My feelings are pretty much what you've said here. I remember really supporting Matt DA in series 5 from the start (although I never found DS or the spoiler thread until right at the end of the series). Until series 5 I watched but never really got involved and invested in it...

In series 6 I wasnt particularly bothered who won until the judges started doing their favouritism... then I was tactically voting to try to get rid of Lisa and Rachel... (although looking back, Rachel really deserved to win - and although I didnt vote for Tom, I thought he was a worthy winner in the end).

In series 7, I cant particularly remember having a favourite either way... although I was sort of a Cola supporter or actually more accurately an Anti Whittle/Bastion supporter.

In series 8, i was supporting Flavia and Jimi but didnt mind who won after they lost out. (I didnt vote so saved a fortune!)

In series 9, I was supporting Harry, but it was more of an anti support for Jason (bot) and Chelsee although I wouldnt have minded if Chelsee had won the final.

This year, Im on the Louis and Flavia bandwagon, although I wouldnt mind if Dani wins. I look forward to seeing Michael and Natalie and what they have come up with, but I cant take to Lisa (bad or no technique), Nicky and Kimberley (bot reasons and for reason I dont think they can be bothered half the time - so why should I be bothered) and Denise (Ringer). Victoria im not either way.





Yes me too... sorry had forgotten him. I supported him but never voted.

This year I knew who my favourite would be from the very beginning when the celebrities were announced and that person was Louis.

He is still my favourite and would love to seem him win and other favourites of mine would be Michael and Dani.

I would love Kimberely to win, she's such a lovely person and a very good dancer , and Pasha is a wonderful pro and teacher and I don't care if he wins it two years in a row.

My second favourite is Michael not so much for Michael as for Natalie, another wonderful pro and teacher . I can see that Michael is also doing his best not for himself but for Natalie .

I didn't really start watching closely enough to really form opinions until the ft/paso week of series three.

Three - I think it was becoming obvious that Goughie was going to win it - on the final performances alone I would have gone with Zoe but would have been alright with Colin winning. I didn't object to Goughie though.

Four - I wanted Ramps to win from the first time I saw him dance and a lot of it was developing a lot of Karen love from watching her with ballroom Bill the previous year. No one else was going to satisfy - never got the Dawes love and thought Emma Bunton very over-rated although I did love her tango. I hated the fact that Spoony wasn't really given a chance and quite like Carole Smiley and Louisa.

Five - again hated the fact that Gaby went far too early, I know that he wasn't stellar from the off - but I did kinda adopt Matt DA from day one and was very happy he managed to impress in week two - however he blew his chances and his right to win with meltdown - I supported him through it as I thought he deserved to go out on a high but I knew he couldn't and shouldn't win from that point but loved watching the semi (which was tense as I was scared Matt was going to mess up again which would have been gutting) and the final. I could logically see pros and cons to all of about six dancers in it - Kelly, Alesha, Gethin or Gaby (on potential from what we saw would all have been satisfactory winners) and Matt would only have been wrong because of what one week and more accurately it would have left a bad taste in the mouth and a lot of anger. I liked Gethin but didn't have the love that made for boasting and elation when he broke through and found his latin thang in the salsa or rage at the dance-off when he failed to make the final - I think a lot of the Gethnites boasting and over-idignation did much to put me off although I would better understand them by walking in their shoes with Austin the next year- I think Alesha was the best all-rounder and the worthy winner.

six - I was an Austin fan - although I also liked Cherie and Jodie (I think she deserved another week to tango much more than Christine did) - but after he was eliminated/robbed then my support transfered to Tom to make for an interesting final - I may well have refused to watch had the judges got their way and had a Rachel/Lisa final and then I was anyone but Lisa to win until I saw Tom's showdance then it had to be him.

More musings to follow:

Am loving reading this as I've a poor memory and it's reminded me of so much!!!

James Anderson for Strictly??? Yes, PUR-LEEEZE! Yum.

