^ I agree. Jay's detractors seem to me to be hunting desperately for something bad about his dancing. They are clearly rattled by his talent which obviously threatens their favoured one, and Jay himself is so inoffensive...

They were AMAZING. The audience reaction was incredible. Jay looked stunned

It takes 2 to tango and they were both fabulous. Jay made those 3 spins look effortless without a wobble in sight and when Aliona sidestepped away pushing her right hip at him, it was the sexiest thing I have seen on Strictly.

I rewatched today, and there is one point in the early part of the jive(You Never Can Tell), when they lift the opposite leg and flick that foot back. They touched their feet, that was amazing to be in perfect timing that like. Never seen any other celeb on Strictly ever be able to do that.

Yes he was that good.

They were spectacular, deserved more than one 10. Professional standard!!

They were very good but not excellent so not a 10. But great. I enjoyed watching that jive so much. Great work Aliona.

I've watched this more than 20 times now......Jay and Aliona WERE that good.

Without doubt the best dance ever performed on Strictly!!!

I really can't believe that you think that Jay was overrated, and then go on to say that the awful Andre was "fantastic"

He was dreadful, clumsily clomping around with very few dance steps, and as another viewer aptly described, "dressed in a girls blouse, and looking like a big girls blouse!"

If it walks like a duck etc

They were good, but I didn't take to their dance, just personal.

The only thing that could have improved the performance would have been Aliona unbuttoning her shirt and girating slowly on the dance floor. Wow, what a babe!

Funny you should say that but as stunning as Aliona is, I think the long white shirt was part of the super sexiness of the look. Ola generally cavorts in next to nothing and looks trashy & slutty/ Sexy isn't what you show, its what you hide/promise

Loved loved Jay and Aliona's Jive, absolutely spectacular, and the marks were well deserved. Great dancer, and a lovely humble quality, gets my vote.

The only thing I'd say that would make it a tiny bit better is if Jay could tell his face he's having a good time. He has quite a blank expression, probably, trying to concentrate so hard. Dance wise though it was perfect.

Jay and Aliona were fabulous. I've never seen a more exciting nice by a professional male never mind a celeb. Brilliant

Of course they were fabulous. Jay made the professional males look amateurish.

You could say he was in character. This time no fake smiles were required, it was supposed to look disinterested.

I think Jay and Aliona were brilliant and as good as two well trained dancers should be.

I think so too. There were a couple of times when he caught Alionas eye and a teeny smile popped out and also when they went to Misirlou and the crowd roared they both cheesy grinned.

I think it was characterisation. I get why people say it was the same face every week, but the waltz shouldn't be a big smiley face and I think he was terrified in the cha cha so I say let's give him one more party latin to bring his happy face before we judge.

They were incredible

And if not, it looked like one Although those blasé Travolta moves were acting.

I think it just happened to all be just what Jay and Aliona needed for a dance, music and theme. It all came together - a bit like Louis and Flavia and the zombie themed Tango which was another great dance - like this Jive - so we have seen similar before.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xB1A0GsvVE

We had SEB's Charleston and Jake's Salsa. The Jive may be a bit like that, because Jay's Waltz in hold, while very good, wasn't superb like Harry's - and Harry was a beginner at dancing.

I'm sure we will see more great dancing from Jay, but it may not be that good every week.

Jay won't score 9's and 10's every week but he deserved every mark on Sturday's performance.

I thought they did a great job - and, as a previous poster mentioned, that little synchronised backward kick with Aliona was fab...it was actually my second favourite move of the night (surpassed only by Gleb & Anita's divine lift/catch from the floor).

Jay comes across as a decent guy...that said, I don't believe for one second that he doesn't realize how naturally gifted he is. You don't get anywhere in showbiz without a (rather large) modicum of self-belief...and, while he might need to perfect his craft, performing on Strictly is totally in his wheelhouse.

I crossed paths with The Wanted at a media 'do' a few years ago - trust me, there were no wallflowers in that group LOL.

I think Jay might have to get more comfortable being out 'front and centre' but I don't buy this "Oh my God, was I that good? Is all this fuss for little old me?" routine. In my opinion, he knows he is talented but he is also savvy enough to realize that alone won't guarantee him a win, and that the Strictly audience love to see a personal triumph - whether it's overcoming nerves, a lack of experience - or even a complete lack of ability...as long as you give it your all! And that isn't a criticism against Jay - on the contrary, I think he's playing an absolute blinder.