Just wondering this today. Given that he's in Elstree every day filming EastEnders, presumably got his own dressing room there, the BBC bar is like his local. I'm guessing he uses some space up there for rehearsals to fit it in around his filming.

I picture him coming in on Saturday, parking in his favourite spot, saying hi to the security guards, just completely chilled with life being normal, whereas the others might be a bit more over-awed on unfamiliar territory.

Do you think that would make a difference - not with dancing ability obviously, but with staying calm under pressure?

He won't have to worry about hotels or losing time to travel. That's got to help

Yes it's totally unfair... RINGAH!!!!!



PS. I love Jake really, he's ace! I don't think its a massive advantage but yes it must help to an extent.

That's a tremendous advantage.

I remember Camilla Dallerup saying she sometimes had to follow Roger Black to Europe to do some training, as he still had his "day job" commitments.

Can't really think it makes a whit of difference

Eastenders and Strictly aren't filmed at the same location. EE is filmed at BBC Elstree and Strictly is filmed like 15 minutes away at Elstree Film Studios.

Oh, I didn't know that, I assumed they'd all be at the same place since it's all BBC. So I suppose he gets convenient, but not the high-fiving of security guards I was imagining. Slightly disappointed now.

Sorry to make you slightly disappointed. I only know because I'm doing an internship based at Elstree Film Studios.

The studios are within walking distance so it might make it a bit easier for Jake.

If they have room for training at the BBC studios where Eastenders is recorded, (I guess the place is big enough), journey time really might not come into it.

This is just pathetic now, all those worried about Jake winning I dout it will even happen with the popularity of Mr Wright and Mr Backshall, the only contestants I would hate to see win.

I don't think this is an anti-Jake thread at all
It's a messing around thread or maybe an anti-anti thread

Actually, given his home is currently overrun by escaped stick insects (according to his Twitter) he might be better off without home advantage

It's the start of the deconstruction of DSSCD.


Ahh,now that's an attempt to gain an advantage: he's clearly trying to distract Steve.

Wow! I don't think there's any need for calling me pathetic. I haven't been rude or critical in any way and nor have any of the responses. Well not until you came along.

Easy tiger

When you start taking the innocuous light-hearted threads so seriously and throw around words like "pathetic" and 'hate", it's probably time to step away from the keyboard for a little while and have a nice cup of tea and a lie down instead.

There have to be disadvantages in any circumstance that eats into potential training time, and having to travel to Elstree from, say, Scotland to film the show, rather than pootling down the road, must be an additional annoyance. Is It Takes Two filmed there as well? If so, that creates another 'oh, bloody hell, gotta get to London' diary entry.

Some contestants' days jobs must put insane pressure on them, while other celebs can concentrate properly on the Strictly gig. I just hope Jake's filming commitments aren't as draining as were Scott Maslen's when he was on Strictly - IIRC the harrowing storyline he was filming at the time contributed to his exhaustion on the show.

I guess it's just another instance of the difficulty in creating a level playing-field for all the contestants - it just isn't going to happen.

SCD is not exactly in the same studio as EE so hardly an advantage. Jake is very busy and working full-time on EE but NOT complaining about the extra workload.
He is not previously trained dancer like others so has to work hard and it shows.

Jake has the advantage of being bald.
Therefore he does not have the stress of wondering "what are they going to do to my barnet this week?)

(Note - Barnet is near Elstree)

He also has the advantage of filming fours Eastenders episodes every week, or however many it is, and risking being wrung out on the Eastenders conveyor belt like wot Scott Maslen was.

Teacher's pet.

That just about describes your bitter message!

But he is also filming everyday so i think thats a disadvantage.

Love it!

Why do some take DS so seriously?

As for who wins, it's just an entertaining show. I'd like to see the best dancers in the final.
The "most popular" of those wins anyway, not necessarily the best dancer. So it hardly matters who "wins."

His bosses are giving him the time off to focus on Strictly.

I heard he had reduced time but he is still having to do both things, as is Sunetra. Simon's touring. A few of them are busy as well as Jake

.

The BBC knew in advance what were his other commitments, before selecting him for the show. So it's no surprise them giving one of their people time off to train. You can't blame them for that.

No one should be put at a disadvantage, if they select people who have "day jobs."

I'm now picturing Jake dancing round Dot's living room, the Vic etc while they're not fliming there