Ashley's a busy man who tries his best under difficult circumstances and I like the laidback humour he brings, buying a new head. 
Does nobody care about Ashley?
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The problem is young attractive guys have won SCD these past two seasons. This is what is working against Ashley above anything else, in my opinion. He has come on leaps and bounds since his Cha Cha but the judges are making many viewers think he is not improving anymore by constantly marking him the same every week. They don't want to encourage another young male unless it's a male professional. Producers have made it clear they want a female winner this year.
As for Patrick, they don't find him a threat to their agenda. I like him a lot and think he's very good, but honestly I wouldn't rate him higher than Ashley the way the judges do. But they would prefer an older male contestant in the final because he would never win.
Who knows what the game plan will be now Ashley has been in the bottom two. Maybe that was what producers have been gunning for. I hope he and Ola are able to bounce back with a vengeance next week.
As for Patrick, they don't find him a threat to their agenda. I like him a lot and think he's very good, but honestly I wouldn't rate him higher than Ashley the way the judges do. But they would prefer an older male contestant in the final because he would never win.
Who knows what the game plan will be now Ashley has been in the bottom two. Maybe that was what producers have been gunning for. I hope he and Ola are able to bounce back with a vengeance next week.
Originally Posted by StrictlyDownton:
“Good point - will be an interesting test to see what he actually entered Strictly for.
Hope it was for the right reasons ...”
“Good point - will be an interesting test to see what he actually entered Strictly for.
Hope it was for the right reasons ...”
What would be the "right reasons"?
Surely everyone who does Strictly does so for the money and/or exposure?
Originally Posted by daniellejayne:
“What would be the "right reasons"?
Surely everyone who does Strictly does so for the money and/or exposure?”
“What would be the "right reasons"?
Surely everyone who does Strictly does so for the money and/or exposure?”
I think/hope he is trying to get out of Hollyoaks. It's clear from the titles of the show him being last that being one of the senior members of the cast that he's looking for more than just being a long serving Hollyoaks character.
I would hope that exposure is his main driver here as I imagine he'll want to do something else at this point having played Darren for 10 years or so.
I really struggle to understand why he has done strictly, everyone knows knows you have to put in the hours. If he is that busy in Hollyoaks why do it this year (same thing happened with him from eastenders a few years ago).
I wasn't keen on the Rumba a bit stompy in places I wasn't that surprised he was in bottom two.
It's going to be tough the next couple of weeks with who goes out could really be any of them.
I wasn't keen on the Rumba a bit stompy in places I wasn't that surprised he was in bottom two.
It's going to be tough the next couple of weeks with who goes out could really be any of them.
Originally Posted by Arcana:
“I can't help feeling slightly sympathetic at the way several of the judges have made it clear they prefer Patrick (whom I think is as overrated as Sophie)
That's not to say that Ashley is that great himself - it's been a weak year for males - but he's judged on a tougher marking scale.”
“I can't help feeling slightly sympathetic at the way several of the judges have made it clear they prefer Patrick (whom I think is as overrated as Sophie)
That's not to say that Ashley is that great himself - it's been a weak year for males - but he's judged on a tougher marking scale.”
LOL! I hope you mean that Sophie is overrated by the general public, as she is not exactly the judges' pet.
I care Ashley and Sophie are the only two I like this year I think he is doing a good job with limited training time and the judges constantly against him .
I think he is doing a good job with limited training time and the judges constantly against him .
Originally Posted by FusionFury:
“He didn't deserve to be in the dance off”
“He didn't deserve to be in the dance off”
I agree, I thought his rumba was danced really well.
I'd much rather watch Ashley dance than Patrick. However, I think Ashley has been undermarked all series and not just this week
he's not a judges favourite
All my votes are going to Ashley , come on Ashley
I was very worried when Ashley was partnered with Ola, expecting a Harry-sized disaster where he would beat my pre-series faves, Natalie, Abbey and Sophie.
With him more than anyone, it's clear to see the judges have an agenda. I don't agree that Patrick is 100% the best male on the show.
With him more than anyone, it's clear to see the judges have an agenda. I don't agree that Patrick is 100% the best male on the show.
Originally Posted by Lamballe:
“The problem is young attractive guys have won SCD these past two seasons. This is what is working against Ashley above anything else, in my opinion. He has come on leaps and bounds since his Cha Cha but the judges are making many viewers think he is not improving anymore by constantly marking him the same every week. They don't want to encourage another young male unless it's a male professional. Producers have made it clear they want a female winner this year.
As for Patrick, they don't find him a threat to their agenda. I like him a lot and think he's very good, but honestly I wouldn't rate him higher than Ashley the way the judges do. But they would prefer an older male contestant in the final because he would never win.
Who knows what the game plan will be now Ashley has been in the bottom two. Maybe that was what producers have been gunning for. I hope he and Ola are able to bounce back with a vengeance next week.”
