I think he had better music than Claudia. Apart from ' Li'l Red Riding Hood ' for the AS, and the dreadful ' My Generation ' for the QS, he didn't come off too badly really. Even their AT had proper music, which is more than can be said for Danny.

I liked Claudia's Waltz music and it's been used before for that dance, but the rest have been awful !

It's AJ I can't stand. He's so fond of himself. Claudia's problem is her height - for ballroom dancing.

I admire Claudia's dedication and work ethic but have only just started warming to her. The last couple of weeks, I think we're seeing a bit more personality slip out. She's very controlled on the main programme but is warming up on ITT - which not everyone watches, so might be a problem for her. I do like that she's getting better and better, is really resilient about marks / comments / music and really wants to learn each dance as well as she can. I don't know if she has the humour to be a fave, but I would be very happy to see her progress and would even be fine with her winning.

As for AJ, I have no problem with him. He seems to have a sunny nature, shows great respect for Claudia and is learning as fast as her - I think he's ironing out some of his earlier errors. I like that he really wants her to improve technique but is working hard on performance too.

Maybe not the most impactful couple but I still believe there's a 10 worthy dance in there and they both seem nice people.

I tend to forget about Claudia but, when she dances I'm always very impressed. I'm not too keen on AJ but, in fairness to him he's teaching her recognisable routines which she executes superbly. Her FT the other week was divine and (in a way) reminded me of the old SCD when celebs actually learned the dances properly and didn't make every routine into a "showdance".

For goodness sake what is it with the age thing.

AJ is only 1 year younger than Aljaz was when he started on Strictly Come Dancing and won with Abbey Clancy.

As fo 19 year old Claudia, she is 2 years older than Louisa Lytton was when she reached the quarter finals.

They are a couple where the pro is teaching his celeb how to dance properly. Showing her the correct technique of each dance. No showboating.
And I for one am thoroughly enjoying their dancing

I haven't warmed to her either. I can see that she's doing well and has been making progress, but there's a grim determination about her that makes her dancing dull. And the interviews are so media-trained on message. She and AJ are my least favourite couple.

Media trained?
You couldn't find a less "media trained" contestant this year.

Seriously?

Claudia seemed like a rabbit in headlights and gave little away during most of the first few weeks and I would say since the Charleston has only really started to give away her personality. Also you can tell by the VTs that they neither her nor AJ are trained in media or TV as they 'conversations' are so unnaturalistic compared to how they are live.

AJ too seems to be thoroughly embracing the SCD opportunity and his choreography has been great - its also good that he seems to be one of the few pros that is noticeably pushing their celebs and always working hard on technique. The VW (judging by Ian's critique mid-week) could be a dance where they get a 10 for judging by her frame and the fact AJ is putting in steps to cater to Len's better judgement.

They're the couple who seem to be improving week on week (from those who started off mid table ish) and they also seem to be getting more popular with the public too.

I totally love her!

She's sweet, clearly gets on with AJ, works hard and delivers the goods on a Saturday night!

I don't think she's overwhelming charismatic in the ITT interviews or anything, but she's what I'd expect a young woman without media training to be.

Me too, she's a darling, I feel some are feeling threatened by her, she has crept up on the outside.

Honestly, I don't feel 'threatened' by Claudia because I don't have a favourite. She is lovely as a person and her dancing is good but hasn't moved me. I suspect that is due to AJ and his robotic smile. And yes he is only slightly younger than Aljaz when he started with the show but he seems a baby comparatively.

He and Aliona dealt with their non-orthodox music choices much better than this year's contestants who blame the music for their failures. But in general, I agree that the SCD producers should select music traditionally associated with the assigned dance and limit their musical experiments to professionals' numbers.

Who has blamed the music for their failures?

And as mentioned, Jay had very little to complain about anyway.

Pretty much my view. And I think AJ is fine, too. Can see no reason to dislike either of them.

She's a gymnast that spends her working life surrounded by kids , occasionally wins a medal and then has a mic thrust into her face . TV performances aren't what she trains for , they're relatively rare and I'm guessing her reaction to being on Strictly would be that of a normal teenager except possibly a little more disciplined .

I like Claudia and I like AJ, they are both very nice, even though AJ can get a little bit excited sometimes.

I like Claudia but not AJ.

I agree. I think Claudia has done a great job, but AJ doesn't do himself any favours. I love Claudia as a gymnast, but I can't get excited about her. I like Louise but still find her a bit bland and can't warm to Kevin either.

best dance of the night i thought. she really has a lovely ballroom style

There are only so many excuses you can make for them, whether it's their music, outfit, height difference, her being a gymnast etc. Others get poor music choices too. Why is Claudia a unique snowflake? She is a good dancer but forgettable. I did like her Charleston though...

There was a fair amount of showboating and not an awful lot of pure Viennese Waltz tonight - took them a whole verse and into the chorus just to get into hold! Not impressed.

I can't warm to AJ and I don't think it's anything to do with age (I loved Aljaz his first series!), I just really don't like his choreography and in interviews he annoys me. It's a shame, as I've been warming more and more to Claudia and thought she danced beautifully tonight, I just can't get enthused about the partnership.

I'm another who can't warm to this partnership . Just can't fathom how they've avoided the DO so far .

I'm afraid the height difference is too much between them as was demonstrated particularly in tonight's VW, especially when in hold . I found it bland and thought they were overmarked again .

She is lovely but just too tiny and her personality doesn't come through. Don't mind if she goes out

Claudia and AJ my favourites, they have so much to fight against, musical choice, costumes, height difference and yet she still impresses me, she has my vote

Ive usually forgotten her dance by the time the judges give their scores