Dear J**sus, what the hell are you on about now

So what you're basically saying is that the French peasants who revolted against the monarchy in 1793 were just wasting good cake because Victoria rides a bike and wins medals?

Very true.
I take what is reported in the media with a pinch of salt.

Brendan (in my opinion) is a brilliant teacher and dancer and, from what I saw and heard from them (not what I read in the media), they both enjoyed themselves.

I'm afraid this confuses me.

This seems one of the more reasonable assumptions on DS.

When did this happen?

I do think a different partner would have helped Victoria, Brendan never really coped with the fact that Victoria was a complete novice and choreographed ridiculously hard routines.

Someone like Ian Waite would have been able to coax her out of her shell & coped better with her fragility.

No doubt everyone will close ranks around Brendan - they always do.

I don't doubt Victoria was not the easiest person to coach and was misguided to talk to a journalist - her comments about Brendan being the centre of attention ring true but it would have been better not said.

When did what happen, which bit are you refering to.

At last a voice of reason, thank you.

The British papers are famous throughout the world for their honest and accurate reporting so I probably shouldn't even dare to THINK that these comments may not be wholly truthful.

he didn't. He said she wasn't a natural dancer.

Have they? really? *unchains self*

Victoria is a strange one, she's never had a bad word to say about her biggest rival Anna Meares despite being repeatedly goaded by interviewers and she's always positive about her fellow British cyclists. However, she is a bit too honest when it comes to talking about her relationship with her father and the way British Cycling treated her and her fiance.

Really, I'm in two minds as to whether she said this or not but I'd be disappointed if she did. I don't think Brendan was always fair on her (repeatedly choreographing routines that were clearly beyond her capabilities) and their relationship was obviously strained in the end but I think he was as kind, patient and encouraging as he could find it in himself to be and we say a better side to Brendan. They also seemed relaxed and happy with each other in their post elimination interview on ITT which made me think they'd managed to put their differences behind them now Strictly was over for them.

I shall. It's a public forum, an opinion of someone, and not against any poster. That's what forums are for.

And I have met her. Two weeks ago.

I suggest you retract your allegations of making things up - I have been on this forum for a long time and do not make things up.

That's not the interview I was talking about so please do not assume that was the one.

I can't take someone seriously who blindly defends someone.

Brenden said, " She's not a dancer or a performer " very rude and mean, Victoria deserves the right to reply and defend herself.

Brendan's choreography was often too difficult for Victoria. I think she needed basic technique coaching before tackling anything complicated. I was thinking about Artem and his pole (which Holly Valance got a bit fed up with...his "ruddy pole").

it's true. She's neither. It's not rude, it's fact.

She has said the same herself.

More reason and common sense, thank you.

I don't blindly defend Victoria but you have not provided any evidence of her being unfair to Jess regarding the relegation. I however, have provided accurate quotes (and info where to find them) contradicting your accusation.

If you met Victoria at wembley, and had a negative encounter you're very much in a minority of 1. Everyone else who spoke to her (including people on this forum, and including people who didn't even particularly like her beforehand) said she was very lovely. If she wasn't charming towards you, I suspect she had good reason.

I think VP might also have responded quite well to Artem's rigour - she said the physical side of training seemed like a piece of cake after her Olympic training.

I didn't meet her at Wembley. Please stop assuming.

That comment is way out of order.

To be honest, I doubt you met her at all

carry on.

Terry that's not being "very rude and mean" but simply speaking the truth, a fact that Victoria herself agreed with. She was so far out of her comfort zone it was ridiculous. And for all those saying Brendan was choreographing dances that were too difficult, she seemed to get on fine with the routines in training, it was during the actual performance that things went wrong as she was so nervous.

Exactly right FT. (How are you btw)

I would have paired Victoria with Artem too. It wouldn't have made her a good dancer, but as a pair it would have worked better on several levels in my opinion