IMO it is principally a Dancing Competition but it appears that some people are making the reason for voting for the hopeless Celebs because it is an Entertainment Show however if that is the case why do the Celebs spend a lot of hours learning a different Dance every week. If it is an Entertainment show perhaps Carol and Jeremy should learn to tell some joke because they cant Dance imo and they are going to stay longer than a lot of Celebs that are miles better than them.

Again imo people can vote for whoever they like but using the Entertainment argument as an excuse for voting for certain hopeless Celebs is pathetic.

It is primarily an entertainment show but as the show progresses it becomes more focused towards dance - the demand and expectation increases (more than one dance a week etc).

Why does someone get annoyed about this every year? We know the score .. Chris Hollins won series 7.

if it was a dance show they would have better judges and all professionals would be proficient in both styles of dance - so its an entertainment show

I'm baffled at people who honk "IT'S A DANCE SHOW" and then expect people to vote for thoroughly mediocre dancers like Kirsty, Jamelia, Ainsley, Daniel and whoever, just to get their own person hate-figures out. If it was a DAHNCE SHOW only 4 or 5 people would get any votes at all.

^^^^^This.

I can't believe anyone would still bother to pose this question...

Jeremy and carol will go once all the less able go out. Give Jeremy a chance, he is trying hard and knows his limitations. It's right that there are a few non dancers.He is very popular, and the more sarcastic comments you make about saga viewers will keep him in there for longer.

It's an entertainment show for all the family based around ballroom dancing, there's judges who provide half the votes and the the other half is made up from viewers, some who vote for the best dancers and others for who are their favourites.

This format works well. If it was purely an dance competition, they'd call it "Come Dancing," again, but you know what happened to that. It was far too middle-class orientated. "Come on Home Counties East!"

I really don't care who wins. I'm sure some others think the same.

Think that a lot of people see it as a package. They vote for Jay (best dancer) and also throw in a vote or two for the entertainment (Jeremy).

Why people vote for Carol? Haven't got a clue. Would have said some dirty old men, but that is not Strictly's audience group really

Mind you, if they both survive past Blackpool (so, the next three eliminations; including tonight) then we are back at square one (also known as series 6).

It is always the same for the first 6 or7 weeks, the 'hopeless celebs' are kept in by their fans. As the weeks go by they are gradually weeded out and the ones that can dance are left in.

Technically its a entertainment show with a dance competition element which actually is a popularity contest. The" is it a dance competition or an Entertainment Show" argument is used every year. Just enjoy the show for what it is.

People vote for who they like. It's not complicated. They also vote for someone if they think they need protecting. They react to the panto atmosphere of the judging. Voting is irrational really, people's reasons are going to be irrational (otherwise defined as 'not agreeing with me'). I also don't agree with lumping Jeremy and Carol together, btw.

Not in disagreement with your. opinion but for the middle class comment we danced on CD several times and believe me dancers involved were as class mixed as you could find

Come dancing participants were wide ranging. Viewers not so much.

Do you mean TV was watched primarily by the middle class in those days ??

What I meant it was more about the way it was presented. Hence my "Come on Home Counties East," comment.
Terry Wogan was the "odd one out," but then he in his green velvet jacket was only there, "to count and tell you about the sequins on the female dancers' dresses."

Me thinks OP is really pi$$ed off that Carol & Jeremy are still there ...

They have every right to be on Strictly as are the likes of Jay.

If majority of the viewers wish to vote to keep them in the show, then so be it, you nor anyone else dictate who we should vote for.

I shall give my votes to Jeremy every week until he is eliminated, who knows if the Stictly Gods are smiling he may even reach the final

Talent Opera

People vote for all sorts of reasons. Some will always vote for the young pretty woman, some seem to vote for the pro dancer regardless of their partner, and then others will reward entertainment or just sheer effort.

^ All this.

I also think lumping Jeremy and Carol into the same hopeless dufferland suggests a lack of discernment on the part of the OP. Carol is pleasant but lumpen, and, sorry to say, really very dull to watch; Jeremy, on the other hand, is engaged and full of delighted enthusiasm and that's why he's generating such effortless warmth from the voters.

The perfect answer.

I will add that I need no excuse for voting for Jeremy every week so far, I will continue to do so and couldn't care who goes before him. I get more pleasure watching him than some of those who are seen as more deserving. It makes me happy to watch someone work hard, give it their best shot and dance with such joy. For me I can't think of a better advert for light hearted Saturday night tv than that. There is room for everyone on Strictly so I will enjoy Jeremy while he is still on the show.

This ^^^^^

And why is this same question asked every year? Tsk.

The first half of the series is an Entertainment Show, the second half is a Dance Competition.

Is and always has been an entertainment show.

As the show's creator Fenia Vardanis said:


And yes, I have the original source of where she said it, it was in an interview in the Sunday Express discussing how she'd not made any money from SCD's global success because she was a BBC employee so the copyright belonged to them.


And Christopher Parker was in the final of Series One

If it was a dance competition it would be on at silly O'clock on BBC2. Sadly.

IMO Its an entertainment show loosely based on dancing and getting looser. Last night the dancing seemed to be overlooked altogether. Hey Ho Tomorrow is another day.