I'm back.

Well for me, it is a competition.

It bothers me who actually wins.

It bothers me that someone is SO heavily in front of the others at the starting boxes. It's like running the 400m with a 200m start.

I take your points about not taking it so seriously, but even the Beeb emphasise the competitive element of it, so one would hope they are on a (reasonably) level playing field to start with.

But someone each year is always ahead from the start, it's inevitable and they don't always win.

I think Ashley will win because he is the handsome male, I think he has a big head start on the rest of the males.

I don't even think the other contestants are bothered anyway, they all just seem to get on with it, get some exposure and just enjoy learning to dance.

Yes it is a competition, and we the public are the metaphorical finish line (as well as the exits points before that finish line). So no one passes that winning line unless a majority of us say so. So comparing Strictly to a straight race is not accurate, because the entire nature of the show means that it's not how (or where) you start that's important but where you finish. It's not even down to how good a celeb is if they win, as you can start at the bottom in this show and still finish first, that's the difference! You caa be c**p and still win, which would not happen in a real race.

It's no secret that Natalie is the best dancer here by far. I don't think she should be the winner though because she is basically a professional dancer, maybe Ashley should be given that opportunity.

How was she a professional dancer is there proof that she ever earned a living out of Dancing.

The OP is trolling, why are you biting?

My thoughts exactly

I really dont think she will win, she has that denise van outen vibe about her. She will be a shock bottom two soon then come third in the final.

Quite. She never has. She's an actress, but people will say anything to discredit someone they have decided to vilify, criticise and undermine the object of their random hatred.

Happily, I reckon Natalie has to good sense to ignore it all and carry on being a true professional, however much her detractors fume and rage about her!

I am not a massive Natalie fan. However her dancing is sublime, so I don't really understand why people make threads criticising her.

People make similar threads about Susanna.

Both of them are successful attractive women. Hmm.

I haven't actually seen anyone 'fume and rage' about her personally. I have seen lots of positing that the Strictly producers may have gone a step too far this year.

Three weeks in and I won't pretend the latter view isn't something I don't have some sympathy with, but there is still plenty of weeks left for Natalie and Artem to win over all of us

She hasn't earned her living from dancing at anytime so she is not a professional, she's an actress.

Ashley has trained at Theatre School so has done some form of dance training.

Susannah won Comic Relief so she must have had training for that and Sophie for her videos and live stage performances.

Some of the comments people are making on this and several other threads saying that Natalie should not take part because she is too good. If the same analogy was applied to say Mo Farrow in Athletics would people be saying he should not be taking part in any of the races because he is too good.!

Exactly, he throws a stroppy fit, says he is leaving, and then he is back before we even have a chance to mourn his leaving.

I never understand why people take this out on the contestants. If you have a problem with the Beeb getting celebs with previous dance experience, lodge a complaint with them. Don't watch it and moan because some celebs are better from the off than others. Natalie was asked to be on SCD, she agreed and she's doing her best (which happens to be very, very good). What's wrong with that?

This is just the typical butt-hurt moaning that we hear every single year when there's a very good female dancer. This never happens when it's a man. If the female is very likeable, they get away with it (Alesha, Kara, Jill), but more often than not they're crucified simply for participating on a dancing show and being very good. I do not understand that at all.

Susannah looks like someone who has had training. So does Sophie and so does Abby and I for don't have a problem with that. It just means they including Natalie have to work twice as had and I believe the judges mark them on merit.

A good post. I agree I hope Natalie and some of the others who are good stay for long. I cant stand watching people who cant get the grasp and remain on SCD for too long for being the underdogs.

*shakes head*


Natalie has had more dance training then the rest of the celebrities, ok ? But what does it matter?

Yes, for me it is perhaps a reason to not get behind her (and the lack of chemistry with Artem, imho), but there are plenty of people who will vote for her as the best dancer.

Yes, Susanna had training for comic relief. Yes, Sophie indeed danced awkwardly in her videos and on stage. Yes, Abby is often seen tumbling out of nightclubs.

Seems like the issue is either pretending it isn't the case or admitting to it and trying to level the playing field.

This is the last thing I will (hopefully) say about this.


P.S. Again, if I were a fan of Natalie I would just sit back relaxed until the final (and see what the competition does).

deleted.

I don't know. She doesn't seem to have much of a connection with Artem, and her rumba lacked the perfect hip movement. She's still the best so far, but she is by no means perfect. Add to that that the public at large will unfairly judge her for being already an accomplished dancer, and I'd say Natalie fans have just as much to fear as everyone else.

BTW, I'm a Natalie fan.

[quote=Sherlock_Holmes;69177761]*shakes head*


Natalie has had more dance training then the rest of the celebrities, ok ? But what does it matter?

Yes, for me it is perhaps a reason to not get behind her (and the lack of chemistry with Artem, imho), but there are plenty of people who will vote for her as the best dancer.

Yes, Susanna had training for comic relief. Yes, Sophie indeed danced awkwardly in her videos and on stage. Yes, Abby is often seen tumbling out of nightclubs.

Seems like the issue is either pretending it isn't the case or admitting to it and trying to level the playing field.

This is the last thing I will (hopefully) say about this.


P.S. Again, if I were a fan of Natalie I would just sit back relaxed until the final (and see what the competition does).[/QUOTE]

I am really sorry I don't understand your posts. One minute I feel you're being nice and the next minute I feel like you are telling me off for having an opinion. You keep on telling me to relax and I really don't know why. As far as I know I haven't really said anything to indicate that I am off my trolley. But it is getting a bit tedious.

Perhaps you need to relax.

Really? I think people are so over "the journey".

Yes, it is so boring:yawn:

It's a great show, good fun entertainment
Natalie sees like a nice girl and she is dancing well

It's not a foregone conclusion. If you stop watching that's your loss IMO

Abbey has had training to sit on a wall and shake her legs about ?
I am starting to get bored with Natalie and both Susannah and Abbey were over marked.

Sorry for you, must I am looking foward to seeing what amazing things she sould bring to the floor! Hope she stays till the final. Don't mind nor care if she wins, but I want to see her dance all the dances on Strictly.