Sophie actually seems very over-eager to me, in a slightly endearing way (gassing on about the Charleston's history in her training VT, knowing exactly which DWTS franchise was the next to have a same-sex couple (?!) on Chatty Man, celebrating not vomiting/doing a backflip respectively after each of her dances).

I think it's a mistake to dismiss Louis as bland. He wasn't, at all. Rachel was bland, Colin was bland, Gethin was bland, Zoe Lucker was bland on toast. What Louis was was mum-bait. Appeal to middle-class mums and you've got this series down. Sophie, having her own middle-class mum parked in the front row crying her eyes out week 1, seems better poised than the domestic abuser from Corrie or the skinny WAG model for sure. In that Charleston she could have walked straight out of Downton.

It's very early days yet, but I think Natalie and Artem will win, closely followed by Sophie & Brendan. Having seen both of them do Ballroom and Latin I think Sophie is a bit stiff in the back ,and although her footwork in the waltz was good her top line totally spoiled the look of the dance for me. Natalie on the other hand was very fluid in the waltz and it was beautiful. I did think Sophie's Charleston was wonderful, so at the end of the day it may come down to the Choreography and I think that is where Natalie will have the edge. In the past Artem has produced some very innovative routines both with Kara and Holly - remember the American Smooth to Swan Lake with Holly, and in Natalie he has a partner with natural ability who I'm sure he'll be able to push to her limit. Brendan did produce some great routines with Kelly Brook , but he was also responsible for the Showdance with Lisa Snowdon
Either way, I'm looking forward to some amazing dancing this year and may the best man( although I think it will be a girl) win.

I have no idea as to who might win but Natalie will be in the final 3, of that I'm sure. Until Sophie tries cha cha cha, salsa, rhumba and samba there is no way she can be considered a contender. She has strength, speed and uses her legs and feet really well - can't wait to see her jive - but there's no guarantee she can wiggle her hips or bring the attitude needed for the latin dances I've listed or the paso doble.

It's not all about who is the best dancer though

I think Natalie and Artem will win - there is something about her persona when she takes to the dance floor, maybe confidence in her ability, and I am warming to her more and more, Sophie would be my second choice after her amazing Charleston, but I think she lacks the confidence and ability of Natalie

FWIW it seems to me that this will be the year when a woman who isn't necessarily the best dancer will win, for a change. I would guess it's between Rachel, Susanna and Sophie, and so far it looks like Rachel doesn't have the skill and Susanna's too divisive a personality.

Still only week 2 though, as everyone else has said.

I agree. One of the reasons I couldn't get into last year.


I think is because his personality and his fitness worries. He seems to already have weak knees which makes him a doubt wether he can maintain the standard week in week out.

Sophie for me. I think she will just get better and better.

As we have seen Natalie manage both Ballroom and true Latin she and Artem will be the ones to watch.

Susanna could get better. However, with Sophie much will depend on the Latin dances and the legs. Where Ashley is at the mercy of Ola's choreography.

I guess a lot can change over the next few weeks.

This. All of it.

I agree with most of it, but I wouldn't discount Sophie if she can inject personality into the dance.

I'm not sure if Natalie will win, some people may get put off by her ringer status & silly as it seems, some will confuse her corrie character with real life.

Tonight will be a test of Sophie's chances. If she can do a credible samba then she is in with a shot. Likewise, if Abbey can improve her party latin then she might be up there too.

Mind you, that goes for most of the contestants (bar the likes of Mark, Dave, Julien, Susanna and drunk aunty Debbie).

Agreed

Between Ashley and Sophie I think

Natalie is Denise van outen 2.0

Think Ashley, want Sophie.

Quite weird when I clicked view poll results I could see all the names of who voted for who, same happened last week. Has anyone else experienced this?

Yes, if a poll's set to public by whoever started it then you can see who voted for who.

Susanna and Kevin. Just a feeling.

I have a feeling you could be right

There are 3 females and 3 males in with a chance:
Girls: Sophie, Natalie and Susanna
Boys: Patrick, Ashley and Ben

Patrick's falling by the wayside pretty quickly and unless he kicks in with a big improvement he'll probably drop into the dance-off in a few weeks. Ben surprised me this week but whether or not he'll be able to transfer what he can do in 'quiet' dances to stuff like the samba or tango is another matter. Ashley is far and away the best prospect for a male win, and I still think the producers will try and set him up for a fall. As for the girls, don't discount Abbey if she gets back her week one form.

Ashley has the best chance of winning I think.