Paul Daniels Leaves the Competiion

Sorry to see Ola go but it was the right decision, not sure Brendon & Michelle should have been there.................

Why oh why when announcing which couple ARE leaving does Tess say the couple leaving IS **** & *******. I expect more from the BBC regarding the correct use of the English language.

Again a waste of licence payers money as the show was dragged out and contained some pathetic dancing fron the "Professionals".

Just give the results on a saturday night the way the lottery is updated after the news.

Sunday show is a joke BBC.

Thank heavens! Nothing personal, but I hope Ann goes next week, then perhaps we can have a proper dancing competition.

I do wish the BBC would stop putting in totally unsuitable celebraties. It normally means that somebody who would get a lot further, goes out, & somebody totally hopeless stays in purely because they have more of a following. At least the dance-off went some way to avoiding that.

Do we have to have the audience clapping and shouting. Couldn't hear the music sometimes this week.

Right decison for Paul to go but sad to see Ola out too. Let's hope we see her in some of the group dances later on.

Yes Paul should have gone. He has never come over as a strictly fan. Even admitted not seeing the show !!!!



Gavin is too fond of himself. That isnt shyness. Hope he is next to go.

The right decision was made this week (apart of course for Ann, who is rapidly becoming another John Serjeant). However, I thought that Peter Andre's contribution to the programme appeared to be practically a copy of a routine that would have been in Michael Jackson's This Is It Tour.

I agree, what happened to the dance off? What use are the Len and the team now in the results show!!! Bring back the old format results show!!

I agree with Cidcheris about the poor use of the English language. The worst offender is Aleisha..I cringe every week at her lack of appropriate grammar..

Paul leaving tonight was the right decision.

Cidcheris - Tess is quite right to say that a couple is leaving - couple is a collective noun

Sorry, cidcheris: Tess is right to say "the couple leaving IS...". There is only one couple, so the word 'couple' takes the singular. If she were to say "the people leaving", then "are" would be correct.

Tess is right!

Shame about the results show though - it's a disaster!

Message to Cidcheris - a couple is a single entity therefore the use of the verb to be in the singular 'is' is correct. Ironic...

Please could someone explain to me ... sorry I missed the start ... why is there no dance off? Will that be resumed? Where are the messageboards? What is happening? Thank you all. V confused X

Strictly has now become rubbish to watch as Ann Widdecombe should of going last week she is like a sack of potato's, and this week Paul SHOULD NOT OF GONE Michelle did nothing but stand there. This is a fix again as you can see in the last two weeks it was Goldie and Ann this week Paul and Michele and both weeks the guy has been voted off what a surprises hey. This a fix again happening as why should Alesia be on the Judges panel she has only won come dancing as the other Judges like Len, Craig, and Bruno it is there living and took years to get to where they are as Alesisa won one year on strictly, and she thinks she knows everything bring back Eileen.

The right decision although I would like to see Gav go next.

Also I agree that the Sunday show is really pointless - at least when the judges made the choice it was more about the dancing and less about the celebrity - they might as well not be there - very poor decision for the show - it actually makes the x factor results show far more worth watching.

The right decision although I hope Gav goes next.

Also what is the point of the results show? At least when the judges voted it was about dancing not about the celebrity - there is no need for the judges to be there - very bad decision by the show - it actually makes the x factor results show more worth watching!

I'm so glad Michelle didn't go as she is a fantastic person and could be a good dancer if she would relax a little. Perhaps ballet classes would help her to be more fluid and graceful.

I'm so glad Paul has gone even though it means seeing no more of lovely Ola. He just couldn't dance and wasn't a very likeable/lovable character either.



I too bemoan the lack of the dance off. It is now a travesty, as that was the only means of keeping the better dancer of the bottom two.



btw DavidR66 I know a lot of people say 'should of' and 'could of' but that could be because they don't read enough books and therefore don't know that the correct form is 'should have' and 'could have'.

Why does the BBC need to lie to us, it is pretty obvious that the results show is filmed on a Saturday night. Be honest, we really don't mind.

