From what I have seen in tabloids, 'a source' and single quotes means beware of bullshit.

Exactly so. I am not going to click either. They have producers, cameramen and PR people all the time.

It dosn't come over that way on ITT though. When Steve was giving himself a hard time about messing up on Saturday Ola was very supportive of him.

It dosnt just look bad for Ola though it makes Steve sound a moaning wuss - and given what he's done in his life I doubt he would be that easily beaten. I think its made up of bits and pieces of overhead comments that have been both taken out of context and blown up out of all proportion. How many times have we heard a celebrity (jokingly) say their partner was a slave driver etc.

The timing of this article is also suspect to me - not printed earlier in the week when one or other could have denounced it but just in time to affect tonights votes! Maybe he's finding it a struggle because of his previous injuries - more than he may have expected to but that isn't Olas fault and I doubt very much he would blame her for that!

I agree with sueh1 I think they may well have been getting a huge share of the public vote and someone is trying to scupper them. I am not sure if I buy into the BBC manipulation to that extent but I dont think it is part of their hopes (plan?) for Steve and Ola to win.

I have been voting for them every week but hadn't expected them to win - or even reach the final - but I will continue to vote for them as long I think they still deserve their place regardless of stupid articles like this.
Last edited by J.R : 08-11-2014 at 09:36

I can't load the article (small mercies), could someone give a synopsis please? Steve and Ola get on well from what I've seen.

Interestingly, the published comments are mostly far more negative about Steve and supportive of Ola.

Allegedly- Steve has accused Ola of bullying him and complained to the BBC. They have allocated a chaperone to be with them at all times.His confidence has been dented by her " rude and impatient manner"

Thank you, sueh21 *high fives*

Hopefully it's been over-egged by the DM and we'll see a united front tonight imo.

I like Ola so I hope it's not true. But if it isn't then it's not a very nice article to read about yourself. If Steve's complained then it does make him a bit of an idiot. He knew what he signed up for and he was giving 5 months of his time up for the show. Probably getting a decent amount of money too. Not that I know what they earn. I have heard it's double the professionals though. What's his comment about going out on dates. I'm sure another 5 weeks isn't going to stop him finding someone in the end. The show usually brings a lot of interest in the celebrities so be glad of that. Complaining for nothing - get over it.

I wonder though if negative stories can improve a couple's vote? If a negative story can galvanise a couple's fans or neutral fans to bung a few votes their way in reaction to such a negative or vastly embellished article. Not saying particularly that that was the intention of the article, more of a side effect.

Can there be many people left who take DF articles as gospel?

Good ad for her calender.!

I honestly believe this has all been taken out of context and blown up out of nothing. He could easily have said 'Ola is Bullying me' as a joke - they do that all the time in the VTs.

Given what he has experienced in his life I don't believe for one moment his confidence would be floored by Ola - it was because he made a hash of the Charleston. He was doing it fine in the rehearsals but as so often happens when they did their first dress rehearsal the costumes got tangled up in one of the lifts and he couldn't put her down safely. he was so worried about that happening on the live show he 'lost it'. As explained by Ola herself.

I like them both, think they get on fine and it's all a load of hogwash!

I don't take this as gospel, but tension wouldn't surprise me. It seems like Ola has sucked all the fun out of the competition for Steve, so they don't have any chemistry on camera. I really feel sorry for Steve - when the pairings were announced I was happy he had such a good choreographer and teacher in Ola but now it seems she's not herself this year.

I agree, rather like Brendan, she just seems to be going through the motions without really enjoying herself. Her OlaChop sparkle has well and truly left the building.

If there is any truth in it then I think it takes a lot of bravery for a 'big' man to speak out and say something about it, and calling him a 'wuss' really doesn't help. It just perpetuates the myth that a small woman couldn't possibly bully or abuse a man, and that he should 'man up' ( I hate that phrase).

Well said.

Base on absolutely no evidence I actually imagine she can be a real madam. Being married to James for ten years, well she's not going to be a shrinking violet is she? TBH I'm feeling the Jordan's are getting a bit of 'you reap what you sow' back at them. They were quick enough to run to the press last year over Karen allegedly bullying Ola. If I'm honest I won't be disappointed to see the back of a few of the professionals at the end of this season and Ola would be at the top of my list.

The DM helps create the myth that men can't be bullied by women (if this is indeed true) by having in the headline the different animals he has tackled but he is unable to handle Ola, also having their stats next to each other showing how much advantage he has over Ola in terms of weight, injuries he's faced, height etc.

Next article "Karen Hauer says Mark Wright is the nicest man she has ever met"

I don't know if this is true but I wonder who leaked it. It could be damaging.

He is there to learn to dance not for fun. So what if his teaching partner is pushing him to do better. It must be fustrating for the professional when those spoilt celebs make it all about them...the egos that they have to deal with

Absolutely.

I'm quite disgusted by some of the 'victim blaming' and minimising because he is male.

Though I have to doubt the veracity of the story, if it is true then Steve has done the right, professional thing taking his concerns to management.

Whatever the truth may be, it is not a good story to have in the press, particularly on a Saturday...........and for everyone who takes no notice of it, there will be many who will take it all as gospel, and no doubt change their votes accordingly.

Well at least they're dancing paso this weekend and so they don't have to pretend to be lovey dovey!

Interestingly, a poster here who I understand is some kind of insider said a few days ago on a thread about how well the various couples get on that Steve didn't like Ola. I thought at the time that he was just worried people would read something into their partnership & it might harm his image or chances with other people. However, it could well have been this.

Of course, it's equally possible that it's all an orchestrated campaign to dent his public support so he doesn't take votes away from whoever they want to win! Nothing would surprise me these days.

If it's true, though. Poor Steve. He's a nice, bubbly, smiley guy. However, people like that are often coming out to meet the world because they are a bit insecure underneath. I mean, just think of Robin Williams. If she was constantly putting him down, then it could well really be hitting him badly.

Then again, another person might be fine with that training style, so it's not necessarily Ola's fault either. It's a case of, in the real world, if he wanted to learn to dance then he'd find a teacher who had the right style for him. In Strictly, you get what you're given, and if there's a mis-match in teaching/learning styles, there's not much you can do about it other than turn to the supporting choreographers.

It could have been blown up from a brief comment from him that she was a bit firm with him and he had spoken to one of the production team about it. The Mail can quickly make that into bullying and an official complaint.

I got the impression in the comments below the item that some people would pay to be bullied by Ola.

I couldn't agree more. Let's face it this story is in the Daily Fail. A paper not well known for telling the truth and a paper that has weekly articles that say Strictly is rubbish.

Even if the story is true which I doubt, there is nothing wrong with ambition and wanting to win. None of Ola's previous partners have said there is a problem and Steve has not openly said there is a problem either.

I will throw a vote for Steve and Ola tonight no matter what they dance like.