Austin - ah, yes. Wuz robbed.

Ramps didn't translate to Test level too well sadly. I admit it.

I bet Sir Viv can dance. I just bet.

LOVED Louisa Lytton! That jive!

It varies for me.

I started watching in the middle of series 4, so didn't really have a favourite that year. I wanted Mark & Karen to win after his AT though!

series 5: Alesha from week 2 really - I loved her partnership with Matthew

series 6: I liked Cherie & James until they were voted out, and always loved Rachel & Vincent but can't really pinpoint when they became my favourites. And I changed my mind after Tom & Camilla's showdance

series 7: Chris & Ola were my favourites from the start, I thought their partnership was great even though he obviously wasn't the best dancer.

series 8: I loved Kara, Matt and Pamela equally, so I don't think I ever really had a favourite and don't think I would have been disappointed by any result in that final! Kara deserved to win though

series 9: Harry was my favourite from the start, none of the other contestants really made an impression at all.

this year: I have no favourite. None of them have made me go 'wow' and think they deserve to win. If I had to pick right now I'd pick Michael & Natalie as I think he's the most improved and they have a great partnership. BUT if I was picking on dance alone it'd be Denise & James, and if I was picking based on bias towards my favourite pros it'd be Louis & Flavia. So I have no idea who I want to win! To be honest, I'm not at all sure I really care, this series has been so flat and uninspiring...

The very thought of Sir Viv on Strictly... I won't even mind if he's not paired with Pasha. No, I'll vote for him.

I haven't had a favourite early in most series. Back in series 3 I loved Colin and Goughie equally, although I still think Colin should have won.

This year, Michael was my favourite from the beginning but that's based on his cricket history, now he is my favourite for his commitment and enjoyment in the show. Don't think he will win though unless he has a latin epiphany!

From week 1 I thought that the winner would be Louis. Denise is brilliant to the point where she outdanced James last week... but I don't think she will win due to the public vote.

Colin certainly was a better dancer. But, as we know by now, you can be TOO good.

If Michael can avoid the dance-off he stands a chance. But a good Latin would do his prospects a whole lot of good. Can't really see it though.

At this stage I just badly do NOT want Denise to win. That's the one thing this series that I AM sure of. Otherwise I'm in a state of constant flux.

I think Denise falls into that category of too good. Honestly that Charleston... if you had no prior knowledge and just watched it as a one off you would have thought that she was the professional and James the celeb.
I think audiences as a whole prefer someone who has some form of a journey e.g. Goughy

I've found it really interesting reading all your thoughts about what makes a favourite. And a great relief, in a way, because I'm not as fickle as I thought I was or, at least, not alone in my fickle-ness.

Sometimes I want a proper dancer to win (Ricky, Ramps, Kara); sometimes it's the dreaded 'j' word that prevails (Michael this year); sometimes I just love the partnership (Alesha and Matt, Ian and any of his partners, frankly); sometimes I'm seduced by the back story (Kara and Artem); sometimes it's the pro dancer (Chelsee and Pasha); and sometimes it's just hope triumphing over experience (come on, Victoria, I keep voting for you in the vain hope that you might, just might, keep it together for one decent dance).

I've only really passionately cared who won in the Alesha and Kara years (and still shudder at the memory of the phone bills) - the rest of the time I've had my favourites but not been heart-broken or elated by their elimination or success. This year? I think that because I have no emotional investment (and only a small monetary one in the occasional votes I throw to Michael and Victoria), I really don't mind who wins.

I've only watched since about mid-way through series 5 but even then had 3 that I really liked and didn't mind who won out of them, but when I went to the tour afterwards I ended up definitely in the Matt & Flavia camp... I had no idea DS even existed until I found out on the tour and I think it was being here that made me much more of a fan than I was. It is pretty addictive this place

Series 5 : Loved all of Matt, Alesha and Gethin. Loved the final of this year because I really liked both Matt & Alesha and changed my mind on the winner with every dance. I think at the end of it though I had settled on wanting Matt to win as he was best on the night, but I wasn't too worried when Alesha won

I have always been a Flavia fan though so always support her and whatever partner she has until they go out and then I'll support someone else, but not usually enough to vote for.

