We're almost at the half-way mark now, so, in the world of DS, it's time to start guessing who'll be in the final after seeing them dance five times. Assuming there's four finalists like last year, I reckon:

Ashley (Hollyoaks fanbase)
Natalie (she'll never get sent home in a dance-off)
Susanna (a dark horse and BBC support)

And then either Abbey or Sophie - right now, I'd say Sophie, only because she's got less party Latin's in the future than Abbey has.

Any thoughts?

I think Ashley and Natalie are locks. I would have said Sophie was another definite but after last night I'm not so sure

I think the finalists will be:

Natalie, Ashley, Sophie, Abbey (if there are four)

Not sure what Ashley's schedule is like, but if he carries on with only 10 hours training a week, no way will he make the final.

I think Sophie, Natalie and Abbey will be there...and hoping Mark makes it for the men

Well Natalie of course as she will always survive a dance off ( assuming she even ends up in one ) but I don't see her as the winner.

Abbey definitely

Then two out of Susannah, Sophie and Ashley

I think Ashley will have the time element against him, Sophie might falter unless she can inject a bit more life into her routines and seem a bit more into the whole thing and Susannah is not the best dancer by far, but always brings loads of enthusiasm and energy to her routines

Natalie. I get a feeling she might be the Denise of this series though. She will, deservedly, avoid being voted out by the judges but the public might rally against her for being ahead in terms of ability from the start.

Abbey should be there providing there are no major blunders. She is very, very good. I'm also finding disparaging comments about her accent and background on other websites to be very nasty and uncalled for.

I would have said Sophie but she has to inject more personality into the dances come the business end of the competition. If not her, then I would say Susanna.

There will be one man. I would think it would be Ashley but as said, the only thing that could go against him is his schedule and if he wants to win, more time needs to be put on the dance floor. One could criticize Ola (not me though, my hormones do the Rumba whenever she comes on and I hope there is such a thing as reincarnation/parallel universes so I can return as James Jordan) but she basically choreographed something she knew would get them through with the time they had and couldn't make it overly complex. I suppose that although Ashley has confidence issues by the looks of it, at least he's better to dance and be around than Sid "face like a wet weekend in East Grinstead" Owen.

If it's not Ashley, I can see it being Ben or Mark. I don't think Patrick's public support will last him long and Ben and Mark are possibly the "journey" contestants due to their physical limitations.

I would say Ashley is the likeliest man in the final, followed by Ben, then Mark then Patrick.

Definitely Natalie, Sophie and Abbey. Would love to see Susanna in the final but think she will lose out to Ashley.

My prediction is Natalie, Sophie, Ben and Susanna/Ashley.

The only certainty is Natalie. I don't think Ashley will make the final - he looks half dead already. My bet is an all female final. Now if only we could get Claud and Tess hosting...

Natalie & Ashley plus...any 2 from Abbey, Sophie & Susanna.

Natalie & Artem
Abbey & Aljaz
Sophie & Brendan

I'm going for an all girl final

I think it will be Natalie, Abbey, Susanna and Ben. I think Ben is the jur-knee contestant this year if he keeps improving. It could also be Mark as Iveta's choreography for him is excellent.

Imo Natalie and Sophie are lock in for the finals.

I would love to see Abbey there but I doubt it .
Last edited by edy10 : 27-10-2013 at 10:41

I think all three will split each others vote though, they're all in the same mould of nice but dull and the public rarely get behind that if you look at previous winners. Sophie would be my tip for a shock elimination in a couple of weeks time, and Susanna is my winner atm, loads of enthusiasm, has a likeable pro and a natural BBC breakfast voting base and I think Ben will surprise and get to the final over Ashley (seems to have a big fan base)

Susanna
Sophie
Abbey
Natalie

Will be

Natalie
Abbey
Susanna
Ben


Want to be

Natalie
Abbey
Sophie
Ashley

I think the only absolute definite (barring injury) in the final is Natalie. Even if she does end up in the dance off she would beat everyone

To be frank I can't call any of the others. I think Sophie is popular with the public, but not sure about Abbey (she doesn't get the audience standing ovations). Ben will make the semi finals at least (as did Gavin).

My dark horse is Mark

True about Abbey but I could argue that some good contestants don't always get standing ovations. Idk why she's single out based on her last 2 performances.
Still unsure about her fanbase but I think that she can get to the semi at least if she continues to put good performances .

Natalie, Abby, Sophie, Ben

Sophie's not getting standing ovations either. did she get one last week for her foxtrot? I know she got a massive one for the charleston, but last night her performance seemed to land very flat in the studio.

I think only Natalie and surprisingly Dave are getting regular standing ovations.

Re : Standing Ovations, up to this week I've counted (yes, I've counted) :

Natalie : 4
Sophie : 4
Susanna : 3
Abbey : 2
Ashley : 2
Ben : 2
Dave : 1 1/2
Mark : 1 1/2
Deborah : 1
Patrick : 1
Fiona : 0
Rachel : 0
Everyone Eliminated : 0

I'll update my spreadsheet as I recap. (*shame face*)

I think the powers that be are going for an all-female final - just depends on whether it's three or four couples.

I still think everyone is grossly overestimating Ashley's public support - the "Hollyoaks fanbase" hasn't held previous cast members in good stead, either on Strictly or other public-voted shows. And with his current schedule there's every risk he'll end up another Scott Maslen.

Which one didn't Natalie get a so for? I'm guessing waltz?

And Sophie's only one she didn't was last night?

Natalie and Artem
Abby and Aljaz
Susanna and Kevinfromgrimsby

and my outsider

Mark and Iveta

Up to this week. Natalie and Sophie both got standing os for all of their first four dances (Sophie's one for her waltz was a wee bit limp, but it just about managed to get all the way up).

Im just curious, is it a 4 person final again this year? I have noticed some FM's are listing 4 people as finalists.......

If it is then my 4th would be Susanna and Kevin