There's a fair group of us who didn't warm to her before.

I wasn't a fan until this series. Good on ya, Nat!

Natalie must be the best teacher

Yeah,I agree with that after seeing Michael dance that first week, if ever anyone had two left legs... he had LOL

Natalie is doing so well with Michael. I love their partnership & work ethic.

I've always had a soft spot for Natalie, she obviously loves dancing and it shows in her attitude towards her partners - patient and kind, but tough when she needs to be. She has worked wonders with Michael, being a sportsman he is used to training and putting the hours/effort in, he repays her hard work and she will appreciate this.

I think everyone would agree that Natalie has really done her image a lot of favours this series. Michael's improvement is demonstrably significant - and all credit to him for taking this seriously, working hard and putting in the hours - which is in large part down to good and supportive teaching. I have always admired Natalie's dancing and grown to appreciate her choreography but it's a real skill not to just 'half-ass' it when you draw a plainly inhibited mover, with bad posture and no natural rhythm. She has not only choreographed to distract from his faults but actually improved his technique. Great job - and they now have a nice chemistry together too.

Always liked - always considered an excellent teacher.

I think she got off to a rocky start with the public because she got potential winners in her first two series and viewers saw her as too competitive, forgetting that this is an Aussie trait - they tell it like it is.

Last year she danced with Audley Harrison - he was never going to make the latter stages but Nat was lovely with him and before they went out you could see the effect of her teaching.

This year with Michael she's managing to nurture him and against all the odds she's turning him into a dancer. Just as importantly their chemistry and rapport is infectious and such fun.

The Aussie and the English cricketer - who would have expected it to be a match made, not on the hallowed turf of Lords, but the SCD dancefloor.

Interestingly, Michael said in an interview that he actually asked to be partnered with Natalie. I'm so glad he got his wish - such an enjoyable couple.

I think they are one of the hardest working too, judging from twitter Vaughney is putting loads of time in. I want them to stay in over Fern and Richard, partly because I think Vaughney can still get better but Fern and Richard have peaked IMO. Im going to be so nervous if he is in the dance off tonight.

Interesting that Colin didn't get a size match. He couldn't have asked for Kristina.

It's interesting for me as a cricket fan, Vaughany was one of the more naturally talented and graceful cricketers, rather than a hard worker (this may not have been the case, of course) so seeing things reversed is quite strange

I Think praise to both of them. Natalie is an amazing dancer and teacher .She has worked wonders with Michael but he has also worked very hard and probably trained for more hours than most.They get on so well and this has got to be a great help. He had improved tonight really hope he can get even better. My very favourite couple .

I did a workshop taught by Natalie about a year and a half ago so I know first hand that she is a simply brilliant teacher. I'm not surprised at all by the improvement Michael has made, and I actually wouldn't mind if they won (although I know it's not likely) - Natalie definitely deserves to be a winning pro

I have to agree . I have to admit it took me a long time to warm up to her but she is really lovely and most importantly is a very good teacher. She always seem to get the best from her students, she did wonders with Audley . and now with Michael.

O.M.G so jealous I'd love to learn from her....
and yes I agree, Natalie needs to lift the glitterball at least once

It would be nice if she wins , she deserves it but lets be realistic she wont win this year. Michael's latin is very poor and thats the only thing that unfortunately hold him back.

Props to her for not doing an 'Anton' and making every routine a comedy after getting a less able partner.

Samba would probably end Michael when it comes up, but I hope the improvement keeps coming with the other available dances (this week's should be good for him).

Funny that a couple of others have commented that they have warmed to Natalie. I nearly added to another thread that I think the fairies may have been in the night and swoped her with a changeling. For the past 3 (or is it 4 series/) she has been my least favourite female pro. Whom ever she danced with I was eager for them to be voted off ASAP.Her dancing was always fine but I found her personality grated.

This year its like watching a different woman. I am really liking her.

Hope the faries bring a changeling for James next.

Post of the day.

That didn't stop Chris Hollins!

I think twitter helps, Piers Morgan tweets support and Michael's number every Saturday and he has almost 3m followers!!

Loving them. My favourite couple! Natalie is a wonderful dancer and teacher. I was not keen on her in the first couple of series'. This year Natalie has been brilliant!

I totally agree with all of this.

Acknowledged by Craig tonight too. Well done Nat. For me the only dance I really enjoyed tonight.

They were fantastic tonight.

He's only improved in ballroom though his Latin is still pants. And when he was out of hold tonight he didn't move well at all.