Series 6 : Once Flav went out it was Rachel and Vincent for me.

Series 7 : I don't think I ever really got into anyone in this series. Again I started off supporting Flava and Craig Kelly, but even I was glad to see the back of him when the time came. I also really liked Zoe Lucker in this series but she was out way too soon.

Series 8 : LOVED Flav & Jimi and was gutted when they went out too soon. They definitely should have stayed around longer. Once they went out I liked Kara/Artem but liked a lot of Matt and Alionas dances too.

Series 9 : Russell was good fun and it was good to see Flavia with someone completely different and having a great time... I really liked their Venus Cha Cha, and loved their Don't Rain On My Parade Foxtrot! One of my favourite dances of last year actually ...... I then liked both Harry and Chelsee, but in the end I think Harry just edged ahead in time for the final.

Series 10 : Louis & Flavia from the word go!! - Apart from the blip on Saturday I think they have had some great dances and I really look forward to what comes next with them.... I have high hopes still even though they might have took their eye off the ball at the weekend. They'll be back with a vengeance next week I hope.

I am also liking Kimberley/Pasha and Dani/Vincent this year, and would be very happy to have these two couples plus Louis and Flavia in the final

I so agree that made me chuckle. Dont go on all this love thing for Pasha doesn't do much for me or many of my friends either.

I clocked Louis from the very first dance on launch night when he took Kristina into hold. Before that moment, I probably would've gone for Sid. But that one moment told me he had the talent to win. My previous supports have been Jason (due to nostalgia) and Scott Maslen (due to an amazing jive that still remains my favourite dance). I've not had much Strictly luck on picking a winner!

I don't do reality shows, apart from two. I clocked Lee Mead as the winner in the first number on their launch night and Ben Forster on the first launch night of Superstar. I guess i'm better with singers than dancers but i'm hoping that Louis will bring on glitterball glory.

I know a lot of people are saying that Denise is going to win this but i'm really thinking that the producers and general public do NOT want her to win. She is too controversial with the musical theatre background and complaints (Chris Evans, etc) and it makes Strictly look bad. Like, uh, big fat cheaters. I DO think Victoria was the bright hope before the show started as it looks so good for Britain. But that dream died after her first dance and I do firmly believe the producers will do anything to get Louis into the final and win this.

I like Denise but feel cheated. Kimberley is OK but the GA association puts me off. Louis I like to see him dance. Vicky I see the improvement each week. Lisa I cannot stand, Dani although very good makes me laugh and I cant concentrate on her good dancing.

Series 2 was the first one I watched from the start and as far as I remember it was Jill all the way.

Series 3, I think I started off liking a few couples, loved Bill and Karen and James and Camilla then I think Goughie's paso in week 4 clicked me to support him for the win. Just loved Lilia's routines. They were great together and the judges gushing over Zoe put me off her. Found Colin and Erin a bit boring.

Series 4...yup, Mark and Karen all the way from the first CCC, no contest.

Series 5. Not a very good year for me, started with Kelly and Brendan and then....then Gethin clicked with that Waltz and Salsa and then....wasn't really interested in anyone else.

Series 6. More catastrophe. Jodie was my second favourite. Then Austin who was my first favourite from the first week. By the end, I was in therapy.

Series7. Crawled out of therapy and supported Chris and Ola from the first. Just liked them better than anybody else, also Chris made me laugh, but flipping heck, there wasn't much competition.

Series8. I think I was going between Matt and Kara, voting for both, but it was Kara's paso in week 5 that swung it. Then it was her all the way, I went off Aliona's choreo a lot as well.

