Natalie is already a superb dancer way beyond the rest of the celebs and could be a pro ballroom/Latin dancer in a very short time and do so as a most polished performer

Sophie has a unique dance personality that requires a longer development period but would eventually become a hugely successful personality star of great attraction who would be hugely attractive in contests and in particular exhibition work

Brendan is aware of her potential and so far has lit that potential in particular in that very moody and dramatic AT which Len simply did not understand, her lines and mood in the AT sheer class

Give this girl a chance and time will produce a rather special performer

She's got 4 more weeks at the most.

I don't mean that as nasty by the way. It's factual. I like Sophie a lot but the show ends in about 4 weeks so she better get a move on.

Totally agree

Sophie's Ballroom seems to be coming along nicely. Her Quickstep was a step away from being a 10 in my opinion. Her natural elegance and poise are perfect for the Ballroom dances.

I think she needs to inject more emotion and personality into the Latin and loosen her hips. But I'm not sure the remaining week(s) are going to be enough time to get a brilliant non-Charleston Latin routine out of Sophie. I'd love for her to prove me wrong. I'd like to see her improve at least - that's what the show's about. She doesn't have to be the best dancer but she can and should get better.

I agree with you that there is a uniqueness about her which makes her very compelling to watch.

This is a genuine question OP but don't you think this post would be better in the appreciation threads? Undeniably you have as much right as anyone else to post on the main board and I wouldn't want to stop you necessarily. However...

Sophie and Brendan clearly have a very loyal fan base. That's fine. But so many of these fans seem to get quite upset if the rest of us don't find every move she makes perfect and awesome.

This thread on the main board is simply going to attract posts from those of us that dance or teach AT who will tell you that moody and dramatic do not a good Argentine Tango make.

It was moody and dramatic but the Argentine Tango technique and characteristics were not in evidence, although I will grant you that after several watches it could be argued that Sophie's technique may have edged it over Brendan's

If the intention of a thread like this is one of propaganda to persuade those of us who are not already falling over ourselves with wonder at Sophie's brilliance, it is not working.

On the appreciation thread you will find a more receptive audience, Your call of course but I don't understand why you would want to invite trouble.

Time ? How much time does she needs we are already going to week 9 !

I don't expect too much from her nowadays. I really like her as a contestant but other than her waltz and Charleston, I haven't been WOWed by her dancing and that was since 6 weeks ago.

I'm really looking forward to her Charleston at the finale and her showdance but other than that I don't have any more expectations from her. I've already resigned myself to the fact that she is not going to become the dancer that I thought she would be. Imo she peaked at week 2.

Her QS should have had at least one more point from Craig. I fear that she's getting lost partially because the insane and unfair marking both of herself and others is making her look worse than she actually is.

Maybe, maybe not. We'll never know because the one thing Strictly doesn't give is time.

It takes years to learn a dance properly, so all anyone really learns on Strictly is how to pretend to dance properly. Sophie doesn't strike me as much of a pretender...

I agree if she were to carry on dancing after the show, she will be a superb dancer, probably needs little more work on the latin. I don't see her making the final and winning though.
more then happy to carry on watching her for the time remaining .

1 - who is OP

2 - Thank you for allowing me to post on the main board

3 - I do not do PR for anyone

4 - You may not be the only knowledgeable poster in town

5 - I strongly repeat that given time this young lady could be special in performance and by time I do not restrict the time to the remainder of this series

6 - The only fan club I am a member of is dance

OP = original poster. In other words, the FM (forum member ) who started the thread .

^
There's one I've seen you use, edy, SMH or SHM (can't remember which ). What's that one mean, pliz? And thank you

I certainly don't mean to speak for the OP but some points occur to me...

1. Why should it only be in the appreciation threads? There are PLENTY of threads extolling the virtues of other dnacers in the main forum too.


2. It is hardly only Sophie and Brendan that have a loyal fanbase that gets upset if one doesn't fawn over the object of their affection.


3. Is every thread that is positive about a contestant to be dismissed as propaganda?


4. Why should this invite any more trouble than any thread about any of the other contestant? Some of whose fanbases certainly don't brook any dissent?


Are there reasons why this thread and this celebrity should be singled out?

Are you winding me up PM

SMH = shake my head
SMFH= shake my f*****ing head

lol.

Time isn't always in great supply on this show. Ask Gabby Logan and Martina Hingis.

Understood and my comment reference give her time was not restricted to this series

In simpler terms I was suggesting that this lady has a natural talent that give time and coaching she could become a real performer of unique proportions, no doubt she will have other career interests rather than becoming a competing professional

Ali Bastian is one clear example. I didn't know until very recently that after Strictly she joined the Ballroom Tour Group responsible for the production of Burn The Floor and had since watched with amazement the IMPROVEMENT she made as a dancer. She was quite timid and actually rather forgettable on Strictly but she did a scintillating jive with other pro dancers like Robin Windsor and kevinfromgrimsby.

But speaking of just this series, I fear, much as she stole my heart on Monday's ITT, I think a miracle is needed for her to crack latin within this short space of time...

I agree. I don't think we will see her true potential in the time available however I find her eminently watchable and would rather watch her than any other contestant.

She fascinates me, she is the queen of cool and yet is down to earth. She stamps her personality on each dance, which dance professionals may not like.

I understand the board professionals don't seem to think a great deal of her dancing but I know others that would disagree. After all performance is not just about the technicalities.

He waltz was lovely, her charleston quirky and full of character, her AT had much that was good and her QS was apparently very good according to most of the professional judges. I doubt she will make the final but she remains my favourite.

I have a proper girl crush going on and before the series started I didn't think I would even like her!

I have resigned to the fact that I've always picked my favourites and they never won (well, since Kara's series that is)...

Chelsee, Dani/Kimberly and now... Sophie (unless she did a terrible rumba, I might switch back to Abbey).

Lol Abbey won't win either so your best hope of a winner out of the 2 (Abbey/Sophie) is Sophie, imo.
The only favorite that I had who didn't win was chelsee .

But most of my favorites so far won : Alesha, Kara, Mark, Louis.....

I didn't support Kara because Artem really annoyed me that series. I cant even remember why now. Loved Chelsea after a wobbly start and Kimberly too. So if Sophie goes I will probably support Abbey and Susanna.

It is only an entertainment show, important ish at the time, forgotten soon after. Excepting Mark R, I shall never forget him!

Mark R and Alesha were my series 4 and 5 favourites. Series 6 I wasn't having any as my favourites, but I did enjoyed Austin's ballroom (and his jive immensely), and enjoyed the rumba/AT from Rachel, Lisa's cha cha (don't ask) and Tom's showdance. Series 7 I just blanked out, then came series 8's Kara...

I think given that he only trains for about 10 hours a week, Ashley would end up being the best given time.

As a fan of Sophie's please would you switch your allegiance .

Gave up on her in the last 3/4 weeks but felt *annoyed that her QS scored less than Abbey so back to supporting her .

*Like Abbey but feel the judges are overmarking her just to keep her from the bottom two . Not Abbey's fault but dislike the judges trying to manipulate the outcome.

No! Was genuine question. Wish we had a head shake smiley

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