You do have to remember that the series was pretty much sown up in week 3 sadly last year. It did ruin a bit of my enjoyment from that perspective because the 'Year of Anton' could have been even better if Jay hadn't have done that dance and won it at that point.

You do have to consider as well that because he finished 4th, by my sense of logic that means he was the fourth best pro out of 15 from last year. Now, that's not bad, is it?!


And to all those saying poor Lesley, well I have to agree with the title of the thread. Poor Anton. After last year I thought that if it is his last year (most likely is) the producers might have been nice and let him bow out with a reasonable and not predictable partner.

By fulfilling the expectation of Lesley, it just shows how unimaginative they can be. Overall I liked the pairings but really groaned at this one. Last year with Katie, he was such a delight and was lovely to see him dancing well.

Lesley will probably have a whale of a time with Anton and he will likely enjoy it too. But I'd have preferred him with someone else, someone quite different. Him and Anastacia would have been great and to be honest, him and Louise might have been better, in my opinion anyway!

You have to ask yourself if it is fair on the better female celebrities to be handicapped by being partnered with Anton.

You've asked a rather loaded question there, haven't you? You don't know that they'd be handicapped in any way if there were paired with Anton, you don't. That's just a baseless statement being trotted out there.

I'd sooner have more variety in the kind of pairing we see. I for one agree with the likes of Kevin having got someone of a different ability for a change. Three finals in a row meant someone less likely (which could be Louise) she be the case for him, but its not.

For all you know, the likes of Louise could thrive better under Anton. She could be handicapped by Kevin.

It works two ways you know!

I'm disappointed he has another duffer this year

Hmmm.... Ageism appears to be live and well on this forum, I see.

I'm sorry but why should we put up with Anton! Last year proved that he wasn't up to the task, his choreography is poor and don't get me started on his latin! I felt for Katie last year, I felt she may have done better with another professional.

Let's face it none of his dances are memorable except for the joke ones! Time to make room now for a capable dancer.

I'm fed up with his unfunny and insincere act, he never takes anything seriously. I know someone that had a dance lesson with him a while back and he was very arrogant and up himself, so excuse me if I don't buy his funny act!

What on exactly would he do if he didn't put up with Strictly?

OAPs are real people too. They can be a real pleasure to work with. Anton can probably work his humour better with a mature woman than with a teenager.

Not forgetting their failing at the Foxtrot of all dances. This is why Anton is perfect in the role of support for a mature lady.

if that's who/what he is, good for him. There are far worse reputations to have. My fear is that he has a habit of poking fun at his partners... Not all of the time and some of his partnerships have been lovely. But the suspicion makes me uncomfortable watching him sometimes. Maybe this is just a perception...

Hey

I dunno, I think Lesley / AJ could've been a laugh! Feel like we've seen the Lesley / Anton pairing a hundred times before.

All I can say is that it is part of his personality - like making a jibe at someone and then laughing and saying just joking etc (this is from personal experience)

I did feel for Lesley when Anton made the joke about going to the finals.

How are you supposed to succeed or enjoy yourself in a competition like this if the person you're putting your trust in has no faith in your abilities.

Edit - I will say, however, that he seems to be able to handle humour at his expense...like Craig's line in the intro video.

Poor Lesley I say
It's well know he can't dance Latin. The good partners he has had e.g. Patsy Palmer, Laila Rouass, whatever her name was last year ( had a senior moment and forgotten her name, sorry) he let down badly. So poor Lesley.

You're living up to your username!

Whenever I have a senior moment (and there are several - well maybe more than that), I look it up on bingle. It was Katie Derham, by the way. I knew that, but checked anyway...

I think Anton knows exactly what his role is on the show.

I am neither lazy, far from it, or in fact a Susan. I didn't bother to look up her name as I thought she was so insignificant that it wasn't worth it.

AJ & Lesley dancing a Rumba - that would have been NO laughing matter...

Anyway, I thought we didn't want Lesley paired up to "have a laugh"?

It's seems obvious to me that Anton doesn't take the training seriously when he rocks up in his three piece suit, shirt and tie and never breaks a sweat!!

I`m not too sure Lesley Joseph is duffer - yes the eldest female celeb (again) but maybe not a duffer, she has done dance in the past, she has appeared on stage in musicals so she may come out and surprise, just like Katie did last year there were a few who called her a duffer too at the off and she came out and surprised people . If Anton plays it right and choreographs to her strengths and they don`t get Latin as their first dance then he could be ok.

In the past they have been people we think are ringers and they turn out a bit poor, Rachel Riley for example.

I have forgotten her name also lol. I do remember one but forgot which judge lol. told him to give her more content as doing her no favours. Basically saying he was lazy. Edit. No pun as just realised your name LazySusan

I think its in both their interests to be partnered up, and I think they'll both be happy with it - should have some fun together.

(I shared in your disappointment btw when I realised the winner had been decided in week 3 )

Likely to be just a perception Derviathedog, though I perceive exactly the same thing!

Am I the only person who thinks Lesley could actually do quite well? She's been on the stage a lot so will have needed some dance training and she looked quite good in the group dance. Personally I reckon she could be similar to Felicity Kendal.

I look forward to anton replacing Len. He's popular and I think the role is waiting for him

I can't stand him talking now, they would have to double the time to accommodate for him