Series9. As far as I recall it was Chelsee from the second or third week, definitely by the Charleston. Loved her and Pash together.

Series 10. Nobody as yet. Only Michael and Nat depending on his dance but am not wildly optimistic on the probability of making the final. Liked them from quite early on, perhaps the hilarity of the jive did it.

So looking back, I support who I want to win from the first or anyway, quite early on. Series 5 was an exception, I didn't get Gethin til two weeks before he went out, and I was just liking Kelly's dancing more than anybody else's up to then, but not probably expecting her to win. Don't think I've changed my mind except maybe to switch from Matt to Kara but not sure. Once I have a favourite, that's it.

In therapy!! Ha ha! Oh, Nancy!

Craig Kelly. Ye GODS, Dilly!!!!!

Aliona's choreography for Matt Baker. Ugh.

... I loved their Jai Ho Tango and Flav had a beautiful dress

For me, from week one you can tell who is a good dancer. It's almost instant. As the weeks progress you can see who is improving from the training and usually by the beginning of December, there's someone that is at the forefront for me. Sometimes I take a real liking to their personality and/or partnership as well but sometimes not (Emma Bunton, Ricky Whittle). But at the end of the day, I want the best dancer to win and by the beginning of December, it becomes pretty obvious who the best dancer is.

This year, like series 7, I'm not bowled over by anyone. For me, there is no Jill or Kara this series, which kinda sucks. But, of the people in it, I'm most impressed by Dani. No doubt Denise is very capable, but she does not wow me. She looks like a stage dancer, and I'm more interested in the latin/ballroom discipline.

Mine changes each year.

Series 1 was very see how it pans out but by the final I wanted Natasha to win
Series 2 I liked Jill and Denise equally
series 3: I wanted Colin to win from day dot, would've have loved if Zoe won, anyone but Darren.
Series 4: I really liked Mark bug I'm sure I liked someone else first too but can't remember who.
Series 5: Alesha all the way but loved Matt and Flav and would've picked them most other years.
Series 6: loved Austin, but I didn't want Tom Chambers to win more than I cared who did win.
Series7: really didn't care they were all pretty dire, Ricky was great but no personality and hasn't warmed to Natalie.
Series 8: really wanted Matt to win but loved Kara too.
Series 9: Harry from day 1 (in part wanting Aliona to get a win after the year before) but also could NOT see the Chelsey hype.
Series 10: again haven't decided, standard is so high. I like most of them but leaning towards a Dani v Louis final just for AT off.

I'm quite variable. Sometimes I have fixed on someone right from the start, Ramps and Gethin, others have grown on me, Tom and Chris.
This year it's Michael and Louis for totally different reasons.
Blimey I must be a right tart no girls on the list

I tend to always go for the best dancers.

I don't watch much TV so the celebs themselves are usually unknown to me anyway, so no pre-conditioning involved.

I didn't start watching until half way through series 5 and was bowled over by Matt & Flavia's salsa which was a real salsa not a strictly latin amalgamation. Were my favourites from then on.

Series 6 I enjoyed Tom and Rachel the most and was happy when Tom took the trophy. The showdance tipped it in his favour.

Series 7 it was Ricky and Natalie from the first dance. Natalie's choreo was a revelation from the off and their dances are the ones I still watch most. Natalie has been my favourite pro-dancer ever since. They were robbed

Series 8 Kara ofcourse, probably the best dancer of all the series. But liked Scott & Natalie too and was sad they didn't make the final.

Series 9 Jason because he and Christina came up with a few wow performances. Liked Chelsee also and would of been happy if she had won. I found Harry really really dull.

This series I still don't have a favourite.

I adore Colin so was hoping he would be a good dancer but it was not to be.
Denise is the best dancer, no doubt, but not keen on James.
I will support Natalie as my fav pro and hope Michael stays in awhile but not win unless he can get to a better standard in the latin.
The rest have yet to really excite me in any way, hopefully that will change.

