Just that really, I think Jay could go all the way. Seems to be a beautiful dancer. I don't care about his background, its just great to enjoy a male celeb!

It's great isn't it ? If he picks up the ballroom and latin as quick as the other stuff he's had a bit of experience in then he'll be interesting to watch, and a much needed male rival for Peter Andre. This series is top heavy with talented and pretty females, so I'm hoping he'll stay in and do well. If only he'd cut his hair though ..............

From the clip on ITT last night I think he has

he's doing great for someone who is a trained contemporary dancer

I thought he looked brilliant in the training clips, too.
His poise and posture are incredible - like a ballet dancer. I think he's going to be the one I'm most looking forward to seeing each week.

He looked absolutely fab in the training footage!

I think he needs to finish his hands a bit more though. Really picky of me to say but it always bothers me when everything is done so beautifully but then you get Edward Shovelhands on the end of the arm.

You sound just like Craig " Hands - darling."

I know he is trained Skyrah, but even so, we rarely see really good male celebs on Strictly. We have had plenty of female "ringahs" if you like but very few (if any?) men. Im trying to think of any male celebs that have had serious dance training. (I know Jason obviously had some throughout his musicals etc, but can't think of any males.)

We have also seen plenty of males who are natural but untrained dancers and go on "the journey" which is great, but I am really looking forward to seeing Jay dance, I don't really mind who wins anyway, I just like to enjoy the show!

Do you know what that actually means? There's a big difference in studying contemporary dance and actually being a bona fide, recognised contemporary dancer.

Agree Ellie, but that is one of the last things an amateur male dancer usually learns. It like pointing toes and lifting the neck. The great details and the polish? They come later.

I love that he is so good. I am amused that so many people think they know what a 'trained dancer' is and think Jay fits that bill. *eye roll*

He has what it takes, but he has to get there first

I don't tend to like agreeing with James Jordan, but yes, I think Jay looks very promising (though don't want to say a winner at this early stage). To me he looks like he's had some previous dance experience, which I have no problem with if the case. I welcome the fact he can already dance, as I like to watch people dancing. I also like watching people learn frm scratch too, but much prefer the former, and am not ashmed to admit that.

I didn't understand the praise for Peter in the first week as the top male for me was Jay. While Peter can clearly dance in general terms, I didn't really think he was dancing a cha cha to any real visible degree, whereas I thought Jay was actually doing recognisable cha cha steps and moves. I also even pref Anthony's ability to dance his Jive over Peter's attempt, so I'm not going to jump on the Peter train until I feel the dancing direction warrantes.

Slightly disagree, toes are one of the first things as a foundation.

Also to add, his hands were always an issue, looking at the youtube video posted, they were so, so bad back then, now I don't think they are bad at all actually, especially for a male celeb.

you really are one of the few posters on here that talk any sense - thank you sofakat - I always read your posts and find myself nodding in agreement with what you have said

you do know your dance

I agree, I posted after his first ITT interveiw I thjnk he could win this. He can not only dance but he has that shyness, which people tend to go for, and he is not big headed but nervous.

After his first dance I posted that he has the potential to be the best male dancer the show has ever had take part. He seems to have it all, he just needs to loosen up, which I am sure he will after the first dance is done now, he looked so different in the face in the run through on Saturday that they showed on ITT, he just needs to bring that on the live show.

Out of interest, what would you consider a "trained dancer"?

I'd class a trained dancer as someone who has taken a course(s) taught by a professional. Jay definitely fits that bill having attended a *dance* school. The footage linked in another thread demonstrates the eclectic range of styles Jay has learned and performed.

Again, it doesn't bother me that someone has previous experience, but it's frustrating when people are for some reason totally downplaying the experience such a person has!

Proper dance training takes a lot more than 2.5-3 years, which is what stage school kids get as part of a 'musical theatre course' - and that is what many of the SCD 'stars have done. Stage schools do a bit of everything - and none of it very well. They want versatile students, not dancers.

The only difference is when a student has a particular talent and they may concentrate more on tap or jazz. Some will have done ballet classes as well, because they did it as a kid. None if that makes you a 'trained dancer' and it doesn't matter who is teaching you.

Proper dance training can last for 6 to 10 years, and even longer. It has to be total focus. You are talking up to 6 hours a day in classes and one to one training as well. It's a full time job. You do need to start early and train your body as it grows. My training took 12 years plus before I moved on to other dance forms, each of which took between 4 - 7 years to perfect. I learned ballroom in three months because I had the dance training to adapt and adjust to the style. If I had started from scratch it would have taken a heck of a lot longer.

Hope that explains what I mean?

Hush...we're not allowed to mention his previous experience.

I think he's very naturally gifted

Thanks katt. That's really nice of you. I've been dancing since I was 6 so have been immersed in dance forever!

I do love it - although these days I tend to focus on argentine tango, which is the hardest dance in the world to learn - even with all my sodding training!

I just think it's such a simple thing to do that makes everything look so so much better. Split the fingers and bring the thumb and middle finger together slightly. Bosh. Done. That's it. It is a detail but it's not hard at all. You learn how to do it for one dance and you can do it in every dance. If your arm is going somewhere then finish it with that hand position.

I agree that his hands are better than other male celebs but most of the celebs on strictly just seem to totally forget about it.

No, I think balance and knowing what an axis is comes first. Posture is crucial. Then you need to really understand what your body (and head) can do and how to make it work for you, and not against you.

The you have to learn the movement and how to use the floor - with your feet and legs and how to change weight and transition

Perhaps your training was different? Did you do stage? I did classical ballet.

You forgot the shoulder/wrist action Ellie! No wrist action = lumpy hands

I must have dreamt all the threads about it, then

Just personal opinion but:

I think toes (when to point little toe and brush big toe when stepping) are important for Latin. I would put that at intermediate. For Ballroom footwork matters for beginners but pointing toes for would only be important for more advanced picture lines (oversways etc).

I think hands are important in Latin for competition and showcases, although I don't think you truly get to understand arm movement (rib compression, elbow, wrist, hand is what is taught in latin) until more advanced.

I agree that this is what I would think of as being a "trained dancer" but respectfully disagree that you can fully "learn" ballroom... ever. I just don't see it (or any form of dance) as something where you go "right, I know everything there is to know - I have conquered dance, done and dusted!" With dance there is always something to learn, a way to improve - even if you're world number one.

Agree Ellie. I know of one very successful ballroom dancer who says that, if she could go back in time, she would never choose to dance the way she did in her competitive career. She has developed her technique. Everyone is continually learning, developing and perfecting