I don't think Katie feels like 'poor Katie', she looked like she found Anton's chat just as funny as everyone else (Claudia, the other pros and celebs and the judges were all crying with laughter) and I would have thought it would be nice to have someone so obviously excited to have her as a partner. I doubt he will be the same every week, but I don't think anyone would begrudge him some initial excitement at actually being able to dance and get a decent score for the first time in years.

Seconded.

bib - is that counting or not counting me...

my worst fear is that he makes the final (or semi's) and then the bbc in their 'wisdom' retire him to present the show...

I enjoyed Katie and Anton's jive . They now have one of the most difficult of the Latin dances out of the way in week 1 .
I'm certain they will do great in Ballroom next week, so Katie is a certainly for the next round .

Sorry, I should have said 'most people IMO'...of course if you want to begrudge him his excitement that is your prerogative

I know he isn't everyone's cup of tea and I've never voted for one of his partnerships before, but TBH his excitement, the joy on his face at dancing properly in that jive (even if he isn't as great a latin dancer as the younger pros) and his comments afterwards, were probably my favourite part of last night and made me smile more than anyone else. When a lot of the show can seem a bit 'same old, same old' with jaded pros and choreography, it was really nice to see something unexpected and a pro really loving what they were doing .

Latin and Jive isn't Anton's strong point but Katie looks like being a good all-rounder and they'll be immaculate in the ballroom. Potential finalists.

Poor Katie, to be lumbered with the wannabe comedian....she seems a nice person with dancing potential.....

Thirded () I loved watching them. I must confess I have always had a soft spot for Anton since the first series (and no, not a bog). They were obviously having a ball - but a correctly danced ball - and it was fab!

I always judge a celebrity on how their friends and colleagues feel about them and Anton seems to be held in affection by his fellow professionals, judging by the reaction last night.

I loved their jive although I was a little distracted by Katie's left arm which she had crooked most of the time, instead of outstretched, especially at the end. That's being picky, I know. I really hope they get to the final

I like Katie well enough - she seems up for a laugh, has a lot of personality, and is a decent enough natural talent at the dancing, but she got lucky being partnered with Anton, not unlucky. She needed a hook, because she's not that well-known, or truth be told that good a dancer and being Anton's new Great White Hope will no doubt push her further in the competition than she would have got otherwise. Whether she actually makes it all the way depends far more on her, and how much she applies herself, and how well the producers manage the storyline, than Anton, who could sleepwalk his way through his whole series if he wanted to.

Spot on as usual. I think she'll apply herself because she seems focussed and quietly ambitious and she's been angling in interviews for years to get on Strictly (and to partner Anton). I heard from people present at the studios on Friday and Saturday, that the audience goodwill towards Anton was pretty obvious. If the producers want to go with that and ease their passage to latter stages, the draw of dances they get will be all important. It's not rocket science that he should be able to make her look very good in traditional, audience appealing ballroom but needs to get the trickier Latins out of the way while it doesn't matter - party rumba will not be pretty!

I see one-line trolls are alive and kicking on forum 100.

I don't get all the Anton hate, I think he's funny and a bloody good teacher and dancer. Alright he does sometimes ramble on a bit but that's just part of his charm. Leave him alone, he deserves to have a really good partner at last what with all the horrors he's had to put up with over the years, Anne Widdecombe, Nancy de Lolio, etc. I rest my case.

BIB 1 I stand corrected - it is indeed an opinion - not fact.
BIB 2 I'll agree he taught her well - but my point was the execution of the dance which imo she performed better than her teacher.

Addendum - the choreography was excellent.


Then I've done Anton a favour.


And who might this one line (no hyphen required) troll be?

Well, that sounds kinda harsh as that is basically the Judy Murray (Fiona Fullerton etc.) description without the big hope thing.

Thought she was actually better then Georgia on the night (or at least equal) and apart from Jamelia, I can't see any of the women do a better Jive this series.

If she is good at the ballroom dances then they might go very far. After all, it has only been two years since Susanna Reid (who also wasn't a dance goddess, as she had quite a few dodgy dances).

I'll second your post.

Anton is great. I've always like him.

At the moment I have a really soft spot for Jay though.

I know you're new here, but it's an open public forum and people can have and share whatever view they.

You may not agree with them, but it's not up to you to suggest what attitude everyone should take because you may not approve of their views. We are not here to wag our fingers at people.

Live and let live!

A bit of an overreaction to a one liner. Now I wonder why?

But hey, I'm cool with that. You wag your finger back as much as you like. It entertains me!

That is a lovely post! I thought his own dancing wasn't great, but yes so nice to see him really enjoying a dance as opposed to inevitably going for a gimmicky joke routine.

I absolutely adore Anton, and really enjoyed his and Katie's performance. Katie has a lovely elegance about her, and definitely one to watch in this series.

Katie was far far better than I expected. Watching their jive I think this pair will go quite deep into the competition.

I'll admit even I had a somewhat soppy smile on my face after their dance

I thought their dancing was great but the studio audience didn't really catch on, certainly not in a big way. Why was that?

Not that keen on Anton - he's not nearly as funny as he thinks, and come across as a tad lazy.
But I do LOVE a bit of posh totty.

I really enjoyed their dance. About time Anton got a contender. I hope they go far.