Wow, what is it with this obsession of yours with Simon... every other post mentions something negative about Simon... bizarre

He is a nice guy. I work in TV and he has a terrific reputation in the industry. You never hear anything but good about him.

Quite right.

I agree with every word. It's bizarre. The contestants are people out of their comfort zone learning and performing live in front of millions of people. The fact that they might appear in front of millions in their chosen profession is irrelevant. Nerves play a part and nerves can make all of us appear and behave differently.

Like you, I have seen no signs of arrogance from any of the contestants this year. As, as I said earlier, I work in TV and know that Mark has a wonderful reputation amongst the people he's worked with (and, trust me, you soon get to know about the ones who aren't "lovely"). So where this notion of his being "smug" or "smarmy" comes from is a mystery.

Quote from Sylvia Young herself: "He never had a dance lesson here. He did some part-time drama on Saturdays as a child but he didn't do any dancing."

Forgive me, but I'm more inclined to take the word of the founder of the Sylvia Young Theatre School rather more seriously than snide tittle-tattle on Digital Spy.

Well said, the Mark haters are just looking for anything to pick on, and spitting their dummies out that he has got through to the finals.

Their frustration of course just makes it even more satisfying for all of us who have supported him from the beginning.

I completely agree. I think this F4 is really gracious, every celeb is respectful of others, hard working, eager to learn and thankful and happy to be given this opportunity and to still be there. And the pros all seem nice and likeable too.

I agree.

I don't see how their profession is irrelevant. Learning routines and performing live on tv is Frankie's day job! If she's only just learning how to do that then I'd like to know how she's managed to be part of a successful girl band all these years.

I do agree with your comments on the "arrogance" complained of by others though, I don't see any contestant as being arrogant, they are all clearly just really enjoying themselves.

I respectfully disagree. I loved his Superman routine. It really put a smile on my face.

There was also the Charleston which I also really enjoyed. It really had the feel good factor IMO.

Yes, his Charleston was great, the judges loved it, and I hope he performs it again as his Show Dance.

It's where she was quoted that I have a problem with. The Daily Mail isn't really known as a beacon of truth and veracity and the article you're quoting from was complete and utter BS in the first place which tried to make out that Judy Murray was backing Mark Wright for the win when she's done no such thing!

There are IMO inconsistencies in Mark's statements in interviews in the press re his time at Sylvia Young which is why posters on DS were questioning his dance 'novice' claims.

I like them both very much.

I'm delighted they're in the Final.

Each to their own but I thought both were awful and wouldn't want to see either of them again.

That is lovely to hear, and that's what comes across about Mark (to us, in our house, and to a lot of others) - he just seems like a nice guy. I think someone else who works in TV said that about him on this forum.
I don't understand all the negativity that is directed towards him from some.
I'm really pleased he is through to the final. I like Mark!

It's not my ideal final, to be honest - I would've much preferred Pixie (and Jake) to be there over Mark, but I've grown to like Simon so I can live with him being here. It's between Caroline and Frankie for the win, and I think the Showdance could just decide it.

Oh, and the bitterness of some people in this thread speaks volumes about themselves.

I was spitting feathers when Simon was voted to stay over Thom, but since then, his natural easy grace and increasingly confident footwork to Kristina's magical routines have really caught the eye. I rated his Foxtrot on Saturday as good a "proper steps" ballroom dance as I've ever seen on SCD.

Mark, I've blown hot and cold (distinctly chilly about that Rhumba!) but he has a nimbleness and cheeky chappie persona that brings something to the party, and I don't begrudge him his place in the (IMO) Pixie-shaped hole in the final. Like Abbey last year, I tend to admire his skills as a professional reality show contestant rather than his dancing ones, but it's undeniable that a two girl/two boy final could be a good one, so I hope he does himself, Michelle, his three nans and all of Essex except Frankie's bit, proud.

I agree. I think many people have a problem with how Mark has become a "celebrity" in the first place. He's not a singer, actor, dancer, sportsman etc. He hasn't become famous through any actual talent. I get that view, I have a strong dislike for TOWIE and associated shows. That said, I have nothing personal against those who become successful as a result of them - they're simply taking advantage of what's happened to them. You only need to see the comments directed at Jake Quickenden, too much snobbery as to how he's not seen as a "proper celebrity". From what I've seen on both SCD and I'm A Celeb, both Mark and Jake have thrown themselves into a big challenge, worked hard and really enjoyed their experience. Going by some of the comments on DS you'd think they'd been out mugging old ladies or something.

You can't do that can you? Do you mean his fave past dance? He needs to survive the first elimination for that.

I had never heard of Mark before. I would never watch TOWIE (I live in Essex and hate the impression it gives of the county). To me he comes across as a lovely genuine guy. He couldn't dance in the beginning and I believe him when he says he thought he would go out early. He has gradually learned to dance and improve every week and he is obviously loving the experience. I also think it is quite sweet that he is so emotionally - what exactly is wrong with a man crying?

I also really like Karen. She had a hard time with a lot of Strictly fans because of what she is supposed to have said to Ola but I never believed a word of it. The newspapers are known for making up stories and Ola is certainly no timid shrinking violet to let anyone be nasty to her. Karen seems lovely to me (as do all the pros)

I didn't know that, I guess that we will just have to wait and see.

Ola and Karen also hugged for a long time when Ola went out, there was no sign of any kind of tension whatsoever.

I don't believe there is any tension with them and I also like Mark although it seems that there is a case sometimes of people who are actively looking for things to dislike about a celebrity as we've had with Mark, Simon, Jake and Pixie this year.

To be fair to Mark (and trust me at the start of the series I didn't think I'd be defending him at all) there's nothing he can really do about it now and how he became famous (and trust me I hate TOWIE and the whole culture around it) like you say.

But he's come into this series and clearly enjoyed the experience and worked hard and surprisingly seems a really genuine bloke (and his shock when he goes through sometimes is a total picture) so I'm more than prepared to look over how he became famous really. It wouldn't be the same if he'd been mouthy and thinking he was the bees knees this season but then he hasn't been so that's good.

Plus at this point everytime he goes through now we get the closest reaction to this that a person has probably ever achieved.

We are now at the final stages of the competition. When I saw the close personal relationship between Mark and Jake and the others from all the comments coming through, I realised that they all are worthwhile and could win. So all the sniping is just not worthwhile. I just want to see the best show possible and they all are very good dancers. So we shall see the final and then be able to vote for who we want to win.

I know Mark is a really good sweet person who happens to be emotional so what. Simon too is emotional. The girls are both great dancers and seem to want the win a lot. So let us enjoy the final week without the hating.

Viva the dancing and good luck to all!

Well said!