But bring back the dance off...the whole show is a total let down without the it!!!

And what is happening with Claudia and her hair, can someone please tell her that a brush would be useful!!!

Awww-shame to see Paul go.

I think Alegna is taking SCD a tad too seriously. "Comedy" entrants keep the entertainment value up, especially during the first few strenuous weeks of the competition. If it was a real dance competition talking back to the judges would likely result in disqualification and we wouldn't get a laugh at Brendon and Anton's exploits. If SCD played strictly by the rules there wouldn't be widely differing scores from the judges. At least not without investigation. And at least one judge wouldn't be sitting on the bench any longer!. It's just light hearted entertainment. Think of the laughs we have all had at the teeter tottering stumblings of Widdy, John Sergeant, Julian Clary and Richard Dunwoody. And once we sort the wheat from the chaff we settle down to better dancing, having had a good laugh to keep our interests up.

I was so sorry to see Paul go. I was hoping the American girl would be leaving. I don't like her "poor little me that's getting picked on" attitude.

To cidcheris. 'A couple' is singular and therefore 'a couple is leaving' is grammatically correct. If 2 people were leaving then, 'is' would be incorrect. Your time would be better spent complaining about Aleisha constantly telling contestants 'you was' beautiful, exciting, interesting etc etc etc.

Are you also going to have a go at davidr666 for saying the couple should not 'of' gone??

The right decision was made tonight but sad to see Ola gone.

Cicheris. The word couple, while describing two people, is in fact a singular word, therefore it should be IS not ARE. You spell from with an m at the end by the way

Love the Saturday show but what is the point of the Sunday programme. A dragged out rehash of Saturday snippets pretending to be live and exciting. Not even a dance off to make there any point in the judges being around. And most of all what was Flavia and 4 male dancers doing presenting such an inappropriate routine simulating bondage and innuendo during family viewing from 7.30 to 8 p.m? Are the production team trying to lose viewers???!!!!!???

to lostchachachamp You and my husband both. Not sure I'll be able to persuade him to watch the rest of the series!

sorry davidr666 but who is Eileen? Are we talking about the same show?

It sad to see any couple go but it was right that Paul and Ola left. Albeit I had to console a very upset 3 year old who thought he would not be seeing Ola again.

Just think the change of direction has led to a dumbing down of the show. Every year we seem to pare off a bit more quality to appeal to a lower common demoninator. No doubt the country cousins over the pond will appreciate it, perhaps we could call the show "Dancing by the Brits without commercial breaks"

Is it just me or does Mrs Jordan look like she is expecting the patter of tiny feet ?

Sorry cidcheris but what Tess says is correct. It's one couple so it's is and not are. Get your English correct before complaining!

Is Ola pregnant?

Definitely a wee belly there

Im so sorry to hear about Brendans dad.....it will be interesting to see how Michelle dances with Ian next week

The Sunday programme should be shown when filmed on Saturday. Peter Andre UGH. Lets have some good entertainers or none atall. Yes Paul going was rigth decision but this is still an entertainment programme and not a serious dance competition fgs.

"Why oh why when announcing which couple ARE leaving does Tess say the couple leaving IS **** & *******. I expect more from the BBC regarding the correct use of the English language."



It's because she's being grammatically correct. "Couple" is singular - "a couple" - and therefore takes the singular form of the noun: "the couple leaving is ...". It may sound odd but it is accurate.

Its about time the BBC published the telephone vote, after all the previous fiddles it make me wonder if it,s fixed.I would like to know just how much money is being given to the BBC and telephone co.



There are dancers ( allegedly) on the show who should not even be in the competition.



Live audiences should be polite and let the contestants complete without all the shouting, if its allowed to continue then we don,t need a band.

@sarahjive tess is correct in saying "the couple IS...."

oops, i've jumped the gun after reading the first post and only now see that others have already replied to her criticism - hasty fingers.

If we're getting into the realms of English grammar can I just say that if makes me cringe every time I see the words 'should of' the correct English is 'should have.' 'Have' relates to a verb whereas 'of' relates to an object.

oops, compete.

