AFAIC only Frankie had a realistic sniff at winning, and as much as I liked her, there was always a certain je ne sais quoi missing.

No one, and I mean no one was going to beat Jay last year. Having said that, I don't think Kellie deserved to in any case.

Susannah? She's a bloody newsreader for Christ's sake and not a particularly accomplished dancer. She just threw herself into it, worked hard and had a good time doing it - enough to get her to the final, but not enough to win.

That's pretty much how i feel about him. I really loved him and Susanna together. I still vividly remember that paso they did and i found all the geeky Grimbsy stuff endearing.

After that it started to go downhill with Frankie but it was his partnership with Kellie that totally destroying any lingering affection for him. Together they highlighted so much about his personality that grates that i look back on the Susanna partnership with confusion as to why i liked him.

There's no denying he obviously gets on well with and is supportive of his partners but imo when it comes to dancing and the cameras it's all about him and not his celebrity. Maybe it wasn't as obvious with Susanna as she was a strong character but my irritation with him began with Frankie when he was over dancing and over the top and appeared incapable of adapting himself to his celebrity. The fact she was quieter probably exaggerated his particular brand of enthusiasm.

I think it was only when he did exactly the same with Kellie that my dislike was cemented. She was the kind of personality that raised her own OTT levels to try and match him and it appeared that when she did it just fed his levels into the stratosphere. The result was i couldn't bare to watch them and it's left me with a dislike of pretty much everything about him.

I wouldn't even feel sympathy if James Jordan slagged him off. For all his numerous faults i don't remember him ever making a dance all about him in the way Kevin does.

Much as i like Louise i'm hoping they're out early this year (and ITT keeps away from him)

Last year he was in the bottom two ... more than once I think. It may be that the public are cooling ... it may of been because of Kellie though. She was definitely Marmite! He's got a quieter, less in-your-face, partner this year so we'll see.

Last year he retweeted articles/posts that said he should have won! Bit naff tbh and not very sporting. Public decided so shut up!!
He's got a good chance this year but he's also got loads of competition.

We are heading towards a twee rumba again though aren't we?!

Luckily for him this year he has a partner that many people ( so far it seems like ) will probably not perceive is annoying as they thought Kellie and Susanna were ; by annoying I mean too much like him in terms of personality; that may be his saving grace this year.

The Kevin-bashing begins already. It's only Week 1 !!! It's going to be looong series...

I've never had "cemented dislike" for anyone, though I have said "I can't stand (someone)," on Strictly... and boy did I get ganged up on about that one!

But it's all good fun isn't it?

However, hoping for an "innocent bystander" to be chucked out, because you don't like their professional is a bit strong, isn't it?

Oh I don't know, some people in GG's appreciation thread want to see Gio voted out asap. Work that one out

Louise was happy to get Kevin so there's no helping her!

Same, he's good fun ,happy and his partners always seem to have a good time. Something about Kevin, now that's a different (very good) story

I cant bear Anton and have always disliked him from his competing days - but I actually know him and have a reason for my dislike and whilst I don't post anything complimentary about him I don't post anything bad other than he can't dance latin

I just don't understand how someone people only see on a screen can generate such hateful posts - I know people can be marmite to some but some of the stuff posted on here and on twitter(like those instigated by the Jordans the other week - I note they quickly backed off when Shirley Ballas and some other DWTS dancers came to the Cliftons defence ) are a bit much imo

On Friday and Saturday I think all three Cliftons stayed out the way in the Claudatorium and Jo is hardly speaking when Ore is interviewed I hope they are not doing this because of social media although the minute they do appear on the screen up there they will be accused of hogging it immediately -though have seen no criticism on here of those that were always at the front on Friday and Saturday.

I see James is singing Danny Mac's praises on twitter but not one word of dirty ringah

James is a hypocrite #fact

that is the truth #fact#

I have cemented dislike for loads of celebrities. I know nothing about any of them personally and it has nothing to do with how they are as people. It just means i dislike their on screen presence. I'd probably love him if i met him in person but i will never like him on SCD. I feel the same about Tess, and Bruce before he left.

