Originally Posted by dizzie:
“Almost unfair to say Oti - even though she IS the best pro left! I love watching her dance, but it's clear that a more-than-able dance partner has benefited her massively. She's choreographed some great routines, occasionally a bit frantic, but always clever and watchable. However, and it's quite a big however, there really hasn't been enough improvement in Danny's dancing - even though he was starting from quite an accomplished place to start with. He's clean and crisp, but he was from the very start. It's hard to say what I want from him, perhaps it's more of an emotional connection to the dance and definitely more flair. He dances like a professional backing dancer (not an insult obviously!), but he ought to be dancing like the star of the show - and I think that's still missing. I'm not sure if that's something Oti can teach him though - so I still think she's the best pro left, and is pushing Danny technically as far as he can go.
Joanne has been a brilliant teacher, bringing up a total non-dancer to a very impressive level of dance ability. I think she sometimes skips a little technique to pile on a bit too much showiness (jumping over bikes!), but generally I think she's done a great job teaching Ore how to both dance and act to music - he's incredibly watchable, and has the flair that I sometimes think Danny is missing (I watch Oti more than Danny in their routines, but the other way round with Ore and Joanne).
I know people get stomped on for perceived 'hate' towards Kevin, but I don't rate him at all as a choreographer or dance teacher. Yes, he's managed to coax a little more confidence out of Louise, but I firmly believe that she would be in a different league altogether, had she been given another partner. Given her basic starting point was really competent, I don't think he's pushed her enough, and I always think he's only done just what is necessary to get his partners through the competition, rather than really extending their abilities as dancers. In that way, and with 4 finals under his belt, he's obviously a clever competitor, and has clearly learned the formula to get a celeb to the final, but I just don't think he's anywhere near the best pro in Strictly. Also, no one will ever manage to convince me that he's got any real talent for latin dances, despite his background supposedly being primarily latin. Being able to dance the steps is not the same as being able to deliver a routine. That samba especially was just cringe, and he was in full flow 'Watch Me Dance!' mode, which is infuriating, when he's supposed to be showcasing his celeb!”
Oti for me.
As you say she has benefitted from a more than able dance partner. Same could be said for Kevin though and there have been many more than able dance partners in previous years but I don't think any other professionals, barring maybe Aliona to a slightly lesser degree, have brought such varied and spectacular choreography to the show.
I would also add that whilst Ore may have had no previous dance training, my friends and I all thought he stood out at the launch show as the one to watch - being a good mover and having natural rhythm.
Re Kevin, I neither like or dislike him but have to say I found his over dancing in the samba was very ungainly, not dissimilar to his Ellie Goulding dance. He seems to get carried away a bit imo. Having said that, even though I found his partnership with Kellie last year very annoying I thought their 'oom pah pah' was one of the dances of the series.
