They do mine luvvie, a vain of truth, in this hedonistical clamour for escapism of a program does no harm but anoints a moment of truth in the sometimes bland comments from so called stars

Ote hasn't spent a long time being paired with utter no-hopers nor has she been given utterly unsuitable music. I like Ote a lot actually but just saying. Also her choreography hasn't been ripped to shreds by someone who is normally overlooks that type of thing. Ote has a ringer she knows it, she can afford to be laid back.

To be honest with you most people won't know or care about previous years . I watch every year and still struggle to remember who danced with who ?
Didn't Natalie dance with Ricky Whittle if my memory serves me right ?
Personally I start every year afresh and normally love Natalie and her attitude . This week I found her a little needy and bleating about the whole saga . My first thought was " buck up Nat and put it behind you "
My guess is that others may well think the same

Yeah she'll forever be Strictly goddess in my eyes but "advanced rumba"? No one's falling for that one, Nat!

I can sort of understand it though - it's been years since she got anywhere near the final, so being partnered with someone fit, young and popular was bound to raise her hopes. And now she's realising it's probably not going to happen once again (especially with it only being a 3-couple final this time) so a hint of desperation's crept into some of her routines and responses. It's not like with Oti who can shrug off criticism of her choreographical choices because Danny's pretty much assured a place in the final regardless.

Greg got the same score last week as bloody Ed Balls. How is that right?

I've tried the Advanced Rumba excuse when a culinary creation doesn't turn out right.
Fools no-one

Do you mean your Rum baba Mimi ?

Because ... Ed's dance had cha cha cha content whereas, according to Craig and Len (may be even Darcey, I forget), Natalie's "advanced" rumba lacked in content. Both Ed and Greg delivered in terms of performance and whilst Greg is more flexible and lithe than Ed I'm not sure his timing is as good.

It was Darcey and Craig who specifically called out lack of content - Len just settled for "you sacrificed technique for performance" (although he did comment on the quality or otherwise of Greg's basic rumba steps so he did see some in there).

Good or bad, Ed did dance a Cha Cha with proper steps.

Because he had the proper music kind of helps. So much for you being a supporter.

Supporter or not, you have to be honest about it,

You see I don't think you're honest about being a supporter holding two contary opinions at once isn't a supporter it's being a double agent or at least a spy.

I wish I was a real life spy. I have no time be a double agent. Whether people believe it or not, I will be happy if Greg wins it. I have said it repeatedly that Greg must be topping the public votes and sure to get to QF.

My immediate concern is to carry Laura through to Blackpool, I doubt it.

I will happy if Laura, Greg or Claudia win.

Should Kevin win, I will be fuming for a very long time.

I am neutral towards the rest of them.

No, no, no, no, nooooo!

Here's Lichfield's most famous son, Samuel Johnson, on the subject of contradictoriness, bless him. OCD sufferer and intensely sage in his unhappy, unsettled and truthful way:

'Inconsistencies [...] cannot both be right, but imputed to man, they may both be true.'
(from Rasselas)

Gawd, our heads can hold so much at the same time

Evening

Evening

God still doing weather references with Carol

Evening!

Laura and Gio tonight.

I'm looking forward to seeing more training footage from her and the others whose clips we haven't seen yet

The height of Richard!

Only a year on

It's bonkers! Do you think they heighten the doors or excavate a channel to let him into buildings?

If he took part and did the Jive well... the rules of Strictly will be torn apart forever.

Gio!! I want one

Danny and Oti looking amazing.