Again I ask why?

I think she's a great dancer and i really enjoy watching her. Last weeks paso was my favourite from all of her dances so far. I thought she danced well tonight but i was so put off by the music (unfair i know) that i couldn't really enjoy it

I don't mind her being on the show at all. I still can't see her winning it though.

Because it is meant to be about learning a NEW skill! Oh sorry, we're you being sarcastic? Or just obtuse

Not that it's worth anything, but here's my opinion ...

I have no problem with Denise being in the show - fine, she has danced on the stage, but she hasn't learned ballroom or latin dancing, so it is all new for her too.

I think the fact that she has danced on the stage before is detrimental to her performances - they are technically correct, but to me, quite cold.

I hate people comparing the dancers, but I'm going to, in order to make a point.

Lisa is not technically perfect by any means, but her total enjoyment makes her far more entertaining to watch. She interacts with the audience much more, whereas to me, Denise is going through the steps (brilliantly, but with no passion)

Michael is also not technically perfect, but his improvement is just fantastic to watch. I really didn't think he could top the last two weeks, and for me, tonight he has.

I would much rather watch enjoyment and progress, than someone going through the motions.

Oh dear oh dear. Denise has never been a ballroom or a Latin dancer pre SCD. Is Chris Evans a sort of guru or something, whose every word must be revered ?

I think it's about prior expectations. Half the fun before the series starts is wondering which celebs will soar and which plummet. There's none of that when you have someone like Denise there.

Looking at a few of this year's crop - prior to the series I'd say that...

I expected Kimberley to be good.

I predicted Louis would be good.

I thought Nicky would be good.

I was uncertain whether Victoria would be good.

I thought it quite likely that Dani would be good.

I did not think that Richard would be good.

I thought that surprisingly Lisa would be good.

I was doubtful whether Michael would be good.

but

I knew beyond question Denise would be good. I'd have put much money on it. And that's why I can't get worked up over her admittedly excellent performances. I expect it from her. There's no surprise element.

Quelle surprise! Not. Saint Denise of Van Outen - the non-dancer - top of the leaderboard - again. :yawn:

Thought Denise was fantastic tonight - I did not like the music but the dance - the timing
was amazing. I saw Chicago with my sister a few years ago and whilst we enjoyed it we
were dissapointed at the lack of dancing involved. I think she is great and I enjoy watching
good dancing - she has not done Ballroom or Laten before so whats the problem!

Shocked at the 10's for Denise and James - thought 8's and 9's.

I'm a Louis supporter but imo Dani and Vincent should have been awarded the first 10's of the series.

Agreed! Was surprised he was asked back, even more surprised they gave him a decent partner! He took credit for that choreography tonight, which was wrong and don't think I heard him thank Ian last week, might be wrong, doesn't do himself any favours!

OK Denise has not done ball room, or latin. But she is very good at other type of dances and she does have a stage school background. I know someone who went to stage school and they are taught every aspect of dancing including ballroom and latin to a certain level.

But she is learning a new skill, stage work does not involve Latin or ballroom she hasn't done either before


So should anyone who has been to stage school be excluded from competing in SCD? That will reduce the pool of possible competitors

It seems to me that the objections to Denise are nothing to do with any supposed previous experience and everything to do with the abstract idea of wether you like someone or not. Which is fine but if SCD is a popularity contest and not a dance competition then at least be honest about it do t hide behind the "she's danced before" because she hasn't danced the way she is now she hasn't done ballroom and she hasn't done Latin and the she "went to stage school" excuse because she is not the only one.

On the one hand we have people complaining because the ones who can't dance but are entertaining get through whilst the ones who can dance get voted out ( in previous series) and shouting about how it's a DANCE competition but then when someone who can dance gets high scores we have complaints about that. It's either a dance competition or a popularity contest and if its the former then no one can complain when someone who has shown they can learn a new dance and perform it gets high scores. If its the latter then stop using the excuse that its a competition about dance to justify the complaints

I like Denise, but wasn't a fan of the routine...at all.

She is outright cheating and it should be allowed.

Who wants someone who can dance to win a dancing show for amateurs that are trying their best?

It's unfair and corrupt.

Welcome to the world of TV (moreover Reality TV) everything is not what it seems, but Denise is great and still works hard even though it seems most on here think ballroom dancing comes easy to her. There have been others who have been good from day 1 (ie. Austin Healy Matt Baker Jill Halfpenny etc.) In other words some people are just naturally gifted and good at it.......

Yeah but Healey was constantly practising his heel leads, pivots and spot turns when he was stuck out on the wing for England. Another ringer.

OMG! Is your friend Denise Van Outen?! If not, that anecdote has no relevance to how little or how much experience of ballroom and latin dancing Denise had before Strictly.

Best choreography of the night, best performance of the night.

Who was dancing it?

Does it matter?

If you want a "personality contest/bitchfest" as entertainment there's always the kangaroo arse eating programme/the Simon Cowell new Bentley benefit show and come the summer that thing with the Geordie announcer.

And Nicky, he has musicality and can dance too

Denise is good and ill vote for her- you can't say she can't be in the show without excluding Kimberley, Nicky, Lisa-& Danni-
All Stage Schools teach dance-

much as I don't like Denise particularly she has grown on me. In series after series James has coached some stars much further than people expected them to get do you not think it would be nice for that to be rewarded by him lifting the glitter ball. Much as many people don't like him I do think he has shown he can teach and enthuse people in this compititon.

Here we are again descending into the murky world of unfair advantage theory.
Presumably a sportsperson with high levels of physical fitness and stamina as well as experience of performing under pressure has an advantage.
A singer who because of their job has an inherent sense of rhythm and musicality has an advantage.
An actor/actress who has experience of adopting all manner of characteristics in various acting roles and can apply that to correctly transmit the right mood in each dance is at an advantage.
So then lets reduce the number of contestants down to those who have no advantage of any significance whatsoever, those who everyone agrees is not fake or smug or arrogant or a judges favourite and at the same time are a saint in the eyes of the entire human race and we are left with whom exactly???
Laughable!!

Oh I think Cheating is a bit strong- no one is a professional dancer- no sorry you have it in for her -
No one is Cheating-

she is an amature dancer BTW they are all professional entertainers and are being paid to do strictly so technically that makes them all professional dancers!

Agree with everything that is said here.

Why....Because her ability is keeping your favourite of the top spot. And if it wasn't her would you be saying the same about another contestant?