This is the second week Natalie and Artem have been criticised for not being in hold enough and too much swishing, wafting and faffing about.

I wonder of that's why people find it hard to warm to them as a couple? The are great dancers but I find it hard to get that excited about them.

Could they be in trouble tonight?

Definitely in trouble, and I like Natalie

Yes but for me the biggest thing is a lack of chemistry.

No chemistry or passion and it looks like they're trying too hard to force it.

Strange that Craig has marked Natalie down twice now for being too goodAnd no Artem is not letting her down, she is loving what she is being given to do and so am I tbh.

i don't think they are in trouble, but i do think something isn't working in the partnership. feels like they over work stuff until it becomes rather meaningless. they should be wowing us and although they are always accomplished, they never do.

Yes, virtually every week too.

They look like what they are. Two earnest trained dancers but without a particular bond between them. Although it was a classy routine there was no attempt made to bridge a gap between them.

agree, it's hard to warm to them

Yes. Even so, I think her lack of chemistry with Artem is the greatest offense. But I think Natalie herself comes off warm - a little manufactured - but warm nonetheless. It's Artem that seems cold with her. She's let down by Artem, not just his choreography.

There does seem to be a lot of dancing around each other a couple of feet apart, lovely arm swaying and meaningful looks in their dances (sorry that's probably a poor description but that tends to be my memory of their dances) not all obviously, but for me it seems to feature in a few.

I have not enjoyed Artem's choreography as much this year, but Artem has choreographed some really good routines so I wonder if Natalie's back injury is affecting the variety of choreography? There does seem to be a lack of chemistry or connection on the dance floor between the two, but I'm not sure anything can be done about that. I thought Natalie was the best in the Swingathon.

I'm not a fan of fan of the paso and I knew right away Len would have a moan about that one. I get what Craig says about it being too slick. There is no rush of them pulling off a good dance like you get with other celebs,

I do find myself wondering of what could have been if she'd been partnered if with someone else. I think she comes across like a lovely girl but I'm frankly bored of Artem's choreography. It's all a bit passionless and more akin to a pro dance couple doing a showcase.

It's like the difference between pairs figure skating and ice-dance.

DS members might not be warming to them but they've yet to be in the DO. I know several people who watch the show who think they are amazing and think that I'm crazy for criticizing them.

I can remember someone posting on here that Artem choreographs for the public, and if they continue to stay out of the DO then his choreography won't be letting her down.

There is a lack of chemistry between the two of them, but it was the same between Flavia and Louis last year and they still walked it.

I don't think it's hurting her too much.

To be fair, I did wonder about her back injury tonight as she seemed to me to lack shaping in the upper back. However no one commented on it. Artem's choreography isn't really any different this year - whole chunks of some of his dances this year can be seen in previous years efforts - we're just more used to seeing it now.

She is very good at wafting around though.

To be fair, Artem choreographs stunning dances, if not technically correct enough for the judges. But it's too clinical most of the time with no chemistry.

I think Artem choreographs for Artem. I'm not a particular fan of Natalies's, but, sadly, I think the lack of chemistry between them and the over choreographed routines will be her downfall.

Artem appears to think he is above having to choreograph appropriate routines. Like last week, tonight's paso was just another of his showdance efforts,with very few proper paso steps included. Natalie had the body shaping well, and her hand movements were excellent (if a tad more flamenco than paso) but she is definitely being let down by Artem. The whole dance is the sort of thing a professional couple might do in a demonstration as an introduction to dancing their full Paso routine.

Natalie has said she loves the routines Artem has done for her, and I can well understand that, they are lovely, it's just that they are wrong.

This.

I wonder that too. I dont think Artem is the right partner for her. I think she would have been better with Brendan. I know he had Fern last year but who did he have the year before. I sometimes feel he doesn't want to hold her. Its as someone else says, perhaps he doesnt want to upset Kara.

Yes, Artem choreographs for the public. It annoys me, but it seems to be a good strategy from Natalie's point of view.

Artem is very cold with her, I've often thought he actively dislikes her. She is clearly being professional and working really hard and putting a lot in but she's not getting it back from either the judges or Artem. I feel really sorry for her.