(Apologies if this has been said elsewhere)

Do you think that Donal, being a journalist, and not in the public eye like performers, sportspeople, etc., is at a disadvantage, in that he probably has little or no fanbase?

under normal circumstances....probably yes... however he is SOOOOO cute.... he will gather fans very quickly.

Thats a fair point but on the other hand he probably hasnt built up a following that cant stand him either. Im sure sometimes people actually vote for a soap actor based on the character.

Yes, that could be true.... no one knows him, so no one hates him already!

He just has to try and stay out of the bottom 2 for a few weeks and gain some fans.

Lots of people would know Donal and not know the likes of say Jessica, it depends what age you are and what your interested in. Also alot of the performer people arent currently in anything. He has to do the same as everyone, try and stay in, add to your fans and try and pick other peoples fans up when they go out.

Fair point. He's not in a soap, and he hasn't got a giant ego either. He's damn fine journalist and some may dislike him for that.

However, he is drop dead gorgeous. Maybe that will work in his favour

Yummy.

Works for me, he's very cute

I didn't have a clue who he is, but he won me over last night

Came over as a right old charmer and is clearly a trier as well - he's going to win himself a few more points in the ratings if he can hang about long enough.

Is it too early to mention the 'J' word at this point?

I watch all of Donal's doc's and love him. However I had no idea who Coleen was (it has since been pointed out to me)

People (especially on here) don't dislike him because he is no good at skating! If he had skated better he would have been villified!

It's a typical English thing to try and bring down those who do well, and support the underdog.

You are absolutely right

I am surprised people here think Donal is unknown. He is a big hit with the ladies - that quiet Irish charm, the twinkle in the eye, and the combination of heroicism and intelligence. He's my favourite - not the best skater, but the contestant that I like best and want to see again next week.

I think that people won't know him as much as maybe some of the others but I think he is lovely

I tell you what, in that skate off last night he really upped his game, forgot his inhibitions and went for it. You could argue about whether he should have been up against Graeme, but given the two of them in the skate-off, I thought his performance deserved the thumbs up from the judges.

I know he is a journalist, but what particularly is he well known for? (I agree he seems lovely).

He has a series - Macintyre Undercover - has been going on and off for quite awhile.

He's gorgeous!

Investigative journalist - gets into all sorts of perilous situations to expose dangerous criminals and very shady goings-on.

I don't know that he is at a disadvantage - look at Neil Fox in series 2. How many millions of people watched Pop Idol, but he still got the boot first round!
While admittedly I don't know DOnal myself, surely he has had at least as much exposure as Phil Gayle or Kay Burley - more if he has had his own series with his name in the title? There have been several in the last couple of series that people haven't really known who they are that have done just fine - hope he found some confidence in winning the skate off last night so he can skate well in a fortnight

My parents lv him because he's been in dangerous situations. They admire him. He's got a fanbase that can't vote!

I don't think so. To be honest I only know two men this year, Todd, and Michael. Even in the women's group I only know Melinda.

If you get a chance try and watch next time he`s on, he really does get into some dangerous situations, has exposed some very unpleasant individuals, and I think he`s been on a hit list more than once, so all said, is a very brave man!

As he said last night, he`s more used to wearing a bullet proof vest than sequins, and he actually wasn`t kidding!!!

He was on This Morning today talking about his new show. he show the dangerous place in tourist hotspots.

What's stopping your parents from voting?

Works for me