Sorry been away, I what I meant was that I remembered on ITT Lilia's behaviour was commented on. Especially at the final 4 couples stages. I think they were the first married pro couple on the show and with them both getting so far with thier celebs it was interesting. I definitely remember there was VT footage of Lilia watching Jill & Darren's rehersal (I think it was semi final week) and she was not a happy camper. (You can make your own mind up why)

Then she and Aled were eliminated and I remember Darren on ITT saying she was distraught and crying all weekend. I remember thinking that while she had ever right to be upset and dissapointed, it wasn't very supportive of her husband who was STILL in the final and had a good shot of winning it. I was never sure if her behavior was because she is competitive or because she felt threatened, but IMO her behavoiur that series was the most weird of any partner I have seen on strictly.

That said since then she has been very supportive of Darren and I have to say he has been the same to her. They seem really together as a couple. They both are IMO the best teachers on strictly and always manage to get the most from their celeb partners. I will also admit I don't like either of them and I don't know why. They both make my teeth itch. I also dislike Lilia more than Darren. It may have something to do with the fact she and Darren Gough beat Colin and Erin in series 3. (I did feel a bit sorry she had Dom this series, I felt his behaviour was disgraceful)

They are however the most successful pro couple on strictly with a win a piece and both been in the semi (Darren twice) and Lilia has been the runner up in the final! That is a pretty impressive record.

This is only my impression I had at the time, I don't know if the bits of ITT from that series I have refered to are on the internet anywhere. I will have a look and if I can find them I will post a link to them so you can make your own mind up.

That's interesting. I do remember quite clearly Aled, Lilia and Darren making separate references to the fact that she cried for three hours after getting knocked out, but I've always taken that to mean that she really was just devastated that her and Aled didn't make the final.

There are tears in a lot of their eyes when they get knocked out - in this particular context I remember when Darren and Emma were knocked out at the same stage he talked about how upset he'd been as well, but both he then and Lilia in series 2 commented on how they wanted the other couple to win/all their voters to vote for the other couple. & like you say, since then they way they've behaved does seem more supportive - potentially as they got more comfortable with the cameras on, but I'm merely speculating there. By their nature they're competitive, I doubt you'd get as far in their profession as they have done without being competitive, and I guess that would be my interpretation of what you've described - upset at not winning, rather than upest at the other couple winning, if that makes sense.

I wasn't an avid ITT viewer in series 2 though, so I don't recall the other clip you mention - if you do find it anywhere I'd be very interested to see it! The thing I do find interesting about this topic is how vastly people's interpretations of particular partnerships vary - you've said you don't particularly like Darren & Lilia, and I'll confess to being a big fan of theirs, among others. I'm sure this influences our view of things to some extent, as it's all by nature about personal interpretation.

If nothing, it's definitely making me think (& whilst I should be thinking about my revision, that's definitely a start!) so thank you!

I think if you have a strong relationship it shouldn't make any difference, it is acting a role in front of cameras, but a relationship could happen as it could in any working environment. I think Vincent was very insecure with his relationship with Flavia, he was worried who she would get as a partner before he even knew who it was, that it someone who doesn't have a strong relationship.

Pro dancers have gone through the mill for umpteen years, appearing in front of the likes of Len, winning many times and losing many times. SCD however is engineered to milk tension and disappointment for all its worth. I am sure SCD producers were thrilled to bits when Penny was twice reduced to tears in front of 9 million -- it got the audience engaged, identifying with crisis and struggle, and thereby trapped into watching the next episode. The ratings war has transformed winning and losing into a blood sport, imagine Lilia who has danced since she was a tiny tot, crying for three hours. That prolonged waiting for one's name to be called and reprieved, waiting, waiting, waiting for the executioner while the drum beats, is enough to wear anybody down.

I have had a look and haven't been successful. Have emailed the BBC in vain hope. You are right that peoples interpretation of events are different and I am willing to agree that my dislike of Lilia could (and probably does) influence my opnion. I included it in my post because I wanted to be honest. Even though I am not a big fan of either of them, I wouldn't put a vindictive post about any of the contestants except maybe on a tantum thread. (Not that I am say you have in anway accused me of this)

If I get a reply I will post the link and good luck with your revision. I used to do anything to avoid doing mine. Luckily the internet wasn't as prevelant then or I would have totally flunked all my exams. I did however have a very tidy bedroom during my GCSE's and A'Levels!

