I reckon Aliaz Tristan Natalie and Aliona will be the lucky ones next year.

Natalie deserves a good ringer. She had a (charming, but still a) dud this year and hasn't had a legitimate contender since Scott in 2010.

I get the feeling that Jo will get someone really good next year too.

I think out of those I'd say only Natalie and Aliona were a possibility - Tristan is a newbie so isn't really owed one and Alijaz did win last year.

I do think that pros that show they can handle a dud do deserve to be rewarded the following year with a good partner though - this situ Aliona got of dud, dud, dud shouldn't happen. Likewise in reverse - with than in mind, I really want Kevin (2 finals in 2 series) and Pasha (3 finals in 4 series) to get duds.

Aliona wasn't even supposed to be on the show last year and she has had several good partners. I think Natalie has had more than enough duds now! Pasha is definitely due a dud or 3.

I have only two words -

Not Pasha

Tristan, aliona, natalie

I'll add another two. Not Kevin.

I agree.

I think Karen deserves a ringer.

Definitely Natalie, and Brendan (if he's still with the show).

It would be a bit unfair to the contestant but I'd like to see the look on Anton's face if they gave him a young, fit obvious contender. After the initial delight wore off, he'd be scared stiff and exhausted after a week!

Well they should be, I totally agree but it looks as if Natalie and Aliona are a permanent fixture of the early exit camp, which is a shame as they are far far better dancers and teachers than the female pros who got further than them.

I think if Kevin's still here he'll get a older lady because he first 2 years have been good. I reckon Aliona will get a younger guy. Tristan should get someone young. He always gets the older ladies. It's about time he had a younger lady. I think they some new pros in. And Trent should get another good partner

Tristan at least give him someone young even on DWTS he got the shit or the older lady

It's about time they gave Natalie somebody good, we've been deprived of her ability for too long! Would also like to see Tristan given the chance to show what he can do. Suspect Kevin may get another... Pasha won't as he had a great run and now finally picked up the trophy.

Natalie definitely deserves a better pick next year, I may be wrong but I don't think she's ever had a really strong contender has she? She certainly hasn't had one for a while. Aliona too, I'd also like to see what Joanne can do with a good partner.

Dear God, please give Anton a half decent partner for once!

His only hope was with Patsy Palmer.

The boy deserves a fighting chance.

Natalie had Scott Maslen and Ricky Whittle!!!

Scott just couldn't hack it but he was a VERY good dancer. As for RW?! What are you talking about - never had a strong contender?!!!!

We get dozens of these threads every year, and it amuses me to imagine a scenario where the producers would ever sit down and work out which professional dancer 'deserves' either a ringer or a dud. LOL.

Turn it around. The production team's job is to assign the professional dancer who best meets the celebrity's needs and, importantly, the need to get people talking about the partnerships and therefore watching the show.

No dancer is bigger than the show, as James Jordan found out earlier this year.

No pro dancer has won twice. That is not a coincidence. Contrast with DWTS, where repeat wins are a feature.

In the past it has been stated that all dancers are paid the same fee, rising the further they stay in competition. BBC do not want 'star' dancers, they want an interchangeable crew. The producers construct new 'stories' every year, which needs a new bunch of faces. New face, do well to become a contender. Until you win, then back to a support role.

You're right it's absurd to think of 'deserve' as a criterion for setting partnership. There's an element of pigeonholing for the supporting cast, Anton gets the older woman, Natalie appears to be getting the older man. Aljaz may have got himself the 'bubbly' partner slot. That continues as long as they play the role without complaint or hint of rebellion. See James Jordan.

There are also practical considerations - Kevin, like Darren before him, is a short guy and will probably be paired with someone appropriate in size, whether or not they are a 'contender'. (Also, though he got Susannah to the final last year, she was not a ringer by any stretch of the imagination.)

They better give Natalie someone decent,
Aliona is a gonner next year
I think Jo and Aljaz with get big personality or popular figure next year again
I think they will give Kevin and Janette good partners next year

Tristan and Joanne because they didn't really have a chance to shine this year, and Natalie because she's long overdue to a good partner. I think Pasha is probably overdue a dud, especially now he's won, and remembers he's twice reached the final previously with Chelsee and Kimbereley.

I hate to say this but I think Tristan might be the new Anton du Beke. Look at how he was treated on DWTS! Closest he ever got to a contender was Dorothy Hamill

I think Aljaz might get a good partner, since a part of me thinks Robin being replaced by Trent meant they had no one to throw Alison to, hence throwing her to Aljaz.

I do hope they give Aliona someone who's not out Week 1, since that's 3 years running (yes, I'm including Johnny Ball), same thing for Natalie.

Please PLEASE give Tristan someone good next year. I want him and his lovely smile around until the final please!

And yet the 4 pros in the final last night now have 8 final appearances between them - with only one of them being a final newbie - and last year potentially 2 of the pros in the final could have won for the second time.