Didn't Aliona say that she spent the 1st day every week on technique before she even let Jay hear the music last year?
Maybe it depends on the pros teaching methods, how much they can fit into their ridiculously short time?

I think that Oti also teaches/taught Danny the basics of the various dances in the three weeks prior to the start of the series.

That is a good point, I mean, I think every pro should teach the celebs the basics of most or if not all, dances in the 3 week period between launch show and the main ones.

They are all been taught multiple dances every week... a week prior to do their actual dance is only polishing practice.

What basis do you have for this please?

As I thought when I checked out the music on YT, it's very fast and it's difficult to do any proper samba action. That routine is a lot of posing and lifts.
I think Danny and Oti have their work cut out this week.

From the look of their training, I doubt it is just posing and lifts. I have high hopes of their samba!

Should not be any lifts at all. I have a feeling the training revealed very little, and those of us who don't know Oti's Samba style will be pleasantly surprised.

Training footage last night was very awkward... he is trying too hard.

Oti is fabulous at Samba, have watched her in competition before - brilliant dancer

I'm really excited to see Danny and Oti's samba and I'm not usually about sambas. Having seen Oti's costume which I loved the look of and I love the sound of what she's going for... but I'm a teeny bit worried about what they might stick Danny in to match Oti's costume.

I'm sure it will be great. Danny and Oti have been really lucky with some gorgeous costuming this year and I don't see why that won't continue tonight. Good luck to them, hoping for a perfect or near perfect score based on snippets in training

Haven't been Danny's biggest fan this series, but I am looking forward to their samba. I think Danny could deliver a really memorable one tonight, based on his training footage.

Can't wait to see them let loose, tribal-style

The music choices are worst for Ore and Louise: I don't think Ore is up to matching that music with a Paso - Danny and Oti might have pulled it off - and Louise and Kevin could be a cringefest.

I thought Danny's training looked a bit too fast and furious.

I'm hoping Claudia is managing her gymnastics and SCD training better than with last week's heavy footed and step-free jive.

Ed and Rinder have decent chances of making entertaining dances to their songs. Ore most likely to leave, I think.

I'm looking forward to Claudia and AJ. AT is my absolute favourite dance and I thought the clips shown of them practising looked good.

I also love Cry me a River and really hope the singers don't ruin it

Of the remaining couples Ed is the only one who has not yet opened the show.

So I really hope he is on first.