I'm persisting in going into my little fantasy world where Dave does something resembling dancing. I thought there were a couple of (very tiny) glimmers early on in his Paso. Once I stopped looking at his face

Of course, it then went quite spectacularly wrong. But I'm clinging on to a flicker of hope and really, really wanting him to keep trying and not let himself be pigeon-holed as the joke. It would just be so glorious to see him doing a half-decent dance and being praised for it.

So, I guess the point of this thread is to ask the question of whether it's : 'there's no chance' or 'there's some chance - people do win the lottery, after all, and those odds are only a bit higher'.

IMO he can dance but his build makes it hard to show that he can. Lisa Riley could even though she was a big girl, but she was dressed in such a way that people watched her dance rather than watch her size. I don't if its his build that makes it difficult.

No chance I'm afraid. No musicality, no rhythm, no grace, no flow, no rise and fall, bad timing, no sense of "the dance". Anyone who stomps around the dance floor will always stomp around the dance floor.

I think there is always the chance someone can learn to dance.

Problem is doing it within the Strictly timeframe and keeping everyone entertained, since he probably needs to start from basics.

Added to this, someone really wants to dance and I don't feel Dave can be bothered. He's quite happy acting the clown.

It's still very early days at the moment. I can't wait to see what he is like in the Charleston or the Jive, if he manages to stay in that long.

I think if he worked hard, every day for a year, he could learn to dance a bit, but he'll never be a dancer.

Oh he will. Some people like people like Dave. Didn't Anne Widdicombe stay for a long time. To me Dave is like the male version of Widdicombe. I hope he doesn't stay too long.

I had hoped that he did and would continue to want to learn to dance.

Its looking like he is firmly on the terribly funny trail now.

I haven't seen signs that would make me think that he could learn to dance to a reasonable standard. Perhaps the only way he will find out is to spend some of his Strictly earnings on dance lessons after the show.

Oh come on, at least Dave gives the impression that he would be good company. I wouldn't want to spend 5 minutes in the company of Widdy.

I know that has nothing to do with dancing, but at least I don't (yet) have to leave the room every time he appears on tv.

Not a hope in hell. He has no sense of timing, cannot hear a beat, has no natural rhythm, no sense of his own body - in terms of it all moving coherently at the same time - no musicality or ear for music and zero ability.

I have taught some tricky students in my time, but I'd tell him to give up and stick to motor bikes.

It doesn't really matter to him though. He has clearly settled nicely in to his perceived role as SCD Clown and National Treasure and is revelling in the attention he so clearly thinks he deserves.

Why try now when you can just mess about like gangly idiot and have Britain love you for being Utterly Hopeless?

They love a big smiley, loud loser, until the real dancers start to go.

Miss Funnity Fun Fun anyone?

I do. It's awful. Glad someone is enjoying it though. I loathe Joke Contestants. At least John S had some dignity and was clever.

I didn't go as far as to say I was enjoying it. I just don't think Dave has reached the horror show levels of Widdecombe..yet.
Plus, he's several thousand per cent more personable.

He's in the Ann Widdecombe group - whatever it is he's doing it isn't dancing. Hard to tell who is the worst dancer - Ann or Dave. Ann just about edges it.

I agree with all of the above. I absolutely believe that everyone can dance. In fact I believe that dance is innate and we are all born with the ability and unless we engage with dance we somehow lose it as we grow up.


I also believe that if you can walk you can learn to dance, if there is sufficient will to do so. You may not become a great performer or win competitions but I do believe anyone can reach a standard of competence sufficient for enjoyable (for both parties) social dancing.

The grace, musicality and timing can all be learned as can obviously steps. But the person has to have the right mind set. Dave's problem I believe is that he hasn't yet embraced what makes dancing, dancing. While he continues to think of it as a series of discrete directions and a routine he will never get it.

It feels to me that at present that rather than think of each dance as a integrated and organic system he sees it as a set of instructions and because he is following the instructions and adding some acting - he thinks it is dancing. The instructions and acting are necessary but not sufficient. It needs something more I find hard to describe (but anyone who dances regularly will know what I mean I think); heart, soul, core, feeling - I don't know exactly what but its about feeling it not just doing it.

There's a distorted view of things on this forum sometimes. SCD can't be your only filter for the judging of people.

Ann Widdecomb goes in a group that includes Satan, Mussolini, Goebbels, Mladic, Gove. Folk like that. Opponents of life, racists, society haters.

Dave is a good guy who cared for his sick mum, who has a gentle, off-beat sense of humour, is kind to folk.

ETA An Thropologist... what you say (and all the posts you quote) are excellent and full of the right spirit.

I don't think lumping Ann Widdecomb in with people who committed genocide is a particularly clear-sighted perspective either.

They all had much nicer hair than her for a start.

Yes, I'd agree And yes, he does not have her undesirable political leanings or arrogance. Thankfully.

PM, are you sure?!? I thought Widdy was pro life

Nah, but you take my point. I can't lump folk together based only on their short spell on SCD.

You also hadn't mentioned Gove yet, which kind of undermined the whole hair thing I was working with there.

True. But she'd rather we were miserable while we are living

Any way, back on topic, Dave has experienced the thrumm of his bike through the seat of his pants. I'm sure he must have a sense of rhythm.

Does Satan have hair? I always imagined him to have a sort of smooth skin or coating - a bit like PVC.

He just forced his way in on the edit. I also got rid of Fascist cos I don't think she is that.

Ignore me!
(Not literally)

(Haven't yet said how much I love you )