Peter Shilton Sent Off

can`t viewers get real and get rid ont the flying wittacombe

when peter was being interviewed after being voted off he stated that he hadnt danced that well tonight.there is no need for Tess and Alecia to change their dresses now everyone knows the show is recorded saturday night!!!!I also think the dance off was better than the current system

Slight change in topic - can anyone please tell me what the music was on Saturdays show when covering the fact Brendan wouldn't be there. Piano based intro.

I loved the show this week especially the contrast between the Tango and the Charleston! Why oh Why however did the camera work seem to delight in whizzing around the room instead of capturing the whole (including the footwork ) of each dance. The standard of the majority of the contestants appears so much higher and they are being challenged to achieve new levels by the demanding choreography created by the professionals. It seems only fair therefore that the cameras should concentrate on focussing on the technical expertise of the dancers rather than their own expertise in using the technology!

Agree the cameras wiz about more than the dancers like trying to watch from a fairground ride. And all those flashing lights AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAArgh.

Ann Widdecombe continuing to be in Strictly is making a complete mockery - eventually somebody who should be staying will go - no damage done so far but its only a matter of time. This will be the death of the whole competition - PLEASE no more votes for Ann- she is a joke and not a dancer

Dear Peter and Erin

A brave attempt and personally I thought that you woz robbed this week as despite the Judges score, I thought that your Charleston was better than some other performances and more entertaining.

Erin's choreography was brilliant as usual, although I thought that the hats and gloves were expecting a little too much of Peter at this stage.

Erin, unfortunately not everyone is as good a dancer as you and I know you set the bar high, but unfortunately Peter was not in Colin Jackson's class.

Peter, you are two years older than I am and I would not question your fitness or motivation as I would have been pleased to have accomplished what you have done in this competition. Unfortunately it is not all about age and mindset as the people I know that still dance beautifully, despite being older than you or I, have had years of practice (and would be lost in a goal mouth).

You were a real gentleman thinking about Erin, as I agree with you she is the best Female Professional Dancer on the team and I do not envy you the training schedule she would have put you through. Still I am sure that you have learnt some more motivation techniques.

Erin, I will still keep my fingers crossed for you in future years if you decide to compete again, as your routines have been marvellous over the years (perhaps apart from the 2005 final that is).

You can both hold your heads high knowing that you did a good job without employing any dirty tricks or crowd pleasing gimmicks.

Keeeep Dancing!!!

Hello Aka Bee



The whizzing camera has been a source of annoyance, (and nausea) for lots of us for years. The whizzing seems worse this year I think, but my health improving at last so I don't get such a horrible sick feeling as in previous years. Complaints about missing feet have been around for years too. Nobody at BBC ever seems to care about viewers' opinions in that respect, so you'll just have to get used to it I'm afraid.



Michelle, I think Ann is far from the best dancer, but does seem to be providing audience entertainment - though I cringed at last night's tango. I admire her for trying, but hope she doesn't stay in at the expense of any of the very good dancers taking part this series.



Finally, thank you robert cooksley. I thought Peter said "tonight", but decided I must have been wrong - after all, the BBC keeps telling us the Results show is going out live! I've been really impressed at the quick changes done by the professional dancers - you've shattered my illusions!



Bye All,

freezingfandango

Out of Peter and Michelle, I think it was probably right that he went out (based on both their performances on Saturday night). Sad to see Peter go though as he seemed like a really nice bloke who absolutley enjoyed his experience, which was great to see.



Very nice Pro dances tonight.

Agree with Freezingfandango that if Ann Widdecombe stays in too long (without a miraculous improvement) then it would be unfair, but at the moment she is being really entertaining and trying hard - why is that not something to appreciate? She started the show saying she knew she was the "comedy act" and she's done her best to live up to it (in the most positive way). If she plays the game and knows when it's time to go, I for one, will take my hat off to her.

Agreed with lots of posts so far. The least talented celebs with no hope of winning have gone, so far, with, of course, the exception of Anne!! I'm hoping that she will dance her last dance next week!! She's been entertaining and I do like her but her time MUST surely be up soon!! Sad to see anyone go but it would be unfair if Michelle goes - I think she's the next 'least talented' - before Anne but reckon it will be a toss up! The judges are doing a good job! Love Bruno always! and Craig is cruelly honest but he's always right!!! Thoroughly enjoying the whole show. Reckon Pamela Stephenson will win though, She's just amazing!!

I could watch the pros dance all night. Their routines so far this series have been very well put together and thoroughly entertaining.



Peter is a gent and will be missed, but I think it was fair that he was voted out.



Jimi and Flavia getting a bit of a raw deal on the VT's this weekend. I follow them on Twitter and I always get the impression that Jimi is working very hard to improve his technique. I hope he can convince the judges next week and win them over like he has me.

Craig's comments on the show (to Tess) reference the bottom two couples were well spoken, entirely correct and much appreciated. The BBC have re-formatted the show to deliberately foster controversy and it stinks. The JUDGES should have the final say.

Having the girls change dresses (and sometimes hair styles) and make silly references to 'last night' is pathetic - the contestants all look the same! Everyone knows it's the same show, on the same night.

This week, we have discovered how to watch the results program - record it while we watch the Grand Prix, or whatever and fast forward through all the ridiculous waffle and over-dramatisation to the parts that matter.

I would think Peter Shilton and Goldie must be pretty insulted to find Ann Widecombe's dancing was better than theirs!

Strictly come Dancing is doomed, on current format.

I am the only one who watches the show on i-player and then cuts out the floating Tory? As far as I am concerned she was never in the competition in the first place.

