See the following quote from Daily Mail

'Nevertheless, the young Lisa wanted for nothing, and her family indulged her passion for performing.
She was enrolled in every conceivable type of class - ballet, tap, disco, even Russian dancing (she once complained of dancing so much her feet bled). One dance teacher from
Maggie Cannon, a history teacher at Sir Frederic Osborn School in Lisa's home town of Welwyn Garden City, added: 'All I can remember is that when she left here, she said she wanted to be famous.'
By now the rather skinny, gangly adolescent had become a real head-turner, or as a fellow student puts it: 'She suddenly developed hips and boobs and was this gorgeous girl.'
Like so many of those currently in the media spotlight, Lisa won a scholarship to London's Italia Conti stage school.'

Hardly a beginner then.

That would be 20+ years ago then!!

Actually, she HAS improved massively- as indeed they ALL have.

JJ - who likes them all!!!

She has improved.

We cannot judge contestants on the fact that they had lessons when they were kids.

I went to ballroom dancing lessons at Jimmy Small's when I was ten to eleven years old. Apart from basic waltz I don't remember anything much and would be useless. Mind you I was pretty useless then .

Much as I dislike Lisa, I must agree, with the previous posting. My sister attended ballroom classes when she was younger and got several medals. She's now in her early 50s and can't remember any of the dances.

She has improved a lot.
So have Austin and Rachel. Especially Austin who, apart from the jive at the start, has had some weak performances and some major issues to address.

if you compare how her first dance was and how her last two were yes she is the most improved

She's really come on in leaps and strides, and she is the one I look forward to seeing dance every week.

Bit like Jill Halfpenny then ...... don't recall so much bile and bitching being directed at her

Lisa has been the most improved week on week - everytime she has been criticised by the judges she has gone away and come back the week after and put right the faults.

Yeah she's not perfect but who is ?? Does she really deserve to be constantly slagged off when her dancing (and Brendans') is consistenly good ....... at least she isn't going backwards like some people (Tom)

I hope she gets to the final coz she deserves it ...... don't think she'll win but here's hoping

Well she is in the final three! She is doing very well. I don't understand why people don't like her, she seems such a nice girl to me.

Those who know her personally comment on her friendliness and bubbly personality. She wears her heart on her sleeve, but for some it seems this has failed to come across on the small screen; they see the tears and excitement as fake - and I doubt very much whether, at this stage of the competition, anyone can convince them otherwise.

It's only because (some) people want to believe that Ignazio. I can't see it, I think she is extremely natural.

But her scores, especially in the ballroom have been pretty good from the onset in the mid to high 30s most weeks.

I don't dislike Lisa..but unfortunately she is partnered by Brendan.

From her scores - she's hardly improved at all in ballroom. But then her lowest ballroom score is 35 which is a hell of an achievement in itself. She's certainly improved her Latin from the first week when nerves seemed to play a significant part. Ignoring that week though, no she hasn't really improved overall. She's just always been good. Or she could have just been overmarked...

How can you ignore that week? It's part of the competition you can't just conveniently ignore it because it suits your purpose!

Improvement is in the eye of the beholder. I think she has become more relaxed and I enjoy watching her now more than earlier in the contest, regardless of scores of which I do not keep count. Just my opinion of course. She also takes on board the judges' recommendations, works on her weak spots. So, overall, I believe she has improved.

whats that got do do with whether she's improved or not

Really, no-one should penalise Lisa because of Brendan's recent outburst. It's nothing new for Brendan to blow his top. Poor old Lisa tried so hard to explain what he meant, etc, I felt sorry for her being put in that position. Mind you, she did very well, quite diplomatic.

Also Brendan obviously teaches and choreographs well, he has worked beautifully with Lisa.

So true. Well done, Brendan.

First night nerves may have had a lot to do with it.

She's in the final three because of the judges always saving her!

And that's the point where the thread lost any credibility.

And why do you think that is?

She is in the final 3 because she deserves to be.

Not one judge has voted against her in the dance off because every time she has clearly been the better dancer.

Lisa will be 40 in a couple of years time so those lessons were a long time ago and to be honest I'm fed up of people looking for any excuse to criticise her.

She is my favourite and I want her to win but you wont see me bashing Rachel or Tom because IMO any of the final 3 would be a worthy winner.

Yes she has improved, and so she should after all these weeks training - likewise Rachel & Tom have also improved to a higher level IMO.

According to Len, Tom is on a platteau.