It's good that everyone gets to do one ballroom and one Latin before public vote, but which dance matters more, and who will benefit from the order and who won't?
It's great to make a great initial impression in week one, but the week 2 dance is the one that's fresh in the memory when it's time to vote.
(and I think they have to do week 2 dance in any dance off?)

Greg made a big impact with his week one jive, but training showed that what he finds hardest is slowing down.
Fast and furious is great for a jive, but he might struggle with something slow and controlled like a foxtrot.

Lesley did ok with Anton waltz © but what if she gets a samba in week 2?

Daisy did the patented Alijaz lovely waltz, but might struggle a it more with a Latin - as might Ed ...

I wonder if they are deliberately given their most comfortable dance first to settle the nerves?

It will be interesting to see see Robert doing sedate ballroom

Just imagine the faces he will pull then lol got to luv him

I think a lot of them had their more 'comfortable' dance first, so will be interesting to see what happens next week - there could be quite a change on the leaderboard. As you say, people will be voting more on next week's dance as that is the one they will remember.

Week 2 as the public get to vote.
I think Ed and Lesley will struggle with Latin next week. Daisy won't be top either.
Not sure how Greg or Danny will do with Ballroom.
Tameka will be fine next week with a Charleston. That should suit her.

Is the Charleston definite for Tamara?

The judges leaderboard positions give much more protection when there's more contestants so tbh both dances are equally important - get a good overall score and you aren't going anywhere.

Think the Charleston is the worst dance to have for someone with Tameka's personality. It will score good with the judges, but might alienate viewers even more.

Then again, it took a while for Kelly (loud Eastender) to get to the dance off last year. Will be interesting to see how much the pro will weigh into this (positive or negative).

Week 2. People have short memories (except on DS where they're still debating which was the best series/dance/pro ever).

However an exceptional week 1 may stick in the mind and make the public forgive an inept or dull week 2 dance.

I think Lesley's got a chance of doing a decent latin - she can move her feet and she can act, and the height difference/posture issues won't be there to hamper her. As long as Anton showcases her properly with the choreo I think she could be rather fun in the latin.

Greg and Danny both have height and posture on their side for the ballroom, although I agree with mimi that Greg's problem might be slowing down.

Is Ed the only contestant who has never danced? Might send a pity vote his way.

id say week2

Depends on how much of an impact they made in week 1.

My guess is Rob Rinder could just stand on the dance floor and tap his watch and he'll get through based on how loved his Cha Cha was.

Whereas I reckon Daisy and Aljaz will be forgotten next week with so many dancers If they don't to do a great Latin to match their success in the Waltz.

Ore is clearly a great dancer but will also need an amazing dance next week due to the low scores and not great choreography this week.

Some other couples who've done enough and have enough recognition for next week to really not matter too much are: Louise, Danny, Will.

Other Make or break couples who need a good week 2 performance are: Naga, Melvin, Laura and Ed

I'd probably say Week 2 is the most important one out of the 2 weeks as they are facing elimination.

Week 2 .

Unless Ed gets a massive viewers sympathy vote I can't see him remaining . He's got the Charleston for Sat .

I thought Ed did a pretty good waltz for his first dance and the judges were mean with their marks .

How could they be? They haven't done anything to find out what their most comfortable dance is. I don't think the pros would be too happy if they didn't know what the first dance was until a few days before curtain up! The set-up is basically half ballroom, half Latin anyway. I can't imagine that the producer would be willing to risk every competitor choosing their own dance and mucking up the balance.

They do individual dance tests in all the genres for the producers before the series even starts - Greg mentioned it in an interview somewhere, I think possibly the Metro. There's a lot more that goes on in terms of auditioning for the show than we actually see, and it really wouldn't be hard to see, for example that some people are better off left in hold. It used to be particularly obvious in Series 4 for example that all the fit younger sporty guys were deliberately given the cha cha wk 1 whilst all the older men got given the waltz.

I think it's quite hard to pin down the reasons why people vote. Some people will vote for the worst dancer each week, some will vote for the best trier, some people will pick out favourites in week 1 and stick with them until they're out. The couple eliminated first will probably be picking up a very small percentage of the public vote though. They'll have given very few reasons for anyone to vote for them on either week.

Yes - to "Yes Sir That's My Baby"!