Not the kind that you would expect to see. But if you could swap the celebrities and dancers around (Any series, if you wish), who would you pair together and why?

Some examples to get you started:

Anton and Fiona - It intrigues me to know whether Anton would have been a better choice for Fiona given that he is disarmingly charming and that Fiona might have responded better under his tutelage. Love it or hate it, the closest comparison we have now though is how she manages under Len's tutelage for the final and I, for one, am intrigued.

Colin and Karen - I love Bill and Karen as a couple, but I am adamant that Colin would have benefited greatly from Karen's extremely strong choreography, which adds that magic storytelling element (Think Darren and Lilia's Paso Doble) that I feel appears sporadically in the British couples (Compare this to the US "Dancing in the Stars" contestants). Colin needs a character and presence to match that fantastic natural rhythm he's got. If he gets that, he will win it.

Julian and Craig - Okay, Craig's a judge and they're both blokes! However, given their penchant for exchanging insults in Series Two, I couldn't resist the immensely amusing thought of these old sparring partners doing the Tango together.

great topic
camilla and Bill I think they would be great toghter
sarah and andrew I think they would have a lot of fun
Brendan and jayne I think there would be sparks

I'd swap Darren Gough with me.

That way i'd get to do the Horizontal Tango with Lillia.

(is that what it's called? Or was it Argentine Tango....no, I'm sure I was right first time).

I agree with the OPs first suggestion, Fiona and Brendan was always going to be a disaster. He is too much of a task master and Fiona obviously has a lack of confidence as far as SCD is concerned. Anton on the other hand would have been achingly patient and as long as she could have survived the first couple of weeks I suspect we would now be seeing a blossoming flower (I don't believe I just said that either). Maybe a straight swap with Patsy and Fiona would have been better for both, certainly I suspect the sparks with Patsy and Brendan would fly and Brendan would either have jumped off a cliff or the pair of them would be rewriting the rule book.

When the line up was announced I was amazed that Brendan and Fiona were a pair and a little surprised that Anton was partnered with a younger celeb, particularly after his 'success' with Lesley and Esther, maybe they thought he needed a change and less having to come up with clever choreography to disguise the more mature partners.

Colin and Karen, er OK, but Darren and Karen....... look out, her obvious brillaince and Darren's yorkshire grit, sporting attitude, call it what you will would have been an uber pairing...

Have to think about this a bit more though.

I'm sorry, but NO-ONE could have helped poor Fiona!! As Craig acknowledged, she never lacked commitment about this whole thing. However, he quite rightly pointed out : "She simply cannot dance at all..." End of!

You know what? I've spent the last five minutes thinking about this, and I honestly don't think I'd change anyone around from this series. This really has been the first time that I've fallen in love with almost all of the couples: not just individuals, but the actual partnerships and the way everyone interacts.

Having said that, I don't know what I'd do with Colin- he and Erin don't gel as awesomely as some of the others (not that they don't get on, just that nothing about them as a pairing thrills me). I think Erin works well with someone who's a little more of a challenge, like Julian last season: the beauty of their partnership was that you could see that everything he learnt was all down to her, and he said as much many times. He, on the other hand, could pobably work perfectly successfully with any of the others, but I can't think of anyone he'd really sparkle with. He's a tough one to place!

But everyone else I love; they're all so different, and well matched (except Brendan and Fiona, but I'm not a fan of either of them, really, and as I said before, I wouldn't want to mess up any of the other partnerships by messing them around).

This is a really thought-provoking topic- I'm sure it'll bring up a lot of interesting responses!

I've been wondering all week whether Will would have done better with a different partner, someone more experienced in the dance world and SCD. Love Hanna to bits, but I reckon if he was with Erin, she would have kicked his ass into gear and he'd still be there.

I don't think I'd change anyone really though, I agree. I would have loved Sarah & Anton last series though. But can you imagine Brendan & Esther? It's cringe worthy just thinking about it! *shudders*

Like allybee, I've spent a good while thinking about this (excellent post) and my problem is that they're so well coupled off in my head, and have been for so long now, that I can't seem to seperate them at all!

The only really obviously bad pairing this series from what I've seen was Fiona and Brendan, but I suspect that Fiona and anyone would have been a problem. Swapping her and Patsy around might have created a Brendan/Sarah type scenario from series 2 - although the clash of personalities there would have been something to behold!

Good as Anton was when partnering Lesley and even Esther, I've enjoyed seeing him with a younger lady this time around. Although in saying that, I think talent doesn't really respect age at all...the right person should win regardless of their age...

