Sorry what I meant is that the pros have regular lessons in other dances. V&F have it in the AT because that is one of their specialities

Well, Anton clearly doesn't really want to win that much - he's more a celeb than a dancer now.

I also think if I were one of the pros I'd have probably taken a few classes in both just to feel more prepared about it. Especially if I had a decent-ish partner who seemed to have a reasonable enough chance of making it to the semis. We'd normally be looking at four couples doing the AT, so there's even more chance of having to end up doing it. If I were a celeb, it wouldn't particularly fill me with confidence! I remember Emma's last week where Darren had neither done Salsa nor AT and the worry they both had.

Indeed - Brendan freaking out about not knowing a single thing about the dance (AT) made him look more human but can't have inspired Lisa much.

It's got to be an expectations game - I can't believe he's really that ignorant. He's probably just hoping that the judges will be kind to him.

Ah, hold on...


Yes - but to be fair, that was the first time either of those dances had been introduced, so expectations were lower and I think the judges marked accordingly.

TBH I don't think his Latin is that bad! But I do think it would be a dream come true for him to win Strictly - but I think he knows it will never happed now.


Exactly - that was my point too!

You've clearly blanked his "jumpsuit jive" routine from your mind.

Can't blame you, actually.

Matt and Camilla stated the same thing last year when they had to do the AT.

Is it this one?

So, all the information we do know is negative - i.e. they don't take lessons.

Now, OK, I know they're busy, but this dance is a key part of their job, you'd think they'd make the time.

I'd so love it if one of the judges were to have a go (justifiably) at Brendan for not learning it.

Waaaah! Flashback!

I was wondering the same thing OP!

I thought James let Cherie down this year. He could have learnt the Salsa during his time off. I don't think bringing in somebody to teach him how to do it gave Cherie much confidence in the dance or her partner that week and it showed.

Ok I have to say since AT is a dance I'm passionate about..... I guess I do feel it's a real pity that some of the pros haven't taken more care over the nuance of that dance.

(I wasn't sure what Brandan and Lisa were doing in their training footage yesterday.)

I'm sure salsa folk feel the same.

But to be fair an awful lot is asked of the pros during the show.....and I'm sure off SCD they're busy working on their own stuff......and it's not as if they have ongoing contracts etc...Flav and Vincent dance AT because they love it....but maybe the others hate it.

I know the pros get specialist help from "salsa/AT experts" during the series to work on those routines.....but maybe they need to be assigned individual "mentors" that work individually with a couple throughout that weeks training...obviously the pro would need to be up for that.

(IMO the first years AT's (Emma/ Matt/Mark) were far better than last years overall.... the pros did a good job considering their lack of experience)

well they didn't have a go at Matthew or Camilla last year so as long as he makes a good job of it why would they have a go at him

The judges didn't have a go at Matthew or Camilla, because they both did a reasonable job.

But yes, I'm assuming he will make a complete mess of it, based on his comments and the training footage.

I may be wrong - it may be that he'll pick it up in 3 days solid, and will produce the dance of his life. In which case, yes, criticism would be unwarranted.

Maybe - but you know, there's bits of any job that people hate.

Similarly for dances - Anton hates the Samba, for example.

I'm not a fan of his, but Brendan relishes a challenge and will make sure his Argentine Tango is damn good.

The mid-week training certainly looked very promising.

Wasn't so keen on their Quickstep though - very messy.

I have this picture of Vincent and Flavia trying to teach all the other pros the AT.... Im sure they'd do it if asked....

I'm sure you're right about Brendan's attitude but I was at the training footage...It didn't resemble AT in anyway shape or form.....and even within the confines of SCD I was a bit suprised at how little it seemed to express of the dance.

I always reserve my judgement until saturday though ...hopefully on the night things will be different...

(I also hope Camilla learns to collect her feet....it's such a wee thing but it'll make her and Tom's dancing look so much better)

looking at the standard of Salsa on the show very few of them have bothered with Salsa and as for AT their own Tango experience will help with that and bringing in an AT professional to help will sort that.

These are Balroom and Latin professionals there is no need for them to learn any other dances - perhaps the Beeb should just reduce the length of the show then there would be no need for Salsa and AT

For the majority of competitive dancers, AT and salsa are not standard dances. Vincent & Flavia do AT because the specialise more in Showdance, which they have chosen to base on the AT. Nor is the American Smooth a UK/European competitive dance so they don't do that either (which is why so many of them are still getting it wrong!!)

However, I do find it extremely odd that once they are on Strictly, they don't make sure they get training to cover any new dances that are introduced. This week, Rachel is at a huge advantage having a partner who is AT Showdance Champion.

If Vincent wasn't hoping to be top-runner to the final, I'm sure they would, as it is ............

I imagine they don't bother because they can get away with it. The pros are never picked up on their poor technique in the dances and when Darren and Emma's routine was criticised it had been done by short shouty salsa man not Darren.

Karen's (presumably) first time dancing Salsa she got 4 9s and first time dancing AT she got three 10s, Matthew got two 10s on his first AT attempt etc.

Obviously their are exceptions with Erin and James this year looking as bad as their celebs.

I would agree it would definitely improve the standard of choreography attempted and quality of dancing if they were to get lessons but I imagine they think of it as one dance once a year that they do on a TV show *shrug*

Perhaps they have workshops in it at the beginning of the series but it's not mentioned??

It would make sense for V&F to continue their training as they are expected to demo it on SCD and I would imagine around the world.

To be honest I wouldn't mind them getting rid of all of Salsa, AT and American Smooth.

What a coincidence, I hate Anton dancing the samba too

Seriously though Anton might hate doing latin but it is part of the standard 10 dances, so he will have had some prior understanding of them and basic experience which he has gained throughout his dance career.

The AT and salsa are maybe a bit different and something that the pros are coming to cold..

E.G. Anton doing latin is the equivalent of a breaststroke specialist swimming the butterfly...but Anton dancing the AT might be like the breaststroke swimmer playing water polo.

Perhaps it's a contractual thing...perhaps if the pros were given time +paid to do it they'd be more inclined... on the job/workbased training

I think Rachel theoretically does have an advantage but tbh Matt and Flavia's AT wasn't that great last year.....

Rachel's real advantage might be that she's just done the tango, which Vincent spiced with "AT style" elements...and I suspect - from the training footage we've seen so far - she gets the "feel" of the dance.

sorry didn't realise you were a AT dancer or teacher - it was only the mid-week training report so a lot can change before the weekend