Well done to Peter for getting this far. With no dancing background at all (unlike some) he really gave it his best and managed 4 step filled routines. I bet no one out of all the viewers could have managed a Charleston after so little training. Sorry to see Peter go - he obviously did enjoy dancing and resisted the temptation to say "the whole world's against me" when the judges came out with their criticisms. Definitely the true gentleman and sportsman of the series.

Ivor Hill, the show survived very well during series 1-4 using the same format we have now.



Ann has not endeared herself to me but I respect that others find her and Anton entertaining and they have a right to keep her in for as long as they like.



It's up to the other couples to outshine her with their dancing and personalities and motivate viewers to vote for them instead.

Am I the only person who would really be rather pleased to see Gavin go -he has the musicality of a post, and a personality that seems stifled by the very public nature of the show. Yes, probably Peter wasn't long for the competition, and yes, Ann is - as she was no doubt intended to be - the John Sergeant of the series (though John's dancing seems positively scintillating by comparison), so we probably have a few more weeks before sense creeps in.

Voted for Ann and Anton tonight as in previous weeks and will continue to do so .In fact the more people tell me I shouldn't the more likely I am to keep doing it.As long as there is something in their routine that resembles the dance they are performing and I can see that Ann is really trying to improve, and the judges marks bear this out, I would rather watch them than some of the "better" dances who have not really gone anywhere since week one.

Sorry if this upsets anyone but that's how I feel about it.

You don't need to apologise anton4eva - so long as you're paying your phone bill, vote for who you like for whatever reason you like!

Hi SID1979, nice to hear from you again.

I agree with your email COMPLETELY.



A couple of further remarks:

Finally Anne was in trousers, and they suited her very well.

I wanted to suggest that Anne dressses should be 'trousers suits', as her buttom is not so big as her bosom, so when she is in a dress, she might look huge, which is not the case.







I do not know what is with Michelle, but she cannot dance, or cannot grasp some basic tips, such as extend her legs working against gravity, not with it :-)



However, the viewers should decide who should be eliminated.

Those who continue ranting that 'this is a dance competion' have an option to watch dance competitions in Blackpool.





Continue writing some other time. still need to do some work :-(.



Misoshiro.

17, Dromio,

and what is your musicality?

Hi Sid1979



Don't you worry Sid I will...several times if I feel like it.

I thought the results show worked much better this week. For some reason it flowed more smoothly, maybe I'm just getting used to it. I liked the pro-jive, very impressive, just shows what a wonderful choreographer/dancer Matt Cutler is. I was v. disappointed that the male pros didn't jump out of the coffin-like boxes the female pros were sitting on at the start of the Argentine Tango. Opportunity missed there...or is that for Ghoul Week next week?



I thought the right person went tonight, Peter and Erin's Charleston didn't seem to have too much Charleston in it, not even of the gurn and churn variety. It was more like some weird mutant love child of Sally Bowles and Fred Astaire. Now *that * wouldn’t have been out of place in Ghoul Week.

Hello misoshiro :)



How nice to bump into you again! Not the same this year without the forums, but this is better than nothing :)



Wardrobe have done a brilliant job with Ann. I've liked every outfit she's worn so far. All very flattering.

Nice to read that I am not the only one getting so irritated by the poor camera work. I gave up watching last night I was so cross about it. I only went back to the TV when my husband called me to watch Matt and Aliona dancing and even then some of the fancy footwork was not filmed. Viewers are getting a poor deal here. The studio audience can see the dance in its totality, why can't we! Considering we are the ones who are supposed to vote. Try watching Dancing with the Stars on Watch TV. The camera work is way better.



I love to give my own marks for the dances, but cannot when the camera man is making me feel drunk and seasick. I reckon I should blame the producer as he/she chooses the shots. He/she needs to remember that BBC salaries are paid by the licence payers. I may be driven to watching the X Factor instead. I can always shut my eyes when the camera rests on Simon Cowell.



Pudsey certainly lost out last night. I usually phone in at least 30 times, but did not vote at all. As I said, did not finish watching the show, felt too seasick!



Hopefully our feelings will be taken into account, especially as the first 2 shows seem to be an improvement, only for the filming to regress last night.

Bless Erin's face at the end. Sad for Peter and Erin but he was not the best dancer so not a shock result. Please let Erin come back next year as always she's a pleasure and gets the best out of her partners, great teacher and choreographer. Let's hope she gets a partner that can take her to that final next year. Great show as usual but Craig's a bit horrid in this video its not nice to see someone go whos worked hard good or bad he should remember that. It's not all about dancing.

I think the fairest way to eliminate a couple each week would be to vote for the WORSE dancers. The top dancers get votes, people also vote for the bottom scoring dancers because they feel sorry for them which leaves the ones in the middle in a dangerous position and often ousted from the competition unfairly especially now there is no dance-off with the judges making the final decision.

This way, Ann Widdecombe would have been sent packing by now!

I am loving this series of Strictly and Erin always gets stunning outfits, but not all of the celebrity dancers are getting the same high standard of dresses. This evening I thought Pamela, Felicity and Michelle's dresses were just dreadful. Unflattering, awful colour clashes and worst of all, not suited to the dances because they obscured their dance steps and moves. Come on - give all the celebrities the same high standard of design and style!

I might be completely wrong, but I think Children in Need stopped getting donations through Strictly viewers' votes a few years ago. Maybe it has been resumed this year. Can anybody clarify this point please? Thanks.

I totally agree with Aka Bee, it is very frustrating to only see dancers from the waist up.( even worse if it's tap dancing!) and oh for the days when they only had a couple of fixed cameras!

Misoshiro - could you tell me just how I can watch 'proper' dancing competitions from Blackpool, or anywhere else on TV!! I would love to be able to.

Dear Erin,i only hope and pray that someday you will lift that glitterball. We know its the luck of the draw on who you get to partner with,and you worked veryhard to get Peter to the standard he showed.

