I'm left totally confused after tonight's show. No-one seems any good anymore ! My favourite Mark looks like he's next for the chop and if I'm honest, he's been on borrowed time for the last two weeks anyway. But no one stands out as an obvious winner (or even finalist) compared to other years.

I'm really intrigued to know what you other forumers think. Natalie looked like she had it in the bag in the early stages but I feel she's lost a little of her shine.

Who would you say is the frontrunner at this stage ?

Natalie has been and still is the one to beat.

I know what you mean!

I don't think she's going to win - she's not popular enough.

I think she is going a bit backwards but then none of the others had a real wow factor tonight either :yawn:

Natalie should be the one to beat, but I think Susanna is streaks ahead in the public vote.

Ashley is emerging as a threat now

Tonights show puts me in mind of one thing or person Scott Maslin...came out like a super hero then gradually lost it as the series progressed.

I think we are certainly going to see some shocks in store and I put that down to such inconsistency from the judges. To fast to fling a few 10s around just to get a reaction from the audience.

Tell me that's not Freudian

Sophie has the public support. And that's what counts at this stage of the competition.

I still think it's between Sophie and Susanna, and on that token, I think Sophie won the week in terms of the quality of the dance (almost literally saying nothing) and vote-stirring storylining/controversy. Susanna I'd say won the last two weeks though, so Sophie hasn't quite stolen her momentum yet.

(Now watch them be the bottom 2)

It was all a bit miserable tonight. I can only speculate that the judges savaged Sophie to turn the sympathy vote away from Mark and/or Ben to try and get them out? It was all fairly inexplicable otherwise.

I hope you are right and if the judges continue to be harsh to her and not other contestants then she might gain more support.

I fear Susanna is the one to beat.

I can't imagine Sophie would be in the bottom 2 after that judge-baiting. There's no way middle England won't be outraged by such a nice girl's dainty rumba being picked on.

I'm trying for humility, don't blow it...

You could have a point there. I've seen a few "conspiracy theories' such as this before and I must admit it gets me wondering; do they really do that ?!

I know, I know. Trying to find rhyme and reason to the judge's marking much less the public vote makes following the plot of Homeland look easy.

The week after Blackpool or Wembley always feels a bit flat.

To be honest Marks dance was the only dance that didn't bore me, or turn me off due to inappropriate music. For that reason alone I think he deserves to go through, but I think he may not

As for the one to beat? I think it's either Susanna, Ashley, or possibly Abbey. The first two are good dancers who have been more in the background until recently and have not peaked too soon. They are not my favourites, but who I feel are more likely to win.

I think if he keeps improving, Ashley is likely to win perhaps.

You may be correct but she is still the one to beat at this moment. It might be a different story if she gets to the final because most will vote 'anyone but Natalie', well the mean spirited ones will

Sophie

I've thought for a while Sophie's "journey" might culminate in a tango. Suddenly she's FULL OF PASSION just like Louis was suddenly SUCH A SHOWMAN in his Charleston. It's getting near that point of the series isn't it?

Brendan

Louis' Charleston was done the week after the week after Wembley, so probably. His Paso beforehand was also ripped into, IIRC...

BBC conspiracies aside, I think Susanna could snatch the trophy away in a surprise turn of events. She would fit the bill for an over 40 celeb finally win and is the ideal poster girl for that. I did think Brendan and Ola had been given contenders to try to get either of them winning again but now don't think it will happen. I don't think long standing viewers of SCD would want that. I'm thinking it will be a final of Susanna, Abbey, Natalie and Patrick?