You've been very selective in your quote - quoting just one dance teacher. I read the whole article which was linked to and she did more than that according to it. I found what the 'source' said interesting

Disagree that anyone in pop music will have had dance training. Manufactured boy and girl bands, sure, but others need to be judged on an individual basis. I could name plenty of pop stars who won't have had dance training. The concept of the popstar that dances choreographed routines is starting to die out.

I couldn't give a monkeys whether she's had 1 lesson or 100 lessons or even had years of training at dance school. Oh and by the way I am not outraged in the least. Its not about the number of lessons or training someone has had. Its about how the training enhances talent. Someone could have lessons all their life and still not be very good. Abbey IMO is OK but that good.

Fiona's had ballet lessons, but she not that elegant at the end of the day. But she came clean about it.

Secret lessons, lol.

30 hours in her teens comes no where near to those that have trained nearly their entire life to be Professionals, from aged 4-5 to their late teens, and still perfecting their craft even beyond that. If Abbey had trained properly and meticulously for years in Latin and Ballroom dancing and then competed in serious competitions on top of that, then we'd have something to talk about. Next rubbish article please (or actually not).

IMO Abbey has reached her peak. No about of lessons will enhance what little talent she has. IMO she is a very good looking girl with a figure to die for but a dancer she is not. Abbey is working hard to win and why not, that's why she has taken part in SCD. Just because I am not a fan doesn't mean she I rubbish. I just happen to support some one else.

Natalie, is a natural dancer and any training she has had will enhance her talent.

I first thought, with all the fuss, that she's had 'secret lessons' during her time on strictly. But no, it's 10 yrs ago and about 30 hrs...come on.

Yes I echo this, and its because of this that I believe she has had far more training than she is letting on (not that I mind her having any because I dont) If Abbey was a natural at dance it would show and she would be improving in leaps and bounds......(she is not improving at all from the the first week and is pretty much exactly the same)and if she was a natural I would easily believe her no training story, as it is its imo pretty difficult to accept that someone who has no training, no natural talent for dance can get to her reasonable standard without it.

If she has had dance lessons then where does that leave Len's comment. I like her but she has to confirm the truth on way or another

BIB, nearly made me spray my computer screen with coffee.

Yeah I thought...boob job.

I think they should all be asked about the amount of lessons and experience they have in dancing before the show and should be honest with the voters. Poor Rachel never had a chance

I never take any notice of unnamed sources, regardless of who they are commenting on. If you can link quotes from other dance teachers who confirm they have given Abbey training and are happy to stand by their statement by being named, fair enough.

Until then, yes I will continue to be selective when reading any opinion-based 'news' article, I will continue to regard attached photographs with suspicion - for example, are they out of context and/or chronological sync. You can continue to swallow if you wish, but I prefer to be more objective, especially when it comes to UK tabloids *spits*

Most likely the lessons were in Bo-jutsu, the ancient japanese art of fending a fuming Karen off with a rolling pin.

Maybe so but if Dave had dance lessons for the rest of his life, he still wouldn't be able to dance.

BIB, totally agree.

Gosh, you don't like Abbey I gather?

There's no smoke without fire. I do hope those posters who are fans of Abbey will refrain from criticising Natalie when she returns next week for doing the same thing.

（•_ㅅ_•）

I don't understand what you mean by the same thing. Unless you're comparing a life of dance lessons to a few hours being taught how to move as a group on stage. And that would be a, frankly, ridiculous comparison.

Incidentally, I like Natalie and any criticism I have at her inclusion in the show is directed at the producers, not the girl personally.

ETA: People who believe the adage 'no smoke without fire' are fodder for the tabloids and, in my opinion, have to take a huge dose of responsibility for the lazy journalism in this country.

Well said.

what's that? a cat (or bird?) with a quizzical nose?

So if she has lied about the '30 hours training', maybe she has has more lessons than we know about. She has been dishonest.

I wasn't having a dig at you btw

People choose to believe the tabloids when it suits them especially on DS. I suspect if it was Natalie it would be a diffferent matter.

It's the special logo I designed for Natalie's knockers.

Hope they like it.

I can take her or leave her, but she does seem to find herself in the tabloids rather a lot, as for having an opinion on thinking she may have had far more lessons than she says well...thats just my thoughts which I had way back in week one and I thought I did explain my reasons for those thoughts above.