than the other and the choice of prop can have a huge difference on the routine and performance

But you don't know what they will do with the props. Some of the props might only be used for a second or so (for example a single squirt of the flower) whilst Jorgie might be twirling the the ribbon throughout the routine. Until we see the performances we won't know who has the most difficult props but I don't think it's true that several props are automatically more difficult than a single item.

How does that logic work out. One prop you only have to concentrate on one thing in addition to your skating how is that more difficult than having to concentrate on using four or five different things? plus concentrating on your skating and then making sure you don't fluff them all and even if they aren't difficult props in themselves its integrating them into the routine and doing them as part of that that makes it more difficult. There is a lot more scope for things to go wrong when there are a few variables in the mix rather than a single one. We have seen in previous years what can go wrong with one prop never mind four or five of them.

One prop IMO is easier to put into a routine than four or five different ones and I think Jorgie has got off extremely lightly with her prop. Again it favours her because she can look elegant in lifts etc so the ribbon would suit her best which IMO is a little bit unfair as the others are all having to tackle things that may not necessarily suit them but are being challenged to make it suit.

I agree that multiple props (no matter what they are) have the scope for more going wrong as you have to learn to master handling them all ... whereas once Jorgie has mastered the ribbon that's all she needs to concern herself with

from the preview on the initial site some of the multiple prop routines look like there's more scope to go wrong and they run the risk of their routines being more "bitty" so less polished looking than a one prop routine which should flow better

The suspicion in me thinks they are leading up to Jorgie scoring 30.0

Would you be suspicious if maybe Chemmy or Jen had the ribbon? I doubt it somehow.
I suspect many on here would be saying how unfair it is that that they only had one prop and that Jorgie has 4 or so.

I have to agree because the ribbon lends itself to more artistic stuff especially in lifts etc which will favour Jorgie and I think they will be trying to push for the perfect score for her.

I'm sure there would be even more outcry if Jennifer or Chemmy had got the ribbon as that would be unfair and they weren't capable of managing more than one prop etc.

I think Jorgie is being favoured by only getting the one and they are trying to get her to get the perfect routine which will be possible as she does not have as many variables in her routine to worry about.

http://www.itv.com/dancingonice/torvill-dean/rink-ring

You can get an olympic Gold for twirling a ribbon - as you do other moves while its twirling, and you have to keep the ribbon moving throughout a routine. There's no Olympic medals for chair sitting , podium mounting or dumbell waving - for good reason. Its hardly less difficult than standing there in a hat, or tossing a hat once or twice, or waving something for a few seconds, before picking up something else, or doing as little as anyone has ever managed to do with past bits of furniture. Standing on a podium is what you get to do after you perform rhythmic gymnastics really well.

You couldn't give anyone but Jorgie or Jennifer a ribbon - it needs speed, balance, dance training and gymnastic ability. Chico would look silly, and Chemmy hasn't got the dancing skills to use it. Jennifers also got something she can do as she knows how to dance with a hat - she's even worn one dancing in Chicago - and she can act the rest of that role. Chico's been type cast, and his props are all similar - it may be another excuse for not wearing a shirt as that would fit the role. Chemmy has been given something to act - which will take her outside what she knows - but being a magician may or may not lend itself to big moves or using her skating power. Mathew just has a strange collection - which could make him more static, if they didn't choregraph it to avoid that.

I am aware of what rhythmic gymnastics involves I have followed it on and off over the years as had friends who were involved in it. I am aware of the difficulties and the moves and what goes into the routines and that yes it is an olympic event. Knowing this IMO I believe she has got maybe not the easiest but has got it easier by only having one prop. It may have been fairer to give her a series of other different props to keep it fair rather than just giving her the ribbon.

IMO it is favouring her a bit because her routine will be one of the few that they can keep flowing etc because of the nature of the prop whereas the others have the potential to be a bit more stitled with having to switch between props etc which does potentially put the others at a disadvantage because the judges like the routines that keep flowing. Also the other props have much more scope to go wrong there is that risk with Jorgies but less so as there is only one to contend with not multiple ones.

Also its one thing dancing with a hat as opposed to skating with one and the work Jennifer will have done with a hat in Chicago will be nothing like having to deal with it in DOI.

I was half expecting someone to be given something Barnum-ish to do (with props added)...

I thought the routines were difficult to compare and contrast, if I am honest. Yes, Jorgie "only" had a ribbon, but she had to keep it in the air, away from both their skates, constantly in the right position in relation to their bodies for each move, and swirling/rolling etc. appropriately for effect. The throw and catch were clearly also harder than they looked to perfect. Louie may have felt that this detracted from Jorgie's performance, and it may have limited the skating somewhat, but this is perhaps scant surprise. Had T&D or Dan performed something like this no doubt it would have gotten rave reviews for its "artistic impression", (although I daresay they as professionals should be expected to perform it better).

I thought Chico's routine was really rather constraining for him and Jodeyne, having to stop and start to pick up and put down dumbells, jump over them etc and I felt this curtailed any real speed, intricacy or flow over the ice.

I enjoyed the skating and the characterisation of Chemmy's routine, but they were confined to producing and presenting their various props which Sean then had to waste vital seconds skating away to dispose of offstage. I'm not saying there was no skill in their presentation, but it was marred IMO by these interruptions.

Jennifer's routine did as Robin said not call on too much skating skill but was very well characterised and performed. The clowning routine called for certain props to be used but more imagination could have been put into their deployment, for example, the bucket of water joke could have been more effectively used by these two on the ice, instead of by Philip off it (NB I do not blame Jen and Dan for this).

Matthew's routine was again great in terms of characterisation and was very well skated and performed. Again though I felt that there was a bit of stopping and starting for certain things e.g. the balloon trick, impressive though it was.

Thought every week was a circus. The most entertaining thing would be to bring back that chap from Eastenders who did make us laugh.