THAT'S IT, couldn't bloody remember it. Loved that series. Cheers

Lovely exit interview from Claudia and AJ. I'm not a fan of the phrase but feel that out of all the contestants, she has grown the most as a person. I feel like this experience is only going to help her gymnastics, and I hope once she is over her disappointment of leaving the show, she is able to channel all that confidence she has gained into her gym work.

It was lovely. I thought it was quite sad when she said that she had spent so many years doing gymnastics it was good to do something completely different. Its as if a new world has been opened up to her.

I was very touched by what Claudia said about the competition tonight on ITT. Wish her all the success in all the varied and exciting adventures life will take her on. Lovely lovely girl with so much to be proud of already.

It was very nice indeed... I hope she use the Bugsy Malone music for her Floor Exercise... She got a big chance to medal next World Championship.

I know everyone says that the show changes their lives, but it just feels so much more tangible with Claudia- I think probably because she has obviously lived such a sheltered life (I don't mean that in a bad way) up until now.

Particularly if/when that single flops

It was sad, as if she was already burnt out by gymnastics. I didn't quite get the thing about gaining confidence. She must have been hugely confident already to achieve what she has. Four golds at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, for a start.

for me it was telling that she said strictly was the only thing she had chosen for herself and by herself

What a lovely exit interview with Claudia and AJ! She made it sound as though Strictly gave her a much needed break from gymnastics - hopefully she'll go back to it feeling refreshed.

And AJ... anyone who thinks he makes it all about him should watch this interview - generous, attentive & complementary - he rightly made that exit interview all about her. Brilliant!

I think she just meant confidence outside of gymnastics; meeting new people, learning the dances, prime time TV and everything that comes with it.

Of course you do. It would have eliminated the most serious rival to your favorite (Ore) and, without unflattering comparisons with Danny, he might even look a better dancer.

I agree with most of what you say here. I too enjoyed both Quicksteps. I enjoyed Dannys dance very much but it was not an American Smooth. It was more a contemporary routine with a bit of VW added with some lifts. I also feel that Danny is rather ungainly in his footwork. It certainly lost its impact for me, the second time around and I noticed more mistakes, perhaps it was the pressure of being in the DO.

Claudia on the other hand, danced a sublime QS,even better second time around, it was very very good indeed. It was a complex routine that would not have looked out of place on a competition floor outside of Strictly. The frame, footwork and energy put into the dance was superb.Not overdanced, but danced with controlled energy. They covered the floor extremely well and Claudia made it look very natural.

I am unbiased as I don't favour any couple in particular, I am watching the dancing only and will "judge" on that.

There is absolutely no doubts in my mind that based on the dance off only, Claudia should have stayed. Quality of movement wins for me, every time.

I thought that too - makes you realise just how hard and limited some of these young sports' stars lives really are

[b]
BIB. Oh, if only the same could be said of our esteemed judges .... Praps you could replace Len?!

I agree Danny's routine didn't have the same impact once the element of surprise was gone. It seemed a bit gimmicky, though I did still love the leap off the pier .

I thought we had the wrong bottom two and didn't want either Danny or Claudia to leave, but she won that dance off. I wish Tess would stop saying, "Based on the dance off alone...". It's adding insult to injury


Claudia and AJ were lovely on ITT. I'm going to miss our two young 'uns

I absolutely adore AJ, what a perfect young gentleman he is.

In my opinion, two things come into play here...
1) - There is a hidden agenda or bias, call it what you will, with the judges.
2) - Or the DO is not a DO, judged on the dances alone in the DO. If they are judging previous weeks performances, please don't insult our intelligence and call it a dance off as it is not.

No question that Claudia should have stayed. All my dancing friends including Professionals said the same thing. Shame.

I'd agree with that. I think judging is just so subjective and dancing must come down to personal taste and it just seemed to me that the judges just didn't warm to Claudia's dancing as much as say Ore or Louise.

I too thought Claudia danced much better and deserved to stay but it's clear that the DO is really about who is the best overall dancer and in that sense Danny should have been saved.

Think AJ has been a brilliant addition to the show. Do you know if he is returning next year Jennifer?- you seem to be in the know about these things haha!

I actually don' t know about this as yet - but will keep my ear to the ground !. However I think we all are aware that they sign yearly contracts, so when that will be., who knows...possibly spring time/ early summer.

Yes I agree that dancing is subjective and down to personal tastes, but that only really comes into play when the dances are of an equal standard. The judges SHOULD be able to detirmine who are the better dancers first and foremost. The viewers will look upon it differently as most have their favourites and these are not neccessarily the best dancers. Judges are paid to judge and to look for the best dancers in the dance off. This did not happen.

I agree. If the judges are going to base their decisions on who they like the most, then do away with them altogether and just have everything decided by the public - let them comment if they must, but not score.

If you say the dance off is based on that head-to-head alone, then you have to follow that through. Or be honest, and say, I thought x danced better, but y is a better dancer over all.


I'm not naive about TV and accept an editorial hand is a necessary part of making things entertaining, but there has to be some honesty and integrity.

If you're asking the public to participate - and especially if you're asking them to pay for phone votes (regardless of where the money goes) - you have a different kind of contract with them that demands a higher level of 'fair dealing' imo. I don't think it's good for the show to allow the bias to be quite so apparent, and more than anything (more than wanting my favourite to win), I want the show to be successful and respected.

If you read the post I was replying to, you would understand why I did it. Or perhaps you don't want to acknowledge that.

Personally I'm a bit torn.

Claudia got through a dance off with a very shoddy jive, over Greg who arguably danced better - because, I think, she was seen as a better all round dancer. And I wasn't too bothered to be honest.

I think this is what happened with Danny, and, again, I can see why they did it. But the yelling about Ore and Louise, and not acknowledging Danny's position with the judges grates rather a lot.

What was your opinion of Claudia's dance off against Greg? I thought her jive was shockingly bad and Greg, though far from perfect, completely out danced her.

I agree! Perfect attitude from AJ, and a heart warming interview from Claudia. Claudia got almost everything worth getting out of Strictly - well earned.

I agree with you, on that occasion, Greg should have stayed most definitely. Claudias jive was very poor.

Yes they were both really good , also did I notice a slight little bit of a dig at the judging? or maybe I had to much Bacardi and coke? whoops