I'm a Mark fan. I think this could work for Mark if you think back to some of his earlier dances like Bom Bom and Hammer time he and Iveta seemed to enjoy the crowd pleaser dances. If it is a good routine it could get the public voting and hopefully keep them in.( perhaps I'm wishful thinking).

I don't think Mark is being stitched up. Far from it. He isn't a brilliant dancer, but he's stayed in for a long time.

I'm sure that if he wanted to make a point and say 'No' to wardrobe he could. He wouldn't be the first to do it.

It's interesting because often the celeb or pro gets severely criticised for not progressing from comedy/fun routines when they have the potential to do so (see Robin and Lisa Riley, Flavia and Russell Grant) especially if the celeb is female. The celeb gets accredited some responsibility for what they do in the show, but Mark seems to be continually given powerless victim status.

My heart sank when Vicky Gill remarked about the lion's tail on Iveta's dress, then sank further when it was hinted that Mark would be dressed as a lion, complete with tail.

That's fine by me. Some people have said Mark was boring or just not good enough a dancer to pull off his serious routines. Others say he's overdoing on the comedy part but I've loved him this year definitely been a highlight.

Mark and Iveta's partnership has been a delight for me this series Stef.

Best. Prop. Evah. Don't nix the tail(s)!!!

I agree with you Terry have loved them both and will miss them so much when they eventually leave. Grape Wine! Walter!

This is a lovely post. Couldn't agree more.

Yep, I'm with you all here - Mark and Iveta have drawn me in as a couple more than any of the others. They are both such characters and such total opposites but have found an endearing way of producing a committed togetherness. I am more than happy to forgive Mark any technical mistakes because what you see is what you get. He does his best, he is not in your face.

I wish he could stay longer - but I fear the worst. When he goes, I am left without a favourite.

I hear ya.


That is such a lovely post.


Boom boom


Me too Terry.


He's simply a really good'un.
I'll have the tissues on standby on Sunday.

Yes and no - The Hammer time cha cha cha was Strictly gold - the spaceman paso and Blofeld rhumba not so much.

I agree with much of this and another poster on another forum has stated that even though most people don't think Mark either will or should win - he's very well liked and most people think he's been a real asset to this year's competition. In that light this can only help him professionally - it showcased his ability to dance and his performance skills, raised his profile and created a lot of goodwill towards him things that will help him be offered higher profile roles.

Yes the Hammer cha cha was utterly brilliant. Let's hope the Lion King samba is more in this mould than the paso and rumba.

I'm playing in concerts tomorrow and Sunday so I'll miss the show and results but as our Sunday concert is opening with a Lion King medley, including I just can't wait to be King I shall keep the fingers that aren't playing crossed for mark to have a good dance and enjoy himself with Iveta, tails and all.

I didn't mind the paso so much, although it happened before we got a glut of decent to semi-decent pasos (Susanna, Ashley, Abbey) so in retrospect it's worse. The rumba was...I don't know what that was.

It's time to bid a fond farewell to Mark.

I hope he doesn't go out, I'd rather watch Mark than straitlaced Sophie.

I agree with you I kept watching Mark's cha cha cha over and over and it made me laugh each time. Also loved his tango routine and can't remember the dance but somebody described his get up making him look like a giant boiled sweet.

This is just the second series of SCD I've watched so please excuse my ignorance.

Has anyone ever survived four dance-offs?

BIB - It was a salsa and I think that was my favourite, possibly because I liked the song better than the HammerChaCha....my teenage son also enjoyed it a lot (though I suspect that had more to do with Iveta's outfit!).

I remember saying in the musicals thread that going on previous shows he'd get Cats and wardrobe would dress Mark in a furry suit with a tail. Looks like I was nearly right

Poor Mark, why don't they just let him dance, there seems to have been a decision made that he'll be the comedy act and despite the dancing ability he's shown, that decision is still being shoved at us.

This sort of thing has happened for a few series now, why do we need a comedy act at all, can't we simply enjoy the dancing.

Let's hope for a fantastic routine from Iveta and Mark dances out of his skin tonight.

Seems Ashley's got a comedy routine too...

Ashley Taylor Dawson ‏@ashoztd 1h
Really excited about Musicals week on SCD! Aladdin and Jasmine are doing a Rhumba! 😵

Ashley Taylor Dawson ‏@ashoztd 1h
Ps NO LAUGHING!! HaHaHa


Really unfair how certain couples are completely shafted while others are given favorable treatment week after week. I'm guessing Mark and Ash will have rubbish performance slots again too, I'm expecting 2nd and 3rd.