I really feel that this is the most open series to date. We've seen some great performances but no real consistancy. Austin and Cherie have had their hiccups, Lisa can either be good or bad. Tom can be so so at times. I think we now know who won't win but the winner could be any of 5 couples.

I think that's a great point. Rachel's jive also looks fantastic this week, and I'm sure once she gets the performance element under control, she'll really start to shine. A lot of the celebrities are doing dances that look like they're going to suit them this week, so it should hopefully be a good show.

Austin will win. I have no doubt about it. I said the same about Ramps in whatever series he was in and was shot down.

The likeable sports bloke with natural rhythm almost always wins it in these reality shows.

For me this by far the most open series especially with such a long way to go yet.

So what about Natasha, Jill and Alesha?

Did anyone see Darren Gough's win coming then? I didn't watch that series but don't I remember him being awful early on?

It's open in comparison to last year where Alesha was the obvious winner, but weren't all the other series surprise winners apart from maybe Jill?

Possibly it may appear so....but it's difficult to assess how open it is as far as the judges are concerned.

They may make a show of saying it's very open - for obvious reasons - whilst their scoring may tell a different story.

The judges have the power now to not only protect their favourites in the early rounds but also, potentially, to get rid of the most popular couples who may not be their favourites towards the end of the series.

I guess it hinges on whether or not you believe the judges are broadly impartial.

They weren't up against a sportsman with natural rhythm.

So Colin Jackson either wasn't a sporstman or he didn't have natural rhythm?

Sorry I just realised he was in series 3. Oops!

As long as there's a decent looking "rough" sportsman who isn't entirely hopeless, nobody else has a chance.

I remember him being awful at the end too, but that didn't stop him from winning.

I think Colin and particularly Erin lost series 3 with the disastrous "doll" dance. Was open mouthed at that performance. Before that Colin had the edge!

This year does seem very open and I am really not sure who is going to win…(except that it unlikely to be Andrew, John or Heather)…

Darren Gough was poor and lucky to stay in the early shows, I don’t think anyone could have predicted he would win… However, he really improved and as much as I adored Colin’s dancing, he was a good winner.

Forgot to say that Erin won't make that mistake again!

Guess it was a mistake to put Matt Dawson and Ramps in the same series, they'd obviously have both won if they'd not been competing against each other

I'm with posy on this one, I can't see a clear winner or even a clear 'J-man/woman' in this series. I think there's more to come from Tom, Lisa, Heather and Cherie just for starters, and Christine and Jodie could have a dazzling week in someone else's off-week too...

Oddly the two I thought would be shoo-ins for the final, Austin and Rachel, seem to have reached a plateau where they're good, but not amazing. This could hurt them if someone with a bit more showmanship gets in there and pulls a blinder

I think the judges could be in for some tough decisions as the series progresses. Andrew and the wonderful John are no hopers from now on. What I mean is that they are almost guaranteed to be eliminated if they are in the bottom 2. Adrew only survived because he was up against Mark.

You saw this year's winner at the NTAs last night..........

Unfortunate that the winner of series 5 - who should really have been dancing - was pushed out in favour of twinkletoes, the uncrowned king of 2008.

My OH said 'oh oh there's your winner', the minute he saw him. I wonder who asked, and who agreed, that he should be the chosen one last night?

Craig mentioned that it was amazing that a rugby player like Austin is so good this early in the series. Really? I think they've done the whole "rough bloke comes good" thing too many times before. It's like they throw extra marks at people who aren't expected to be good, and withhold them from those who are not living up to their "potential" (mainly the female contestants). It doesn't seem fair at all.

Didn't see NTAs so confused by your post. Can you explain please?

If the public decide the winner then it's got to be "lovely cuddly John". His fans will never vote against this gent of the ballroom.

What about Martin Offiah who was knocked out in week 6 out of 8? He'd have done better of he wasn't so unfit. And Roger Black was also knocked out in week 6 of 8. They both had natural rhythm.

I think sportsmen have an edge in that they can be used to hard work and the discipline needed for training week in week out, but I can't agree that a sportsman with natural rhythm will always win. It will always depend on the rest of the competition. Alesha would have beaten hands down anyone in all the previous series imho.

I think the winners will be Austin & Erin, I think everyone else is playing catch up. It's extraordinary how very good he was at the very start of the competition. He is the most consistent really. I get fed up with the labels placed on each couple the sportsmans, the model, the tall model who can dance, the shy "popstar". But I guess they do this for the public so we'll warm to them more. They must think we're thick.

Roger Black had no natural rhythm. He was awkward and never overcame it. Didn't watch Series 1 so can't comment on Martin.

Austin presented one of the awards - cue SCD music - in dances Erin and off they go into an 'unrehearsed' dance round the stage - big backing track, the lot.

Later, when SCD won its award, Alesha toddled onto the stage with Matt, and a load of unrecognisables, who promptly stood in front of her and Matt, while Tess burbled nonsense and then referred to Austin's 'guns' (yuk that word in that context!) again.

It was the Austin show.......... oh and a load of other people and pros etc.