thanks for this, never fails to make me laugh, as for Jay's jive, it's the best dance of the series so far, imo, and he's my clear favourite now

So great! I just loved it, they nailed the cool detachment of PF at the beginning too.


She is really great when she gets someone with potential. Two she has had and made the final both times, will this be a third? I would bet on yes!

Yes, it was. I love Natalie, but tonight's was cool, clever and beautifully danced. It was far more sophisticated, technically brilliant and current.

I love both dances, I thought Scott and Natlie's was more "humourous" while Jay and Aliona's was "cool" like the film - two very different types of jive, but equally good. How brilliant it is that such different dances can be so good in different ways, that is what makes Strictly so enjoyable, you just never now when you will be surprised and excited.

I was the same it was fab!! Then found out he's a trained dancer!!! Wtf the technique are used by Brendan and James with the kicks and flicks made me a tad mad!!

Just because you think he must know how good he is, doesn't mean he does know himself. To be on live TV, dancing like that then being judged is completely different to anything he'd have done before with whatever training he has had.

Indeed. Most actors and actresses have had some dance training (I bet Kelly Bright has) and even the athletes like Louis Smith have a distinct advantage in strength, poise and fitness. Last year's winner Caroline Flack even had ballroom dancing experience, so I think it's a bit late in the day in this show to start churning out the same old tired arguments. Leave the boy alone, he did great.

His body movement was fantastic. There are a few issues with overactive arms at times and he needs to learn how to act a part - but his turns, his footwork, his core stability were amazing. Clearly the best dance of the night. I was just surprised at how he was able to keep everything perfectly balanced going at that speed.

I think that was intentional and channeling the scene from Pulp Fiction, the perfor their dance casual and in a nonchalant way.

I said the same thing after he finished it, he'll be doing that one again!

Credit where credit's due! I can't see how anyone could fault it.

Have you seen Pulp Fiction - he was doing the dance from there where John Travolta also does, as you put it, odd things with his free hand

Jay did after school dancing and then 3 years at a drama / dance school. So... Not a lot different to about 40% of strictly contestants. If we look at this year alone we've got Helen, Kellie, Peter who could be listed in the same camp. Prior to this he doesn't appear to have any Latin or ballroom experience - just contemporary & street dance. Again, not different to Caroline Flack who won

Using the same techniques as Brendan or James isn't indicative of him having performed jive before. It's just an indication that he is capable of picking up dance training well and that Aliona is a good teacher for him. He clearly has natural ability and I personally think that's a good thing

The "I trained to dance for years, but I'm shocked that I can dance" expressions are starting to grate now. It's more than a little disingenuous.

The jive was fantastic but he won't ever get my votes as I much prefer to see a"journey" by someone with little or no dance experience. I'd love to see Anita lift the glitter ball.

It was great but kinda showed he is now newbie to dance or as shy as he made out in previous weeks

Maybe missing no the X factor funnily enough lol

Love aliona. though so I'm happy for her

Aliona is now the best dancer and choreographer on the show.

Exactly. And brilliantly adapted. Of course, Strictly being 'family entertainment' they started with milk shake sipping, whereas in the film Travolta is jacked up on smack and Uma overdoses just after this dance.

I look forward to the ear cutting scene from reservoir dogs being recreated next year in movie week.

Are you kidding - Jay can't act for toffee. That's something he needs to add to his dancing - expression, acting a part. His shock is the praise he is receiving. I suspect he was expecting them to point at faults. I think his tendency to have a blank expression in the dance is because he is trying to remember everything and trying to match up with his partner.

I feel this is well within, for e.g., Gleb's choreographic ambition.

I understand some people find it off putting because he has had training and I have said before that the judges don't take into account that others are starting from scratch but I would not have missed out on that dance for anything. I thought it was amazing and just so Pulp Fiction. All credit to Aliona as well I thought she was amazing and the choreography was brilliant. Off to watch it for the 10th time

Edit:- comment moved to another thread

I know it sounds like hyperbole, and I know some will disagree, but that Jive deserved 40.

Eeeeeeek I've just got in. Was just about to sneaky watch it on YouTube but have decided to watch the whole show to fully appreciate the dance in context with the others.

I wonder really, why female celebs have been slaughtered on DS for having had dance training, eg, Denise Van Outen, Natalie out of Corrie, Caroline Flack, yet a bloke pretty much gets applauded for it!

Having said that, it was a brilliant jive. I usually hate the jive, never see it as sexy, and yet this drew me in, I forgot how funny-looking Jay is, and totally immersed myself in the characterisation.

I've never seen Pulp Fiction, so just enjoyed it for what it was.