I'm glad it isn't just me who saw this performance for what it was. Add to all of the above the heel leads, most particularly noticeable on the very first step of the whole routine and you can only conclude that it was pretty mediocre as Strictly rumbas go and no way deserving of a score of 39.

Loved it. People can have free opinions but a lot don't like the overhyped support of Jay and therefore point blank don't like him and criticise any dance he does. I think he's very good and hope he makes the finals.

Is Jay the new hate figure on here then? Not that it matters one iota as he's obviously well liked by the General public and barring a massive dance disaaaaaarster he will probably win.

Why people have chosen to hate on him rather than Helen or Kellie, the two least likable people left in it, I'll never know?

I don't get it either. Likeable guy who doesn't use any other tactics to get votes, just relies on the dancing. He's pretty quiet and unassuming, so inoffensive that the level of negativity from some is strange.

I'm genuinely baffled at the negative comments towards his rumba. I thought it was stunning. I appreciate people have differing opinions, but I was shocked reading the live thread at just how many didn't like it.

They haven't chosen to hate on him, they just don't appreciate his dancing as much as you.

As someone who has danced for decades I really don't care how likable they are, all I care about is how well they dance. For me, Jay is the worst dancer left in the competition, certainly on last night's evidence anyway. That doesn't mean I hate him, I don't even know him.

Fairly sure that's Gleb.

It was a naice enough dance, if a little slacked jawed in places although the redneck yokel costume didn't help

Joking aside, he is very obviously the best technically - it would be rather unfortunate if he wasn't after all those years of training and he'll make a worthy, although somewhat uninspired winner.

He's my joint second favourite, along with Katie.

There is a small number who do hate on him, though. I think most people know who his main detractors are now. They're hardcore detractors

Jay is the worst dancer left in the competition? Wowzers!

Whilst I respect you have danced for decades and have your own personal view, the show judges, former male pro dancers, and a world renowned dance specialist appear to feel differently to you about Jay.

But hey, different strokes for different folks.

You think he's a worse dancer than Katie? Ok then. Not sure why you need to tell people that youve danced for decades? Like somehow that makes your opinion more important or something? Strictly is an entertainment show, not a professional competition. Most viewers won't give a shit about the technical aspect, they just want to be entertained. Stop taking it so seriously and lighten up.

So you seriously thought Anita was better than Jay last night?

Yep, the ridiculous Botox thread made that painfully clear.

Im pretty sure most of the vitriol about Gleb comes from bitter, jealous male posters.

(How ive wanted to say that for years)

I enjoyed the routine because it looked simple and natural. Even though of course it wasn't. Though Jay doesn't come from an acting background, he made the moves look as if they arose out of emotion, a relationship. The dance was also an enjoyable contrast to the showier more flamboyant 'Musical' routines. (I've enjoyed Georgia's routines mostly but the person dressed up as a teapot just looked daft. Helen's routine also seemed over-theatrical to me.) I'm quite prepared to believe that technically it could have been a better, but I am assuming the marks did - partly - reflect the difficulty that the rumba poses for a non-professional male dancer.

*Highfives Vodka*

Brilliant Vodka

I said it to demonstrate to you that my feelings on his dancing are driven from personal experience rather than some kind of dislike of him personally.

And yes, across all of the dances they have done throughout the whole series I would place him behind Katie. That doesn't mean I think that she has been better than him in every dance because she hasn't been.

Strictly is whatever each individual viewer wants it to be because each person can vote for whatever reason they want. You were the one who was complaining about people 'hating' Jay because they didn't like his dancing. All I am dong is illustrating that this isn't the case and that people can not like his dancing for perfectly good technical reasons without that meaning that they hate him.

Yes, I did.

Something like a cricket box you mean?

Otherwise gapping could well be a problem

I didn't think it was worth the tens to be honest and I fail to see what other's have seen in it, especially those with dance credentials.

I am a fan of Jays and have a dance background in all disciplines, later on in ballroom and latin.

For me he had errors such as heel leads, a lack of hip action.
For me as well, he seemed a little off with the music, it felt like he was waiting for the one.

He could have done so, so much more with his lines, really extended them in the sliding doors, he is so capable of it with his beautiful lines, but he didn't reach right out to create those lines.

Certain moments felt a little awkward or shy.

Plus I just didn't get the whole emotional thing that made Darcy cry.

So to sum all that up you are not really a fan of Jay but say that to add weight to your opinion

But they ALL do. Many of whom have less training to help with poise and stance like he does. I thought it was pretty good as it happens, if a little overmarked. But I really dislike the way people seem loathe to accept any criticism of Jay as anything other than baseless, hate filled and biased. Let people have their opinions! There's a world outside of all the rose tinted fangirls... opinions do differ.

We (and I'm including myself in that) always see what we want to see. I don't see that much favouritism for Jay on this forum unless you go into the appreciation thread.
What I see is endless amounts of Anita love and bemoaning of her scores and going on and on about her lack of previous training.
But then I would say that because I don't like her ( not for this show, she almost won me over at one point) but for her day job where I think she is terrible and doing a good presenter out of a job.

natalian...we all know that you have danced for decades as you have enjoyed telling us more than once ...but I would rather listen to one of the top choreographers and Darcy who actually understand the story of the dance.

Im well aware they all only have 4 days. This is a thread about Jay and I think I was replying to a poster who had commented on his technique. The Rhumba is a notoriously difficult dance, especially for non trained males, hence me thinking he did a super job and the 4 days to learn comment.

And I only think criticisms of Jay are baseless, hate filled and biased when some of his most feverant detractors say he dances like is wearing a nappy, that he 'wormed' his way into Janettes birthday party, and apparently cries like a baby when he goes to the judges to get critiqued. None of which are true.

People are having their opinions, we're doing it right now. Just because I don't agree with some of them doesn't mean I think people shouldn't have them. That would be silly.

'Rose tinted fangirls'

You do not see much favouritism for Jay on this forum ?...where on earth have you been.