Agree with pretty much everything. I tried very very hard to put aside my allergic reaction to Kevin, but the dancing on the benches set me off . I could see what Craig was getting at, he wasn't comparing Frankie to a horse Kevin. No Kevin, open your ears, he was criticising your choreorgraphy.
I might miss the second half as have to get up very early to meet son no 2 from the ferry.
I am going to try and remain unspoiled though, so probably won't post later.
Wave back to Peeve and a wave for Anam, suzie Q, wrenny and fridge. In fact waving to everyone. I look like a bliddy out of control windmill.

Hello lovelies. Not sure any of you will remember me, but I was a fervent poster back in 2010 (eek!) and huge supporter of Kara and Artem. I've watched Strictly over the last few years with the passive enjoyment of someone who doesn't really care who wins. I've had my favourites (Kimberley, Natalie) but not really been massively fussed. And whilst it's not anywhere near the same extent as K&A, this series is the first year since K&A that I've cared passionately who wins. I've voted like a maniac for Caroline and Pasha tonight - I love love love them. I think she is fantastic and so likeable and I just adore Pasha (and can't bear the idea of him losing in the final 3 times - eek).

I've had my finger on the redial button tonight. I've rationalised it to myself (I'm good at that - ha!) that it's the Saturday before Christmas and I could easily be out tonight - so so what if I spend the equivalent of the price of a taxi journey home (...and the rest, ahem!) on voting - I'd get as much pleasure from them as I would from another Christmas party (there have been a few too many of those this week!!). That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

My voting intent has been galvanised by the misogynistic piece of crap in the Daily Mail today. ALL of the finalists have some form of performance or dance experience - the DM are shits (who knew?!) for making out today of all days that Caroline has secretly been hiding her experience. Bullshit. It makes me SO mad. Especially as I know a lot of people will buy that crap and vote accordingly.

I'm not holding out any hope that they will win but I'd love it if they did. Of the rest - I like Frankie (until a few weeks ago I thought she was bland, but I've warmed to her - she can be quite sarky) and I like Kristina (this has varied over the years but I think she's actually quite gracious and has certainly served her time!). I really liked KFG last year, but he's been getting right on my wick this year (apart from KFG with glasses, which I have a whole different reaction to...). Simon, Karen and Mark annoy me somewhat too - but I don't really loathe any of them. Well maybe Mark - he's an idiot.

Anyway - SO lovely to see so many familiar names here - I won't list them as I will inevitably miss many out, but you know who you are! I'll probably never support a couple in the same way as the incomparable Kara and Artem ever again - but by god, I'm going to be going crazy on the redial button again tonight (if I get the chance - Caroline and Pasha won't go out first will they, will they?!)

I wouldn't be surprised if Frankie went out first to be honest. Controversial! But then if that did happen then I think that C&P might get the carry over votes from those who want the better dancers to win. If I were a betting woman, which I'm not - I have an inkling that Simon and Kristina might bag it - but I hope to be proved wrong.

Right - back to the wine and the redial button! Love to you all!

Oh - when I used to post regularly in the Kara and Artem days - my youngest was a little babe in arms - 6 months or so. It's made me realise how much time has passed - she's 4 and 1/2 now and at school. She wants Pixie to win. Not sure she's quite got the hang of this eviction malarkey. She's done some lovely dances along with the series this year - the best by far being her "interpretive" dance to Wuthering Heights when Alison performed it. She's a big Kate Bush fan anyway (stemming from an night when she was woke up ill and ended up watching a Kate Bush doc with her Daddy). It was an interesting performance to say the least!

I hope you are all well!

xxx

Hiya, Wrenny! *waves in a vaguely south-easterly direction*

I try to be influenced solely by the dancing, but I'd be lying if I didn't say that both Caroline and Simon tugged at my soppy old heartstrings a bit this evening. It's the emotional j****** as much as the learning to dance j****** that makes people pick up the phone, I think, so I hope the combination of both will put them into the final.

I'd only just moved to Devon and was renting a place with no phone and barely any mobile reception. I had to open an upstairs window and lean out into the bitterest winter we'd had for about a thousand years, stand on one leg and say a prayer to St Jill of Halfpenny to get a connection. All the while weeping buckets at ... Well, at something!! Nearly bankrupted myself and almost lost two fingers to frost bite. Gawd, it was worth it! Happy days!

*waves back frantically*

*waves hello to peeve and wicks, too*

It's like the good old days


Haha! Now that's certainly dedication

"stand on one leg and say a prayer to St Jill of Halfpenny to get a connection"

fridgesoup - this has just made me snort! You lot are bloody great - what good fun it was when we all posted and voted constantly!

WICKSY!!!!! Lovely to 'see' you! Never forgotten! xx
You little girl sounds too cute and she has great taste in singers! I was lucky enough to see Kate Bush in concert earlier this year A MAZ ING! Let's hope Mark is out first. Best get downstairs as it's about to start again!.....

