And with just that sentence, I have made myself all nostalgic. I have been (and am) looking forward to SCD this year - there look to be many promising dancers and personalities. Certainly more promising men than there were last year. But we have never, in any season of SCD, had any male dancer with J's beautiful feet (you know what I mean - I do not have a foot fetish!). I would be gobsmacked if we got it again this year. No matter all the wonderful things I hope we get, I am sure we will not have that finishing touch, and now that we have had it, I've been spoiled. *sigh*

Early evening usually Lindy.

During the week it's on at 5.15, but at the weekend it can be a little bit later. 6ish maybe. Just have to check.

I'm babysitting that night- so it'll be catch up for me!!

Was on my way to bed after a great 🎾🎾🎾🎾 result and checked in here to DM Nellie.

Sorry you can't make Wimbledon now. Hope the knee keeps improving.

Twit and twoo TT.
Yes, expecting to get into SCD again once it starts properly, but I don't think we're going to find another Jay- or Aliona
Look after your feet😊
Night

Twoo

Maybe.

Yes, the waitress umm'd and ah'd for some time before deciding they could fit us in...then we realised everyone else was being turned away. We were very lucky that day.

What a shame we didn't actually meet though...so close.

I knew it! Ages ago I said that I was certain they would be in PC when Strictly was back on. I love Pointless and the title of the celebrity version is so funny!

Pointless Celebrities goes out anytime from about 6pm onwards. It will be before Strictly starts but after the news I should think.

I wonder who else will be on. Just because the contestants are celebrities, it doesn't mean the questions are any easier!

If August 1st had been given to Jay as his return date for the UK, he'd have had a month to get prepared. He could have had his birthday celebrations in LA, and another week after to say goodbyes and sort stuff for coming home.
It would have then given him a month to get his head in UK mode and into rehearsals and wardrobe fittings etc.
Aliona was on trips to Venice late August, and Dublin early September, so that didn't leave much time for the pre-launch show jive rehearsal either for him. So the first 3 weeks of August would therefore have seemed to have been the only time for any prep but maybe he didn't come back until the very latest he could - probably just in time for the Saturday show appearance ? Then more unforeseen interruptions due to the bereavement.
Even Damian Sanders must have thought this was cutting things a bit fine. Maybe he asked but was met with resistance from Jay for coming back any earlier - who knows ?

Just delurking to say donning my tin hat MY OPINION ONLY NOT AIMED AT ANYONE IN PARTICULAR that this is primarily an appreciation thread - the Oxford English Dictionary definition of appreciation is:

"Recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something"

When Jay made mistakes in SCD for whatever reason we supported him and continued to appreciate.
I'm out until the positivity returns - we can't turn back the clock, we can't change anything that's in the past. So is there any chance we can move on now with the criticism of both things outside Jays control and within his control?
It's done now. And KD was AMAZING on Saturday and those are the only two shows I've seen, so I can only comment on those.
Over and out

Just wanted to say that I agree jnb. What's done is done. I'm sure lessons have been learnt by a number of parties in relation to promotion and preparation for KD.

Everyone's made valid points, in, I feel a predominantly appreciative manner, and I agree with much of it. However, it's in the past. Onwards and upwards from here on in!

I can't wait to hear more reports from attendees before the weekend. Saturday can't come soon enough to see our glorious couple and meet some of the lovely people from the thread!

P.s sorry you can't make it now Lindy😔

I agree - we do not know why things have been done the way they have.

Jay is Jay - and that may be the secret of his success.

He is intelligent and very honest with himself. He is not experienced in the new tasks he is taking on but he is a fast learner.

Jay will decide how far he wants to go in any direction.

I think it's OK to express an honest opinion of how Jay has done, or looks etc. Jay likes honesty - as we saw when he asked Aliona how things went.

It is an Appreciation thread but I feel less comfortable on it if it only consists of praise. Constructive feedback of how people see things is something I am interested in.

KD is going well and will keep improving. Thanks to everyone for the Reviews, videos and photos!

Well said jnb and ahouch.

We don't know what went awry re the music for KD - but they were clearly hit with it pretty late in the day - I suspect maybe issues of cooyright and/or the Beeb. The promotion of the show is down to the production team, and they did that 'not well' as Len would say.

We also don't know about J's real life in LA, which is the way he likes to keep it, or when he actually did return to the UK. He's very adept at slipping in under the radar.

And if there's any pep talking to be done I think it likely that even if everyone on the thread and its thousands of lurkers felt a word needed saying, their efforts would pale into insignificance in the face of Maureen......and she's the only one he'd be likely to listen to anyway.

I totally agree with you. I don't ever see Jay have a career in USA. Unless The Wanted reform and don't think that will ever happen somehow. LA is a very fickle, shallow place once you are no longer "No 1 " you are nobody. I do find it a bit strange that Jay loves it so much as LA is such superficial skin deep type of place where people seem to judged by how they look rather than what they do. Totally opposite to Jay's ethos and ideals. There must be something or maybe someone that makes him want to live there and only come back to the UK when he really has to. As everyone has said, it's his life and he chooses his priorities. I suppose it's because we care about him and his future that we worry so much.

