After tonight's slightly all-over-the-place marking, I've been wondering which is the best option and which deserves better marks.

1. A safe, simple routine that a celeb can dance without really thinking

or

2. A tricky routine that challenges the celeb but that means that they may make some mistakes in the process, while performing the rest of the routine well.

Surely the pros should be pushing the celebs, but that then risks the judges marking down for mistakes. Or do we end up with safe routines every week so that mistakes don;t get penalised?

I know which I prefer - I want to see the celebs being challenged.

A routine doesn't have to be complicated to challenge the celeb. The point the judges were making to Daniel, for example, was that he approached his routine too safely. I.e. You can really challenge yourself in terms of movement (across the floor, swing, sway) in a simple routine. If you see some top professionals dance simple routines, they look beautiful.

However if you want to jazz up a routine, there are always some crowd pleasing movements you can mix in with the simpler stuff. So best approach is some good basic stuff, punctuated with some wow moments.

I agree completely. There was nothing wrong with Daniel's routine as such, but it completely lacked any energy or drive, and ended up just looking nice'ish, but bland.

In contrast, the quickstep Giovanni choreographed for Georgia was full of basic steps, but danced so well, it was anything but bland, even the more challenging moves were still authentic quickstep. For me, the result was the best dance of the night.