“The problem is young attractive guys have won SCD these past two seasons. This is what is working against Ashley above anything else, in my opinion. He has come on leaps and bounds since his Cha Cha but the judges are making many viewers think he is not improving anymore by constantly marking him the same every week. They don't want to encourage another young male unless it's a male professional. Producers have made it clear they want a female winner this year.
As for Patrick, they don't find him a threat to their agenda. I like him a lot and think he's very good, but honestly I wouldn't rate him higher than Ashley the way the judges do. But they would prefer an older male contestant in the final because he would never win.
Who knows what the game plan will be now Ashley has been in the bottom two. Maybe that was what producers have been gunning for. I hope he and Ola are able to bounce back with a vengeance next week.”
Yep, that's my take on it too. They simply won't get young female contestants to take part if it looks like they are probably going to be beaten by a young, less able, male.
I say this as an Ashley fan. He got all my votes this week.
Originally Posted by trevvytrev21:
“I was very worried when Ashley was partnered with Ola, expecting a Harry-sized disaster where he would beat my pre-series faves, Natalie, Abbey and Sophie.
With him more than anyone, it's clear to see the judges have an agenda. I don't agree that Patrick is 100% the best male on the show.”
“I was very worried when Ashley was partnered with Ola, expecting a Harry-sized disaster where he would beat my pre-series faves, Natalie, Abbey and Sophie.
With him more than anyone, it's clear to see the judges have an agenda. I don't agree that Patrick is 100% the best male on the show.”
Nor do I. I haven't been impressed with many of his dances, Maybe I just don't "get" what all the fuss is about? Seems to me there is always a wardrobe malfunction or a botched lift.
As to Ashley, I think he does tremendously well with the limited time he has to train. I like his dry sense of humour and that he doesn't take himself too seriously *cough*Patrick*cough* and hope he gets to the final.
Not that I expect it, however.
With more training time and Natalie Lowe as a partner I suspect Ashely would definitely have been the one to watch. Unfortunately, the limited training time & Ola being less able a teacher than Natalie he was handicapped from the outset.
I was expecting he would B2. I don't agree with it but knew it would happen. I hope he gets a vote boost, get some 10s for his next dance and I would really hope for him to make the finale as he's one of my main favorites (alongside Natalie and Abbey). Although not sure of the likelihood of that happening now. I also agree with comments that he's been undermarked in comparisons to others. I've always thought that for weeks now. I wish he would get more praise and higher marks from the judges that he deserves because most of his praise does feel like faint praise compared to the others.
I don't agree with it but knew it would happen. I hope he gets a vote boost, get some 10s for his next dance and I would really hope for him to make the finale as he's one of my main favorites (alongside Natalie and Abbey). Although not sure of the likelihood of that happening now. I also agree with comments that he's been undermarked in comparisons to others. I've always thought that for weeks now. I wish he would get more praise and higher marks from the judges that he deserves because most of his praise does feel like faint praise compared to the others.
I vote for him every week. I dislike the Rhumba anyway, so I blame the dance for his marks and stuck in the middle of the board.
Originally Posted by StrictlyDownton:
“I can say that about Sophie and she's one of my favourite singers.
If Ashley worked on say Emmerdale or Corrie as Natalie had or even in an ITV drama he may stick more in the memory as we'd know his character more however he doesn't and his time constraints do hurt him.
I'm not going to assume you don't watch Hollyoaks Rorschach because I don't know but this may hinder your remembering of him - just a thought ...”
“I can say that about Sophie and she's one of my favourite singers.
If Ashley worked on say Emmerdale or Corrie as Natalie had or even in an ITV drama he may stick more in the memory as we'd know his character more however he doesn't and his time constraints do hurt him.
I'm not going to assume you don't watch Hollyoaks Rorschach because I don't know but this may hinder your remembering of him - just a thought ...”
I don't, no.
But then I don't watch any soaps and yet other soap stars who have appeared on Strictly in the past (and present) have lingered longer in my memory.
Nor have I ever followed any sports, and yet a whole stream of Rugby, Cricket and Football players are now a permanent part of my memory due to their appearances on Strictly over the years,
Originally Posted by Jan2555*GG*:
“So Ashley was in the dance off. This seems to have caused no angst, no breast beating, no despair, no anger.
Apparently the only interest in Ashley is whether he is touching Ola inappropriately.
This doesn't bode well for him really.”
“So Ashley was in the dance off. This seems to have caused no angst, no breast beating, no despair, no anger.
Apparently the only interest in Ashley is whether he is touching Ola inappropriately.
This doesn't bode well for him really.”
I think because someone had to be and it was a dead cert he would survive. I agree he shouldn't have been there - it should have been Susannah. I also think a lot of people are focused on Mark - either glad he's gone or whilst thinking it was totally the right time and right result he went rather sad and sort of reflecting on the moment. The contraversy of over-marking has also taken a lot of people's attention and there's almost a shrug of the shoulders in the climate of over-marking that someone who shouldn't have been in the DO was there - the world isn't fair and this is seems an ineviatable result. There's also a sense that the rhumba is never a good dance for attracting attention to yourself.
