Totally agree. Her technique has not really improved but she does throw herself into it. I thought she was pretty dreadful last night (posture, command, stance and arms) and her facial expressions were nuts.

I don't find Gleb attractive at all, but I loved the backing dancers and Gleb's own routine. He worked it..

Gleb is the one adding the excitement and, in doing so, is making Anita look a lot better than she really is.

I think he does at times focus on himself a bit too much. I'm not sure yet though if thats helping Anita or not.

Her technique is lacking at times, her performance is very good.

I'm torn, because on one hand it might just be that Glebs dancing and choreography is helping to produce a wow dance and he brings on Anitas performance that is getting them the popularity (and is helping to cover any flaws in her technique). Perhaps with another partner, without the wow factor dancing, her technique would be exposed more and she wouldn't be as memorable or popular.

On the other hand, perhaps Anitas technique is lacking because Gleb is focussing too much on the performance.

I really don't know. I'd say there have been times where he has focussed too much on his own tricks. But I do like him and hope he stays. Funnily enough, I don't find him hot at all. Handsome yes, but he does nothing for me.

I think they have a great partnership (probably my fave of the couples left) and I love watching them dance. I don't think he's anymore 'selfish' or show-offy than some other pros, but I think because he's so attractive that some are sometimes projecting that onto him because that's what they expect. There's only been one dance of theirs where I felt that he didn't showcase her well so, for me, I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Anita's paso was my fave dance from last night. Unlike Kevin & Susannah's (which someone compared it to) I think Anita did far more in this than S did in hers.

Yes, it was exactly the same for me. The beginning if the routine was all about Anita. Not sure how anybody could disagree with that. The rest of the routine was very much focused on the two as a couple.
For me, the jive was the only dance where he "stole" the attention with his tricks at the end. Other than that, he's come up with amazing routines to showcase Anita. I agree with those that say she's not that great a dancer and I also think that she would not look as good as she does with another pro.

Finally Anita is getting the marks she has deserved all the way through and people are finding ways to put the dance down.

I for one thought Anita shone with this routine, especially that intro bit with her dancing solo.

This is just false.

I don't agree with that at all. I thought she was fabulous last night. Yes, her facial expressions were widely exaggerated, but so were Gleb's. They were going for a very traditional Paso and the Spanish don't hold back when it comes to drama and facial expressions.

Just a tad. But he's won me over.

Egotistical. Probably yes. But produces memorable routines and entertaining. Hell Yes.

Him and Anita have been really good as a partnership I think - it's not necessarily the usual thing of both the celeb and pro going 'we're both having a great time' 24/7 but it's clear he's bringing out the best in her and she's really enjoying the experience so he must be doing something right.

Plus some of his showing-off at times in the dancing probably takes the pressure off Anita in a way and means she's more likely to get away with 1 or 2 minor errors if she makes them.

All the new pros this year have been pretty good so should hopefully be back next year.

I like Gleb's choreography.

It does tend to be more for show than technique, but on Strictly, that works well.

The Paso was a wee bit too much Gleb and too much moving Anita around, but still a great spectacle.

Perhaps, it's people focusing too much on Gleb. He's extra ordinarily good looking, alright, but I find myself watching the celebrities rather than the pros.

Apart from "The Crab"; all flashy moves and shines are also danced by Anita. And I think he's throwing all these difficult moves because he knows Anita can pull them off. Their Jive shine-moment was also about Anita perfectly timing Gleb's jump without burying her face in his crotch. Gleb did a one hand cartwheel in their Charleston but Anita was doing lot of acrobatics and even did a flashy click heel with him. The body flip in their tango was all about Anita's agility. In their Paso; it would have Gleb in the intro looking like a gymnast doing the rings if he really had been focusing on himself too much.

In a word, yes. I think he, and the show, focus on Gleb too much. I get that it can be a diversion tactic, but there just seems to be a bit of gratuitous showing off of him, and him only in his routines I can't really take to. If he'd work on fixing Anita's feet that would be grand.

