They hay have been 'being honest' but when that includes fairly harsh criticism and open dislike then it ceases to be an appreciation of the person or their work. The Kara/Artem and Jay/Aliona threads have never (to my knowledge) criticised anyone whose name is in the title of the thread.

Anyway discussing reasons for moderation is also against DS rules, so moving on...

Forgive my ignorance is Giovanni part of the dance troup for the Strictly Tour? Only I don'r remember reading that he's partnered with anyone.

Not so keen on the Strictly Tour (although I'd love to have seen it last year). I'd also love to see his 2017 tour but budgets and also not having it anywhere near me rule it out. sadly.

Yes.. he is part of the troupe.

I think MissD had a thought that they might slightly change the format this year to include a few professional showcase routines, as they have only 6 couples rather than 7. They have 12 in the pro dancers line up - we also know that Luba Mushtuk is in the troupe as well.

Kevin, Oti, Neil J, Oksana, Gorka, Karen Gio, Katya, AJ and Chloe, Alijaz and Janette.

I did not discuss it I thought it was sad. A big difference.

It is sad. I think you summed it up quite well earlier Chris with 'It is what it is'

I was referring to myself and what I'd written, I wasn't addressing your post Christopher. Apologies for causing the confusion.

Still not watched the Christmas show, not sure if I will bother now.

Brilliant idea about calories tell that to my scales though

Not a problem.

Definitely watch the Christmas show - worth it for Gio dancing in tails with Karen Clifton - lovely (Matt Goss was singing quite bearably as well...)

It is also worth it to try to figure out how on earth Melvin Odoom scored 40 for his Charleston - lovely chap though he is .. it was Christmas scoring post-sherry at its finest.

On the subject of the tour (again) I have found last year's tour programme (yes I am sad - I kept it) and have realised that there were a total of 12 pro dancers last year as well (or rather, 8 professional dancers from Strictly, and 4 commercial dancers e.g. Jake Leigh). So maybe the total numbers are the same?

When I heard he won I was surprised but even more surprised when he received a 40

Well worth watching Gio and Karen's dance from the Xmas Strictly. I have to say I didn't see Gio as a Fred Astair type but I realised I was very wrong. It just proves they should let the pros do proper ballroom/Latin( Gio and Katy's' Cha Cha in the final) That is what they spent years training to do. Instead we get a weekly dose of stage dancing. It does not highlight the individual strengths of the pros.

The power of being a very, very nice bloke When he was interviewed in the Claudatorium, he seemed so genuinely happy to be able to have another go, that I would have given him a vote just for that. So winning the audience vote made sense to me. The 40? Bonkers.


I remember vaguely reading somewhere that when Gio decided to quit competition and try to join Strictly, he worked very intensively on his ballroom in Italy to bring it closer to his Latin standard. So that set him apart from others who had just OK ballroom but competition standard Latin. Having World Ballroom Showdance Champion Joanne Clifton as a pro partner would have been tremendously helpful.

None of which is deployed with any success when he is asked to pretend to be a bird, with feathers, and bare feet.

Exactly.

Does anyone know the outcome of the express poll tv hearthrob 2016.?

http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-...unks-2016-poll


Gio is winning on 44% at the moment. Presumably it will end on the last day of the year
but I don't really know.

I really, really hope that there isn't a late surge by Piers Morgan.

Thanks everyone. That will be a DiSaaaaaster if that happen

Indeed. Nobody wants to see a Piers Morgan surge !

Still think it's weird poll. I mean, I don't fancy Giovanni but I can certainly see why many do, but some of the others are a tad ...random. Was it really such a bad year for Male TV totty (if we still allowed to say that word). Not at Pretzel Towers it wasn't. but then my taste is rather left field compared to some.

Still... where was Gorka, Danny Mac, heck even Ed should be in that poll instead of Piers. Oh well, good luck Giovanni, hope he wins.

Perish the thought ! 2016 can't end like that.

Definitely worth watching even just to see Gio and Karen's dance. I have also loved his solo dances with Katya and Jannette but his partnership with Joanne Clifton is my favourite one( The movie week). Their dances in the BBC Prom at the Albert Hall were magnificent.

You've made made go and rewatch the whole prom

I loved all the dances from that - seeing the pros (especially that group of pros) doing their thing for a whole show was amazing - the BBC better have a Strictly prom every year

well, that brightened up a dull morning

hope everyone had a good Christmas


he was on my Christmas list but, unfortunately, I didn't get him


hello Laila, I've been a fan of Giovanni since I first saw him on Strictly and appreciate his dancing and choreography, and he looks quite nice, too


hi Pretzel, I completely agree with your comments, but I'll say no more


I haven't had a chance to watch the programme yet but, hopefully, will do so this afternoon, I quite agree, Giovanni and Joanne were a great partnership and I've watched their Royal Albert Hall dances many times


afternoon LL, I liked George Michael's music very much and also Status Quo, so was sorry to hear that Rick Parfitt died on Christmas Eve

[quote=soap__lover;84985050]You've made made go and rewatch the whole prom

I loved all the dances from that - seeing the pros (especially that group of pros) doing their thing for a whole show was amazing - the BBC better have a Strictly prom every year[/QUOTE


Definitely, an annual event.

I loved all the numbers . The Pros are all brilliant in their own ways.
The first time I watched Gio and Joanne danced to Erik Satie 's 'Gymnopedie' I almost cry. They really captured the mood of the music. And the Piazzolla's Libertango is just as brilliant
Talking about it made want to watch it again

There is a poll on the MF to choose the winner of the DS winning dances. Gio and Laura's tango is there but not doing that well. They need all the support they can get.

Good reminder, Issfan. They are in 7th place (of 14) with exactly 7 votes. Spooky maths!

The poll is here http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2195274

Would it be too cruel to hope that they edge out No 6 on the list, which is Claudia and AJ;s Charleston (on 9 votes currently)

For followers of the Cult of Monkseal, his annual Poll of Series 14 is here. Monkseal has had some internet difficulties and I think that this is the link to the final poll

https://monkseal.wordpress.com/2016/...ting/#comments

Absolutely no pressure to choose any particular male pro dancer for the King of All Pros. But it gets boring if Alijaz or Pasha win it every year....... a change would be nice. A Siciliano-flavoured change would be very nice.

(And before anyone asks, Piers Morgan does NOT feature in this poll thankfully).

[quote=Laila_Sant;84985924]
I wouldn't mind one bit if it was an annual event. And the Albert Hall is such a great venue as well - thought that added so much to the atmosphere of the whole evening. I kicked myself for not getting tickets.