Eight left and no rubbish dancers in the group. Is that a first?

On potential to raise their game probably Steve and Sunetra are the weakest links. Both very nice people though.

I did not see every show but I think the 2014 group last 8 is the best last 8 ever..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strictl..._12_.282014.29

Just looking back a few years there were (IMHO)

Ben, Mark
Michael, Lisa
Anita, Robbie
Widdy
Tuffers
Sergeant
...

Yes I would probably agree. Although none of them are particularly exceptional. I would sacrifice four good ones for one kara

Was Darren Gough even at the end better than any of the 2014 last eight? Not for me.

Russell Grant's a notable omission there (he got to the last eight, didn't he?) - I'd say Anita and Robbie were about equal with Sunetra and Steve.

We could have a very strong top six .. but that depends on who stays and who goes.

Now that Punchan's gone, I cannot say that there are any "duffers" in the last eight. Some I enjoy watching more than others, and I do believe that the weaker ones are, sadly, an early favourite of mine, Sunetra, and Steve Backshall has shown weaknesses.

For me, Pixie is a clear leader, and from the chaps, I enjoy watching Simon more than most; though I do think Mark has had a great few weeks of steady improving.

All in all, it's been a very good series.

In terms of dance ability, probably YES but in terms of personality/chemistry with their partners NO imo.

I think I'd have to say yes, and actually I like most of them too. (Not fond of Mark but don't dislike him as much as some past celebs.)

Best ever.....

The best 8 ever.

Ditto from me. The weakest of the eight in likeability but I don't dislike him either.

No, he wasn't but then.....Zoe woz robbed

My feelings exactly.


Agreed too. The only partnership that i think is very good (not as great as say Kara and Artem) is pixie and Trent,maybe if they didn't look so similar it would be better.?

Pasha and Caroline are good together, but i think they have been hampered by songs, themes and wardrobe thus lacking a wow moment that blows everything out of the water.

I think it is different this year in terms of not having anyone who really can't dance left, but at the same time I'd probably tolerate one of those in exchange for 3 or 4 exceptional dancers, which this series doesn't have any of.

It's interesting that half of them have been in the dance-off

I loved Kara's dancing too, but having 8 close contestants is pretty exciting. I think we're moving into a few weeks of "shock bottom two"s.

I'd say any of the top six (ie Frankie, Pixie, Caroline, Jake, Mark and Simon) could be a worthy champion, and both Steve and Sunetra have produced some good dances. I'm actually struggling to decide how to award my three votes!
As for a lack of chemistry, I don't see it myself. Overall, it's a far higher standard than last year.

I think in terms of dancing ability at this stage of the competition they might be the best but personality-wise most of them are not working for me this year. Sunetra and Steve are the ones I could most tolerate being stuck in a lift with but trapped with Pixie and Mark my mind would drift towards how to convincingly claim diminished responsibility after I had helped them pass as the Americans say

And yet I can see that Pixie is by far the most accomplished dancer and I admire Mark's work ethic and vast improvement he has made since it looked like he was in danger of being eliminated.

Probably is the best final 8 we've ever had in terms of ability but for the first time ever I really can't decide what order of preference I'd put them in never mind who I'd like to win overall. I just can't seem to get as excited by this series as other years ( and I was completely obsessed with all things strictly up to this year, embarrassingly so )

Actually makes me quite sad thinking about it

So I am going to settle down and enjoy the dancing. I have been voting online for Sunetra but on dancing she should be out this week or next so I might not bother.

I've been wondering whose company I would enjoy down the pub, with Steve, Sunetra and Jake being my top three for genuine character and intelligent conversation. Especially if we can also invite Anya and a few other of the pros. But the trapped in a lift model highlights a need for murder (in some cases) which I'd overlooked. Yes, out with their lights especially as there's no room to dance in the lift so their crucial value has disappeared

I have to say we have not been left with a duffer that should have gone weeks ago this year. Although it was a mighty close thing to being left with Judy taking up a place.

That is the one positive thing about this years last eight no half decent dancer has been sacrificed for some sort of comedic relief from someone who should have been sent packing weeks ago. Even those who suffered the ignomy of leaving before Scott cannot say they would have been better than any of those left. Thom was probably the biggest improvement from week 1 but I doubt he would ever have bettered Sunetra or anyone else still in.

Yes Thom was the only one perhaps gone before his time. But he didn't deserve to be in the last 8. The other seven could have gone "in no particular order".

Is there an on-line application form?

I specially in very close-embrace milonguero style tango designed for crowded halls. so no need for space.

Lifts are fine for dancing. In fact I was spotted by security via CCTV practising in a lift in a warehouse last week

Absolutely.