I disagree with the top bit because if any of those I mentioned were looking for the escape hatch, particularly Aliona, would have got pelters on here!

S'not just women - Jared got absolutely murdered for his appearance, religion, personality, nationality, competition background (which at a cursory glance doesn't seem to me worse than any number of beloved pros) etc etc and is still brought up years later as an example of an absolutely irredeemably awful pro off the back of what, 4 choreographed dances?

I must say that his charleston rehearsal looked even worse than I thought and Im slightly scared for Joanne this Saturday .........I hope, really hope that he doesnt drop her.....

To be fair, Aliona had a lot of sympathy this year and a very quick opening of the air lock

But then they get bigger kudos the next year if they stay when paired with someone who can dance a bit, Karen had it last year and then Janette rthis year.

I still don't think Karen is a very good choreographer, that QS was really quite boring this week and Janette is fearless, but I am still not sure that she knows how to choreograph a good ballroom. There was NO swing and sway in that waltz and I am not sure it was not that Jake could not do it, she did not know it was expected.

That tango ? on the table last year was like no recognisable dance I have ever seen.

Scott will not get the extra year to be redeemed, sadly.

If Joanne is here, which I have no interest in seeing, she must loose the gurning and I would hope the ickle me persona. By then she will be almost 32, it's not a good look.

I speak as one who is small with a baby face, even when dressed appropriately and made up in my early 30s pushing my babies pram I used to get asked if I wanted half fair on the bus. You can look very young without behaving like a wanna be Disney princess. By the way I am not being harsh, just look at the list of her favourite films on Monkseals blog.

I seem to remember him in a few pro dances, standing out as not doing very well as well.

I think Scott is in a difficult situation and one that is fairly out of his control. I'm more of an Eddie Mair/John Humphrys fan myself, but I feel mighty sorry for him. He seems likely to be in the transition phase from Radio One to Radio Two; it happens to DJs of a certain age and is a reminder that they're not as young or hip as they were. As the R2 demographic is made up with a number of SCD fans and vice versa, the BBC will have emphasised the importance of gathering this new fan base. So far so good...

...The BBC probably didn't anticipate just how terribly bad he would be and I don't think Scott did either. I do understand that mixture of anger and fear and all the other emotions people have seen in his eyes. He's being humiliated in front of millions. He's also possibly the worst dancer I have ever seen - which takes some doing having seen my husband's moves. That doesn't mean he doesn't have bravado and wounded pride, he's not deluded, he's shell shocked. Well that is what I sense it is.

Although i also suspect the lack of facial expression barring the angry eyes and tango pout is a fondness for Madame Botox - he's mighty smooth for over forty otherwise (about the same age as Steve) and this adds to the visual appearance of disinterest. Underneath it I suspect he's curled up in a tight little ball of embarrassment and shame and quite possibly resignation. He's got to play along to continue on the path mapped out for him, but the longer he does so the more likely it is the the will lose his way.

I think if he hasn't got it by now in terms of being able to produce a few basic steps without looking as though he is a clockwork toy then it just isn't going to happen. Pressure or performance anxiety tends to make things unravel even more. He should stop trying to learn combinations of dance steps that are beyond him and go for fun routines. I'm beginning to see why the producers crabbed him up now - it was clear that's all he is fit for.

Joanne needs to count her losses and not put herself at risk because she wants to return next year - those lifts shown on ITT could kill her if they go wrong. I remember staying with a French family to improve my French and there was another student there who was staying for the entire year. He just couldn't speak French. He could read it and write it with effort but when it came to conversing he just couldn't accurately retrieve any of it - I suspect that is how it is with Scotts's dancing and no amount of practice will make perfect.

He wouldn't disgrace himself if he said to the producers that he is finding it all too much and retires gracefully. I pray that this will happen.

Interesting post. You raise a couple of points I hadn't thought of. If indeed, as you say, it's part of a transition strategy from Radio 1 to Radio 2 (and it sounds perfectly plausible) then he's got more riding on Strictly than we might have realised. The botox sounds likely too.

I don't believe he's deluded. I think Scott knows just how bad a dancer he is, but then having to stand and take the judges' mockery in front of an audience of millions is bound to raise resentment and anger.

Joanne does look like a 16 year old girl to me. I haven't as such noticed her voice much.

I'd disagree.......she may act like a 16 year old, she may sound like an ickle 16 year old but she sure as hell doesn't look 16! As for looking like Ola Jordan, well she's female and has long hair and she can dance......thats where any similarity ends!

Judy seems to cope well with it considering the things they have said to her. She has the good sense to go with it and just laugh it off.
I don't think there is any need for the judges to ridicule someone though - particularly as they do it for laughs and to make themselves sound 'clever'. It isn't encouraging or constructive, quite the opposite in fact. I find in uncomfortable to watch whoever is on the receiving end. That dosn't mean I think they should sugar coat everything but just choose their words more carefully. The odd thing is both Bruno and Craig, who are the worst offenders, can also be the best at giving constructive criticism and advise.