I dont noramly take on-board some of Craigs comments,but i aggree,Anne Widdicombe should have bn in bottom2,that tango should have sealed her fate,if she does the jive nextweek,Anton will have his work cutout.

Scotts ballroomblitz tango,was defo the dance of the series so-far,.

semis and finals,my call is,Scott/Nat,Matt/Anniole,to name but two,.

i think that nextyears strictley,should bringback the old scoreing/danceoff,its much fairer. chris,blackpool.

I agree that tonight should have been between Peter and Ann but think its time Gavin went never known such an arrogant contestant on Strictly. If he thinks hes as good as Matt and Scott hes having a laugh. Maybe if he listened to what the judges and his partner say he might stand a chance or improving instead of thinking he is Gods gift.

Perferred the pros dance tonight nice to see the dancers taking part that we know instead of bringing in extras. Forget Sunday show keep it all to Saturday as Tess and Claudia cannot mangage.

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Great shame that Peter has gone. He readily admitted that his dancing was not the best but clearly he is a gentleman who represents a sport that often has bad press. Hopefully this will not be the last of him on TV.

Whizzing cameras, flashing lights and audience applauding loudly while someone was singing, I could have been watching some other weekend competition!!

@ Nicola Hansford, your idea is barmy to say the least. Anton4Eva shows clearly some Strictly Come Dancing fans are prepared to cut of their own noses to spite peoples faces when it comes to the phone voting. The fact he/she can go online and say to every stranger reading "The more people will tell me not to do it, the more I will do it" in relation to continued voting for Ann Widecombe, speaks volumes for the fans of Strictly.



Under your idea Anton4Eva would vote for the best just so they can see the worst make the laugh.



The best idea is just to ask fans to vote for the bottom two and the couple with the least votes goes. Under the current format it seems you can vote for everyone currently competing. Leaving Ann and Anton all but safe.



Vote for who you like. We beat Adolf to keep freedom after all. But atleast do it showing you have some modicum of common sense and wisdom. Don't just vote purely on the basis they make you laugh. Ann's ability to make us laugh is top notch but it should not be allowed to get a stage where it overshadows the couples who have real quality about them.

27. At 11:16pm on 24 Oct 2010, Nicola Hansford wrote:

I think the fairest way to eliminate a couple each week would be to vote for the WORSE dancers. The top dancers get votes, people also vote for the bottom scoring dancers because they feel sorry for them which leaves the ones in the middle in a dangerous position and often ousted from the competition unfairly especially now there is no dance-off with the judges making the final decision.

This way, Ann Widdecombe would have been sent packing by now!



No she wouldn't Nicola, Ann has never been in the middle, she's always last or next to last - and probably always will be - so with your system she would always get the 'sympathy vote'.



The simple fact is that the public will vote for entertainment and likeability and Ann will stay in for as long as she and Anton are entertaining and liked.



And if she wins the sky will not fall in (although I'm hoping that Matt or Pamela will win). Matt because I love watching him and Pamela because I'd like an older contestant to win for once.

ann widdecombe is likeable? you all have very short memories.

Her attitude is obviously going down well, she is getting the votes.



A lot of people like a no nonsense person with strong opinions.



She is a 'character' which is presumably why the BBC asked her on.

As always, the collection of celebs can be divided into thos who stand a chance of doing well, and those that obviously have no hope of winning for various reasons including health and fitness. The latter group usually know that they have no hope of winning and it doesn't really matter what order they leave the show EXCEPT that the ones that respect the show and the audience by actually trying hard and showing improvement deserve to stay longest. Compare each of them with how they performed in week 1 to see how seriously they're taking the show, and how hard they're working.

If it was up to me, Gavin would be next to go. He may look the part, but I'm getting very tired of that sulky, poor-me self-obsession. It was interesting that as they came on at the start of the show, his eyes were on the overhead monitors. He's achieving more, in dance terms, than Ann, but I can't see that he's improved at all since week 1. I'm not that wild about Michelle, but this week she did seem to be better.

Mathematically, Ann can't win. The judges marks count for 50%, so it would take a massive swing to Ann & Anton, with then coming top and virtually nobody voting for the others (can't see that happening) for that to happen. And Ann IS trying hard AND showing considerable improvement from week 1, so she deserves a longer stay than Gavin.



I'm really enjoying watching Anton coping with the situation, he has a talent for being very funny without being nasty. It won't last too long, but it's fun while it lasts.

Like it or not, Ann Widdecombe is clearly proving very popular with both the studio audiences and those who watch from their armchairs. Those who don't like her style of dancing, wit, looks, entertainment, etc. will just have to lump it.



It's worth bearing in mind that she remained MP for the same constituency for around 23yrs and most of her constituents were very sad to to see her go when she retired. Whatever you may think of her views on various issues, she worked tirelessly for her constituency, claimed very little on expenses, unlike most MP's we could mention, and is generally very well liked and respected.



On Strictly, she doesn't spend her time whining, or putting on a 'poor little me' act, or crying into her beer because Craig has been nasty to her - she just gets on with it and aims to have a good deal of fun while she's at it - that comes across, and many viewers applaud that attitude. I for one am perfectly happy to see her stay!



The only thing that gets on my nerves, is having to listen to people moaning and complaining week after week, because the rest of the voting public have gone against their own personal wishes. This is a democracy - your individual view isn't the only one to be taken into account - thank heavens - it's majority rule.



Provided the votes have been verified and counted correctly and then added to the judges scores in the appropriate manner, it is always the 'right' person who leaves, no matter where they were on the judges leaderboard before the public vote.



We all have our favourites...and so do the judges, so majority vote is by far the best way to decide who stays and who goes.