Personally I feel that anyone who tops the judges leaderboard should be immune to the public vote, and raises the standard and if the top couples are drawn then it goes on who was better the previous week.

I am so disappointed with the new Sunday format - it is obvious that live and taped bits are cobbled together to make the show and it makes uncomfortable viewing. Why give the results in three parts if they are in 'no particular order'? Why have the judges there, only to have them repeat what they have already said in the Saturday show? How can couples be stood waiting for their results one second and then the professional be dancing in a different outfit the next, then changed back and waiting for results directly after that? Come on BBC that format is ridiculous! I don't miss Brucie but the format is dire!

It was right for Paul to go, he didn't seem to care at all. Worse he didn't care that it meant Ola was out too.

Haven't yet watched programme. Recorded it and will watch later. However, I have to correct cidcheris. The word 'couple'is a collective noun and, as such, it is perfectly correct to use 'is' rather than 'are'. There is no hard and fast rule and either would do, but 'is' is not incorrect. Don't criticize BBC English without checking your facts!

I agree with firemoth, top couples should be immune.

Paul made his own bed by blaming Ola after the judge's comments. That was never going to go down well with the public!



I was going to advise Cidcheris on the fact that couple is singular (ie Tess is right) but I see others have got there before me. Grammar pedants R us.

Yup, def the right person left. However, really Paul was there a need to be quite so slimey about Ola? She looked most uncomfortable as we all squirmed.

I think some of those blogging tonight need to engage their brains before typing with spellings, names etc.



I certainly agree that the Results Show is a joke. I am sorry but in my opinion the BBC has just become too politically correct when it comes to SCD and is so afraid of any criticism from the public in the way judges had the final say following the dance-off in the past. This is a dance competition and I feel that the judges do need the final say as the experts. Without this the whole point of the Results Show is lost and the atmosphere has gone. Likewise Sunday night just does not work. It didn't work two seasons ago so why bring it back this year ? I do despair at the thinking of those in charge and do feel that this is the 'dumbing down' of the show and the potential loss of viewers.



Michelle is definitely protesting too much with the 'poor me' routine and Gavin's 'shyness' is difficult to believe ???

I am a HUGE fan of Strictly and have watched since series 1!!

Aleisha is a USELESS judge and her comments are RUBBISH and mean NOTHING to anyone as she comments on what we at home can all see for ourselves. She never comments on the ACTUAL dance or steps as she does not know anything about them. Her knowledge on each dance is that she did that dance ONCE, for about a week, when she took part in Stictly!! It is SO irritating and Karen Hardy shoould be sitting in her chair, or at least someone who KNOWS aboout dancing and what the steps are called.

Please bring back the dance off on Sunday results show!!!! :-)

Does anyone know what is happening with the professional dancers? I though Darren Bennett and Ian Waite were dancing the professional routines but I didn't see either of them this week (or was I making the tea when they were on)? Why were they replaced, they were excellent?

The couple leaving IS...correct, I think! Even though couple refers to the two dancers, it's still a singular noun. I think it's one of those things that gets used both ways, but just wanted to point out she's not technically wrong!

Pah...I jumped the gun too.

I love Ann and afterall it is an entertainment programme. She may not be able to dance but she is definitely entertaining!



It was time for Paul & Olga to go but I think Michelle & Brendan will probably be next.

yes,sorry to see ola go,shame she ended up with wrong partner(no offence). is anne going to do tango or charlston? the judges comments were fare,and they are all seeing who out of best6 may lift that glitterball.

personaly,its anybodys trophey,for if pam and james continus to shine,and brendan cole pushes michelle,.we will all have to waite and see what each contestant pulls out the bag. chris,blackpool.

I were gutted that it be Paul who lefted, but would has been proper gutted if Michelle have lefted.

Arlene was excellent but I was always prepared to give Alesha time but it is really sad to say that 3 weeks into her second season her contribution is just not working. She just cannot contribute anything of a technical nature which is what viewers surely want? Madfam is spot-on, everything she says we can see for ourselves so her contribution is pointless???



