Some more mathematical brain than me would have to do the permutations whether somebody at the bottom of the board with 3 people has any more chance of squeaking through if they get the most votes than with 4 people last week. I don't know.

But no, I wouldn't vote. I've been burned twice in two years. Have learned my lesson.

But there's a twist in the tail - say Tom is bottom of leaderboard he could still avoid the dance off with the highest public vote but it all depends on the position of the two women above him in the public vote (which we have no idea about).

So Tom fans can't just say "I'm not voting there's no point" because he could still be saved - we can't take the risk of not voting for him.

Only chance:

Say:

Couple A: 3 from the judges, 1 from the public, four points total
Couple B: 2 from the judges, 2 from the public, four points total
Couple C: 1 from the judges, 3 from the public, four points total

Then, and only then can couple C avoid the dance-off. Any other combination, and they are fried.

In that situation, someone voting for couple C would actually be better off voting say twice for couple C and once for couple B - because getting couple C off the bottom isn't the only critera. Couple B also have to beat Couple A in the vote.

Exactly. But even that can't be a guarantee. You might get couple B with the highest public votes in the end with your votes, and couple C will still end up in the dance-off. In fact the risk of that happening is quite high.

That's how daft it all is now. It's no longer a case of first past the post wins.

I dont agree with dance-offs at any stage of SCD, the judges have their say, the public have their say and then the judges get a second bite of the cherry and have another say, this isnt right when people have stumped up for telephone votes.

Personally I don't think there should be dance offs when they are down to say, the final 5. It's just too near the end and the public should have the final say about who goes through. It is a tv show for the public to watch - not a personal competition for the judges to judge!!

All the competitiors will have their supporters and each week someone will be upset. But it is an entertainment show and people PAY to vote - so they shouldn't be overruled - especially at this stage.

If my own particular domesday scenario happens and Tom does go out (despite being massively) the most popular with the public I do hope the figures get leaked to the red tops or SmileyCharlie obliges with some inside info.

Most people who are not afficionados of message boards have no idea about the stuff discussed here.

I suppose, in the grand scheme of things, the odd 15p vote tossed away is neither here nor there but I hate the lingering feeling that the BBC is taking its viewing public for fools.

It's already been touched upon but the title of this thread is a bit odd.

Of course "hypocritical fans" may well not be asking for no dance off if their favourite wasn't the one likely to go out. That's the point of the adjective.

Personally, I don't want a dance off at this stage whoever it's likely to affect. Didn't want it last year, don't want it this year. It's the system I have a problem with rather than the individual. I don't like the fact that changed circumstances has meant a power shift both last year and this.