I think Fiona Phillips is the type of person who is never going to be a good dancer regardless of who her partner is. I think Brendan probably got the best out of her as she needs someone who is strong and not afraid or intimidated by her. I think she would have controlled the partner if she was paired with someone else. I thought that pairing them together made great TV, there was lots of drama.

Also Hi everyone. I am now on here and thought my first post should be about my fave show!

Hi iflow - lots of beautiful new posters today I've noticed

This thread is a toughie - but excellent

I would put Denise with Brendan as I think he's our other tall professional and they could've set the floor alight.

Karen is so wonderful that anyone partnered with her would be exciting to watch, so putting her with Colin or Darren would be great.

Anton and Lesley were a perfect pairing but I wonder how Anton would've been with Natasha, or Zoe or Jill, it wouldn't fit - so umm I agree about Fiona and Patsy was a good pairing too.

I'll post any more if I think of them.

I said in another thread a couple of days ago that I thought that Fiona would have been better paired with Anton - I think his way of teaching would have worked with her and they would have gelled a lot better. They are also both very funny and it would have worked in a Lesley and Anton kind of way. It certainly would have been a lot more entertaining for us.
I found the interaction between Fiona and Brendan quite painful to watch sometimes.

I would quite liked to have seen Julian paired with Lilia. Erin was fantastic with him, but Lilia seems a bit madder - they would probably have driven us nuts very quickly

this would be so fantastic

LMAO!! I have that picture in my head now!!! Fabulous!

Craig and Julian, a partnership to die for!!! How about Diarmurd Gavin and Arlene Cept I wouldnt inflict the aged dragon queen on him

Poor old Ian couldnt really have anyone else he's too tall, cept may be Natasha Kerplunker, but I wouldnt inflict her on his gorgeous frame.

I think the matchings have been ok, but not fair on Anton being put with older ones, apart from Lesley. He and Sarah might have been interesting.

I know, Brendan and Arlene, he might teach her a thing or two!!!!!!

Sorry I've got silly and descended this brill thread into the gutter, sorry estolibre!!

Those are great Happyfeet. Brendan and Denise would have been fiery but brilliant. Imagine the electric performances. Awww I miss Denise.

And Karen and Darren would have been so much fun.

How about Quentin and Fiona???

Brendan & Denise, I didn't think about that! She'd not take any of his crap, she'd give it all back and more!! He needs someone equally firey to put him in his place.

I know this doesn't count, because they're both pro's, but Erin would sooooooooooo totally kick his ass into gear!!!! She can be equally scary when she wants to be I reckon, she's just too sweet and lovely. Firey Kiwis!!!

What about Arlene and Brucie? They're nearer each other's ages aren't they?

OH TASI!! That was sooooo unkind! Go and stand in the naughty corner, and no more posting for you!

Bruno & Lilia!!!!! Can you imagine what their training would be like?!

Brendan has made Sarah and Fiona cry. I really don't think that would have happened to Denise.

I really hope they get her on ITT soon. Would love to hear how she is and her views on things this year, esp Zoe and Ian

Agree with Cat123 - Will and Erin would have been good-
But have been wondering on the pairment of Craig and Julian - who'd get to wear the dress?

they'd have to take it in turns to keep them both happy

camilla and darren or james and lila

Brendan and Denise would have been brilliant.........as would Karen and Colin. We need to be put out of our misery by Bill leaving, he's turning into Quentin Wilson ( but with much more personality).

What's wrong with these women that this Kiwi upstart can reduce them to tears........

Hey everybody,

I'm pleasantly surprised by the responses so far. I didn't know what the response would be like for my first thread! Thank you all for sharing your perspectives and I hope it continues.

I was particularly struck by:

Brendan and Denise - I think that they would have suited each other's temperaments really well. They're both fiery, competitive and passionate. Denise would certainly be a strong match for him - Remember when she requested that Ian join her down the gym to increase his strength? . Brendan could have pushed her hard and she would have probably enjoyed the challenge.

Here's a few more serving suggestions:

Will and Hanna - Nope, not a typo. I mean Will and Hanna Karttunen. Look at how she played to Christopher Parker's strengths in Series One - his routines were far from technical masterpieces, but every time I saw him perform with Hanna, I had such a big grin on my face because it was so wildly entertaining. I echo the sentiment that had Will been in any of the other series of SCD, he would have easily been in the final. And I think that Hanna K. could have unlocked that magic.

Matthew and Carol - Poor old Matt barely had five minutes to make an impression, yet we marvelled at what could have been with his cape-twirling and magnificently fiery contribution to the Professional's Paso Doble. Pair him with Carol and would we have seen a different interpretation to that Rumba?

Hint: Facial expressions. Say no more.

Darren Gough and Arlene - Just to see the hilarious footage of the training sessions with Arlene fawning over him ...