Hahahaha tidy bedroom syndrome *glances around shiftily* it's worse when you're at uni, because there's a whooooooooooole house to clean - I can be found scrubbing the kitchen many a time when I have an evil exam!!

& I definitely agree with you that vindictive posts aren't the way to go - when it's something constructive like this, I actually really enjoy hearing other people's opinions - it'd be a boring world if we all thought exactly the same!

[QUOTE - when it's something constructive like this, I actually really enjoy hearing other people's opinions - it'd be a boring world if we all thought exactly the same![/quote]

It has been very interesting hearing the variety of opinion. Thank you for running with this thread. I admit to being only a seasonal visitor to the forum - largely because out of season all the threads seem to be appreciation ones...

I wonder if anyone has turned down an invite onto SCD either because they couldn't cope with the intimacy factor, or because their partner objected? I suppose we'll never know.

That's an interesting thought. I suppose it's something to be considered alongside the sheer amount of time they have to give up to be on a show like Strictly. It's one thing doing say...fame academy or something, where its all about you, or even learning to dance privately...

Hmm. I suppose it is a question we'll never know the answer to though. Just saw an article quoting Alesha as saying she was glad she was single during the show which seems particularly relevant to this. She said she felt she was free to flirt without running the risk of hurting anyone...

I would guess one of the worst points to do the show would be quite near the start of a relationship - plenty of the celebrities are married and you see all their partners in the audience, but I would assume they're pretty established and secure relationships for the large part.

Hi Sarah Jane and grockleprincess

I might be able to help because I remember the bit that I think GP is talking about. In the second series of ITT they had a body language 'expert' appear and she commented on some footage where J & D were rehearsing in the Strictly studio and Lilia 'happened' to be in the background. Can't remember exactly what was said but the expert implied that the body language showed that Lilia wasn't comfortable with J & D dancing together. Didn't think much of the expert as her observations were either blindingly obvious or a bit spurious and didn't think that her comments in this circumstance were very appropriate.

With three years' hindsight - and the fact that D & L are still in and seemingly enjoying SCD - it seems to me that it was simply a period of adjustment for them. As pros, and indeed as amateurs, they will have been used to dancing with only one person. To enter a situation where for three months you work intensively with someone else must take some getting used to. Even if you don't feel threatened, the 'weird factor' must be pretty high!

Does this help at all?

Its interesting you should post now, because a friend actually managed to send me the clip this morning! Personally I didn't put a lot of weight on it because Claudia tries to ring Lilia afterwards, and she comments that she'd asked Darren to go and watch their rehearsal... I definitely can see how it would be interpreted otherwise though! Both Lilia and Darren watching one another's rehearsals did look rather unhappy, but.....appearances can be deceptive!

Is there any chance you could share the clip? I'm always looking for more of series two, it's really hard to come by!

Interesting thread- one thing that strikes me about Lilia crying so much when Aled got knocked out is that it's different from losing a competition professionally. With Strictly the pro and celeb build up a relationship, and being knocked out means the end of that. I can imagine that could be difficult to adjust to, after months of training with someone every day.

Any clips of series 2 would be fab...I can't believe I taped over my copies.. I am an idiot!!!

By the way... the body language "expert" wasn't Judy James was it ? She's a regular on BB and I wouldn't trust her interpretation of a watched kettle never mind anything psychologically deeper.

That certainly sounds about right. Can't remember much of what she said, simply that I wasn't impressed!

Hahaha yes she did seem to be talking rather a lot of nonsense!

I am glad to see other people remembered that clip and I didn't just dream it up! (Believe me that is a possibility!) Agree that a lot of these 'experts' they have on (Gok is ofcourse the exception) talk a load of rubbish. Sarah Jane I would love to have another look at the clip.


Totally agree, but I will stand by my original post that the strangest behaviour displayed by a contestant partner on Strictly IMO is Lilia in series 2. If my husband was on though I would probably top-trump her!!