What are your first impressions after watching last nights show?

I think Dominic & Lilia, Brendan & Kelly and Penny & Ian will be in the final 3, with Gabby & James and Kenny & Ola coming 4th and 5th.

I think Penny & Ian will win from First Impressions.

Personally, I think Brian Capron or Willie Thorne will be the first to go on Saturday, They don't really look the dancing type!

Your thoughts?

Im looking forward to seeing who can and cant dance! im thinking penny might not be as dainty as she looks, but who knows !

Unfortunately I didn't see the whole show as I had to go out. From what I did see, I don't think Dominic will make it to the final. I hope it could be a good year for Anton as I find him very amusing. Will be interesting to see how Kate Garraway comes across as I've not warmed to her in other things she's been on. Have a feeling the Blue Peter lad might do well (which probably means he'll have the dancing talent of a wardrobe).

Would be happy to see Brian and Karen go first because Karen gets on my nerves (sorry Brian) swiftly followed by anyone who's been in Eastenders.

I'll have to see if it's on the catch up TV thingy because I'd like to have a look at Ian and Penny.

I'm now even more excited after watching last nights show. I think Gabby, Kelly and Letitia are going to do really well. Actually,I think all the women are going to be pretty good this year. Not so sure about the men, think Matt will be pretty good but apart from that only time will tell!

Was very good. Looking foward to the real thing. Hope someone from my fave show EE wins.

yeah

GO LETITIA DEAN!!!! WOO

If Lilia gets to the final again I swear they will rename SCD "The Darren & Lilia show"

Come on, Karen & The Cutler's.

x x x x x

I think Brendan and Kelly have to go far just because there is always such hype and attention focused on Brendan that he has to do well this time to live up to it.

It's just the men with individual performances this week right?

Of the men I thin Willie and Dominic/Bryan will be the first to leave.

Of the girls I think Letitia might find the first weeks difficult but I hope she doesn't as she seemed lovely on the VT. Kate needs to appeal to the public. I find her arrogant and hope that doesn't come through as Anton is a great pro (aren't they all actually). Mind you appealing to the public isn't so important this year.

So, for the first four weeks goodbyes I have (in no particular order) Willie, Dominic, Bryan, Letitia.

I can see coming in well at the end - Kelly, Alyesha and Matt.

Penny and Ian look beautiful together (don't anyone tell Rod!) She did look potentially clumpy though. I truly hope not. If she can float around she wil be amazing.

Personally, unlike Vikkikaplinsky, I would have no problem with Darren or Lilia getting to the finals again. If they train their partners well, produce great choreography and get on well with their partners, why should they not? This is probably why they do well actually! All the pros should have an equal chance, irrespective of whether they have won before or done well. Otherwise, presumably Karen and Brendan should presumably go early, as they have won before. Or Ian having got to two finals?

I think in this context Darren and Lilia are competing as two separate pros, and should be regarded as such. I think sometimes people consider them as one person, unlike other professional couples. They have only won once each!

Difficult or impossible to guess who will go early, but I have to say I fear for Willie Thorne and Stephanie Beacham, as the older contestants have more difficulty with flexibility usually, particularly with the latin dances.

I wouldn't like to make any predictions about them until I've actually seen them dance the full routine.

As said - Lilia has achieved amazing results with her last 2 partners, so whilst Dom looked dreadful in the clips we saw last night - who knows what she'll manage to get him to do after a few weeks training.

Goodness knows what stage of training the footage they showed us last night was taken - but I can hardly wait for next week to see them in action proper!

Dancingles -I think you are right.

Its not the BBC who get Darren and Lilia far -its their choreography and their partners talent. I think its fair to say that neither of them have been given the obvious 'winner' this series -so if they do well it will be testiment to their skill as teachers.


I have no problem with any of the pros getting to the final -its in the hands of the british public (or should I say -len, arlene, craig and bruno? )

I think they have a great line-up this year and I am looking forward to watching it!

I agree! Although I do have my favourites () I am genuinely looking forward to seeing EVERYBODY dance!

Originally I was annoyed that the guys were going first, but now I think it is quite a good idea as the guys seem to lack something compared to to girls. Hence wiht them going first it should draw them some attention.

I intend to watch them all dance before pronouncing .

Dancingles , Brian and Stephanie are both 60 and Willie 57.

None of the pros are peferct ; whilst Karen annoys you
Chiaroscuro , I love her to bits, as I do one or two others and find myself left cold at least 5 of the pros ,
That's as it is bound to be .

Very good point.

The thing is, as it is does come down to being a popularity contest as much as a dance contest, I wonder whether Lilia is popular enough on her own to get the votes. I'm not saying Dom won't be popular, just that there could be others who will more so in the popularity stakes. That said, Strictly does have a habit of changing my views about the celebrities over the weeks of watching it!

I couldn't agree more - I know she's very popular.

The same goes for Vincent and Karen. I am confident that Vincent and Steph will survive their first performance and the same applies to Karen and Brian.

Letitia and Darren would also fall into this categorie

Well, IMO, it's down to the fact they have a lot of fans who will vote for them whatever they do. I never understood what was so great about Matt Dawson's dancing last year.

And, like some people say it is a popularity contest ... it's all down to who has the most fans.

I think there certainly is that element to it, but, much as my favourite couple in each of the UK series hasn't won, I do think the celebrity with the best dancing ability has won - I suppose with exception of Darren Gough, but then he improved a lot through it. Should say I didn't watch the first series so I don't know if Natasha was the best or not.

Natasha was defin the best!

Trust me.... she was

There's a great quote by Arlene in this month's Sky mag where she raves about them saying that "Natasha was like a butterfly in his arms"

I did and On balance , yes she was , though Lesley had the edge in some respects ...sheer pleasure in what she was doing . Much as Darren Gough had . And for me that was what separated the last 4 last year , Ramps had huge enjoyment out of dancing and wanted to convey that and to get others to feel like dancing too. Goughie was the same . But neither Emma nor Matt had that love of what they were doing and did not convey that to the audience .
Louisa had it as well im my opinion .