There's a reason I used the word "performance" rather than "dance" - i.e. because I recognise that for some viewers the entertainment factor plays a part.

I struggle to believe that many people vote on the basis of what they see on the VTs and in the post-dance interviews though, and we all know only a minority watch ITT. That's why I said the performance on the dancefloor was key, as that's the biggest amount of time on a Saturday night in which the celebs can show their personality and create the drama/comedy.

Another factor is that there isn't really anyone with a 'story' this year. His main rival, Louise, has arguably as much dance training as him and has a seasoned pro who has been in 3 finals. Claudia has a natural advantage of being a gymnast; Ore has sports prowess. Ed and Judge are clearly too far adrift to form a challenge and will be marked low by the judges.. It was a much more professional field this year - no one that I can see has really had a 'journey'.

I'd rather Danny won. I prefer him to Louise. I'd like to see Danny, Claudia and Ore in the final.

I asked that in this thread: http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2191127

I do wonder if maybe one of the reasons is because they see her as a threat to Danny winning and so are making negative comments about her in the hope that "mud sticks".


Me too. I think it's unfair that he was in the show to begin with. I've thought that he was going to win even before his first dance. I don't like seeing people have too much of an advantage to begin with. Like with Ray Quinn on Dancing on Ice. As good as he was, he had far too much of an advantage with his extensive dance background and his rollerblading hobby. Danny's advantage is with his dance background in the West End, where as part of the ensemble, he would surely have been dancing on the stage and would have had to be good at it to be doing it for four years.

I suspect the vast majority have never heard of Danny until Strictly. Where Louise is more well known.

Of the two, Louise has had more actual dance training and her footwork is superb. Just a lot of us do not get any joy of dancing from her. Where for us Danny quite clearly is loving dancing & does not seem to care about the marks, only that he does not let Oti down. Without Danny this year for me would be meh.

Louise seems hung up on getting it right and does not let the moment overtake her. The only thing I blame Kevin for is choreographically forgetting this is a television show, rather than a stage show or dance competition. So routines can either be too big for Louise to properly sell, or too introverted to connect through the TV.

All just my opinion.

Forgot its just a public vote. The judges can still put ideas in the voters heads though. If they are picky with one of Danny Mac's routines.
There seems to be a lot of subliminal manipulation going on to me. I don't totally trust phone votes either.

Louise has got experience of dancing too from what I read. Danny's dancing is confined to musicals so IMO it is completely different to ballroom dancing.

Yes, they're both ringers. She went to stage school, said she trained as a dancer & was a judge on So You Think You Can Dance.

I don't mind a ringer at all, but they've got to make me want to keep watching. Danny does, Louise doesn't.

I couldn't barely tell LOL

After that Samba last night, I would be happy if he won!

It is anyone but Danny for me.

He is the ringer of all ringers.

Me too. I like to watch someone who is exciting. Danny for me is.

Exactly.

I agree with the description.

I've been forcing myself to like Danny because he's nice and all, but there is something very 'going through the motions' about him, it's worse than any other dancer that has ever been on the show.
Maybe it's because his personality is so bland that there's nothing else to focus on. I also don't feel the camaraderie between him and Oti either, I've seen more spark on a wet Monday morning. The other couples can be very warm and touchy feely on those couches with Claudia, while those two sit together like they've just met.

Danny has made this series for me as well.

Ditto. Just see the love of Dance he has.

This sums up how I feel too.

I think this sums it up. There is little human frailty with Danny's dancing and on the Strictly standard of a ten (which lets face it doesn't have to be perfect) he could have been getting 10's from week one. The guy has obviously worked his socks off and so has Oti, but he just oversteps a line of already contained talent that makes it rather a dull process watching him reel off proficient dance after proficient dance. Nothing against him but I hope he doesn't win.

I'm afraid DM is so lacking in personality and hasn't improved at all in my view. I love this show and look forward to it every year but have been missing weeks just because I find his dancing so clinical. I don't want a trained dancer on the show, I want to see total novices improve and blossom in confidence. His partner is lovely but I'm completely turned off by their routines. Have almost lost interest in this series now. Hopefully the next one will be an improvement and the producers won't make the same mistake again.

Are we watching the same person Daisy, the man is fantastic and one of the best every male dancers on the show, He has to win, if not theres no justice...

I don't get it when people say that Danny Mac doesn't have a personality. He is just a normal guy who is trying his best each week. I couldn't care less that he has been good from the start because I have enjoyed every single performance of his and Oti's.

Danny spent 3 years tertiary level training to do this - the complete package of dance, acting and music. He also had to be accepted on his course - which meant he was at a high national standard before entry. Only someone who went to one of the drama colleges that specialise more in dance would have been prepared more. Cats is beyond him , but next week you have someone trained to do musicals, whose been in two Westend ones , doing a musicals number.

Louise went to Italia conti - where she would have studied the same subjects ,but only till she was 16. After that she specilaised in music. Danny did that and the next stage , and then did a degree course.

Ore looks too good to be untrained some weeks , but weaker the rest. I don't think we know enough about his past.

Claudia is strong , fit and flexible , but acting and dancing, are alien to her. And womens's gymnastics is no longer so focused on dance heavy floor routines, and has different physical requirements she's having to ignore. . She's the clear journey story . And has been since Greg and the Judge failed to travel far, and Lesley, Laura, and Daisy were sent home.

Yes he's definitely the best male celeb they've had on it by now.

Thought I'd dislike him or find him incredibly dull, have actually been wowed nearly every week by him and Oti. And the fact she's clearly pushing him & coming up with such showstopping dances is credit to them both. I really hope they win.

Well I'm watching a programme where complete novices learn to dance from scratch or at least that's what I want to watch. I don't want to see already accomplished AND trained dancers on the show. They are usually called pro dancers and not celebrities.
Also, he is as dull as ditchwater.
Now Ed, Judge Rinder and even Greg have at least entertained us even though they are never going to be great dancers.

The only thing the producers ask of those celebrities taking part is that they have not been trained in Ballroom & Latin dances. If that is not enough then I do wonder why people watch? It would appear you are not watching the same show as I and others are watching.

SCD has always included people with some form of dance training.