I didn't say the expression of personality in dance. I said her personality, and I meant it too.

I don't, btw, think Alesha was especially good at expressing personality in dance, though her own personality may have been evident.

Matter of opinion. I've liked plenty of personalities and readily admitted that they were terrible dancers. I genuinely found her dancing spectacular.

I suppose it is a case of each to their own, but think how many times have the judges said Alesha Dixon was the best dancer ever on SCD? For me she was the complete package - she could dance, she could perform ...

...and she was my first ever girl crush!

I can remember lots of SCD performances for celebs I've liked and not liked. What costume they wore will be part of my memory, as well as the music and sometimes I might struggle to name the actual dance (I can get some of them confused not being a dancer myself), but the choreography will mean nothing to me now.

It is the WOW factor which can sometimes be a bad WOW that keeps them in my mind.

Me too. Alesha stood out because in her best dances she was able to express her warm, enthusiastic personality in the context of her dancing, even if it wasn't quite technically of the highest order. Also, the chemistry between her and Matthew Cutler - they clearly enjoyed dancing together and their best performances had an almost spontaneous feel to them. But as you say, it's all a matter of opinion in the end.

Matter of reading 100s, maybe 1000s, of forum comments, articles in the press, and so on. For a start. About other dancers too, not only Alesha.

Austin/Erin's Paso came closest ... for sheer style and exuberance of performance ... but perhaps what really heightened the exhilaration factor was the super choice of music ... Carmen … It’s dynamic classical power and evocation of Spain enhanced the performance to such an incredible breathtaking excitement level - that it almost demanded 10’s from the judges.

Could the just right music choice (orchestral/singing performance/dance interpretation) be the deciding factor? All real wow-factor/standing ovation dances I can remember have all had incredibly powerful/beautiful pieces of music - virtually perfectly performed and interpreted by dancers and orchestra … such dances and music choices are rare – but when everything comes together – wow!

The music does make a huge difference, Austin and Erin's Paso was really good for that reason. It's really telling that 3 judges with choreographic backgrounds gave it a 10, and the sole ballroom and latin judge gave it an 8. All posturing, no paso.

I liked Ramps' VW - Karen's dress may have had something to do with that though!

Rachels Rhumba and Jodies Waltz were the WOWS of the series for me

I guess it's all relative and testament to the fact that, as the judges keep telling us, the standard this year is incredibly high. E.g. had she been competing against lesser dancers, Rachel's tango would have had even more wow-factor than it did.

Knowing the score of Carmen quite well I don't think it's Carmen, I think it was just dramatic, familiar Spanish folk music - but I still had the problem of giggling all the way through it - Carmen would work if it was a female celebrity - that would be amazing!

Rachel's rumba was a wow and then some

Austin and Erin's Paso Doble stands out for me as the WOW dance of this series for me - it had drama, passion, and amazing choreography by Erin who has guts to give Austin that phenomenal solo section at the beginning of the dance.

Rachel and Lisa's dances leave me cold - but Tom is my second favourite after Austin.

From Hayley

Me too.

Tom's Foxtrot was also a surprise for me. I really enjoyed it.

I'm not sure about the wow factor but I thought the following dances this series were mesmerizing.

Lisa's Viennese Waltz.

Tom's Quickstep.

Tom's foxtrot.

Rachel's Rumba.

Rachel's Waltz.

Austin's Tango.

Cherie's Rumba.

Not even Lisa's VW Hayley. I don't enjoy Lisa's dances but I thought that dance, was one of the best of this series. It was stunning.

I agree - There certainly hasn't been a "wow" dance for me just yet. Hopefully, the Semi-Finale, and the Finale will present many to me.

Although, my favourite dance has been Jodie and Ian's romantic, Waltz.

I agree wholeheartedly with that statement. For me this year, Jodie and Ian's Waltz, Austin and Erin's jive and Tom and Camilla's foxtrot have had me mesmerised. I found them "wow" dances.

You definitely know your Carmen/Bizet! You were perfectly correct … the music to Austen and Erin’s Paso was España Cañí (meaning "Gypsy Spain") known as the Spanish Gypsy Dance by Pascual Marquina Narro an instrumental piece composed in 1925 - used specifically for the Paso Doble and often called the Paso Doble song. Terrific Spanish music

I agree - I'm not a Lisa supporter, but I'd even go as far as saying for me it was the dance of the series - with Austin's Paso in very close 2nd place.

I'm not sure about a wow dance this year...there are a few which stand out and that I keep re-watching on youtube though..

Cherie's Rumba
Tom's Foxtrot
Lisa's Viennese Waltz
Rachel's Tango

The funny thing is I really don't Lisa dancing I would even skip through some of her dances.

But you can't take it away from Lisa and Brendan that their VW is probably the best dance of the series even better than my favourite couples routines.

Well I've moaned my head off about this last two weeks about some of the judges over marking L&B, but if she buys one dress to keep as a souvenir of the series it should be that VW dress - she looked absolutely stunning that night - I've got goosebumps just thinking about that dance again.

The wow dances for me this series have been;

Jodie & Ian's Waltz and Tom & Camilla's Foxtrot.

I agree there has been good dances this year but I don't think there has been a wow dance as in previous years.