I didn't have you down as a closet 'loose woman' cavalli, I'm making a mental note of this snippet of info for the end of series party lol

It could be worth a try for Rachel because there are definitely problems in this area for her at the moment.

I wonder if anyone else has any suggestions?

I really can't see what was so bad with Rachel's dance last night. Len called it careful. I don't think it was - seemed very energetic to me!

I'm confused by Lens use of the word 'careful' its the second week in a row that he's used it, what exactly does he mean?

I think Rachel has been the biggest disappointment so far. Lovely looking girl, one of the favourites to win the whole thing. But I just can't see her getting very far, there have been plenty who were not natural dancers and they went on to do well. But Rachel doesn't really appear to have any musicality, I'm not sure that she even enjoys music...that's impossible to fix.

What a disappointment! Rachel is absolutely wooden - or, as one of the judges said, like a rag doll. She can't dance, Pasha is throwing her about in an attempt to make her look more alive. She's pretty, she can wear an outfit and do it justice - but she's not sexy, there's no passion, and I don't know what TerryM is on, but the 'hip-action' he drivels on about makes her look like a little girl trying to be a grown up woman.

There's not an ounce of chemistry and I think Pasha is well aware that he's got a dud there. Firework? No, a damp squib I'm afraid.

I hope, against hope, that she will loosen up and learn how to emote. That's her only hope.

She was really inconsistent I thought; waving her hips manically one minute and stiff as a plank the next. She is very pretty though..

I think her heels are too high, I totally agree with Bruno that she looks like she's going to fall over and I think I said before she's like Bambi learning to walk. I do think she suffers with a level of shyness and an inability to just let herself go so I do understand Len's comment about it being careful.
Her hip action wasn't there because she isn't placing her feet properly.

I concur
And plus she bores me :yawn::yawn:

Is that even possible? Honestly I've never met somebody who doesnt like any kind of music in any capacity. It sounds unnatural.

To be honest I think people are being unfair. I admit I quite like Rachel - OK she's not very good, no arguments there but I dont see why shes such a letdown. It's like Vicky Pendleton all over again where people had all these unfair expectations. Both these girls were totally upfront about probably being a bit rubbish yet people act cheated when this proves true. I thinks its bloody brave when somebody with no performace background at all puts themselves in this position competing against various others well used to performing in front of 10 million people

sorry if that sounded like a rant. I just think its unfair when because a woman is young and beautiful shes expected to be a contender even if her accomplisbments lie in a completely different field.

I certainly agree with you there. There was definitely an assumption that because she was young, slim, and gorgeous to look at, that she would obviously make a good dancer. I was guilty of thinking the same if I'm honest.

Perhaps I was wrong in saying that she doesn't even appear to like music. She could be fairly indifferent towards it though, plenty of people are. She has said a few times that she's always been a bit of a tomboy, enjoys sport and outdoor activities etc. She certainly appears to lack natural rhythm, but that's not uncommon.

Quote. To be honest I think people are being unfair. I admit I quite like Rachel - OK she's not very good, no arguments there but I dont see why she's such a letdown. It's like Vicky Pendleton all over again where people had all these unfair expectations. Both these girls were totally upfront about probably being a bit rubbish yet people act cheated when this proves true. I thinks its bloody brave when somebody with no performance background at all puts themselves in this position competing against various others well used to performing in front of 10 million people

sorry if that sounded like a rant. I just think its unfair when because a woman is young and beautiful she's expected to be a contender even if her accomplishments lie in a completely different field.

Me. Agree totally. Having to make my maiden speech in front of an audience a couple of years ago at the age of 59 was bad enough, but bearable, going out to dance in front of a live audience and millions of viewers, when your talents and body language are not suited to it, must be pretty terrifying and how many of the forum members, most of whom are probably not dancers and have no intention of taking it up, would have the bottle to do Strictly ?

Also, what would be the point of having a show where the only people who got invited were luvvies with dance training at stage school ? This show needs the Rachels and Victoria Pendletons as well as naturally talented dancers with performance experience.

I'm a Countdown fan, like Rachel but not a huge fan, preferred Vorderman, but want to see her last at six weeks and maybe more and hope she enjoys the experience. She may even improve a bit.

Pasha is my fave pro and I was delighted when he got paired with Rachel. How disappointed am I? Loads! I totally agree with the judges tho and she reminds me of Victoria from last year.

I'm really hoping for improvement but I'm not holding my breath.

I don't know why but I do find myself rooting for Rachel to improve! She seems so bubbly and outgoing away from the dance floor and I think the nerves really affect her ability to let go. She reminds me a bit of Ali Bastian - wasn't she quite nervous and self-conscious at the start of her 'journey'?

On a completely random note, every time she turns her doe eyes to the camera, she reminds me of Helen Slater in 'The Secret of My Success'! http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/8...1418h21m56.png

Rachel is totally gorgeous ... but she needs a mentoring session with Mark, to learn how to pose and vamp.

That's a good idea for Rachel saoir, does that mean posing and vamping like Victoria Beckham does?

Rachel does seem a bit gangly at the moment Pippa, but that could change.

Such a good and original idea! Mark makes the most of everything at his disposal, and it's working for him. He commands attention. Not sure whether he'd be ready to help 'the opposition' but the idea is a good un.

I am very disappointed with Rachel. I didn't know her apart from a brief appearance on Top Gear. She is a good looking girl & obviously very clever but goodness me she is dull. Even sitting on the ITT sofa she is like a limp rag. How do you get to be a TV presenter with so little oomph. She isn't quite as wet fish as Ali Bastian but only because she has Pasha

I have seen Rachel on Countdown and The Gadget Show and whilst we are just getting to know Rachel on Strictly Come Dancing its only the second week and it only seems fair to give her a bit more time before starting to judge her in this way, and many might say that calling Rachel a 'limp rag' is quite disrespectful under any circumstances.

So....is this an appreciation thread? Or what?

I find a lot of female TV presenters to be bland so I didn't have huge expectations in terms of oomph; I mean Tess can co-host one of the biggest shows on telly and she has the personality of a robot, but Rachel just might be the most likeable female this year. Pasha is adorable anyway so with cutely clumsy Rachel I think there is a real "ah bless" quality to the pairing. Maybe fans of Pasha don't want that though? Possibly they're wanting to see something spicier and sexier?

I concur. Apparently she's witty on some of the other game shows on which she's a guest - that I don't watch - but I wonder how much of that is pre-scripted because she's showing none of that on SCD or ITT. In her favour she seems genuine and sincere.

Much though I love Pasha his personality is more that of a sparkler than a rocket. He's been fairly amusing this year but it seems to drift over Rachel's head ...

I agree

based on ITT - is Pasha starting to get annoyed with Rachel?

Looks like it,i thought he would be more patient with a less able celeb.