I'm surprised that Jay looked so awkward and out of time in the group dance, he even seemed to have forgotten the steps.

I'm not saying I thought he'd be super amazing or anything, but when I see this: http://youtu.be/VYZvKMKeH-s and compare it to the group dance, it's as if his horribly awkward twin was dancing in his stead on Strictly.

Surely it can't have been nerves? I don't understand how he could go from decent enough dancing to sub par, (almost) worse than Jeremy Vine dancing?
Last edited by Metebelis_3 : 06-09-2015 at 04:34

He seemed very nervous while waiting to find out who his partner was. So he was probably nervous doing the dance.

He looked very shy and nervous throughout, his first dance could be a bit cringe.

He appeared spaced out and not really "with it" if you know what I mean. I dont think it was just nerves, it was more then that.

Hopefully the nerves will diminish. I really felt sorry for him.

For someone with his background it was a surprise how nervous he seemed. He came over as quite overwhelmed - on the red carpet too. Hopefully once he gets back to the dancing again he will relax more and feel more in his comfort zone. It was strange though and I hope he's not regretting agreeing to do the show.

I think doing something like this is more 'exposing' though than being part of a boy band. He was nervous - biting his lips tightly in one part of the group dance - but hopefully he will relax as he gets used to. I still have hopes he will be a contender.

He is no Harry Judd, he was very very nervous it showed, his partner it's going to have to work hard to avoid a meltdown and going first.

Being in a boyband gives you a place to hide and he's never been in the spotlight before on his own.

I used to be in a brass band for many years and never got nerves, but when I had my first solo piece I was so nervous I almost couldn't perform.

He may have been nervous or holding back, there is no way you can go from this https://instagram.com/p/4nCqxINe7z/?...y=birdspotting to what he was like in the group dance in a few weeks

Aliona will definitely get the best out of him - or kill him in the process !!

I was expecting him to be around the same level as Peter Andre, but he did look a bit out of it.

If he was down-dancing he was very consistent at doing it. Strictly does seem not his natural habitat, but he has danced with The Wanted to big audiences, so I expected he would adapt - though he also seemed uncomfortable on the red carpet. Harry Judd had a phobia about moving his hips (a fear of girly-dancing) - you'll see he didn't use them in his CCC - learned to move them before the Salsa and then didn't use them properly on the night at Wembley (he was taking too big of steps in the big arena).

It may be there was some kind of mental block, but Aliona is happy, so given his contemporary dance experience, I expect this dance will not be typical.

He was nervous all evening and seemed quite wooden as a result although this can be endearing if not overdone.

Maybe he should have a word with Dr Pamela?

She'll put him right

Yes I'm a little worried it could be uncomfortable viewing.. he does seem so very nervous and if he does have an awkward first dance not sure he could laugh it off.. the confidence doesn't seem to be there.. 😮

But he had a dance background before he joined the boy band and danced on stage in groups. Someone posted YouTube links to him dancing and he looked pretty good.

Maybe he's lost confidence in himself. Hopefully he'll be fine.

Hi Buddy - looking forward to the 2015 series?

Hiya! How are you? I'm quite excited about the show this year! Last year was good and this year looks promising. Did you see the show last night? Who do you fancy for the glitter ball?

visibly nervous when being introduced to the pro dancer

I think most of us really wanted him to do well but he seemed a bit stiff with nerves. Hopefully Aliona can release his inner performer!

Bless him. I hope he can conquer the nerves. He looks like he could have some potential

He did appear to be very flat footed even as he was walking up the stairs, hopefully he will improve, alionia will have to work hard with him, but l think she will improve him.

Set for the journey contestant

I think he is gonna be end up being quite good!

I agree with others who've said he is out of his comfort zone . In the band he had backup so not all the attention was on him . Plus the crowds were at a distance . On Strictly he was surrounded by the carefully watching audience and probably felt vulnerable.
Hopefully he'll get used to it and loosen up .

Thanks for all the replies! I guess it really was the nerves. I really hope he'll learn to deal with them though, otherwise it won't be an easy year for him & Aliona. And poor Aliona was so happy to finally get a young one...

But I believe in Aliona, she's got the ability (or at least the will, lol ) to turn him into as good of a dancer she can manage to.