I'm not a fan of Pamela - I much prefer Matt, Kara and Scott, but I'm not about to throw a temper tantrum if one of them goes out before her!

1) I LOVED Erin's outfit - man she looked os HOT!!!

2)Peter did deserve to go - his dance was cringeworthy - at least Ann accepts she cannot dance.

3) Pamela Stephenson - I am sorry but I just do not get all the praise they heap on her. Her neck and shoulders always look so hunched! And her facial expression this week made her look like she had a rod stuck somewhere unpleasant.

4) Gavin must go soon - although I did laugh at his "On no and I was bigging it up all week" comment.

5) Can't understand why the judges don't like Kara - I find her totally engaging - and not just because of the costume

And FINALLY - 6) awful camera work!!!! BCC listen to your customers!!!

I am glad Peter and Erin have been voted off, his dancing was not good!! I got the feeling that he thought he was quite good when the judges were giving him negative feedback. Anne and Anton will be in probably for a couple more weeks and then she will be voted off, it always works like that, the public become tired of watching the weakest contestant struggle each week.

@ waltzingjenny, Couple of more weeks? Who else could possibly remain to fill in the ellimonations in the space of time you have in mind when you say 'couple of weeks', before it is time to say good-bye to Ann and Anton? Kara? Tina? Jimi? Pamela? Scccccottttt?



It has to be Ann/Anton next, as much as they are an excellent figure of fun. If average score means anything Ann is at the bottom with only 17.0. The next three above her are all the three who have gone so far. Paul, Goldie and Peter. The next one still in is Gavin/Kayta with 23.0.



Regarding Peter/Erin, as a competing couple in SCD, don't you think it is somewhat utterly pointless, foly and downright ludicrious to talk yourself and your chances down? A couple that think they have no chance have just blown away any weight to any reason they could for staying in the show. You have to believe you can win just to keep alive any will to stay in a competition.

I agree, Ann shouldn't be in the competition any more, she moves around the floor but she doesn't dance. Why do people still keep voting for her?

Well I'm sure we all have our favourites but I wouldn't miss Gavin or Michelle one little bit.

I think Ann should remain in the competition for as long as people keep voting for her - good luck to her. She and Anton show obvious enjoyment of working together each week, with no moaning or whinging. She tries her best and has shown improvement week on week - which is more than can be said for some others. Given that her small stature doesn't marry well against Anton's height, I think they do very well.



The BBC obviously wanted Ann to take part - even though she made it very clear what her conditions would be....the BBC encouraged it to become an entertainment show by chosing the celebrities they did to take part.



Given that the best male professional dancers have been axed from the main show, and the new ones aren't as experienced - this has lessened the standard of dancing we had come to expect in previous series. Add to this the use of props, lifts and music choices which don't add to the style of the dance - the whole show has become an entertainment show rather than a dance competition.



If the BBC had wished to keep it as a dance competition they wouldn't have altered the format would they?



Let's enjoy what we have - an entertainment show with some excellent dancing, colourful characters and good banter!

Trust me when I say that I was absolutley, 100% against Anne Widdecombe being in this year's competition, but I find myself warming to her week on week. Bottom line is, okay, she's clearly not a natural dancer, nor has she been to stage school, but one thing is apparent - her dancing is improving, which is exaclty what one might expect on such a programme.



I would far rather watch a dance that was entertaining but not technically perfect than someone step perfect with the personality of a plank!



As a previous poster said, let's enjoy it for what it is - an entertainment programme.

loving the show but i think poor michelle is getting a rough ride from the public shes not that bad i know ann is entertaining but all the tory boys must be keeping her in think the phone votes should be made public miss dixon should be replaced and good on craig for telling the truth hes right it is a DANCE competion darling !!!

The contenders are brilliant this year. I do like a bit of a "journey" though. I hoping that Gavin might come good or Patsy might tidy up a little. I get the feeling Pamela has spent most of the last 30 years having dancing lessons and there's not much of a journey there. Is Scott a natural? I don't think Michelle is ever going to have the chance to make the "journey" as she is trying too hard and is too miserable so the public are never going to get behind her. Has she laughed once?



I missed ballroom dresses this week. Looking forward to some lovely full dresses again next week.

@ elainesp. Therein lies a crucial issue that is Widdecombe's lifeline to the following weeks show. Some fans equate a technically excellent dancer with little personality. It is a joy to behold to see Brendan Cole or James Jordan do his stuff and burn the dance-floor, but you cannot accuse either of lacking in personality. Their rebelious tendancy and ability to speak-up for themselves and not accept things easily is what gives SCD it's credibility. Even Ann's partner Anton du Beke get's in on the act. I cannot think of a beteter ballroom dancer and at the same time I cannot think of a funner and wittier guy.



It ain't true that if you are technically excellent you have to have the personality of a Goldfish.



As for Ann, yes her dancing and scoring is clearly improving. She is clearly starting to get the hang of it. But it is only in small incriments and her scoring for each dancing she has done are all within 10pts of the lowest score for it.



Her Waltz is only 7pts better than the lowest of 11pts set by Fiona Phillips, her Quickstep score is only 6pts better than the 12pts that Diarmid Gavin scored and Diarmud also set the lowest Tango score of 14pts is only 8pts lower than Ann's score. And for everyones information we have a new lowest Salsa score. It is 12pts. Guess who scored it?



It is the Paso Doble for her this Saturday. If she doesn't want to join Chris Parker and Dennis Taylor she needs to score higher than 15. So a 24 or 25 will see her pull away from the lowest score for a dance.



If she want's to convince everyone to keep her in for more than just her laughs then a much bigger improvement is needed.

