That and the fact that he's dancing with a Clifton. I suspect there's an entirely different perspective out in the real world.

There does indeed seem to be some sort of intangible team spirit that translates from one year to the next for some fans. I suppose it's only human to want to continue in a similar vein with people you've built up a rapport with, but I also wonder if -starting off each series completely independently- they'd feel differently.
I'm not saying all of last years fans moved sheep-like from one celeb to the next, but I have noticed certain trends.
Personally I'm still being a bit of an appreciation tart, and I refuse to feel that I have to stick to one couple as you would with a football team, but Ore's definitely someone I want to see to at least in the last 5.

Still love Ore and Jo and didn't think there Charleston was bad at all. In fact I think it was the second best dance of the night after Laura and Gio's Tango.

Shame people feel the need to bash him.

Really enjoyed their dance even with the error that wasn't so bad. In fact I've enjoyed all their dances - even the tango Don't get the hostility 'out there' but at least he's being talked about

It's very hard to watch it and see to it without a kind of prejudice... How strange! I love them but it's hard not to feel a recoil with all that stuff on their faces. I agree with Dippy about that. There's so much in the way. But just about, when I forbid my eyes to see their faces, the dance looks strong and clean..

The impressive thing for me as a non-dancey person is how Ore can complete an action that demands a lot of energy. It's just 'Bang', he completes it on time and is ready for the next one. Was it Darcey who spoke about his timing? I can't remember who it was but it leaps out.

I'm finding the hostility 'out there' sends me between fatigue and fury, and then finally I settle on bemusement

Any way, salsa next! As long as he doesn't look like a member of ZZ Top I'll be happy

Great pic backstage... think he should have danced in this

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMMZYWjh-sH/

Yay, Jo and Ore on ITT tomorrow. Glad we don't have to wait so long this week.

Looking forward to learning their music tomorrow too. Ride of the Valkyries, the Wombles, who knows what they'll give us for salsa

Jo's dress for the Pride of Britain thingy 👀

BIB - actually make me physically spit coffee out . I'm just relieved that Charleston is over and they got through ok, for me it seems to work as a dance only when it really truely fits the theme (a la Georgia & Joe Varney last year) but when it's shoehorned it it can be a mess. Not that I thought Ore & Jo were that much of a mess I hasten to add, and he bought a whole load of characterisation to it which was great to see, but bless him also clearly disappointed with the mistake in the lift.


Ah the dreaded curse of dancing with an evil Clifton That and the ire of the Jaypets on the main forum over the holy jive.

Blimey- one of his thighs makes two of hers! Oh for a dancer's thigh-gap...


In some ways their Charleston was almost too revoltingly successful- I could imagine that dance being an excellent addition to a musical version of a Roald Dahl book, since Ore threw his heart & soul into the characterisation of some kind of hairy Child-catcher (just mixing my literary references there). But as a dance to love and re-watch, it didn't do it for me.

And not all Jaliona fans are agin Ore- I was one last year

Here my lovelies...

Ore on This Morning looking handsome in a very tight shirt

The thigh! The slap noise Jo got out of it on ITT!!

https://youtu.be/C8cKx4qETcA

I thought it was their best interview btw, relaxed and good natured, and it's encouraging how he seems to take to the salsa. He mentions salsa in the video posted above too. His sister was telling him off about his hips.

See what you mean about the revolting success... It's not one I'll rewatch either. But that still leaves plenty of dances (and many as yet unborn) to enjoy

I really liked Patrick Robinson's Chitty Chitty Charleston and I loved Claudia's this year... but I'm glad it's over now.

Have you seen the YouGov thread on the MF by the way? I was genuinely surprised and pleased to see how well Ore is doing in terms of popular appeal more generally... At the end of week 5 (the latest published sample) he's significantly in the lead of both the who do you think will win and who do you want to win questions, unless I've misread the info somehow in my innumerate way.

Yep I can get the Roald Dahl-ism, in a Tim Burtonesque way. Helena Bonham-Carter would probably love Jo's outfit.

He, He ! Nothing against Jaliona fans (I did have a very soft spot for Aliona) just some of the more 'strident' ones shall we say.......


'Tis indeed very handsome.


Not yet I haven't but that is encouraging and I will invesigate. Otherwise I don't have much of a vox pop on voting this year, besides sitting next to a huge Judge Rinder fan in work, but I'm taking that as not an overtly subjective view.