As for Louise, there are plenty of people who vote for celebs who they're not keen on or who are duffers just because they like the pro, the opposite applies for me.

Louise is a sweetheart and I hope she goes far. (I also hope she asks for some clothes that fit).

Louise could well be the making of Kevin ... or the rehabilitation of him anyway! The jive was so much better than his effort with Kellie. Lively but not manic. His outfit was a little off putting and Louise's was bizarre but she will probably become more confident and get into the more slinky numbers soon.

I think Kevin does adapt to his partners and think we will see a different Kevin this series personally loved the take he took on the Jive - the track is in the 40's style so dancing it with that feel really fitted and a good way to start for Louise.

I liked Louise's outfit. Fit the theme, she looked lovely and her skirt moved nicely for the Jive. Unlike Natalie's where she ended up with it hitched up and dancing in her pants!

Louise and Kevin are well matched and I'm sure he'll build her confidence on the dancefloor. Nothing wrong with Louise not wanting low cut tops and tiny skirts, totally normal as a Mum to be conscious of your body changes and considering the opinions of your teenage kids! I remember Kellie saying she only thought she could get away with that Samba outfit because her son was in nursery.

I don't think Louise's style was revealing even as a popstar was it? Thought it was the nineties look of vest with combat trousers or joggers.

Afternoon Ochre I didn't mind the dress but I thought it was too big for her and I loathed the shoes I understand Louise not wanting the skimpy outfits but I think there is a middle ground, her launch show outfit just seemed far too big and flapped around her. I think Cherie Lunghi was older than Louise when she did Strictly but she always looked beautiful and elegant.

BIB - that looked awful! Much as I love Oti and I thought she and Danny were a-maze-ing, I really didn't want to see her knickers either and didn't like the legs akimbo moment Maybe that makes me a prude but I don't really think there's a need and I wonder if it's meant to shock?

There was a time when Louise was nabbing FHM's sexiest woman in the world on a regular, and I remember her being on endless magazine covers. Maybe it's a throwback to that and just wanting to appear a bit more chaste in comparison.

I still can't fathom how a baggy cardigan is at all suitable for jive, though.

I have a suspicion (based on no evidence at all) that the producers ask/encourage the professional dancers to exaggerate their characters. Kevin probably is a geeky, cheerful chappie, but he over does it (both in person on ITT and in his dancing). Many TV types have an onscreen persona which is different or an exaggeration, and are different off-screen. However, if you're not good at it, it comes over as false.

Oh Gawd, you've made me remember the light saber

I'm sure you're right. Bad boy Brendon, Comedian Anton, Heart throb Gleb, Cookie Jo etc.

Hi Lou Louise's launch outfit had quite a racy back though, she seems very comfortable with herself (she should be, she's got a fabulous figure).

No I wasn't keen on Oti's dress either (or Mr Mac but won't go there ).


She looks great in her Jive outfit dancing, totally suitable.

I don't think it's about appearing more 'chaste', just being who she is now. Louise Redknapp, wife and mother, presenter. While she did FHM shoots etc. this was her popstar style in Eternal, she always was 'girl next door'. She moved on from that stage of her career a long time ago and I also think it's fair enough if she doesn't want to present herself as a pin up for the Dads.

Louise is a beautiful woman who looks very natural and has a great personal style. She should wear what she's comfortable dancing in which is what the show is supposed to be about! Their Jive was brilliant on Saturday.

I don't think Kevin puts on an act he always seems to be the way I have always seen him to be a bit hyper and very enthusiastic about dance the video below with Giselle (artems ex wife) which was done about five years ago - just the same as he is now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9hIpFZwYvM

Agree!!!

I think you are onto something with this observation. In hindsight that's what I dislike about their choreographies/stories.

She does look a bit like Mrs Christmas in that outfit though!