Live Show 2 - Backstage Pics and Quotes

Wow, what a night!



I'm very impressed with Matt last night and I hope he can make it to the finals. He should be great in his Ballroom too, no doubt about it. He has my VOTES all the way.



The others who are in the front line are: Kara, Scott, Pamela (not sure about Scott's and Pam's Latin)



I foresee Matt and Kara head-to head in the FINALS!



Cheers

welcome all to another strictley series,,Yes week one always difficult but somehow all contestants managed to shine. got my eye on a few possible finalists,think the battle is on with scott masden,gavin hennsan,jimmy mistri,and matt baker. passo and foxtrot,and jive should sort them out. not to sure on the battle for the girls yet.

on a personal note,i wish each and everyone of the contestants,and professionals,a happy strictley series.,,from ballroomblitzchris.

rally loving .. Kara and Artem!! their dance was Amazing especially as it was their first!!!! they are going to go the whole way!!! really are amazing

kara is going to be one to watch out for along with matt

I would like to see Karen Hardy on the panel I think that she would be truthful but fair

i watched d show tonight just think kara is fab! i hope she goes all the way.

Jimi and Ann were the highlights for me tonight (for very different reasons obviously!).

Don't know how well Kara will play with the voters - plenty of talent but lacking in charm.

Still don't really know what Alisha is doing there. She adds absolutely nothing to the comments - either saying something very general or agreeing with the others. She is a nice lady and very glamorous but I would rather have Arlene back or Karen Hardy as a judge. I thought the marking was all a little high last night as well. Thought the music all a bit too modern and got the general impression that they were trying to make the show too 'sexy' - still wait and see I suppose. It was ok but a but too frenetic and desperate for us all to love it.

I thought Len's mark for Felicity was much too low, especially as he gave the same mark or higher to Ann, Peter and Paul!!!!

Is it Vincent he objects to as he is usually harsh with his partners.

Kara was outstanding and to get up and finish her routine was remarkable. I can see her in the finals if the public back her. Gavin went way beyond any expectations I had of him, keep listening to Katya Gavin and you could be a contender! Michelle could be one of the first favorites out of the competition, she might have said that she could take criticism, but her body language told a different story, think there might be fireworks between her and Brendan before long! Roll on next week I am so looking forward to Ann's Salsa!

Two observations from me this morning. I was really pleased with the way that Anne's 'turn' was managed. Her dress and top were tasteful, and she looked lovely, and I also thought that the more traditional and old-fashioned style of waltz music was perfect, so well done to whoever choose it.

I was less than inspired however by the dominatrix get-up coupled with the black hair. It made for a hard as nails impression. Overall though, fab show, and I am too old really to admit it, but my goodness is Gary Barlow ever handsome !

Another great show, and I was pleased that there was less gimmickry, although all the standing ovations continue to be irritatig.



Gavin was a revelation. I expected him to be dreadful ,but he was one of the best of the night. I loved Anne, too. Her sense of humour is great, and she and Anton look as thought they are having a good time!



Least favourite was Kara. Yes, I know she danced well, but she looked awful. Perhaps the costume would have been more suitable on the previous 9pm show.

I was very surprised with gavin, such a pleasure to watch him perform! I hope he does well in this show! Seems like a very nice character, if a little shy!

New contestants,new set I was really looking forward to how it was going to be different due to all the dancers that have changed. But I would prefer a return to traditional music, think alot of the celebrities struggled to dance to the choices of the pop music used in many of the dances. Thank goodness that some had the common sense to stick to the Old sytle. Matt Baker was my dark horse before his 1st dance and I think he won't disappoint and will be the overall champ.

I think some of them are getting away from the steps to the latin dances, some of them were more disco, i think they may be doing this to make it easier.

I dont think Tina has much of a chance of winning with her pro, he's too young and does'nt seem to know all the latin steps.

But saying all that i still loved the show.

It was fab and everybody did really great routines

As usual LOVED the shows this weekend. Also it was great to see Robbie and Gary singing together :o) Was that song especially written? Also on the music side of things, I want to congratulate Dave Arch's orchestra and especially the singers. Please can they each be introduced by name on a show? They do such a fantastic job and deserve more recognition. Keeeep dancing!

I enjoyed both shows and it was lovely to see everyone dance for the first time within the same weekend. Last year, having the shows a week apart made it more difficult for comparisons. Loved Matt and Michelle (who I felt was treated harshly by the judges but aren't they always that way with Brendan's partners?). In fact most of them were better than expected particularly taking into account they must have been sooooo nervous.