I also agree that Karen Hardy would be an EXCELLENT replacement. Sorry Brucie, you've done wonders for SCD but despite the Sunday Results Show format being totally wrong, you are not missed and if the right replacement could be found (Anton, James Jordan ???), perhaps its time to go ???

Is Ola pregnant?

Definitely a wee belly there



I thought it was me last night but I saw a little belly on her. in saying that I thought I was seeing things. we have to see in the next couple of weeks if the Pros are doing a dance if Ola is there.

I be delighted if she was.



I know that people are saying about whether the couple leaving is or are. there is only 1 couple leaving so in my eyes it should be the couple leaving is. you would think that it should be are instead of is when are 2 people.

What a waste of space over grammatical discussions! I think Ann & Anton should have gone as she is the worst celebrity dancer - well done Paul for trying though it was the correct decision. I really feel for Brendan & Michelle, I think she has been marked down in her routines - a 3 for their rumba just seemed too low. I know that she isn't the best celebrity dancer but that seemed unfair when Ann got a 3 for her quick-step. Congratulations to Flavia for that breath-taking routine - even the judges were standing & applauding & I loved the first show dance - great fun.

P.S. It would being nice if Strictly had Chris and Ola Show us how to do the Charleston, when they got a score of 40 in it in the final. I might be wrong in saying a score of 40.

Yes cidcheris it is the couple 'is' as couple is singular. If you're going to complain about the BBC's use of the English language at least make sure you can use it properly yourself.

Haha and just realised you spelt 'from' fron. HAHAHA

I have to ask as have a number of others - Is Ola expecting - Please let us know - If so I wish both James and Ola all the very best - Many Congratulations.

I know you are doing your best to attract the audience numbers but please do not sacrifice the Show to do it. Please bring back the "Dance Off" - I agree with many of the previous posts on this subject.



It's sad because you seem so "desperate" with the changes you are making.

Sorry to see Paul go :( Well done, I thought you did so so well and worked so hard :)

Loved the Strictly proffessionals!!! awesome dancing and choreography!!!!

Can i just ask were was Claudias dress from??? I loved it :)

xx

Having been very critical of the results show last week I thought it was much improved tonight.

However, a number of basic flaws remain.

Tess and Claudia together does not work. Bring back Brucie and leave Claudia with IT2, where she is BRILL.

Stop pretending it is a live Sunday show when it is not; credit your viewers with some savvy!

The end of the show is very low-key, not helped by the distance between Tess's upstairs area and the dancefloor.

In addition, I was confused tonight in that the professional dance troup was not Iain, Darren etc but made up of participating professionals like Vincent and Flavia. Can we have an explanation, please! (No criticism of those who did perorm intended).

I think the new format of the results show is too bitty, and as a result it doesn't hang together and it drags. It doesn't spend enough time on one thing, and seems very disjointed as a result. Ironically, the longest segment is the rehash of what happened last night, with a bit of judges' chat thrown in, classic filler. Then, no sooner have you gone up to the Tessanine for Claudia's micro-chat with the celebs, than you're back down on the floor finding out who's staying or going, but not everyone, that's too simple, no just 3 or 4 of them, back upstairs for another 2 second chat, then you're watching some sort of strange, bondage-themed nano-tango display which was just bizarre (and inappropriate), then you're swooping back upstairs for 2 seconds more chat, then you're back for more stay/go then a small army seems to take over the stage with a marching display for a while, then back upstairs...you get the idea. Slow it down people, take longer for each segment, and those of us who have attention spans lasting longer than 10 seconds (ie most of the population) might have a chance to enjoy it.

I agree that the Sunday show is abismal, splitting up the voting does not work, and I agree that the dance off should be returned. Loved the professional dances. I like Aleisha BUT her comments are shallow. Arlene should be returned, and if not available then Karen Hardy, or at least someone who has in depth dance knowledge. My favourite judge is Craig, although a little cruel sometimes, he does say it as it is and his marks are more appreciated as they are harder to win.



