Oh Gawd yes, how did people buy in to the "nation's sweetheart" nonsense? Assault occasioning actual bodily harm anyone?

Right on cue Halle Berry has apparently just joined Instagram with a topless from the back selfie This could be interesting, good luck to the usual SOS Strictly alumni getting their Insta pics covered now

Grabs popcorn and waits for ante to be upped

Have just read The Sound of Music Live has received a BAFTA TV nomination in the Live event category Hope to see Kara there on the night!

In fairness, Alijaz and Janette do a lot of Instagramming (new word) and often promote hotels where they are staying - presumably that gets them a freebie? I don't find them as annoying because it's fairly honest "I'll give you a mention and you give me a free hotel stay" rather than attempting to sell their relationship. I went off the Jordans when the Hello interviews started for the same reason although whatever their faults, I've never doubted that they genuinely love each other.

Yes I don't mind those who are up front and honest about their use of social media and the mainstream media to promote themselves professionally and take advantage of some freebies, or to simply help a friend knowing a mention on their page will instantly go out to thousands of followers. It's those who pretend they're just posting personal snaps with resort hashtagged for the world to see just because they're so happy and it's really meant for their family and friends, not because they're absolutely desperate for the publicity and freebies. I may think DVO takes it too far at times but she's very straightforward about it and doesn't try and act like she's a cut above it all. She also has a very long and successful stage and media career behind her.

Anyway the Ritchies are in the Maldives now and a snap of Guy snorkelling has made it look far more interesting to me than the two Strictly couples 'isn't it beautiful and aren't we beautiful too' snaps. Upstaged by those darn high ranking celebs again in the SOS.

Unfortunately the Strictly stories in the DM today are Tess and Vernon and Ben's ex wife. Makes me really sad Tess herself is coming in for some flack in the comments. They've been married for a long time and have two daughters and a life together. Her marriage, her business. She hasn't done anything wrong and her job on Strictly does not depend on any promotion of her and Vernon as a couple.

I thought Ben's ex didn't like talking about it?

There are a couple of interesting posts in the Showbiz forum about this

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showp...0&postcount=36

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showp...postcount=9540

No idea if its true, but its not the first time I've read similar on here. Either way, he's an idiot and his 'explanation' is one of the more ridiculous I've seen from a celeb. I don't think Tess is doing herself any favours staying with him, but if she doesn't want to start over on her own at her age with two daughters that's fair enough.

To be fair to Abby it sounds like she was asked to comment and the fact she described herself as Ben's 'ex wife' has been turned in to a tabloid story about whether their divorce has been finalised. An example of how your (ex) spouse participating in Strictly can mean your name is dragged in to 'Strictly curse' stories for years to come. People say she should move on and yet the media won't leave her alone, and that will get worse for a while over the coming months I imagine.

Thing is if Tess and Vernon co-presented Strictly (as was once suggested but thank goodness didn't come about) then I could see this story being relevant to them cashing in on a 'happy family' image. But it's years since they've done anything together on TV isn't it? According to a source in the DM they're the Ken and Barbie of Television. The story might affect Vernon's gig on The One Show but shouldn't affect Tess' career in any way at all.

Whether they stay together long term remains to be seen, but Tess is certainly a class above the Z listers who doll themselves up and parade a ringless finger in front of the paps to show how empowered they are Tess seems to take her marriage vows seriously and I respect that in an age where marriage is increasingly seen as easily disposable rather than for life.

That's very true. As I've said, I'm not a huge fan of hers on SCD but I do respect the fact that she takes her marriage seriously.

You've answered the question - having Cheryl FV on the adverts makes you remember the brand name.

It isn't designed to make you buy immediately, but when you go to buy shampoo or make-up you notice the well known brand name and are more likely to buy their products.


Another one who has benefited is Robbie Savage in Series 8. He was known as a very forceful footballer - to say the least!

