Backstage at dress rehearsals - video

I can not believe how many of the men (celebs and pros) have tattoos down one or both arms and/or all over their chest and backs. YUK
It may seem like a great idea in ones 20s but surely they will regret this later in life.
(showing my age, I think )

Artem's tattoo (which I did not like) seems minor in comparison.

[quote=crazy4kartem;79875442]I can not believe how many of the men (celebs and pros) have tattoos down one or both arms and/or all over their chest and backs. YUK
It may seem like a great idea in ones 20s but surely they will regret this later in life.
(showing my age, I think )

Artem's tattoo (which I did not like) seems minor in comparison.[/Q

Agree about the tattoos .uugh .ive read they are an addiction once you have one etc

Just feel the show is a bit ..is flat the correct word ? felt it went on too long and too many performers but maybe I feel like that every year .
Pleased Len is telling them like it is . My OH says I'm bring too critical biut I guess I've watched a lot of SCD over the years . Am looking forward to hearing from the posters who know dance telling us who was good bad and ok

Tess Oh Me she needs a score from the judges .

Love Anton's partner, love Alionas , like a few others.. Producers predictable as to who gets top spot . Thought Peter was to be last again and....... I know it's a looong time ago but the second week and Karas divine foxtrot ..Tell me was anyone her equal last night? I'm old so don't shoot me down I'm allowed to be nostalgic

I liked the show last night although I still miss Artem. Jay and Aliona are my favourites now and Katie and Anton.

I do like Jeremy because off the effort he puts in and he shows he enjoys it. I only wonder what you all think about the choreography of his dance last night. It looked very odd to me and didn't do him any favours I think. There was to much out of hold and I wonder why Karen did that. His posture in hold looked quite good but he didn't get much dance time in hold. The little part he danced in hold was not bad at all I thought.

I think although Jeremy has very long legs, which makes dancing for a non pro male difficult, he is not afraid to present himself on stage and he has timing. He only is a bit "wooden". But with the right choreography he could do much better than last night I think. He is moving better these 2 weeks than I expected him to do from the launch show.

Compared to Jeremy Kirstie is doing much worse than I expected. She has the right figure and grace for dancing but on stage she moves more wooden than Jeremy does in my opinion and she shows no personality at all.

What do you all think about this?

I know what you mean about the length of the show - I was thinking it must be near the end then Claudia said 'coming up' and there were still about 6 left! I keep forgetting who's in it. Katie and Jay are my favourites too. I think the whole show has changed so much that I don't think we will see dances any more of the same quality as Kara's, so I try not to expect so much. The props and theming ruin a lot of them for me - I was so distracted by Carol and Pasha carrying that huge umbrella all through their dance I think we all know she's a weather presenter by now.


I agree. I enjoy Jeremy because he just looks like he's loving it so much and he has a sort of rhythm in his body, even if not great technique (although I noticed he had made an effort at hand-shaping ). I'm not sure on Karen's choreography - I think some of the pros (Ola does it as well) maybe give up on proper technique a bit too quickly and go for easy to do, distraction stuff instead.

Kirsty is a lot worse than I expected her to be (I suppose its that old 'good on paper' thing again). She just looked so awkward doing 'sexy face' to camera and grinding with Brendan - I really don't understand why he put those moves in when she looked so uncomfortable doing them. It looks like he'll be keeping her feet off the floor as much as possible. The way she reacted to the scores reminded me of the way Lisa Snowdon was towards the end with Brendan and probably won't help with the voters.

Hi All

I'm just popping in for one of my irregular visits! A few of you may remember me as an active (obsessed?!) poster back in the day. I think that the last time I popped in was around the final last year - when I was supporting Caroline and Pasha. My favourite couple in a while - but obviously not a patch on my love for Kara and Artem!

I've only watched snippets so far this series so don't have a particular favourite yet (maybe Anita?) but I just wanted to let you know about the evil power of the internet and it's time suckage........

