Rachel dances well every week. (Although I don't think her jive was great, not enough bounce and joy for me). But every week I'm waiting fo something more from her. For something to egnite, for her to let go, for her to lose herself in the dance, not seem so inhibited. It hasn't happened yet. I've concluded that maybe maybe she never will, maybe she is just dull.

I don't think that "reserved" and "dull" are the same thing. Yes. Her samba was dull. Rachel herself is not. Her VW was so warm and touching that it left me feeling like Alesha and Matthew's VW did, and is the standout dance of the series so far for me. A dull person couldn't do that.

Her VW was nice and she really suits the ballroom dances I think. But it does seem to me she is holding back especially in the latin dances. Also I think it doesn't help that her fiance may be watching in the audience.

I can agree with that. I mostly object to the word dull Dull to describe a dance, yes, but the person, no.

I think she is that same as Heather very shy, but Heather has 13 more years of life experince and when interviewed Heather comes across as warmer. I think she like a few younger women have a few more years to get 'more character' I worry that she is getting the same rough deal as Heather did in some comments.
Her dance partner Vincent (according top the paper interview he did)has a new woman in his life we don't know what she is like espcially as he is dancing with Rachel whom in the past has been voted sexiest woman. Ther may be lots of little bits and bobs that we as a public don't know about .
I think her AS and her VW were lovely.

I've been contemplating Rachels apparent 'dullness' for some days now. And I think the best way for to liven up proceedings is for her to dance with no knickers on

She'd be a sure bet to be voted back on the following week

Perhaps it's your expectations that are or were at fault.

I mean what is the justification for expecting more when Rachel & Vincent have arguably produced the most consistent standard throughout competition?

Even if you were disappointed in the first two or three dances, by performance #6 it's well past the point where you should be expecting to be disappointed....and if they are disappointing you can't be disappointed.

On the evidence so far, it's not unreasonable to conclude that Rachel may be rather dull. However, I don't think relative to the others their dancing is especially inhibited or lacking fire or performance or many of the other criticisms routinely made of them.

I think Rachel is quite a good dancer and tries really hard, I just think she lacks the personality to get the people at home to vote for her.

I know that doesn't make much sense, but I just can't imagine anyone voting for her. People tend to vote for the very best dancers or for someone with an endearing personality and for me Rachel falls slightly short on both counts.

I just think there is something a bit bland about her, she is stunningly beautiful but somehow lacks the charisma or personality of other contestants.
I hope she lasts a while longer though as some of her dancing partucularly in the last 2 weeks has been a joy to watch.

I would just like to add that I find the judges overly critical of her, I feel this may be affecting her confidence and popularity.

I actually thought Arlene got it spot on when she said it's not Rachel's technique or even her lack of personality that's the problem - you can see she's trying as hard as she can to let it shine through.

But the fact that she doesn't have emotive eyes and as such struggles to communicate the depth of her feelings to Vincent or the audience - that's a problem she may simply not be able to overcome

I'm hoping that she might. Maybe take a page out of Christine's or Lisa's book. Learn the dance, till you know it by heart. Then you can make it your priority to totally have fun. Perform for the audience, feed off them, or try and forget how well you want to do and have fun for yourself. I'm hoping she may do a Gethin and lose the shyness. Maybe acting classes may bring her out of herself.

I love Rachel's dancing but she does seem to have a very un-expressive face - if she'd been a few years older I might have thought she'd overdone the botox but would have thought she was too young for that sort of thing

Is that you, Arlene? Craig?

She's no Alesha Dixon.
Therein lies the problem.

Older women have never done well on this show.

Then came Alesha. Who can follow her?
Personally I couldn't stand her laugh but she was bright and dynamic and VERY, VERY POPULAR.
The younger women now have to compete with Miss Perfect and it ain't easy.

Der Chef says

I am not that big a fan of Rachel and Vincent but I am bemused as to where this "dull" label has germinated from.

Bit like Gethin's robotic nature and lack of connection from last year

Ohhh Yeah

The last thing I'm looking for is another Alesha Dixon. What would be the point of that?

Rachel is her own person.

They can't all be vibrant characters.. The more timid celebrities can be just as endearing.

I agree with that, you have siad what I was trying to articulate. But I still do think acting lessons may help her come out of herself.

When the judges say that any of the dancers isn't 'connecting' or stuff like that, I usually think they're talking nonsense. They're there to dance not simulate sex.

That at least makes sense as a possibility, unlike the nonsesne about 'eyes'; but her face is not especially lacking in expression. The botox comparison is absurd.

I wonder what is really behind the dislike for the best & most consistent female dancer in the competition.

But remember Gethin's breakthrough after his acting lessons. The same thing could happen to her, she is less animated than him though.

I don't think anything is behind it. I think Lisa is the better dancer though and for me just more exciting to watch.

This feels like kicking a puppy, but yes I find her dull. She's technically a very good dancer, she seems like such a sweet and nice person but she's bland, boring, dull. Sorry! I feel awful now!

Don't feel bad. We have to have somewhere to say how we feel. I doubt she will read this. Just a side piont I loved Vincent with Louisa and would have loved to see her in the final.

Der Chef says

An Einstein postulate for you

IF Rachel is Dull

Then Penny Lancaster is a self imploding Black hole of Dullness

Ohh Yeah

Rachel's good but she has always been good. Rachel isn't interesting to listen to as she repeats the same old stuff all the time (she isn't the only one). Rachel doesn't let herself go and needs too. She needs to give people reason to get up and vote.

There are so many good dancers to take the vote this year, Jodie has monoplised the journey vote (so far) and John has monopolised the 'only on personality' vote, I believe those with little personality just won't last as the good dancer vote is too diluted.

True, but if Penny = OK (average dancer) then Rachel = OK to the power of 10 (pretty flippin' good dancer).

I don't think it's a lack of relaxation with the dance either - she seems perfectly capable of doing all the steps without a trace of nerves. I've never seen this phenomenon before - someone who literally has all the ingredients except the 'pinch of salt' that would make her great.