Me too. He seems a lovely genuine guy who brings a breath of fresh air to the show. And I like him. Wouldn't be the same without good old Anton

Firstly no one suggested that Katie taught herself the jive.
Secondly complimentary references have been made to Anton's choreography. I hadn't questioned the fact that the routine might not even have been Anton's work - but it would appear you had doubts.

Whether the dance was the fruit of his choreography or not is immaterial - Katie had to be taught and Anton taught her well.

My point - and the only point I have made is that imo the student accomplished it better than the teacher.

Now I suggest that all those Anton fans who have gone into an apoplectic rage at what they erroneously discern as an insult to their favourite take a deep breath, grow a thicker skin and actually read a post for what it says; not take umbrage at their own misinterpretation.

I'm not in a rage Ignazio. Did my post sound angry? I was replying to a thread which you started and didn't even address my response specifically to you. I said in a previous thread that Anton wouldn't get credit for teaching Katie if she danced well and was (in my mind) following up on that comment (even if not entirely obvious )

Even so, I don't think you can feel that hard done by surely? You must have known that in starting a negative thread (well I guess it was positive for Katie ) there was a good chance you would not get a positive response from everyone?

You didn't say a lot of things in your original post, I absolutely agree. Maybe that is the problem? It seemed rather ungenerous even if that wasn't your intention.

But since you are saying more positive things now, then no problem with me. I can see what you are saying about their comparative performance (although still don't fully agree )

Btw, I'm not a huge Anton fan. I just want to see a different Anton story this year as it gets a bit boring.

I think you're right. Can't say I've warmed to Katie much but that's beside the point. We've been here before in series 7 with Laila, when she was touted as Anton's best partner and the one he was going to make the final with. The usual lies were spouted then, about him never having scored over 30 or topped the leader board. He had done both, with previous partners, Lesley Garrett and Patsy Palmer. Anton had a tendency to make it all about him in series 7 as well, and Laila sort of got lost in the partnership.

As for Katie's dance ability, she danced the jive well enough but I'd have liked to have seen how well she did, dancing apart from Anton. The bits they danced side by side, when normally both partners are separate and dancing on their own- she had hold of Anton's hand the entire time. Possibly made it easier for her and masked a few things.

I'm delighted that Anton doesn't have a duffer!

I noticed that too . I'm sure it helped but i can't be too critical of any celeb for their first dance .

You could say that this is what Strictly should be about....

People (not saying you in particular Ignazio) grumble about the Pros overdancing and not showcasing their celebs.....

Couldn't disagree more. I always worry when someone starts with an obvious backhanded compliment. What don't you like about her, it seems the fact that she was 'lucky' enough to be paired with Anton? Not sure what the significance of the words 'Great White Hope' are?

Paired with anyone else but Anton she might well now be second favourite to win the competition. Given the limited evidence with the exception of Andre as far as I can see she appears to have as much natural talent and potential as anyone. She might not be well known to the popstar/soapstar brigade but clearly isn't an unknown to many and I suspect doesn't need the 'hook' of Anton to progress very well. If anything she will need to be extra good in half the dances to actually compensate for Anton.

I thought they made a great start. It will be interesting to see if they can keep it up. Hope so.

Very true

I'm not a dance expert, so I couldn't say whether Katie was better than Anton. I would seriously doubt it though, given their vastly different levels of experience.

Whatever, theirs was my second favourite dance of the weekend (after Helen's charming waltz.)

If you see Anton and Erin shows or have ever been on their dance weekend or taught by them you will know how fit, quick, masterful at any dance and fantastic live shows choreographer Anton is

I wouldn't mind risking a few pounds on Anton for the win this year. I wonder how prescient the remarks made by the judging panel were? Whatever else they were, I dobt that they were off the cuff.

If Anton can fudge samba and salsa, I can see him producing a passable cha cha and I can't believe his paso will be any cheesier than about 90% of all pasos have been throughout the entirety of SCD.

I'm really hoping for some lovely ballroom from the pairing. I don't care what ANYONE says, and maybe Anton's ballroom style has been superseded by a more modern genre, I find him gorgeous to watch (just his dancing, you understand). I suspect many others do, too.

Add that to the recognition factor - talk to just about anyone about SCD, and Anton does tend to be the first name that many seem to mention. I know his mugging around drives many here crazy - doesn't bother me - but others find him jolly amusing. All apocryphal, I know - but I suspect that Anton is a whole lot more popular with the shall we say less invested SCD viewer as opposed to the addicts that inhabit this forum!

Off to see what odds I can get for the win. Apart from anything else, just think how fabulously incandescent this forum would be if Anton actually won...........

Interestingly I was watching Pointless a few weeks back and there was a question about naming any professional dancer who has ever taken part in Strictly - a few pointless answers, a few less than 10, some then middle-range (ie up to about 30) a couple of 40-odd and way out in front (and therefore the 'worst' pointless answer) was Anton who scored over 60, so yes, I think the recognition factor is very valid.

I'm not really sure on this one OP. The judges said it was a 'sophisticated' jive from Katie and compared to how Anton danced it I agree. He seemed a bit overly energetic, crazily energetic but I don't know if that's how it should have been danced and Katie (being the novice) did a more toned down version. (it is a very fast paced dance after all).

He's got a very good partner this year but he's had good partners in the passed and not done very much with them. I'm not a fan of his Latin. I just don't think he's very good. He's the master of the ballroom and I fear with other newer professional dancers (Giovanni, Gleb, Aliaz, Tristan) they'll put more innovation into their routines than he will do.

They are a good partnership in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKl_MUARswk

Anton going on about her looks and Katie waving a PC flag.

Katie is also quick-witted and as they get to know each other, I think they will score a lot of points with viewers as entertainers.

Katie really wants to do the Samba and from Anton's reaction, he may have listed it as the dance he wanted the producers to avoid pairing him with this year. It will be an added bit of interest to see Anton in full Carmen Miranda mode if Katie gets her wish.

Wearing a nifty titfer piled high with fruit! Oh yes please!