I am thoroughly enjoying this current series ... however, the camerawork is appalling - almost amateur. Given that this is a dancing competition the lack of full body shots is almost unforgivable. I am obviously not the only one that would like to see more of the dancers footwork and less of their upper bodies.

Yes think it was Peter's turn to go this week - but he put in a good effort but felt sorry for Erin she is absolutely brilliant. I agree that Kara is delightful and doesn't get enough praise from the judges - she needs to up her profile sometime soon to get their attention.

So glad peter's gone - I can't bare to watch him sometimes! The only problem is, the more people at the bottom of the leader board that get voted off the lower down the others get, like as soon as Ann goes, Gavin and Katya will probably be at the bottom of the leader board and that would not be good!!!

@SCDFanatic - I did not suggest that all technically gifted dancers were lacking in personality, although I would disagree with your comments on Brendan, but that's another post altogether.



You're obviously more of a purist than me - I want to watch a fun, upbeat show, fearuring all levels of excellence, and not do a full length deep-dive analysis on past performances.



Bottom line is the public will vote for who they want until crunch time. First series (no dance off) saw Chris Parker in the final, but the better dancer won, and I expect that's what'll happen this year, too.

don't mind what happens to Anne, but can't they give Anton a partner who has a chance of doing well sometime

@ - Elainesp. Neither do I. I can imagine the ratings would plumit to an all time low (longer running and more popular shows than SCD have been axed recently for less than simply ratings) if things got to involved in the performance side. It could turn into car-crash TV in as much as it could become uncomfortable to watch for viewers. I could find it uncomfortable if it got too serious. Especially given it's place in the schedule. Saturday evening is not a time for serious competitive TV. Saturday evening TV is meant to be light hearted and something all the family can watch and enjoy with pleasure.



But I think we cannot lose sight of the primary content matter. What it is about.

I could find it uncomfortable if it got too serious.

I feel uncomfortable anyway with Ann W and Paul D - .No more freaks show

I am not sure anyone IS voting for Ann it is far more likely that they, like me, are voting for Anton, he is the consumate professional, the BBC asked Ann to do the show and have put her with Anton who despite his brilliance as a teacher has not a hope in heaven of making a dancer out of her (and if by some miracle he does I have a large wooden table to eat - should have stuck to eating my hat but hey ho!) their height difference makes it nigh on impossible to do anything elegant anyway! What is the poor chap supposed to do with her! They are entertaining. Anton is involving the public. Their dancing always contains proper dance moves, at least you can generally recognise the dance for what it is, however good or not her technique is - the judges marks reflect the technical ability. She is trying hard despite the fact she has no natural talent. Anton is at least dancing with her not standing her there and dancing around her whilst she poses around in one showy standing still move after another - felicity very bendy yes! but dancing?! Ann's quickstep started very well but it clearly exhausted her early into the routine (and no wonder its a very tiring dance!) and it went down hill from there. It would be a shame if some of the really good dancers went out, but its not her fault she is in the show she was invited, and once it became about entertainment not dancing well they get my vote - the only dancers I would now rather watch than Ann and Anton are Pamela and Matt and maybe Scott and Gavin who has more to give I think, he is talking the talk but I dont think he loves himself half as much as he pretends to but I could be wrong on that.



So far as the judges comments are concerned - I have resolved to not listen to them anymore, they are cruel and unkind, what kind of a world are we promoting when it is ok to critise someone on the way they look to get a laugh, Craig was well out of order on ITT for what he said about Ann and making personal comments about Peter that had nothing to do with his dancing steps, if you want to wave your dancing flag Darrrrling keep your comments about the dancing and mark accordingly do not resort to personal attacks on the celebs its hurtful to them and unpleasant for the public to hear. Bruno also - references to ET and Penguins are uncalled for. Ann deserves an apology for Craig's comment on ITT. Its like we are saying as a nation if you arent great at something dont even try to better yourself or even dare to show your face until you are brilliant or you are opening yourself up to personal ridicule. Try and if you dont succeed try harder I say, in fact maybe next year the rules should be more like golf where if you are really really good you get a handicap meaning you have to try harder than someone with no natural talent, Peter would really have benefited from a few more weeks with Erins Tuition.



Peter and Erins quickstep last week showed he had more to give, Michelle has yet to give one good performance. Wrong result!

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@SCDFanatic - The primary content matter and the whole premise of the show is for people to learn to dance, and improve their skills as the weeks go on, not to be perfect from the get go. End of the day, it's a damn fine show, and over analysing it doesn't really add anything to it.

man, is the argument for "i watch the show for light entertainment and not technical performance purposes" dull. sorry folks, but we all watch the show to be entertained. i don't think anyone is going to throw themselves under a bus if one of the better dancers went early, the point is many of the characters on the show have wit, warmth, a will to improve AND talent. personally i find the "you won't believe what ann has in store for us later" bit they do every saturday, a little tiresome after a couple of weeks.

It would be rather boring if the couples got voted off in order of ability, as some people seem to expect. The results show is dire enough without that. I would not vote for Ann but I am not daft enough to be bothered by the fact that many people do. I would rather watch her dance than Peter or Gavin (so far, though I look forward to being surprised soon) As for Michelle, I don't think it's so much that she's being given a hard time, rather that, in general, people don't seem to be warming to her and that either happens or it doesn't.

