So is doing extremely well for himself for having no showbiz experience like others I could mention.

The boy has come from nothing to exceptional.

Let's get some real factual perspective on this forum and have a positive Louis thread to counteract all the poison threads that seem to fill the first page. The ones with their incorrect assumptions that because he isn't Mr. Showbiz actor and westend star his shyness is seen as loving himself.

Louis started with nothing and has put in the work to get where he is in both representing this country, winning the first gymnastics medal for this country in decades and doing so well in this show.

but is a bit of a personality void for me and I hope you are including Kimberley in that comment not to mention Lisa and Dani who have done a lot of provincial theatre

for me dance is the whole package technically good and dragging em along with them in the spirit of the dance

He is used to an audience he just needs to show us do something of how he feels not plant a fixed smile on the end

I agree he's a star in the making.

Yep. He comes across as a genuine bloke to me and I think if he can get into the Strictly bubble and 'feel' the dance there will be no stopping him. I don't think the song choice helped him tonight, it's such a soppy song, he could have done with something more er...masculine, I mean with a stronger emotion.

He has huge potential to be brilliant, I just hope Flavia can get him to communicate a connection and be more emotionally expressive - a very difficult skill to learn when you're learning everything else.

I don't care what he has or hasn't done before. I'm not judging the contestants based on what they've done before. I'm judging them based on the 90 seconds of dancing they produce on a Saturday night. And IMO, both of his dances have been not particularly great, technically or emotionally.

I was actually wondering if the song tonight was chosen to try and bring out the smile and try and soften things a bit for him. I do think he will suit the more intense dances like Paso and Tango but it was actually nice to see him really trying to lighten his personality with the soppier song and I think in hindsight this song has done him a world of good

Tangy, I know exactly what you mean. I think this positive thread for Louis is a reaction against the negative ones he's had aimed at his supposed arrogance.

Personally, I'm not blinkered to his dancerly imperfections but I'm supportive of him as a person (as little as I know about him) and after such a short time I think he's doing okay and has potential.

You see 'personality void', I see a young bloke who's been catapulted into the public eye and isn't media savvy. He'll come out of his shell a bit as time goes on.

Yes but he like other sports people have other advantages especially when it comes to training and performing under pressure.
People like Johnny Ball and Richard Arnold have a much bigger disadvantage.

I love Louis and Flavia and this is the couple I'm backing this year. I want them to go all the way and win.

I don't think any of the contestants have "stared" in a West End show! Denise and Kimberley have "starred"! Sorry!

Thats tweeny think. Pay no attention. If a guy is quiet not flashy they will say that about them. They are terrified he will beat their favourite.

He's an olympian. Not showbiz.Personally I think that is refreshing compared with a all the stage school musical theater performers who have an unfair advantage.

I can see what you mean but I think it's a real marmite song and I'm not sure an easy one to encourage emoting too because it is so...em juvenile.


Everyone has their own advantages and disadvantages isn't that the point. I don't think anyone arrives at Strictly with the full set of skills and that's where the enjoyment lies.

I see a more or less a level playing field of contestants with different skills, but with on one really having much of an advantage over the other. I suppose Kimberley and DVO know more about stage and movement but Nicky has similar experience and he's struggling - so it's down to relying on natural skills and then the talent of the teacher.

Agree, Louis is doing a brilliant job, I do not however think it is a level playing field, people such Sid, Dani, Kimberley all went to stage school where they are taught performance and dance. DVO also went to stage school and starred as Roxie in Chicago! On radio 4 yesterday they were talking to the actress who is now playing Roxie and discussing how difficult her dances are, so no definitely not a level playing field.

Thank goodness for a positive Louis thread. He is obviously physically very fit after his gymnastic training and could have the ability to produce some brilliant performances. I know being physically fit isn't everything but it's a good start.

Both he and Victoria are out of their comfort zone and have a lot of adapting to do. The show business world is completely different to what they are used to and I wish people would give them a chance without criticising every facial expression they make. It does make a difference if you have been to stage school and have learnt to lose your inhibitions when performing.

We should be glad to have two Olympians on Strictly but some people seem to have started having a go at them before the show even started.

Yes I hope he does well


Can we include Michael in this as well please, aslo way out of his comfort zone, but because he is older is hiding it more.

No question he will be physically fit, have excellent balance, (his speciality is the pommel horse after all) and be able to cope with spins etc. And being a still active sportsman (most previously on SCD previously were retired) will have a competitive nature.

His concentration/focus will also be excellent and you don't get to where he has in his sport by being an ill disciplined lout...for one thing he'd have lost his funding.

Worth remembering too it's a highly individual sport...not one where you compete with a partner or as part of a team.

But he's a relatively young man been out of the public eye in training for years in a sport which gets little or no widespread coverage (except for Olympics). Where cheesy grins and mucking about during the competition/performance phase are not tolerated.

There's also a difference between being interviewed about your speciality by a reasonably informed sports reporter and giggled at or being the subject of worn/idiotic jokes about your "guns" by Tess Daley

Not sure this is conclusive proof that all actresses who played Roxie played the role in exactly the same way - does it? I didn't see this show so don't know if they tailored the role to suit the different personalities.

I did said a relatively level playing field. To be honest I don't get why people get so hung up with this 'ringer' thing. So what if DVO has had a modicum more experience, it still doesn't mean that she'll be good in Strictly. It also doesn't mean that she'll win, there are issues of likeability and I do think that a personality who improves along the way can get a lot more audience support rather than someone who's been good all the way through. Nothing is guaranteed.


Exactly, it's apples and oranges. Just cause Louis can balance and can train hard doesn't mean he can dance, emote and cope with all the Strictly schtick automatically.

The choreo always stays the same in the show. This is the sort of thing she would have been doing (Roxie is played by the red haired lady here) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OriQsVrw0mE

Still doesn't mean that DVO is a shoe-in, that's my point.

I wasn't impressed by Louis last week, I thought he was a bit dull. However, last night's waltz was amazing! I hope we get to see more dances like that from him.

The OP could as easily have started a thread that said, 'A N Other is not a young Olympic athlete who's just had masses of national and international TV coverage'.

It's not exactly a level playing field, but Strictly never has been. Inevitably a fairly high percentage of celebrities will have had some performance training - duh, they are performers - but the Great British Public doesn't always vote for the best dancer - far from it, really, as Chris Hollins and Darren Gough will testify.

Louis hasn't wowed me so far, but then neither has Victoria, and yet I voted for her last night. No, of course it isn't logical, but it was my choice and my 15p (extravagant or what?).

I wouldn't get too worked up about criticism of Louis - he's doing okay and will go far. He could even win it, but not until he can learn to let go on the dance-floor and let us see a personality.

He should sue his hairdresser.

Come from nothing? You don't think the gymnastic routines (especially floor) have any artistry about them. No choreography?

You don't think a sport that requires poise, balance, timing and control could have any bearing on the skills needed for dance? Wow.

Don't disagree but I read somewhere that it was a definite choice to 'brand' himself and stand out from the crowd and be remembered.

He's stated that Rio will be extremely hard as there are fantastic all-round male gymnasts kicking-at-his-heels and it will be difficult for a one-apparatus specialist to keep his place! So he needs to have an exit plan. He's savvy and ambitious for his future and I think he's making some great decisions - including the haircut (which may be attractive and relevant to a slightly younger crowd than the SCD audience).