Oti tweeted https://twitter.com/otimabuse/status/802607558154448897

No need to feel uncomfortable

Forgot to add, it's been my FAVE dance so far this year, possibly my fave EVER.

Nothing wrong with a tribal theme (despite the misgivings aired by some before the dance). I don't know anything about Oti, but it seemed like the idea for the theme came from her, which is fare enough. I would only feel uncomfortable if as you say it was something forced on her by producers, or if Vicky was sticking her in leopard print for every dance.

I loved the fusion of styles in tha Samba, it was one of the best dances we have seen on the show.

not racist at all for me as Kathryn McCormick who's white was also in tribal costume when she sambaed to the same song in sytycd

Oh god have mercy!

Oh goodness, where does this come from? Those "Lion King" motifs you mention are taken from ethnic cultures, from traditional costumes, and the wardrobe department would know about them more than anybody else.
Oti is always gorgeous, but she never looked better than on her Samba night!

Let's not get upset on somebody else's behalf. Next somebody will tell she's forced to dance because she's black.

It was dance of the series for me for sure. I thought it was fantastic.

Thanks to everyone who replied to my comment about this. It's good to know that it's an interpretation that Oti has used before, and doesn't seem to have been forced on her by the producers. Given that she seems to be quite assertive, it was unlikely.

BTW - I loved the fusion too.

I'd love to see Oti and Danni do a Zulu/Samba fusion for their showdance (if they make the Final) to this song, which I think has a message worth hearing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ca2uVZuiY0

Me too. Plus usually I am on the edge of my seat just waiting for a slip up but in this case I could just relax into it. Total confidence in Danny who was just so in the moment. Boy can he move. Brilliant choreography of course. For me - the best dance ever on Strictly.

I think Oti said herself she wanted the samba to be different. Tribal and ethnic were the words she used.

I don't understand dancing but by jove, it was enjoyable. Glad they got a 40. Well deserved.

I especially loved the manic / crazy dancing after the first stalking the prey bit.

Funny thing is I read on YouTube that when he was at ArtsEd, his dancing wasn't the best and he only scraped through the course. Acting was his forte!

Unappreciating that I think Danny can't win whatever he does! If he'd been crap with an arts education background, he'd still have haters saying that he should be better due to said background, as it is the haters hate because they think he's too good due to his background! I love watching him and Oti dance purely because I just enjoy their dancing most! Would love him to win, but won't be up in arms if he doesn't, they've all worked hard and are fantastic and have different strengths in different dances!

Oh come on. He's the most popular by far, hardly gets a drive by ribbing and is bound to win.

And he's a boring, boring ringy ringer who looks like a thunderbird and performs like a second rate pro show backing dancer.

Where tf did that come from? I don't know you and vice versa, but why such spiteful comments?

Amazeballs!

I agree...there was a rawness, a lack of the polish a real male pro would bring to it but for this dance that worked better. Oti has said it would take many more years of practise for Danny to reach that standard.


I'd put Helen and Aljaz's VW (to At Last) in that category from recent years. I still replay that one a lot.
Yes I thought Danny did an extra arm swing and you could see in Len's lens in the slow mo part. As you say he was really in to it, dang he's enjoying this describes it perfectly!



Yes I think you're right. All of them now have different advantages and in their own individual ways deserve to win. With all the fast routines Danny has been getting and the talk of ice baths after the dances he's having to have to prevent injury, I was hoping for something sedate this weekend for them.
I hope Danny and Oti win as they are the couple I enjoy the most...but that hasn't helped in the past! But whatever happens they are a magical combination and have brought something extra special to this years show.

I have been rooting for Team Doti since Day 1, though I adored the originality and performance of this dance, it just did not feel like a samba for me. Give my Georgia & Gio's over this any day.

As for being the dance of the series - NO WAY!!!

Doti's QS (my personal fave), Cha Cha, Jive & Charleston all hit this out of the ballpark!


I think I was trying to say the same thing above in a kind of roundabout way...

I am now believing the claims that he is the best male celebrity ever on Strictly, I do think he is the best celebrity full stop. I'm still not sure I want him to win but I do want to see him do his thing in the final.

He is definitely THE BEST MALE ever. Mentions of Jay's name have quietened down considerably in recent weeks!!! If anyone comes close to Danny for me its Tom Chambers.

I did not watch neither Kara's or Natalie's series so not sure about best celeb ever- but wouldn't be surprised if Danny was it.

I cannot wait to see his and Oti's Showdance - its going to be all sorts of A-MA-ZING!!!!!

Yes, I was pretty convinced early on he could be the best male celeb, and would say he's definitely proved that. Can't think of any that run him close.

In terms of other great celebrities in general I loved Kara and while I appreciated Natalie was technically great, she wasn't very engaging for me. But think she may well still have a higher average score come end of the season than Danny, but we will see.

BIB To be fair, Natalie had a lot less competition than Danny...


For all those shouting "ringer", this is a very interesting point. Oti deserves every credit for doing a wonderful job with Danny.

This was definitely an original routine and very interesting, even though personally I don't like Danny.

But can someone explain why no one does the 'samba rolls' any more? I think that's what they're called - the bit where the man stands behind the woman and they kind of roll their hips round in sync like keeping up a hula hoop. Is it too hard or does it look too sexual?

They did do samba rolls at the beginning in the slow bit!

I don't know why you say you don't like Danny. He is quite harmless in my view. But is very talented!

Good-looking, hunky and a phenomenal dancer...what's to like?!!