I fully admit to being prejudiced because she took Nicole's place, but felt the same about Brian and Kristina. After 3 shows I have changed my opinion of Brian and Kristina and now consider them an asset to the show, both are very good dancers and choreographers, Hayley on the other hand is weak in both those areas. And I don't think she looks "naughty" or "dirty" at all. I think she's more down to earth than that.

I did't know people didn't like her! I really like the girl! I think she tries her best with Mark and gives him the confidence he needs.

Like I said i'm a fan!

Well if it's just you or just a male thing, why the sweeping statements about how all women viewers, everywhere, must feel threatened by Hayley's 'dirtiness'!

I love Hayley's dirtiness but I also know how women's minds work. Anyway, I have made my point and that is that.

People slate Hayley but what about Erin? She is great in the ballroom but her Latin is atrocious. In the group dance last week she almost fell over and in training and on the show tonight Austin was better than her.

You all have something in for Hayley and it is unjustified. If Erin was as fit as Hayley maybe she would cop it instead. I don't know.

I think we'd have to agree to disagree there. Erin's Latin is not up to the standard of many of the others, but if their ballroom is at fault it's much harder to see for an inexperienced viewer so they don't get as much stick for it. Erin doesn't dance to take the attention off her partner; it's the trait of a good teacher. Her Latin is not that bad: she comes up with some fantastic routines in both disciplines.

Also, when Hayley and Kristina danced with Brian, Kristina looked multiple times better than Hayley. It was not a very fair dance to make Hayley do, but I don't feel she is better at Latin than Erin.

It's just my take. And I don't have anything against Hayley at all. I think she's sweet.

Why the assumption that Hayley took Nicole's place - it could just as easily have been Kristina.

lol, no, it is not true. I don't see her as naughty or dirty at all - I'd probably like her more than, I love fiery women.

That is a fair point and I cant argue with that but unfairly or not, Erin looks awful in her Latin. Granted, it is easier to spot to the uneducated like me, but it is still obvious.

I like Erin but she really does show the fundamental differences in complexity between Latin and Ballroom. If it is easier to hide the deficiencies in Ballroom maybe it is because it is an easier style of dance?

Don't shoot me down for that. My only experience of dance is via SCD but it still seems a valid point.

Blimey, that has changed the theme of the thread totally!.... Back to Hayley.........

Possibly because viewer can see why Kristina was brought in, and her relationship with John is lovely.

Hayley however doesn't seem to have added anything to the show, and is probably doing Mark chances of getting far more harm than good. Mark shuld have been partnered with Erin and Austin with Nicole, then 3 of the boys would have a chance to get to the final. Mark has no chance.

People seem to forget how well Nicole did with John Barnes apart from that amazing salsa. Although he still had posture problem in his samba it was a huge improvement from his cha cha. She changed the way he had carried him self for 20 years in 8 weeks.

If Mark does a dance as good as The Barnesy Salsa I'll come on here and eat my words.

As someone who dances ballroom and latin I can tell you that ballroom is far more technical and difficult.

I could be wrong of course, but apparently Kristina and Brian came over as a couple from DWTS to increase the number of pros to 16, Hayley was the replacement. I can't actually remember where I heard that but I did read that somewhere.

Sorry, I reread my post and it sounded like I meant you were the inexperienced viewer - I totally didn't mean that.

No shooting coming from here, I'm friendly But I don't think Ballroom's easier; just because of its nature (not so flashy) the difference in standard would be more technical, eg in footwork, which we can't see (especially with the infamous camera work!)

Back to Hayley indeed I think it's unfortunate she has a very reserved partner, as they as a couple don't really stand out much. I want her to get him actually excited about what he's doing!

Our opinion on that depends upon which discipline comes more naturally.

In the past we've seen celebs e.g. Ramps who didn't always outstrip his rivals in the ballroom but excelled at the latin; yet Matt Dawson was the complete opposite.

Sorry, I'm not sure what you mean by that I'm speaking about professional dancers who have trained in both, whether they specialise in one or the other.

I like her. She's pretty & brings fresh blood & enthusiasm.

It's not her fault Nicole got booted.

I'm sorry for Nicole but I was never such a fan as others...

I dont dislike her and i think its really unfair if people are blaiming her for nicole leaving, its not like she was the one that fired nicole!
However i dont think shes a good partner for Mark. He needs someone a lot more extrovert. I think Karen would have been a better match for him, even Camilla actually

I agree with you there. I don't think it is unreasonable to draw parallels with Foster and Ramps. I don't think Foster could ever scale such heights, but Karen would have given it a good go.

I don't see how Haley could be more of a 'bubbly extrovert'.

Mark's going to be fairly rubbish whoever he's with...

What I mean is that when learning to dance, one will take more naturally to one discipline than the other.

Erin and Anton are accomplished ballroom dancers - at the top of their game - yet their latin lags considerably behind many others. Clearly they find the ballroom technicalities and difficulties easier to deal with than those required for latin.

It's like being back at school - is maths and physics more difficult than languages? Linguists would say yes - yet some scientists struggle with languages.

Just because some find ballroom more complex than latin does not mean the latter is easier - any more than latin specialists can claim that ballroom requires less effort.

Well going by the leader board - 3 others were worse than him - and that's just amongst the men.

PMSL!! Thanks for that, I needed a good laugh.
Now you've worked it out, can you let the rest of the male population know please?

Is it confirmed that she replaced Nicole?

Nicole went and there are two new female pros, Hayley and Kristina, why is Hayley the one being criticised? It's not like she got Nicole fired.

Any of us who take a job are more than likely replacing someone.
Last edited by Auds77 : 04-10-2008 at 23:38

I can't say I have taken to Hayley too much, she has a sarcastic sort of half smile on her face most of the time - but I don't think she means it, it is just the way her face hangs. But she is not exactly personality+ at the moment, rather dull and insipid. As Mark is too, I think the combination doesn't work. Mark needed someone to bring out his character, whatever that may be. I hope Hayley improves with confidence.

As an aside, I wouldn't dream of not liking a pro because of who they replaced in the show, how ridiculous, this was not her fault! And Nicole was a good dancer, no doubt, but does not live in my memory as a strictly must have, at all. She looked 150 years old too, that always puzzled me.

I heard somewhere that BBC message board have full of nasty comments about the pro dancers last year and less nasty comments this year, last year DS was not full of nasty comments of pro dancers but more nasty comments this year,
and the answer of this thread hayley holt, why? nothing!
she's fine, working with the best she can with her celeb partner, and for her age 27 yrs old, she's done best for her carrier in SCD, she's not stealing anyboby seat

I heard Hayley actually replaced another dancer from abroad who dropped out?

I agree it's irrelevant if she replaced Nicole, if not Hayley then someone else, it was the BBC who decided to sack Nicole.

I haven't taken to Hayley particularly though as I don't really like her choreography.