I've said all along that I don't give a flying one who wins. I don't have a favourite at all. I really don't. I've never voted on any series of Strictly and genuinely don't care about the outcome - never have. I just can't muster any such level of personal investment in a TV show.

I just enjoy watching all the dancing. It's nice enjoyable escapism and good viewing. Call me odd if you like, but I really have no interest in supporting any particular pairing.

So... I'm sorry to blow your theory out of the water but I'd be just as happy to see every couple dance every dance until the end.

Talk about reading something into a situation that isn't there....

Jeezus!

I don't vote either. Never have, never will. I still think the eliminations are needed to give the show a sense of purpose. Plus the early shows are way too long, so there would need to be fewer contestants to begin with. Which means less variety.

Well, I just feel it's a bit of a waste really, getting rid off people who've only had a chance to dance twice . If you think the early shows are overly long, it's not because there are too many contestants - rather there's too much fluff, filler and faffing about in between.

You have to factor in that some celebs are quite happy to be cannon fodder and probably don't actually want to be in for any longer

Yes I suppose there's something in that - which is why I suggested that around Week 6 might be a good time to start the cull!

I think most of them probably don't really want the boot in the first 3 or 4 weeks and realistically if any of them really are feeling ready to leave, it will certainly become apparent by then.

I pity whoever would have had to tell Stephanie Beacham

I don't think I saw that series.

Was she not keen then?

If there was no Dance Off then the judges would be more careful marking people like Balls and Rinder and be prepared to give low marks like Craig does.

I think it could be argued that the first week's marks should not be carried over to week 2, to give people a bit of time to settle down. Ideally I would like no elimination for two weeks but unlikely to happen.

She made absolutely no secret of the fact that she was delighted to leave early.

Lone voice here in support of the Dance Off.
Need something to moderate the fact that the great British public by and large don't know much about dancing and quite often vote for someone for daft reasons. (Sadly I sometimes think that about most of the judges too.)

If you compare the dance off and non dance off years, there isnt really that much difference. Sargeant saga happened with the dance off. All the dance off really does is push the vunerable positions up a couple of places with the need to keep favourie out of the bottom 2 not just from dead last. It's actually the dance off that leads to needing the dance off

She was every shade of awesome on the colour chart - but she wasnt in it for the long haul

[quote=Mr Cellophane;84874060]She made absolutely no secret of the fact that she was delighted to leave early.

Here is Stephanie Beacham's less-than-tearful reaction to being eliminated.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcKSv1ALRCU

Quite refreshing!

I agree, btw The BBC can't lose Strickly to anyone it's a BBC product. Bake off was brought to the BBC by a production company a bit of greedy one too!

I think careful marking and cutting out or shortening the awful VTs and sticking to training videos are the key. Perhaps let everyone dance two dances - one latin, one ballroom before elimination. Don't forget, voting brings in revenue - whether it is is given to the BBC or all or a percentage to Children in Need I'm not sure.

My main beef is the bias and favouritism of the judges - and the BBC's over promotion of certain contestants - this year, Ore.

They need a certain amount of filler to allow stage changes between couples, but the amount of time needed is a result of the Production obsession with theming and props.
If they reduced the staging to use of the very effective wall graphics above the orchestra and around the balconies, and the video floor, with at most - a table or chair, they wouldn't need so much guff and filler.

Not sure 🙃

[quote=Duckfeet;84880835]
Haha that is hilarious! Love how she was just brutally honest about being relieved to go! 'Not a slipper that fit' haha

Get rid of the props and "faffing abaht". Go back to the day of "Would Named Celeb and their Named Partner please take to the floor." where they dance for their full 90 seconds rather than playing with stuff.

Extend to 2 minutes pure dance time (at least)

In terms of realistic tweaks, I would just like them to get rid of the dance off.

In terms of things which would never happen but might be interesting....the judges could give comments after the dance, enter their electronic score, but that score not be shown to either the couple or the public. The vote goes ahead without anyone knowing their leaderboard positions. In the results show the judges leaderboard is then revealed before the couples are called safe. It would be interesting to see if it would change voting patterns at all - if people would just vote for their favourite, or attempt to guess at the leaderboard (and probably be wildly wrong if Saturday was anything to go by).

I think you underestimate Len's influence, Ramps in the final he stood up to applaud him , to me that won it that year for ramps. Look at what he did for Ore in this year's semi, he has influence with people who know dance , and those who do not, could be easily persuaded by his argument that Ore has had the biggest journey, he does not even have to vote I always listen to what he says about a dancer's ability,

See also his massive support of Lisa Snowdon, Pamela Stephenson, Kellie Bright - didn't help them much. He gave Kara a 7 in their final and they still won. By that stage I don't think what he or any of the judges say makes much difference. If they could only influence people's thinking with their comments rather than their scores, they might have to say something more useful than spouting puns on song titles etc. I just think it would be interesting to see how people vote when they don't really know who they have to 'save' - it might focus their votes a bit more.

Sometimes change is good, it works for me as it is, never thought the 2 girls presenting would be good but they for me have been great. Would like to see itt to be extended to a full hour,I like my daily fix!