1. I loved the Opening Ensemble routine, and enjoyed all the skating performances in the show for the first time for ages. Joe was surprisingly entertaining, and it was good to see everyone able to skate fully in week 1 rather than having to endure another Laila Morse type going round at snail's pace, all wobbly and clinging to her pro. But great shame to say goodbye to Robin so early, a lovely Pro who should've got a much better partner (I'd have put her with Ray).
2. The reason why I love Bonnie, and did first time round, is because she can interpret other styles of music and not the typical modern Pop that abounds on DOI these days. I love her pizzaz and extensions, she's a wonderful performer. The downside of injured Icedancer Mark Hanretty being replaced by Pair skater Andrei is that a pro skater with good presentation skills has been lost for a wooden strong man. However Andrei is way more stable and powerful in the high Pair lifts, shown off to perfection in Bonnie's skate off ending Star Lift. Beautiful extension, and as good as any you'll see in real skating competitions.
3. ITV - Schofield - Cheap tacky publicity seeking - Stitching up a lovely skater like Jorgie, for what? It's why the show could never get back to the true beginnings of camp glitzy fun and aspiring to good skating and performances that T&D started out with in series 1. ITV and Schofield have dragged it down with all these daft twists and fake controversy, as if that's what viewers want? I will seriously miss seeing the beautiful routines that Jorgie could've skated, she had genuine talent. But ITV will never get it that that's what viewers tune in for, not because of Pamela Anderson or tabloid headlines.
4. The Judges - Robin is the only one whose opinion I'm interested in hearing. He has no personal involvement with the coaching - Karen. He doesn't talk a pile of BS "you had it goin' on with the 'ography" - Ashley. And he isn't a bitter old queen who genuinely hates the show, couldn't be bothered to turn up for the Launch, has no respect for Torvill and Dean, and only does it for the money and nothing else, saying pre-planned claptrap - Jason.
Katarina Witt should've been brought back, along with Nicky Slater in a trio with Robin. But again, ITV thinks Karen v Jason, and some American singer who knows nowt about Skating is more interesting to viewers. How exactly?
5. I sincerely hope that the Dan Fans don't dominate this series and vote for him even when Hayley doesn't deserve to progress. I like Hayley's skating, but she was outclassed last night by the other 2 women celebs. I don't think I could face him winning again. But the stupid "cruel twist of a double eviction" when half the contestants haven't even skated yet is typical ITV blundering of cocking up the format.
