His rumba was less bad than I expected, but was really just a set of disconnected poses coupled with a weird facial expression and no connection with Karen. I can't see how anyone could find it brilliant...

Also, Victoria got fewer points than Nicky this week and is second last on the leaderboard. She was hardly praised to the hills this week, and Nicky got praise in QS week and a bit in Tango week. So it's not like he's been 'not given any encouragement'. Even with his dire Waltz Darcey praised his 'musicality'.

I thought it was quite funny, given your arrogant/rude comments initially.

I think that's fair comment.

That's just another one of Nicky's many excuses IMO. He wasn't a goalie for very long and was dropped at 19 for being too short.

Peter Schmeichel is much taller and has had a far longer and more successful career as a goalkeeper, yet I don't recall his posture being as bad as Nicky's.

The problem is when the chin juts forward the neck shortens, and the front of the head becomes the highest point, this collapse continues down the body, with the shoulders raising and rounding forward. When the judges sometimes say things like raise your breastbone, or pull your shoulders down, if the neck isn't free then it will cause you to strive to push the body and striving never makes for elegant posture, just think of military men on parade, yes their backs are straight, but it looks too forced.

That's why I like the Alexander Technique, simple but effective directions. Allow the neck to be free to allow the head to move forward and up. Allow the torso to lengthen and widen. Allow the legs to move away from the body. Allow the shoulders to release and widen. A good Alexander teacher is a joy, I'm lucky to have one near me and go for top up session now and then.

I am a bit behind with DWTS, thanks for reminding me, must go to the attic and catch up. But yes they are right, you need passion and emotion. Trying to 'get it right' really gets in the way.

I feel sorry for Nicky and I think Karen's choreography is letting them both down. Agree he has a posture problem too.

He is in the same position as all of them so I don't understand this comment.

His Rhumba was OK - but not great. I do agree though that the judges don't seem to appreciate him much - whereas with others they rave about them if they just manage to put one foot in front of the other.

I agree re the choreography - again she was criticised for lack of content.

No point!

It was the best for him so far they raved at his quickstep which was worse but dances in hold should be easier to master than those apart and whilst I agree they all have one week to learn a new dance there is no comparrison in difficulty for a male celebrity doing a rumba compared to Denise doing a VW in hold with a Male pro (hence the comment)!!

Your right there is a postrure problem.

thanks for this, i found it really helpful.

I recommend from this week Derek and Shawn's rumba [judges hated it, controversial]
and Karina and Apolos's VW which was very unusual, especially song choice, but the fluidity between them was breathtaking

I love Derek's choreography. Also love Apolo, I don't know if it's my imagination but his arms seem to be much bigger this year, it's not a look that particularly appeals to me. Also enjoy Karina, especially when she used to dance with Slavik.

the huge lack of content in the dances is not Nickys fault but Karens, she needs to add more dance steps.! Louis gets to move all over the floor where as Nicky just stands there moving his arms. NOT GOOD enough!!!

Maybe she gives him what she thinks he can handle? Wasn't he trying to get her to take stuff out of the choreo this week?

Louis will not move around the foor when he is doing the rumba.

Not seriously. Louis told Flavia he couldn't do a move but she like Karen made him do it. That's their job.

Isn't a rhomba something sort of square but wonky? It suits Nicky quite well.

Not to be confused with the rumbus which is what Alesha jumped on to take her from Strictly to Britain's Got Talent Allegedly Although Not On Display For 99% Of This Programme.

I'm sure in the VT he was doing more moves in the mirror and she told him to stop doing extras! He needs to be given more weather she thinks he is capable or not! We need to see more dancing good or bad how is someone supposed to improve on something when they are never asked to do it? After a bit of investigation I see the Rumba isn't full of dance content for the man, so this week I can let her off! Need more next week though

I struggle to believe British finalist professional dancers can constantly mis-spell the name of one of the dances.

News for you - I'm a dancer too, and I've watched from Series 1. I could name at least 20 Rumbas I thought were better, yet alone 1 or 2.

Oh. When I heard Alesha's got BGT I thought she'd let herself go in a branch of Greggs and she had lettuce stuck in her teeth.

Karen did try to sort his posture as we saw in the vt but it hasn't worked. Somebody else said that they both said on ITT this week they don't know what else they can do about it. I didn't see it but that sounds like it came from Nickys mouth rather than Karens?
I just think he needs to work harder on it as imo it is one of his major problems.

It was late and I was angry!!!

I thought they did especially last week.