I mean, the constant drum of "Oh, I am really hoping for a ten tonight." from Austin was cringe worthy I found, but thankfully dear old Len obliged.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Austin's dancing, and he probably was the best on the night, but this fishing for points was pathetic.

If he works hard for it, why pretend to be 'modest'? I am sure the other more talented celebs are also hoping for a ten in one or more of their dances in the coming weeks.

That said, I have spotted one very slight 'timing' issue Craig mentioned in Austin's quickstep. But only because I watched a few times after Craig said he spotted two. One quite clear one was between 57-59 sec, where Austin's foot was a tiny fraction of a second slower than Erin's: Austn's 'mistake'.

Even if Austin did it 'perfectly' (i.e. no timing issues that Craig pointed out), I still don't think he should get a ten. But then again, I don't think he deserved an eight from Craig either. So overall, his score from the judges was justified.

I don't think the judges would oblige if they didn't think the dance was worth it, actually. Previously, the contestants have said they want the next highest mark, so why not this series? I'd think it's pretty natural to be after the first ten, especially when a lot of people are dubious about the distribution of the first ten last series.

I do rather wish for someone to say "Well we're top of the leader-board so it's pretty unlikely we'll be in the bottom two and if we were I think the judges would save us" when it is patently true. (Not meaning anyone in particular)

Many dances have been very overmarked, so I couldn't agree with you less. Austin's dance on Saturday was one such dance. I think they're giving him extra points so that it looks like there's one great dancer among them. Sadly, there isn't.

I for one don't recall hearing Austin say "Oh, I am really hoping for a ten tonight." Are you paraphrasing, perhaps?

Tess brought up the issue of a ten, after the buzz about his quickstep snowballed from the training footage earlier in the week on ITT. What's he going to say in response to a question like that "Nah, I'm aiming for a three, personally" ?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ix8siI...A070BD&index=0
0.30 onwards, training
Erin: The quickstep is my favourite dance. I'm going for a 10.
Austin: So many people in this competition could get a 10 so the race is on.

06.48 Backstage with Tess after the dance.
Tess to Austin - 'I know you're looking for a 10.'
Austin: 'I just look to enjoy the dance, so whatever comes, comes.'
Tess: 'But a 10 would be nice.'
Austin: 'A 10 would be lovely.'

Which hardly fits the OP:

Yeah, but those naysayers will claim it's just false modesty from him. Seriously, Austin can't win with those who are not warm to him. But such is life, I guess.

Austin had also been banging on about getting a 10 on ITT all week so Len just oput an end on that 'story' for the BBC.

I doubt that's it... Colin and Erin were hinting at getting tens before his Foxtrot, and they ended up with eight from every judge.

But hes wasn't the judges pet that series. Austin clearly is the pet this year Wasn't the pet Zoe that year?

She was, yes. I don't see it so much in Austin because to me he's clearly the best dancer there anyway! Whereas in series three I always felt Colin was undervalued relative to Zoe.

Indeed. Thank you Nelliek.

Saying that a ten would be nice (which any one of the dancers would also say, if prompted) is not the same as saying "Oh, I am really hoping for a ten tonight."

I'm not especially an Austin fan, but I do feel it's unfair for him to be lambasted for something he did not say, something which was in fact made up to support the OP's "pathetic behaviour" agenda.

I will confess that I haven't checked out all the ITTs for last week so you can come up with the proof of your statement. i.e. if you can show 5 different clips from 5 different nights then I will believe that 'Austin had been banging on about getting 10 on ITT all week'.

But judging by the Austin and Erin interview on Friday's ITT, the 10 subject was always brought up by Claud/the production team.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9QjYMjCdhVY

In her introduction Claud says 'They want a 10'.
Approx 2.50 Austin says 'I would love to get a 10 at some point...' which is a comment any of the contestants could make. (And probably already have.)
At the end of the fairytale sequence they show Austin dreaming that the judges have all given a 10.
About 7.00 Claud then says something along the lines of 'I know you're going to say I don't mind if I get a 3, it's the taking part, but you must be hoping for a 10'.
Austin's reply is 'It sounds really bad if I say we are, but it is my favourite dance'.

The other one looks like it's around 35-37 seconds... Austin's feet seem to lose their flow, almost as if he puts one extra step into the [*craig-like tones*] "darrrnce".

LMAO - I almost wish he had