Hmm, I have a video last year of Suzanne skating around the ice alone for the first part of "Eternal Flame", before Matt comes out of the tunnel and joins her... is that not what you're referring to?

Precisely, but I don't think it was compulsory; Suzanne did it because she could; I wonder many of the others could do the same?

I can't remember what week we are up to - must be coming up to 5 or 6 ??? - and I'm sure I haven't seen Melinda or Coleen skate without being held by their partners; and I think there are a couple of others, but I can't remember all their names.

We're approaching week 6 (technically week 5 for the contestants as they had a gender week off at the start).

I wasn't aware that they didn't all do the solo bit. I've only seen Suzanne's performance from that week. I'd like that to be compulsory too, then.

The lifts should be integrated into the routine and add to the performance in some way.

More and more though, I'm finding that the lifts on DOI are telegraphed, awkard, done solely for 'wow' factor and add nothing to the musical interpretation.

I'd rather see more intricate footwork and spins than endless lifts.

Have to agree with you there!

I'm sure they all do a solo skate at some point, they did last year. It was the required element that week that they skate out themselves and start off.

Zaraah done it to 'One' I think and Fred scooped her off the ice when he came out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-kWtkO9IOg

It has, I think, a float spin at the end (like a headbanger but without the bounce), but she goes into it from a skating postion (rather than down on the ice), and the other lifts are of a different sort and don't take up too much of the routine.

Absolutely, he has already proved he can lift competently, the lifts he has done are controlled and accurate, but his ice 'dancing' and the immaculate lines he gets with Maria are outstanding, the ice dance is what really sells Ray and he certainly does not need to go down the 'lifts' syndrome to get votes - as also should not any of the girls.

I do agree too, limit the lifts and get them to concentrate more on the skating ability.

I do agree with you. When I said "comparitively rubbish" I was trying to quote from a general public point of view. When it comes to minority sports, the public are quite child-like and unforgiving. If something isn't giving instant satisfaction (medals and good results) we tune out. It seems we can't appreciate certain sports for their own sake - we also need results to maintain interest.

Agree 100% with you!

I think the lifts should be limited to one per routine... but if it wasn't for the lifts, Coleen would have very little content in her routine!!!

Give them some more dancing ON ICE not lifts in the air please!!!!

I remember reading reading once, somewhere that Britain was the bestest in the world ... in ..... hang-gliding.. so your theory may be true but even with medals, without media coverage its wasted, People come first all the time, but if its not football or rugby or cricket we aint interested, but look at cycling, without the the cycling team in the last Olympics our medal tally would not be as impressive, but still hardly any cycling sport on mainstream TV ? same with Ice skating, It was shown on the BBC years before D&T I remember watching John Curry and other minority sports, me and my dad ( when i was a kid) always watched Pot Black , I always remember it was on at 9pm but I was allowed to stay up late to watch it. now there is nothing like that, with ITV having DOI why didn't the buy the rights to show the highlights of the Europeans? whilst the show was on ? if I was in charge I would think it great business sense to generate interest?

the world is run by idiots and us disciples follow, ignore or obey , I try to change things but end up hitting head on wall

Completely agree with you.

I also don't like that at a certain stage into the competition, it becomes pretty much compulsory to do bigger and bigger lifts, which I think is especially dangerous with the male celebs - one little slip and their partner is dropped from 8 ft up

I much prefer to see the celebs skating on the ice than being twirled through the air. There should be a limit to the number of lifts in a routine - no more than 2. Some people like Melinda and Zoe spend most of their routines in the air.

Yeah more skating and limited lifts would be better.