How long has Natalie been on the show? Six years isn't it .... though she was injured last year but anyhow Kevin Clifton has had two contenders in two years. Natalie deserves someone good .. we don't see enough of her. The problem is .. she's tall and not easily matched to the male celebs Would like to see Tristan get a contender ... and Trent too .. love his choreography. Quite interested in seeing how Joanne would fare with someone good also.

Trent had an absolute contender this year, though (even though I'd be delighted to see him with someone good). Joanne and Tristan may 'deserve' one (though I doubt that's how the SCD producers allocate things.) - though it could be argued Tristan might have done a bit more with his celebrity.

I would question the persistent idea that Kevin has had two contenders, if 'contender' means someone identified from the start as a possible winner. Susannah was over 40 and no SCD winner has been over 40, male or female (Caroline has just won it at the, for a woman, advanced age of 35). Popularity alone got her to the final, which wasn't known at the start. Kevin wasn't 'given a contender', however it turned out, in a year when Aljaz got Abbey, Artem Natalie and Brendan Sophie. (This isn't to say he shouldn't get a duffer next tine - why not, as a doubler finalist?)
Last edited by Pasta : 22-12-2014 at 22:08

Hopefully next year will be Tristan and Natalie's turn to shine, and maybe Aljaz again as I really warmed to him this series. I'd like to see Trent with another good celeb as well as his choreography is so exciting and IMO he deserves another stab at the trophy. I'm curious as to how Joanne would do with a serious contender, though part of me feels she may work better with the joke acts!?

I definitely agree that Kevin should get a dud next time - nothing personal against the bloke but 2 years without ever doing a dance-off is very jammy! I also hope Iveta doesn't get anyone good purely because she annoys me intensely!

If they are in the 2015 show Tristram, Aljaz Natalie, Aliona and JFG, have to get decent dancers next year

I don't think the producers see it as a 'who gets the duds & who gets the ringers" situation. Anton for instance suits more mature classy ladies. Maybe Tristan is the same? Hope not as I would really like to see much much more of him

Would be interesting to see how Joanne is with a talented celeb & in reverse to see how Kevin would be with a dud? As I said I don't think it's that simple & besides sometimes the less skilful celebs make the show more watchable, particularly when they improve!

It's easier to say who shouldn't get a ringer:
Pasha, Brendan, Karen and Kevin.

As long as they don't get decent partners/ringers, I'll be pretty happy with any pairings; although, Iveta, Aliona, Natalie and Tristan should certainly be top of the list for a potential finalist.

Kristina
Natalie
Iveta

Tristan
Trent

I,d like to see Joanne, Natalie, Iveta, Aliona, Tristan and Aljaz all get contenders, Kevin really should get a duffer and if Trent stays I,d like to see him with one as well.

Aliona, Natalie, Anton, Tristan and Joanne could all do with a decent partner next year. Not Pasha, Kevin or Aljaz - they've all had one too recently.

Definitely: Tristan, Natalie, Joanne.

Maybe Karen and/or Janette since Mark and Jake weren't really ringers. Of the two, Karen is more likely. Also, Iveta, since Thom proved to be a little more wooden than anticipated, and was a shock elimination as a result of Scott/Alison's popularity/sympathy vote.

If there's a new pro, they should get a decent shout, much like Trent did this year. Tristan was unfortunate with Jennifer and the producers going for the Irish connection. Robin might also get a decent one to ease him back in, but as Aliona and Natalie have proved, coming back from an injury, you might end up with someone going out early.

Of the men, other than Tristan, the next best bet would be Trent getting a second throw of the dice like Aliona, Kevin, Artem and Pasha all have in the past.

I imagine Pasha and Kevin, along with Anton, will get the weaker females, so maybe Aljaz or Brendan might also be in with a shout if they all stay, of the two, I'd say Brendan since Aljaz is only two seasons in from a victory, and is more likely to get someone like Sunetra or a female Steve, more middle of the road.

Assuming we keep the same pros, which isn't a given:

Aliona Vilani - RINGER

Aljaž Skorjanec - middle of the road

Anton du Beke - middle of the road

Brendan Cole - middle of the road

Iveta Lukosiute - RINGER-lite

Janette Manrara - Duffer-lite

Joanne Clifton - RINGER-lite

Karen Hauer - Duffer-lite

Kevin Clifton - middle of the road

Kristina Rihanoff - middle of the road

Natalie Lowe - RINGER

Ola Jordan - duffer

Pasha Kovalev - duffer

Trent Whiddon - RINGER

Tristan MacManus - RINGER

Key:

RINGER = Pixie Lott, Caroline Flack, Ricky Whittle, Natalie Gumede
RINGER-lite = Abbey Clancey, Scott Maslen
Middle of the road = Sunetra Sarker, Steve Backshall, Alex Jones
Duffer-lite = Fiona Fullerton, Richard Arnold, Fern Britton
Duffer = Nancy Del'Ollio, Ann Widdecombe, Scott Mills

I think:

Aliona
Jeanette
Aljasz
Tristan


Assuming that they're back next year!

Joanne and Tristan deserve good dancers if they come back. I could see Joanne being lumbered with duffers the way Anton is though because she is very comfortable doing the comedy aspect but it would be a shame for someone of her considerable dance ability not to get a shot at the glitterball!

Pasha really should get a duffer. I am a fan but he has been very lucky so far, time for him to get someone less gifted!

I mostly agree with this, but I can't see Trent getting a ringer - he had Pixie this year!

Agree with most apart from Kev and Trent who should have Duffer or Duffer-lite