Fabulous pic. His joy of dance shines out. Thanks for posting.

That pic sums up why I always tune in for Patrick's dances. He's clearly loving every minute, the boy's got soul.

I have a picture of myself dancing with a grim face. That's because I was concentrating. A (forced) smile I suspect would force me to relax and dance better.

They say always smile when you are on the phone to a client.

Hollyoaks is five nights a week. Casualty is just the once. I love Patrick but it must be a real strain for Ashley to juggle Strictly with that type of work commitment and a big change in his family circumstances too.

That's because you dance AT Henry. I had always noticed that AT social dancers 'adopted' as I thought really serious expressions. Then when I started to learn it I discovered the really serious expression wasn't a deliberate Argentine Tango face but merely the consequence of concentrating really hard to feel those subtle (and sometimes ambiguous) leads.

The one thing that puts me of this partnership is Anya.She is a bit to hyperactive for my liking if she could rein it in I think I would like them more.

That's an interesting observation for me for two reasons. a) because despite his natural rhythm, Patrick appeared undisciplined and very much doing his own thing during his earlier routines and b) because it ties in with a point I made about Pros in the 'Best Teacher' thread, where a good one will temper their own dance style to match their celebs.

Now admittedly, I haven't watched Anya closely because, love him or not, Patrick is a total eye-magnet when he dances. But perhaps Anya's 'hyperactivity' is an effort to match Patrick's uncontained, loose style? (Unlike Kristina, who becomes frenetic in an effort to mask, rather than match).

I guess we will find out during Patrick's quieter dances ahead, or if Anya stays and gets a duffer at some point in the future.

Patrick looks like a pro in that fab photo and the joy on his face!

Not sure if Anya is a good teacher, but I think she is!

I find it sweet that Anya has to stretch everything to its extreme to come close to Patrick's long but naturally placed limbs It was a shame that at this point in last night's live dance, the TV camera showed us the view from the other side of the floor, but we still have this picture.

I'm the same as you. I don't know if Anya is good, or if she just has an exceptionally good student. For example, although Patrick was picked up on it much later than Ashley, he corrected the bad habit of losing his neck much sooner. Ashley is getting there, but it was still evident during some moments of last night's dance. (Plus Ola could argue they just don't get enough training hours to practice working on polishing all the elements that I am sure she would want to, if she had the time).

Gosh - what an interesting and pleasurable discussion to read.

Apologies in advance if this is a bit long.


I agree he hasn't always seemed to get the credit he deserves.


I so agree and find it infectious.


So well put.


Should Natalie (my favourite) not be able to return he would be my first choice too.


And Anya's explanation that this was down to the painful wrist seems to make perfect sense to me.


So well compared.


I've been thinking along these lines too. I'm sure that Colin Jackson's public vote suffered because of a lack of exposure too. Quieter personalities, yes, but for me it was the disadvantage of being Cardiff - rather than London - based which led to less exposure on ITT (although they seem to be fairer now) and other media. I know Ashley's soap is televised more frequently but - without knowing the actual hours worked - am unsure the difference this makes.

Again sorry if a bit long, but you waz warned!

But there was a load of stuff on here a couple of weeks ago about how Patrick wanted out and how rude and unfriendly he was to everyone! Who knows what to believe? Personally I try to ignore ill- informed gossip and just believe what I see. Patrick's quickstep was too frenetic for my taste but my husband thought it was fantastic so there you go. I thoughts Darcy was silly though giving a ten - and standing up to do so, having admitted it wasn't perfect. I thought Abbey and Susanna were both better and deserved at least one ten. As to whether he is best male dancer that isn't saying much - the men this year are really poor I think. Craig summed up Ashley by saying how forgettable his dance was. When I try to count up all the dancers he is the one I always forget (sorry to his admirers!) The girls this year are all pretty good.

Are you getting Ashley and Fiona's comments mixed up because Craig said nothing of the sort to Ashley, he actually said Ashley's dance was "absolutely amazing."

He certainly seems to have toned it down at bit since the first few weeks - you can see that when he's on ITT.

When he started dancing he was far less in control of his body when he danced and you can see how hard he works to make his top half match his bottom half in effort (if that makes sense!). His natural sense of rhythm helped him in the early day and I think Anya has done well to teach him how to control his limbs.

Of course, his height amplifies any movement and that can be a good thing if his routine is going well or a bad thing if it's not - we're not going to miss his mistakes!

Hi all, enjoying the discussion.

Although IMO the standard of male celebrity dancers this year is not great I do think Patrick & Ashley are the best two. I would say that Patrick does have the edge mainly because, although a bit clunky at times, Patrick has mastered the latin and has natural rhythm. His ballroom also has got progressively better over the last few weeks.

Ashley I think still doesn't look comfortable with latin, (although I did like his Jive), and he could be a very good dancer if he could just sort his head out! It is so unsightly and really puts me off watching him. I wish he could sort out his posture and his ballroom would be perfect.

They're definitely the best two but for me, for the moment, Patrick is the much better dancer.

I think you've made a very good point here, and explained why I have not yet warmed to Ashley. He looks uncomfortable dancing and therefore doesn't convey real joy and enthusiasm. Therefore it's harder for the watcher to relax and enjoy too?

Ashley was smiling through gritted teeth

i loved Patrick's american smooth probably for the sheer joy he expressed despite the glitch at the end and he had style !!

Unfortunately despite being the " best male dancer " , I still think that he'll be eliminated fairly early. I don't think that he is really popular like Ashley, Ben, Mark are.

Sorry about that - you are right I'm sure.

Dressage is easy compared with gently but surely driving a follower around a crowded Milonga

And with AT the leader has to make up the choreography as they go along and be careful to avoid your follower crashing into furniture or into swinging legs ahead and coming to a sudden but natural looking and feeling halt depending on traffic.

And all this without glasses as they create a barrier between the heads and one eye embedded in the followers face and the other left eye peering without perspective through the followers lovely hair.

I have thought that Patrick was the best male since week 1 & he's made a noticeable improvement as well. Ashley is good & he made a bit of a breakthrough for me last night but still needs to go up another notch to compete with Patrick.

I happen to think he is a better doctor than dancer.

I have every sympathy for you and leads in general Henry. Its the price you pay for the privilege of having a variety of women in your arms for 8 minutes or so without even having to shell out for a drink.

You forgot to mention also have to try to interpret the music too and that is no mean feat.

However from the BIB I do sense you haven't yet quite adopted the right attitude. If it was as you say we followers should be entitled to endorse your license!

Of course. It is truly wonderful. And no chatting necessary or even allowed.


Yes and interpreting the music perhaps first time of hearing on the spot with traffic.

As per BIB, dressage horses don't give you a withering look if / when you mess-up as a leader. Or exclaim with a raised eyebrow ad curled lip: "Is that all you are going to do?"

Followers should fake it. Maybe I should have stuck to sex. Never (knowingly) had any such problems

He is the best male dancer; technically anyway. He may not be everybody's idea of a pretty boy but the professional judge is quite correct.