One of the oddest things this year, in my perception, is the relative lack of improvement in the celebs. It's as though many of them peaked in their first or second dance - so far, to my eyes, this applies to Tom, Heather, Cherie, Christine and even Austin (despite last night's marks), while Rachel has also kept on a level. Jodie and, maybe, Lisa are the only obvious 'improving' performers. Is this normal?

Not everyone goes on a "journey" sometimes i think constistency is just as important. I think Austins been pritty consistent this year.
I do agree that Jodie and Lisa are the two "journey" folk.

Maybe for some of them the improvement will all happen in a single week. Remember Gethin from last year!

Thats what I hope for christine, she will have a breakthrough week and that will start her off!

Austin started strong, and I feel has remained there.

Jodie has probably improved the most; her first week was pretty awkward, and I don't think the judges expected her to stay in for long, but they didn't reckon on her fighting spirit.

Lisa showed potential in week one, but let her nerves get the better of her. Now she is learning to cope with the nerves, and to appear confident (even though she may not always feel it!) has also showed great improvement.

Andrew, Tom, Christine and Rachel have all stayed about the same. No great improvement.

John did a nice first dance - waltz - and that was it. (Plonking around the floor doesn't count as dancing.... sorry, 'cos like everyone else, I think he is lovely!!)

Heather - did good first dance, and has gone downhill ever since.

Cherie - started really well, but other than the rumba which can be danced elegantly, she can't seem to cope with the Latin.

Alesha, Jill Halfpenny and Natasha Kaplinsky remained pretty consistent from what I remember.

Darren Gough and Mark Ramprakash had the journey, I suppose, I never saw either of them dance but from what I gather on here, Darren was rubbish from pretty much start to finish. Mark was maybe a little more unpredictable having a few dodgy dances, but again I could be wrong, I never saw him.

Some are going to have huge improvements, some were naturally good from the start. That's the nature of the beast, I guess.

I think we also have to take into account that there was an extra split week this year, so we're 2 weeks behind any other series.

Jodie has had huge improvements, as had Lisa I think, now she's controlling her nerves better, but I definitely think they are all more up and down than usual, apart from Austin and Tom who have been consistent.

Brucie improved a lot, I actually laughed several times yesterday. As for dancers, Jodie is getting better and I liked Lisa too.

Jodie and Lisa. Getting better.
Er, Christine?

Andrew?

The key with Natasha and Ramps and Darren is that they "got into it".
Nobody in the current series looks as if they are enjoying it that much. That's why it's such a bore.

Jodie is gutsy and Lisa is having a go but nobody seems really thrilled by the whole thing.