As Jnb and others have said, I think we have probably said all there is to say on KD prep. I certainly don't feel I have anything more to add.

Really looking forward to KD in Wimbledon and seeing Jay and Aliona dance together again and hopefully meeting some of you again/for the first time.

Really can't wait for Pointless Celebrities either!

Have a good day all.

I kind of got the impression that he loves the US because of the anonymity and privacy, just because they are not recognised when they walk around, so less pressure. One need a break from being a celebrity from time to time and from intrusive tabloids. I get the US tabloids are not allowed to make false assumptions and suggestions as the UK ones.
But these are speculations only.

Jnb, I don't see any negativity on the thread, but I am sorry if discussing makes you feel that way That was not the purpose. We all want the best for Jay probably using different methods. It is true that he achieved greatness last year due to hard work, but it is also true that Aliona found the right way to motivate him by being incredibly warm and supportive but as we also know by pushing him when he was spiralling out of control.

Many thanks for all photos and videos and let's all of us continue to support Jay the best way we can.

Maybe he likes the laid back lifestyle, being by the sea, the sun, and being relatively free to live his life as he wishes. Len's been commuting back and fro for years!

On the subject of copyright, The Shytown video still hasn't appeared - sounds like there's been a bit of managerial skulduggery going on the Shytown side - must be so frustrating when it's such a great song.

I see it’s Groundhog Day again

https://i.imgflip.com/ygft8.jpg

I have come to the conclusion that a huge melt down about J every 2 weeks is now just one of those certainties in life along with death and paying your taxes (well unless you employ a very good accountant )

So instead of stomping out until it becomes more positive instead flood the place with positivity and happy thoughts.

Ok, it is pretty obvious that something went seriously awry behind the scenes with KD but it seems to be getting on track now and I can vouch that J was brilliant and mesmerising and any other happy thought you can think of on Saturday.

Since he got back from US he has worked his little socks off, he was on the Saturday morning thing with Gabby Wotsit, filmed Pointless, performed on SCD, endured a family bereavement, hosted Fusion, performed in KD and yesterday in addition to working out how to use his microwave, dip his pringles in hummus and wash his hair, he filmed a cameo for Xtra Factor thing!

So Happy Monjay everyone - aagh I can't believe I just wrote that, I hate those putting someone's name into words...see what you are doing to me...I blame J

https://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com...8&h=408&crop=1

Thanks, Jayfan, looking forward to that!

Indeed.
But why do you think it went seriously awry? I have no idea how the showbusiness works. For example this is a Robin Windsor show, so is he doing everything? Casting, rehearsals, choreography, music, stage booking, social media, leaflets, promotion etc. Or does he approach theatres and offering them a show but the theatre operators are doing promotion? Or is it something else instead?
Maybe this is the format of the show - some dances that are not themed around a story, and breaks with guest stars.
Maybe we just take it as Jay and Aliona are the main focus of the show (as they should be because they are stars) but they are only guest stars so they were not even concepted to be integrated in it story and dance routine-wise.
Just some thoughts.

Yes, I agree. Jay is Jay as someone has already pointed out. His approach to life is something we all admired about him. He's not someone who will kill himself to be in the public eye or starve himself to look good on the red carpet.
He's enjoying life and he's doing it his way as usual because that's the only way to do it and remain sane. It's not all about making it big .... it's about living life and making memories and being happy.
He's a contradiction ... being both laid back to the point of reclining and also as nervous as hell but he's unique in all his Jayness and I don't want him to change one bit.

Some people would rather die than not be still famous or in the public eye. Thankfully Jay's not one of them. If he had to rent out deck chairs on a beach in Bognor for a living then he'd happily do it and have a blast.
That's why we loved/love him.

That's Jay , Dazie. Absolutely agree with you.

I don't understand why it has to be so polarised?
So he's either the super talented but laid back guy who can do everything he dreams of but only when he decides to, or if he is about to put a bit more effort to achieve those things he can, then he is fame-hungry, shallow celebrity that only aims to stay in the public eye for no other apparent reason?
Nothing in between? Like work hard and develop your skills so you can be back on track when you need to (like Aliona)?

Agree on all your points Dfer , I don't think anything really went wrong with KD. I think Jay and Aliona just mis judged it, timings ect:
I don't think anyone on here is being negative about Jay, we all want him to do well.the thing is we all know what he can do,and what tremendous talents he has .A genuine lovely man who could have a great future ahead of him, but only time will tell which path Jay chooses,I expect whatever path he chooses will be right for him. I for one are looking forward to whatever he decides ,but I think he will have to make that choise sooner all later.
Thankyou everyone for your review,s, comments news etc: looking forward to Friday now, with great excitement. I do hope I get to meet them, hoping to take in the matinee as well, timings permitting.x

I am Little Miss Echo on this one!

When we like/love someone it includes any imperfections they may have, however exasperating.

Speaking of which, and OT, the Jayalike has lost another phone!

I will be double posting, as there are words and jobs to fit in, some of which will cease to be relevant if I don't do it soon.

Well said especially the first paragraph!!!! Happy Monjay everyone Jan Bx