This is my suspicion sadly as I really like both him and Janette and wouldn't mind backing them to win. When I think of past winners, few have had a wow dance week 2 whereas the ones that have usually don't end up winning. The public love a journey.

But I hope I'm proven completely wrong.

I worry about this too. With the surprise element gone now, people will expect more and more of him each week. As much as his opening performances lifted the first two shows, I sort of wish (for his sake) they'd come a bit later on in the series.

I hope that Jake doesn't burn out like his former co-star, Scott Maslen, as (like Scott before him) he is still filming 'Enders.

I wouldn't mind at all if Jake burned out..I don't like him.

Now you know what Thumper's mum said in Bambi 'If you cant say anything nice, don't say anything at all'

Actually, I think Jake's Salsa was a masterstroke in getting the public's attention.

Loads more people might vote for him now, especially as word spreads he never had a dancing lesson in his life before the show.

People talk about the 'journey' but last year Abbey was top of the LB in week one. I know some people said she had a 'journey' but I didn't see much of one myself.

Also wasn't Kara top or near top of the LB the year she took part?

The main thing I'm worried about is if Jake burns out or if he's overtaken by a contestant with a so called 'journey'........I don't mind genuine journeys by the way but it's the scripted, disingenuous ones that annoy me. I'd really love Jake and Janette to win - they're my favourites and Jake would be the first 40 + winner

all will depend on Janette's ballroom I feel - she is first to admit she is not very experienced in it (Tango aside) so if it is a waltz for him will be interesting to see what routine is like - if he continues as he started I think he will make final 4

Wasn't Alesha pretty good every week too? I really cant remember her getting any bad comments and she was only in bottom two right at the end.

Well perhaps Thumpers mum should have advised those that preach and act all sanctimoniously & hypocritical... aren't displaying nice behaviour either.

I'm not madly fussed on Jake or Janette, but he did a mind-blowing salsa on Saturday and deserved every mark he got. I think, however, the OP is right - he may have peaked too early. If he can keep up the good work, he will certainly get to the final - then it's just down to the EE fans to press redial on his number. It's number 1 after all

Well perhaps Thumper's Mum was just teaching good manners. I know I've never been as 'verbally attacked' by posters on here in the way I have this year. There are ways of phrasing negative comments without being nasty or aggressive.

The key point is whether he can maintain the level. SEB (the most recent week 2 peeker) could not match her early promise in any of the following dances, so there is a danger. however:


I think in Jake's case there is a strong possibility of this happening. I have a slight theory that most successful contestants on Strictly are so because they appear to be contenders (though not necessarily the best) in the first two weeks. Even Chris Hollins showed some sort of promise early on .


As much as she was my favourite contestant (not dancer) last year, Abbey was from week 1 one of the stronger contestants, and her first dance was one of her strongest (reprised in the final, chosen as the one to repeat on launch show).


BII, agreed, that will be key. I am hoping Alijaz will be lending a helping hand in that regard.

Are you actually accusing me of verbally attacking and being nasty and aggressive. I am well aware of good manners and do not require anyone on DS to inform me of good manners or etiquette. Not cool.

[delete.

BIB No, I'm not. But I did think your reply was a bit rude to quite a mild post, which is why I posted.

Well perhaps, and I phase my words kindly, you should not have a knee jerk reaction and view "posts as aggresive" when they clearly are not.

Actually tbh knee jerk reaction was what came to mind when I read your reply and I have stated quite clearly I did not/do not view your post/posts as aggressive. Which bit of 'those that preach and act all sanctimoniously & hypocritical' could be regarded as kind?

The replies to my posts I do regard as aggressive are on other threads, but I wanted to make a general point. Thank goodness other posters came to my defence, although I'm seriously thinking about giving up DS (like so many long term posters). I don't want to be on a board that is constantly in conflict, nor do I want to post on any Appreciation Threads in the Attic.

How about we not argue and just move on?

Moving on .
Seriously though - how can any contestant peak too early on just week two? We honestly can't tell what any of them will do a few weeks on.

Nope, the judges will start 'under marking' soon in order to set up a later meteoric rise 😜

Absolutely , all in favour of moving on.

I guess it depends when you'd say the narrative "peak" of earlier winners was. IMO it'd be something like :

Natasha - Samba (Week 5)
Jill - Jive (Week 3)
Darren - Paso Doble (Week 4)
Mark - Salsa/Argentine Tango (Week 5/11)
Alesha - Cha Cha (Week 8)
Tom - Showdance (Final)
Chris - Charleston (Week 11)
Kara - American Smooth (Week 8)
Harry - Quickstep (Week 9)
Louis - Salsa (Week 3)
Abbey - Waltz (Week 1)

I know people will have varying opinions on some of the above, but it does look to me that winners can really peak at any time.

ETA : The winner has always scored 28 or above in one of their first two dances, so it definitely helps to start strong - in fact all bar Harry broke the 30 barrier in their first two dances. (On that basis we're looking at one of Frankie, Jake, Caroline or Pixie.)

I think it will depend on whether Jake can keep up the standard he's now leading us to expect after his fantastic dance last week. He's set the bar high for himself.

Thank you.

I wonder if there will be a week when the judges say "This just wasn't your dance"?

Never !