Great to see you and the regulars returning!

Yes, this has been the worst year ever for departures...

New picture of Jay:
http://68.media.tumblr.com/3e9918426...htmuo2_540.png

Hope Jay pictured today will cheer everyone up.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0tY53KXEAIfOx1.jpg

Memories of loves
Are alive and bright and true
Settled in my soul

💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

Evening everyone

Thanks for all the links to the Jay tweets and photos.
Lovely to see Siva supporting him as always.
Was there a show today?

Very sad news about Carrie Fisher.

Yes, there were two shows today, Jayfan.

Liz Jones, Richard Adams - I know both had a good innings but still to be lamented

Christmas greetings one and all
Constant writers and lurkers tall
or short
I think we ought
to come out from the shadows and
join in, hand in hand,
celebration of the lives of those who've passed
from January first to December last

But that apart
Deep from my heart
I thank every one
for hours of fun
and friendship, dare I say,
that helped me through a day
from time to time imperfect
and made it all seem worth it

and just a little footnote of possibly retrospective interest
I drank my first prosecco (and more), in front of witness!

Happy New Year in advance, everyone, let's hope it's a good one

I know. And mum Debbie Reynolds still with us. So sad for her 🌷

Hear, hear!
Very well said Isih👍

BiB Freudian slip? Jay is always on my mind.
Apologies, BionicBard , and thanks for your lovely poems.

Great sentiments, Isih!

In return, here's Jay and Siva in Dublin yesterday. 💕

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0wsYyPXUAAvlxJ.jpg

Hi everyone. So Christmas is over. I had a lovely, Christmas with my family including my 2 little granddaughters. Having little ones around seem to bring back the magic of Christmas. also someone, not quite a total stranger, but almost, was very kind to me., just before Christmas Day. With that kindness it was brought home to me the Christmas spirit. What this time of year should be all about. It might only be a kind word, helping hand or a sympathetic ear to listen to you, all when you most need it. I am very grateful. Sorry that was very OT.

Back on thread, over Christmas, I watch West Side Story and listening to the singing and watching the amazing dancing, it occurred to me, how Jay would be fantastic in the part of Tony ( Romeo ) I would definitely pay money to see that.

OT I'm afraid again. So sorry to hear of the deaths of Carrie Fisher and George Michael. Both gone before they should. George, I think, was a bit of a tortured soul. For a long time he refused to admit that he was gay because he was scared he would lose his fans, which I don't think he did. I don't think he really came to terms with his homosexuality and that led him to the excesses of drink and drugs. This year we have lost so many very talented people

Bring it on Freud! I'm always mistyping it myself, and I'm glad you enjoy the bardic jam sessions as much as we do - why not join in too?

Dfer
Oh yess! When I mentioned after this year's Strictly final that Jay would make a great Tony to Danny's Bernardo, I thought I was alone in that, so I'm very glad you're thinking the same way! Now, who for Maria? Diana certainly has the voice. I wonder.... but then again, reading the WE online gossip (can't remember the site) The Addams Family's looming up, not sure if that's not where J will be heading after BIG purportedly finishes it's run in September next year....

Actually, watching Dirty Dancing last night I thought how great Jay would be in that too. And, dare I say it, much as I adore Patrick Swayze, I think Jay's dancing has the edge - even allowing for Patrick's ballet background. Just goes to show that I'm pretty sure Jay would be brilliant in modern ballet.

Furrowing in the burrow this morning, I found a picture of him at the barre, presumably with fellow students from MADD, also that lovely grand jete picture of him in mid-air.

Isih

Great sentiments, beautifully expressed as always.

Korky Great pics and lovely words.

Lovely jaypic

Will this tragic 2016 never end? George Michael and now Carrie Fisher?

Let's hope the New Year will bring some good news with Aliona's new arrival due in the Spring. Looking at their showdance again this morning, it's exquisite and far, far better than anything I saw on Strictly this year.

I love the way Jay's looking so relaxed and happy - he's in the right place and it shows.

This is posted on the main forum too - not by me - Len's best Strictly dances.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/l...t-time-9524848

Jay's Jive is in - of course

Aliona is in twice - once with Jay and once with Matt Baker

No mention of J and A's 'mango of a tango'
(Can understand Len leaving out J and A's last Paso - my favourite - as suppose, on a technicality, they did smile too much )

Ricky Whittle is in and Austin Heeley is in, but not Colin Jackson. Though I thought Ricky was V good and much as I liked Austin, think Colin was better than both.
(Austinwuzrobbed and Erinwuzrobbed )

Len has Jill Halfpenny's and Darren's nice as the 'best of the best' - v very good though it was, think J and A have the edge



PS oh dear, more sad news this week
What a sad year.


PPS hope everyone had a good Christmas

Do you mean this one BB?

Lovely poem Isih

Only the best music? Yer 'avin a larf Len if you're not man enough to admit it was the Best Jive EVAH! Oh, yes, of course, but you were saving that, weren't you?

As for the Oom-Pa-Awful Clodhopathon, that had to be worst-evah overmarked routine in Strictly history, with the possible exception of Ore's Argentine lamp post impression....

Tell you what, Len, I'll make it easy for you. All of Jay and Aliona's dances had something special, from the tentative cha-cha-cha with those beautiful feet to the exquisite artistry of the showdance and the magnificent 'Eff You Paso' (my words, not theirs). And everything in-between!

Whiffle - Oh yess, that's the one! Thank you. Just look at his lines....and that beautiful hand. Pity the photographer didn't get his other one, but I expect it was a quick snap of brilliance and they didn't have time to frame it.

A rather nice piece here about one of the children in BIG:

http://www.thisisardee.ie/2016/12/28...nk-ill-famous/

Lovely article Cato

Love that photo of balletic Jay Whiffle and BB

Hope Jay is ok. Someone on Twitter said he sounded a bit husky and Amelia of LW fame said on Twitter that he was a bit poorly. It is a really punishing schedule for all of them.

Floating there
In mid air
Not a care
So much flair

Full of grace
Poised in space
Calm of face
Perfect place

Strong of thigh
Lithe and spry
Flying high
Brings a sigh

Heavenly pose
Pointed toes
Movement flows
Inspires prose

👏👏👏 - just knew a poem was on it's way when I posted the picture

It's not actually his best Strictly dances - they've chosen certain categories. And anyone who can choose that VW monstrosity as a good example of anything has me seriously questioning their judgment.

Okay, nail in the coffin. Goodbye and good riddance to Len. Jay's jive is there only under best music. And, in effect, he says he thinks they only won because of their jive.

You tempted me and resistance was futile, Whiffle!

Yes, and it's testament to Jay's generosity of spirit that he was so kind about that sour old sod who had it in for him from Dance One. But Jay and Aliona won, and that's what really matters.

Exquisitely appropriate poem, Korky, thank you!

Jay today. 💕

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0yWWnVXcAAShJc.jpg

*

I've never liked Len with his false smile and scripted banter and he was under the producers' thumbs, as are the other fudges. Trouble is, whoever replaces him will be the same. Autonomy isn't allowed on that programme.

Honest Jay won despite myriad hurdles thrown before him. Thank heaven for that. I'm so pleased that he's moved on to something pure and deserving of his many talents.

Totally agree Korky,regarding the fudges, so pleased for j also.
Don't know how true it is, but read somewhere that honest Len has a 3 .3 million £ contact with DWTS. I dispare.