I've seen no evidence of this beyond Jay fans trying to deflect to be honest. She's definitely taught at drama schools but I've not seen anything specific about dance or that it was at Sylvia Young. If someone would provide a link...

Hmm, I think you're probably right there, Monkseal, based on the quote from Sylvia Young here (second story in the article):
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...cky-races.html

Even if she did teach (which I don't know if she did) it would be highly unlikely to be dance. Surely she'd be teaching acting as that's what her career was in???

The first thing Kirsty did was say that she had done tap and ballet when she was a child. It isn't a problem. The problem is if you actually are good at it.

As you say, it's a different style of dance they have to learn and all of them who have had training seem to have not been doing much of it for several years.

Aint that the truth .

I went to gymnastics classes twice a week for two years as a child and I went from total carp to... a tiny bit less carp.

My sister learnt the piano for three years. She was sh*t too.

It's not the training - it's what you're capable of doing with it. You can also look at it from the perspective that the lower you start from, the steeper your early learning curve is going to be. So someone like Anita is going to appear more impressive because they have natural ability but no initial training and therefore their improvement will be more marked.

some more training here from Helen and Jamelia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cysNN54l3Nk

Helen looks - for want of a better word - to balletic! she needs to loosen up

Liking Jamelias pumping jive action tho

Why do people get so irrate about this. You'd think some of you were Anita's relatives as it seems to matter so much. Where's the eye roll smilie when you need it.

Helen looks too elegant and it's obvious she isn't comfortable doing the Latin dances. I hope Jamelia can pull it off.

As far as I know Kellie doesn't teach dance but acting. She did, however, attend the school as a student which would involve dance (musical theatre). So no different from Jay who is the one who seems to be getting the stick!

Did anyone see Breakfast this morning? They had a piece about the new reality show about making pottery. One thing mentioned was that none of the contestants were complete beginners and all had some sort of experience in potting. If it is OK for the Great British Thrown Down, it is OK for Strictly!

Just like Bake Off .. none of the contestants are new to baking .. they wouldn't get near it if they were. Admittedly, they're not being taught by a professional .. they have to rely on their own skills but too much is made of previous training. My husband has had private guitar lessons for years .. sadly he is still pretty rubbish (don't tell him! he thinks he is getting somewhere )
You have to have the talent. Anita has shown that she has the talent ... from day one she looked as good as any of them .. and better than most .. and that hasn't changed.

This did make me laugh, I was beginning to think that Jay had all his relatives on here the way posters are making excuses for him. Why Anita's relatives by the way

Jeremy's dance is the highlight of my week now. I haven't had the same anticipation of potentially not very good dances since Michael Vaughn's outings! Karen is fantastic with Jezza and I have finally just about, though perhaps not completely forgiven her for replacing Katya.

I can't get too excited about any of the others yet other than Katie Derham, but that's for non-dance reasons.

Awwww!

"That's gonna look wicked if I get it right... when I get it right."

Go Jamelia!

I don't think Helen's looking too horrendous. Obviously a lot of stuff to correct but they're dancing halloween night of strictly come dancing not an international ballroom dance competition. I'm sure she'll produce an entertaining and watchable routine. Her banter with Aljaz is nice too. Love a bit of training room banter.

How did a thread about week 6 training turned into a " dance experience or not " debate ?

I was wondering why this thread was so long ...now I see why

There clearly aren't enough threads about that already

I didnt say she was looking horrendous I also didnt say she was dancing in an international ballroom dance competition - I just said she was looking a little balletic - no need be rude!

Ballerina Hips

My post was not directed at you, or at anyone else in this thread. I wasn't being rude...

I just quoted your post for the link. I wasn't responding to your comments on it at all.

Exactly. I went to ballet Tap Jazz and contemporary every Saturday all day from age 3-16. I would be considered the ringiest of ringers if I was on Strictly, but I can guarantee I would be no better than Kirsty and I bet no one would care about my training because I'm just not a natural dancer much as I would love to be. It's only if people have the audacity to be a natural and very talented combined with a bit of dance training that it's a problem.

I am excited for Jamelia. I knew Jive would be another good dance for her.

I am looking forward to Anita, Georgia , Jay and Jamelia. They look good.

Irish dancing as a child for about 3 years, only stopped when we moved, I think the teacher probably threw a party when I left because she wouldn't have to watch my god awful clod hopping ever again


Really would like her to nail it this week and stay out of the bottom 2

She has explicitly said she didn't go to dance classes as a child, but went to karate instead.

Me too. I appreciate she isn't popular, but she hasn't really put a foot wrong (off the dance floor) since being on Strictly, and it must be hurtful to know people just don't want to give you the benefit of the doubt. I hope she has a great dance and keeps out of the danger zone.