What made me laugh the most was, during the interview with Claudia, he couldn't see how he was contradicting himself.

Oh dear.

There is an appreciation thread, I wouldn't post on it. I think James is okay, good dancer, great with Cherie, not so good with thinking before speaking.

I am an Ian fan myself.

Just don't particularly like the negativity and hostility directed to one hot headed, passionate, pretty inarticulate man. I feel exceptionally sorry for him and I don't think he deserves the abuse that's been levelled at him. Hope he never reads these threads. I think what has been said about him is much worse than anything he's even accused of being.

Tis my own fault for venturing into this thread - always feel I have to put my own two cents in. Apologies, won't come in again.

It's not James speaking his mind that is the problem. It's his lack of judgement and timing. If you think it through, saying what he did when he said it contributed to John leaving, which he then criticised. Not a good move James.

While I agree with what he said, the way he said it was rude and aggressive. I can't say I'm a particularly big JJ fan, and the way he spoke yesterday will have done him no favours.

I'm not his biggest fan in the whole world but it's pretty harsh to set up a "non appreciation thread" for someone! Afterall, you might not agree with what he was saying but at least the man spoke his mind. I am guilty of "speaking before I think" and No, I'm most definitely not unintelligent, just hot headed. It's got me in trouble a lot, especially when I was younger. I kind of admire how he said what some other pro's and ITT guests were trying to imply - but didn't have the gall to do so.

And you say James was acting like an overgrown teenager?

Im definately in agreement!!

Actually, he said many times that it sounded like he was contradicting himself.

Sorry for pointing this out, but I feel if James is going to be villified we should at least get our facts right!

Whilst I don't agree with James that JS did this to make the show all about him (although there are those of that opinion!), I did agree, to a certain extent, with his other comments.

Mind you, I also perfectly understand why JS did feel he had to make the decision. The media coverage in particular was completely out of hand and was one of the reasons he cited for leaving.

I think James put things a little badly but he obviously felt passionately about it and it's not always easy to be eloquent when you feel so much about a topic (I'm the same way - verbally; maybe in the written sense that isn't as much the case!). He definitely should have thought about things a bit more and modified it - although I suspect that even if he had he would still be pilloried for it!

However - I'm not going to crucify the man for stating his opinion. After all, we're all allowed to have ours (and make them known - vociferously! - on threads such as these!).

I just don't understand why there seems to be one rule for us and another for someone else just because they appear on TV. Aren't they allowed the same 'freedom of speech' of which we take such advantage?

Seems a bit like double standards.

Disagree with what he said all you like. But it seems very unfair to castigate him for actually having an opinion.

Hear hear!! I like him even more now!!!

Possibly - but none of them should have said it. Its not their job to slag of John's motives for being on the show, or his character.

I agree with what James said, people put him down for actually speaking up and being honest and saying what a hell of lot of people are thinking. Fair play to you James.

I'll join but I refuse to turn myself the same colour as an umpa-lumpa and I will not reduce someone to tears just because they arrive just 8/9 days before the competition starts.....and are not as good as the partner who had to drop out because she was brilliant even though she finished 13th?

Which part are you agreeing with? The things he said when he was voted off or where he completely contradicted himself?

As for saying a 'hell of a lot of people are thinking' you can't possibly know that!

Oh dear,...have you actually heard a word of what JJ has said??? Probably not, judging by your comment.

Sign me up, please. The man is a moron. He's an okay dancer, but has all the wit, charisma and intelligence of a baboon.

Alas I have finaly found a society to join

I bet you make your decisions based on coin tossing too

I completely agree with RocknRolla, and as my joining date is Feb 2004, predating you by 2 years, my views are obviously far more valid then yours

I support what James said and If you watch the interview Kate was in agreement with most of what he said.

so you think john was selfish for leaving and manipulated the public and the show to make it all about himself?

James fans are real smart

All you people slating James for saying what he believes are idiots. You are condemning him for stating his opinion while that is exactly what you are doing. Of course you are also trying to get him the sack. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

Yeah, like the non-James fans.

My point exactly! Thank you.

Yup, it's exactly what he did, his reasons for quiting I don't believe - the dancing was getting too much for him and there was a lucrative engagement coming up, that's why he left, the public was keeping him in, and he wanted out - he practically asked to be let go in his ITT interview before the Smooth (strange how that's been forgotten), managed to train on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, before suddenly coming to his decision. Why not Monday morning? He was scared the public would keep him in and he physically couldn't do two dances a week - that is why he left, but he choose to give a 'heroic' reason instead.

Nothing wrong in slating him for being a hypocrite, sore loser and having pathetic personality

Why not monday morning? why not sunday evening? I never knew there was a time limit for people to make up their minds...is that you james?