I'm a little worried for Ashley but he'll probably have a compensating vote rush and an nice overmark from the judges to make up for it.
Originally Posted by Lamballe:
“The problem is young attractive guys have won SCD these past two seasons. This is what is working against Ashley above anything else, in my opinion. He has come on leaps and bounds since his Cha Cha but the judges are making many viewers think he is not improving anymore by constantly marking him the same every week. They don't want to encourage another young male unless it's a male professional. Producers have made it clear they want a female winner this year.
As for Patrick, they don't find him a threat to their agenda. I like him a lot and think he's very good, but honestly I wouldn't rate him higher than Ashley the way the judges do. But they would prefer an older male contestant in the final because he would never win.
Who knows what the game plan will be now Ashley has been in the bottom two. Maybe that was what producers have been gunning for. I hope he and Ola are able to bounce back with a vengeance next week.”
“The problem is young attractive guys have won SCD these past two seasons. This is what is working against Ashley above anything else, in my opinion. He has come on leaps and bounds since his Cha Cha but the judges are making many viewers think he is not improving anymore by constantly marking him the same every week. They don't want to encourage another young male unless it's a male professional. Producers have made it clear they want a female winner this year.
As for Patrick, they don't find him a threat to their agenda. I like him a lot and think he's very good, but honestly I wouldn't rate him higher than Ashley the way the judges do. But they would prefer an older male contestant in the final because he would never win.
Who knows what the game plan will be now Ashley has been in the bottom two. Maybe that was what producers have been gunning for. I hope he and Ola are able to bounce back with a vengeance next week.”
I think it is probably true - and although it won't put off the Natalie's from competing as I think she's doing to raise her profile and because she geuninelty loves dancing - another young, attractive male winner will put off the likes of Abbey. That said the judges don't seem to like Sophie an awful lot either.
Originally Posted by Mr_Eye:
“Hopefully Ola will be sacked after this series. She's seriously inept.”
“Hopefully Ola will be sacked after this series. She's seriously inept.”
If inept means being given a series of duffers and getting almost all of them further than expected then yes she is.
I like Ashley, vote for him regularly and this is the first year I support someone who is partnered with Ola(not my favorite pro). I think he don't deserve to be in the bottom two and hopefully he scores some good marks more than 35 in the future dances.I always thought he is not judges favorite for whatever reason I don't know.
Originally Posted by Lamballe:
“The problem is young attractive guys have won SCD these past two seasons. This is what is working against Ashley above anything else, in my opinion. He has come on leaps and bounds since his Cha Cha but the judges are making many viewers think he is not improving anymore by constantly marking him the same every week. They don't want to encourage another young male unless it's a male professional. Producers have made it clear they want a female winner this year.
As for Patrick, they don't find him a threat to their agenda. I like him a lot and think he's very good, but honestly I wouldn't rate him higher than Ashley the way the judges do. But they would prefer an older male contestant in the final because he would never win.
Who knows what the game plan will be now Ashley has been in the bottom two. Maybe that was what producers have been gunning for. I hope he and Ola are able to bounce back with a vengeance next week.”
“The problem is young attractive guys have won SCD these past two seasons. This is what is working against Ashley above anything else, in my opinion. He has come on leaps and bounds since his Cha Cha but the judges are making many viewers think he is not improving anymore by constantly marking him the same every week. They don't want to encourage another young male unless it's a male professional. Producers have made it clear they want a female winner this year.
As for Patrick, they don't find him a threat to their agenda. I like him a lot and think he's very good, but honestly I wouldn't rate him higher than Ashley the way the judges do. But they would prefer an older male contestant in the final because he would never win.
Who knows what the game plan will be now Ashley has been in the bottom two. Maybe that was what producers have been gunning for. I hope he and Ola are able to bounce back with a vengeance next week.”
I agree,I think public want some girl to be a winner this year and me too to some extent.
I've enjoyed watching him and he has had some votes from me.
At this stage there's so few left pretty much anyone can end up in danger.
Ola has mentioned how they are given songs, themes and staging to choreograph and dance within, and that has to be accounted for. All that said, and with no disrespect intended to either of them, I thought the whole thing (including that song!) was a bit poncey and naff.
At this stage there's so few left pretty much anyone can end up in danger.
Ola has mentioned how they are given songs, themes and staging to choreograph and dance within, and that has to be accounted for. All that said, and with no disrespect intended to either of them, I thought the whole thing (including that song!) was a bit poncey and naff.
I think Ashley is very busy on a soap or something. I do not know who he is but I remember him saying he was filming a lot and trying to fit in rehearsals for Strictly. I think it is unfair that some celebs are trying to do two different jobs exceptionally well. There are others who only have Strictly to think about!! I thought Ashley looked very upset to be in the Dance Off. I was very surprised as I thought Suzanna danced dreadfully on Saturday, out of time, stumbled over a lot of the routine and I expected her to be in the Dance Off.
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