Originally Posted by Moany Liza:
“Although I started this thread as a little "tongue in cheek" gesture, I do genuinely think there is a slight element of ageism afoot.
Right from before the show even began, there seemed to be an assumption that Lesley was going to be a duffer - and that was based on absolutely nothing demonstrable other than it being common knowledge that she was the oldest contestant this year. However, she proved to be much more competent than many of the significantly younger others who are still in the competition.
It's not as if she's an "unknown", as she had had a lengthy and successful career but it's probably fair to say that because she's not so likely to appeal to a younger demographic, that may figure in why she has been booted off.
Of course her dancing was not flawless but I don't believe that any of her shortcomings could legitimately be attributed to the fact that she was the eldest contestant. In fact, I think the only real issue was her neck, and i think that was caused by the significant variation in height between her and Anton. I don't think she was likely to win but I certainly think she deserved to remain longer.
Much as I find Ed very entertaining, he should have gone before Lesley.”
I think your assessment is spot on. She seemed to be marked by the bookies as a favourite to go first along with ironically enough Ed Balls.
I liked Ed at first actually and think he deserved to stay in until last week (or indeed the week before but I couldn't get upset about Naga going at all) and I don't think any of the reasons why he should have gone are his fault. He's trying his best, isn't treating the whole with disrespect and appears to be under no delusions about his level of talent and if he's been given increasingly joke routines that's down to Katya and the producers but I do think it's a shame he's still in and Lesley isn't. I knew it wouldn't happen but I'm hoping that he'll go at Halloween.
I've noticed a few middle aged men of colour have gone earlier than I would have liked them to too. I think paradoxically it seems that the public only really seem to love older contestants if they are really bad - c.f Judi Murray, Jeremy Vine, Widdy and John Sergeant (although the Sarge actually started off as a fairly good ballroom dancer).
