The only one I could look at without giggling like an idiot was the one Matt and Flavia did. Which was a long time ago lol

Hi Daniela and welcome to DS.

I think Colin Jackson's is still considered the best on here but I don't remember it I do hate the rhumba though unless its done by pros, it's just butt-clenchingly embarrassing for most of them but Louis strikes me as someone who isn't as self-conscious when it comes to dancing as others have been in the past.

Even when done by the pros I have to look away - James and Ola in her catsuit, noooooooooooooooo
Mind you, on second thoughts, I did rather like the one with James and Artem .

Oh I still don't like it, but I can watch them, don't particularly want to, but can. . the rhumba is a stupid dance unless you're 22 and look like Salma Hayek.

But you're right Artem and James' is the exception.

I've watched all 3 training videos on Youtube as I can't watch them on the BBC site (can't download the latest Flash). They're all looking good for the first day. Louis and Kimberley look great and Richard is more much likeable than I thought he would be.

I agree about the rhumba - I have to look away sometimes it is so embarrassing to watch. I wish they would get rid of it - there are lots of other dances they could replace it with. The only one I liked was James and Cherie in Series 6, that was sexy but classy.

Heads Up

Looks like it'll be Fern and Artëm next... The Teaser trail clip is there but not the training vid just yet

Well spotted Pet Detective

I think I'm right in saying they can't get rid of it - it's part of the five International Latin dances, and along with the five International Ballroom dances those have been performed in every series. (They've added other dance styles since, but when Strictly first started it was just those ten dances plus the showdance - although they only did the VW as an unscored group routine at first.)

Strictly is a dancing competition and they'd get stick for dropping one of the dances performed in actual ballroom competitions for whatever reason.

And although there are probably less good rumbas than other dances, there have still been plenty of good ones over the series.

Shhhh, don't! Some satellite channel will pick up on that franchise

It's still Louis and Flavia. C'mon Louis. Get off the pot! Fern wants to go

Ola and Paul Daniels' rumba forced me to leave the room.

Kate and Anton's salsa, Peter and Erin's charleston, Andrew and Ola's american smooth... name any dance style performed on Strictly and there is probably at least one particularly awful one. One really dreadful rumba is no more a case for getting rid of it than any of those other examples are.

Plus, you know, all the stuff I said in my last post.

Fern and Artem

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00yytn4

Ooooo I grew anxious when I saw him leaning on the Holly punishment stick, but they get along really well. Looks like fun

Fern and Artem seem to be getting on well. I'm not sure if Fern will have enough stamina for the Latin dances, but she'll certainly attempt to dance them properly. I don't really dislike anyone this year.

Fern seems to have the proper temperament and attitude to work with Artem. Looks good too picking up the moves.

But what is with that edit? They had her repeat herself twice at the end. "The biggest worry I have is..."

Looks like they are making a good pairing and are getting along great - look forward to seeing them dance

Looks like it's going to Nicky and Karen later today...

It is worse! it really, really is. When another dance is bad, it can be so funny it's genius bad - any dance by Gavin or Kenny proving my point, but never is the rumba funny if its not good, it's excruciating and painful and embarrassing for all involved, just look at Austin & Erin's rumba and that one wasn't even that bad.

The rumba is a sexual dance, or rather the pros insist on making it a sexual dance, and it's just not sexy when it's forced and uncomfortable.

The rumba is only comfortable to watch if it's brilliant, if it's even ok, it' still horrible.

All of this is, of course, in my opinion, you can have an opposing view.

Karen and Nikki up
Waltz with many many lifts, does Karen know this is very naughty?

Nicky and Karen First Steps
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00yzvm3

Nicky teaser trail
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00yznmg

Here is the link...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/blogstric...ys-First-Steps

I think the lifts might just be trying out stuff... we will see if Karen knows about the no lifts policy. It looks like some of that stuff is taken from DWTS type routines where they seem to have a different policy on little lifts....

He's looking ok though. I am looking forward to seeing just what Karen comes up with - especially as she is the new pro and her choreography style is an unknown quantity.

They're lovely together, I think they have real chemistry and they make a gorgeous couple, but Nicky's a bit wooden. That might be first day embarrassment but he needs to loosen up. Karen might be good at teaching that, she's very sinuous.

Only one really dreadful rumba ? I don't think so. There have been more dreadful rumbas than any other dance in my opinion (unless done by pros). In fact, I would go so far as to say that really good rumbas which are not embarrassing to watch are few and far between (IMO). The celebs, who are amateurs, are often self-conscious and it shows.

It's all looking pretty easy for Nicky....

They probably won't warn her.

This will then give Len the opportunity to have his by now traditional rant about lifts half way through the competition.

So far I think they are all looking pretty good on these video clips. Looking forward to Nicky and Karens waltz