Was Peter Andre miming???



I love Ann's sense of humour but, for me, when Ann, Peter and Michelle have gone then it will be a dance competition. Gavin let yourself go for goodness sake, or get the acting coach or whatever in that other professionals have used. Pam keep it up for us women of a certain age, your great!



I miss seeing Matthew, Darren, Ian and Lilia!!!!!!

If I was interested in the state of Ola's tummy I would subscribe to her Twitter feed. And then when I have read what she had to say on the subject I would feel very ashamed of myself.



Gawd, sometimes I despise my fellow SCD viewers.

"Dancing with the Stars (DWTS)". Now that is a show worth watching. The results show is absolutely superb.

However the Strictly celebrities this year are doing an excellent job and the standard for once is now much better than the ones in DWTS!

Strictly this year has been spoilt this year because of the format. The results show should be live and why can't it be seen later in the same evening.

Finally where are the show dancers and quality entertainers (Peter Andre is not one!) for the pretend results show. Well done Robbie Williams!

Isn't it amazing how fast Flavia got changed after her bondage dance back into her show dress ready for the 'next set of results' with her partner?



Editing, what editing!!



The bondage dance was probably filmed in the afternoon before the main show even started - nice outfit though.

I understand Michelle will be partnered with Ian Waite whilst Brendan is away - it will be interesting to see if she improves. I suspect that her main problem is Brendan who I don;t think is a great teacher. He has such an abrasive and confrontational attitude that it must make you feel constantly on edge. If she had been partnered with James she would probably be top of the leader board.

Firstly, it was the right result and I think Paul was happy to go.



But I also want to say that this week's results show was a vast improvement on last week. There are still some faults but at least it is moving in the right direction.



In particular I must congratulate Tess on tha greatly improved presentation. Last week Bruce was sorely missed and Tess couldn't really do the job. I don't know if it was the power dressing, but this week Tess looked magnificent and was transformed into a new woman.





I loved the two dances (although I wondered where the new dance troop had disappeared to).



Peter Andre was hopeless, as the guest singers nearly always are but at least the dancers were entertaining.



Please do NOT bring back the dance off. It was the dance off that really ruined the last few series. The judges have their chance to give their score then the public get their say. That is fair. This is not a serious dance competition, it is an entertainment show. That is why I watch. It is the best entertainment show on TV. I love the music, frocks, comedy, the celebs who make progress and the wonderful pro dancers.



JUST STOP splitting up the anouncement of the results. That is the thing that spoils the results show.

To davidr666... Sorry but this was the right decision -- Paul just could not dance.... At least Anne will be around for another week to pour scorn on Craig!



Point of grammar - the phrase "should OF" really is "should HAVE"! This use of poor grammar is even worse than Paul's dancing!

@ 5u55exPat Agree whole heartedly. Unfortunately they need someone for Claudia to talk to so this is probably why it has been done this way.



Would also reiterate delight at the removal of the dreaded Dance Off. Now the "not popular with the public voters" will no longer be saved and the entertainment factor will have true value.

Just read the news about Brendan - so sad, but he needs to be with his family at this time.

Also, been thinknig the same about Ola - I think she could definately be pregnant, it would all make sense. She won last year and then gets given Paul to dance with, a very good strategy!

She is looking a lot fuller than last year

cidcheris - Tess says 'The Couple' and then 'is' because 'The couple' is singular.

Yes! unfortunately for Ola she was not able to work miracles with Paul and they had to go, although they were far more entertaing than Brendan and his partner.

I really wish this blog thingy had a button where you could quote what comments(s) you want to reply too because I am utterly bemused by some of the comments. Notadancer, lesliebutt, ian ogilvie and Jerry must be on a windup. It is comments like that which has kept that laughable lump Ann Widecombe in. It is called Strictly Come Dancing not Strictly Come Entertainment or Strictly Come Comedy.