The difference with Judy is that she's not set up as the comedy contestant as well. She's had reasonable routines and the worst prop she's had to handle was the tennis racquet in the cha cha, so I guess it's easier to laugh it off because she's maintained some of her dignity. Scott gets lumped with things like the crab outfit and then has to stand there, probably already feeling like a fool while getting strips torn off him by the judges.

I can understand that. My Mum and I both have a good ear for music, but I can express it in dance better than her. However, she can play the piano brilliantly and yet I can't even keep my fingers on the keyboard properly, which she can't understand as it comes so naturally to her! You can love music but whether you can express it in your body is something else entirely.

This thread reminded me EXACTLY why I stopped watching Strictly after about the 3rd series.

Stopped watching because every flippin' year we get this tedious whine about the worst dancers being voted for.

Only started watching it this year because Scott was on it. I am in my 50's, but have been working with a lot of youngsters for the past 2 years and Radio 1 and Scott Mills have been the listening choice. Scott is a thoroughly professional radio presenter, incredibly funny, polished, interesting and obviously puts a lot of hard work into preparing his shows. Unlike some of the other younger generation of radio presenters who speak badly and just seem to turn up half asleep.

No, Scott can't dance. He openly admitted that he has never been able to dance and avoids it because he knows how bad he is - but he wanted to learn. And what is wrong with that?

All the posters on here who have expert ideas on his attitude and facial expressions are absolutely entitled to their opinions, but IMHO they are totally wide of the mark. Scott's personality always comes over as very self-depreciating and he is more than willing to poke fun at himself.

However, he has freely admitted in the past that he has suffered from major anxiety problems, panic attacks and depression. Perhaps all your expert opinions are of a man who is working hard to cover up his deep seated fears.

Guess the poster whose husband can read facial expressions had the same training as the Customs officers who stop me every single time I walk innocently through Nothing To Declare. My "oh my god they're going to stop me AGAIN, I must try and look nonchalant" face must scream "GUILTY" to them....

I shall continue watching Strictly until you all get your way and Scott is eliminated. They you can all heave a sigh of relief, before finding someone else to bitch about.

I'm looking forward to this charleston so much that I think I might actually have to vote for him for the entertainment value.

All this speculation about his psychology and the BBCs manipulation is all nonsense, based on vapour and no facts. He's not trapped or working some career plot. He's there cause he wants to be. Sympathy for him is misplaced. The people who project all these feelings and assumptions are more likely reflecting their own thoughts and feelings, not Scott's.

Vote for him if you like him, appreciate his dancing, want to see him suffer, or just enjoy the commotion. But stop buying into his act and feeling sorry for him.

He's a horrible dancer, apparently begs for votes, looks like he's suffering and acts like he's being victimised by all of this. He doesn't deserve sympathy. He deserves what he's getting, a place on the show.

He's this years joke participant, whoring for votes like all the previous years joke participants did. What's different about him vs the other crap dancers who overstated their welcome is that he's totally unlikable on the show.

^^^^^
This!


Why can't he try and learn in his own time - not inflict his ego on the rest of us who want to see decent dancing?

You are not alone - I'm also in my 50s and am watching just for Scott. I think he is a brilliant DJ and he has done a lot of work with young people.

There are always contestants with different levels of abilty and experience, I am so sick of people banging on about him and those those like him. Not just this year, its every year..

So when all the less talented dancers are gone everyone will just witter on and google how much prior experience the rest had, and so it begins again. Its an endless cycle of bad feeling all the time.

If you want to go to see decent dancing im sure there are lots of professional performances going on, all around the country. Strictly is a saturday night entertainment program either enjoy for what it is warts and all or maybe just dont watch it?

I think you are being harsh - throughout your post, including the parts which I have left out.

Liking Disney films does not necessarily make someone a "wannabe Disney princess".

Leaving aside the contents of her DVD cabinet, what aspects of Joanne's behaviour have led you to those conclusions?

Good for you. I agree fully. Scott to stay!

I'm too sceptical and I know that, but Joanne naming several Disney children's films as her favourites - when their theme for the week is a Disney film? I have trouble believing that. Watching the American show for 10 years (and this one for much of that time) and following them like a crazed bloodhound, I read someone once said they're given scripts and filmed reciting them - things that are not true. Also that they'll have a session of filming where they're told, "Look angry" - "Now look shocked" - "Now laugh" etc. and the producers splice in the expression they want during the edits of the VT's.

Thus is the guts of a reality show. In my humble but I believe somewhat-informed opinion.

So, if I've understood you correctly, you believe that people who are taking part in a reality show are given scripted characters and scripted reactions?

Hell, yeah! You'll find that we don't disagree on those points!

How does that relate to the suggestion/accusation that a human being - who happens to be a professional dancer on SCD, while being female - is actually, genuinely, and outside of the scripting, a "wannabe Disney princess"?