This is my feeling. I actually think his routines are terrible in terms of actual dance but they seem to be working in the sense that so many think Anita is a fantastic dancer when she plainly isn't (and neither is Gleb!). I really admire Anita's commitment, fitness and confidence and still think she has enormous talent but her technique isn't improving one iota - I'm not clear if that is because Gleb is unable to teach the correct techniques or he is having to choreograph to cover her deficiencies. I suspect he simply doesn't care about technique or teaching the actual dances but has realised, certainly for this year, that he can get away with weird moves, smoke and mirror drama and putting himself at the centre to haul in the votes. It's all style over substance.

I agree Sid. I think Anita is very much in the forefront of their routine, and even though Gleb might have a few moments where he will choreograph a move that shows off his own ability, I generally think they are for the WOW of the actual dance which in turn enhances the performance as a whole, which can only be of benefit to Anita.
She has great stage presence for someone with no previous experience and he's done a terrific job with her IMO.


I agree, and his routines for Anita have wowed me much more than any other pros routines this year.
He's making her shine in ways which might not have happened with another pro. She's clearly loving her whole SCD experience and learning well.


Definitely do not agree that he should get someone with much less ability or comedy act just because he's having a great 1st series with Anita.

He has been given a celeb with NO previous dance experience (albeit a very capable one) in a series which was made up of about 50% ringers and the fact that she is holding her own up there with the stage school performers is down to him doing a terrific job with her, coupled with her eagerness to learn. That surely should be admired in a pro rather than something in which he should be punished for in the next series by being given a no hoper?

I've noticed for weeks now. Look at their jive for a lot of it Anita's just stood there whilst Gleb does something on the floor. I'm starting to think she'd be doing a lot better had she'd been given a different partner.

I'm not so sure. He provides choreography that makes their routines stand out and she brings plenty of gusto to do his routines justice. I think they compliment each other well.

Anita's never going achieve the same degree of polish and finesse as some of the others. She doesn't have years of ballet lessons or contemporary dancing or stage school to draw on and it's not going to happen in the space of 12 weeks. I think she's doing as well as can be expected for someone who's come to this as a blank slate and I think Gleb's doing a pretty decent job of exploiting their strengths and disguising where they're weaker than others. That's all you can do when everyone starts at different levels.

I don't mind ringers on Strictly at all, I just don't expect the others to ever quite reach their standard in terms of finishing - they have to make up for that with interesting choreography and strong performances in order to stand out and survive. I feel that's exactly what Anita and Gleb are doing. She lived that Paso, it was thrilling to watch but I also recognise it was by no means perfect. They're capturing the spirit of Strictly for me though.

Brilliantly put Sid! Totally agree

Gleb is one of lifes show offs . Pretends he is not all that bothered , acts like he is not aware . But shows off his Gleb specials at every oppotunity and knows full well how the focus will be on him
I love Anita and find her fascinating how she learns , but Gleb bores me

I've said that Gleb is sometimes not the most generous of choreographers and the a bit more focus on Anita and less on the Gleb specials would be good but now I dunno I actually think that he's quite cleverly bringing out the best in her whilst disguising any faults. He need to be a bit careful because the focus is likely to be somewhat on him anyway but overall I think that he's just about got away with his showboating.

It won't please those who want things technically perfect, but it's not a dance competition solely it's entertainment. and I'd rather watch that Pedro Almodóvar inspired, beautifully camp triumph of Paso 100 times rather a a technically perfect but boring routine more than once,

To a point he has to show himself other wise it would be a terrible dance.

Spot-on in my opinion. I loved the traditional Spanish drama of their Paso, even if it was a bit over the top. I suppose it would get boring if every couple used the same interpretation, but they nailed it for me last night. It's about the only dance from last night that I'd happily watch again and again.

He uses himself in the dance to give a bit of wow factor. I don't think he is out-dancing Anita and leaving her on the sidelines. He knows he's gorgeous, plays to it and it does bring some drama to the dance.

I can't imagine what he'll be like with someone who is a terrible dancer though, his ego may get in the way then. But with someone like Anita who is pretty good his style is adding to her dances not taking away imo.

777

I agree 100%, Gleb seem to spend most of his time showcasing himself. I would have liked to have seen Anita partnered by Brendan....

This^^

Good grief no!! What on earth did Anita do to deserve the thought of Brendan being thrust upon her?

I agree with this.

There were precious few Paso STEPS in that routine, great drama but little content and the focus on Gleb and flash.

I like Anita too, but don't think she's really improved much.