.... do the producers put the couple they think will score the highest last? It seems that over the last few weeks the last dancing couple have come top of the leaderboard and I wondered whether it was more than coincidence.

I'm not saying the marking is fixed or anything like that, I just wondered whether the producers/directors (whoever chooses these things) prefer for the show to end on a high as it were.

Your thoughts please.

Usually, in shows like this, they put the person likely to do the best, from rehearsals, in the anchor position (American Idol etc) to end the show on a good note (err, pun not intended). So it may be that it's the same type of deal here.

You tend to have the best on near the end if not at the end to end strongly. Alex was nearly always near the end in FA2, Leona turns up there more often on X factor, Grace on Cirque de Celebrite. Early tends to be dangerous even if you are good so there is a risk putting your best acts on there too.

i alway just thought it was random so no couple are always last or always 1st

So did I, or done on some sort of semi-rotational basis.

I don't think it's random. I remember Matt saying that he didn't want to go first in week 1, but the producers said his dance would be a good show opener.

I think they try to start and finish on a high.

I think its no deeper than that. Start and end on a high makes everyone feel happy.

I alway thought it was random.......but now I am not so sure.

I guess it is good to end on an high!

I used to think it was random, but I don't think so anymore, Mark and Karen have never been on first, but have been last at least 3 times, and Matt has been on first at least twice, if not three times.