I would love to know why so many people seem to have it in for Michelle Williams. While i totally accept that she's not the very best dancer in the competition she is trying very hard and the reason she doesnt always smile (and i have seen her smile and laugh quite a few times)is because a: she is concentrating all her effort into learning, not to mention the fact the poor lady has had to change partners suddenly due to brenden's sad family loss at home for which i'm sure i'm correct in saying all of our thoughts and prayers are with him on, and b:you have to apreciate that unlike all the other contestants she is quite a long way from home. I think she is trying very hard and could if given a chance and abit of support be a very good dancer, besides we're only a few weeks into the competition.She just needs a little more time to settle and prove herself as i think her tango proved this last week. I'll be supporting her anyway and would be delighted if she did win as I think she is a warm and genuwine lady who just isnt that well known over here yet.well thats my opinion anyway.God bless and Good luck to her and all the remaining contestants.xxxx

I understand that they werent the best but at least they were bbetter that anton and whoever he danced with. but they entertained more|>

@ Elainesp. You don't seem to understand what I said. That is what I refered to when I said we ought not to loose sight of the primary content. What the show is really all about. Which is I would say seeing the progression of celebrities though the period of schooling in how to dance, with professionals who have competed in all kinds of international and national championships as guides and tutors.



And the fact they aren't technically proficient from the start is a given fact.

I passed my driving test about 7 or 8 weeks ago. Last September when I started, I could not drive. Not because I was crap at driving. But because I was only at the start of my lessons and I had it all to learn. I knew nothing. Now, thanks to my instructor he told me all there is to know to be able to get in to a car and take it from A to B safely and with skill without hitting anything or killing anyone.

Same with the celebrities here. Do you think they would have gone to the bother of coming on and competing to survive every week if they already knew how to dance? That is the beauty of being a novice. You have it all to learn and know.



But my point was, to some the idea of the celebrities learning how to dance well is a distant and ludicrious thought. Some think having a laugh is enough to see them through every week.



Furthermore I was not over analysing anything. I just highlighted the fact it cannot get too into the dancing however it becomes serious.



@ Humbleopinion. You mention two celebs who aren't doing well. Who don't have talent. Would you rather watch Ann than say...Matt Baker or Pamela Stephenson who do have talent?

If you want Ann to go the 1st thing that you need to do is to stop Craig. I know he says that he is looking after the best interests of dance but there are ways to go about it and his method of trying to declare war on the British Public isn't one of them.



The other thing to take in to account is who Ann is dancing with. There are an awful lot of Anton fans who have seen him suffer with the likes of Kate Garraway and yet because it is Anton they are willing to put their vote in. From a technical point of view they haven't been good although there has admittedly been improvement since the salsa but the entertainment value has never been in question.



So if you want Ann & Anton off you have to hope that Craig doesn't attack the vote of the viewers and you also hasve to hope that Antons supporters realise that it is highly likely that he will be back to perform a dance of some description anyway even if it isn't with Ann.

I have to admit that it would be nice to see Ann go but based on the judges scoring Peter & Erin deserved to go. That said in certain places I thought they were overly hard on some of the celebs. I didn't think his Charleston was great but I didn't feel it was the disaster the scores suggest it was & I could also say the same about Gavins Tango.



I admit it wasn't technically good. The footwork wasn't particularly good but I felt he portrayed the character of the dance okay (certainly facially) but they seemed to pick on him quite a lot.As I said a couple of weeks ago it is almost as if his waltz was so great that they expected him to be a great all round dancer. It seems like Craig though is finally coming to terms with it and getting used to the fact Gavin is more a ballroom than a latin boy - something the other 3 judges are yet to come to terms with. My other concern is for Michelle.



I think she has done okay these last couple of weeks but the British Public don't seem to have warmed to her which suprises me considering her bubbly personality. She has spent 2 of the 1st 3 weeks in the bottom 2. She was there again despite Ian helping her to raise her game and I just feel she needs to put in the performance of her life to stay out of the bottom 2 and I don't know whether she would be able to do that with Brendan coming back.



I am not saying that to knock Brendan. He has shown he can do something positive with a good pupil which Michelle undoubtedly is but he has had a family bereavement and New Zealand is a long way to make a return journey from. He is bound to be jet lagged and so I don't know what good it will do learning this next routine with him. I would have given Michelle 1 more week with Ian so that Brendan could recover from any jet lag and (if Michelle survives this saturday) then Brendan could take over the reign in a better frame of mind and give the following weeks dance all the care it needs. I just feel she will need all the votes she can get this week.

@SCDFantatic I understand perfectly well what you said, thank you, but would disagree with your "And the fact they aren't technically proficient from the start is a given fact" comment. Many contestants have had, at the least, basic dance training- several of them went to stage school. I'd imagine most have certainly enough experience not to look ridiculous on the dance floor. I mean, would you go on national television and try something you'd NEVER done before? I think not. So, to address your assertion that celebrities would not put themselves through the competition if they could already dance - of course they would, particularly now that there has been a few series, and it's a winner in the media. However, this is merely my opionion. I cannot second guess how individuals will or will not vote, not do I want to. What one person might see as talent, another may see as entertainment, and in this subjective situation no one is 'wrong'. Sure it means that your favourite might go out, but that is the nature of the beast, and it's what keeps us watching.

Robert wrote: 'when peter was being interviewed after being voted off he stated that he hadnt danced that well tonight'. I noticed this too Robert. One of the 'excitement' factors of Strictly is that it's live. I feel now that the 'cat is out of the bag' about the results show, I can't see why they don't have the results on later in the evening after the phone-in votes have been added to the judge's votes. The only reason I can the results show being featured on a Sunday night is BBC scheduling considerations to account for a tightly-packed Saturday evening schedule.

@ Elainesp. I perhaps was bang out of order to say what I said. I appologise profusely and withdraw what I said. Can we pretend I never said it?

It is not for me to accertain why celebrities go on or how much prior experience they have. But to perhaps explain why I said is I think I may have subconciously looked at the role, the importance and presence of the pro's and wrongly assumed about the position the celebrities must come from, going into the series they are going in to. I perhaps may have assumed wrongly that they are that much of a novice they need the kind of coaching they recieve from their new professional partners. We have all seen footage of the training on It Takes Two. The pros really seem to put them through their paces in regard to teaching them moves and try to structure a good routine. Especally the better couples.