I've been ill this weekend and mostly lounging in bed. I was reading Monkseal's (as ever hilarious) blog - initially about The Great British Bakeoff and then about Strictly, and he mentioned Alesha and her VW to Memory, so I watched it as it was so long ago that I couldn't remember, and then it made me want to watch Kara and Artem's VW (swoon!) and then I ended up watching ALL THEIR DANCES, and It Takes Two, and backstage clips, and clips from the tour and so on, and basically fell down the rabbit hole again! Ahh, good times. I don't think anyone will ever match them for me. Sigh. That is all.

I hope you are all well. All fine here, I'm currently living back in 2010!

EDIT - what makes me realise how much time has passed is that the main reason I was able to get so sucked in back in the day was that I was on maternity leave looking after my new baby. Said baby is 5 1/2 now and at school Wah!

Hi Wicksy, lovely to see you posting. Time has flown your baby is 5 1/2. I have packed in work, built a house ( single handedly) and settled in Brittany, where I potter around, chatting to any Bretagne who will put up with my accent and foraging anything that looks vaguely edible.(OH gamely accepts the odd stomach ache)
However time and strictly keep moving on, though the memories of Kara and Artem return strongly from time to time. A piece of music here, a copied piece of choreography there.
Sorry you were poorly last weekend, but can't think of a better way to convalesce.
I haven't a favourite couple yet. I thought it was going to be Helen and Aljaz as I like both, but so far I have struggled to be moved by her dancing.
I like Anita and her natural flair and energy, and Jay cos he reminds me of my youngest.
I still find I cringe while watching Jeremy, despite his joy at being on the show. He is my next to go.

Hello Everybody!

Another one from the class of 2010. I cannot believe that was 5 years ago!

I am really enjoying the new series. Lots of trained dancers but then that means lots of exciting dances to watch so I think I am in favour. My early favourites are Jay, Anita and Katie although I am known to be fickle so this may well change. I like Helen but just don't feel anything when she dances (yet). As for Peter, I like him when he dials down the cheese factor but I fear the temptation will be too much for him.

I do love both Alijaz and Jeanette though - I met them at a charity event this year and they were totally charming and couldn't have been lovelier to my now 10 year old daughter.

I shall be checking in regularly - I still really enjoy reading everyone's opinions. Best wishes to all.

Kara speaking to the Dept of Education about dyslexia

https://twitter.com/educationgovuk/s...220800?lang=en

[quote=I do like Jeremy because off the effort he puts in and he shows he enjoys it. I only wonder what you all think about the choreography of his dance last night. It looked very odd to me and didn't do him any favours I think. There was to much out of hold and I wonder why Karen did that. His posture in hold looked quite good but he didn't get much dance time in hold. The little part he danced in hold was not bad at all I thought.

[/QUOTE]

I like Jeremy Vine and was hoping but not hopeful that he would be ok. I have no evidence to back this up but I don't think Karen particularly likes him and is not enthusiastic this year. She is normally quite regular on twitter but seems to put only a polite occasional tweet out there this year.
I hope I'm wrong.

Other that that I'm joining the Jay and Katie bandwagon, Aliona has been a long time favourite of mine and Anton makes me smile and has definitely paid his dues over the last few years so I am glad they both have potential this year.

Artem and Jenna rehearsing anArgentine tango last week. It didn't make it onto the show - perhaps they ran out of time.

Belated hugs for some very welcome returnees. Great to see you. Mwah! Mwah!



Loved last week's show very much.

Jay was sensational and I'm a fully paid up Jaliona obsessional now, but quite a few others impressed me too.

