It's not like Mark has stayed at the expense of vastly superior celebs. Dave may have danced better than him in the dance off, but overall Mark was a much better contestant. Fiona and Mark were pretty even over the course of the series but she made a mess of the DO dance so went out on that, and tonight I think both of them kinda wanted to go.

Selfishly, Mark makes me smile when he dances, which I can't say about most of the others, so I'm glad he stayed. He'll go next week anyway, so it's not a big deal if he went next week or three weeks ago - in the end it will still be the right four couples eliminated before the real contest starts.

Fair enough.
I think he's a little further off the rest than you do, and he doesn't entertain me in the same way, but i can understand your reasoning, especially unaccompanied as it is by hyperbole.

Indeed and the couple of people who were potentially better who went out, both went out to a top 6 dancer who shouldn't have been there anyway. The public vote is to blame for that.

I'm not demanding homework, I asked to be pointed out the "significantly more dance content" which was apparently included in Ben's dance and which was lacking in Mark's dance.
I am quite willing to be persuaded it was the case but it would appear no-one is capable of doing so.

I've also, at no point, said I didn't enjoy Ben's dances, I just find the statement made in the opening post that him being voted out over Mark was a farce to be incorrect and posted according.

No more Big Ben time. What a shame!

Should have voted for him if you wanted him to stay!

You are remembering that one of them was Dave aren't you? To be honest - Dave was a worse dancer overall - Fiona and Ben were about the same level - all of them deserved to go out before the lot currently in. Mark will almost certainly be going home on Saturday - is it really that much of a travesty if someone goes a week or two before they were due to anyway? Worst things have happen in previous series.

I agree, for once the audience seem to agree with the judges.

why is it a farce? Ben and Kristina didnt get enough public votes to keep them out of the dance off, Mark made less mistakes and performed better in the dance off than Ben, the judges made the right decision

The only farce is that if you are a fan of a celeb who is near the bottom of the leaderboard and is unlikely to survive the dance-off then there is little point in voting on Strictly anymore. Until the final the results are a foregone conclusion. Is there anyone who thought that neither Mark nor Ben would go this week? Is there anyone who thinks that Mark won't go next week?

And why is that a farce exactly ? Those are the rules - your choice whether to vote or not.

I think that was the point they were making, the only people claiming it was a "farce" are those who favoured Ben over Mark.

ooops, got it - thanks

I suspect that the 'judges' will decide it is time.