Well I think the thread title says it all Brendan's partners over the past two series have been dire and now they've lumbered poor old Darren with Gloria - do you think the beeb want a man to win this years contest and that why they've got someone like Colin in this year

What I do think is that no matter how hard I try to see it, I think that Gloria bless her is trying so hard, but she looks like a stuffed doll. Her partner is carrying her and judges in the past have criticised like crazy when the celebrity does not do well.

I think Sarah Manners could have done a lot better. She wasn't that bad but wanted to leave to competition...crazy girl.

I agree they're probably less likely to give a 'promising person' to a former champion but it does well to remember that the producers largely have no idea who will be good and who will be bad - how would they know whether Patsy would do well and Fiona would do badly? Presumably they both have had no experience. Ditto the other contestants. Not wanting to sound ageist, but I suppose the older contestants are less likely to win and this is why Darren was given Gloria. Otherwise it is pretty random I think.

No, I don't think so at all really - why should one person automatically get the perceived 'good' ones?
I think giving a variety of abilities to each pro means that we get to see more of their character and teaching ability.
To me, Brendon was lucky in his first partner - Natasha was a good dancer and also quite compliaint - but Sarah being a bit less of a good dancer and more fiesty showed a different side to him, as for Fiona - well best not get me started on that (what the heck is she still doing there - the girl can't dance - I know Julian couldn't last year but at least he tried!)
Again, last year Darren struck lucky with Jill, but I think we've seen more personality this year with Gloria.
Erin has put the spade work in, if you like with Martin Offiah and Julian Clary (both were pretty obviously not born to dance!) and this time has been given Colin who allows her to show another side to her teaching technique.
Anton, after the 'older' ladies of Lesley and Esther has been given a younger partner in Patsy
I think it adds to the programme - it would be boring if the same pro dancers just went through the same routines with the same character of celeb.

I think Natasha and Brendan were amazing in series one

taken enblock the males are a stronger team than the females this year odds on a man to win

well darren getting gloria was fair! He had his moment of glory(lol gettit?) when he won last year. Poor anton can't keep getting the 50's and over

I think it also has something to do with height, they couldn't put Darren and Zoe together for example

lol ! That would have been comedy gold

I think it's based on height too. But other factors must coem into to it as well.

I think it's great Brendan has Fiona. He needs to learn he isn't God's gift and has faults in his teaching methods

He's not the only one.
People like Karen and Camilla do interesting choreography that makes their partner look good - Will's partner on the other hand, doesn't really make the best of him. Great choreography can make an average dancer look better, and hers is very dull! He has had a cheeky personality on the backstage clips but this doesn't come out in the performances.

do you think that's her lack of experience (of this type of thing) showing?

it's what i was thinking last night anyway

I don't think so. Natasha if people remember wasn't at all into it in the beginning, and said she would be completely happy to leave first but then she blossomed into fabulousness. I think getting Sarah Manners was a harsh reality check for Brendan because Natasha was such a pro. Because Brendan made Sarah cry I think they thought they'd give him someone who they percieved to be similar to Natasha in terms of work ethic (early mornings etc) and look how well that turned out.

I think that whoever matches up partners must base it on their perception of the celeb. I mean, with Patsy and Anton you could see the potential to be had from an Eliza Doolittle/Higgins type storyline a mile off

Anton complained last year that Brendan was getting young fit partners. I wasn't too suprise Anton got one himself this year and Brendan got an oldie.

I think the producers have to pair each couple according to height - and perhaps personality. Gloria (for her age and family etc) has decided on a more refined way, in both the way she dances and what she wears and Darren seems to accept this and choreographs their routines accordingly.

However, if Brendan were paired with Gloria (for height) his passion/arrogance/put downs would not bring out the best in her - or make for good TV.

Talking of which, I do wish Brucie would cut out the poor jokes and Tess would try to be a bit less wooden.

So do I. It was really noticeable how tall Zoe was last night...and I don't reckon many dancers other than Ian could have been paired with her.

I dnt think that the partners are dire. It would be boring if previous winners were to win again.

When they won their consecutive series they were blessed with partners who fitted their style of teaching and responded well to that. They have to be challenged in the other series otherwise they wouldnt be very good Professionals would they.

The fact that Darren and Brendon got Fiona and Gloria so far in the competition proves that they are good professional dancers.

Fiona isnt old. Thats a bit harsh.

Yes I must admit, if Fiona is classed as an oldie..I may have to get out my zimmer frame now!

Sarah had a really hectic schedule at Casualty during SCD, she was filming her hardest storyline yet and having seen it aired she did a fantastic job but it must have been so emotionally draining. She did a fab job getting as far as she did on SCD.

There was one shot when they panned along the line and Ian and Zoe were standing next to Dennis and Izabelle - it looked like Ian and Zoe had stilts on

I, too believe that it is decided beforehand which prof gets which celeb. I am starting to think that it is also decided beforehand who will be in the final.

Don't mean to slate Sarah at all. Last year I thought Brendan was a pillock for some his treatment of Sarah (however I am a devoted fan of his this year). I thought she could have done a lot better. But it didn't help with comments from her like "your (Brendan's) job is to follow me around" and she shouldn't have joined the show with such a hectic schedule. Teaching dance is his job, she could have been a bit more respectful. Even during their first meeting she was asking to be picked up and swong around.

WELL it would be boring if the same pro won every year wouldnt it so makes sense to swap them round - I know the beeb wanted to try zoe with brendan but she refused that suggestion