Anne and Anton banter with Craig and draw a few cheap laughs from the crowd and that is more favourable than a couple who show endeavour and effort? Someone somewhere need to have a word with themselves about letting the public decide. The words 'asylum' and 'lunatics' come to mind.



By her clowning and utter ineptitude, Ann has shown even less 'endeavour' and an even more contempt for the fundamental point of SCD which is to learn the various forms of dance from a professional dancer and use that growing knowledge to advance through the show and be the best couple on the show. The serious pro's like James and Brendan and the celebs like Scott and Patsy must cringe into a ball when they see Ann and Anton make total bufoons of themselves.



I have to record her routine and fast forward it on to get any speed out of her she goes that slow.

LOVE strictly! but this year has lost a great deal of its charm....last nights dance with Flavia looked like some kind of lap dance club routine or at best a circus act, the new male dancers have none of the class and elegance the original dancers have, missing Ian so much! watching him dance was wonderful.The show has started to look cheap and tacky in its bid to sex it up. I don't have a problem with modernising dance but why all the gymnastics? just dance those fabulous dances, they are a joy to watch and really all the extra sauce just spoils the flavour!

Is there anywhere that you can actually see the voting figures as we are just left to believe whatever we are told. I would like to be able to see the figures.Personally I would have preferred Brendan and Micahelle to go instead of Paul and Ola!



Strictly Bear

I think it was definitely time for Paul to go - he was not good nor entertaining. Re Aleisha we have a thing called 'Aleisha time', this means having strictly on record, we then start watching 15 minutes after it has started, this way we can fast forward through her banal comments.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

Poor Brendan!!! All the same I look forward to seeing Michelle dance with the lovely Ian! Where were the show dancers in the results show this week? You don't ask a group of amazing professional dancers to do something for you and then just not use them! And speaking of the Results show, why the bitty chopped up feel to it this year? At least in past years it wasn't quite so obvious that it wasn't all live, do the BBC think we are stupid or something?



As for the new Dancers I love Artem and I think he is doing wonders with Kara, and it's a shame Tina was ill this week and we didn't get to see her dance, her training vids looked really good!



I can't say I'm sorry to see Paul go, but it does mean losing Ola and that does make me sad. Paul didn't seem to realise what it meant to her and that he wasn't the only one who was leaving. Notice how James didn't go into the group and give Ola a hug, which both of them have always done in past years, am wondering if it's because he might have punched Paul because of his comment about Ola coming over in front of the entire nation... Can't say I noticed any more of a tummy on Ola than normal, but if she is pregnant and they know that she is then she shouldn't be being thrown about like she was in the group Charleston, so maybe she isn't. we will have to wait and see...



Can't wait for next week!!!

I'll tell you what should go...sundays show, It's awful. Shall wait to see the result, much better than wasting that half an hour!! The cube was much more thrilling to watch.

Sorry Ola, think you're great but am pleased Paul went, think he was pleased too! He always seemed a bit surprised to be on the show at all.



I love Strictly but agree with others here that Sunday results show is a bit lame and cobbled together this year. Also professional group dances have been 'sexed up' this year and as a result just aren't as good. BBC - the reason viewers tune in in their millions is to see top notch ballroom and latin routines performed by world class dancers. If we want burlesque and bad karoke (Peter Andre) we can watch the X-factor...



Am really missing Darren and Ian this year, looking forward to seeing Ian dance with Michelle next week, though very sad circumstances.

cripes - the amount of vitriol on this website is amazing. i thought this was a fans website. of course we should all be able to express our concerns/opinions/criticisms but a lot of what i read just seems plain nasty.

with the john sargeant-gate several people argued that strictly is an entertainment show and that viewers should be able to vote for whomever they liked and not have the judges override their choice. the dance-off system wasn't perfect either as sometimes two very good dancers were left in the bottom two anyway and one good dancer still left before their time.

as for alesha, give the girl a break! i really hope she never comes on here. she does not deserve most of these comments!

the show isn't perfect because it doesn't adjust to individual tastes. part of the excitment and frustration is that its not the worse dancer who leaves but the least popular on the night.

i'm baffled by the amount of negative comments by people who seem to loath the show. when i dont like a show i switch the channel - i dont sit there, watch it then get on the forums to discuss my loathing.

