Well, yes, he could be simply outright lying, to manipulate the public.

But ignoring the moral issues, that'd be risky - it'd only take one "teach-and-tell" story ("I taught Brendan everything he knows - Federico" ) to brand him as a total liar - the tabloids would love that sort of story.

So it seems a bit unlikely.

Well said WelwynRose - as someone else pointed out - had it been any other pro we wouldn't be having this conversation.

I wonder if Erin did any prep before hand in anticipation of doing the AT - I would hazard a guess at no!

Maybe he just never expected to reach the final again after winning series 1?!

I can't imagine a tabloid being that interested in Brendan's AT lessons...although stranger things have happened!! Len in his dressing gown for instance!

What, you mean, like this one:
"Why don't the pros learn the salsa and AT?" ?


The specific point about Brendan was that he made such a big deal of knowing literally nothing about the dance, whereas the other pros didn't. So we don't know what specific training they've had, because they've not made such a big deal about it.

"Brendan Lies - Exclusive!

Sneaky dance rate Brendan (43) has been exposed as a Lying Liar by our intrepid... etc."

Could work.

On another note, AT was covered in series 3, Karen, Camilla and Erin also learnt it then, it might have only been the basics for a group dance but it was something, Brendan on the other hand was knocked out before.

I'm still going with my opinion that he probably never expected to get this far again and thus didn't bother to learn it.

Still think him and Lisa did an amazing job, and it was by far my favourite AT of the night.

I thought it was a great performance - and Brendan didn't complain or use it to gain sympathy. He mentioned in training that Lisa was helping him learn it. I think it showed have great their relationship is and thought it lovely to see Lisa take over the role of supporting her partner on Saturday, both before the dance and after. It was Arlene who brought up the fact that he seemed incredibly nervous.
There is no need to learn it until it is necessary - I don't think any have. A week is long enough as all have shown since it was introduced.

No, it's really not. Camilla showed that with Tom - he simply couldn't learn the dance in the time, so she went for The Acting Thing instead.

I was talking about a week being long enough for a professional dancer - I am sure they can get it in a few hours at the most.

it was my fav too - very sexy

Sorry, no. It takes years - for anyone - to learn.

So then the few classes that we're moaning Brendan didn't take wouldn't really have made any difference...would it??

Every journey starts with a single step. Literally, in AT.

So, why hasn't he learnt?

Brendan learned the AT well enough in a week to make a very good job of it - it was actually my favourite of the three although Rachels was obviously more professional and Vincent the best. I am pretty sure the others pros have also not learned it in advance unless they expected to be in the semi-final. They all had to be taught thee Salsa a couple of years back.
Brendan may have his reasons for not learning it earlier - he is also the only pro who is not actively involved in dancing and I assume who does not train or take lessons. However, they did a fantastic job on Saturday and I got the impression Lisa really enjoyed learning it together with Brendan and helping him, it brought they even closer together.
I anyway see no reason to single him out for criticism.

you might as well ask why hasn't he learnt any of the other dances that may be featured in SCD in coming years what if they decided to bring in the Lindy Hop or the Merengue as new dances to replace some that we already have

I think why DavidJames is singling out Brendan is because s/he feels that Brendan has been 'reveling' in the fact that he'd never done the AT. And mentioned it twice (at least )
Yes, he mentioned it. It might have been for a bit of sympathy, it might have been to keep expectations low and so wow on the night. It worked for me!

And that would have been a good point, except that the AT has been a regular feature for the past three years. As has the salsa, for that matter.

It's part of the show. It's a dance. If he gets far enough, he'll have to do it. It's not like a sudden surprise or anything.

So, again, why on Earth did he not take a single class?


If they did, suddenly, introduce a new dance, then of course it'd be unreasonable to expect the pros to know much about it, for the first year.

But if they kept it as a component for three more years, then the pros should damn well learn it, yes.

Did I mention that it's been in the show for 3 years now?

I would be interested to know how many of the pros who have been in the competition for the last 3 years also have not taken a single AT lesson

He's obviously a fast learner, he did very well I think. All this complaining would make sense, if he failed. He didn't.

Why don't we all agree to disagree and let this thread die. No progress is being made and we keep going over the same ground...no one is going to convince another of their opinion and it's pointless to keep going round in circles.

Hear hear!

Yes, that's a good point and I'd also like to know that. As discussed in that thread I linked to.

So, Brendan, if you really want to win next year, maybe you should take salsa and AT lessons at some point over the next 6 months?

Just a thought...

he could take as many lessons as you wanted him to be partnered with the best dancer in the competition & still not win if that partner is not popular with the GBP as this year has proved - it doesn't matter how well or how badly you dance you can still win as long as your partner wins over the voters