. . . there is NO MYSTERY about who is going to make the semifinals. Even on this forum, everyone is predicting contestants to drop out in the same sequence. That removes the suspense from a show which is in many respects better than last year. Pity.

Who is going to make the semi finals?

(I'll agree that it's probably going to be largely predictable, but there are a couple of people I could go either way on atm.)

I disagree. It's all how you approach the show. Predictions - even correct ones - don't detract from the excitement when you see someone dance well. Even if it's all correct and Natalie goes on to win, it doesn't matter to me that it's been a forgone conclusion as long as we get some more fantastic dances along the way. In series 10 it was obvious from the start that Kara was the best - at least for me - but it didn't stop that year being my absolute favourite of all time, and that's because of the quality of her dancing. Just enjoy the show.

Who did people think was going to make the semifinals last year? Richard Arnold?

How can we possibly know? We've seen excellent dancers go out unexpectedly when everyone said they were going to win and less good ones hang on. You can never predict the results of the public vote and two good ones in the dance-off means one will have to go, however much the judges like them.

The joy of the show isn't in who gets to the final but watching the dances, the training and the delight of the contestants as the weeks go on.

But you can never know for certain how the public vote will go - for example, who would have placed money on Chris Hollins winning?

I predict mark will make the semi finals.

Sorry if that's spoiled everything for you

Haha, that would be great.

I'm interested to see this year whether or not the free online voting leads to any more shock exits. Especially as we get 5 votes.

Will five online votes make any real difference? After all, we can vote as many times as we like on the phones.

The only 'shock exit' will be if Julien pukes next week in the dance-off.

The dance-off means there is not going to be any surprise exits - one of the many reasons I would like the dance-off to disappear again. It's rather an anti-climax.

I'm with you on this.

Although I can't predict the winner like last year, there is still an inevitability about who'll be left at the end.

It's an old argument I know but I wish they'd do away with the dance-off again. The judges have their say when ranking the couples, the rest should be up to the audience to decide.

Totally agree

Am I the only person who enjoys the dancing rather than the competition? I don't give a monkey's who wins or makes it to the final weeks, I like to see the celebs improving every week.

I'd agree with that, he's my dark horse to go deep in to the competition (which would please me greatly, I like Mark lots)

I enjoy both - plus the comedically bad performances and mistakes made along the way