.....that's what I saw on Sophie's face.

The judges ask her to perform. So she performs.

And they STILL lay into her.

She must be wondering what she has to do to get some favourable comments. The way the judges are treating her, she'll never get a 10 no matter what she does. So unfair.

What bothers me is, if she gets through, she will take too much notice of the judge's negativity and start to doubt herself to the detriment of any future performances.

Yes that did seem to be the look she had. I felt sorry for her but wasn't keen on Brendan's attitude.

There seems to be an issue with physical contact. Unlike most moderately able female celebs Sophie seems better out of hold. The criticism seemed spot on to me. As ever, the marking seemed eccentric, but yet again, the leaderboard looked about right.


The post-dance kerfuffle didn't do her any favours, but didn't affect the scoring, obviously.

I think Brendan had every right to feel racked off! His choreography was brilliant and he's right to say that the rumba isn't always about sex. Theirs was a beautiful sensual rumba rather than a full on sexy one and I applaud him for defending Sophie.

I agree-I think the judges wanting all the sex in the routines says more about them than the dance!! It's a dance of love, not sex, and that was truly reflected in that beautiful dance.

Len has said in the past that the rhumba is about love and romance not soft porn so I don't think he at least would want it deep down and dirty, not sure about Craig though.

I think the problem is Sophie's passivity in most of her dances, she is curiously emotionless. The rhumba needs a little character about it to make it work. Mildly flirtatious would've done.

I just don't think Sophie is that keen on Brendan and doesn't like to touch him. Her dance was good but there was a distance between them as ever.
It's a very different problem that Natalie and Artem have - I believe they just do not gel as two personalities and wouldn't be friends outside the show.
Brendan is too touchy freely for Sophie and I don't think she likes it as well as her husband not liking it, which makes her uncomfortable and it shows.

Exactly right. Many people have said they find a sexy rumba uncomfortable to watch, especially when they are watching with children. More and more children watch Strictly now. I think a 6.30 show shouldn't have 'raunchy' and 'filthy' dances, as Bruno and Craig want. Leave that to X-Factor.

Brendan and Sophie showed they can do a beautiful rumba without it being all about sex. Their dance reflected the music and lyrics perfectly.

.

Cold fish.
Won't engage with the emotions of the dance ....... "don't touch me" attitude with Brendan who the judges ARE praising almost every week. No wonder he is getting fed up.

Sophie has the personal warmth of a cod off the coast of Iceland, the muscle tension/strength of a celery stick left in the fridge for 6 weeks and the emotional depths of a small low fat crisp....it's not a recipe for much engagement.

Watching her is like watching a zombie on valium.

Yes, I think there's something wrong with her, as regards giving off any warmth when she dances. Technically she might be ok, but it should be more than that (not sex, just some passion would do).

She does come across as rather a cold fish. Perhaps actors are better at acting a part whilst dancing - I mean, she doesn't have to actually fancy Brendan but she does need to at least give the impression of something between them as they dance.

Surely she should have known this before she signed up to do the show? If she's got problems with emotion and passion perhaps dancing isn't the right sphere for her?

She looked to be struggling not to laugh at times, to me and not sure if that's a good thing in any sort of rhumba

Actually in fairness perhaps it is too much information about me but I sometimes do laugh in the throws of passion

Mr coppertop doesn't seem to mind and in fact often joins in it is an inherently funny thing to do getting up so close and personal with all your bits entangled etc

Having said that I do take your point whilst true intimacy can be funny, that's not what Sophie was asked to portray and a fit of the giggles in the middle of what was designed to be sweet and romantic was really not the way to go.

It is Sophie all over and in retrospect I am not sure anyone should have been surprised. It seems that the person most surprised was Brendan though, he really needs to choreograph for the celeb he has not the celeb he wants to have.

Blooming judges and their "We're still not seeing you perform".

I remember Louis Smith - he kept getting that comment, until the week when he put on that hideous, rictus grin all the way through the dance, after which the Len said "Naaaah you're performing!". Quite pathetic, really.

Firstly I like Sophie she's lovely, but she isn't performing really you know. She just goes through the routine very nicely but her face is either expressionless or with an odd smile. It must be very hard for her.

Brendan then says ah but it was meant to be that way just like our AT we made a choice to be cool & do it a different way. Sorry that's rubbish, that's Brendan's version of Ola or Kristina deflecting. Brendan made that routine like that because he hasn't worked out how to get Sophie to perform so he needs to put up or shut up.

That charleston so early on did them no favours they now think they can do a 'cool' everything & it will work

Pretty much this - I really like Sophie, think she comes across lovely, but during the rumba she looked awkward and slightly embarrassed, and a couple of times she seemed to be trying not the laugh, she hits absolutely beautiful lines, and looks amazing, but connection with the dance and putting her heart and soul into it, nope, not happening.

I really like Sophie but I get the impression she isn't a touchy feely person with anyone.
Some people give off an aura of don't invade my personal space & Sophie is one of them.
I'm not sure if Brendan will be able to overcome that.

I find. Sophie quite cold personally. I don't know if that's just because she's just naturally reserved, but her heart never seems to be fully in it and it shows.

That being said the judges are harsh on her, and I can understand why it frustrates Brendan when they are over marking some of the others.

She did look bewildered and I can understand why Brendan is fed up. Whether it is Sophie who is naturally inhibited or whether there are other factors at play she really does have to loosen up a bit. I am still rooting for them but surely she knew that dancing involved close physical contact when she signed up for the show?

I suspect the problem lies not with what the judges said, but the praise Brendan was giving her. Only being positive about someone fails to sort out the negatives. So when others point out the negatives it comes as a shock.

I agree with you - I really think the judges' favourite is Natalie - and she has had dance training. I really think the producers should ban anyone with dance training or dance performance experience. I personally don't think Natalie has made any progress and I really can't warm to her.

Sophie is beautiful to watch and really puts the hours in.

firstly I am not a Sophie or Brendan hater - and I thought Brendan's routine was good but it was the execution of it that was wrong - agree Rumba does not need to raunchy just romantic - which I thought it was, but it must have the Rumba technique and that was lacking - not Sophie's fault - all Brendan's

I really like Sophie and Brendan but am intrigued by their partnership. She does often mention Richard and not touching anyone but her husband, and the judges often praise Brendan's choreography and his work. I think Sophie and Richard have always been seriously in love and she's protecting him but it's interesting to watch her react when Brendan is so passionately defensive of their performances. I hope they stay in but hope she develops quickly now to give another cracker of a dance.

I am still trying to work out Natalie and Artem's partnership too. Something doesn't seem to gel despite them both being very talented.

Agree. There was no hip action whatsoever