Remember him saying on ITT that he couldn't sleep - in a good way - after appearing in the early weeks of Strictly. He said elderly ladies were stopping him in the street to chat about his dancing. Gave him the chance to show his pleasant and entertaining side - suspect it helped him get the football pundit's job as well as other appearances.

Chris Hollings is another one - as he was pleasant and popular he appeared on all sorts of programmes afterwards.

Suspect Anita Rani will be the same - she's proved to be popular, even if she didn't win - and seems to be more to the fore in Country File and the One Show already.

Not really. I knew the brand name long before she was in their adverts, but now if I see it in the shops I am less likely to buy it because they are associated with her. They could make the brand name just as memorable by using someone likeable and popular, so it still doesn't make sense (to me).

Agree, I don't find her particularly appealing at all - but don't think they care.

Remember reading Dennis Norden's autobiography (who had been an ITV exec) where he explained TV advertising to the Queen - of all people!

He told her the aim of advertising is to make people notice the brand so you buy their brand rather than someone else's. The Queen apparently said that means advertising is designed so that if she wanted to buy a drill - unlikely - then she'd notice Black and Decker first as it's the most well known name.

I do hope so. Anita showed herself not only to be fearless and determined which won my admiration but also charismatic, eloquent and she exudes confidence on camera. She's a talented presenter and deserves every success.

And she has all those memories of dancing up close and personal with Gleb, lucky lady

Love that the Queen thought of a Black and Decker drill as an example Actually I can imagine Her Majesty being the one capable of a bit of DIY around the palace rather than Charles

Totally agree.

I still watch her Who Do You Think You Are - and sob uncontrollably every time.
Horrific story, handled impeccably by her

I have never watched it. Is it on YouTube?.

Harrowing story and very moving to watch how Anita handled such a discovery I agree.

Thirded. I was a big fan of Helen as well - I think she came over as very likeable, intelligent and funny. She and Anita were my favourite female celebrities and I really hope that the show has helped their careers.

Imagine the final we would have had if Anita and Helen had been there. I still can't believe Helen went out with that incredible Les Mis performance. I know her background is in musical theatre and I'd love to watch her on the stage.

A lot of people didn't seem to 'get' Helen. They saw her as something of a cold fish whereas like you I found her likeable and warm with a wonderfully quirky sense of humour. I've said it before but I loved her friendship with Aljaz, and Anita's with Gleb.

I really do think Helen and Anita are the two contestants from last series that could benefit the most in the long term, two immensely talented ladies.

Oh, don't get me started on Helen
She was my favourite female celeb by some distance. Knew all week that she would be out at the weekend and spent most of it frustrated.
I don't actually think the series recovered from her going, either. For someone so seemingly quiet she left a big gap.

A huge gap, and the quality of the semi final was nothing like it would have been with Helen there. Have just rewatched some of her dances and her quality of movement is exquisite, she was in a different league technically to most of the others. Then things went further downhill when Anita left.

Don't get me wrong, Jay and Kellie were both fantastic in the final but Helen and Anita should have been there with them. Helen's Viennese Waltz plus either a musical theatre or balletic contemporary showdance from her, plus the mind bogglingly extraordinary showdance Gleb would have come up with for Anita would have made the final something else!

The producers seemed to be determined to push the two couples with the contrived storylines though. GG were going to 'Runaway' and Anton (I do love him btw) needed to make his final.

I see Helen is on stage soon in After Miss Julie.

I really liked Helen but do I think her paso should have been saved over GGs enchanting foxtrot no I don't!! (But I could be biased of course being a big GG fan) the judges clearly agree seeing as they all sent Helen home!

Had it been the week before, there is no way Helen and alijaz's beautiful VW would have been sent home over GG's paso!! It's just the way it went, lucky for GG and unlucky for Helen unfortunately! They both should have been in he final no question!

Maybe I'm naive enough to think that the judges voted for the best dance on the night ( peter v jamelia aside)