I know the judging has been slightly bizarre this series but I came away from last night's programme feeling very dissatisfied and totally out of sync with the judges - and after reading lots of posts on here - out of sync with the GBP too!

What is it about this series that has got under my skin so much? It's not been exciting so much as blinkin' frustrating!

Last night:

Rachel and Vincent:

Now, people know I'm a Rachel and Vincent fan but I still try to be objective - about everyone. The waltz was beautiful and deserved high scores - whether that meant 39 I'm not sure.
The paso - I seem to be in the minority of people who really LOVED that dance - in fact, it was my fave dance of the night! Yes, I know there were a couple of stumbles for which she was rightly marked down - but SEVEN Craig? The music was fab and I found it a strong performance. Arlene - enough with the whole face/eyes thing!!

Lisa and Brendan:

Foxtrot - was good - but was it THAT good? It deserved decent marks but I preferred their quickstep last week.
Cha cha - again good (Though I detected some steps pinched from Alesha and Matt!)

I'm loving Lisa and Brendan at the moment and think they deserved to be near the top. But better than everyone else?

Christine and Matt:

Christine looked gorgeous for the tango but my daughter pointed out (before the judging) that it wasn't strong enough and she did seem to be flung around by Matt a bit. The judges were harsh, but correct that it wasn't good enough.
Salsa(?) Much better - lots of fun, but still not quite up there.

Austin and Erin:

Ah. Hmm. This is where I seem to be at odds with everyone.
Foxtrot - couldn't really remember it - nice enough.
Paso - I really did NOT like it. At all. I thought it was one big gimmick from start to finish. I was devastated to see my fave male celeb reduced to stamping around like John Seargeant. And what was Erin doing with all that bizarre undulating? I know Austin's been poorly this week and it seemed like Erin choreographed for impact rather than technicality. He's worth so much more.

I know lots of you loved it and it has been proclaimed the best strictly dance ever - but not for me.

Tom and Camilla:

Waltz: Was it only me that found it slightly agressive? That in desperation to prove that he was leading that he pushed Camilla around the dancefloor. I didn't find it pleasant to watch really. Shame as he has talent.

Samba: A bit more fun. But I'm not feeling Tom's progression.

Thanks for letting me ramble on - sorry for being self indulgent. I love strictly but I really feel I was watching a different show to lots of people last night.

Hello Mama! I agree with some of the points you make, especially aboout Tom's lack of progression! He's the only one that, for me, has stood still and (dare i say) not been on a journey! He started off pretty good and is still pretty good. Last night I felt that Len gave him a 10 out of sympathy and if I was on the programme, I'd want any 10's I got to be well deserved!

I thought Tom's waltz last night was performed quite well he did some diffcult steps in that routine don't know if I would have marked it a ten but it was a good performance

I really liked Lisa and Brendan's foxtrot and as the most difficult of the ballroom dances If the waltz of Rachel got 39 then theirs deserved it too

As for pinching bits of Alesha's from last year not sure, but thought the start of Rachels was similar to Alesha's waltz

I was so pleased to read your opinions of the 2 paso's as thats how I felt...I actually loved Rachels and whilst being no expert I felt she picked up the feeling well.

Austins I just didnt like...I was rather suprised by the standing ovation it received and then the judges,except Len,all going mad over it.

When it suits they are quick to say no real content of the dance,but in this case,with all the pyrotechnics and fancy lighting they seemed to forgive any failure to do the actual dance and fall for the whole "show". Sad really.

But we should be used to it now....
If someone like Christine had done a similar Paso I think we all know what the judges would have said....and it wouldnt have included 10's..

Have to disagree about the Austin comments, he was fantastic.

As with all the dances there are only so many 'true' steps available to the pro's so you're going to see repeats from all the previous dances done by any couple - eg, the New York is a classic and true Cha Cha Cha step so you're going to see it in most routines. The cuban breaks (to which I assume you are referring) are also another true Cha cha movement so most couples will do them.

But isn't the point about SCD that you can't be objective. I love Austin and don't get Rachel or Lisa, therefore, I'm going to be predisposed to love what Austin does, even though I didn't like his rhumba, but then I don't like anyone's rhumba and I'm also going to look at Rachel and Lisa and say what?

A dancer, in general is either going to move you or they're not and everyone is moved by different things. So I'm never going to change your mind and you're never going to change mine. But then it does give us pages and pages and pages to talk about!

I'm in the Austin's paso was the best dance I've ever seen, a slightly smaller camp than the Austin's paso was amazing camp!

I'd love to see how the judges would react if any of the girls tried to pull that crap, the judges thinking last night seemed to be 'Manly Sportman with his shirt off! Flashing Lights! Lots of shouting! someone get my 10 paddle!'

Rachel's Paso was much better than I expected but I think Vincent let her down a bit, I was very unimpressed by his choreography and I thought it was silly he used cape since the male pros never do. I'm getting a bit annoyed at the head only the shoulder move as well, since they've got the Tango next week will we see the spirit of Andrew Castle on the floor with Rachel head butting Vincent in the neck?

I am out of sync too - I didn't like Erin and Austen's paso. Ms Boag's choreography leaves a lot to be desired - she blew Colin Jackson's chance a few years ago by making him dance with a doll. Len was quite right - it was gimmicky, all froth and no content. I found the beginning of the dance extremely strange. At the end of the day it was just a vehicle for a massive show off session. Not very pleasant to watch.

Of course, that's in your opinion. In my opinion he was awful...no HE wasn't awful, the routine was!


This is true - I was just being cheeky!


Rachel and Vincent are my faves but I hope I'm not so deluded that I can't see the bad points. The stumble, the excessive cape use etc.


I loved the paso but I do feel there was too much cape from Vincent - unnecesary as Rachel was quite good at the dance.

Ooohh....I'm glad it wasn't me - I've rewatched it and it annoyed me even more on second viewing!!!