And, apparently, not a bad actor! Not that I have ever seen him acting as I didn't/don't watch Hollyoaks.

He was very good in Oaks. Seems like an nice bloke too.

Reading through this thread, I was pretty shocked by those comments too! (even with those emoticons). To be so negative about someone on a TV screen who puts so many hours and such hard work into their training, then produces such an amazing performance...wow

I've mentioned it elsewhere, but the beat and singing and music to this samba was extraordinary

Oti and Danny's samba was sizzling.

I just don't see the point of watching someone who is already practically professional standard supposedly 'learning' to dance. I also find him very bland and rather smug in interviews.

He's learning to do ballroom and latin dances, neither of which he was trained to do. That's what they mean by "learning".

I have some dancing experience (some), but heaven help me if I was ever thrust out onto a stage and told to be the prima ballerina. I'd have no idea what I was doing because I know f all about ballet. Just because you know how to dance doesn't mean you know every single style of dance out there. You still have to learn new things.

I don't have dance experience, but I agree with what you have written.

The only advantage that both Danny and Louise have is that they have performed to an audience. This does help a lot but doing ballroom or latin steps is completely different to any form of stage dancing they have learned.

I mean pretty sure Claudia performs to audiences too. In fact one of the largest audiences in the world - the Olympics being pretty popular.

I am sure you can't compare the audience in the Olympics which is tens of metres away from you with the cosy atmosphere in the Strictly studio where you can touch the audience and probably hear their every sigh.
The secbd would be much more nerve wracking for me. This in case I am over the nerves of performing to an audience of course

To be fair though, Claudia is very used to performing for Judges scores, no matter how far away the audience may be. Her comments about nerves seem to relate to being out of her gymnastic comfort zone doing different things with her body and learning the routine. She never seems to claim nervousness when performing live.

I am saddened at the nasty remarks about a guy who has worked so hard to be as good as he is. There is nothing bland or smug about Danny, he is always the first to praise Oti for how much she has helped him. He comes across as a genuine and humble guy who is getting such joy from his experience. I feel sorry for anyone who doesn't get as much joy from watching him.

I agree.

People will always find a reason to dislike someone. Sometimes just being really good is reason enough.

Danny's samba was so good, I was actually tingling through the whole thing. The music started, which was very exciting, with a wonderful beat; a great track sang really well. The green lights lit up, which set the scene of a jungle so well. They danced like nobody was looking, with total abandon. It was a sexy, yet intamate and primal dance. Oti looked amazing as well. Best dance of the series. Bruno's reaction was fabulous, as was their reaction to Bruno. What a treat! Danny and Oti are so well matched as a couple too. Danny has to win.
Last edited by beauty-1 : 03-12-2016 at 09:02

Well said, and yes, Bruno's reaction was priceless.

Now everyone should know what makes Craig give a 10. The dance needs to transport him out of his critiques, which does not mean it is perfect or every step/gesture/hand placement is precise, just Wow! 😮

Totally agree on all counts!! Sometimes people are really nasty (the green eye comes out) because they couldn't do what they are criticizing!
Go Danny and Oti....40 again tonight for the Tango!: )

Hear, Hear! Let's really give his critics something to whine and moan about

The nicest thing I have noticed about Danny & Oti scoring 40, is how few people claim this was over-marking.

I've always had the impression that Danny doesn't actually know how good he is. He has put in 13+ hours some days, to learn the dance, and from what Oti has to say about him, he really does not appreciate how well able he is to dance her choreography. Learning in isolation in the way they have to on Strictly doesn't really give you any measure of how easy/fast etc the other celebs pick up the choreography or what they find difficult. You just see the Friday rehearsals. So for me, I find Danny humble and slightly bemused when anyone says how good he is - always quick to praise Oti rather than take the credit for himself.

Exactly, well said! He and Oti seem to be putting in more hours than some of the others (if not all of them!), so in that respect it's not surprising how much he can learn, but he's clearly just throwing himself into whatever she gives him and is giving it his all.