I quite enjoyed Abbey & Aljaz last year but they left no lasting impression on me- no life or charisma for me, and he was simply a handsome, pleasant but forgettable young man. But I have sat up and taken notice of him with Alison this year. I was worried after their week 1 Cha Cha that we were going to be force-fed the "she's a big girl/personality but she sure can dance" cliche but their Foxtrot was so slyly subversive and fantastically entertaining that I saw a whole new side to Aljaz's character -ie he's got one- and witty choreography that I missed last year.
I miss Robin Windsor, but he was a bit of a one-trick pony with this whole, "I can make this unlikely dancer shine" storyline that the show's producers insist on foisting on certain people and I'm hoping that Aljaz has a wider array of dance ideas up his sleeve for his partner. And that mad showdance he did last year shows he's got an extremely camp streak within him.

Aljaz seems to be enjoying himself, perhaps he was a bit more ambitious last year, ambition which paid off of course, but he hasn't anything to prove this time?

I think he's come out of his she'll a lot more with Alison. Because she's an extrovert, she's brought that side out of him- a bit like Alesha with Ian, perhaps?

Here we go............................ and somehow this thread isn't going to turn into " lets all bash Abbey thread " right ?

I Loved him last year with Abbey and I love him this year with Allison. In fact that are one of my favorites
Last year was his FIRST year; The first time he has ever been in a competitive Reality tv show to start off with because people like Pasha, Anya, Janette .....were a bit experienced in that area prior to strictly (So you think you can dance in the US ) ; he wasn't. Now he is on his second serie so I think that he is starting to get the hang of it

He had a great partner in Abbey who became a contender at certain point in the serie; This is added pressure to the professionals; Especially when it is your first year. Not only did he had to prove himself as a pro but he had a contender on his hands.

With Allison , he knows that he is NOT going to win; LESS pressure already; And he is not going to have the media assuming every day that they is some secret dalliance between him and her.....so he can just relax and have a great time; which he is doing

Some contestants bring the Best out of a pro; some contestants bring the worst out of a pro; Every dynamic is different; Perfect example would be people not tolerating Janette last year with Julian but warming up to her this year with Jake....it doesnt necessarily mean that Julian was an horrible person but just that maybe their dynamic didnt work well together, thats all.

I am liking Alison a lot more than I thought I would, I though't she'b be insufferable.

But she can dance a bit, is clearly there to do her best and have a laugh. Alijaz knows he isn't likely to win, and if he can take Alison on a good run it will prove he can work with more or less anyone.

BIB NOT Ian BUT Matthew Cutler ( It was Team Mathesha ) ; great analogy and I concur.
They were one of my favorites couple EVER on the show as well; In fact prior to last year, they were my top favourites Strictly partnerships but Abbey and Aljaz took that spot for me

As long as she doesn't keep saying 'glitta' when referring to costume decoration I'll be fine with her.

As for Aljaz, he's proving a top SCD pro - got amazin Abbey the glitta ball and now he seems to be getting the best he can out of Alison.

I've only noticed what a fabulous dancer Aljaz is since he partnered Alison

altho he & Abbey made the perfect couple I think she overshadowed him a bit

I think Aljaz would make a fine actor.....

I loved the Aljaz and Abbey's partnership last year. Maybe he is more relaxed this year as I wouldn't think anyone expect him to win , imo he will settle for teaching Alison to dance as best as she can. I hope he stays a while as he is rather nice to look at. LOL

I always really liked him and he's been and is one of my favorite Pros on the show. I loved both of his partnerships with Abbey and Alison for different reasons.

He and Abbey were a great pair that produced great dances, had great chemistry, were enjoyable together and were such true contenders to win it all - which they did achieve. I thought they were such a perfect partnership. Who would have expected them to win at the start of that season?

With him and Alison, she helps bring out more of his fun personality and they are having such a blast together. He does seem more relaxed this year and maybe it's because he's settled more into the show and doesn't have anything to prove this time around.

Not at all. I voted for her at least twice. I was referring to Aljaz.

I like Alijaz. A lot!

I'm cringing at the way Alison is treating Alijaz .

Loved last year's partnership with Abbey .

Has there been a software upgrade?

See, I knew I'd get his name wrong!

Yes, being a champion sure gives a man the confidence to come out of his shell

They are tall and Blondes but that's where the similarities stop

Ian does the Wednesday Warm-Up on ITT and is usually one of the main choreographers of the Strictly tour.

Mathew who danced with Alesha, left one year after they won if Im not mistaken; He used to be married to Nicole Cutler (She still kept his name after they divorced even though she re-married) .

I can't imagine a year in which I wouldn't like Aljaz, not even 1987 when I'd be sporting a puffball skirt I'd nicked out of my big sister's wardrobe, white tights and massive hair. I noticed last year he was a 'proper' ballroom dancer, a lovely choreographer and that he had a rather sweet personality. I loved his partnership with Abby and I'm enjoying his partnership with Alison. It's bringing out a different side to him. I noticed on another thread that someone who'd been in the audience last year noted that Abby was very nervous off the dance-floor and Aljaz was constantly having to reassure her. I imagine having someone who is more naturally extrovert this year is allowing him to relax a bit more.

I liked him a lot last year with Abbey and I'm loving him this year with Alison.

I think for me it is just the difference in the two relationships. Alison has a very loud personality whilst Abbey was a little more reserved so I just think we're getting to see a different side to him. I loved his and Alison's Foxtrot though his little faint at the end was brilliant!

He seems much more animated and fun this year. He's probably just more relaxed this year, and not being with a contender will help that

With regards to the above quote - Am I the only one who wonders if he has a bit of a soft spot for Alison?

I thought he and Abbey were a great couple, they were my second favourites after Sophie and Brendan.

However - I think he has positively come alive this year!

I confess that I possibly wrote him off a little bit last year as just a pretty face - but his choreography has been notably impressive this year* (Abbey would have looked good dad dancing in a bin-liner) and he's shown much more signs of having personality and being relaxed. I think this is a great partnership for him.

*Alison also deserves props for putting a lot of character & oomph into her performances.

He's more relaxed this year and having fun. I loved him with Abbey and i love him with Alison

I have to be honest I wasn't a big fan of Abbey and Alijaz together even though i like Abbey he was the pro I kept forgetting whenever I was listing the pros because I don't think he show his personality last series or his dancing ( the waltz was beautiful) but this year I am so glad he has been partnered with Allison as we are getting the chance to see what he can do as a teacher and choreographer and he is having fun and showing his personality.