Having caught up wih last night's ITT I am feeling very encouraged for the Salsa, liking Jo's view that Ore was up for this one really quickly in training. Annnnd a bit of disco salsa, I do like a bit of disco salsa (or should that be sambachasalsa in Strictly speak )

Just seen the salsa clip on tonight's ITT with Waite's Weds Warm Up. Oh. My. Goodness! There has not been enough bare flesh in their training room. Those arms... Lovely partnering according to lovely Iain. It's looking very very good

Bless

And such a lovely speaking voice too <3

All those who talk of favouritism towards the Cliftons must have felt the need to eat at least the brim of their collective hats when they saw the costumes foisted on poor Jo & Ore last week!!

I fully expect them to come back with a brilliant Salsa this week!! Really looking forward to it!!

Looking forward to seing what they come up with for a showdance when they make the final too!!!!!

I've never bought into the whole "Clifton PTB fave" theory- Monkseal puts if far more wittily and concisely than I ever could. At most, I think it may be that some of the dancers by nature are people who know how to work within the system and are very "agreeable" -to use the word in its psychological term- and thus know how to make the best of a situation and working environment, rather than it being a cabal of people plotting to make certain outcomes happen.

I mean, I like a good conspiracy plot as much as the next person, but I watch Homeland and House of Cards for that- not Strictly

Pher-yoooo!

Congratulations to Jo and Ore for coming thro the DO, not that they (or Laura and Gio) should have been there.

Think we need a gorgeously-choreographed sumptuous ballroomy something-or-other now. Mostly, we need Jo's choreography back again 😶 But at least Charleston and Salsa are out of the way now. That leaves just Argentine tango (?) where there are outside advisors instead of the wonderful Jo.

Really felt for Jo in the DO btw. The thing she said to Ore before going down to dance, knowing what her hopes would mean for her friend Gio, and for Laura, was beautifully plain and honest

Yes it would have been tough on Jo having to compete against her best mate & professional partner!!
Thought both couples handled the situation with a lot of grace & dignity!! Even Ore's biggest critics couldn't fault his attitude last night.....could they??

That sounds like a challenge
Someone's bound to find something amiss no matter how left-field.

Did you see the spoiler thread? A poster there said he or she couldn't support Ore because his arms are 'too long'... They said it was like Mr Tickle from the Mr Men dancing. The kind of post you stare at in wonder. It's blissfully, weirdly, wildly good

Still haven't watched the results show. I knew the outcome from the spoiler thread and was then glad we had visitors when it aired. I will watch it eventually though. But with a large glass of wine

Rumba... I'm surprised it's not ballroom. What do people think? Charleston and Salsa have made a difficult couple of weeks. And they really need an impact dance to reclaim attention, preferably something that'll connect back up to the impetus of their AS and the jive. Will rumba do that?

At least it's not ruinous music as for the Charleston or the salsa. 'I want candy' for a charleston?... And the salsa music that seemed too quick for the salsa action.

Oh, I know what vexed me a little in the ITT interview. Why did they have so little time for the lifts? Whose responsibility was that? Seems nuts to have a dance that was probably 30% lifts and then not be able to run through the whole routine until the very end.

But loved Jo's forthright 'We need to dance better'.

Craig has some lovely encouraging thoughts on Ore in the Radio Times report thingy, where he grades him A (alongside Louise). Danny gets A+.

Greatest strength: For someone who has never had any training before, my goodness, he can dance! He’s a real natural and fantastic to watch. I just wish he had trained as a dancer when he was younger, he would have made a brilliant dancer, absolutely brilliant! Honestly, I didn’t really notice him before that first dance and thought he’d be useless, but I’ve been very pleasantly surprised.

Biggest weakness: He’s not a technical dancer, he relies on his soul, and his natural rhythm and ability, which is so good. I just hope that will see him through and that he keeps adapting to each dance and gives it 100 per cent.

Must improve: His technique is improving every week and he and Danny are going to keep pushing each other to get better and better. I have a feeling that the end of this series will be a battle of the boys! I just hope they don’t choke under the pressure.

Verdict: A real natural and a joy to watch!


http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-...ots-and-dunces

PS Will Young wins the battle of the school pictures, hands down. I really wish he hadn't had to face whatever hurdle led to him leaving. He'd have added something interesting and a bit wry to this year

Wow I loved that Rumba, beautiful!

Will be voting for Ore & Jo, really want to see them dancing in the Tower Ballroom.