I don't think he did finish 3rd after the public vote. No doubt the judges would have voted him off in the dance off but that would probably have very little to do with dancing ability either

The judging of the competition is in two parts, you have to win both. Christine and Jodie were the most 'cheated' women they were trouncing Lisa and Rachel in the public vote but got booted to save them.

If you going on the Tom only won because people fancy him, on that basis surely Lisa and Rachel were getting votes becasue people fancy them, and judging by the showdance outfits were trying to capitalise on it.

There is no set criteria for the public vote on, but every year the public vote has produced a far better champion that the judges would. If it were upto the judges a man would never have won Strictly.

I love SCD and I like being entertained I thought JS was a lovable joke but as I also like dancing he was not the one for me. My favourite was probably Austin but I also liked Tom's passion for dancing. I preferred Lisa to Rachel as I thought considering her wooden dancing at the beginning she really developed as a dancer. I would cry too if I was paired with that "ego" on the dance floor, Brendan. Rachel was just someone you think you should like but she left me cold.

I was overjoyed when Tom won as I do not believe the smug 4 (judges) should be able to manipulate the GBP.
Last edited by eunicelouise658 : 26-12-2008 at 16:08

GBP has already been manipulated down to near parity with EUR.

Totally agree. The judges wanted a Lisa versus Rachel final but the public scuppered their plans though not as much as the judges did themselves by not thinking through what having a dubious tie for top place in the semi-final would actually mean to the public voting and the mess that would follow.

Two words babe - Alesha Dixon - she won deservedly over two cute blokes last year (she actually expressed doubt she'd make the final as she actually expressed the opinion that the voters might just vote them both through on that basis) - it just isn't true that women don't vote for other women. Rachel was probably the best dancer but some of her dances like the foxtrot were technically good but a bit dull and I don't think she was a big enough personality to engage people and sometimes tend to talk in cliches which I think annoyed some people. Lisa too came across as a bit too much at times and it made some doubt who authentic she was nor was I the only person who felt she was chronically over-marked. I couldn't bear Brendan's attitude either this year and although it shouldn't be a personality contest it takes a greater degree of detachment than many can manage to root for someone whom makes you yell obscenities at the telly especially if you think victory will make them insufferable.

I personally wouldn't have voted for Tom to out of the last two had Tom and Camelia's showdance had not being so good (I'd have happily let Rachel win) and I never found him that cute meself - it was a combination of talent (which he did actually possess - the way some people talk about him you'd think he was John Sargeant), enthusiasm for what he was doing and sheer entertainment value - watching him was usually fun if nothing else - that endeared me to him and I felt all of these things formed the cornerstones of his and Cam's showdance. Obviously I can't speak for anyone else but that's my opinion.

I concede it is slightly harder for a woman to win a show such as SCD than a man but, as 3 of the winners out of 6 have been women, it's achievable. The women have to have that indefinable quality that attracts not repels other women plus they need to be good dancers!

I supported Tom from the off because his Cha Cha zinged - I don't particularly find him a hottie & his facial expressions and big chin were a bit offputting but the man could move across the dance floor with such enthusiasm and innate ability that he was my winner from day one &, as the weeks progressed, his appealing personality added to the mix.

As I understand it, he was the winner of the public vote in week 1 and then JS overtook him but he was always firmly in 2nd spot until JS left and then he was back in pole position.

Again, from what I understand, Rachel & Lisa were languishing at or near the bottom for most of the series. Christine was very popular and Jodie had a huge surge - both popular because they had appealing personalities and were good dancers. If the dance-off system had not been in place, they might even have progressed to the final.

My difficulty with this series is that I understand the judges' POV - they want the best dancers to win and, in their opinion, it would probably have been an Austin/Lisa/Rachel final on merit. Public might disagree which is fair enough |& what the programme is all about. Trouble is I'm sure the judges know week in week out the public voting figures and they have it within their power to overmark if they so desire to achieve their ends.

I know conspiracy theories provoke lofty disdain from some quarters but it really is not beyond the wit of the judges to work out possible scenarios that suit their cause.

I don't know what the answer is but I hope the production team come up with something better for SCD 7 - ridding us of the dance off from, say, 6 or even 5 couples remaining would be a good start.

It doesn't surprise me that he won- he was the only one who didn't seem desperate to win, he was easily the most fun and entertaining and his showdance was the best dance of the series. Seeing as S Club 7 were last seen several years ago and Lisa is only famous for being George Clooney's ex, Tom also had the biggest fanbase.
Those people who think he shouldn't have won or that it was a fix need to get over it and realise that it is just a light entertainment show, not a serious dance contest. Tom was the deserving winner.

I don't think Tom is 'hot' at all, but I voted for him because he was the best natural dancer and because, as the man, he has to lead and therefore has a more difficult job. Also, he doesn't have long skirts to hide his footwork.