There seems to be so much real dislike of Matt on DS that I thought I would ask if I'm the only one who actually likes him?

Not necessarily as a person - simply because I don't know him personally - but I enjoy watching his skating and like his enthusiasm. Yes, when he gets good marks, he reacts like a kid who's just been given his most-wanted birthday present, but I can think of far worse reactions.

His skating might not be the most technically brilliant, I don't skate so I wouldn't know, but I find his routines - including the flying - are by far the most entertaining.

no, you are not.

I like him. He wears his heart on his sleeve, but there is no doubting his passion and commitment to the show.

I like him too, eager to please & tries so hard

He's a great skater but that's where his likability ends, he comes over as arrogant, loves himself, puts on the puppy eyes and sheds crocodile tears when things don't go right.

All that said I reckon he will win!

I think Matt's great! His performances entertain me the most, and I actually find him really likeable. I love the fact that he puts his heart and soul into what he's doing, and part of that means getting upset sometimes when things don't go to plan. I very much hope he wins!

Its all show, as you can see he's not a very good actor

I don't dislike him and I've enjoyed his performances. What I don't like is the way he isn't being criticized for his hunched posture and sometimes lazy footwork. That's not his fault of course, it just seems this year is geared towards him winning.

I don't 'like' him particularly but don't hate him by any means just prefer his skating to the others now Gareth has gone out (who I both liked and enjoyed his skating). Technically I am sure Beth is better (very far from an expert on that) but as I've said elsewhere Matt is the only one who makes me sit up and take notice and even if he is a bit rough around the edges I enjoy his routines the most. That edgy quality I guess (which is unusual for me) but I also like the fact that he is the most versatile.

Agree. I don't dislike him as rabidly as some on here. He can be a little irritating on occasions but not something I can get too worked up over. There are many who I have disliked more over the years & even this series (waves at Samia).

For me I don't like how it's being made out by the judges that he is so much better than Beth. Overall there probably isn't much between them - Beth wins technically & Matt edges it on performance. I can understand that those who prefer the performance side of things would favour Matt & those like myself who veer towards the skating will prefer Beth.

He certainly deserves to be in the final & with Gareth gone he definitely deserves to be in the final 2. If he does win for me he will be the weakest male winner across all the series though.

I've been defending Matt simply because I've enjoyed his routines and the personality he brings to the performance of each one.

I think the fundamental difference between Matt and Beth is that T&D know Matt will rise to the performance of whatever they give him to do, whereas they're still scrabbling around for ways to help Beth bring out the nuances of her performance. Choreographing for Matt must be a far easier ride.

I wouldn't like to say whether Matt is just an ordinary Joe with a burning desire to do well that makes him delighted when he succeeds and despondent to the point of tears when he doesn't, or a calculating, arrogant manipulator who's been convinced he's got the trophy sewn up from minute 1.

What I would say is that without actually knowing him and watching him operate on a daily basis, I'd prefer to give him the benefit of the doubt rather than dismiss him as a cocky idiot.

I don't dislike Matt I just don't find him as 'likeable' as some of the others. I also think the judges tend to overmark him and find this annoying.

He's undeniably a very strong skater (with his ice hockey background) and has been from the start. However his posture is very poor (imo) and this is never commented on by the judges. I haven't seen the improvement in his skills that we have seen with some of the other skaters. He started good and he's still good.

No. He's worked hard, shown what it means to him to be in the show and shown team spirit towards the others. On Sunday he was cheering Luke on from the sidelines when the lights weren't on him, Matt that is. I like most of his and Brianne's routines too.

There is no evidence that Matt has a ice hockey background.

I like him too! Never heard of him before but haven't found him cocky - just confident and determined.

I thought his comments to Gareth after Gareth was ill and had to withdraw were really nice and seemed sincere to me. He, Luke and Gareth apparently got on very well in the team challenge too.

I don't see the need for all the vitriol on here.

I also enjoy his skating though I think that Beth is the best.

No I like Matt and I don't believe he deserves half the stick he gets on here.

But does he deserve such high marks? That's what a lot are asking

I don't dislike Matt and look forward to watching his performances more than the others, as they are varied and doesn't bore me

I like Matt he,s entertaining the rest bore me, it helps that he,s good looking as well lol

I agree. I believe he's given the best consistent performance during this series.

Beauty is bought by judgement of the eye,

Shakespeare - Love's Labour Lost.

In other words beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Bit in bold - Agreed. People go on about it is T & D's fault for giving Beth virtually the same routine each week but do they not think it is because she cannot cope with anything else? No, they just say it is not her fault. Well clearly it is because SHE has to improve her skating herself they cannot do it for her. If she proved to T & D that she could cope with a more daring routine then she'd be given one. This is a sign she isn't as good as Matt clearly is. He is given better routines because he is capable of it. So i think Matt should win.


Agreed!

Thanks for all the replies; I'm pleased not everyone seems to hate Matt.

As for Matt v Beth : who is the most enjoyable to watch is a matter of individual opinion and taste, but I don't understand why some of those who prefer Beth seem to want to vilify Matt so much. If they don't like the marks he is getting and think he's overmarked.... Well, that's hardly his fault, it's down to the judges.

I like him too. I don't much care whether he is a nice person or not - although I have no reason to think he isn't - but he is the one contestant that I look forward to seeing every week. In Dancing on Ice, what I always look for is someone who can dance. In this series, Matt is that person. Without him, this series would be dull and unentertaining.

Think you may be watching the wrong show - if you're only interested in dancing you should stick to Strictly.

Matt is a good skater but technically Beth is superior.