This weekend, Erin seemed to me to be far more disappointed and upset to be leaving than Austin did.

He's a family man, and wouldn't it be nicer for him to be able to spend the weeks before Christmas going shopping, and arranging children's parties, and writing cards, etc, even relaxing. He's already made his point, to his family and friends, that he can dance. What is there to be acheived by slaving away for another couple of weeks?

On ITT last night Claude said to his 2 girls that "this was the best time to go". Was she just consoling them, or is that something that their dad really believed?

After Lisa and Brendan's performance, Lisa seemed quite resigned to being in the dance off, with a "whatever will be" attitude. It was Brendan who was beating his brains out.

And in the clip of Camilla, also on ITT last night, she was clearly desperate to get into the final, whereas Tom, standing just by her, seemed to have something more of Austin's cooler attitude.

One of the consequences of such a long season is that although it must be a lot of fun and novelty at the start, it must get boring and fatiguing, after 3 months.

Last year Alesha had a very strong motivation to win - it was going to be worth millions to her financially. I'm not aware of anyone this year in the same sort of situation (though I suppose Rachel Stevens could have some similar ideas).

Just by the very nature they are Pros and much of their career has been about entering and winning competitions I doubt very much whether they'd be able to switch off this competitive nature for a television show particularly if they have been coupled with a good partner. I guess this is why we are seeing, Vincent crying, Brendan storming off, Erin very emotional on ITT. They all have partners who have/had the potential to win and I'm guessing this fires up the competitive streak in them. Perhaps it is just more obvious this series because a good majority of the contestents/celebs were good from the start.

I think the pros are terrified of leaving early because of what happened to Nicole Cutler. I'd imagine it would be pretty hard to sack anyone that reached the final? There has been an air of desperation about some of them this year that doesn't seem to have much to do with competitive instinct.

That's a very cynical point of view. I don't know the ins and outs of why Nicole Cutler left but do you really think all the Pros are fearful for their positions? I very much doubt that was the reason why Erin was so upset on ITT yesterday - "oh they're not going to choose me for next year now"

There's also the consideration that the pros' job, essentially, IS doing the show and doing it to the best of their ability, while the celebrities are constantly worried about how they'll be perceived once they return to their daily lives.

This is bound to make the celebs a bit more reserved as they weigh up every remark thinking 'ooh, will this make me popular after I leave or not?' The pros have no such worries (except about members of this board ) and are free to be as competitive as they want.

I don't think the desire to win's any less in the celebs, it's just that they're more careful to play it down

Didn't say that was why Erin was upset yesterday, I was responding to the general points made in the op. But yes, I think a lot of the pros must be fearful for their positions, I would be if it were my career at stake, especially if I were one of the older dancers, or someone who hadn't made much of an impression on the competition.

Especially with all the rumours flying around atm

The pros are there year in year out and its a dance competition and they are dancers so of course they want to win. Erin and Camilla have been waiting 5 years (or 6 series) for the win. Brendan's win must seem like ages ago and wants to win again.

Ok, point taken, sorry if I mis-read your post. I was not aware that there were rumours and speculation surrounding the pro dancers.

An interesting thread. Blimey.

Yes, I think the pros are probably more competitive in this show than most of the celebs. They're more used to dancing competitions, and this is their only public exposure - the more exposure they get, the more career opportunities are available.

Although I suspect no-one gets to be a celeb without being quite competitive in life - but ultimately their purpose within the show is to raise their profile, rather than to win. Yes, generally winning is the ultimate profile-raiser, but not always - for example, John Sargeant has already "won" on celeb terms.

And then again, it's OK for the pros to express their desire to win, but not for the celebs - we seem to like the amateur "it's just a game" spirit in the UK. Which contrasts with the attitude of the contestants in the USA (DWTS), who are far more clear about wanting to win.

They've been in a competitive environment since they were about 5 years old and have competed against each other for years on the pro circuit. The pro's are all definitely in it to win it and to beat each other. However, I also think they just love the show and so are desperate to be involved as long as possible. For many of them, this is the only time they compete, as most have retired and just teach and do shows now. I'm sure they relish this opportuity to compete on a dance floor again.

However, I also think it perhaps means more to the pro's as they are so involved in the whole process. The show becomes the pro's life for months and they work so unbelievably hard. They live and breathe the show and they become completely consumed by what they could do to help their celeb. They are in Strictly mode literally 14 hours a day (I know this as I have had a conversation with one of the pro's about it) The celeb of course puts many hours in themselves learning and dancing, but the pro pours hours into choreography, music, teaching, thoughts for costumes etc. The celeb does it, but the pro creates it all and feels the responsibility towards their partners' progress.

Take Vincent and Rachel's Tango. We've heard that Vincent was up until 2am in the morning every night trying to perfect the choreography and he was analysing every step in training to get it as good as possible. Rachel came into the studio and learnt it and then danced on the show to the best of her ability, but she wasn't quite as involved in the process. As much as the tens meant to Rachel, who had danced the routine well, I would bet my house that they meant more to Vincent, as he created and taught her the entire dance from scratch and it turned out to be good enough to get her through.

I agree with water_carrier and erinfan.

This is their job for 3/4 months and it is clear they are all passionate about doing it well, especially as they are showcasing themselves with their celeb in front of million of people every week - what could be more exciting for them once they have stopped competing?

Each pro invests so much of themselves every series I doubt if any of them ever want to leave. Yes, I think they are often desperate to win, especially when they get a celeb who puts them in the running, but I suspect they also just love the whole Strictly experience and don't want it to end - it is like an exclusive club in a way!

It wouldn't have to be all. The post you were replying to said "some", and why wouldn't some of them be worried, especially since SCD has shown it can bring in new pros who are both good and popular?

As far as it is applied to these guys, the word "pro" refers as much to them being professional competitors as much as dancers, and as others have said, many have been competing for as far back into their childhood as they can remember.

Now, is being involved in yet another competition, that in addition the normal rules also challenges you to bring an amateur up to standard, and for good measure is broadcast live to millions on Saturday telly, more or less likely to bring out your competitve streak?