Actually I kinda see where Dilly is coming from - I too was rooting for Craig in the early days again I think due to Flavia love and the fact he was a nice guy - it wasn't apparent (or at least to me) from day one just how hopeless he was but then again there were some many people who were utterly hopeless that year. I realised he wasn't going to get any better after his comments after their FT made it obvious he had no idea how rubbish he was. I really wanted to like Ricky W I really did as I wowed by his dancing in the group dance at the begining- but I just wasn't grabbed by anything he did - I blame it on Hollyoakes and his own bad timing and I have grown to love Natalie but at the time she was a noob and it takes time to adjust to the culture of what the public want - had he had more time to inject personality into his dancing then he could have been incredible. I liked Chris from off even when he a*rsed up his QS. However the person I really wanted to win was Jade - I really felt she was the one person who combined personality with talent and I was pretty sad to see her have to withdraw unlike Austin I couldn't even be cross with anyone over it - just sheer dumb bad luck. After that I kinda migrated by degrees into the Cola camp - especially after their charleston as hubbie said it boiled down to Ricky's probably very good but Chris's dancing makes me smile" - and I respect that other people felt differently and felt Ricky was robbed.

I think I mainly liked Pamela in series eight but I did warm to Kara - intially the ringer status and bondage queen outfit sort of prejuiced me against her a tad but I liked her by week two and I really started to like her when the judges critised her charleston which I thought was fab. I liked Matt but I think the horrid showdance put me off big time. Ailona's chereography was very hit and miss - I loved the tango, but the Austin Powers jive was all style and no content, the salsa a mess and I remember thinking during Blackpool that it was a shame that Matt wasn't dancing Natalie's routinue which even though Scott was too knackered and probably generally (jive excepted not that skilled at latin) to do it justice was obviously a better one than Ailona's. I kept willing Gavin to be good after the first impressive waltz but it never came off. I don't think Jimi was a winner but he deserved to stay at least to do Bollywood Samba at Blackpool and he deserved to outlast Ann effing Widdingcombe.

Series nine - I liked Jason despite absolutely hating his material in hey day and especially objecting to the murder of 'Happy Together' a song I always liked. His ccc was such a lot of fun but like Matt DA and Hamela I could perfectly understand what it was about him that got people's backs up. I liked both Chelsee and Harry but I did feel at times that Ailona didn't give him enough to do - the Grease jive and Halloweon tango were classic flash over cash routinues. I did think he was probably the worthy winner if for no other reason than Chelsee messed up on the night.

This series - I am sort of rooting for a few people but what I find interesting is it's kinda of wide open - I hope Louis can not let the judges grind him down again, I watch Dani's progress with interest and would love to see a Michael breakthrough in latin - his breakthrough in ballroom has already got me interested and he has been the one who I have changed my mind about - I would have happily seen him ditched before Halloweon now I want to see how much better he can get. I can't get excited about Denise or Kimberley could though they are - and at the moment want Louis or Dani to win - Dani is someone else who has grown on me. I liked Colin a lot but he was doomed by factors beyond his control and I do understand why the judges saved Richard - who has gone at the right time.

This is pretty much how I have chosen over the years. I'm quite undecided about this year, but usually chose fairly early on.

It only needs someone to mention Snowdon and I'm back into it. Means I can't go to Wales either.

I was so let down and disgusted by that and by the rest of the horrible politics that I switched off mentally from the rest of that series and just wanted the bloody thing over. Since then I've supported couples but I have never watched the show with the same enthusiasm that I had before. I suppose we've all got a bit wised up as well to the manipulations but they were much more skilful at hiding them in earlier series, also it's now far removed from ballroom dancing as we know it Jim.
I reckon I possibly preferred Matt to Kara up and including his Charleston, then I got much more interested in her. I've been lucky in that nearly all my favourites either won or got to the final, only series 5 and 6 were unlucky picks.