What people forget is that in the 1st series.... with the exception of "The Sweeney"..... they were ALL genuine dancing novices. Every single one of them (even CP) showed an incredible improvement and the programme was all the better for it. There were no bookies faves until near the end and yes, Natasha & Brendan were incredible together - the chemistry was almost palpable. This year with Kelly it all seems a bit too forced for the media.
Natasha may not have been technically as good as others in subsequent series but she totally captured the spirit of the competition which, sadly, has never been repeated.