I don't think people are purposely ignoring it, rather that a lot of people (including me) probably didn't watch SCD much until the second series so they can comment more about the stuff from then onwards.

natasha does look strange on some of the old footage that we see sometimes on ITT as the standard now seems so high, I wonder how she would do if in this year's competition......

You're right, they have never shown it much have they!

Never was that keen on either Kaplinsky or Cole but watching those clips last night made me all sentimental inside.

Yes, the standards have improved but you can't beat the original for novelty and entertainment. As an "item", they set the scene for reviving ballroom dancing to an ever-widening audience due to their sparkle and chemistry. No other couple since have come close to emulating that (rightly or wrongly depending on your POV)

Thank you Natasha & Brendan

I think what we need to remember is that Natasha was in very first series of SCD and of course expectations and standards will have changed dramatically.

How true..... typical Beeb..... they suck us in with glitz and glamour, grab their audience and then palm us off with plastic and paste

The standard of dancing may have increased with each series, but polarity has certainly taken place in the costume department !

When I see Natasha and Brendan, I'm always put off by the idea that they were (supposedly) having an affair, and poor Camilla and whoever Natasha dumped had to watch the two of them smooching away in full view on the dancefloor. Takes the shine off it somewhat.

Natasha and Brendan were the whole reason I got addicted to SCD, and it is true in retrospect that she was nowhere near the standard of say Jill or Colin, but like Darren she did improve enormously and her ballroom was fabulous. Their tango was gorgeous, and I don't think I've ever seen a couple on SCD with so much chemistry. They made every dance rivetting because there was so much spark between them. Jill was great because she was a fantastic dancer, her and Darren worked their bits off and did everything right, but they never had that magic that Natasha and Brendan had.

I don't think you can really see how special they were from the short clips on ITT, plus, of course, as others have said, the standard that year was far, far lower than it is now, and they had a lot less rehearsal time. When you think that their main competition was Martin 'Chariots' Offiah and Chris Parker, they didn't have to do that much to look good.

Hear hear

She was the best out of a bad bunch the first year - and the chemistry with Brendan was great. But the standard is loads better since then.

However the magic/chemistry has been repeated only once more... with Bill & Karen in Series 3.

Oh bless you!!!! That has got me in tears of laughter!

I noticed that. Natasha was the best of a bad bunch but she was pretty poor really, compare her to Jill or Colin...

I was serious! (A different kind of magic... but magic all the same!)

This isn't a dig at Karen or Bill, they certainly weren't my favourites, nor was I in any way against them, but what magic and chemistry?

I really don't see how anyone could seriously compare them to Natasha and Brendan's stage presence, hence me thinking you were joking...

Very true! Her paso dress was particularly stunning from what I remember, but these days some of the costumes are a little odd! Mainly the colours I think, they seem to have reams of certain materials which are dragged out week after week.

Hi Anita!

I don't know whether I can describe it... just one of those feelings you get.. they just worked perfectly together... had so much fun and they had a connection that I thought shone through into their performances on the dance floor. They brought the energy, fun, hardwork and dedication to SCD last series. It was a sad day when they had to leave the competition. As a dancer myself... it shocked me how much I loved watching them. Maybe browsing through the first pages of "Ballroom Bill" or finding some of the threads that appeared the week they left you will see some of the ways they touched people... they were to me.. and a lot of other people "the people's champions".

And I just had another thought... Lesley & Anton had a really great relationship in Series 1. I forgot about them as I have not enjoyed Anton with any of his partners since then. They didn't have the class of Natasha & Brendan but they were great to watch in Series 1.

It's a symptom of a certain amount of BBC "spin"
The BBC are quite able to influence things on this programme in many subtle ways. The less descerning don't notice.
At the time "Numpty" was competing in this programme the BBC PR people were pushing her "profile" hard. She went on to be described by them as; "The face of the BBC in 2005." (that's "poles apart" from how some viewers see her).
They're logic was that if they can get people to watch the BBC news because she's presenting it then many are likely to stay with that channel for the next programme. "What a stroke of good fortune for them, " that she was the winner!

Oh look! we're back to "ratings" again.

Doghouse, I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but were you ever an employee of the BBC and then dismissed?

**laughing**

Fair enough, as I say I didn't personally see or feel a connection between them, just sympathy after Bill's tumble and the nasty comments from some of the judges they endured each week. It struck me as being more of a nurturing friendship opposed to any real chemistry, but then we all have differing opinions about everyone which makes a show like SCD so enjoyable.

No. I've never worked for the BBC and never been dismissed by anyone. I’m "pleasantly unemployed” and in the position where I can go or do whatever I want.

I just don't accept things at face value. I believe the quality of BBC's programmes have been progressively dumbed down and the BBC are past masters of saying one thing and doing something quite different. I'm still waiting for Mark Thompson to come good on this promise he made two years ago.

http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/3990

I like SCD I think it's a very entertaining bit of nonsense, but the whole thing is geared as a "ratings chase" to the detriment in some instances to ballroom dancing, as is half the nonsense that goes on in SCDT2.

By the way I never get "personal" making direct comments to other contributors if I don't agree with their views. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. I'm not directing this at you, but too many contributors on here like telling others what they should or should not say. I think it's a bit juvenile.
Message boards such as these are just a bit of fun. Too many people attach rather a lot if importance to them, which is a bit sad, in my opinion.

Thank you for explaining that.

The reason I mentioned it was because a lot of your posts seem to centre around a theory that the BBC is some evil ruthless agent only out to further their ratings at the expense of all things good and right.

So I thought maybe you had some kind of reason to hate the BBC but I guess you don't.

Now if I were unkind I might give you my "use of sweeping statements" comment but as you haven't, I won't.

I've never suggested they are "some evil ruthless agent."
But I do suggest they have an "agenda."
All broadcasters do, they're in a very competitive business. Programmes are viewed and marketed like any other "product" that needs to be sold.

Sorry, I don't follow what you mean? As I haven't what?


I guess what I am still confused about it, if it is the case that all broadcasters do this, why have you mentioned it in numerous threads as if it is something to criticise the BBC about?