He's got further than I expected.

I wrote him off after his Cha Cha Cha bottom two appearance, but then he discovered his inner-Ballroom boy and I think people have bought into his 'journey'.

With the dances he's got left though, I'd say every week is a bonus at this point.

He's done fantastically.

I hope so. His improvement has been tremendous.

No I don't think so. His Ballroom has become a pleasant suprise but his Latin so far is second worst behind Victoria (imo). I think if he was good in Ballroom and ok in Latin then maybe he could suprsingly sneak into the semis (with the help of popularity votes) but, because his Latin is average, I doubt people would see him as deserving enough of the final no matter how likeable he and Natalie are (and they really are a couple that are easy to like because of their clear chemistry). Unless he improves in the Latin double quick, I can't see him even being in the quarters. On the level of dancing at the moment Michael, Victoria and Nicky should be the next to exit, though not necessarily in that order.
In the quarters I want to see Dani, Denise, Kimberly and Louis (at this moment anyway).

I think he could pull it off. I have faith in Natalie's ingenuity and Michael's determination. He'll need good support to see him through a potentially shaky couple of Latins, though. I fear for him if he lands in the dance-off.

Hope Michael and Nat can keep the surprises coming. He seems like such a lovely guy and he's working his arse off. Good luck to him!

That will trim down the Hanging Basket!

It really has.

with you there Sid. I feel pretty much as you do here.

I am really enjoying Michael - and have loved Nat from the beginning - she offers high quality on both choreography and teaching.

I was perhaps one of the few who picked lots of holes in that quickstep on Saturday - for me it was overmarked, much though I loved it, and Dani was UNDERmarked.

We are playing with the British psyche here - that of loving an underdog - and I've enjoyed him too. I don't think it would be right for him to win though (if he stays at his current standard) for the same reasons as you - but if he really starts to pull it out of the bag then why not?

Seems a lovely guy who is working his butt off and trying his very best.

made me actually LOL!

I agree and though Saturday's dance was good, he wasn't that great, especially his arms when he went to dance on the stage. They were awful. But Natalie was very clever about hiding him and showing her off to her magestic mightiness.

delete

I think the reason Chris Hollins won was the "Journey" factor. week on week improvement, and very likeable. So on that basis I wouldn't rule it out.

There are some strong people there he is in competition with, but I'm not sure Kimberly is that popular, Denise (whilst good) hasn't improved dramatically as she was good in the first place (ringer??). Dani is the dark pony and may well win it, and people may tire of the Lisa and Robin act. He may well get to the final!

Wouldn't be impossible
The GBP could keep him in, look at John Sargeant and Anne Widdy, I know the dance off might reduce the power of the voters but if enough people vote to keep him out of the DO.........who knows

It's hard to tell his latin isn't very good at the moment and the standard of the contestants left is rising as the complete no-hopers start to leave. However he ducked the DO last time with a latin as although bottom of the leaderboard he showed vast improvement and samba/charleston aside he has now done most of the party latin which appears to be what he is worst at- it is not totally beyond the realms of possiblity that he could do at least a reasonable paso which could be all he needs. He's a nice guy and a lot of people fancy him, he works hard, is capable of improvement and has probably the best teacher on the show with whom he has a good rapport. I wouldn't rule it out.

these are my thoughts too. I would love a final with Kimberley, Dani and Michael, really! I can't help wishing that Vincent could win! I so hoped Brendan could win this year but cannot stand Victoria

My Final would be Kimberley Lisa and Victoria with Michael going out in the semi.

I forgot Denise - she deserves it too.

There's so many I like this year.

Have enjoyed Denise, Dani, Kimberley, Lisa at first - but she's such a lovely girl - dancing sinking now though!, Michael particularly of the ones left.

Agree with that, if you were Natalie which of the samba/charleston would you ditch? His Paso would be fine as long as Natalie yells at his posture. His making the final is unlikely but I would not say impossible.

I sort of see Michael as this year's Gavin... who might be saved until Semi final but will probably be elminated then.

He's likeable and is working hard (and seems much more committed than some I could mention.... yes Kimberley Im looking at you....) so its not impossible.

Improbable perhaps but not impossible with the right run of dances (and if others have bad dances at the time).

I'd ditch the Samba because his timing is so appalling.

I'm not sure the Charleston will be that terrible. If he can perform it, he's won half the battle with a dance that isn't that technically demanding and doesn't require the hip movement of the Samba.

I would love to see him in the final, but im afraid he will only get to the semi

I think I just love the underdog and the person who works the hardest (most training hours by a considerable amount) deserves support from me

He reminds me more of Matt Dawson. Matt never really cracked Latin at all, but his ballroom got steadily better.

Tuffers went out on his 9th dance and was never in the b2 before then.

We'll have to see whether Michael can do better than that before we start thinking about the finals IMO.

I don't think Michael will do as well as Tuffers.