It's had about 440,000 views on Youtube. Compare that with Jay and Aliona's Jive from last year though and that's just gone past the 2 million mark

On Facebook though Robert and Oksana's Cha Cha has had over 7 million views so can definitely be referred to as "most viewed"!

Thoughts on tonight's American Smooth (American Smooth Foxtrot) then anyone?

Here's my initial reactions:

- Loved the characterisation at the start with the nervousness
- I thought the lifts were brill and Robert didn't get enough credit for doing them. Thanks Darcy for mentioning how he made them look effortless.
- The bit after they had danced and went over to Tess, when Robert said "Hello everyone" and the audience cheered, was heart-warming
- Robert's grandparents seem adorable
- I am surprised they have ended up so low on the leaderboard, and hope that everyone has voted for them!

I don't think he's going anywhere anytime soon. I liked the AS a lot despite of the naff song.

I really enjoyed the dance, despite the awful song. Loved the grandparents too ... especially when his grandfather danced with Oksana.

BiB: I suspect he'll be getting a journey arc. He's already very popular, and he can now slowly build his scores up. I'd be surprised if he weren't in the final.

Hello sunshineband. I think I read (in a link someone posted to an interview with Robert by 'Closer') that one, or both of his grandparents survived the Holocaust. So yes, his grandparents were lovely.

As to the dance: I thought he had a nice frame in hold and moved with ease. Craig is right when he said Robert needed to tame his wildness out of hold and I noticed the hands before Craig pointed them out! BUT, tonight he made a point of smiling during the dance, which is another way to use his face, and he looked radiant. The third lift was a slight struggle, perhaps not helped by Oksana's frock covering his eyes briefly but otherwise he made the lifts seems effortless and has strength in those muscles we saw on show last week. I think he brings a showmanship to his performance that will stand him in very good stead for charleston, jive and paso. I believe Oksana will continue to shape him well and that Robert will harness his wildness and become an effervescent character on the floor.

I loved when he said 'Hello everyone' too. He has a nice way of relating to others which showed in how he dealt with Craig - not only a slight about botox but also about their differing personalities.

Loving this pair. I agree with Vicsmum that Robert and Oksana are safe for a good while yet but I gave him one vote anyway because I love him!

Thought the Strictly band and singers improved it, as I loathed it when I listened to it for the first time earlier in the week.

Loved his performance again tonight! Oksana certainly isn't afraid to throw herself about is she?! Credit to him for attempting all those lifts and allowing her to jump on top of him!

Rinder has some strength! Those weren't easy lifts but they looked effortless. Oksana is fearless. Enjoyed their performance again (even though, I like others, think the song is terrible for an AS).

Oksana was showing off her bruises last night - she is fearless! And apparently that was mild compared to what shes going to be doing in this pro dance tomorrow night! Loving Oksana, and I enjoyed their dance tonight. Robert really is a good little dancer, but he needs to learn to keep his mouth closed when dancing

Do we have any idea when we'll know the next dance?

I'm still keeping my fingers and toes crossed that they go through tonight ... if they do, it should probably be a latin next week to follow the pattern of alternating latin and ballroom.

Robert's actually really going from Fred Astaire to Fred Flintstone next week!!!

What style of dance can be done to the Flintstone's theme tune then???

Jive? Charleston? QS? <mind boggles>

You were right Maggie! On the MF someone has seen Judge Rinder on This Morning and he revealed that he and Oksana will be dancing the Charleston.

I think this will be a lot of fun to watch. I'm also hoping that Robert and Oksana get treated as more than just the "comedy" couple who are there for entertainment. He really does seem to be learning to dance very nicely. When he's nervous, the facial expressions and exaggerated movements come out, but a lot of his footwork is great.

Fingers crossed for a controlled and crazy Charleston on Saturday!

I hope that Robert and Oksana do not become the 'comedy duo' too. I doubt they will because Robert is serious about the competition. He and Oksana can't help themselves having fun though!

Don't mind him bringing the Comedy through in some dances, particularly in theme weeks. So looking forward to this.

Here's the link to Robert's interview on This Morning today:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=o9gh1MahjB0

I hope they can pull together the practice time ok this week.

I think it's a bit too late for that, Maggie. But contrary to the other comedy contestants he can dance a little better than them

I have a small crush on Rinder It wasn't there at all before Strictly, although I do enjoy his daytime prog, but now I see that blushing vulnerability that has no over-egged ego, and I totally want to be his dance partner

I am totally looking forward to his tango/argentine tango, I hope he stays long enough cos I bet he would absolutely nail that.

I found somewhere online that Rinder supporters call themselves Rinderites

I have to say that I find this a bit amusing.

Here is another interview, this time from Good Morning Britain, which was posted over on the Jay and Aliona thread. Some very interesting bits about cases he was involved with in his day job as a barrister, if you can bear watching Piers Morgan doing the interview.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qV2pf5lojnw

Here's how Judge Rinder gets his abs:

https://twitter.com/thismorning/stat...60730862047232

Love it! thanks for posting. Hard to practise international law when practising the cha cha cha with Oksana. Undivided indifference. Craig doesn't like to see people having a good time. And my favourite: Body of Baywatch Face of Crimewatch - BOBFOC!


Thanks for posting this. We 'Rinderites' (not sure if I like that name ... ) were on to this already but it's nice to get support from others who are fans of other celebs What did people on the Jay and Aliona thread make of him?


Wow! Respect.

Sorry, I thought it was a new interview.

I like him (one of my 6 favourites this year), and I would say the feeling about him over there is generally positive, particularly re. his quick wit and the way he looks as though he's having a blast! I also love that there is a completely different side to him with his "proper job" - so intelligent.