Sorry, OT, but well done, Gary!! (Professional Masterchef)

He was amazing, well they all were, I thought Elly might win it but Gary just went to another level today. He has very lucky students, hope he stays as a teacher because he would be so inspiring.

Christmas story - a long. long time ago some slightly stuffy relations of my Mum decided to visit on Boxing Day. Mum laid on a bountiful spread for tea and whilst polite conversation was made in the lounge she laid out the food in the dining room and then shut the door but she didn't quite click it shut properly. A short while later it was decided everyone was ready to eat and off to the dining room we went only to be met with the door open and the dog sat in the middle of the table eating the christmas cake. The relations decided it was probably for the best if they left - they never came again for Boxing Day tea

Tonights Christmas tune - inspired by Jay's tweet this morning, this is quite cryptic, if you have watched Stranger Things you will get it

https://youtu.be/e9GtPX6c_kg

Oh what a glorious sight that must have been. Bravo Bonzo!

The same from me. Have a great Christmas everyone and a good New Year. J xxxxx

Sundry Christmas memories here include ...

My Dad setting fire to a napkin when lighting the Christmas pud and carrying on, blissfully unaware, whilst the rest of the family dashed round in circles waving burning cloths and chucking water around

My Dad, again, getting out his precious Remy Martin to do the post Christmas dinner round of brandy with coffee, only to find that Mother had chucked three quarters of it in the mincemeat, Christmas pud and Christmas cake

Pre-Christmas dinner party starting with one of the guests finding the cat on the dining table with her face stuffed in the salmon mousse

The year we had half the village round for Christmas drinks etc and there was a blizzard followed by a 24-hour (or more ..) power cut. Cue Mother cooking fillings for the vol au vents over the log fire. The village duly turned up and it was the best pre-Christmas drinks party evah ...

I shall be around until Christmas Eve but Merry Crimble, all

Deleted.

I shall be here early on Christmas morning before the mayhem begins, but to all those who are going on hiatus now: Merry Christmas!

I will pop in now and then, but for everyone who is having a break - HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

To those of you disappearing for the festive season, have a fantastic Xmas. I have very much enjoyed your company, virtual and in person, throughout 2016, and look forward to 'seeing' you again next year. Let's hope 2017 is a good year.

Very well done Little Miss Ahouch!
Jacky Bob - hope you are keeping well
Dfer- hope the funeral went ok

Enjoyed the poetry 'tag' again tonight

From Twitter, looks like DD enjoyed Big again, as did her daughter.

Lots of positive Tweets about Big again and even one lady who was disappointed with how the movie had been turned into a musical,said that the cast were very talented.

Bye for now- back tomorrow.

Thank you all for your company and posts during 2016
Loved meeting some of you at Wimbledon.
Wishing you all a merry Christmas and wonderful New Year

Oh Jay - your exposed larynx! 😟

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0U7MVxWgAAfRDG.jpg

Still, nom nom nom...

Jay McGuiness –
Verified account ‏
@JayMcGuiness
Everyone follow @Ukesofhazard3, a band I LOVE and would love to play for-
#Big2017fortheUkes
12:22 AM - 23 Dec 2016
from Dublin City, Ireland

Fellow checked shirt fans! Bit punky for me, but I'm sure J would have a blast jamming with them.

Loved reading about everybody's Christmas crises, nice to know we're not alone! Must rush, instructions to write.....

I don't think it is the Ukes of Hazard on YT, they are a 4 piece this group is a trio. There are a number of groups calling themselves variations of it. I would hazard a guess this is 3 cast members from Big, I might be wrong. It does always make me laugh though when Jay tweets something like this and there is this whole group of followers who immediately go "oh yes Jay, whatever you say Jay"

I thought it was a bit odd - apart from the shirts it seemed a bit out of J's style. I'll have another look at YT and see if there's anything more intetesting. Maybe he's been in a Dublin pub and heard them there?

Morning all
Thanks Janfan the funeral was ok, as ok as those sort of things can be especially just before Christmas
Noticed that the very 'umble, unassuming Ore is in newspapers this morning, taking a selfie, stripped to the waist, one arm behind his head to show off his rippling 6 pack to its best advantage. Where was he, that he needed to strip off? Shopping in the Manchester Christmas markets real big head and even bigger ego coming out now.

Just in case I don't get time to come back on here before the big day, as has been said, probably much more eloquently them me, I thank you all for company here since I joined in August. We might not always agree about everything, but one thing we do agree on is our support of a certain lovely, very talented young man who is going on to Big things in the future. Thank you for the pics, links, stories etc all very welcome. I hope you ( and all the shy lurkers out there ) have a really lovely, healthy stress-free Christmas and see you on the other side of the empty tin of Quality Street, turkey carcass and hopefully empty gin and prosecco bottles 🍾🍸🎅🍗

Just noticed that Jay is on TV this evening! The programme is about Len Goodman and his years on Strictly and Jay is mentioned as being featured. The programme starts at 7.00 pm and is on for an hour on BBC1.

Sad business, Dfer, and even worse at this time of year, but I'm glad if went off OK.

That picture beggars belief, whatever was he thinking of? No need to answer that, it's pretty self-explanatory....

I always feel it's a bit like an average family on here, all going in the same direction most of the time, the odd spat here and there, rapidly closing ranks to repel invaders, and knowing it's OK to come back after a spot of histicuffs because everyone will be much the same as before, and happy to get on with the real business of supporting J&A!

Thanks for the tip, GillP, but I don't know if I can bear to watch because I seriously doubt whether Len is man enough to acknowledge the huge impact that Jay's exquisite dancing and incredible partnership with Aliona had on Strictly. He's shown himself to be much more concerned with himself and his much-flaunted favourites, and I lost any semblance of respect I had for him when he made those crass comments about the crime-against-jive this year. I really hope I'm wrong in this, but....well, let's be generous and say they'll do a nano-second cut to J&A.

The person at the back of the 3 in the profile pic is Irwin Sparkes

That's probably why The Hoosiers have also just tweeted to say follow them. I think I did quite well in my guess then given that it was early and I have a streaming cold and I want to go to bed but am at work and have to suffer the office Christmas lunch shortly

Lola and CatO - Yes, well spotted both of you! Sympathies with the cold, same brewing here and drinks party this evening, ergh.

Dark clouds scudding and a strengthening wind - batten down the hatches, and safe journeys to those travelling.

Well, it's wuthering round here, but Jay and his cast bring Christmas cheer and warmth...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0X58qBWIAA5JIK.jpg

And a beautiful picture of Dublin by night.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CzafnJEWEAETwH1.jpg

Evening all
Pretty stormy here tonight too Korky
Keep warm and toasty everyone!

Evening everyone!
I haven't been able to keep up with the thread recently but I try and drop in for a quick read when I can-sorry for not contributing much But I really appreciate everyone who has been able to contribute and provide news and pictures-thank you to you all!
The next few days are likely to be busy and so I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! I hope you all have a lovely festive time with friends and family

Jay on BBC 1 now "Strictly Len Goodman". According to Len he had the "perfect journey".

Heavily featured in interviews. Discussing the jive.

Merry Christmas everyone