Originally Posted by J.R:
“Had he left on Saturday - as he totally expected to - we wouldn't have known at all. I think he just relented and answered the question - probably knowing he is almost certain to go this week. He was asked the direct question - answered it honestly and then moved on from it.
As far as Natalie is concerned my personal opinion is that she has been manipulated by TPTB because she too always wants to brush over the subject.”
I agree 100%. It still doesn't make me feel comfortable about the timing. Just maybe manipulated by the producers.
Originally Posted by Monkseal:
“He's definitely been storing it up for weeks to use as a slur against Natalie right now, when she's at her most vulnerable and drugged up. Did people catch him making a dig at Ben going shirtless as well? SHAMELESS. No wonder he's always in the bottom 2. Vile man.
(Am I doing it right?)”
Behave you!
Originally Posted by Bonnie96:
“With Mark not wanting the 'sympathy vote' (his words) or the injury even mentioned, the judges couldn't take it into consideration but now they can.
I think the timing is just right having just performed arguably the toughest dance in respect of his knee injury.
(BIB - Zoe?)”
Yes, I meant Zoe!

The judges shouldn't take it into consideration when marking though, except to perhaps accept it as the reason why some elements of a dance might be missing (like lifts in the AS). They score what they see - or they should do, but this series shows anything can happen.
Originally Posted by Sofajudge:
“...Annoying though when it's being said that it shouldn't be mentioned because it might make Natalie look bad and that a celebs lack of dance training shouldn't be mentioned for the same reason. It's not all about Natalie and it seems they, quite rightly, want to keep her on the show anyway.”
No one is saying it shouldn't be mentioned.