And in no way was I being offensive and crass when I said you didn't seem to understand what I said. But if that was the impression you got, again I admit I was bang out of order and I am so very sorry and I hope I deserve some absolution from your good self. The sentiment you expressed about what Strictly Come Dancing is basically about is what I was trying to express when I said we ought not to loose sight of what it is about.

I am pleased that other bloggers took exception to the comments by some of the Judges to Peter, which did not encourage or comment but just went for cheap laughs.

I felt that considering Peter was playing at Leicester City when Peter Schmeichel was born, that he did very well under the circumstances.

But if you have ever seen the videos of Diego Maradona on Italian TV in 2005 then you would know that Peter Shilton not only tried hard but is a more capable dancer than his old adversary. Most of Maradona's routines entailed his partner dancing around him while he shimmied, at least once while he played with a football.

Michelle could do with more support from her British Fans, but she is a long way from home and perhaps any Americans in exile should be encouraged to watch and vote. Certainly I feel that her dancing is better than the scores that she is achieving.

As for Ann & Anton they have got the trophy in the bag according to a Yahoo poll of over 360,000 users of their website which shows a clear 2% lead on her nearest rivals Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev.

Perhaps we should get Bruce a 'Swingometer' as per the General Election, or perhaps not as it might end in a hung result between Ann and Gavin.

By the way, for those diehards who 'pooh-pooh' polls, Yahoo showed Goldie, Paul and Peter each with less than 1% of the vote, coincidentally the first three to go. The next to go (as per Yahoo) would be either Gavin or Michelle each of whom only achieved 4% of the poll.

Remember you heard it here first and if you want to change the future you will have to vote accordingly!

Keeeep Dancing!!!

I thought Saturday nights show was a great show. Peter did the best he could with his Charilston and I do think personally that Michellec danced better with Ian as they seemed more suited although all tyhe best to Brendan and do hope to see him back soon. I feel Ann should go soon as I know she is popular with the public but I hope she does not last much longer as she is not a great danceer.



Gareth

Edinburgh

I watched ITT tonight and Oh boy(!)Gavin Henson must be one of the most vain, narcissistic, self obsessed human beings on this planet!!



Some may say he is joking but is he? I feel uncomfortable watching him watching himself.... Poor Katya.



I wonder if Craigs floorboards are also THICK???

Re: Gavin. I don't in any way wish to defend him, but I would suggest that there may be very good reasons why he appears to be so obsessed with his looks. It's very rarely pure vanity. I myself must fiddle with my hair everytime I'm near a mirror and my brother has been known to spend over an hour doing his hair in the morning which has nothing to do with vanity and everything to do with a mental health condition. I'm not wanting to speculate that Gavin has a mental health condition, but to me he comes across as someone who actually has major confidence issues and the tans, 'perfect' hair and waxing is a way of covering for that.

The lighting this year is brilliant. Claudia is very slick. The costumes are mostly great. T H E C A M E R A W O R K I S D I A B O L I C A L !!!!! We want to see the dances in their entirety from the front showing their feet and their lines particularly; not their sweaty faces, smeared lipstick or them without their partners. Please change the camerawork.

Gutted that Erin went as she's absolutely stunning and never fails to look gorgeous. Hopefully, she'll be on for the rest of the series in the professional dances. Peter got a bad deal with the dance this week, I think a slower ballroom style dance was more his forte.



As for the rest, I want Ann to go next as it's just so cringeworthy watching but, if not her, Michelle as she's soooo annoying!

It was definitely time for Peter to go. As a dancer he never had a watchable quality for me and I found his performances either dull or embarrassing. I certainly won't be sorry to hear the last of the laboured football puns and cliches.





I do miss the old forums - it's harder to get a good debate going with these blogs.

SCD Fanatic: That was exactly my point-out of the dancers who weren't the best I would rather watch Anne than Peter or Gavin, so for the time being I don't mind that she's still in the competition. This seems to happen every year, that some people get so cross that someone is in the show who 'shouldn't' be. If they were all the same standard, a lot of the show's personality would be lost.



Solea: I too miss the forums and have tried to get a satisfactory answer about why they withdrawn. I used to love the smilies!

@ markydh. How can I put this. I don't think there has ever been a proven scientific and/or medical link between a person beeing as mad as a box of frogs, having a confidence crisis and a sudden need to turn yourself into a cross between Cassanova and David Dickenson. So one putting the three things into the same sentence isn't the wisest thing one will be noted for.



I should think people would think him a darn sight odder if he suddenly was to talk himself and Katya down. The fact he likes to raise his hopes up by talking in a positive manner is something he cannot exactly be hung for. And as for the bench pressing of Katya last week, I shouldn't read too much into it. He was just doing something called 'larking about'. Most on here should try it some time.

no he shouldnt have gone ahead of AW, neither should anyone else even the welsh woodentop.i agree with the previous comment that anyone who thinks she's (AW) likeable have very short memories, but then no doubt the tub thumping blue rinses will continue to vote for her.The worse thing is that it has detracted our attention from all the other contestants who are genuinely entertaining, which I suspect was the producers' intention as any controversy brings SCD more news coverage and hopefully more viewers. Incidentally, the previous refernce to the flying honourable's "good"performance as an MP is totally irrelevant-- Peter Shilton wasn't a bad footballer(!!!) but it doesnt mean he can dance.

Saturday's show was great entertainment, particularly the Charlston dances - also loved the pro-jazz/jitterbug on the results show - let's see more of the pros. Also praise for Karen Hardy on ITT.