TTFN

Wicksy! How lovely to hear from you! Somehow I think your daughter's version of Wuthering Heights would be a darn sight better than Alison Hammond's...

I think Mark will go out first and that it will be between Caroline and Frankie. Just don't think Simon has the public vote (as all those dance-offs would seem to indicate). I agree with you about the toxic Daily Fail - I haven't read the article in question because I'm trying to look after my blood pressure, but I can guess. I do hope that people won't be influenced by that, particularly as the judges have made it clear who they think deserves to win.

Fingers crossed...

WICKSY..... Now I am jumping up and down throwing bisous ( kisses)
Fridgy. If only we had met then, we could have watched together.

Blimey, we're all coming out of the woodwork! *waves to SuzieQ*

Ah, those were the days. Right, back to the TV. Laters, my lovelies. xx

Awww - what a lovely warm welcome (back) from you all. Mine and lovely Wrenny's paths cross on Facebook from time to time, but as for the rest of you - I still remember you all so fondly. Right - off back to watch. Fingers crossed - and if you are so inclined - throw a vote in Caroline and Pasha's way, I implore you (I might even do a VT with me sobbing and all!). Not sure my blood pressure can handle this! xxxxxxxxxxxxx (I don't know how to do the little faces - there is a word for those isn't there - but I'm so out of touch!) - but sending lots of love to you all xx

The right result on all levels. Pheewweeeeee!



And just to say......WICKSSSYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


...and Since you asked so nicely - and because she's great - I'm going to vote for Flackers.

Oh, goodness. Both Flackers and Simon have had me in tears. Dunno what I want to happen



....it could be the wine.


ETA. Group dance was fun. Lovely to see some of them again. I liked most of the cast this year.. Can't help wondering about Pixie's show dance. And Janette's.

My three votes went to Flackers after the showdances Wicksy. I thought Simons AT was brilliant, but overall Caroline was still stronger on the night. The right decision me thinks!

Awwww. That was nice. It felt a bit strange without Bruce chasing people off stage, but I loved the free for all dancing at the end. Happy for Caroline and Pasta.

Yes, the group dance was lots of fun and them talking about the show too. Agree about Pixie and Trents showdance and I'm sure Jake and Janette's would have been full of entertainment and spectacular lifts.

I sincerely haven't missed Bruce at all and am not entirely sure I can watch the Christmas show with him and L R and the guy who danced with Flav, can't remember his name (reads the stars).

Yes, great result, feel a bit sorry for Kristina, I wonder if she'll get another chance as good as this again.

Not sure I was missing Brucie exactly , just aware of his absence at the end there. Funnily enough it was all about the contestants and not the presenters. Hmmmm.

I'm delighted for Caroline and Pasha, but, like you, feel for Kristina




ETA. There's some stuff on the red button - might be worth a watch. Think it's on a loop.

I can't watch on the telly as OH is watching something else. Is there another way to watch red button stuff?

Yay! So so happy for Caroline and Pasha! And ain't it just the way- I liked the other finalists so much more in defeat than I had before. Kevin From Grimsby seemed so much more gracious and lovely in defeat than he has for a while - I felt won over, and he wasn't even wearing his glasses! I think I'd like Kristina to win next year.

I might need to re-watch the programme now - was slightly distracted throughout by my constant voting! I am a fool but I don't care!

Chuffed for you Wicksy!

Not sure Wren. I've recorded it. You could have a look tomorrow. Sometimes those things get repeated over and over for a day or two.

Popping in quickly between packing like crazy to head of to family for Christmas and recovering from bubbly over-indulgence last night whilst watching final.

Chuffed to chuffdom that Caroline & Pasta won, especially agreeing with you Wicks after that spitefest of a godawful excuse for a piece of 'journalism' that the Fail posted yesterday.

Though wouldn't have minded Simon at all or Frankie. Loved Flackers show dance and Simon's AT - still. Disagree with you though Peevey, nothing will ever quite put the ghost of bacofoil to rest, certainly chez Nina it's a Christmas tradition up there with 'It's a Wonderful Life'.

Was it just me (very credible given the bubbles rate ), or were Gary Barlow's trousers too tight and too small for him ????? The poor man looked in constant pain.

So wishing you all a very Happy Christmas & a FAB-U-LOUS 2015.

Viewed the after show interviews on BBC I player this morning
Didn't get involved at all this year altho the company we were in last night night thought it was "the best " I did enjoy the final..

Would have been happy for any of the three to win I thought Caroline was delightful and edged it am really pleased for Pasha .

Simon had the best ...dare I say it journey and I felt his emotion .

The quality of dance by Artem and Kara for me will never be topped. IMO it has been replaced in the main by enthusiastic young professionals who bend the rules .However a good mature professional showed them how last night

Merry Christmas to you all

Hi DQ I might be being really thick (no surprise there), but I can't find the Red Button interviews on I-Player, only the two shows from last night? I tried searching for it with no luck. Am I doing something wrong?

Happy Christmas to you too and to everyone else!