I totally agree with this, if one gets a poor dance to improve then they should all have their poorest dance to improve etc would hate one to be given an already good dance and others be given a dance they were poor at

Oh they get past that by saying 'lowest scoring' and then giving some celebs week one/two dances and others dances they muffed up! Very subtle manipulation.
I preferred it when they picked their favourite dance. Having said that, they would have forced Jay to do his jive last year!!

What they tend to do is choose dances that scored very similar marks. Although even that can be subtly biased to favour someone.

Katie & Anton getting a QS (26) or Kellie & Kevin getting a Tango (27)

Well that was a brief ITT - skipped all the rubbish and just watched the interviews with the finalists. I thought it was really interesting how much Danny and Ore focused on thanking and praising their pro partners, and want to win it for them, whereas there doesn't seem to be the same level of close friendship between Louise & Kevin.

I thought they all came across well though, it'll be a good final no matter who wins.



She's doesn't really have a choice given Zoe's kept asking them every time they appear! But so what if she does - he clearly puts in a huge number of hours so why not shout about it, dedication is a good thing!


Exactly I thought their interview was lovely and their partnership is one of my favourites ever on Strictly! I'd love them to win, but even if they don't I'm glad they've got this far.

I think they obviously get on really well. Louise isn't the gushing kind and I thought what she said about the 'lads' was lovely.

I've just caught up with the show and enjoyed the interviews with all three couples. They are probably the nicest bunch in a final I can remember.

I think that's the only story there. He's obviously not on a journey, talking about confidence would be silly (though Danny does go on about his nerves) and talking about why Danny's doing the show (it's a performance gig for him and a calling card for future jobs) wouldn't fit in with the narrative the show is selling.


Agree with this (and have enjoyed your ongoing pro-Ore crusade, Rhumbatugger).

I find it interesting how much dislike there is for Ore. In contrast, Danny is a blank slate so I guess there's less to dislike and more room for projection.

I think that Danny and Oti mentioned their long training hours because everyone thinks that he's good due to being in Wicked and going to Arts Ed. People think that he doesn't have to work hard.

Exactly. His family pointed out what a perfectionist he is. As such perfectionists do tend to work longer and harder at getting things right. Oti must be both delighted and exhausted.

Agreed.

I hope that Danny and Oti get a chance to relax before the tour starts.

Brendan Cole mentioned it in his blog and said the pair of them (Danny and Oti) are incredibly dedicated. Said he felt guilty when he rocked up to training to find that Danny had already been there for hours.
People watch him though and presume it comes easily. Of course he has oodles of natural talent but practice does make perfect and it's especially important if you're the sort of person who needs more time to get things fixed in your brain. It's ridiculous really how some people see it as cheating or an unfair advantage. Don't sign up if you can't spare the time. Danny is going about it the way I'd expect them all to ... you're only going to do it once .. make the most of it and put yourself out. Don't take it on if you already have a heavy workload. Scott Maslen was brilliant but would have been much more so if he hadn't been trying to juggle two jobs at once.So frustrating and sad for the viewer (let alone him and Natalie) to see him so completely drained.
Plus how many people get the chance to get one on one tuition with a top dance pro? (and being paid for it) .... they should squeeze every last bit out of it that they can. It's invaluable.

I found ITT last night totally boring and quite un festive. Last year the final ITT was fun and ( can I use an unfashionable word? ) jolly. Last year there was a lot of camaraderie between all the couples, laughing and joking. An excitement about the final amongst them. Kim Wilde singing Rocking around the Christmas Tree, Santa hats etc. Last night it was just like any other ITT nothing special. Boring.

Maybe it a reflection of this years competition. I haven't engaged with it, as the PTB have interfered and manipulated too much. Won't be watching the final.

That's a laugh coming from a fan of that great big piece of Cheddar, Ore.

I certainly find his insincerity fascinating to watch.

Just caught up with last nights ITT. I think Gethin likes and sympathises with Claudia. A similar thing happened to him. He wuz robbed too

Very perceptive there, and he either IS, or acts that to a degree.

Remind me of the publishers of romantic fiction instructing the writers to keep the male romantic interest vague, not defined too much, so there is - room for projection.


Ore's quirks and more defined personality allows for charisma though. Something Danny just lacks.

I don't think it's that Danny is lacking in anything. I read an interview with him where he said he is actually a very shy person (you can see that in interviews where he mostly lets Oti do the talking) and so the version we see when he's acting and dancing is sort of an ideal world version of him. That might be why he finds it easier to slip into so many different characters when he's dancing and hence pulls off so many amazing performances.

I don't think that really contradicts anything I said

He slips into the various parts but doesn't bring his OWN personality strongly into it.

Perhaps because his personality is not quirky or defined.

Interestingly this is pretty good for acting, but the GREATEST actors have that personality and charisma, and you need it to be really good dancer.

Although then a person becomes open to be as much loathed as loved.

Oh I think he outcried and Stiltonned even Ore last night.



Not that I actually care that much.

On the dance floor and of the three finalists, I like Danny's dancing the best.

Off the dance floor and of the three finalists, I think all three come across as equally nice and well-meaning people.

Off the dance floor and of the three finalists, I don't think there's an ounce of charisma between them. Charisma projects out: it doesn't beg for your attention like Ore, it isn't self-contained like Louise, it isn't a blank slate like Danny.

They're all lovely. But charismatic? I don't think so.

Agreed - although I know not everyone can arrange their life so easily. However, I respect and admire Danny's total dedication. I also really like him and really like Ore and even though Laura would probably drive me nuts as a mate, I do like her too.

I'm so looking forward to tonight's final - excited!

not saying it was cheesy but he's now known as Danny Mac and Cheese in our house. Bless them all, they were all emotionally spent.

I chuckled!

Agree completely.

Scott and Natalie were my winners from that first 'raunchy' waltz and the frustration at the way he came to be eliminated has never faded.

Just out of interest and no judgement attached to it off the dancefloor who stood out for you as charismatic this year?

Its why when the newspapers and TV 'experts' comment or sum up SCD 2016, they invariably mention Ed Balls rather than the others. I can understand why too.