I noticed on the forum poll this week that Tom Chambers is languishing third from the bottom, with more votes only than Cherie (who has already left) and Lisa (who didn't dance very well this week by judges scores). In a week where Tom did an entertaining salsa with relatively few mistakes, why is he not higher up?

I've heard the smug tag touted around a lot, but what is it about Tom that people find unappealing? Why does he not inspire the same loyal following that some of the others do?

And in previous years, people (e.g. Emma Bunton) who scored highly with the judges but didn't do well on the polls here ended up being voted into the dance off as soon as the couple numbers started dwindling. Is this Tom's fate this year?

What's wrong with Tom?














How long have you got?

theres nothing wrong withg Tom. Hes better then Austin.

So what don't you like about him?

I thought he was popular on that programme Holby and would have lots of fans.

agreed!! He's my favourite. Thoroughly enjoying it all, working hard, full of bounce and happiness. And able to laugh at himself and give full credit to Camilla for her brilliance!

His latin is stronger than Austin's, but there's nothing particularly loveable about him.

This is a more indicative poll - it usually tallies with our polls, but this year it's been more predictive than our DS poll.

(Sorry there's no site url - I can't cut and paste the poll and the url at the same time!)


Who was your favourite week 9 couple?

Rachel & Vincent
435 28.1%

Austin & Erin
297 19.2%

John & Kristina
243 15.7%

Tom & Camilla
213 13.8%

Christine & Matt
130 8.4%

Jodie & Ian
99 6.4%

Cherie & James
73 4.7%

Lisa & Brendan
56 3.6%

Number of Voters : 1546

I'm going with:

smug, himbo, no-personality-of-his-own-like-most-actors-and-Camilla-as-well

Other than that, he's delightful.

But what exactly is he missing? Charisma? Big muscles?

Tom is an actor....he probably has worked to hard in all his life........lol lol

Nothing wrong with him personally in my view but he dances in a very weird camp way which I think would put a lot of women off and also the men who are interested.

He's impressed me week in week out with his dancing. He's the only one that's had solid good weeks. And everytime he's on ITT, I think he comes across as decent guy. I don't dislike him, but I just like other contestants more I'm drawn to people who are a bit more grit and mess. Tom is almost too perfect.

Smug - I don't think.

Himbo - That having no brains. I think you find that's rugby players who've been kick in the head too often.

No Personality - sweet and charming is what the rest of us call that.

Camilla - one of the best pros on the show.

Sounds like a winning package to me.

Thanks for that poll - very interesting. Does it vary a lot from week to week?

It's funny because earlier today I was wondering why there doesn't seem (to me) to be a very active 'appreciation' thread for Tom, considering his ability, looks, etc. But I think he's much more popular than you'd think from reading DS. Most people I know mention him as their favourite or second favourite.

I think there is maybe a lack of chemistry between Tom and Camilla. I also have to confess that last Saturday he was dancing the salsa (very well and not pulling a face) but I couldn't enjoy it and the thought that went through my head was 'You're so not Gethin.' I couldn't help it, that was what I thought. I'm not saying that feeling is affecting anyone else, but it must be affecting me to some extent.

John Barrowman saying he had obviously had training and it wasn't fair won't have helped either.

I think Tom is nice, but I dont like Camila, never have......the dances always seem to be about her not her student.

Tom self tauight a tap routine. Its nothing professional.

I think the last two weeks he is starting to have chemistry with Camilla. I think it was hard early on considering he was getting married (in case you forgot that little nugget!)

I thought his salsa was brilliant and he is a far more natural and superior dancer to Gethin.

Gethin was probably not as good technically on that particular dance but I did prefer his. I could always believe in his and Camilla's partnership but TomCam don't quite gel the same way for me.

I also think just possibly the fact of his previous dance experience puts some people off albeit subconciously. At the end of the day, many more people really like the contestants with no performing background as it's much more of an achievement when they do well. I call it the Emma Bunton Syndrome.

So how come Alesha won?

That it for me as well, comes across as a really, really nice bloke off the dance floor, on the dance floor somehow manages to dance in a smug, camp manner and as for the face pulling

I'm not even sure how you can dance in a smug manner, but he somehow manages it

Karen seems to also inspire the same negative feelings as Camilla for people on this fourm - but that didn't affect Ramps's popularity. I wonder how many people would be put off a celebrity just because of their professional partner?

Just to be clear - I'm not saying Barrowman was right, I'm just saying that his saying it does not help Tom.

And thinking again, I'm not sure that the 'already could dance' perception is hurting Tom that much - I think it affects women celebs much more. As I say everyone I know likes him very much.

As for Gethin - it's personal taste. His salsa was a shock and felt thrilling and exciting. I don't think Tom gives the same feeling of breakthrough, or someone dancing outside themselves, obviously difficult when you're already very good - but I can see that he's technically excellent.

Hes only two votes below christine.
I like Tom, hes not my favourite but i dont think he deserves this "smug" title hes been getting.

I don't get this at all. So do Matthew Cutler, Ian Waite and even Brendan Cole all dance in this 'camp' manner . whatever camp dancing is.