Felt bad for Giovanni. I was rather keen on their rumba (though I take the point about it being posey). Her dress/hair/make up etc were gorgeous. It's best she doesn't speak though.
Jeremy is my favourite of the no-can-do bunch. Love his enthusiasm and I like Karen again (after not being so keen with Mark). She's good humoured about the duffers.
I would have liked Anthony and Oti to stick around for a few more weeks and would happily have waved good-bye to Carol. She's the only one who has me reaching for fast forward. Even Daniel entertains me a little bit. Not very much - more in a way that has me pressed back into the sofa in slight recoil - but it is a reaction! With Carol I feel only tedium.
Anita is still one of my faves, but I'm wishing they could have got another ballroom dance out of the way while there's still plenty of elimination fodder. I enjoyed the theatrical VW/AS (minus the Gleb Special), but think her top half was ropey in hold. They're going to run out or the energetic dances soon, which is where she shines. Looking forward to their samba tonight.
Kellie and Kevin are good, but I'm just not keen.
Kirsty is a big disappointment. She's beautiful and I expected her to be elegant, but think she's mechanical.
I don't think Tristan and Jamelia are doing as well as I hoped, but I've been voting for them. She needs a good week for me to keep the faith....
Helen is warming up (or I am). I really want to support these two, but it's been a bit brittle and cold so far. The foxtrot was better and her salsa is looking good.
Peter had a bad week with that awful paso. I'm not a fan at all, but would be happy to see some good dancing from him. So far it's been an approximation of good dancing and I don't know if that's him or Janette or both..
Ainsley is still entertaining me. Just.

Oh, and congrats to lovely Natalie and her engagement. They met on a train. I love it!

http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-...Sound-Of-Music

Great news for Kara - must be one of her dream roles (Although broadcasting live on Christmas day sounds pretty scary)

I bet she's thrilled. Well done, Kara!

Hope it leads to some musical theatre down the road .

Yay! Great news! Thanks Ellie

[quote=Wrenny-24;80093908]Yay! Great news! Thanks Ellie[/QUOTE

Hi Wrennie, waves madly across the pond, good to see you posting!!!

Wow, Kara must have a good set of lungs to play Maria, also love Katherine
Kelly, especially as Lady Loxley in Mr. Selfridge. How fab is that!

Waves to Ellie and everyone.

Oh lovely to hear Kara has a starring role, thanks for posting Ellie.

Like this mock up of Kara as Maria lol.

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-...sound-of-music

Look out for Natalie Gumede in ITV's new Jekyll and Hide on Sunday.

[quote=DWTS_Fan;80095548]
KT and KK...two of my faves too!

Hi Like the RT mock-up (on a shallow note, I hope they let Kara just tie her hair back rather than wear a Julie Andrews style bowl-cut wig)

I haven't seen the US version with Carrie Underwood, but there are a couple of interesting posts in the TV section from someone who worked on it (and who saw Kara singing in panto a few years ago)

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showp...4&postcount=41

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showp...5&postcount=47

I like Alexander Armstrong too (I'm a bit of a 'Pointless' fan) so it should be good and as Fridgesoup said, hopefully if it goes well will lead to other things for Kara

I've never watched the Sound of Music the whole way through, so this Christmas will be the first!

Great news for Kara . I like Julian (he was Foyles son and sometimes sings with the John Wilson orchestra ) so it will be a nice pairing .but feel ridiculously nervous for her
Viewing SCD as I write . Bruno what is he all about I have started muting him awful . .Some really good pairings .
Pleased Len praised Glebe's choreography thought it was excellent plus their costumes, make up ,were really good and first class dancing .
Show just finished . Liked Jay ,Helen and.... Kellie can dance !! D . It's. Neck and neck for a few do you agree ?
Oh and the costume department has got it right so far ha ...praise indeed
Clocks back tonight "oh me " not quite ready for "the dark nights"

I'm really pleased they've cast an actress who can sing rather than a singer who can't act

https://youtu.be/-1ME0PQDKmM?t=2m11s

Think that's Kara singing there.

Good point. I've now watched a couple of clips of the US version on Youtube and although Carrie Underwood has a good voice I'm not so sure on her acting. It all seemed a bit like a US daytime soap to me but it apparently went over really well there.


Thanks Sounds pretty good from what I can hear and as Maria has to carry most of the show I don't think ITV would've cast Kara if she didn't have a good enough voice. I should imagine they will all have vocal coaching for it as well. I just hope people don't get too hung up on comparing Kara to Julie Andrews and judge her on her own merits, especially as I gather it will be a version of the stage musical which is a bit different to the film anyway. The response so far seems to have been largely positive - its nice to see Kara getting credit for the work she has done in the West End, rather than just being referred to as 'Ex-Eastenders' etc.