Apart from the very beginning and his dance, why was Ed missing in the rest of the show? He did not seem to be in the group upstairs at all.

He was probably getting his face painted

Ringing Gordon

He didn't stay there after his dance either.

Wasn't he on near the end? and don't they do interviews post dance for the results show/ ITT etc.

ive no idea probably practising eventhough it didn't help him as it was still a trash dance

Ed was at a social due at our football club last night. He said to the audience when asked that he loves being part of Strictly, says the training is very hard work, has lost a stone and is very grateful for people voting for him, he also said it's a once in a lifetime experience and he's going to enjoy every minute. Sounded like he was having lots of fun.

I think that his face wasn't painted when he walked on at the beginning and was painted by the time he danced. It must have taken ages to get that done.

Its great when participants embrace the whole experience.

I'm really surprised to have found Ed so likeable.

Make up department

Getting the green on.
He started the show as Ed balls, finished as the masked version.

I've always had a soft spot for Ed even though I'm not keen on his politics (and no, I am not a Tory). He took a lot of flak as a politician for being an idiot when he isn't an idiot - a lot of it to do with his having a stammer, which was openly mocked in the House of Commons by opposing parties. I think it's a sterling achievement for a stammerer to make it to the forefront of British politics and he should be acknowledged for that by followers of all political tribes.

Insofar as Strictly goes, he is also turning out to be one of the better dad dancers! If you can't really dance and you've got to ham it up, you might as well put your whole self into hamming it up!

Sums them all up really that doesn't it?

Yeah, his face was being painted. He came down the stairs at the beginning without it, probably so it would be a surprise reveal they most likely wanted him kept backstage after that so as not to ruin the surprise.

'Fraid so. And not just the politicos either. His stammer kicked in when making the Opposition response statement to the Budget once - and the world and his wife joined in with the mockery: national news programmes including the BBC, newspaper columnists, every last meanie on social media. That was the day that gave birth to my soft spot for Ed and I'm hoping he does well on Strictly.

I think it's obvious that he's having lots of fun. It's that, and the fact that he's putting his whole self into it, and the fact that he's not bothered about hanging onto the dignity of his former position, that makes him so very enjoyable to watch.