I think Danny's a lovely guy and would be happy to see Ed win - I don't think he's got a mean or resentful streak at all. A small, vocal section of his fans on the other hand who are a little less easy going might be a little less magnanimous about it, if the reaction when they perceive a threat is anything to go by. 🙈

All fanbases seem to have that small element and I think that the only reason Danny is being mentioned with this quote (and professional threads etc) rather than Louise is because she is perceived as less of a threat to other fanbases, even though she's headed the leader board herself.

Personally I'd be ok if Ed won if he was the best/most entertaining on the day and I think the pair of them are pretty pally anyway and respect each other a lot so I hope this quote (doesn't he have to have said it if it's an actual quote...even in the Sun?) was not meant as it sounds and we find that out.

I think that's true.

Even if Ed won SCD, which is highly unlikely, he is hardly going to be competition to Danny afterwards if a lead part in a West End musical comes up.

Although I have an issue with Danny being in SCD due to how good he was from the start, I like him and think he would be brilliant if he wanted to follow that career path.

In fact, I would go so far as to say I would pay West End prices to see him in the right show

Do not believe a word of it.

So far the novice dancers are holding their own. Five beginners vs two with a fair amount of experience/training. I expect Danny will win because year on year folk flock to the male ringer, but it'd be good to see someone -- other than Louise -- make him break sweat.

I'll vote Ore while he's there because he's my favourite and he has a natural flair. In terms of talent he is arguably the best of the beginners.

When/if Ore goes, I'll vote for whichever of the remaining beginners has the best shot.

ETA seriously doubt Ed was hitting at Danny or vice versa. Any of the contestants who have mentioned Ed have been full of support for him. Doubt Ed would be as ungracious as the Sun implies

Mark Ramprakash was good, but he really wasn't a patch on Danny Mac. Obviously everyone has their own opinion and some people will enjoy looking at Mark more, but I honestly think if most people watched their dances one after the other Danny would come out ahead. He's a much better dancer.
I imagine another workplace would net a different result anyway - clearly some people rate Louise and Kevin more highly than Claudia and AJ, because they haven't yet been in the dance off.
I do agree that Ed Balls is likely to get people talking in any workplace - but I think his ambitions still lean more towards politics than panto!

The quote in the paper doesnt even mention Danny's name and could equally be aimed at Louise who has also had dance training and was a judge on a BBC dancing show. If people are reading it as a dig at Danny then in my mind its because they know in their hearts that it probably is a bit unfair to have someone who has been employed as a dancer in the past on the show. I dont just aim this at Danny, there have been others, Matt Baker being one.

Celebs will always have different strengths and skills, obviously Claudia is a gymnast and is very fit and supple and able to do things with her body and legs that other people couldn't. Some people are musical and others have natural abilities because they are athletes etc etc but thats a very different thing from someone who has been a good enough dancer to be employed on the Londond stage as one.

Ed is right the show IS about people who are learning a new skill, in recent years the BBC have chosen to allow more experience dancers onto the show, thats their choice.

Its all down the personal choice so lets make a deal......I dont care if you love and want to vote for Danny thats your choice.....just don't complain if I want to vote for someone else even if that person is Ed or the Judge or Ore none of whom have had any significant dance training prior to Strictly and for me thats what the show is all about.

When was he employed as a dancer? What dancing did he do? I heard he'd appeared in Wicked (which I've seen) in a background role, but I'd not heard about his previous career as a professional dancer.

That's because he hasn't had a career as a professional dancer.

At the end of the day I really don't give a toss about fairness, it's a Saturday night light entertainment show not a trial by jury. One of the things that makes Strictly so great is that there's something for everyone, including people who love to watch great dancers excelling at what they do. The show would be a lot less interesting without the likes of Danny and Louise in my book.

I agree.

who taught Ore to suddenly develop ballet arms🤔🙄

Jay was slaughtered for being a ringer in the same way last year, as I remember.....
both good dancers, both with previous, obvs.

Haven't they always allowed girl banders/celebs with previous dance experience (even though it might NOT be ballroom)/sports personnel who must ALL have a huge advantage over a balls/murray/widdecombe/sergeant figure?
I saw Ali Bastian in Chicago, and Kara Tointon has been in theatre, amongst others.......

anothe r bull story...

anyway I bet Ed thinks they are all 'GREAT DANCERS' COMPARED TO HIM!!

BIB 1 Who said so? Surely it's about whoever is invited to participate in the show being able to do just that to the best of their ability.

BiB I certainly don't have a problem if you want to vote for the Judge or Ed (I've voted for them myself) but this was after all in response to some comments against previous dance experience .

so do you think Ed's just jelous that Danny has half a chance of winning and he doesn't?