I think the pros are as much celebs as the celebs to be honest.

IF he gets invited back next year I pity the poor woman who gets lumbered with James Jordan.

I think that the popularity or opposite of the pro is a factor but not massively significant - I'm sure only a small minority will blindly vote for their favourite pro.
But I think that if you like a pro you're pre-disposed to quickly warm to their new partnership so unless there is no chemistry or you find the celebrity obnoxious that can be a influence.
I loved Matt Cutler with Carol & Alesha but not so much this year with Christine. I loathe Brendan & would have to really like the celeb to support him. I've always been indifferent to Ian & thought I wouldn't take to Jodie but I loved their partnership and they became my 2nd favourite couple & so I supported them more than Matthew & Christine.

I've heard plenty of people on here saying they would NEVER vote for Lisa purely because they hate Brendan. Shame really as it gives some celebs a disadvantage before they ever dance a step. Personally I take each partnership as it comes and vote accordingly

It's not always a factor, but I do think Matthew is a huge factor in why Christine is still in the competition. It would be interesting to see how Lisa and Christine would have been received if their partners were swapped. I really warmed to Matthew last year with Alesha, but this year I'm wondering if I only warmed to him because of Alesha... this year he sort of fades into the background personality wise. I do love his dancing though

Now... *runs and hides*

over all the series..
followers of strictly come to love the pros, thats half the reason why im sure most people watch it..
their as much as the programme as the celebs are IMO.

as someone said, you learn to love/like/not like certain ones..
it depends whos personalities (and looks ) have captured your heart

for me it Matthew Cutler and Erin Boag.
I have always supported them ever since they both started

I feel that way about Matthew, i liked him last year but i find him and Christine bland. Maybe it was Alesha that made me appreciate Matt i dont know.

I suppose the best way to work out if Christine is getting some of Matts supporters is this. Are most Christine supporters also ones that backed Carol and Alesha?
If they are then its either one big coincidence or Matt is getting his own votes.

I dont think you can put it to one or the other. I think the whole relationship is looked at. How do they get on? Does the pro choreograph to the skills of the celeb? Is the BBC highlights tapered to one or highlighting the bad in the other. All this can influence how people vote, not just the dance. Not just the celeb or the pro.
When people talk about the celebs its about their reactions, dont like Lisa's tears, or Rachel is quite bland, etc etc. I think there is more in the pot than just if you like one or the other.

I confess to voting for Matthew C every week because I want to see him dance every week. I think as lovely as Christine is she is now the weakest dancer left in the show but I will keep voting for Matthew.

Not sure what would happen if he danced with someone I loathed but hasn't happened yet!

In answer to your question it's Lisa...awful really but I can't warm to the girl,don't ask me why just one of those things.
Regards the pro dancers yes they all have their supporters and Matthew Cutler ,appears to be one of the most popular,and as a Matt supporter ,yes admittedly I voted for Matthew the first 2 weeks,I didn't know Christine as I'd never watched the 1 show,but to be honest much as I think Matt's an amazing dancer if he'd had Lisa say, for a partner that would have been it after 2 weeks of voting.
Whilst the popularity of a pro dancer may help in the early stages,people won't continue voting for that couple if there's no connection with the celeb.
As things have turned out I think Christine's lovely,and she can now dance,having put in some lovely performances.

Ellie