Michelle does not seem to endear herself to the audience but she did not deserve to be in bottom two. Could do without Gavin. Disappointed in Len giving Anne a 7 when he usually is the one who usually focuses on the dancing technique - agree with Craig on this point. BBC must be loving Anne still being in because she ups the entertainment value of the programme. Why does she always seem to be one of the last dancers - so that the audience will keep watching for her? She also has been lucky (or it is favouritsm? ) that she has had all ballroom (in hold) dances. Can't wait to see her in jive, rumba, charlston!! Nopbody else could have partnered her (or put up with her) so well as Anton. I bet Vincent thought he was going to get her becuase of the height similarlty.



Agree with so many comments on the sickening, dizzy camera work, compounded even more so this year by the too glitzy flashing lights on the set and across the dance floor.



Look forward to the next show.

81. At 1:22pm on 28 Oct 2010, tippytappy wrote:

"i agree with the previous comment that anyone who thinks she's (AW) likeable have very short memories" "



but also



"Incidentally, the previous refernce to the flying honourable's "good"performance as an MP is totally irrelevant"



You can't have it both ways tippytappy - either Ann's behaviour before appearing on SCD is relevant or it isn't. You can't pick and choose which behaviour is relevant.



Personally I like to judge a person on their current attitude and I like the cut of Ann's jib at the moment.



I would myself be happy for her to stay in for a couple more weeks but if she wins so be it, my favourite rarely wins but I still enjoy the show.

I agree that Peter had to go this week.Although Anne[love her or not]is doing her best & there is an improvement,in all fairness to the other better dancers,it is time for her to go-it is a dance contest-there's a clue in the title of the show afterall!.Then hopefully Gavin will go as he doesn't seem to be quite "with it"-could be good I'm sure,but seems to be afraid of making a fool of himself & lost without a mirror in front of him!.I just love Matt,Scccotttt,Jimmi& Pamela.

I have to agree with many other viewers about the awful camera work-we would like to see the feet as well as the upper body!Pleeeeease listen to us who are watching at home & getting frustrated by it.

Good luck everyone on Saturday!!

tippytappy, Scot Sue & co.

You must remember that Ann Widdecombe and Anton were popular before they had even danced their first step in this year's competition.

At the cost of repetition, Yahoo carried out an opinion poll on their Entertainment page this month and over 361,000 people responded. Ann & Anton came First with 19% (70,000), Second was Kara & Artim with 17% (59,000).

You may well claim that this was only a few of the SCD fans but Goldie, Paul and Peter each got 1% and they have now gone!!!

SCD is not just about Dancing as there is a very strong factor called 'Uho Luvs Yer Babe' and that can stronly influence the vote.

Never mind eh - Keeeep Dancing (and voting)!!!

Flea.... Sorry to nit-pick (no pun intended) but the remark about AW's likeability is a reference to her personally, based on some of her opinions, and the reference to her as an MP is a reference to her ability professionally and the fact that she worked hard. The latter could be, and probably was, true regardless of her political persuasion,but has no relevance to her appearance on strictly.The reference I made to Peter Shilton was to point out that he was also good at his job, and made no reference to his likeability.Are we going to start saying that Pamela Stephenson was funny in Not the Nine o'clock News, and that Gavin Henson can run with the ball, so they should be voted for. Of course not. It's a subtle difference I know.

I like the pun.



The only reason we know Ann's opinions is because of her past career. Do we know anybody else's stance on abortion or fox hunting etc etc? No. Therefore Ann's opinions on such matters are irrelevant (even though her anti fox hunting stance could well gain her some votes).



I don't watch soaps so there are a number of celebs who are unknowns to me. I judge them on their attitude now. I think it is only fair to do the same for Ann.

Fair enough. But my main point was that how efficient contestants were/are in their career is irrelevant and I think we agree about that. You're right, we know nothing of the others' opinions on such things as equality for homosexuals and the shackling of pregnant prisoners and perhaps that's just as well, but I find it a bit difficult to suspend previously held knowledge.I was prepared to be open minded because of her anti fox hunting stance, but that she has been allowed to bring her own brand of narrow mindedness to SCD by refusing any hip movement or flesh revealing dresses has been irritating.No other individual to my knowledge has made their own caviats and they have all shown a willingness to risk embarrassment.Part of the charm of the show is that it is family entertainment and I applaud that, but it is no vicar's tea party either and she shouldnt be allowed to try and turn it into one. She shouldnt,as you say,be judged on this show for any opinions that she holds but neither should she try to impose them on us.

What an absolute farce. GET OUT NOW WIDDECOMBE!!!!!YOU SHOULD NOT BE THERE.

Big Brother has gone. Isn`t it time for SCD to go??? (And please take that annoying Bruce Forsythe wit you)

Another ridiclous farce unfolds.

I would think sweet, inofensive little Tina is backstage crying her eyes out as I write this. Not because she has been voted off, you understand. She will be crying because apparently, the public consider her inferior to AW, either in dancing ability, or personality... or both!! If I was her, I would be insulted. In our house, we cannot even bear to watch when Anton takes the floor, whereas Tina at least entertained us with a competitive level of skill.

The entire production has become a sick joke. Becoming stressed-out and angry from watching the "results" show is not our idea of entertainmment. The judges should judge, not the public. The BBC has destroyed this once-brilliant show by their change in format and it is now too late.

We will be giving the program a miss for a while, I think and return to watching DVD's on a Saturday night. Perhaps we will resume watching (both parts) when it returns to being a contest concerned with dancing ability, rather than personality.

Well said, Craig: the only person who has openly voiced the truth.

This year, I am almost ashamed to say we are actually looking forward to ITV's Dancing on Ice, considered a definite second to the BBC's dancing production until now. At least with the ice dancing, individuals require an inherant level of skill to even step onto the ice from day one.