And Deeside might be 20 miles from Liverpool as the crow flies - but its a long convoluted trip by public transport and almost as long by road!

Not a journey you would make very often - especially if your interests were more in the way of Ballroom and other forms of dancing - unless you were dedicated to learning to skate.

I thought he was fab. (Loved Todd as well, though: anyone who gets round in one piece is a winner.)

Can't imagine that the girls could ever top that.

There are two rinks nearer to Liverpool than that,Blackburn & Altrincham

The first time I saw Ray he was acting, in Brookside. I look forward to seeing what he can deliver in a couple of weeks time. After his performance in show 1 you can only guess how good he will be the next time. I only hope one of the girls will be equally talented so it isn't a one horse race

I think he said when he went to Deeside it was as a treat.

I think a couple of the girls and Ellery will give him a run for his money, as he is a slight build which means they'll have to choose lifts very carefully.

Liverpool to Blackburn - 40 miles
Liverpool to Altrincham - over 30 miles.

link www.theaa.co.uk

I do think that is Ray's one weakness. He won't be able to do the tabletop or the Flambo. I think Ellery might be able to do some spectacular lifts as the show progresses. Perhaps his dancing won't be as good as someone like Ray's but he'll do his best.

I wasn't arguing, just saying what I thought I heard him say.

Not sure what the tabletop or the Flambo is, but I'll take your word for it! That is what I mean though - he'll have to work harder when it comes to some of the spectacular stuff (that's a technical phrase btw ).

Hi FMF - another year, another series, and still the same old, same old.

He shouldn't be here, he's virtually professional. She danced on Strictly Ice Dancing - foul!!!

I must confess I was surprised that Ellery was partnered with the very petite Frankie, whilst Ray is with Maria - but after seeing them last night I think they make a good partnership.

I also loved the way Ellery came across - now there's a real gentleman.

I can't believe Ray went ice skating at Deeside

I ice skated there pretty much every week as a kid! Well, ice skating is a bit of an exaggeration... pulled myself round the ice and spent most of the time on my bum would be more accurate. I was at the Deeside leisure centre about 3 times a week. Always fun when you see somewhere you know mentioned

LOVE Ray. Looking forward to seeing the girls but he's my favourite so far.

Hello there. Yup we seem to be right back where we started. I'm prepared this year though I have a year of defending Chris behind me so I'm ready to defend Ray.

I did think that the pairings were strange to begin with. I was so sure Ray would get Frankie or Christina. But I suppose it is down to the locations of the professionals and of the contestants.

Heh I've always been a Rugby League fan so I know his name well. He's such a gentleman and he makes me laugh without meaning to bless him. The left and right business had me in stitches.

Well i didn't rate Chris as much as some did last year - but Ray is the package this year!

He has it all - grace and elegance and the performance skills (which were so lacking with Chris), as well as being a natural on the ice.

If only he could tone down the cheesiness he'd be perfect.

Think the cheesiness might be the hard one he has always been like that since a toddler!

How can you say Chris had no performance skills, especially when he did the routine to the Rocky Horror Show!! Also when he did his solo routine on the tour when Frankie was injured he was amazing. Why when he isn't even doing the show this time, do people have to keep on making derogatary remarks about him.Get a life!!

Chris was mostly about power and tricks, Ray is a lot more about grace and elegance. It's just a question of stylistic preference - which, in the real ice world, would generally be towards grace and elegance.

Bad points of DOI this year seem to include people jumping to previous contestants' defences when used as innocent examples for comparison with other contestants.

I agree its about grace and elegance thats where Rays dance training comes in, a bit different to bending over with a stick in your hand, obviously Chris had power

Very true. The show is called Dancing on Ice.

Hey Lady T we've agreed again, that's twice now in two years, it's starting to become a habit

I'm not a Ray fan - I didn't like him on XF but this is a skating show - let's be honest he was the best by a mile, well done to him

Key words here are 'appeared to be'.

No sensible rhyme or reason given for this, just 'appeared to be'. IMO this is not rational. To say that you dislike someone strongly that you have never met makes me wonder what you would think of someone you knew personally who upset you!

I have no feelings at all about the guy, dont know him, have never had any dealings with him so can't coment on his nature. I didnt see him do anything terrible on Sunday to his fellow competitors or anyone else. He does seem very confident which I know people can confuse with arrogance and smugness.

But he can skate, and I really enjoyed watching him on Sunday.

Sorry Buddy I quoted the wrong post - was replying to lilyscent.

Only the first week and I'm already apologising for cocking things up.

He probably preferred that anyway.

I'd have been gutted if Frankie had been injured and I'd only seen Chris.

I thought Chris had plenty of performance skills, some of his routines was great, the only thing he lacked was partnering skills at the beginning of the series, but this improved.

Ray's extensive ballroom & Latin training means partnering skills will be second nature to him.

I wouldn't.

I was gutted because Chris was injured when I went.