Personally, I'd rather see someone who's willing to try and improve stay than someone who's maybe physically more able but so tied up in his own image that he won't make the effort. If Gavin feels that all he has to do is stand around and look petulant, I'd like to see him go next.



Ann will never be as good as the others for physical reasons, but if achieving perfection is all that the show is about, what was the point of casting her in the first place, except as a figure of fun? She's not only improved in the dancing, it seemed to me that her general posture has improved considerably, and she RAN up the stairs to Tess's lair. On the first programme Anton seemed to be helping down the stairs. She can't last more than another couple of weeks, but there are others who should go first.



Physically right but petulantly not trying to improve, phyically wrong but trying to improve and managing a bit with good humour - I know which way my vote goes.

I hope that someone tells Ola that the audience appreciated her efforts with Paul! It wasn't an easy pairing, and he should have been more appreciative.

Right result but there should have been a dance-off. Results show has lost its excitement without a dance-off and final decision by the judges.



Whole of results show lacked class.

Dear Producers of SCD - I made a point of noting where a few members of the audience were sitting on both shows, and of course, they were in the same place because the Results Show is recorded AFTER THE MAIN SHOW!! It makes for much more exciting viewing, in my opinion. After all, the BBC would not go to the expense of paying the crew, singers/band, professional dancers etc, to return on the Sunday. Please return the Results Show to Saturday evenings - if Bruce wants to go home early for a nap, so be it - Claudia's a fine replacement. I also agree with other posters that the Results Show is bitty. Let the professional dancers do their thing, then whoever's singing that week warble a bit, then announce who's being voted off.

The whole thing is a waste of time and licence payers money. With the exception of Len the judges are pathetic and only seem there to score verbal points and belittle the so called celebraties, most of whom are has beens or never made its. Come on BBC lets get back to real television, shows like this are neither educational or entertaining.

How come everybody on here thinks Paul's comment about Ola was uncalled for and inapropiate, yet when my post agrees with the majority it is still not published after 2hrs??

PS: Bruce is also well past his sell by date

The couple is - the couple are



I always taught

- the government is united

- the government are divided



The couple is leaving? I think you can make out a good argument for this

being correct.



What was Churchill's reply to a civil servant? Something along the long of "This is the kind of pedantry up with which I will not put"

I do enjoy Strictly but not keen now with Aleisha being on the panel. Her grammar is appalling and I don't think it is fair that she can comment on the dancers when she has not had the experience or training that the rest of the panel have and frankly she comes across as patronising most of the time - if I was a celebrity, I think I would resent her comments!! Bring back Arlene!!

Tess is correct to say "the couple leaving is..". She refers to one couple so the third person singular takes "is". Had she said "Paul and Ola - then she would say "are" as there are two of them. Hope this is helpful.

Very sad to see Ola go, she's done a fantastic job (as always) with the limits she had to work with. Can't say I'll miss Paul though, I thought his comments were very disrespectful to Ola and although he tried, he was clearly not as committed as many of the other celebs.



Looking forward to seeing Ola in a lot of the pro dances, she has said she'll be at the show every week supporting the others.



And as for all the speculation over whether or not she's pregnant, do people really not have anything better to do than that? For the record, she confirmed on Twitter the other day that she is definitely not pregnant, so stop with all the unnecessary speculation please, it's not fair on her at all.

I don't mind the results show being recorded on Saturday night, its saving the licence payers money by not having to get everything set up again the following day, but does Tess need to keep saying "last night" as if she's talking about the Saturday? We're not fooled Tess just because you've got a different frock on!

I have to say though, if you cut out all the faffing about the results show would last about 10 minutes, so why not show it on Saturday night? I don't really care about watching Peter Andre mime or Flavia getting tangled up in a load of bandages! (sorry Flavia, you are lovely but i'm not sure where you were going with that)

Glad that Paul has gone though.