Well done to everyone, I can't wait for next week.

Favourites have got to be:



Matt and Aliona

Paul and Ola

Jared and Tina!

Great start to the series, looks like the bookies were correct about Matt and Kara, I predict Matt, Kara and Tina as being the eventual finalists, but Gavin showed some potential which is wholly expected as pro sportsman have shown an ability to grasp the concepts and learn very quickly! But what happened with Peter Shilton?

not keen on the new dancers yet, but am sure we'll get used to them. just a shame that one of the "old" pro's didn't end up on the judging panel this series. Karen or Matt would have been brilliant, as, like Alesha, they are past winners, but also know what about what they are looking at/talking about.

How I miss Ian, Matt, Lilia and Darren. Hope to see them in the pro dances.

I was not expecting too much from this year both from contestants and fact that so many previous pros were not in and that they only had 2 weeks or so but I was really pleasantly surprised - all contestants did really well but as ever the judges were inconsistent, and I love Alesha and hoped she would have done a bit of research but she hasn't and thus is still quite weak as a judge. Matt and Kara exceeded expectation and I really enjoyed Pamela, Scott, Jimmy and Felicity but if we had voted I think I would have gone with Paul - for his age I thought he was great, yes he joked a bit but he has a natural grace, rhythm and lightness which he probably gets from those magic shows he used to perform - I thought some judges harsh, yes the singing must stop but I thought he was a real character. Tina and Michelle were disappointing which was a big surprise but needless to say I have the Strictly bug again and can't wait for It Takes Two Tomorrow.

Have to admit I really enjoyed the two opening programmes.Matt and Kara as

predicted were definitely the best.Gavin Henson was the surprise - like Bruno I had a feeling that he was going to be a bit of a disaster but I must admit I was pleasantly surprised, but we'll have to see how much Katya can get hin to "losen up" for the Latin Dances.Jimi Mistry has potential and could be one to watch.I loved the Routine that Natalie put together for Scott - the routine and costumes worked perfectly.Looking forward to Claudia tomorrow

@Annie i totally agree about alisha, fantastic contestant , the girl was awesome , but her judging is so lacking and im dreading the grunting laff off camera. Contestants and new (&old ) damncers were brilliant , though it has to be said BBC Im seriously not getting the whole give Anton the clanger thing!

For goodness sake BBC, get Arlene back or someone who can be a little more structured and knowledgeable in their comments, Alesha is letting the show down badly, nice girl, stick to singing NOT judging.

Well the start of another series and I really enjoyed it as usual, I have not got a favorite yet but I enjoyed watching Matt Jimi Kara Pamela Patsy and I am looking forward to seeing how the new professional male dancers do, in this their first year, I particularly liked Kara`s partner Artem

I thought that Pamela, Matt and Gavin all did really great ! Kara imo tried too hard and the outfit backfired a bit as well. Cant wait to see Gav's Latin ! :)

Love Ann. Bring on the Argentine Tango for Ms. Widdacombe! :-)

I find Alesha Dixon unfit to be a judge alongside the present judges,as she fails to have their expertise reference dancing. It would have been wiser to use a Professional Dancer as a Judge in Place of Alesha Dixon'

As for The Compares,the BBC should replace them,as one is far to old,and the other one basically does nothing in the show.A Five year old could do better. Remember its The Public Money that is paying these people,and the public have a right to voice their veiws.Its The Same OLD Format with the compares and its boring, and mixed with stale jokes

Sorry to be so late in posting, but at the risk of repeating what others have said:

WHAT A COUPLE OF SHOWS!!!!!!! This year is looking to be a goodun!

Some really good dancing and great chemistry out there!!

Thought Kara did so well getting over her costume malfunction - she and Artem are definitely a couple to watch!

Enjoyed the show immensely, except for Robbie and Gary who seemed to be having an off night, quite disappointing really, especially given the hype before hand!

Both shows were very entertaining as always. Ann was remarkable and very brave! Matt,Kara,Tina, Pamela and Paul also danced well. However, I too think the dancers struggled with the music, it didn't sound as good as usual. Perhaps a more traditional approach?

Looking forward to next week!

I think Alisha is really sweet but I'm afraid I cannot take her seriously. She cannot offer constructive criticism as she doesnt have sufficient knowledge or understanding. All her comments are general and inconsequential. Judging by other comments, I am not the only one to think this so why dont the producers listen?. Show the professionals, and us, some respect by having fellow professionals judge them.

When will the training videos be updated?

Surely once a week is asking for much - is it?



Great show - have to agree with those who feel Alisha should be replaced.