They don't need to have any "flame of desire" for each other; in fact it doesn't matter if they actually hate each other, but when 2 people dance together they have to play the part to emote whatever dance they are performing - they have to act.

There are a lot of gay guys - especially in the Latin field - but when they dance with their lady partners they appear as if that lady is every is everything they could possibly desire.

Brendan might find it beneficial to get some acting lessons for Sophie - providing she was willing to be taught of course.

This beautiful rumba lacked the smut that Kara Tointon brought to her dances. Sorry have to say it; from her choice of or lack of dress, to the moves. Yes, she was a brilliant technical dancer but why does every Rumba have to be like this? Tonight, the judges were wrong and yes, Brendan was right. As for those making references to Sophie's husband's approval. If there was anything in that, you wouldn't have seen him smile after the comment and she wouldn't have made reference to Brendan being the only person in the room during the dance.

No, they do not . It's your subjective opinion.

Brendan was correct - the dance was stripped back making it simple and elegant........not really a Sophie fan but I really enjoyed this dance and it should have been marked higher.................................Shame on the judges tonight

Nicely said bonnie

The judges were right.

A rumba does not need to be raunchy. It does need to have the proper technique which includes pushing into the floor to get the straight legs and exaggerated hip sway. Both of which were missing. Stripped back does not mean ignoring the basics, which Brendan has chosen to disregard for most of the Latin routines he has choreographed.

So true, the judges definitely seem to have it in for Sophie and Brendan, their Charleston has been the only dance that has been marked fairly! Their AT, quickstep and now rumba have all been undermarked imo! They are not a favourite with the judges, we all know who is though!

Spot on, the pair of you!

I normally echo Claudia in loathing the bloody rumba, particularly the raunchy versions beloved of professional dancers and, in particular, the show dancers. So I welcome Brendan's lighter, balletic version, which celebrates an emotional connection rather than a physical one.

Having said that, and as much as I like Sophie, I don't think she delivered on that emotion. As Craig pointed out, she did a few bizarre smirks throughout the dance, which, together with a free arm that didn't know what to do with itself, and a habit of looking at the floor rather than at Brendan (except when she was grinning at him), made her look self-conscious and somewhat embarrassed.

She did strike some beautiful poses - just as she did in the AT - but this does not, in my book, constitute nailing the dance itself. In this instance, I think the judges were right.

Two series ago Aliona was praised by the judges for her gentle romantic rhumba, (she knew Harry was never going to manage raunchy).
Same scenario this year for Brendan BUT ..........the judges are SO inconsistent

They change week by week this series
Last edited by Mrs-Mop : 24-11-2013 at 06:52

I've just posted on another thread that I thought it was a beautiful, sensual rumba rather than a full on sexy one and I for one loved it!

I really like Sophie (personality wise) but completely agree with this.

I don't think the judges have a problem with Brendan- in fact Len went out of his way to praise Brendan's choreography this week- and does so quite frequently.
The problem was, Brendan was selling that dance as being all about the emotional connection rather than raunch, which is fine but also leaves you exposed if the judges felt that emotional connection didn't really shine through.

Exactly. Sophie just doesn't seem to connect emotionally with the dance.
Mind you, that horribly inappropriate song didn't help her get the mood.

I so agree with you. Brendan was right! I personally do not Need to have half naked dancers, topless men, etc etc to enjoy a Dance competition. I thought the Rumba was the best Dance of the night. Beautiful and I could feel their chemistry here in Bonn!!!! Ridiculous for the judges to say there is no chemistry between Brendan and Sophie. I can well understand how furious Brendan was last night. Last week they were down-marked in my opinion. The quick step was brilliant!!

Sometimes I wonder if the judges are watching the same Routine as me!!!

You are right! It seems the BBC like lots of naked flesh and smut!! Personally I do not Need to see "sex on the Dance floor" to enjoy a Routine. Brendan's Rumba was beautiful.

My feelings too.

The problem with their Rumba for me was that it lacked a sustained emotional connection. I agree that it doesn't need to be smutty although there was a bit of smut when Sophie wiggled her hips whilst her face was pointed towards Brendan's crotch lol. It does need to be intimate and actors who are married can convey this easily enough without it being 'real' as indeed can Abbey and Aljaz.

I applaud Sophie for being a great role model for younger women today. She's refusing to be portrayed as a hooker/ porn star, as many celebrities seem to aspire to today.

What's wrong with being pretty? And romantic? And a 'nice' girl?

Yes, I agree with this. i don't think the judges were unkind to Brendan and Sophie at all. The only comment I take issue with is Bruno's reference to preferring his rumbas to be raunchy. If anything I wouldn't have minded seeing less of Sophie wrapping herself around or holding on to Brendan and just more basic rumba steps. Cherie and James danced a good example of a basic rumba routine which would have suited Sophie.

For me the dance wasn't bad, but it lacked connection. It wasn't quite grounded enough either to give the beautiful hip action you would expect to see (a common issue with Strictly rumbas).

I'm with you on this one. It was a nice dance, but Sophie seemed stiff and uncomfortable as always. The only dance she's ever really come alive in was the Charleston. Her dancing always feels very safe and controlled, she never really goes for it.

totally forgotten about that maybe someone should play it back tojudges but then they will still deny bias

I'm not a great fan of rumbas anyway, and would happily see them dropped from Strictly altogether. That said, Sophie and Brendan's rather frigid version of the dance did nothing to improve matters. Nobody was at their best last night but most of them managed to take criticism better that Brendan. I know he felt he was defending her but I got the impression Sophie would have been more comfortable if Brendan had just let it drop.

both were wrong and right

Brendan was right when he said that a rumba does not have to be raunchy - and Bruno's critique was so very wrong but the whole basis of a rumba is to do the steps in the right way without the rumba technique it just ain't a rumba - like Susannna - Sophie's problems were in legs but hers were too straight

I agree, it was a beautiful dance which she danced well but she does not connect with the dance at all, it is as if she is just going through the motions!

A week three Rumba - very little time spent wrapped around each other, tall leggy celebrity. Good demonstration of basics.

http://youtu.be/R691i6akGlU

Brendan take note.