Post of the day

Yes, you are right, however I was just making the point that even amongst those participants who are not professional performers, there is still a good chance that some may have had some dancing experience at some stage in their lives, simply as a member of the general population.

Yes very true, did Katie do any dancing as a kid cause some of her movements are quite good for a complete beginner??

Ive just torn up the dance floor at a 21st. And i was amazing!!! Ive never had any training yet i bet i would be great on stricty because i have balance and know my left from my right.....Who even cares? Nobody

Same applies to how i feel about previous training on this show. If they show eagerness and put in the hours and take on board comments then i am all for it.

Oh my goodness! Am I on Stalker's Forum? The lengths some people go to, to find out every little detail of a celeb's life, amazes and frightens me! Somebody not only found out exactly where Jay went to dance classes, but even scoured the internet for the course timetable at his dance/drama school!

Jay is 23 year old lad who was in a boy band from the age of 17. He was never a dancer, but a performer, yes. Like Kelly Bright, who was appearing in musicals from age 11, or Helen George, with her ballet training. In fact, apart from the sportsmen, all the celebs are performers at some level, who went to drama and dance school for years whilst living out their own dreams or those of their parents, of stardom.

Jay danced the waltz beautifully last week, he was mesmerising tonight in the jive. That can't be taught! The difference between somebody like Jay, or Caroline, or Lewis Smith, and the others is something called talent. They have it in spades. They'll shine at whatever they put their minds to, they have that extra ingredient, the thing that compels us to watch them again and again. Some call it the X factor. Whatever it is, all the naming and blaming and shaming won't take it away from them.

I've no idea. I do think she is very elegant in her movements... although that may just be how she is naturally.

I do also think however that there are some sports which might offer a degree of benefit in performing certain dances - be it a good sense of balance or timing or in some cases, just core strength.

Steady on. It's hardly stalking if it's out there in the public domain. I can't see why that would "frighten" you.

I second that

But with charisma.

Without making it a big issue - if Jay at 13 had classes at a dance school and then spent 3 years at college doing some dancing, well if he's only 23 then it was 't exactly years ago was it? I'd imagine he'd remember a fair bit of it.

The jive was terrific though - great to watch.

I have great news which will calm your nerves. Instead of 'scouring the internet' and 'stalking' there is a great devise called Google that lets you find out basic facts about public figures in a matter of seconds.. Try it - you could find out Jay is actually 25 without any bother and no danger anyone thinking you are a stalker, just well-informed.

They all bring with them certain advantages and disadvantages. The actors know how to perform and sell the dance even though they may not be great technically. Sports people know how to train, will generally be fitter and stronger and will take criticism better than most. Certain celebs bring with them a fan base. PA and DO for example. So therefore it's never a level playing field and that is without even taking into account natural ability.

Bravo

I have no problems with anyone having had dance training but they should be marked accordingly. Ofcourse someone with dance training needs to show more improvement than someone without dance training. Therefore to me since Jay is an accomplished dancer, he needs to have made more of an improvement than Anita Rani, Jeremey, Kirsty, Carol, Anthony and Jamilia. In context, they have made more improvement than Jay.

In what way has he been open and honest about it? I've found out only by reading posts here. His "profile" on the Strictly Web site lists a couple of schools, but it's not clear from that how much training he's had.

I've never found Jay's dancing mesmerising or compelling to watch. He's clearly had considerable training, and enough 'talent' to benefit from it, but I've seen no sign of any "X factor".

Art is subjective though Veri

I don't get your logic. Surely others who may have more to learn should improve more than someone who is already at a better level then them, and has arguably less to learn?

i don't think it's that subjective. This isn't a case where I can see how someone could be mesmerised or compelled, even though it doesn't work for me.

When he was announced on the radio he said straight away that he had studied contemporary dance at college.


Peter Andre may not be dance trained but he has been working with professional choreographers and dancers for years and years.

Actually this is exactly that case.

I get that it didn't work for you but to say you can't see how it could compel someone else is presumptuous. The fact that this dance already has over a million Facebook views clearly indicates it's pretty compelling to a good chunk of people.

Anita hasn't made any improvement though .. she was good from the very start.

In the past having previous training has stopped some people from winning. Do you think Jay will suffer the same fate as them or will it be different.

Personally I'm not bothered I want to see good dancing regardless.

It depends on whether people like him. If somebody is not liked a dancing experience is a huge problem, if they are liked it can be easily excused. Also there is no journey, because he is already there. If he's perfect week after week it will get boring and somebody else improving will take over.

Oh I think she does each week even if its minute IMO. She was good from the start because she learnt from her partner and the training from the last few weeks shows.