I think you're right. Lets hope SCD is not going to go the same as Xfactor . I think we know by now a lot of the pairings have been deliberately put together just to make talking points, like Colin Kristina, Michael Natalie, James Denise etc

I think that was the worst part for me, I'd just started to like Nicky.

She definitely knew. She was tweeted by someone who saw lifts in the training clip and replied:
"thanks marie very sweet of u. Once u see the routine you will know why i made that professional decision.."

You are kidding?

That is not on.

It was a lift...supported with both feet clearly off the ground. And that ain't in the rules. So fair enough.

Makes me wonder if Craig knew about the tweet thing and was especially harsh on her.

Not a great start at all.

Lol neither do I, I must have not been watching at that precise moment.

It doesn't really bother me so long as they get marked down for it to level the playing field a bit. But I think it can be awkward for the celebs - just don't think it would be a good thing if someone was pushed into breaking the rules, getting a lower mark and risking their place on the show if they'd prefer not to. But maybe Nicky agrees with her decision.

Hmmm well I'm more confused than ever. If she didn't know the rule then fair enough, but to do it intentionally isn't really fair on Nicky, She said she'd do anything to win, but breaking the rules intentionally will just hurt them. I guess they become a talking point and don't get forgotten which isn't a bad thing on week 1 when they're are so many acts, but they don't want to get discussed for the wrong reasons. I do really like Karen from what I've seen though, I just hope she sticks by the rules in the future, making enemies out of the judges, especially in the first weeks isn't wise.


The horror in my brothers face as he realized he was defending a Westlife member tonight was priceless. I took the few minutes to enjoy it whilst I could as I'm sure he'll resort to hating him again by the time tomorrows show broadcast.

it was scripted.

I was thinking this also. I also believe Craig reads this forum

Karen may have tried to make an impression, but i don't think she did it in the right way! Putting illegal lifts in dances will only decrease poor Nicky's chances in the competition, I feel sorry for the poor guy.

I didn't notice it, but when Craig mentioned it I did think how tedious that the new pro is breaking the rules.

I also thought the anything to win comment would not be endearing her to many people, she does realise that she is in the UK doesn't she?

I don't think she does

That was my thought too. The arm pump was another off-putting thing she did that would indicate competitiveness in the States but not be deemed to be sportslike over here. My overall impression is that the irish tend to fall between the two stools on this attitude so he maybe wouldn't have been able to point out that it wouldn't be viewed positively by us Brits.

It's always difficult being a newbie she will get the hang of it. Remember the short guy who arrived with Artemis and Robin he lasted one season? She made an error of judgement and for her to say " whatever it takes to win". Good on her, that's competitiveness fr you!

Competetiveness is good, but if she carries on as she did last night, being marked down could end them both in the dance off's and getting voted out by the judges....a tad misguided way to go about getting herself noticed imvho

I didn't even notice a lift. I thought the whole fuss about it (whether scripted or not) was really stupid.

I feel so sorry for Nicky, wish they had partnered him with Ola or Kristine...from what I've seen of Karen, I dont think I'm going to be too keen on her. Hopefully her silliness won't put the public off them as a couple.

Some of you are turning into right paranoid types!

The BBC knows that the X-Factor/SCD battle was won by it because it was able to sell their show as 'real' verses the X-Factor being 'contrived'.

I have no doubt that producers do have some influence, of course they do, but not in the way described here.

Yeah I have to say I doubt it was the producers sitting in their Fortress of Doom conducting this all.

It seems far more likely that Karen thought a lift looked good there, was smart enough to realise that as a new pro she needs to stand out not melt into the background, and decided that since no one goes this week it was worth the hit on the score (although I don't suspect she would've expected to be hit quite so much!).

Someone from production will have seen that in rehearsals and obviously they didn't try to stop her. And why would they? They shouldn't be telling the dancers exactly what to do and I'm sure they didn't mind the drama!

It's a TV show - everything IS stage-managed.

Winning involves abiding by the rules surely?

It's possible she saw what happened to boring Jared - dumped after one season- and thought she would go the aliona route of rule breaking but she doesn't have the charm to pull it off - can see her being canned if the viewers don't warm to her

i'm with you on this one didnt see much dancing - although the opening would have been a great one for an AS