On Saturday, I was again frustrated throughout the whole show by the way the panel comments were handled -- it's a shame, especially now that we're down to only 8, that Graham seems to only be going to 2 of the panel for comments before ALW for each pair. I keep thinking, well, Zoe said x about that guy last week, I wonder what she thinks this week... and then Graham Norton skips her. Same with John -- not so much with the others, but maybe that's because Zoe & John seem (to me) to make the most pertinent comments. You'd think with the show running about the same length and fewer performances each week, they could allow a little more time for panel comments.

Speaking of which, the boys *really* need to stop talking back to the panel. It's not a dialogue, it's judging, or feedback, or whatever you want to call it, and it's just not their place to be trying to chime in and defend themselves. No matter what they say, they're never going to look good trying to do that -- even if they have a valid point, they come across as defensive and unable to take criticism. (I was really surprised when Daniel did this -- he should know better.)

And speaking of the panel, now that John, Zoe & Bill have all had photos/video of their pasts dragged out, if I were Denise, I'd be bracing myself for next week.

I was pleased with Lee because he took the judges criticism graciously and didn't answer back to the judges as the others did! That is the attitue of a leading man!

i think lee is actually really shy and i think he was so gracious in just holding back- he had the worst comments of the night and he just took it. you could see he was upset but i think some of the others like daniel who didn't have that harsh comments shouldn't have replied back the way they did as to me it comes across as them being arrogant! Lee doesn't make a big thing of it and just says he'll try even harder!

And then throws a wobbly and threatens to leave the show!!!

According to The Sun.

whitearrow I agree. they need to take a leaf out of Lee's book and not answer back but take it on board gracefully. It makes them look so much better. We the GPB are not stupid as to regards the comments

Would be preferable to wait for graham to ask the josephs what they make of the comments before butting in. It didn't do Seamus any favours. But the moment must grab them eh.

Totally agree about having only half the judges comment. Pah! They picked four. They're all dressed up for it, so let them talk. The Josephs would prefer to have an entire panel's view surely. I would too.

Personally I think Daniel did the right thing in answering back, they were saying about he percieves a song, well if you give him a McFly song then what do you expect but for him to give the type of performance that he gave.

His performances haven't been samey at all, Lady is a Tramp was totally different to last week.

I think you have the right to comment if the judges are talking c**p. If the comments are constructive then fine, take it on board. But if they say 'too samey' when it's so obviously not (Frank Sinatra,Mc Fly??!!?) then say.
Lee should have stuck up for himself, he would get more respect for that.
If these judges picked the winner, thats the time to keep your mouth shut but they're not.

I think its great that Daniel knows how to stand up for himself and even when he overruled ALW to sing that Kelly clarkeson number his way, ALW wasnt exactly unimpressed now was he

And it was particularly gratifying for ALW to agree with him and overule John and Denise last week . Maybe ALW is fed up of yes men and his negative comments in the podcast about Lee doing what he is told to do seem to confirm that.

I have to admit thinking "huh" when he said that about Lee, knowing how miffed he seemed to be when Daniel chose his own route, but hey who knows what goes on in ALW's head

And hey it didnt do Will any harm

Hee, I was going to say that (can you tell that I love Will Young?)

I don't have a problem with people talking back to the judges if they do it politely and in an appropriate situation. I don't think any one can beat Will Young's comeback to Simon Cowell. However, at the same time, it annoys me that since then, people feel the need to emulate him and talk back to the judges whenever they get criticised. If the judges have a valid point then listen and take on board what they say.

I didn't mind Daniel defending himself in that instant, because while JB and Denise had a valid point (that we haven't seen an edgier Daniel), I think it was ridiculous that they were criticising Daniel for not being edgy during that McFly song. And JB's comment about not always getting to sing the song that one likes was the icing on the cake. The problem was not about liking/wanting the song, but that it not being an appropriate song to show off on's dark life. However, I do think Daniel could have gone about it a better way. He basically interupted Denise; and while it is rare that something worth hearing comes out of her mouth I think it would have been polite to have let her finish as well as making him look less defensive.

I concur with your esteemed insight

Regardless of whether they have a valid point or not, I still think it comes off looking defensive.

And I don't think the point about Daniel showing the same side of himself had to do with the songs as much as the fact that he's choosing to interpret them in a way that shows the same side of himself. Lady is a Tramp certainly could have been given a darker interpretation, if he'd chosen to do so, for example. I think their point was that regardless of the song he's given, he needs to find a way to show something other than Mr. Nice Guy.