Fairplay to Artem, I think he knew that he needed to choreograph something which would endear the public a bit more to Natalie so rather than go all showy and flashy he chose something classical and easy on the eye. It really was an excellent dance and I think it probably saved them from going out in fourth place.

Sophie and Brendan's was a real comedown after that.

I was referring to her size - as I said, 'she seemed big...' - and possibly she seemed big because she was ungainly, a bit clumsy, she projected a 'big' persona - as her partner said, he's never known such a 'strong' woman.

It's not worrying at all if I or anyone else sees Natalie's stature as 'big' when referring to her as a dancer. If you take a good look at the professionals, they are all very, very tiny - the women especially, which is handy for when the guys want to throw them around in the air.

When Natalie was thrown up in the air, she just looked clumsy, and to me, that was because she didn't seem light enough to be tossed about that way.

I refuse to be all P.C. about this, if you know anything at all about professional dancing, size and weight does matter, and that's not my fault! It's just a fact.

I totally get this but the poster I was responding to seemed to put it as a criticism with regards to her dancing on Strictly, saying it looked "stompy" because she was "big". I understand that there are height/shape requirements when it comes to the real dance world but she showed how amazing she was for Strictly tonight!

Went to a SCD party tonight and we were ALL voting for Abbey but, we all thought she was a gonner after Natalie's stunning showdance.

Totally agree, she blew me away with her performances in the final. The Cha Cha was more relaxed and fun, the showdance was a beautiful demonstration of various different dance styles which she performed with aplomb and energy and her American Smooth was lyrical and emotional.

I know what you mean but I think its because she was bigger (as in taller) than Artem and he has an elfin face so looks smaller than her ... especially when side by said.

I really enjoyed some elements of the showdance but it did not get to me as it should and I did not feel the wow factor at all

Alesha Dixon's showdance is still my ultimate favourite as it was filled with drama and passion, and it is also incredibly underrated.

This made me laugh!! Natalie, for me, is in a complete league of her own, the best celebrity dancer ever on SCD. Unfortunately, she was never going to win due to the unfair advantage some people felt she had with her prior dance training. So, Natelie aside, the "tarty toss fest" was the best of the rest! And jolly well-done to Abbey, and also Aljaz for making the most of her skills and the least of her limitations!

Nartem's showdance was great.


Congratulations on remembering it; I found it instantly forgettable.



I liked Tom's and,though I was supporting Chelsee,thought Jason's the only enjoyable showdance that year despite being a little messy.

They definitely put the 'show' into the showdance have to admit it was quite something!

Susanna's showdance seemed flat though in comparison.

Well, I am very surprised that you couldn't appreciate the perfection and beauty of the dance, happily you are in a minority.

It was a fantastic showdance in my humble opinion and even though I could not warm to Natalie she should have won, her dancing last night was sheer beauty

You just have in that one short sentence.

It was spectacular. Absolutely loved it!!!!!
So much better than Louis Smith show dance. For me it was perfection. That show dance alone I think took votes from Susanna and Sophie

Alesha Louis and Natalie equal for me.

Natalie's was superior to Toms due to the diff styles they put in.

It was like a greatest hits!

Having admired Natalie's acting in Coronation Street (for those who don't watch it, she played a spouse abuser), where you could actually see her face and eyes change as she went into a rage, I'm totally impressed by her as an all round performer. There should be many wanting her talents in future.

I thought all three of her dances last night were far better than those of the other two celebs, showing a wider range of dance styles and ability. As for her show dance - Wow! Wow! Wow!

First time I've ever felt the need to vote. Shame she didn't win, but Abbey was the public's choice so the correct person won.

It wasn't boring but I think it was predictable. He was never going to do a Latin lift fest. I was certainly expecting something Like what they did

One of the best show dances ever?

I thought it was excellent, highly accomplished, interesting, brilliant timing out of hold (synchronous) ... but I didn't quite get that double wow factor - that would place it in the very top echelon of dances seen throughout the history of SCD.

I think one of the problems I have in making fine distinctions in judgement is that I lack expertise in dance - so I am unable to identify or evaluate all the technical components that go into the dance - which the experts say she is brilliant on.

It seems to me that Natalie was the best dancer, especially out of hold. However, I thought Abbey was better than Natalie in ball-room hold ... including the waltz.

I didn't particularly like Natalie's showdance. Much of it felt like they'd recycled her quickstep and it was all showing off for the camera rather than dancing with each other. Same old, really.

But of course really well done. In fact, I'd probably go so far as to say it makes it obvious just how much Natalie has been reining in her abilities these last three months so as not to dominate the competition (overscoring of some others notwithstanding) more than she was already. She really is in another league and has several extra "gears" available when she is prepared to use them that an untrained dancer just doesn't have access to.

I accept many people just don't care about this and just enjoy her dancing. But I can't. The playing field will never be level, but it shouldn't be this steeply sloped. But YMMV.

You mean like having Tony Jacklin competing against Abbey Clancy?

Well I guess this is what is great about Strictly. Tom, Louis, Abbey and Natalie all gave great showdances imo. But we are all different - as are the dancers - and it's about what connects with the public at the time and what resonates with us as individuals.
Tom did it for me but not for you and that's fine.

I loved all the above three showdances and couldn't pick just one....

I didn't like any of last night's show dances very much. Sophie's was the best of a bad bunch for me. I often find the show dances disappointing.

Louis last year took my breath away and I will always remember Darren Gough's (yes I know people will boo nad hiss at me) because he rolled Lilia down his arms in that lift...I thought it was amazing. I also concede Tom's show dance was memorable (even though I tohught he robbed Rachel! )

Best by far.

'Tarty toss fest'? What a horrible, snotty thing to say! I loved Abbey's rock and roll showdance. It showed a completely different side to her which was the thing I loved about Abbey - the way she could change her persona from week to week, with credibility.

Abbey doing the waltz was ethereal and beautiful; Abbey doing the quick step was light, happy and full of joy; Abbey doing the show dance was mad, rock and roll, dangerous.

Natalie was always Natalie, technically good, but dull really.