Indeed - I'm sure it doesn't negate the feelings hurt by it, but is simply more proof that the intentions were not to cause offense. If they had aged themselves up would that have been better received? Or pretended to have been rusty at the beginning? Or similar to the routine I posted danced well but in an old fashioned way?

Interesting point. I do not think the intention was to offend. It is really the choices made that question their taste.

To me, it makes it sound like if they are guilty of anything, it's going for the easy quick visual - which, let's face it, is probably the minute they passed their Stictly audition!

Haha 2 names immediately sprang to my mind at the thought of certain pros who stopped competing and immediately started piling on the weight!!

Like you I love the showdance in the clip you added - many thanks.

I was thinking the same thing! It is quite common as I guess there is a step down from intensive practice . I know someone who put on a bit of weight for a while and got a bit out of condition when they stopped competing and then found another activity to help get in check. I also know someone who only had a shortish break but still noticed a change. So I can understand why the body aspect thing seemed an obvious thing to focus on and would have struck a chord with the audience (including some coaches/adjudicators ) although as Ellie says there are some other things they could have done to make the theme more obvious and to have reduced the likelihood of offending. I agree with aggs; they seemed to go for a quick visual.

And, getting back to a Strictly theme, I remember the James Jordan/pizza episode after his involvement finished and lots of comments on here about his body shape.

As an overweight person, I was not offended at all by Neil and Katya's dance. It didn't even cross my mind that it would be perceived as "fat shaming" by anyone. If they were dancing badly, then maybe it could have been seen as offensive, in the sense that they are portraying the message that "fat people can't dance". They were dancing brilliantly though! And it must have been extremely difficult to dance in those costumes. If anything, it made me think "maybe I can do this too".

I don't understand this craze about "fat shaming". Some people are fat. Not everybody likes it. It's a fact of life. I think we should get over ourselves, and start by not feeling ashamed of our body shape. If we are, then we should do something about it. When you are comfortable with who you are and how you look, nobody and nothing can shame you.

👏👏👏 Well said.

In really poor taste. Whatever the concept I don't like the attitude it shows. Hmmm we'll see, Neil and Katya were the new pros I was most excited about.

Very well said.

What a lovely idea that seeing someone dance in a fat suit might make someone who is overweight think "maybe I can do this too."

I mean personally I don't think we should say "Oh x person I know was fine with it so that makes it fine," When we really shouldn't police what upsets people or not because that'll always be different, what's fine for a dog might not be for the cat etc.

I can see where they were coming from for this and what they were trying to do, I think they are truly great dancers but given the rather unhealthy (at times) body image perceptions in the dance world. (Speaking as somebody who's in the pro ballet world, so take it with a grain of salt, but my other half is in Ballroom and thinks its much the same across the spectrum) - I'd have to say that it was quite poor in taste and could easily be taken the wrong way.

I hope at least this being stirred up again, prevents a repeat in the future or at least clearer intentions!

Looks like we've got a pair of offensive, puerile duffers here. Doesn't bode well for forthcoming series...

I did not get the concept at all...worse than Erins end of the pier puppet dance tbh, at least that showed Colin could lead on his own ...what was this gimmick about, ooh look we can dance in fat suits. **** me, Strictly Little Britain.
I might have come round to it if there was even the smallest tangible musical link, Fat bottomed girls by Queen say, but nope. Not even poor mans Freddie Mika with Big girl.

I can see the thinking behind it, some people do gain weight after giving up years of strict physical activity . I was amazed at the weight James Jordan had put on when I saw him in Big Brother, in the short time he'd left SCD . I suppose they had to go to extremes for the comedy element .

Still I think they were a bit naive not to perceive the backlash it would receive . Not a good introduction to SCD .

Naive perhaps, but Neil is known for his more edgy choreography. This routine was danced 2 years ago as part of a showdance competition. If the media hadn't pounced on it to deliberately muddy the Strictly waters, it would no doubt have remained known only to those in the dance world, where, even those who thought it was a bit "off" would have just shrugged and forgotten about it.

To be fair, most people do something at sometime or other in their lives - usually when young - that might be classed as daft, naive, offensive, puerile or whatever (who can forget Prince Harry going to a party dressed as a SS Nazi?) but they are allowed to rise above it.

Hopefully viewers will give Neil and Katya a fair chance. They are brilliant dancers and depending on the ability of their celebs, could produce some exciting routines.

When I saw the photo, it reminded me of Beryl Cook's dancers.

Absolutely, this is only a tiny blip, nothing to worry about . I'm looking forward to seeing them both on SCD .

I don't really understand the "they didn't mean to cause offence and therefore it's perfectly okay" school of thought. I don't think anyone is suggesting they deliberately performed a dance with the intention of insulting or offending anyone - that would be stupid. It's more that they're a pair of idiots (IMO) for thinking that this wouldn't upset anyone.

I'm prepared to give them a go (I know, it's all heart with me) but it's soured the start of the series for them a bit.

I think it's something that doesn't travel well outside of the context it was originally put in.

I can see the thought behind it - although I think they went for the lazy quick visual - and can understand why it wouldn't be particularly remarked on at the time. I guess if they'd known a few years down the line it would be used as a tabloid headline out of time and place, they might thought about it a bit more

Definitely!

I have no complaints Sarah, I am a fan of ampledom, the curvaceous figure has a certain irresistible allure to many people.

Is your friend related to Bruno?

https://m.youtube.com/?gl=DE#/watch?v=Fxxida825jY

Now this costume (she's nearly wearing it) was deemed a bit risqué at the time. Some thought she was trying to make Maks jealous (they are back together and engaged now) whereas I have seen identical costuming and theme on another strictly format, forget which country now. They ended up in the DO with this routine, unfairly I think.

Was it Canada?