Me too.

I also think she's learned and adapted as she's gone along.

I watched both her show dances today and the one with Matt was a contemporary lift fest, I loved it but suspect it was a tad too modern for many strictly fans, whereas with Harry I think she realised her mistake so did a crowd and judge pleasing rock and roll number which is one of the best show dances we've seen.

I think some people who disliked her choreo in the first year have used it as a stick to beat her with and failed to see that she's grown and adapted and her choreo is unique every time, stretches, but is within the capabilities of her celeb and pushes the dance into more modern areas whilst still maintaining the essence of the dance and it's basic rules.

I think she's fab and they are absolutely crazy if they let her go again.

He pushed her way too hard, too fast. She's a Strictly thuperfan, too. Rachel was awkward to watch, though - a very unnatural dancer.

Re: Aliona VS Artem; Aliona is just the right side of (CUSTARD!) insanity. She takes risks with her choreography and they tend to pay off, most of the time. Her mistreatment by TPTB has made me warm to her even more of late.

Artem's novelty has worn off. His choreography lacks variety. We've seen it all before, and without a muse like Kara it's all a bit boring tbh.

Me too.

I was shocked when Aliona wasn't asked back - even though her choreography used to drive me mad. For me the difference between her and Artem, is that you could never say her choreography was 'samey', which is how Artem's has been described. You never knew what she would come up with and I thought she was popular with viewers, which is why I didn't expect her to be dropped.

I didn't really like Aliona, but at least she took risks for a reason. I hope Artem doesn't come back next year - Natalie could have performed some stunning routines and he let he down badly.

I think the new pros have made quite an impact and next year could see even more change.

The only potentially weak one is Alijaz's partner. I think Alijaz, Kevin, Iveta and Anya have done really well. Kevin and Anya have at times been a bit too showy with their choreography but have also had some high points.

So they really dropped her there's no chances of her coming back next year ?
I admit I wasn't always a big fan of her at the beginning but she was a really good choreographer with an innovative choreography imo.

Yes, true. Artem has a lot of superfans though, so they're unlikely to get rid of him.


Is that Janette? It's not really fair to judge her based on this year, as she had a lot to put up with!

Yes, Aliona was asked to step in because Natalie hurt her foot.

It will be interesting to see which pros are asked back. It will be hard on a couple if only one of them is asked and the other one is not. I mean what is the one who does not get asked supposed to do without a dance partner for 3 months?

So did Matt Cutler - didn't do him any good

Yep, and Ian Waite.

Thanks.
Aww I will miss Aliona .
Janette may become another Hayley Holt. She failed to make an impact (not her fault really ) and the little she did wasn't really positive ( celebrations with Julien when they were saved ). Some people didn't like it, plus she's not doing the tour like most of the newbies . Anya made an impact with Patrick.
Her saving grace may be the fact that Aljaz is more likely to come back next year so they may also keep her.
I also heard that the Jordans are leaving

OP I agree with you about Pasha and Artem. Iveta to some degree, but not completely.

In additon, though this is not to say that he is a bad choreographer per say but I can't remember any of Robin's routines for Deborah, at all. I can remember Aliona's and even one of James's for Vanessa but can't remember any of Robin's. I remember table in one, but that's after the table it's a blank.

I think for me it's Robin, although I could see what he was trying to do with the table. Deborah was such amazing contestant. She left far too soon.

Has to be Pasha. He embarrassed his pro with routine after routine that she was totally unable to perform.

Out of interest, is there a possibility that the boardroom Viennese waltz was a theme imposed by the producers or do we know it was 100% choreographed by Robin?

This is a good point - the 'boardroom' themed dance occurred before a few of the pros/celebs had begun to make it known just how little say they sometimes have in what they do, and there's a good chance that the producers thought 'hey, Deborah's a business woman. Would it be really entertaining if ...'

Have we had any confirmation Aliona isn't coming back?

I know people assume she's not due to the fact she was dropped but I thought her coming back gave her another chance to make an impact.

I really hope so. She is a former champ after all.

Being heavily featured in the pro routines might be an indicator. If she were to come back, would they drop Jeanette? Anya? Karen!!??!! (Please!)

With Tony this year, Aliona didn't really have a chance to get past the first elimination - they made sure of that by giving him a Charleston. I think for the sake of his health, Aliona didn't push Tony beyond him getting very out of breath and I for one was angry when I saw how unfit he was. He shouldn't have passed the medical to be on the show.

Aliona choreographed 7 consecutive dances for Harry by the book - start to finish dancing, no props (except a scarf round her waist in the Salsa). So she can easily do the by the book stuff very well. No-one ever talks about those dances.

Not sure from that who you want and who you don't want

But I would definitely keep Aliona, Jeanette, Anya and Karen.

Kristina and Ola are the 2 I wouldn't miss.

Got to admit I'd like to see Vincent and Flavia back next year, so for the MEN i'd like:

Aliaz Pasha
Brendan Artem
Kevin Vincent

and for the WOMEN i'd like:

Aliona Flavia
Iveta Natalie Lowe
Anya Ola

Robin's routines do nothing for me neither do James or Anton's. Kristina is always about her, Janette and Karen were nothing special and they don't seem good dancers in the pro dances. It is unlikely they will ask Kevin to stay and not Karen or Aliaz and not Jeanette so more likely we will see Aliona and Ola go...

Karen, always Karen.

so did Darren and Lilia, Matthew Cutler and Ian Waite and they still got rid of them!