It's probably just me, but I'm hating the posing and gurning into the camera during every dance. I could sort of understand it if it only happened during the pro dances, because they're supposed to entertain the audience, but when I see a couple dance I really want them to look like they're dancing with each other. It ruins it for me when they look like they're fighting to get their face on camera.

If a celeb's having trouble with a dance, they should concentrate on the steps/performance instead of how much face time they're getting.

Rant over - what does everyone else think? Am I just an old grouch?*

*I've been called worse, so don't worry.

Yup,me also,

Ah thank goodness! I thought it was just me.

Mark? Natalie?

What do you mean? They don't do it, is that what you mean?

Is it like pretending to have an orgasm so you can switch back to Emmerdale

Mark sometimes makes comedy faces while he danced, while Natalie made those pro-dancer faces, and that's the ONLY criticism I had of Natalie. Her face was TOO polished, sleek even, and if you see those pro female dancers dances and 'perform', that's what Natalie tended to do too.

I think it is just another example of mis-guided producers thinking it endears them to the audience.... Probably does to some fans of the show, but I think it degrades the celebrities and is almost as naff as the pre-dance VT's.....

I've never tried that - does it work?

I think Natalie does. Not majorly, just enough to notice (imo). Right from thr chacha I thought.

SCD-Observer: I see what you mean, now - sorry - and I think you're right on both counts. I do like Natalie, though, in the main.

Isledance: aye, you're probably right too. I do wish they'd canvas their audience (ie ME ) before they implement this sort of thing.

If I'm being charitable, the pros tend to do it more than the celebs, but in my mind I picture lots of foot-twiddling steps going on, and crabbing to the side when the camera's pointing at them so they can get the maximum exposure.

I was watching some clips from previous series that were linked on here yesterday, and I noticed that in the older clips the couples focused on each other, grinning at each other in a jive, and so on. It was so much better and more immersive for me.

They aren't gurning into the camera. The celebs have enough to think about while they are trying to perform without playing up to the camera. However, if you ever watch the fixed camera footage you will see what we don't see on the TV - cameramen running around on the dance floor poking cameras in their faces as they dance to get their shot.

Yes they are. I know from reading DWTS blogs that the dress rehearsal includes camera positionings, which means those cameramen running around sticking cameras in the dancers' faces are actually scripted placements. The celebs/pros have to dance to where the camera's going to be so they can get the shot - or maybe the other way around, I forget. It seems this is happening more and more on SCD too.